[{"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-42":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},2362170,4618,"Chapter 42: The Full Moon Night","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-42",42,"\u003Cp>“Humming.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside the pillow, his phone kept vibrating, waking the person fast asleep on the bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran rubbed his eyes, fumbling blindly beside the pillow until he grabbed the phone and mumbled, “Hello?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother!” came a sweet, lively voice from the other end of the call.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who is it?” Lu Ran sat up, his head throbbing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How come sleeping made him even more tired?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My foolish brother!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl’s voice, annoyed, came through the phone: “I already called you brother—who else could I be?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yuanxi.” Lu Ran slapped his forehead. “I’m still half-asleep.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiao Yuanxi, Lu Ran’s younger sister, took her mother’s surname Qiao Wanjun, and was one year younger than Lu Ran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though their parents’ divorce meant they grew up apart, it never damaged their bond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Lu Ran turned thirteen, his mother brought him back to Jingcheng, and for three years the siblings lived under the same roof, their closeness undiminished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You slept all day and still aren’t awake?” Qiao Yuanxi whispered. “I’ve been awake for hours.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran was truly groggy—he turned to look out the window and saw night had fallen, the rain still pouring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the hell!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran frowned, a familiar unease rising in his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did I forget something important again?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why do I say “again”?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right—after the Mad Dog Village trial, I came home, slept, and woke up the next morning feeling like I’d forgotten something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah, I’m here.” Lu Ran scratched his head in frustration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So boring. Every full moon, it’s like being under house arrest,” Qiao Yuanxi complained. “Locked up for days on end.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh.” Lu Ran couldn’t help smiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He understood perfectly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even as a believer, he had to stay home during the 16th to 18th days of the lunar month—nowhere to go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Demons might still be roaming the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The city, in ruins, needed official cleanup and repair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are you laughing at?” Qiao Yuanxi switched tone, concerned. “Did you get hurt last night?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hurt?” Lu Ran followed the principle of only sharing good news. “Your brother nearly went berserk!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Like a god, damn it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t swear!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh? Now you’re telling me what to do?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiao Yuanxi’s voice turned soft: “My phone’s on speaker. Mom’s listening.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: “...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hehe~” Qiao Yuanxi burst into giggles. “Dummy, I’m kidding!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: ???\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’m usually the one messing with others—today I met my match.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiao Yuanxi: “When are you coming to visit me? I want a burger.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran sighed. “Buy one yourself. Do I have to buy it for you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiao Yuanxi muttered softly: “It’s such a waste to throw away the lettuce.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: “...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Are you serious?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For three whole years, how many burgers have we eaten? How many lettuce leaves have I chewed for you?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You’re treating me like a sheep... Wait?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don’t you dare say it—don’t you even think about saying it!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiao Yuanxi: “Quick, tell me when you’re coming to see me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran hesitated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The full-moon city defense duty was essentially the final exam for second-year students—today marked the start of his summer break.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as a new believer, his first summer assignment was heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before senior year began, Lu Ran had only about one month to upgrade his school-awarded equipment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The equipment consisted of:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, the Divine Power Pearl awarded after the New Recruit Trial (Mad Dog Village).\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second, the weapon awarded after the first city defense mission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For example, if you ranked tenth in the Mad Dog Village trial and received a Mist-grade Divine Power Pearl,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>then during summer, you could kill demons in the Demon Caves, collect one hundred Mist-tier Demon Crystals, and submit them to the military.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you met the requirement, the military would upgrade your Mist-grade Divine Power Pearl to a Stream-grade one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Special note:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Students operated in teams—not every member needed to submit one hundred Mist-tier Demon Crystals; four members together needed to submit one hundred total.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If that’s the case, why did Lu Ran think this task was hard?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the school had awarded him the best possible reward: a Stream-grade Divine Power Pearl!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So for Lu Ran and his team to upgrade their gear, one hundred Mist-tier Demon Crystals wouldn’t be enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They needed one hundred Stream-tier Demon Crystals!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or, by proportional conversion, one thousand Mist-tier Demon Crystals!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was definitely hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Lu Ran really wanted to try!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the reward was enormous!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Lu Ran succeeded and upgraded his Stream-grade Divine Power Pearl to a River-grade one...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then for the rest of high school, whenever he took on any school mission, his endurance would never be an issue!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two words: Takeoff~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You don’t like me anymore,” Qiao Yuanxi said softly after a long silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, no,” Lu Ran explained. “I’m a believer now—I have to train in the Demon Caves.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiao Yuanxi: “Can we go together?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t be ridiculous!” Lu Ran was unusually serious. “The Demon Caves aren’t a playground.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At his current level, Lu Ran couldn’t protect his sister.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if he were invincible, the military would never allow a civilian into the Demon Caves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiao Yuanxi: “I need training too!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran nearly laughed in disbelief: “What training? Practicing courage?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph.” Qiao Yuanxi pouted. “I’m a believer too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re a believer... what?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I am.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re a believer...?” Lu Ran’s whole body froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My foolish brother...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiao Yuanxi murmured, echoing Lu Ran’s tone: “I’ve been a believer for fifteen days already, and you didn’t even know. [86] The first thing I said on the phone was ‘I’ve woken up’—you didn’t catch a thing. [87] I didn’t sleep all night—I went on the city defense mission too!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first thing I said on the phone was, 'I'm already awake,' and you didn't notice a thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't sleep all night either—I went to join the city defense mission!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran was stunned: “You’re sixteen, in first year—you haven’t even qualified for the Worship Ceremony. How are you a believer?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiao Yuanxi whispered: “After the Worship Ceremony ended, while the altar was still half-demolished, I snuck over and tried it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: “Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While the altar was still being taken down? Sneaked over and tried?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His sister was always mischievous, but Lu Ran never imagined she’d be this reckless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiao Yuanxi looked genuinely troubled: “Oops—I accidentally succeeded~ [94] The teachers and classmates were all stunned. I’m the only believer in the entire first-year class—haha!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My teacher and classmates were all stunned—there was only me, a believer, in the entire first-year class, haha!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: “Huh???”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hehe~” Qiao Yuanxi beamed. After half a month of secrecy, she finally got the reaction she wanted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deep down, she’d secretly hoped her brother would figure it out himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran’s head was buzzing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I struggled desperately on the Worship Altar, begging every god in heaven—and none of them answered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You just snuck over and did it... and succeeded?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait.” Lu Ran said irritably, “You’re lying to me again?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m not lying. I specifically told Mom not to tell you, to see when you’d notice.” Qiao Yuanxi sighed dramatically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This girl had always had a flair for drama: “After all this time, you really don’t care about me at all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My stupid, heartless brother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran asked directly: “What deity do you worship?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m a follower of a Third-Rank Deity! She’s an incredibly beautiful goddess!” Qiao Yuanxi smiled. “Can you guess who?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran immediately perked up: “Yu Fu?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not the deity my father worships,” Qiao Yuanxi said with a strange expression. Could Yu Fu be described as “beautiful”?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Fu was clearly a male deity!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then who?” Lu Ran was curious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiao Yuanxi’s eyes darted. “Come to Jingcheng to visit me? If you come, I’ll tell you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran thought for a moment, then decided: “Once my teammates and I finish our summer assignment, I’ll come find you right away.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s a deal!” Qiao Yuanxi feared he’d change his mind and hung up immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Impressive.” Lu Ran put down his phone, filled with awe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At sixteen, she’s already become a deity’s follower?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Usually, one needs to be seventeen or eighteen—deities require certain physical and mental strength from their followers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm. Her birthday really is early.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why she’s named “Yuanxi”—she was born on Lantern Festival.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, even though Qiao Yuanxi is sixteen, her body and mind are already prepared?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We don’t know about her mental state, but physically, she’s grown into a graceful young woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When we met during the New Year, she was already 1.68 meters tall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That all makes sense, but the real question is—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did Qiao Yuanxi secretly worship a deity—and succeed?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Half a month ago, when Lu Ran attended the worship ceremony, he noticed something unusual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This year, the probability of students becoming followers had increased dramatically compared to previous years!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, is Qiao Yuanxi one of the beneficiaries of this recent expansion of deities’ followers?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Third-Rank Deity follower,” Lu Ran murmured. “Yuanxi… you’re something else.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You’re almost catching up to me!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, no matter how talented you are, the deity you worship is still just a deity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You haven’t stepped outside the deity’s hierarchy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I summoned Yanzhi… hmm?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran suddenly frowned. Mentioning Yanzhi, he vaguely remembered something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yanzhi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yanzhi?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran rubbed his forehead in frustration. After a long while, his body suddenly trembled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a startled cat, every hair on his body stood on end!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I remember!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had a dream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In it, there was a seductive, stunning Yanzhi, and a statue of a breathtakingly beautiful Yanzhi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And a terrifying ram’s head, burning with black fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My dreams weren’t just those!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I also dreamed of a dog statue, a Blood Calamity Dog statue—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran whirled around, staring into the altar, at the serene, luminous white jade ram sculpture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On its white jade face, the same kind smile remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its two hind legs stood firmly on the ground; its two front legs were clasped together in a respectful bow, radiating friendliness and humility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It stood there quietly, always, forever in this gentle, benevolent pose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, Lu Ran felt nothing but chilling dread!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1687,"2026-06-21T06:12:58.056Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","695bd077c45588fdf0f546e9b689c3490cb696b053883412e18773bdc3e67a9d","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-43","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-41",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fat-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-cover.jpg"]