[{"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-46":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},2362174,4618,"Chapter 46: Honor!","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-46",46,"\u003Cp>On the playground, their usual spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi watched Lu Ran sprinting over and asked curiously, “What’s the rush?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran looked furtive, ducking behind Jiang Meiren and glancing toward the school gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only when he saw no one was chasing him did he exhale: “Nothing. Just my morning workout.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lu brother, congratulations!” Deng Yu clenched his fist and leaned over. “You took first place.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran bumped fists with Deng Yu: “Same to you—you nearly made the top ten.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi looked at her two teammates: “Our scores are all good. Tian Tian and Yu Tang tied for twelfth.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unexpectedly, Deng Yu showed no joy: “I don’t deserve it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Lu Ran couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his memory, Deng Yu had always been proud, even somewhat flamboyant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, this wealthy young master’s mood was unusually low.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi, more perceptive, had already sensed something was off with Deng Yu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that Lu Ran had arrived, Jiang Ruyi spoke up: “Yu Tang, our squad was stationed outside the building to guard, and we completed the mission properly—we killed many demons.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran suddenly said: “I know what you’re thinking—you think I carried you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused, then continued: “I don’t think that’s true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Team leader Zhang Feng said that after I was captured, all three of you performed admirably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brother Zhang specifically mentioned two things: first, how you quickly adapted and properly applied tactics; second, your mindset—you regrouped and faced the demons head-on.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi nodded thoughtfully, openly admitting: “After you were taken, I did lose focus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Tang was the most like a true warrior—he kept boosting morale and steadying our spirits.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this praise from their captain, Deng Yu blushed for the first time ever and explained:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I just believed Lu brother would come back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why?” Lu Ran chuckled. “The one who took me was a River Realm—Yanzhi Person!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t even believe I’d survive. Why did you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long silence, Deng Yu finally muttered: “Male intuition.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: “...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hehe~” Jiang Ruyi couldn’t help but laugh softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The slightly somber mood eased a little after a few jokes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mostly because Deng Yu had adjusted his mindset.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yu was undoubtedly proud—but his performance didn’t match his own expectations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet in this exam, his personal score rose dramatically, shooting straight to twelfth place!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This gave Deng Yu a nagging sense of being unworthy of his rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, hearing Jiang and Lu’s analysis,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it really like that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With all three of Jiang Tian and Deng’s scores so high, it’s likely their collective actions after the squad’s mishap earned them a big bonus!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Congratulations on getting back into the top three,” Lu Ran smiled at Jiang Meiren.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph.” Jiang Ruyi gave Lu Ran a light, dismissive glare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oh?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So sassy!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran complained: “I’m congratulating you, and you glare at me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi’s lips curled with a faint smile: “Yes, I’m back in the top three, Ma Tianchuan has been dethroned—but\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now there’s someone even harder to surpass.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran grinned: “Hey, who gets first between us really matters?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi: “Hm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran said solemnly: “The honor belongs to all of us!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t have claimed first place without the support of my good brother and my wise helpmate… oh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi blushed slightly and stomped on Lu Ran’s shoe: “Nonsense!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stepping on toes?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ha, childish games.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran immediately stepped back: “Act like a lady—there are so many people on the playground, everyone’s watching.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi glared at Lu Ran, her beautiful eyes nearly blazing with fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the summer breeze, a few strands of the girl’s hair brushed across her forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran’s heart skipped a beat!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi lowered her gaze slightly, averting her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn guy!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The playground was indeed crowded; students waiting for assembly all glanced over, stealing furtive looks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In contrast, Deng Yu openly stared at the two, his expression oddly twisted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Deng Yu’s eyes, Class Leader Jiang was gentle and demure—always so ladylike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But with Lu Ran… hmm, interesting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Like Yi-jie.” Tian Tian ran over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm.” Jiang Ruyi replied softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tian Tian stepped beside Jiang Ruyi and asked timidly: “Jie, why is your face so red?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi: “...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sensing her sister’s silence, Tian Tian realized she’d said the wrong thing and quickly changed the subject: “Jie, did you advance?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi gave a slight nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fog Realm—Third Stage?” Lu Ran’s eyes lit up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Believers can learn a divine art at the First and Third Stages of each major realm!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the Yu Fu Sect, the divine art granted at Fog Realm Third Stage is “Explosive Flame Talisman.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This talisman is no small thing!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The noble mage is finally showing off her immense output potential!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm.” Jiang Ruyi’s pale hand hung naturally; suddenly, tiny sparks flickered from her fingertips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran watched, envious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t that he was fickle—he just couldn’t ignore the power of his white moonlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Divine Yu Fu was the deity Lu Ran had worshipped since childhood alongside his father.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though too young to be a true believer, he’d always thought of himself as an “unofficial disciple.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of this, Lu Ran’s admiration slowly changed flavor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then, on the altar of worship, all the gods abandoned him, leaving him to die alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially Yu Fu—the deity he’d worshipped for years—refused to appear, offered not a single blessing…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The knot in Lu Ran’s heart could never be untied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A person cannot change the past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran’s youthful devotion and boundless reverence were now fixed facts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was time to let go of all those old feelings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now our squad’s output is even stronger!” Deng Yu sounded excited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi wasn’t particularly joyful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, she blamed herself for not advancing before the fifteenth day of the lunar month.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she had, she could have ignited the Fog Shadow Person—or even detonated it—and the others wouldn’t have suffered so much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How about you, Deng Shao?” Lu Ran asked Deng Yu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Almost there.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran remembered their previous conversation on the training ground and burst out laughing: “Don’t ask—just say ‘almost there,’ right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yu grunted and fiddled with the red sash on his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People do act busy when embarrassed, don’t they?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You should work hard too,” Jiang Ruyi said gently, placing a hand on Tian Tian’s shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm-hmm!” Tian Tian nodded eagerly. “I’m almost ready to advance too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This scene was quite amusing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this four-person squad, Lu Ran and Jiang Ruyi each cared for one?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shhh~~~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A shrill whistle pierced the air, followed by the teacher’s voice on the podium: “Everyone, assemble!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The students quickly lined up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within seconds, the playground fell utterly silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the podium, the male teacher spoke gravely: “Congratulations—you survived.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although the words were congratulations, the atmosphere within the school grew increasingly oppressive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“For this year’s Fifteenth Night city guard duty, our school’s second-year believers total 399. Injuries occurred, but no deaths.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The male teacher reported the results: “One student received an exceptional score of 91.2 from the Divine People’s Bureau—unprecedented.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Lu Ran felt dozens of eyes settling on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not only is he the top student at Yuxiang No. 1 High, he is also the only student across Yunshan City and its five subordinate county-level cities to surpass the 90-point threshold.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The male teacher adjusted his glasses and said gravely: “Xiang Xianyang believer, Lu Ran!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran wasn’t sure whether he should respond “Here!”—he felt as if he’d been thrust into the center of a vortex.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dozens of eyes turned sharply toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Envy, jealousy, curiosity, doubt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the last assessment, Lu Ran had also become the center of attention within his small class circle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But compared to this, it was nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The male teacher continued: “Among all students, Lu Ran received the most evaluation forms.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Including your team leader, three Moonwatcher squads, totaling five Moonwatchers, submitted reports on your mission performance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After comprehensive review, Yunshan City’s Divine People’s Bureau has issued you a special document.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, the male teacher lifted his papers and read aloud:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“While new believers are still gathering courage to grasp the dangers of the Fifteenth Night, you already know how to handle crises.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You already know what attitude to adopt when facing unshakable demons.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Face death to live. Save others to save yourself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>May this courage in confronting life and death not be a fleeting bloom.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maintain this momentum—next month’s lunar fifteenth, we offer you a special bonus opportunity.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We will recruit you into the Patrol Unit as a one-night Moonwatcher.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Moonwatcher Patrol Unit?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is this some kind of special test just for him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shut up! Students have always been given bonus trials by the Divine People’s Bureau! But never this early—usually not until the second semester of senior year?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you idiots? What’s there to envy? Next month is the fifteenth of the seventh lunar month! The fifteenth of the seventh month!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn! Right! Next time is the fifteenth of the seventh month! Can Lu Ran even survive that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The playground erupted into chaos; students burst into uproar!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This evaluation was absurdly high!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the message conveyed by this document left everyone stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi’s expression hardened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had just been happy that Lu Ran was being praised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But patrol on the fifteenth of the seventh month?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the crowd, Ma Tianchuan frowned deeply, lost in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind Ma Tianchuan, Wu Shanshan’s expression was complex.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who would have thought Lu Ran could earn such an honor?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Undoubtedly, the bonus opportunity offered by the Divine People’s Bureau was reserved only for the top few students of each cohort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it was typically granted only after students entered the second semester of senior year, based on circumstances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Shanshan sighed inwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had her decision to switch teams been wrong?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the Divine People’s Bureau held him in such high regard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time is short, but the road is long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let’s wait and see.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xiang Xianyang believer, Lu Ran!” The male teacher suddenly raised his voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran had no choice but to respond: “Here!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bring your team up on stage to receive your deserved rewards and honors.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1698,"2026-06-21T06:12:58.056Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","e988ba293e4202f6aecf2758458806374fc61fd15527e50f5745c8ae09c0b891","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-47","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-45",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fat-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-cover.jpg"]