[{"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-38":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},2362166,4618,"Chapter 38: Eight-Panel Palanquin?","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-38",38,"\u003Cp>Outside the West Gate, Jiang Tian, Deng, and the trio were facing off against a Mist Shadow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a demonic entity of the Mist Realm, specifically at Mist Realm · Fourth Stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was higher in cultivation than the squad members, but since it fought alone, Team Leader Zhang Feng was willing to give the squad a chance at training and bonus points.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, since Lu Ran left, the squad’s combat system had fallen into chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Tian Tian had taken the front line!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That small figure held a large petal shield, resisting the mist balls flung by the Mist Shadow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was the only one in the team with a defensive technique; her positioning was flawless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The real problem was that the tall, upright Deng Yutang had been crouching low, hiding behind Tian Tian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Occasionally, he would thrust his spear out from the edge of the petal shield, stabbing the Mist Shadow hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Undeniably, their coordination was excellent, inflicting repeated wounds on the Mist Shadow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the scene… well, it was a bit hard on the eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no help for it—Deng Yutang currently had no defensive technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the Mist Shadow flung mist clusters wildly, like throwing bombs!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without Lu Ran, Jiang Ruyi had taken the jungle role, drifting outside, desperately distracting the Mist Shadow’s attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ziz~ ziz~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The electric sparks flickering at her fingertips traced her movement path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Again and again, the Electric Shackles Talisman struck the Mist Shadow with precision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the Mist Shadow’s body structure was extremely unique—its entire form composed of gray mist—greatly diminishing the effect of the Electric Shackles Talisman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Snap!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once more, the Electric Shackles Talisman struck the Mist Shadow dead-on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fine electric currents, like writhing little snakes, crawled wildly through its mist-filled body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi halted her steps, breathing heavily, her chest rising and falling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yutang, quick as lightning, thrust his spear forward with all his might.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spear tip pierced the mist, punching a hole through the gray mist head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Mist Shadow’s head, like a punctured balloon, continuously leaked wisps of mist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sss!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the electric current inside the Mist Shadow dissipated, it let out a furious roar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its two gray mist claws suddenly solidified into tangible form, gripping the spear tip tightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Demon! How dare you!” Deng Yutang clenched his weapon desperately, roaring back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the battlefield,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the Red Scarf devotees never lacked the aura of dominance!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But purely in terms of physical strength, human beings at the same level were no match for demonic kind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to mention the Mist Shadow was two full sub-stages higher than Deng Yutang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hold firm!” Beneath Jiang Ruyi’s slender fingers, electric sparks flared again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, without Jiang Ruyi, this squad would have been crushed long ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yutang’s spear would have been snatched away, and Tian Tian’s petal shield would have been torn apart countless times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as the Goddess Jiang was casting her spell, attempting to suppress the demon once more…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whoosh!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sudden gale arose!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A figure flashed past Jiang Ruyi’s side, making her raincoat flutter and her long hair whip wildly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi’s body stiffened, her beautiful eyes widening in shock!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her stunned expression gradually turned to delight: “Lu Ran…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Meh~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sheep’s bleat sounded softly, hidden within the wind and rain, undetected by human ears, and leaving the Mist Shadow completely unresponsive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, it didn’t work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran sighed inwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Mist Shadow’s face had only contours, no features—no ears to speak of.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had no idea how it perceived the world or how it produced its howls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regardless, Lu Ran’s Divine Art—Sound of Grief and Dread—had no effect on this uniquely structured Mist Shadow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?” The Mist Shadow suddenly turned its head, “looking” behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Lu Ran’s Divine Art had no effect, the Mist Shadow had genuinely sensed the intruder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sss!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A slender ray of rosy light severed a curtain of rain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A ghostly figure darted swiftly, passing by the Mist Shadow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the Mist Shadow was cut cleanly in half by the rosy light blade!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it did not die—only the waist region, where it had been sliced, continuously leaked gray mist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ha! Brother Lu’s back!” Deng Yutang’s tiger-like eyes gleamed brightly as he shouted excitedly, “I knew you’d be fine!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tian Tian pressed her lips together, secretly delighted, her small hands trembling with excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Lu Ran had been abducted by the Rouge Paper Demon and vanished into the endless night, Tian Tian had felt as if struck by lightning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all these years, she had finally found a few teammates who respected her, a warm little group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet this cherished story had barely begun…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All of it had been stolen by that seductive Rouge Paper Demon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tian Tian’s heart wept, yet as always, even her sorrow was silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Similar to her was Jiang Ruyi, equally hollowed out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had watched helplessly as Lu Ran was carried off by the Rouge Paper Demon, vanishing into the rainy night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That scene played like slow motion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Again and again, it cycled in her mind, leaving her dazed and distracted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone alive knew how dangerous the night of the fifteenth lunar day was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each time after the fifteenth, death reports released worldwide reminded the world of this cold, brutal reality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet when a living person vanished right beside her, Jiang Ruyi still hadn’t prepared herself mentally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially when that person was Lu Ran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Lu Ran who had sat beside her for two years, laughing and teasing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Lu Ran who trained day and night on the old rooftop, determined to join the Yu Fu Sect and slaughter every demon in the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every tiny memory made that vanished figure unbearably clear in her mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi dared not think further, nor did she wish to contemplate his fate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Deng Yutang kept boosting morale, encouraging the squad, repeating comforting words like “He’ll come back,” “Don’t worry,” “Brother Lu is fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ironically,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>it was the demonic kind—the Mist Shadow—that ultimately brought this squad back to life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sudden crisis temporarily awakened their hollowed-out shells.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi forced down her churning emotions, rallied her spirit to fight—and yet, in the midst of this brutal battle,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>that figure, whose life or death was unknown, reappeared—returned here!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt like an unreal dream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whoosh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tattered black raincoat flapped wildly in the heavy rain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dark, ghostly figure flashed past the Mist Shadow’s side once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Roar!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Mist Shadow, enraged, trembled violently, its mist body shaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had already released its grip on the spearhead, now gathering mist balls in both mist claws, hurling them wildly at Lu Ran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Die!” How could Deng Yutang miss such an opportunity?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gripped his spear and thrust repeatedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In moments, the Mist Shadow’s upper arms, shoulders, and side of the head were riddled with holes like a honeycomb, leaking massive amounts of mist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Roar!” The Mist Shadow turned to fight Deng Yutang again—its sharp claws barely extended before Tian Tian’s petal shield blocked them firmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Mist Shadow gripped the petal shield tightly, trying to swing her and the shield away together!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same moment, the familiar scene played out once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Electric Shackles Talisman arrived in time, jolting the Mist Shadow into violent spasms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yutang immediately stabbed at the Mist Shadow’s claws, rescuing Tian Tian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And this very scene had played out countless times already.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The battlefield shifted in an instant—Deng Yutang was still striving to cover Tian Tian when the dark phantom reappeared again!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Psst!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The immortal mist swirling beneath his feet traced Lu Ran’s movements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Drawing immense divine power from the divine power bead hanging at his neck, he instantly appeared behind the Mist Shadow, launching a flurry of killing strikes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Decapitation!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The frost blade’s icy gleam sliced across the Mist Shadow’s throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Diagonal slash!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blade turned, carving from the Mist Shadow’s right shoulder down to its left waist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Horizontal cut!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wrist flipped, blade swung right—shoulder drove arm, arm drove hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran used his blade as a brush, carving a perfect “Z” shape onto the canvas of gray mist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, mist erupted violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sssss…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Mist Shadow roared in fury, desperate and disoriented, spinning to tear backward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But its solid, razor-sharp mist claws grasped only air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind it, the little painter shot mist from his feet and flew backward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tattered black raincoat’s hem fluttered forward, flapping with a whooshing sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if mocking the Mist Shadow’s impotent rage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Psst!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once again, Deng Yu thrust his spear through the back of the Mist Shadow’s skull.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the gleaming spear tip protruded from its forehead!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At last, the wildly leaking Mist Shadow fell utterly still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the Mist Shadow clan, piercing the skull did not mean a fatal wound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was because the mist within its body had dispersed to a critical threshold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This bizarre creature finally lost its life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Puff!!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the torrential rain, the Mist Shadow’s body exploded violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Big boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scene was spectacular.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah.” Lu Ran spun his blade, two fingers tracing the slender, icy blade from hilt to tip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All the gray mist clinging to it was wiped clean.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don’t ask,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ask and I’m just emptying a plastic bag.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before Lu Ran could finish, he remembered something and sprinted toward the mist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He immediately forced the divine power bead at his neck to activate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crystal bead glowed softly; the scattered mist finally found cohesion, no longer fading away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Threads of mist curled like strange lines through the air, winding toward Lu Ran’s neck, surging into the divine power bead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This sight—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Magical and eerie!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mmm, that’s better~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran placed one hand at his neck, feeling the faint mist slip through his fingers and flow into the bead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Didn’t this just refill the divine power he’d spent in battle?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, a hand landed on his back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm?” Lu Ran turned, catching the girl’s rain-drenched face under the gym’s lights.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rain was perfect cover—soaked every fighter in the downpour.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet her eyes were red, clearly unrelated to the rain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You… you’re okay.” Jiang Ruyi’s voice was soft, barely audible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All the words she wanted to say shrank to just a few.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm.” Lu Ran nodded with a smile, sensing her unease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Meiren’s eyes were filled with complex emotion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too many feelings in her gaze—he couldn’t tell if she was worried or relieved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran smiled and spoke, as if truly unharmed, comforting his teammate in his own way: “I told the Paper Bride—marriage isn’t a joke. You can’t just treat it casually.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We don’t care about the bride price, but at least give me a proper title, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We’ve watched period dramas—must be eight bearers, formal wedding procession, the whole thing!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran instinctively raised his hands as the girl suddenly stepped forward and hugged him tightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huh?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran froze, his usual chatter silenced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi squeezed him hard, as if confirming he was truly back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slowly, she released him, stepped back, and lowered her head, whispering:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re back. That’s all that matters.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran opened his mouth slightly, then finally blurted: “Actually, I didn’t have to go with her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That Paper Bride felt icy cold. You’re warmer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the way, do you have an eight-bearer sedan chair? Wow!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yu appeared behind Lu Ran, suddenly hoisting him up and hurling him into the sky: “Yoo-hoo~~~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah! I knew it! I knew you’d make it back! Hahaha!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His booming laughter, thick with joy, was utterly infectious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Lu Ran laughed: “Hah!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter what his teammates had felt, Lu Ran was the true witness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had truly walked through the gates of death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surviving was pure luck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The torrential rain still poured,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Falling on Lu Ran like sweet dew, letting him savor the precious, irreplaceable feeling of being alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi gazed up at Lu Ran, tossed high in the air, laughing freely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A smile appeared on her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thank you to the patrons Nancheng Youhun, He Di, DaCapa, and Ye Luo Wei Feng for your generous donations—thank you for your support, patrons, you’re magnificent! (`) ❤️\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2027,"2026-06-21T06:12:58.056Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","b72498ba802a6ef9a2224d05703d972937c5a3111f1f71baca39fe311f725223","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-39","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-37",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fat-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-cover.jpg"]