[{"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-26":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},2362154,4618,"Chapter 26: The First Is Your Lie","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-26",26,"\u003Cp>Unsurprisingly, Tian Tian’s weapon was a sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After practicing several formations and clarifying their positions, they went to spar with other teams.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tian Tian’s performance was quite impressive!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through match after match, she diligently guarded Jiang Meiren’s side, using petals to shield her goddess from wind and rain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yutang had once been the team’s sole defensive anchor; once breached, Lu Ran had to rush in to contain the damage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, with the Sword Lotus devotees, Deng Yutang’s pressure dropped sharply, and Lu Ran could roam freely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi had gone completely berserk!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a relatively stable output environment, her Thunder Bind talismans fluttered everywhere, crackling across the entire training ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After several rounds of combat, the electric sparks dancing at her fingertips left onlookers trembling with awe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let’s be honest—this roster change by the school had real strategy to it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time morning classes ended, Tian Tian bowed deeply to them all, her face filled with gratitude, before hurrying off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That morning, she received abundant care; her teammates spared no praise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even when she made mistakes, Jiang Ruyi never scolded her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For Tian Tian, who had been shunned and excluded, this team environment was beyond anything she’d dared to dream of.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This teammate’s good—just lacks confidence,” Deng Yutang said, pulling off his sweat-drenched red headband and shaking his hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This motion had become his standard post-battle ritual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt just like a \"settlement animation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm.” Jiang Ruyi watched Tian Tian’s retreating figure and sighed softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you think?” Lu Ran sat on the concrete ground, gazing at Jiang Meiren’s tall back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She’s good. Well-behaved,” Jiang Ruyi murmured. “Perfect for our team.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Agreed,” Lu Ran nodded in approval.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That morning, when he’d heard Wu Shanshan had left, he’d thought: Fine, bye-bye—next one’ll be even better!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And lo and behold—a truly obedient girl had shown up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She’d do anything asked of her, obeying Jiang Ruyi without question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even when speaking with Jiang Ruyi, Tian Tian would unconsciously lower her head, bowing in humble deference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm… maybe she’s too obedient?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We can help her build confidence,” Jiang Ruyi mused. “Once the Sword in the Lotus is drawn, our team will see a qualitative leap.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before she finished speaking, Jiang Ruyi suddenly trembled slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Waves of divine power surged forth, leaving Lu and Deng both astonished and delighted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is the monitor about to advance?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran had advanced on the fifth, and today was the seventh—clearly, Jiang Meiren’s talent was also exceptional.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments later, Lu Ran turned to Deng Yutang and raised an eyebrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just that small gesture made Deng Yutang’s face flush red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph,” Deng Yutang turned his head away, stubbornly defiant. “I’m about to advance too—what’s the rush?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the one who’s rushing knows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yutang walked off without hesitation: “I’m going home for lunch.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran called after him: “Don’t forget to show up at 1:30 p.m.—there are more students to trial.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yutang didn’t turn back, only waved his hand casually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside him, Jiang Meiren suddenly let out a soft nasal sound, as if deeply satisfied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: “Mm… that’s pretty nice too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew exactly how satisfying advancement felt—he savored the memory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So exhilarating!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t tell anyone,” Jiang Ruyi whispered suddenly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?” Lu Ran frowned, looking at Jiang Meiren, shrouded in divine mist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why hide an advancement?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Never mind,” Jiang Ruyi blushed, realizing she’d overthought it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mostly, that nasal sound had made her feel embarrassed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slightly awkward, she absentmindedly brushed the surrounding mist, drawing out strands of vapor—ethereal and dreamlike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This mist was truly misty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You want to hide your strength?” Lu Ran found it bizarre, yet oddly amusing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In front of Tian Tian, Jiang Meiren was a gentle older sister.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before him, she reverted to the girl who often blushed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kinda interesting, huh?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How about you? When will you advance to Mist Realm Stage Three?” Jiang Ruyi walked toward the arena’s edge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re so beautiful,” Lu Ran smirked, following her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Talk properly,” Jiang Ruyi said, slightly annoyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I mean—you’re dreaming!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi: “.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I just advanced two days ago… hey, don’t kick, put your leg down, be ladylike.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At noon, Lu Ran rushed home excitedly to report the good news: he’d topped both lists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the Immortal Sheep Lord did not send a voice message.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sheep Boss was not only domineering—he was also coldly aloof.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran didn’t press it; he simply activated his cultivation mode right before the altar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He longed to advance to Mist Realm Stage Three as soon as possible—only then could he learn the new divine art: Immortal Hoof.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This divine art would greatly enhance his speed, making it easier for him to maneuver and strike down enemies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though, the Immortal Sheep Lord had originally created Immortal Hoof to help his followers avoid conflict and stay far from battlefields…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it didn’t matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the divine art fell into Lu Ran’s hands, how it was used was entirely up to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, Lu Ran was the kind of guy who could beg for mercy while swinging a chair at someone’s head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the seventh and eighth, Lu Ran’s team trialed all four candidates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next three candidates each had unique strengths, yet the trio all felt something was missing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the evening of the eighth, the trio reached a consensus and submitted “Tian Tian”’s name to their homeroom teacher.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, Team 98 was fully rebuilt!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The four refused to slack off, training relentlessly every day, waiting only for the final exam on the fifteenth of the lunar month.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Days passed swiftly, and soon it was the thirteenth of the lunar month.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The four, preparing anxiously, encountered an old acquaintance on the training ground—Wu Shanshan!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Isn’t that Wu Shanshan?” Deng Yutang, drenched in sweat, held his wooden spear and stared beyond the chain-link fence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone turned; Lu Ran raised an eyebrow: “Looks like she’s coming for us?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi frowned slightly, watching Wu Shanshan and her new teammates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tian Tian seemed nervous; she stepped sideways, her petite frame hiding behind Jiang Meiren.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Wu Shanshan’s new teammates were precisely Tian Tian’s former teammates!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the Evil Dog Village assessment, many teams had restructured, mostly settling on new rosters before the eighth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In recent days, everyone had learned which team Wu Shanshan had joined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the school’s second-place team—Ma Tianchuan’s squad!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Monitor Jiang, long time no see,” Ma Tianchuan led his team into the arena.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hi~” Wu Shanshan walked beside Ma Tianchuan, smiling and waving at her former teammates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind her stood two more teammates—a man and a woman, both from Class 7.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yutang snorted: “Monitor Wu, found your own team?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Earlier, after hearing Jiang Ruyi’s account of Wu Shanshan’s departure, he’d held her in higher regard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A soldier wanting to become a general was perfectly natural.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when he learned Wu Shanshan had joined Ma Tianchuan’s team, Deng Yutang felt like someone had slapped him across the face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You couldn’t lead under Jiang Ruyi, so you just went to Ma Tianchuan instead?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is this a joke?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm. And you? How’s your new team?” Wu Shanshan’s smile didn’t fade; she seemed unfazed by Deng Yutang’s tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good,” Deng Yutang replied without hesitation, giving strong approval to his new teammates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tian Tian, you’re really lucky!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another female teammate laughed, glancing at silent Tian Tian: “You left our team and joined the number one squad!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tian Tian gave no response to her former teammate Wang Xinyao’s words—she remained firmly behind Jiang Ruyi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even, one of her small hands quietly tugged at Jiang Ruyi’s sleeve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Xinyao saw this and couldn’t help but smile slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yutang, visibly displeased by her condescending tone, said: “So you’re saying Tian Tian should thank you for kicking her out?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Xinyao’s expression darkened: “How can you speak so rudely?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran suddenly spoke, grinning: “Our Young Master Deng likes to tell a few small truths~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After being praised by Lu Ran, Deng Yutang straightened his posture, proud: “Yes, I love telling the truth!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Xinyao instantly grew furious: “You—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Cheng, the male team member beside her, was also dissatisfied: \"Team adjustments are completely normal!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We’re all here for better growth—what’s right or wrong about it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Enough, enough,” Ma Tianchuan spoke up. “Don’t get so worked up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as the captain spoke, Wang Xinyao and Zheng Cheng fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Tianchuan stated his purpose: “These past few days, I’ve been watching Jiang’s squad spar with other teams—I’m getting restless.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the big exam, why don’t our two squads have a little sparring match?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Afraid of you?” Deng Yutang blurted out immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others turned to Jiang Ruyi, knowing who led Team 98.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To everyone’s surprise, Jiang Ruyi turned slightly and looked down at the silent Tian Tian: “Do you want to spar?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tian Tian’s eyes widened slightly, stunned and at a loss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had always been the obedient one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At home, she listened to her parents. At school, she listened to her teachers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this squad, she listened to Captain Jiang Ruyi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since childhood, her own wishes had never mattered, and she had long grown accustomed to silence and compliance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tian Tian truly hadn’t expected Jiang Ruyi to ask for her opinion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I—I,” Tian Tian stammered softly, “I’ll follow you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Shanshan beside them urged: “What’s there to hesitate about?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Xinyao turned to Lu Ran, her gaze sharp with scrutiny:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’ve heard you have a unique understanding of Divine Methods—we’re all curious!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Show us a little something later, let us feel it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You might not be able to handle it,” Lu Ran smiled. “My Divine Method is designed specifically to kill demons and evil beasts.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once unleashed, it must draw blood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Xinyao’s anger hadn’t faded; her expression turned hostile: “Are you threatening me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To everyone’s shock, Lu Ran actually nodded!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Worse still, he uttered a sentence that left them all speechless: “Do you want to die?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, the atmosphere in the room dropped to freezing point!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Xinyao was slightly startled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This little lamb truly differed from other weak, timid followers of the Divine Lamb.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was genuinely fierce!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just joking,” Lu Ran suddenly laughed, waving his hand. “I like to tell a few small lies~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone: ???\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Xinyao: “.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though still angry, Wang Xinyao said nothing more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, Lu Ran’s scores spoke for themselves—he was unquestionably the top student of the entire grade, nearly a perfect scorer!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had slain at least dozens of demonic beasts and evil hounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi looked at the meek Tian Tian and said gently: “What do you really think?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s fine, speak,” Jiang Ruyi’s slender hand brushed beside Tian Tian’s ear, tucking a strand of hair behind it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tian Tian finally gathered courage and whispered: “Let’s… let’s not fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We’re joining the city defense operation the day after tomorrow—don’t, don’t get injured now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm.” Jiang Ruyi turned to Ma Tianchuan. “Forget it. The final exam is the day after tomorrow—no need to stir up trouble.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Tianchuan hesitated a moment, then nodded: “Alright. We’ll challenge you after the city defense mission.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could see everyone was tense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Forcing a sparring match under such tension was unwise—after all, the Fifteenth Night mission was the priority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pity. I was hoping for a truly satisfying fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s go,” Ma Tianchuan turned and walked away, smiling. “Lu Ran, don’t let me overtake you this exam!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Last time was just luck,” Lu Ran replied humbly. “This time, you’re definitely first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Tianchuan chuckled: “Sugar-coated artillery?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran shrugged: “I like to tell a few small lies~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Tianchuan: “.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone: “.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph,” Deng Yutang watched them leave. “Sparring? They just came to pick a fight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“From now on, do it like today,” Jiang Ruyi ruffled Tian Tian’s hair. “Speak up if you have thoughts—don’t always suppress yourself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We’re a team—we’ll face many challenges together in the future.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm-hmm,” Tian Tian murmured, her small hands twisting together, head bowed even lower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked like a well-behaved little bride?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On this path, Lu Ran and Tian Tian actually had something in common.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, when Lu Ran faced the domineering Divine Lamb Boss, he too had to shut up when told to shut up, sleep when told to sleep~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi turned to Deng Yutang and teased: “Didn’t get to fight—felt cheated, didn’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“City defense matters more,” Deng Yutang clearly understood priorities. “For this exam, we just keep pushing Ma Tianchuan down.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Shanshan had left, but she’d said one thing right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every time Deng Yutang mentioned “Ma Tianchuan,” it sounded like he was cursing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you say, Brother Lu?” Deng Yutang turned to Lu Ran. “Give them another lesson?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Survive first, then talk about scores,” Jiang Ruyi corrected their squad’s mindset, fearing Lu Ran might get carried away and join Deng Yutang’s nonsense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm-hmm, Miss Jiang is right!” Lu Ran nodded decisively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Lu Ran’s response, Jiang Ruyi relaxed slightly and said softly: “That’s enough for today. Go home and train hard. Oh—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She turned to Lu Ran again: “You said yesterday you’re about to break through to Mist Realm, Third Stage.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran sensed carefully and confirmed: “It’ll happen in the next couple days.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tian Tian secretly lifted her head, gazing at Lu Ran with full admiration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is he about to break through again?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So impressive…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi noticed the girl's sneaky behavior and couldn't help but gently tap her head teasingly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The day after tomorrow, you’ll have to protect us well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm-hmm,” Tian Tian quickly lowered her head, no longer daring to sneak glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2258,"2026-06-21T06:12:58.056Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","81f795f8c09a838e88d4127e53413665420ac78d76a51a0bff3140a87f9412e0","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-27","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-25",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fat-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-cover.jpg"]