[{"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-44":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},2362172,4618,"Chapter 44: The Demon Statue Garden?","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-44",44,"\u003Cp>The room was utterly silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the night rain outside pattered softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long while, Lu Ran suppressed his churning emotions and approached the altar:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lord Xiang Xianyang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My dreams aren’t just ordinary nightmares, are they?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Those demonic statues, that other realm of demonic souls—did you create them?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran gazed at the altar; the jade carving of Xiang Xianyang remained still, offering no reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After waiting a long time, Lu Ran spoke in a low voice:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In that realm, I encountered a goat’s head burning with black fire. Do you know what manner of being it is?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, Lu Ran very much wanted to ask whether that black-fire goat’s head was Xiang Xianyang’s original form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he wasn’t so reckless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, a low, hoarse voice echoed into Lu Ran’s mind:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You intend to go to Dog Village and slaughter the evil dogs.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lord Xiang Xianyang had finally sent a message.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran straightened up, his hand instinctively falling to his neck, fingers pinching the Divine Power Pearl: “Yes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as I collect enough Mist Crystals, I can exchange them for higher-grade Divine Power Pearls.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The white goat statue: “Go. Leave none alive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran couldn’t help but be inwardly startled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such heavy bloodlust!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For gods and demons are sworn enemies; such thoughts are normal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only issue is, this came from the god—Xiang Xianyang—whom the world sees as gentle and kind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran pressed his lips together and continued: “After I slew the evil dogs, I saw their soul-forms in that dim realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I also saw those souls being absorbed into the demonic statues.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lord Xiang Xianyang, please enlighten your disciple—what does this scene truly mean?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The white goat statue: “What is a demon?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran froze. How was he supposed to answer that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After much thought, he replied: “I do not know the essence of demons, nor their origin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I only know demons are malevolent spirits that bring chaos to the mortal world, enemies of both human and divine races.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The white goat statue: “Essence? Just a pile of stones.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: “.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He truly didn’t dare to respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If that’s true, then aren’t the gods themselves just piles of stones?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only, the gods’ statues stand openly upon the earth, on display.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The statues of the demon race, it is said, lie hidden deep within demonic caves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why use the word “it is said”?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because someone like Lu Ran, a lowly follower, can only access superficial information—from books and the internet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He currently lacks the qualification to uncover higher-level secrets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The white goat statue: “Those stones can summon and control demons, bringing chaos to the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My stones are no different!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: !!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What… what exactly are you planning?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the low, commanding voice of Xiang Xianyang: “Kill, humans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One day, countless demons shall serve us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gulping,” Lu Ran’s throat convulsed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Does Xiang Xianyang mean that if enough demons are slaughtered and enough souls are absorbed into the statues, one can control demons?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If so—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran’s mind stirred: “If Lord Xiang Xianyang possesses such power, we could request aid from the Great Xia authorities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you can control demons for the benefit of both human and divine races, I believe Great Xia would spare no effort to assist us in slaughtering demons!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lu Ran.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sudden voice made Lu Ran straighten his spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he remembered correctly, this was the first time since becoming Xiang Xianyang’s follower that the god had spoken his name!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Xianyang’s voice echoed, heavy with authority:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Watch your words. Guard your actions. Grow steadily.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The god’s words were a refusal of his proposal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They also plainly told Lu Ran not to speak further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, ever since he brought the small statue home, this god—whose face turned black—had forbidden him from revealing any information to outsiders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The low voice echoed again into Lu Ran’s mind: “Remember what you told me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You vowed to repay your debt.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran clasped his hands together, face solemn: “Lu Ran is willing to repay the debt—and ought to repay it!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Lord Xiang Xianyang, controlling demons is such a grave matter—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go slaughter the evil dogs,” the voice cut him off. “As long as enough souls are harvested.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You may well use the evil dogs’ dark arts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You may well control the evil dogs’ bodies and minds.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These words shook Lu Ran’s mind to its core!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran couldn’t hold back—he asked the question he’d long harbored: “Are you truly Lord Xiang Xianyang?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where in the world did the known Xiang Xianyang get such transcendent power?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To his surprise, the white goat statue gave a direct reply:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the goat’s head suddenly turned black, its once-kind smile now grotesque:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: “.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Isn’t this a yes-or-no question?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I asked you yes or no?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And you answered with “or”?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My abilities extend beyond this,” came the next voice, jolting Lu Ran from his thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did this mysterious Lord Xiang Xianyang possess even more shocking powers?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You wish to avenge your father. You wish to exterminate all evil in the world.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You have suffered long in this chaotic age. You seek to cleanse the world of its plagues.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, the black goat’s head gradually faded back to pure white: “Remember: watch your words. Guard your actions. Grow steadily.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes,” Lu Ran exhaled deeply and bowed slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Undeniably, Lu Ran had many questions—but his doubts were relatively few.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, since the day he brought the statue home, Xiang Xianyang had made his position clear:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If I were a demon, could you still awaken?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That single sentence was the ultimate kill-switch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reflecting carefully, since their meeting, Xiang Xianyang had always acted in Lu Ran’s favor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From saving him on the Altar of Worship, to blessing him at home, to teaching him divine arts and permitting him to fight freely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Xianyang had always shown benevolence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, Xiang Xianyang had revealed terrifying power!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had secretly created a “Demonic Statue Garden”?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If I harvest enough demonic souls, I can use their dark arts?” Lu Ran murmured to himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To say he wasn’t eager would be a lie!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He just didn’t know how many evil dogs he’d need to kill before he could use their techniques.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A thousand enough?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For this summer assignment, Lu Ran must slay at least a thousand Mist-level evil dogs to exchange for River-grade Divine Power Pearls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to mention the recent fifteen-day city defense mission—Team 98’s ranking was likely high, and the school would reward weapons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To upgrade two pieces of equipment, a thousand Mist-level evil dogs clearly wouldn’t suffice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm… it’s time to unleash a bloodbath in Dog Village!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more Lu Ran thought about it, the more excited he became, his whole body brimming with energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He rose and stepped sideways, standing before the window, gazing out at the vast rainy night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The initial dark art of the Evil Dog clan greatly enhances the senses, especially the sense of smell, making it extremely sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that point, this little lamb of mine will have a dog’s nose~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sniff out where the enemy is, anticipate their moves every time, and lock onto their position long before they act!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From now on,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who the hell could ever ambush me again?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’ll only be me ambushing others!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, the Evil Dog clan’s dark art at the Third Stage of the Mist Realm is called Evil Fang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It summons four canine fangs out of thin air to tear into the prey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that time, how should I explain to others that I, a devoted follower of a deity, can wield dark arts?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Forget it, first gather all the souls, then equip the technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wait!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran pressed one hand against the window and suddenly realized a problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to Xiang Xianyang’s words, using the dark arts of the Demon Clan counts as low-level manipulation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I gather enough souls, could I summon and control demons?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That is to say, if I slaughter enough Red Paper People,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could have my very own Red Paper sister?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, well!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more he thought about it, the brighter Lu Ran’s eyes grew!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This… this this this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hehe~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Request some monthly votes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1379,"2026-06-21T06:12:58.056Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","2be05558e10323b6ae3babdf72535e2dda528e0b8013fc3a4377f3dd9eb64479","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-45","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-43",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fat-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-cover.jpg"]