[{"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-41":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},2362169,4618,"Chapter 41: Nightmare","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-41",41,"\u003Cp>The rain kept falling,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere was far from harmonious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the west gate of the gym, the squad members tautened their nerves, gradually watching the sky lighten.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That night, fire and battle erupted across Rain Alley City, with roars and explosions echoing, sending chills down the spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After three a.m., the entire city slowly fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It could even be called “deathly silence.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It sent shivers down one’s spine!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wuuu~~~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A low, drawn-out alarm sounded, reverberating through the city’s streets and alleys, carrying an indescribable sorrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Six o’clock,” Jiang Ruyi stood on the steps, gazing at the silent district in the rain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Trees lay toppled, fences shattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The traffic light at the intersection had been broken into several pieces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Faint traces of damage were visible on the walls of distant buildings, rubble and broken tiles scattered everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The heavy rain washed away any possible bloodstains, but could not remove all the chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Time’s up. Your mission is over,” Zhang Feng suddenly spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is it over?” Tian Tian stood behind and to the side of Jiang Ruyi, like a little follower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm,” Jiang Ruyi reached out, smiling gently as she patted Tian Tian’s head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi, as team leader, was undoubtedly highly competent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though she herself had been terrified and spent the night in dread, she had constantly struggled to remain calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gentle yet resilient Jiang Ruyi had shaped the team’s overall demeanor and was Tian Tian’s sole anchor through the night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, it’s over,” Zhang Feng confirmed. “There may still be wandering demons in the streets, but daylight has long come—no new demons will invade now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Finally,” Lu Ran sighed inwardly, leaning against the wall and slowly sliding down to sit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a seventeen-year-old high school student, pulling an all-nighter meant nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who hasn’t stayed up all night in front of a computer?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Airport gunfight, valley lane duel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You explain to me—what even is “tired”?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the fifteen-night ordeal had left Lu Ran’s nerves taut, and he had frequently entered combat, exhausting mind and body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to mention, Lu Ran had once been kidnapped by the Crimson Paper People and teetered on the edge of life and death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran was very satisfied with his and his team’s performance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During the past night, under Zhang Feng’s proper coordination, the team members had acted appropriately, fighting the Mist Realm demons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When encountering demons above the Creek Realm, they obediently stayed behind the Moonwatchers, not hindering the warriors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They would definitely earn the points they deserved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran had experienced everything he should have—and even things he shouldn’t have.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, his body and mind were utterly drained; he only wanted to sleep deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Someone will arrive shortly to relieve you,” Zhang Feng continued. “You may choose to rest inside the gym.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you wish to return home to recover, we will assign personnel to organize and escort you back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demons who invaded the city would not vanish on their own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over the next three days, from the 16th to the 18th, the authorities would scour the entire city to ensure no demon remnants remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only on the 19th would the people in the shelters be allowed to return home, and society would resume normal operation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister Ruyi, are you going to rest at the shelter?” Tian Tian asked softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi pressed her forehead, her thumb and ring finger massaging her temples, looking worn out:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, I’m going home.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, it was more comfortable at home, and with the shrine and deity statue present, believers could rest in peace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh,” Tian Tian replied softly, a hint of disappointment in her voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This farewell would likely mean three full days—they wouldn’t see each other again until school reopened on the 19th.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as the alarm ceased, a fresh team arrived punctually to take over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran and the others, all heading home, were organized by the authorities and boarded a bus with many classmates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Class President Jiang!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good morning, Class President Jiang! My god, what did you all go through last night?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Classmates greeted her, talking all at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang the top student was a campus celebrity—wherever she went, she was the center of attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi merely smiled and nodded, saying little.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The student squads stationed inside the gym naturally had no idea what had happened outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the members of Team 98 were all exhausted, disheveled, their clothes still stained with blood the rain hadn’t washed away—clearly they had fought several brutal battles!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially Lu Ran—he was the most battered of the entire team!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His clothes weren’t just messy—they were torn to shreds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sight made the other students stare in awe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While other students guarded the gym, Lu Ran had—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lu Ran, what happened?” A boy stared at Lu Ran’s pitiful state. “Did you go hand-to-hand with demons?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran was a rising star; after summoning demons on the Worship Altar and winning first place in the Evil Dog Village assessment, he had made a name for himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran didn’t recognize the boy, so he just smiled and said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A look of profound mystery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It left the other students stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So bad? Your clothes are ripped to pieces—what kind of demon was it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, look at Lu Ran’s arm—that big patch of skin, isn’t it newly grown? The color’s different.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Must’ve been torn by some demon. Damn, just thinking about it is terrifying.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the murmurs, Lu Ran remained silent, plopping himself onto a seat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Undeniably, Lu Ran was utterly exhausted and too tired to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But on the other hand—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There are three thousand ways to show off!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran casually pulled out the card “Silent Not Speaking”—its effect was truly excellent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmph, much better~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last night I flew with the Crimson Paper People, turning into butterflies, fluttering after each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I nearly lost my life—what’s wrong with a little show?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wum~” The vehicle started, slowly pulling away from the gym.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Due to the special circumstances, all students and volunteer civilians on board would be delivered to their doorsteps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran was no exception; after the bus stopped at Rain Alley Housing Complex, he bid farewell to his teammates and, escorted by a Moonwatcher, walked into the complex until he reached his own front door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“May Immortal Xiangyang protect me,” Lu Ran dragged his weary body into his small bedroom, bowing repeatedly before the shrine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Disciple has returned alive—last night was truly perilous.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Strange—do you think the Crimson Paper People actually took a liking to me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran mumbled, reported his situation, then entered the bathroom, stripped off his torn clothes, and took a long, hot shower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only when he felt clean and refreshed did he return to his small bedroom and collapse onto the bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before falling asleep, Lu Ran picked up his phone by the bedside—no surprise, his mother and sister had sent several messages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran replied to each one, assured them he was safe, apologized, then fell into a deep sleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He fell asleep instantly, deeply and sweetly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until noon, Lu Ran, still snoring loudly, twitched slightly, his expression growing increasingly grim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed he was having a nightmare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where is this?” Lu Ran frowned, staring at the dim surroundings, the mist-shrouded world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wait—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran froze. This place felt so familiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had I been here before?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran was stunned!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Buried memories slowly surged into his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes, I’ve been here before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the Evil Dog Village assessment, I had the same dream—in it, I saw dozens of evil dog spirits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I also saw the giant statue of the Demon Clan’s Evil Dogs!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ugh,” Lu Ran clutched his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After that dream, why did I remember nothing of what happened here?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is this even a dream?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran clenched his fists with heavy doubts and slowly took a step forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After walking only a few dozen meters, Lu Ran stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This world was pitch-dark, shrouded in thin mist, with very limited visibility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had stopped suddenly because, in this lifeless world, Lu Ran saw a familiar figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yanyan the paper doll?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran widened his eyes and looked up at the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the drifting mist, the graceful figure stood suspended in midair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, if he hadn’t known she was of the demonic race, just her peerless elegance would have made Lu Ran address her as “Immortal!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This—” Lu Ran’s thoughts churned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was this the same Yanyan paper doll that Deng Yuxiang had beheaded last night?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm?” The Yanyan paper doll, standing motionless in midair, seemed to sense the arrival of this tiny human.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She drifted slowly downward, her crimson veil fluttering lightly, breathtakingly beautiful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran’s mouth hung slightly open—unlike last night, this Yanyan paper doll now appeared as a spectral, ethereal form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her pale yet stunning face looked slightly blurred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Eee!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Yanyan paper doll finally revealed her true face, letting out a piercing, shrill scream from her crimson lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes locked onto Lu Ran with intense heat, her desire nearly spilling over!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whoosh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Yanyan paper doll shot forward, lunging straight at Lu Ran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran stumbled backward, tripped over his own feet, and collapsed onto his rear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Eee!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another scream rang out—and the Yanyan paper doll’s lunge halted abruptly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her body trembled and writhed, as if bound by an invisible shackle, utterly motionless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran’s face turned ashen as he watched the Yanyan paper doll fly backward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mist thinned slightly, and Lu Ran’s eyes snapped wide open!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He saw a colossal demonic statue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the statue of the demonic race’s Yanyan paper doll!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its immense scale and overwhelming presence crushed Lu Ran with oppressive pressure!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was eerie, yet alluring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her face was as pale as paper, yet her expression was seductively enchanting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spectral form of the Yanyan paper doll was sucked into the statue’s crimson lips—and vanished without a trace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The world fell back into deathly silence, the shrill screams gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where the hell is this?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran screamed inside his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He did not believe this was just an ordinary nightmare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, a chilling wind swept past, sending a cold shiver down Lu Ran’s spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gulps.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran swallowed hard and slowly turned his head to look behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A massive, jet-black ram’s head came into view.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes—no body, only a black ram’s head floating in midair!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whoosh~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Black flames flickered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The enormous, jet-black ram's head burned with a faint, eerie black fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its horizontal pupils perfectly embodied the meaning of “dead ram’s eyes”—terrifying beyond words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Immortal Ram Lord?” Lu Ran ventured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What manner of being was this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Lu Ran’s knowledge, neither the divine race nor the demonic race included such a creature!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A black ram’s head, burning with flickering black flames?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What nonsense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran called it “Immortal Ram Lord” in an attempt to summon his own deity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, a faint hope stirred in his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What if this black-flame ram’s head was the ever-shifting Immortal Ram Lord himself?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Baa~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A ram’s bleat emerged from the black-flame ram’s mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran’s hair stood on end; he stopped breathing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was only a ram’s bleat,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>but could it really be this horrifyingly sinister?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whoosh!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran had no time to react—the ram’s head smashed down!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tiny human\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>was completely swallowed by the sea of black fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thank you to Jin Da Meng for the 100,000 reward—your generosity is immense, thank you for your support!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You’re generous, handsome, and utterly awesome!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’ll add extra chapters after the official launch, (`) sending heart\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1923,"2026-06-21T06:12:58.056Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","c6deda081e9bc569adee61b60623e4d175bbb5d2805ea6d24627105ebf94942e","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-42","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-40",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fat-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-cover.jpg"]