[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods":3,"chapter-at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-14":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","At the Summit of the Old Gods",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2362142,4618,"Chapter 14: Elegance","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-14",14,"\u003Cp>The school bus swayed as it headed west, leaving Yuxiang City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran hugged the Radiant Blade, his shoulder pressed against the window glass, silently gazing at the rain outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lord Wu Ya!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, I see it!” The classmates chattered noisily inside the bus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran looked up and saw, through the misty rain, a massive statue flickering in and out of view.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Deity · Wu Ya!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a beast deity, entirely black, resembling a crow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It stood atop a stone pillar dozens of meters high, head raised as if cawing, wings spread as if ready to fly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its vast, outstretched wings were truly blinding the sky, radiating overwhelming might!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Ya’s rank was low—merely a Seventh-Rank Deity—but its followers were highly sought after.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Wu Ya’s divine arts focused on reconnaissance, disruption, and illusion, no team would refuse a skilled scout.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The weakness of Wu Ya’s followers was obvious: poor offensive power, severely unbalanced specialization.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Finally here,” Wu Shanshan reached forward, tugging the red headscarf wrapped around Deng Yutang’s head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?” Deng Yutang turned to look at the girl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Shanshan said: “Once we enter Dog’s Den Village, you’ve got to shout louder—boost our battle spirit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yutang laughed: “We haven’t even entered the demon lair yet, and you’re already scared?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Shanshan sniffed, thinking to herself: I’m worried about someone panicking and running away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran advanced ahead of everyone due to talent, but how he’d perform in actual combat was another matter entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran had indeed faced off directly against the Prisoned Demon follower Kou Yingquan, but in Wu Shanshan’s mind, Kou Yingquan was still human—not a demon that stole lives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ding~ ding~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The school bus convoy passed through multiple checkpoints and entered a military camp; as the vehicles halted, the students filed out one by one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many students froze in place, gazing up at the colossal deity statue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wherever a deity statue stood, a hundred li around became a military zone; normally, people rarely got close enough to see the true form of a god.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Number 91!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Number 95!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Number 98!” Voices rang out through the rain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They’re calling us,” Deng Yutang spotted a soldier and immediately walked over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m your squad instructor for this exercise, Dou Zhiqiang,” the soldier said solemnly, looking at the four arriving students. “Once you enter Dog’s Den Village, you have three hours of free movement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under normal circumstances, I won’t interfere with your actions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if I issue an order, you must obey unconditionally. Violators will result in immediate repatriation of the entire squad.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The four listened to each rule; minutes later, Instructor Dou led them inside the building.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The students, like Liu Laolao entering the Grand View Garden, found everything astonishing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran was certain the massive stone pillar at the hall’s center was the very one Wu Ya stood upon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A spiral staircase had been built along the pillar, winding downward into the earth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under Instructor Dou’s lead, the squad ascended the spiral stairs, descending deeper; as they went further underground, the divine energy grew denser.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Demon Lair Gate,” Lu Ran gripped the staircase railing and leaned down to look below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So beautiful,” Wu Shanshan peered around, murmuring to herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Online images could never compare to seeing it in person!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Far below, a vast extradimensional portal lay open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was as deep and exquisite as the starry heavens, like a dark oval curtain laid flat upon the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such a mysterious, wondrous sight left anyone stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stone pillar beneath the Deity · Wu Ya plunged straight into the starry curtain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dou Zhiqiang ordered: “Quiet! Stay close! Those afraid of heights—close your eyes and grip the shoulders of the person ahead!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone fell silent, daring not to speak again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the group stepped one by one into the starry curtain,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And as the group stepped one by one into the starry curtain\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A night wind surged, whipping Lu Ran’s clothes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The surroundings instantly changed: daylight became night, the underground transformed into a hundred-meter-high sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The four stood upon the staircase, appearing high above the night, looking down the pillar to see the true ground a full hundred meters below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From high up, one sees far.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the dark night, Lu Ran looked down and saw a stone city!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless torches bathed the city in crimson light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beyond the city, paths formed from torches twisted like fire dragons, stretching endlessly into the night’s edge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From high above, Lu Ran could also see several other illuminated stone cities kilometers away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mysterious, beautiful, grand and awe-inspiring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This place deserves a BGM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran had already imagined the Game of Thrones theme song in his head~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Demon Lair No. 386, Dog’s Den Village!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Maintain your pace, keep descending!” Dou Zhiqiang reminded the students, not allowing them to linger and admire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A hundred meters high, in human terms, was at least a thirty-story building.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At a hundred meters tall, equivalent to human buildings, it was at least thirty stories high\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Flap-flap-flap!” As they descended the stairs, a flock of crows flew upward along the pillar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dog’s Den Village housed only the demonic Dog Clan—meaning the crows were illusions created by human soldiers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Presumably, they were returning to Earth for rotation and rest?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran gazed up in envy at the freely flying crows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flying was secondary—the real prestige was transforming into crows!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially in Yuxiang City, where it rained often,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crows paired perfectly with gloomy skies and cold rainy nights.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long while, the four finally reached the ground, stepping onto Dog’s Den Village’s soil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stay close, move faster!” The stern instructor barked, leading them straight toward the west gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran marveled, walking while scanning his surroundings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These stone houses, towers, and walls were all built by human battalions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was said that in the early 1980s, when human soldiers attacked this demon lair, casualties were horrific!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a tragic, bloody history.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eventually, people built a crumbling outpost amid seas of blood and corpses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was like a tiny boat tossed in raging waves, resisting wave after wave of assaults by the demonic Dogs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That outpost was the famed Dog’s Den Village—the very grand stone city Lu Ran now stood in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Decades passed; the small village vanished, replaced by towering walls, but the name “Dog’s Den Village” endured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s 10:03 now,” Dou Zhiqiang led them to the city gate. “In three hours, I’ll take you out of Dog’s Den Village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You may explore within the city—it’s relatively safe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you wish to hunt Dogs outside, search along the walls or follow the torch paths—but do not leave the illuminated zones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you wish to leave the city to hunt the vicious dogs, search along the city walls or follow the torch paths—do not venture beyond the illuminated range\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he finished speaking, energy surged around Dou Zhiqiang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the words fell, Dou Zhiqiang’s body surged with energy\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before everyone’s eyes, the instructor suddenly transformed into a crow and soared upward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran grew even more envious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following the black crow’s flight, he saw stars glittering in the night sky—beautiful beyond words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the direction they had come, the towering stone pillar seemed to have punched a hole through the hundred-meter-high night sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the direction from which the crowd had come, the towering colossal stone pillar pierced the night sky a hundred meters above like a hole punched through it\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s leave the city,” Wu Shanshan blurted out first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Team ranking points came from killing Dogs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The squad instructor was the proctor, recording everyone’s performance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s go!” Deng Yutang was thrilled, striding boldly toward the gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Deng Yutang, why don’t you shout first?” Wu Shanshan followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yutang refused: “There are other students nearby.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A person’s mental resolve could indeed affect combat power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone had come from modern cities to this torch-lit stone city under nightfall—who wasn’t nervous?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially with Dogs roaming the village!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You—” Wu Shanshan grew anxious, unable to speak plainly, and unconsciously glanced at Lu Ran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You,” Wu Shanshan grew anxious but couldn’t say it outright, her eyes instinctively flicking to Lu Ran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran showed no fear at all—not the slightest hint of retreating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?” Lu Ran met the girl’s gaze, and a flicker of doubt crossed his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“N-nothing,” Wu Shanshan shook her head rapidly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi frowned slightly; her keen mind sensed something amiss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now was not the time to dwell on it. She tapped Lu Ran on the shoulder: “Let’s go—farther out. Time is short.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh.” Lu Ran immediately quickened his pace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Starting from the West Gate, over twenty torch-lit paths stretched outward, like fiery serpents crawling across the endless, desolate wasteland.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After observing for a moment, the group chose a path untouched by others, avoiding collision with other student squads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they advanced, they could still hear the distant barking of dogs beneath the night sky—fierce and menacing!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Over there!” Deng Yu raised his Tianchen Spear. “Is that it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes!” Jiang Ruyi held her sword in one hand, the other hanging naturally, fingertips glowing faintly with divine power as she traced something in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Divine arts also have tiers, just like divine power, classified by words like Mist, Stream, River, River, Sea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi’s divine art—Thunder Bind Talisman—is the lowest rank: Mist-tier. The runes cannot last long, nor can they enchant weapons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So she could only draw it on the spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to Jiang’s squad leader, Wu’s casting speed was far faster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Shanshan had already slung off her hunting bow, pinching the sinew string between two fingers. In the instant she drew the bow, a mist-water arrow took shape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Swoosh~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blue water arrow shot forward, striking straight at the dog exposed on the barren hill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Woof!” The dog barked sharply and dodged instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unexpectedly, it did not charge forward immediately, but kept barking incessantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi’s face darkened: “It has allies?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The four members scanned warily. Lu Ran suddenly spoke: “Left front—that small mound!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure enough, another dog emerged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demonic race—Evil Dog—was entirely black, resembling a slender hound breed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They stood over 1.2 meters at the shoulder, with slender bodies, heads, legs, and tails.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In short—everything was thin!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Here it comes!” Deng Yu gripped his Tianchen Spear tightly with both hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their position was near the human base camp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These two dogs had breached multiple defensive walls to appear here—they were deliberately let in by soldiers for student training.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, both dogs must be weak, just like the students—Mist-tier trash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet it was these weakest demons that delivered a massive psychological shock!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The terrifying speed, vicious eyes, and overwhelming brutality radiating from them—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching a thousand videos online could never match facing a demon in person!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ha!” Deng Yu roared, abandoning restraint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Divine Art: Crimson Scar Command!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, the four-member squad’s spirits surged. Combat desire drowned their fear, surging into their minds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You two—stay back!” Jiang Ruyi flicked her slender fingers forward. A bolt of lightning shot ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lightning serpent darted past Lu Ran and Deng Yu’s sides. Mid-flight, a phantom jade tablet flickered into view, bearing lightning runes, piercing straight at the dog.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Woof!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dog from the right front wasn’t just fast—it was agile and nimble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a single sharp turn, it dodged both the Thunder Bind Talisman and the mist-water arrow, then lunged straight at Deng Yu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The lament of a weak creature can lure the hunter’s hunger.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, a voice echoed into Lu Ran’s mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ha!” Deng Yu roared again, pouring divine power into his Tianchen Spear and thrusting it fiercely into the dog’s gaping maw.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the strike didn’t pierce the mouth—the dog clamped its sharp fangs onto the spear tip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rise!” Deng Yu stepped back, then violently heaved the Tianchen Spear’s crimson tassel upward, aiming to fling the dog into the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a clever tactic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Evil Dog race had no flight ability. Once thrown skyward, it would be helpless prey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dreams were beautiful—but the dog’s bite force was astonishing. It didn’t budge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hold on!” Wu Shanshan shouted, already drawing her bow, aiming at the dog locked onto the spearhead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Swoosh~” The mist-water arrow shot out again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rrr!” The Evil Dog’s combat instinct was extraordinary—it sensed imminent danger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It planted its front paws on the spear shaft, released\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran became nothing but a decoration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The vicious dog used Heaven-Chen Spear as a pole vault and leaped straight over Lu Ran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran was stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fuck, this little mongrel!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Showing off moves now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it fucking showed them right in my face, heading straight for the backline!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These days, even dogs know to target the backline?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn it.” Deng Yu’s face turned ashen; the second vicious dog was already lunging, and he had no time to chase—it was impossible to split his attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran immediately grabbed his blade and gave chase, shouting out:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Baa~~~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Divine Art: Sound of Compassion!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the plummeting vicious dog paid no heed to Lu Ran—it dug its paws into the ground and charged straight for the two women.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Shanshan and Jiang Ruyi both retreated, splitting to either side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Shanshan retreated while shouting: “Oh no, Lu Ran! Don’t make things worse!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, if not for the Compassion Sound’s effect, Wu Shanshan would’ve already been cursing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could such a cruel, violent dog possess even a shred of mercy?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You bleat at it—you’ll only disturb your own teammates, not make the dog pause for a second!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not weak enough. Not desperate enough.” The voice echoed again in Lu Ran’s mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?” Lu Ran chased relentlessly; the vicious dog was smart—it picked the prettiest girl in the team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when the dog saw the electric sparks flickering at Jiang Ruyi’s fingertips, it immediately began dodging left and right, shaking its head and twisting its body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Movement~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Movement~~~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Think back to how you felt on the Altar of Worship, facing the Paper Offerings.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Think back to how you felt, looking around and seeing no gods appear.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran’s mind buzzed; the deep, solemn voice dragged him back to the first day of the sixth lunar month.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Die!” At the front of the formation, Deng Yu flew into a rage, frantically stabbing the second vicious dog.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The formation was in chaos; his teammates were in peril—he, as the frontline, bore full responsibility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The team’s tactic was for Deng Yu to hold the enemy at bay while Lu Ran supported him, giving Jiang and Wu a safe environment to output damage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, everything was ruined!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Swoosh~ Swoosh~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first vicious dog was chasing Jiang Meiren; Wu Shanshan, temporarily safe, rapidly nocked and drew her arrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the lowest-grade Divine Art—Water Mist Arrow—she turned into something that felt like rapid-fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dog was incredibly swift, dodging while chasing, giving the humans a brutal lesson.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi’s face was stiff; she kept retreating, hesitant to throw her Electric Bind Talisman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she missed, drawing another would take at least three to five seconds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the talisman in her hand wouldn’t last much longer—if she didn’t throw it soon, it would vanish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Left, right, right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi was indeed impressive; even under such dire circumstances, she remained calm, trying to discern the dog’s evasion pattern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Baa~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that exact moment, a faint bleat sounded softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the chaos of battle, no teammate heard it—only the two keen-eared dogs noticed the weak creature’s cry!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dogs didn’t just hear it—they turned their heads involuntarily, locking onto the feeble life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In their eyes glowed greed; drool dripped from their jaws.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a dog that had been constantly twisting, dodging, and charging forward, how could it maintain balance when it suddenly whipped its head around?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi’s eyes sharpened—she hurled the Electric Bind Talisman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Snap!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Electric sparks erupted—the talisman struck the dog squarely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi halted her step, just as she was about to raise her sword and charge forward, when a figure had already passed by the vicious dog.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sss!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Radiant Light Blade, infused with divine power by Lu Ran, slashed through the air with a sharp whistle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The vicious dog’s head was severed like tofu—clean, swift, and decisive!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same moment, Deng Yu’s battle also ended, yet he was deeply puzzled: the fight had been fierce—why had the vicious dog suddenly turned its gaze elsewhere?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yu turned his head in confusion and saw Wu Shanshan with her mouth open, Jiang Ruyi with a look of shock—both staring at the same direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His heart tightened instantly!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What’s wrong with Brother Lu? Please don’t let anything happen to him!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yu followed the two women’s gazes and hurriedly looked over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There he saw Lu Ran standing still, his back to them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beneath the flickering flames, he held the Radiant Light Blade, its edge dripping drops of blood steadily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm. So damn cool.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thank you to Emperor Lindengwan of the Fourth Rome and Baobao’s Baby for your generous tips and countless monthly votes—I’m deeply grateful! Thank you!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>May you live long! Ura~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2832,"2026-06-21T06:12:58.056Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","38e494d7fbe8f88984ffd079aa395ec8697b03a9fca7e72bb20a76dca6ba3a36","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-15","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-13",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fat-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-cover.jpg"]