[{"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-4":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},2362132,4618,"Chapter 4: Jiang Zhi","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-4",4,"\u003Cp>\"This student has extraordinary talent!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside the podium, a white-haired elder frowned as he watched the boy on stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How exceptional was Lu Ran’s talent?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the demonic race couldn’t resist appearing openly under daylight to snatch away followers!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The school judges a student’s talent through physical data, martial skill, theological knowledge, and level of faith.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Generally, the higher your comprehensive evaluation score, the more likely you are to catch the favor of the front-row deities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this evaluation system pales compared to the deities’ own judgment!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes, in a certain sense, what humans call “demons” are also deities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet this kind of “evil deity” must never be worshipped!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Privately, you’ll be controlled by the evil deity, lose yourself, and become a puppet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Publicly, joining the demonic race means standing against both human and divine races.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Principal Zhou!\" A male teacher hurried to the elder’s side, his face tense,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Should we pause the worship ceremony?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pause?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demon has arrived—how can we stop it now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything hinges on Lu Ran’s single thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Principal Zhou’s expression turned grave: \"Sound the horn, maintain order—it’s merely a phantom of the demon, no need to panic.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes!\" The male teacher waved his hand, and a phantom horn swiftly formed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wuuu~~~\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The deep horn blast pierced the sky, and the chaotic campus gradually calmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the podium, Lu Ran gazed upward in stunned disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, the demon Jiang Zhi was kinda... pretty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a massive female phantom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wore an exquisite phoenix crown and a crimson bridal veil, like an ancient bride.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elegant, noble, and graceful!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet her face was unnaturally pale, like paper, making her even more terrifying against the vivid attire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Jiang Zhi.\" Lu Ran, finally recognizing her, felt overwhelming mixed emotions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fear was inevitable—but deep inside, a flicker of excitement stirred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t because Jiang Zhi still held charm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But historically, there had been a few cases where worshipping a deity summoned evil spirits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every human who could attract demons was, without exception, a prodigy!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Lu Ran was genuinely thrilled!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But within seconds, he was left utterly bewildered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Precisely because such humans possessed explosive talent, demons rushed to claim them—and deities also frequently appeared to compete for followers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But with Lu Ran,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>why was there only one demon—Jiang Zhi?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where were the deities?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran stared up at the gray, hazy sky, frantically searching through the misty rain for any sign of the deities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Come out already! Stop hiding!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don’t tease me like this!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you wait any longer, I’ll really be dragged off to marry a spirit bride!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Boom!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dark clouds churned, thunder roared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To everyone’s shock, the demon Jiang Zhi lowered herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She slowly bent down, her vast phantom hand reaching toward Lu Ran on the stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the worship ceremony, deities appearing is a favor granted to you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, humans must kneel in devout worship to possibly become a follower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Jiang Zhi’s fingers crept inch by inch toward Lu Ran, as if trying to absorb the tiny human into her fingertip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sis, stop it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran nearly cried, stepping backward as the pale-faced beauty drew closer:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"New account, only seventeen—don’t mess with me!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through the rain, his homeroom teacher Li Yan stood firm against Jiang Zhi’s terrifying pressure, shouting urgently:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t be deceived! Don’t believe any promise she makes! Lu Ran, don’t do anything stupid!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, though humans held low status, becoming a deity’s follower was a mutual choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lu Ran!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Reject her, Lu Ran!\" Worried voices pierced the rain, surging toward the center of the podium.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wuuu~~~\" The deep horn blast never ceased, carrying a unique sorrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Principal Zhou’s signal, the male teacher continuously chanted a unique divine technique to calm everyone and soothe Lu Ran’s spirit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We’re not compatible, Sister Jiang.\" Lu Ran begged repeatedly, \"Can’t I burn you a perfect husband tonight?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Below the podium, a chubby boy was frantic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How much does a paper doll even cost?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When is this the time to be stingy?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Hao shouted: \"Burn more than one!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Open Your Mindset\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran suddenly understood: \"Right! I’ll burn you two! Three!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"One per day!\" Qian Hao fumed—did he have to teach him step by step?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes yes yes, one per day!\" Lu Ran nodded eagerly, \"There’s a tall guy in my class named Kou Yingquan—strong yang energy, fiery vitality!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’s always staring at others, desperate to find a partner—I’ll burn him to you too!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You’ll be satisfied!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Hao: \".\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kou Yingquan: ???\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned livid, roaring: \"Lu Ran, you’re asking to die—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he finished, Kou Yingquan fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he insulted Lu Ran, Jiang Zhi whipped her head around 180 degrees!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And she turned only her head—not her body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scene was horrifying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her enormous, dazzling eyes fixed on the towering Kou Yingquan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah!\" Kou Yingquan screamed, trembling violently, his legs buckling as he collapsed onto the muddy ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Splat!\" Mud splashed everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only now did the students realize how immense the courage was to face the demon Jiang Zhi directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the worship stage, Lu Ran, though seemingly weak, never once wavered his legs, and kept refusing her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huuu!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, a powerful surge of energy rippled from high above.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhi immediately turned, gazing forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There, above Lu Ran’s back, a luminous white figure rapidly materialized!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah! Here it comes, another—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is it a god or a demon?\" No one dared guess what Lu Ran had summoned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Xiang Xianyang? Is it Lord Xiang Xianyang?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Woo! It is! It’s really Xiang Xianyang! Finally, a deity has come to save us!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Xiang Xianyang! White Jade Xiang Xianyang!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The luminous white figure was profoundly uplifting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was like a beam of light piercing through rolling dark clouds, breaking the suffocating atmosphere of heaven and earth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside and outside the school, an unprecedented roar of cheers erupted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The deity Xiang Xianyang had appeared!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing upright, its hind hooves hovered in midair, forehooves clasped together before its chest as if in respectful greeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clad in a white jade robe, luminous and smooth as sheepfat jade, it glowed with an otherworldly radiance in this dim world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lord Xiang Xianyang! Lord Xiang Xianyang!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Xiang Xianyang! Xiang Xianyang! Xiang Xianyang!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, Lord Xiang Xianyang probably hadn’t received such a welcome in a very long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because he was the last deity in the ninth row.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiang Xianyang, Lu Ran! Quickly pay homage to Lord Xianyang!” the homeroom teacher shouted loudly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran acted with decisive urgency, showing not the slightest disdain—he turned and bowed deeply to Xianyang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Lord Xianyang, for saving me from ruin! Please, take me in quickly!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hurry up! I’m going to die, I’m going to die!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, mutual intent was established.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lord Xianyang swiftly released threads of divine mist, surging toward the human students on the stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, the Vermilion Paper Woman slowly straightened her body; her gaze at Lu Ran held none of the cruelty he had expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, it carried a hint of sorrowful resentment?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when she turned her eyes toward Xianyang, crimson light flared violently within them—her gaze brimmed with murderous intent!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huu~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A chilling wind swept through, and the Vermilion Paper Woman vanished silently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heaven and earth fell into stillness; countless people across the campus and beyond exhaled in unison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Principal Zhou, his expression grave, spoke: “Bring the homeroom teacher of this student here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes!” The male teacher stopped blowing his horn and departed on orders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Principal Zhou Shengchang sighed deeply, puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Lu Ran possessed such exceptional talent, why had no gods come to claim him as a disciple?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, it was the ninth-rank, lowest-tier god—Xianyang—who came to take him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it because of his personality?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course not!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many gods had descended upon Great Xia, each with vastly different temperaments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, look at God Yu Fu and Jiang Ruyi—their personalities clearly clashed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the cold Yu Fu had chosen Jiang Ruyi for her talent; her personality mattered little.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, the only remaining explanation for why no gods appeared was this:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran’s heart lacked sincerity!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was further confirmed by Lord Xianyang himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xianyang was the gentlest, most tolerant, and most inclusive god among all gods of Great Xia!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without exception!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, was the reason all gods shunned him simply because Lu Ran lacked proper reverence?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Principal Zhou frowned, unwilling to accept his own conclusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Principal Zhou,” Li Yanzhu approached the white-haired elder respectfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shengchang: “Tell me the full details about this student.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yanzhu immediately replied: “His name is Lu Ran. His overall academic ranking is top five in his class. He specializes in blade techniques and aims to become a disciple of God Yu Fu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shengchang listened in silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yanzhu hesitated slightly, then said: “His father was a believer of Yu Fu—named Lu Xing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shengchang’s expression froze: “Lu Xing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes!” Li Yanzhu nodded. “The late Mr. Lu Xing, who died in the line of duty four years ago.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, the old principal’s frown deepened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he was the child of a martyr, this made it even more inexplicable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yanzhu continued: “Influenced by his father, Lu Ran deeply reveres God Yu Fu and has long dreamed of becoming his disciple.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In terms of mindset, he has no issues whatsoever!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Principal Zhou, his summoning of a demon today must be some kind of misunderstanding.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they spoke, Lu Ran was led away by two teachers toward the pavilion behind the podium.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shengchang watched Lu Ran’s retreating figure: “I understand. Go with him to complete the paperwork, monitor his mental state, and comfort his emotions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After receiving the shrine and divine statue, take him home immediately and help him properly enshrine the god.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, Principal Zhou wanted Lu Ran to establish a connection with Lord Xianyang as soon as possible and hear the god’s teachings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood.” Li Yanzhu departed at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One hour later, Yuxiang Family Community.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran stood at his front door, watching his homeroom teacher leave before closing the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huu…” Lu Ran exhaled deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His teacher’s words of advice and reassurance still echoed in his ears, yet his heart remained unsettled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What a disaster,” Lu Ran returned to his small bedroom and slumped onto his desk chair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That morning, he had been full of ambition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, back home, he was a broken wreck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the shelf to the right of the windowsill sat an antique wooden shrine, housing a small jade carving of a goat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ninth-rank god: Xianyang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lowest-tier god in Great Xia’s divine hierarchy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Low rank was no problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every god was unique, each possessing their own divine art.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the human perspective, as long as you trained hard enough and mastered your god’s unique art, you could become a peerless champion!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, Lord Xianyang was the only god who had appeared to rescue Lu Ran from ruin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could Lu Ran harbor even a single word of complaint toward his savior?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If his rank is low, then we climb higher!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If my strength grows great enough to make the Xianyang sect shine brightly, more believers will naturally come to worship Xianyang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more believers, the greater the faith-energy flowing to Xianyang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, perhaps my Lord Xianyang’s rank might rise!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Undeniably, Lu Ran now felt a flicker of anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A cold truth lay before him:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran had been rejected by every god within Great Xia!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not just the third-rank Yu Fu he longed for—even if any eighth-rank god had appeared on the altar, Xianyang would never have gotten the chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And even among the ninth-rank gods, Xianyang occupied the very last position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, Lu Ran had been rejected by every single god in the lowest tier!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t understand at all!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What followed was an intense desire to prove himself—and to repay his debt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Crack!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thunder crashed outside, rain poured heavily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?” Lu Ran’s eyes narrowed—he nearly thought he was hallucinating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the small shrine, the goat’s jade carving had turned black.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that moment, the statue seemed to awaken—its utterly black eyes fixed silently upon Lu Ran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: !!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He felt as if plunged into an ice tomb—every hair on his body stood on end!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those black goat eyes radiated an indescribably chilling aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was as if—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those black goat eyes were a door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind it lay a wind-swept graveyard, a land of bleached bones and hellfire!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This…?” Lu Ran’s face turned pale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The statue I brought home—wasn’t it Lord Xianyang?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That can’t be right!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether it’s jade or not doesn’t matter—ultimately, I bowed to God Xianyang on the altar!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if I picked up a stone from the street and brought it home to worship, the spirit within must be Xianyang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unless—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I never worshipped Xianyang at all?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, there were two gods on my altar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One was a demon god—and the other… also a demon god?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed a god came to save me—but it was actually a trap on both sides?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This fucking—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where’s the fucking way out?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thank you all for coming to support me—deeply grateful!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Special thanks to Sisi for the patronage! Boss, you’re generous! Thank you for your support!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>May Sisi grow ever more beautiful, become rich daily, rejoice every day, and revel in joy every night!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2215,"2026-06-21T06:12:58.056Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","b0ce1f73ad94d52c89c3d3e5cb845091f9f3263cfcafb27527837db569a05639","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-5","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-3",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fat-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-cover.jpg"]