[{"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-47":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},2362175,4618,"Chapter 47: Mockery of the Crowd","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-47",47,"\u003Cp>Under the watchful eyes of countless onlookers, Lu Ran led his team swiftly onto the stage to claim the first-place reward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran received a slender blade, clearly modeled after the Tang crossbow sword style.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It resembled a bronze artifact, long buried, its entire surface coated in a dark green patina, pitted and ancient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tsk.” Lu Ran pursed his lips, gripping the long blade, feeling a wave of antiquity wash over him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mottled Green Stone Knife!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mottled Green Stone is among the better-quality materials found among the common minerals of the Demon Caves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi and Tian Tian each received a Mottled Green Stone sword; Deng Yu also obtained a Mottled Green Stone spear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wonder if Deng Shao silently muttered this in his heart:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thanks for the school’s junk!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the four-member team thanked the judges and stepped down, the second- and third-place teams took the stage for their awards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their weapons were made of inferior material—Mottled Yellow Rock, a common ore extracted from the Demon Caves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It resembled a dull, brownish rock with no distinguishing features.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the weapons awarded to teams ranked 4th through 10th, they were even more pathetic!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their material was Mottled Gray Rock!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like stones picked up off the street.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to that, Mottled Green Stone suddenly looked decent—after all, it at least carried a hint of “bronze artifact” prestige!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This holiday’s going to be busy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran dragged his fingertips across the Mottled Green Stone blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mottled Green Stone is a dividing line!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Materials superior to it can no longer be classified as “common.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over here, Lu Ran was eager, his mind brimming with thoughts of completing the task and acquiring a precious weapon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the Altar of Reverence, after the school honored the top ten, the male teacher assigned the summer homework.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The summer assignment was simple:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Students were required to form small teams and collectively slay one hundred Mist Realm demons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This assignment carried no ranking—complete it, and you earn six Faith Points.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt a bit like handing out welfare?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“These six points are a free gift from the school! If you don’t take them and fail to graduate, don’t come crying to me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve already undergone two assessments—you know your own worth, you know how hard Faith Points are to earn.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you don’t know, go look at the leaderboard—or check the official website!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Look closely at the gap between you and the first-place student. You all became believers on the same day, yet Lu Ran is already being invited for an additional trial!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you don’t complete your summer assignment, you’ll fall even farther behind Lu Ran!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: ???\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You’re scolding them, fine—but why drag me into it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I thought my Voice of Despair was bad enough, but you’re even better at mockery?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s all I’ll say—think it over yourselves.” The male teacher finally changed the subject. “Next item: the Fifteenth Night!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this special term, the students all grew solemn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The teacher on stage, equally grave, said: “Next month’s fifteenth is the uniquely significant Lunar July fifteenth!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And you’re all on summer break.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let me emphasize this once more: On the night of July fifteenth, you are forbidden from participating in combat!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran fiddled with his Mottled Green Stone knife, his thoughts turning restless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lunar July fifteenth—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, the most extraordinary full-moon night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On this night, the number of demons invading the city far exceeds that of any other fifteenth night, and the danger level is far higher.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone alive on this earth knows this well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the Divine People Bureau’s additional trial, it is not mandatory—students may choose not to attend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who could afford to let such an opportunity slip away?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone understands the principle: a head start means staying ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The better your performance among peers, the more opportunities you’ll have to earn points.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This very invitation from the Divine People Bureau is a real-life example.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the Divine People Bureau’s additional trial offers more than just points.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you complete the mission, you will receive material rewards!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For decades, Great Xia has upheld this incentive policy, encouraging believers to train and grow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the podium, the teacher barked: “Don’t think becoming a believer and surviving one city defense makes you arrogant and self-satisfied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before and after July fifteenth, you will stay home, kneeling before your household shrine, praying!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or go to a shelter and accept protection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Any violation will result in immediate expulsion. Understood?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood!” The courtyard echoed with a unified roar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The teacher nodded: “Next item: team reassignments. Teams I call out will keep their current roster and disband immediately—vacation starts!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Team One, Team Four.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, the courtyard erupted in uproar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Team One, then straight to Team Four?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Teams Two and Three are being restructured?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tian Tian nervously twisted her fingers, like a defendant awaiting judgment, her heart pounding in her throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her team was Team 98, so she had waited, waited, until she nearly broke down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Relax.” Jiang Ruyi gently rubbed Tian Tian’s head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm.” Tian Tian lowered her head, murmuring softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the girl still anxious, Jiang Ruyi pinched her cheek and comforted her: “We all like you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Th-thank you.” Tian Tian whispered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It sounded like an acceptance speech?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Team Ninety-Eight!” Finally, the verdict came.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Acquitted!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing her team number called, Tian Tian nearly burst into tears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl’s emotional reaction seemed excessive—unless you’d been in her shoes, you couldn’t understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There, there.” Jiang Ruyi patted Tian Tian’s shoulder, then turned to Lu Ran, hesitating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have a different view regarding Lu Ran’s special recruitment,” Deng Yu said, clearly sensing Jiang Ruyi’s concern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm?” Jiang Ruyi turned to look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yu thought for a moment: “The Divine People Bureau deliberately placed Lu Ran into the Wangyue People’s team for next fifteenth night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In my opinion, this is actually a form of protection?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We just completed the city defense—on our assigned Gate Four, numerous powerful demons appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I can’t shake the feeling something’s off.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, Deng Yu glanced at Lu Ran—his meaning was clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, Lu Ran’s “glorious” record was well documented.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back on the Altar of Reverence, Lu Ran had summoned a demon god—Yanzhi Ren.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Protection?” Jiang Ruyi frowned slightly, unconvinced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they truly wanted to protect Lu Ran, wouldn’t it be safer to keep him at home before his shrine—or lock him in a shelter?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve decided to go.” Lu Ran suddenly spoke, his usual joking demeanor replaced by rare seriousness. “I won’t let this opportunity slip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So—next topic!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Lu Ran shifted gears: “When do we go to Dog Village?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh.” Deng Yu chuckled, shaking his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes—this was the spirit!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A true man—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should be just like this!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi fell silent for a moment, then said: “Let’s go home and prepare. We’ll head out this afternoon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yu added: “You stay home—I’ll drive to pick you up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran was surprised: “Are you old enough? Do you have a license?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To his surprise, Deng Yu replied: “Almost.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: ???\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Faster again, bro?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I asked you when you’d advance, and you said “almost.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I asked if you had a driver’s license, and you still said “almost”?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran sighed, “Aren’t you afraid your sister will lock us up in a dark room?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Almost bro” also sighed, “I don’t drive—there’s a driver at home.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: “.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sorry, Deng Shao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I just spoke a bit too loudly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1244,"2026-06-21T06:12:58.056Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","dc26d737226acb2054c6c0dcb288258feb8deb38e9c6ed91fcbeea07a3b7cb87","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-48","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-46",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fat-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-cover.jpg"]