[{"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-17":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},2362145,4618,"Chapter 17: A Big Sister","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-17",17,"\u003Cp>“Sss!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few minutes later, the door suddenly opened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yu stepped forward first, boarding the vehicle, only to be hit by a wave of bloodstained stench.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The students on the bus were mostly hardened types.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because only if you’ve gone far enough into the Demon Den will your return take longer, earning you a seat on this final bus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Congratulations!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Class Leader Jiang, mighty!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Class Leader Wu, you’ve finally taken first place, haha!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing wave after wave of congratulations, Wu Shanshan was exhausted but smiled sweetly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She replied while walking backward, spotting a familiar face in the second-to-last row.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Congratulations,” Ma Tianchuan nodded with a smile, showing surprising grace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t fool me!” Wu Shanshan strained to suppress her grin, but it refused to hide, “I can’t stand guys like you, model students!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every time after the exam, you say you bombed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet when results come out, when has anyone ever beaten you?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Tianchuan shook his head, glancing toward Jiang Ruyi behind him: “This time, it’s not true.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi gave a slight nod, a quiet greeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They recognized each other, but weren’t close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Tianchuan turned slightly, watching the four seated in the back row, Shitandao : “So, Class Leader Jiang’s crowd control and Class Leader Wu’s output must’ve made for terrifying dog-slaying efficiency?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, Jiang Ruyi instinctively glanced toward Lu Ran, seated by the window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Tianchuan adjusted his rimless glasses, reading the girl’s body language.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh heh, not bad, not bad~” Wu Shanshan beamed, her face lit up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a perennial second or third, finally reaching the top, the young girl couldn’t contain her joy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Tianchuan looked at Lu Ran: “Lu, your bloodstains are thick—did you slaughter your way through Dog Village?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran didn’t even want to speak, only gave a slight nod, barely moving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t showing off—he was truly drained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Lu Ran fully understood the cost of overusing his powers and exhausting his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t be so reckless again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was only seventeen—his happy life hadn’t even begun; how could he be this weak?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’s exhausted, don’t mind him,” Jiang Ruyi said softly, explaining for Lu Ran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The last four to board were naturally the center of attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many students had seen Jiang Ruyi sitting with Lu Ran, speaking for him, defending him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, the bus erupted in teasing shouts:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ooooh~~~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So Lu Ran’s just tired, huh~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiang Meiren speaks so gently—so nice, I want to hear more.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Drive! Drive now, please, please, please!” A shout cut through sharply, even silencing the hardened students.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran was startled—he had no idea what the chubby kid in front was screaming about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yu turned to his classmate: “Qian Hao, what’s wrong?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Drive!” Qian Hao trembled, head down, voice filled with despair, “Drive drive drive drive...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian, stop chanting!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran felt his skull buzzing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran slumped forward, forehead pressed against Qian Hao’s seatback, weakly moaning: “Dadamei~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi: ???\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Hao: “...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I told the driver to drive, not you to drive, you idiot!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You’re actually eager to help?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Tianchuan, watching Lu Ran like a pile of mud, suggested: “Once Lu’s recovered, let’s spar?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You might not beat my brother Lu,” Deng Yu responded quickly, sounding proud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Tianchuan only smiled, saying nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Really? Top student?” Wu Shanshan adored any chance to knock the number one down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She continued cheerfully: “Ran Bao is Fog Realm, Stage Two.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh?” Not only Ma Tianchuan was startled—surrounding students also looked shocked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’d only become believers for a few days—already Fog Realm, Stage Two?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is this the true value of attracting the Demon Clan’s Yan Zhi people?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder this team slaughtered so many vicious dogs!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We thought it was Jiang and Wu’s brilliance—but turns out there’s a giant Buddha hiding in the team?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hum~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bus finally started, slowly pulling out of the military base through steady drizzle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since everyone came from school, the bus would take the students back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the No. 1 Middle School gate, many parents waited, praying their children would return safely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For any family, their child becoming a believer and entering the Demon Den for the first time was a monumental event.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unsurprisingly, Lu Ran’s three teammates all had family waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only he, alone, carried his sword, dragging his weary body toward home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had money for a taxi—but he didn’t know if any driver would dare pick him up, covered in blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Lu?” A voice called out suddenly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm?” Lu Ran turned to see Deng Yu pushing through the crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The team had scattered while searching for their families.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran thought it was fine—no awkward goodbyes, no embarrassment—but he hadn’t expected this guy to find him again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where do you live? I’ll drive you home,” Deng Yu waved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran didn’t hesitate—he walked straight toward Deng Yu, muttering things like “That’s no good,” “Too much trouble.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yu was stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, the two reached a black coupe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The color was understated, but the brand was anything but.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran grinned—Wu Shanshan had actually guessed right!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yu didn’t just carry a Porsche—he drove one too?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Click.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The driver’s door suddenly opened, and out stepped a tall, elegant woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran was slightly surprised—he’d assumed it was the driver picking up Young Master Deng, but this girl’s aura—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was tall, radiant, stunning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her lips wore clear lip gloss, red ruby studs glinted at her earlobes, amplifying her sensuality and allure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re Lu Ran?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister, hello,” Lu Ran greeted politely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his face was smeared with blood, soaked by rain, looking filthy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young woman didn’t mind at all, smiling at his bloodstained uniform: “Get in.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She spoke casually, then returned to the driver’s seat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Give me the sword—I’ll put it in the trunk,” Deng Yu said, taking Lu Ran’s Radiant Blade and circling to the rear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran stood frozen, murmuring things like “That’s no good,” “No need, no need.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll do it myself—” Lu Ran fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Deng Yu had already stowed the blade and returned to the car side, staring at Lu Ran with utter disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then move already!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Click.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The front passenger door opened from inside, the woman’s voice calling: “Get in.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh.” Lu Ran bowed his head and slipped into the coupe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Far away, Jiang Ruyi stood before a sedan, watching Lu Ran enter the woman’s luxury car before she closed her umbrella and got into the passenger seat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are you looking at?” the middle-aged woman asked curiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My teammate—I’ve been searching for him, wanted to give him a ride home,” Jiang Ruyi shook water off her umbrella and shut the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No need—he’s already being taken,” Jiang Ruyi whispered. “Let’s go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The middle-aged woman looked at her daughter’s bowed head and smiled: “Is this teammate a boy or a girl?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh no, Mom, it’s not what you think!” Jiang Ruyi blushed slightly and pouted, “I was afraid he’d be left alone and feel disappointed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hehe.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, inside the black sedan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister is also a believer, aren’t you? You look so fierce!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister is so young—are you still in college? Is it summer vacation now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your brow and forehead look just like Deng Yu’s,” Lu Ran observed the young woman’s profile, studying her closely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m his biological sister, Deng Yuxiang,” the woman smiled warmly and finally spoke. “Also, I’ve already started working.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This kid’s got quite the smooth tongue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rain Alley?” Lu Ran was startled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How deeply must the Deng couple love their hometown to name their daughter after a city?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned his head, gazing out the window at Rain Alley City, and murmured softly, “Nice name.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran liked Rain Alley too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He also liked the Wuli River that flowed through the heart of the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every time Lu Ran practiced his sword on the abandoned building where his father died, he could see the Wuli River rolling far off in the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the backseat, Deng Yutang was dumbfounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What? Didn’t you just say you were too tired to even talk?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How did you two start chatting like this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this got out, how would Ma Tianchuan feel?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hehe,” Deng Yuxiang glanced at Lu Ran. “Your name is legendary to me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: “Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yuxiang kept one hand on the steering wheel. “Rain Alley City is so small, yet your commotions are so loud.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh,” Lu Ran understood at once—he knew she meant the day of the Divine Worship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over the past few days, many departments in Rain Alley City had come to visit Lu Ran, bringing their warmth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some officials even insisted on seeing the divine statue of Xiang Xianyang in Lu Ran’s home before they’d feel comfortable leaving, which annoyed Lu Ran greatly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your talent is rare in this world—don’t waste Heaven’s favor,” Deng Yuxiang said softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lu Brother hasn’t wasted it,” Deng Yutang suddenly spoke up. “In this exam, he went berserk—we’re definitely the top team in the entire school.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yuxiang raised an eyebrow slightly; she knew her brother wouldn’t dare lie to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She glanced again at Lu Ran, drenched in blood, and nodded gently. “I can see that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran said sheepishly, “Sister, you’ll need to wash the car.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s fine,” Deng Yuxiang didn’t mind, but she wrinkled her nose in confusion. “The smell of blood on you two is normal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But why is there also a smell of urine?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: “...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yutang: “...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1577,"2026-06-21T06:12:58.056Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","c32bf6a1ae061c254513b543976d093d72cea420afba68173df2cfa8a572073d","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-18","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-16",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fat-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-cover.jpg"]