[{"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-30":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},2362158,4618,"Chapter 30","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-30",30,"\u003Cp>Lu Ran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm?” Lu Ran set down the red scarf and turned to look at Jiang Meiren.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wore a white raincoat that suited her fair, lovely face—pure and serene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl asked: “Have you advanced?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran smiled: “Guess.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This scene felt like it had played out just days ago?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi gave Lu Ran a look full of exasperated amusement: “Who cares to know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His proud, confident demeanor made the answer obvious to anyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh.” Lu Ran grinned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You dare use chopsticks at my feast? I’m pulling out the plastic bag again!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sorry, everyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’ve packed it up again!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good!” Deng Yu shouted loudly, startling Lu Ran, “You’ve learned Immortal Hoof too?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran nodded as if it were obvious: “Don’t worry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yu’s heart settled—Lu Brother truly lived up to expectations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For yet another teammate advancing ahead, Deng Yu felt intense envy and a faint pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his joy outweighed it all—Lu Ran’s strength meant higher survival odds for the whole team!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially now that he possessed the Divine Art: Immortal Hoof, his mobility would increase, allowing him to better link the team and assist everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So amazing.” Tian Tian gazed up at Lu Ran, her little mouth slightly open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Tian Tian’s adorable expression, Lu Ran couldn’t help but reach out and pat her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though they were the same age, gentle, sweet Tian Tian always gave off the vibe of a little sister.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm.” Tian Tian lowered her head, cheeks flushed, not daring to dodge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the Goddess Jiang who showed mercy, rescuing her subject—she pulled Tian Tian behind her, shielding the small figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the podium, a male teacher held a microphone and barked: “All teams, assemble by team number, form ranks!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The playground was chaotic, yet the teacher’s voice continued: “Today, you will participate in the City Defense Operation—protect this city!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the teacher’s lengthy speech, the students finally formed ranks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The playground fell solemn, the atmosphere growing heavier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to the last Dog Village trial, this Fifteen-Day City Defense is a hundred times more dangerous!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As homeroom teacher Li Yan said, today there will be no soldiers filtering out the weakest demons for you to practice on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tonight,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you slip up even slightly, people will die!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Attention!” the male teacher shouted, “Teams whose numbers I call, step forward to the podium one by one.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yu suddenly spoke: “I think I saw my sister.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh?” Lu Ran gazed into the distance, searching for Da Mengyan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure enough, among the dark raincoats, he spotted a vivid yellow figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your sister’s rank must be high?” Lu Ran leaned close behind Deng Yu and whispered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the podium, a line of Wangyue personnel stood in neat formation, while Da Mengyan stood beside five others at the side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yu shook his head: “She’s only been employed a few months—what rank could she have?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran raised an eyebrow—then this positioning… because she’s from the city bureau?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Very likely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if Deng Yuxiang is just a lowly clerk in Yunshan City’s Divine People’s Bureau, here in Yuxiang City, she’s an official sent down from higher authority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Team 33!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Team 57!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Team 98!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Here!” Deng Yu answered instinctively, voice booming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the students’ gazes, the four quickly moved through the ranks to the podium.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your ten teams are each assigned a Wangyue leader for the mission at the West District Gymnasium,” the teacher said gravely. “From now on, follow your Wangyue leader’s orders!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, men and women in black raincoats stepped forward to their respective teams.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Wangyue leader of Team 98 was a middle-aged man with a gentle face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s go,” the man said first, waving to the four.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yu led the way, following closely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as they passed the side of the podium, Deng Yu greeted: “Sis.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just moments ago his voice had been loud—now he sounded reluctant to speak, yet dared not stay silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran, however, waved cheerfully: “Hello, Sister!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm.” Deng Yuxiang ignored her brother, instead sizing up Lu Ran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She tilted her head slightly, posture elegant: “Little Lu Ran, don’t die.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No wonder you’re my sister,” Lu Ran raised a thumb. “You really know how to care!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hehe~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haha.” Several colleagues from the city bureau burst into laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You little brat,” Deng Yuxiang laughed and scolded, “Get going!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yu: “...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, Deng Yu felt overlooked—even though he hadn’t wanted to greet her earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What’s wrong with me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since childhood, I’ve always avoided her—why today?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran said nothing, only raised an eyebrow, his expression curious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yuxiang reacted quickly, instantly understanding what Lu Ran was asking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her smile faded slightly as she gave a gentle shake of her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright,” Lu Ran sighed inwardly and followed the team away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is Xiao Deng your sister?” the Wangyue leader asked Lu Ran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“His,” Lu Ran patted Deng Yu’s back. “If she were my sister, I wouldn’t be alive today.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Wangyue leader looked at Deng Yu with a strange expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yu could only nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe she’s my sister—even though… she doesn’t seem to know me well—but she must be.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sir, what’s your name?” Lu Ran asked casually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man introduced himself: “Zhang Feng. Call me Brother Zhang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m from the Yuxiang City Divine People’s Bureau, Wangyue Brigade—I’m a follower of Jianlian.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi glanced at the girl beside her and whispered: “We’ve met a senior.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tian Tian looked curiously at her fellow believer—just as Zhang Feng’s expression turned serious: “From now until mission end, obey orders!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This guard duty is no joke—take responsibility for your own lives.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.” Their replies were solemn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ten teams boarded the Divine People’s Bureau bus, driving through empty streets toward the West District Gymnasium.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuxiang City had many shelters, and Lu Ran was very familiar with this gymnasium in the West District.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even last month, on the fifteenth day of the lunar calendar, he had spent the night here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the vehicle entered the gymnasium road and he saw the circular building in the distance, Lu Ran felt a sense of unreality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last month on this day, he had been inside, lying on his bunk, mindlessly scrolling his phone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then, his mother would still call amid her busy schedule, offering encouragement and comfort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran instinctively reached into his pocket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure enough—he’d forgotten his phone again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Truly, once you have Xianyang, you forget your mother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And since becoming a believer, he’d trained day and night—long since lost touch with his sister.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since leaving Jingcheng two years ago, every fifteenth day of the lunar month, brother and sister always exchanged messages, catching up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to Lu Ran, his sister’s nightguard environment was far better—she could stay home, safe before the divine statue of Jian Yi, which their mother worshipped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did you bring your phones?” Lu Ran asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yu shook his head; Tian Tian in the back seat frantically rummaged and handed over her phone: “Here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her phone case was a pastel cartoon rabbit—cute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran took the phone and handed it back: “Password.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh oh.” Tian Tian extended her small hand and tapped the screen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran accidentally caught a glimpse: “0607—your birthday?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tian Tian quickly pulled back her small hand without a word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: “Why didn’t you say anything earlier? We could’ve celebrated with you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“June seventh,” Deng Yu tang mused. “By the lunar calendar, isn’t that the very day we formed our team?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Tian Tian turned her head toward the window, refusing to look at them again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi, swift and insightful, seemed to understand something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It might just be a bank password—don’t ask,” Jiang Ruyi interjected smoothly, placing a hand on Tian Tian’s back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As her palm rubbed gently up and down, Tian Tian’s tense body gradually relaxed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi’s eyes held a smile as she gazed at the girl sitting beside her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was just shy, that’s all—bad at expressing herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She must have many thoughts hidden inside her heart too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few minutes later, the vehicle entered the vast sports stadium and came to a stop before the gymnasium.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Everyone, get out!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A voice came from ahead; Lu Ran quickly sent out the message and followed the main group out of the vehicle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the rain curtain, the stadium was utterly silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The green lawns, basketball courts, tennis courts—all empty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s get familiar with the environment first,” Zhang Feng called to the four of them, leading them into the gymnasium.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside and outside, the difference was night and day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The interior was brightly lit—there must be over a thousand people!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rows of single beds were neatly arranged, clearly divided in rows and columns; most citizens stayed on their beds, playing on their phones or tablets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some gathered in small groups, playing cards or whispering boastfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Occasional soft laughter eased the oppressive atmosphere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why did everyone inside consciously lower their voices?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because at the intersections of the beds, numerous small shrines had been placed, each with a kneeling worshipper seated before it, gazing at the moon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A quick glance revealed at least thirty to forty small shrines across the vast space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside each shrine stood a small phoenix tree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sixth-Rank God: Biwu!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a typical plant deity; the Biwu sect’s divine arts excelled in defense and healing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re back?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran murmured softly, feeling as if he’d stepped across a day in time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thirty beds across, thirty down—counting children, a thousand citizens total,” Zhang Feng whispered, leading his team through the rows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Memorize the layout inside. Note the gaps between the beds.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Though your posts aren’t inside, we may need to come in at any moment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the squad moved forward, some citizens cast them friendly glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran and his group’s identities were obvious—they carried weapons, and their leader was a Moonwatcher.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But some citizens were unfriendly toward these young people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dealer!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I call!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not far to the right front, a bald man lay comfortably on his bed, playing “Landlord” on his phone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sensing someone approaching, he lifted his eyes, scanning Lu Ran and the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially when he saw the petite, fragile Tian Tian, the burly bald man glared at the girl outright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His face brimmed with annoyance—no attempt to hide it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you know him?” Jiang Ruyi frowned slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tian Tian shook her head silently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This sudden hostility seemed baseless, but there was a reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To some, young believers like Lu Ran were utterly unreliable!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a real crisis, such believers might panic even more than ordinary people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet, believers possessed physical strength beyond normal humans—when they panicked, the chaos only grew worse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These rookies would be better off just treating themselves as ordinary citizens and relying on Moonwatchers for protection!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the truth was, every generation of young believers needed training and growth—first postings were unavoidable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bald man was merely a guest here, and their squad had a Moonwatcher leading them; otherwise, he’d have already spoken up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lu Ran?” Jiang Ruyi stopped walking—Lu Ran ahead had halted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bald man scowled at the standing Lu Ran: “What are you staring at?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So what if he’s a believer?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A bunch of brats—go wherever you want, but don’t get assigned to my area!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Lu Ran pointed at the bed and said: “Last month’s fifteenth, I slept on this very bed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bald man sat up: “What are you implying? You’re claiming this bed? Not letting others sleep?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before he could finish, Lu Ran suddenly looked up, one finger pointing straight above:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Around ten that night, I watched a Soul-Tearing Demon emerge right there—right there!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bald man: ???\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran pointed again, this time at the bald man’s feet: “If the Moonwatcher hadn’t acted fast, that demon would’ve landed at the foot of my bed!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Holy shit!” The bald man yanked his feet back. “Bro, don’t scare me like that—I can’t take it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your cards are too good!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hurry up! I’ve been waiting till the flowers withered!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Voices came from the phone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bald man’s face lost all its bulk from fear: “Bro, if you like this bed, I’ll move—I’ll move right now!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When you’re tired from your watch, come rest here—I’m leaving now!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sir, calm down!” Zhang Feng rushed back and pushed the bald man back onto his bed. “Assigned beds cannot be switched arbitrarily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don’t panic—demons don’t appear in fixed locations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There are many divine statues and Moonwatchers stationed here—we’ll protect you, rest assured.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran nodded firmly: “Yes, safe and painless!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t even have time to scream—it was over.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bald man: …\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After calming the bald man, Zhang Feng turned to Lu Ran: “Psychological trauma is inevitable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But you’re not the same person anymore—you must learn to face it, not live in fear.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran gazed up at the high ceiling, his eyes sharp and bright: “Bro Zhang, you misunderstand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Feng: “Oh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran gripped the cloth-wrapped Radiant Blade, staring at the spot where the Soul-Tearing Demon had appeared: “I’m not afraid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quite the opposite—I hope to see it again tonight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I want to slay it myself!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh my god’s god’s mother’s mother!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bald man leapt to his feet, face twisted in terror: “I’m switching beds—I absolutely must switch!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stop talking!” Zhang Feng shoved Lu Ran away, hurrying them both toward the far end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thank you to BurningThighHairDaMeng for the gift—boss is generous, thank you for your support!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gaa!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2238,"2026-06-21T06:12:58.056Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","22946cc93d04663a1e57daf96e390b4d708c604dedf17d051ca0db40185af75f","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-31","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-29",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fat-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-cover.jpg"]