[{"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-22":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},2362150,4618,"Chapter 22: Top-Class Immortal Sheep Devotee!","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-22",22,"\u003Cp>On the seventh day of the sixth lunar month, Rain Alley City enjoyed a rare clear day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the morning after the rain, the air carried the fragrant scent of grass and trees, refreshing and invigorating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a day of rest, Lu Ran was full of energy; even hearing that Wu Shanshan was leaving the team didn’t disrupt his good state.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, ever since parting with Jiang Ruyi and Deng Yutang yesterday, Lu Ran had begun imagining his new teammates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bye bye, bye bye, the next one will be even better!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The rain fell all night, my love overflowed like rainwater~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran walked to school, eating a can of fish while humming a tune.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who will my next teammate be?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which deity’s devotee will it be?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it’s Ma Tianchuan, that’ll be fun—won’t Wu Shanshan be heartbroken?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The taste of grilled mackerel, cat and you”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran stopped and stared curiously at the school gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On both sides of the gate, crowds of students and parents thronged together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The school had posted the results!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And they were displayed outside the gate, open to the public.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran pushed forward, scanning the crowd as he hurried over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“4100 points? 4100 points?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How did they even score that? Broke the school’s all-time record, didn’t they?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They’re literally animals—who’s the real beast here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the buzzing chatter, Lu Ran pushed forward, head held high, staring at the list.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the top of the red banner, bold black characters read:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Team No. 98: Members—Senior 2 (4) Class Jiang Ruyi, Senior 2 (4) Class Lu Ran, Senior 2 (4) Class Deng Yutang, Senior 2 (12) Class Wu Shanshan—4100 points!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First place: All team members gain +10 devotee points!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the red background with black characters, Lu Ran was thrilled—his can of fish spilled a little broth!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked down, and as expected, found Ma Tianchuan’s team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Team No. 17: Members—Senior 2 (7) Class Ma Tianchuan, Senior 2 (7) Class Tian Tian—3100 points!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second place: All team members gain +8 devotee points!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>High-quality divine power beads secured!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran basked in joy, but the surrounding chatter never ceased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Class president Wu and Class president Jiang are amazing—no wonder they’re top two in the grade! Haha, they actually knocked the number one off!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ma Tianchuan, Ma Tianchuan, who’d have thought you’d get this comeuppance?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, are you all only looking at this one list? Haven’t you checked the one on the right side of the gate?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you mean?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s the individual ranking—go take a look, you’ll be blinded!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, yes, go check! It’s left me speechless!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I thought it was two gods carrying the team, but damn—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd stirred. Lu Ran blended into the flow, passed the gate, and turned to the large banner on the opposite wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sixth lunar month, fifth day: First-ever Demon Dog Village Assessment at Rain Alley No. 1 High School—Individual Scores:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First place, Senior 2 (4) Class, Lu Ran—98 points, Immortal Sheep Devotee. Devotee points +10!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second place, Senior 2 (7) Class, Ma Tianchuan—87.1 points, Nuo Sha Devotee. Devotee points +8!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Third place, Senior 2 (11) Class, Gao Zhonglin—81.6 points, Tan Lang Devotee. Devotee points +8!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fourth place, Senior 2 (8) Class, Shi Hui—81.3 points, Sword Lotus Devotee. Devotee points +6!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Devotee points will be recorded in your personal file and follow you for life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this era where everyone worships deities, devotee points are extremely important!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They determine whether a student can graduate smoothly, serve as key credentials for entering top universities, and act as the golden ticket to prestigious jobs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They can even serve as your golden trademark in the marriage market.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most crucially, the higher a person’s devotee points and influence, the more their deity benefits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is one of the main ways devotees repay their deities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Take Lu Ran right now:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As an Immortal Sheep Devotee, he earned a full 20 devotee points—top on both lists!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without even exaggerating, among students and parents, the name of the Immortal Sheep will be mentioned repeatedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rain Alley City is indeed small, and the Demon Dog Village Assessment isn’t highly regarded—it lacks strong credibility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But every journey begins with a single step!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran stood there, mouth agape, staring at the banner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His emotions were complex—not just joy, but a hint of confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>98 points, ranked first!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This…?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Jiang Ruyi and Wu Shanshan, the two class presidents, didn’t make the top twenty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because my Divine Art—Sound of Sorrow—is too overwhelming, leaving them no room to shine?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Immortal Sheep Devotee? Did I read that right? Or did the school make a mistake? First place is an Immortal Sheep Devotee?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah, why not?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If this gets out, our school will be laughed out of existence—a ninth-rank deity’s devotee ranked first?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How could it be wrong? Lu Ran’s name is written clearly!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who the hell is Lu Ran? Where did he come from?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s the guy who summoned the demon Yan Zhi Ren on Devotion Day!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Holy shit! That’s Lu Ran?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, an arm wrapped around Lu Ran’s shoulder, shaking him excitedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran turned and saw the fortune-telling girl—Chang Ying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What did you even do?” Chang Ying asked curiously, leaning close to his ear, whispering, “How did you get these points?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: “.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I don’t know either!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, aren’t you good at divination?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I should be asking you this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran’s ear tickled—he tilted his head away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chang Ying, as always, was rough—she pressed her hand against his cheek and forcibly turned his head back: “If you don’t tell me, I’ll shout it out to everyone that you’re here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m telling you, my voice is loud!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran sighed: “Can you stop putting your arm around me? You’re a girl.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if you’re tall and dark-skinned, don’t you realize how striking your figure is?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You’re a girl! A girl!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chang Ying waved her hand: “Don’t talk like that—we’re bros!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: “Bros who stole my spicy strips?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chang Ying instantly pouted: “Bros don’t steal your snacks—wait! I didn’t steal them! That was my payment!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran suddenly raised his hand and whispered: “Want some canned fish?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mmm.” The girl licked her lips, her eyes instantly drawn to the tomato-flavored fish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: “It’s yours.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hehe~” Chang Ying smiled, feigning shyness, “That’s too kind of you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the girl reached for the can, Lu Ran slipped out from under her arm and pushed through the crowd to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By the way, Lu Ran!” Chang Ying suddenly remembered, watching his retreating back, “You haven’t told me—um.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice cut off, and the noisy crowd fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Parents and students alike turned their heads, following Chang Ying’s gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where? Where’s Lu Ran?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh no! I just badmouthed him—he heard everything, didn’t he?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Relax, bro, Lu Ran just got in trouble with a Prison Demon devotee last week—he nearly got expelled. He won’t beat you up at school.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s the big deal? Calling him an animal? That score isn’t humanly possible!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“98 points? He’s got no shame left.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chang Ying ate the tomato fish, mumbling: “Lu Ran’s actually pretty good—don’t talk trash, okay? Mmm, delicious, delicious~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But her voice was quiet, as if she cared more about the canned fish than defending Lu Ran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the school gate, it was noisy; inside the campus, it was much quieter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran hurried toward the classroom building, drawing many glances along the way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most students entering the campus had already seen the rankings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They all knew this follower of Xiang Xianyang had topped a host of powerful deity followers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was outright rebellion against heaven!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under countless stares, Lu Ran walked faster, his heart swelling with excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m rich. I’m rich.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Twenty believer points from a single exam?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt like a dream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Individual and team rankings from each exam disappear within a few days, but the believer points leaderboard never gets removed!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It keeps accumulating, accompanying Lu Ran throughout his entire believer career.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The graduation cutoff is 320 believer points.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only if you accumulate enough points can you receive your diploma—and qualify for university.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran had already covered the entire cutoff with just one beginner exam.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before other students catch up, he’ll remain at the top of the believer points leaderboard, bearing the title “Follower of Xiang Xianyang”!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So satisfying~!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran secretly rejoiced, sprinted up to the third floor, and slipped into his classroom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lu Ran’s here!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bro Ran is legendary! Legendary, period!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bro 98’s here!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: “...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His team was No. 98, he scored 98 points, and coincidentally, Xiang Xianyang’s rank in the deity sequence was also 98th.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could avoid stares from outsiders, but in his own classroom, there was no escape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran stopped on the podium, waving his hands in mock humility: “Oh come on, this is ridiculous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don’t ask me—I don’t even know where those two points got deducted.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, the noisy classroom fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone stared at Lu Ran, expecting him to modestly downplay it—instead,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could you possibly say something like that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You want a perfect score?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Tianchuan only got eighty-something!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is that even human speech?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I really want to hit him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kou Yingquan! Where’s Kou Yingquan? Go on, we’ve got your back! Take him down!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This kid can’t be allowed to live...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the fourth row, Jiang Ruyi remained as gentle and serene as ever, a faint smile on her face as she watched Lu Ran’s antics.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the laughter and noise, Kou Yingquan’s cold snort cut sharply: “Hmph. Pure luck.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, dozens of eyes turned to Kou Yingquan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Other students’ comments—whether envious or jealous—were all wrapped in jest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Kou Yingquan was different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They already had a grudge; his words changed everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The classroom fell silent. Everyone waited for drama to unfold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet before the main party could respond, Qian Hao in the front row suddenly jumped to his feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He grabbed his chair and carried it toward Lu Ran on the podium.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: “???”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Hao: “Bro Ran, don’t just stand there—you need this, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pfft hahaha!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha, Fatty knows how to stoke the fire!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kou Yingquan turned beet red, nearly spitting blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran snapped: “You really want me expelled?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Hao grinned: “I just thought you were short a weapon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for helping others, Qian Hao had learned it from Lu Ran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran crossed his arms sternly in front of him and made a big X: “Nope!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Hao suddenly shuddered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For some reason, whenever he heard those two words, he felt an urgent need to urinate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cough.” Jiang Ruyi, who had been silent all along, stood up from her seat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran turned to look and saw the girl tilt her head slightly, gesturing toward the inner seat by the wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since their last conflict, Jiang Ruy\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now Lu Ran sat inside, while Jiang Ruyi sat outside, leaning against the aisle side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh.” Lu Ran stopped bantering with his classmates and walked toward his seat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tsk tsk~ Little tricks from Class Monitor Jiang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why does it feel kinda sweet?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lu Ran looks so well-behaved, so cute, I want to…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You wish for Ox Demon! Your home’s been stolen by Burn Dog, and Jiang Meiren’s been lured away by him—holy shit, the homeroom teacher’s coming.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tap, tap, tap.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound of high heels striking the floor grew clearer, drawing nearer; the classroom instantly fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What is pressure?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran dodged frantically!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He mashed the A and B keys until they nearly broke, yet still couldn’t evade it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Lu Ran could sit down, a sharp voice rang out from the classroom door: “Making such a racket—like a marketplace. Did you all pass?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yanzhu crossed her arms over her chest, staring at the flustered boy: “Lu Ran!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Here!” Lu Ran instinctively stood at attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yanzhu asked: “Did you pass?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I…” Lu Ran opened his mouth, eager to say he’d done well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But seeing his homeroom teacher’s stern face, he wasn’t sure if saying that would count as backtalk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yanzhu stepped onto the podium and changed tone: “You did indeed do well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: ???\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s like beating a child on a rainy day—just because you’re bored, right?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But don’t get arrogant,” Li Yanzhu shifted tone again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: “...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yanzhu pressed her hands on the podium, her gaze sweeping over the students: “What you killed—was that even a demon?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those vicious dogs were carefully selected by the military before being thrown at you. They didn’t even know basic demonic arts—what else could they do besides open their mouths and bite?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s there to be proud of, defeating such enemies? Do you even have the face to laugh and joke?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yanzhu continued: “The fifteenth day of the lunar month is coming soon—your final exam is participating in this city defense operation!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“On the night of the full moon, the demons invading human society won’t be filtered by the military for you anymore. Haven’t you realized your situation yet?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All of you laughing and fooling around—do you want to die on the fifteenth of the lunar month?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thank you to the patrons who supported me: Burning Thigh Hair, Shi Bu Wang Ru, Ling Xi, Lao Cao Ye Zuo Chun Guan, and others! Thank you for your support, patrons, you’re magnificent!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(`) Sending heart\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2224,"2026-06-21T06:12:58.056Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","967164f8f9989407866327d758eff397719a83af9bc0a1a2302b260f6955612d","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-23","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-21",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fat-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-cover.jpg"]