[{"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-52":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},2362180,4618,"Chapter 52: Dog-Slaying Vanguard","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-52",52,"\u003Cp>“Lu Ran?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi had no night vision, so she called out toward the direction where Lu Ran had vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was no wonder she was so anxious—those scenes from the fifteenth night of rain, when Lu Ran had been carried off by the vermilion paper dolls, were still vivid in her mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the pitch-black wilderness remained utterly silent, offering no reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lu brother?” Deng Yu also sensed something was wrong and shouted out immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Here, here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, a response came from afar—Lu Ran’s voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi ordered at once: “Yu Tang, go meet him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Got it.” Deng Yu followed the sound, gripping his spear, and sprinted forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi also stepped forward, her fingertips lightly tracing something in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?” Suddenly, Deng Yu’s delighted voice rang out from the darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi: “What is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yu: “Lu brother is advancing!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh?” Jiang Ruyi was both startled and delighted—was Lu Ran about to ascend to Mist Realm, Stage Four?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such an astonishing advancement speed—no wonder he was gifted beyond measure!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What about you, Sister Ruyi?” Tian Tian couldn’t hide her admiration; she lifted her dirty little face toward Jiang Ruyi. “Are you advancing too?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi sensed carefully for a moment, then replied: “I still need a few days.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm, Sister Ruyi, use your Soul-Returning Pearl to absorb the dog corpses—take in more divine power,” Tian Tian whispered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh.” Jiang Ruyi smiled, curled her finger, and gently tapped Tian Tian’s head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You’re looking out for me now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On this mission to Dog Village, everyone had kept up with their cultivation—actually advancing faster than usual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, energy was relatively abundant within the demonic lair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though reluctant to absorb demonic crystals, they could completely drain the dog corpses with their Soul-Returning Pearls, turning them into nourishment for their growth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Captain.” A voice came.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two women turned to see Deng Yu supporting a trembling Lu Ran as he walked back toward the torch-lit path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You two go handle the dog corpses,” Jiang Ruyi said softly. “I’ll watch over him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Got it.” Deng Yu helped Lu Ran sit down, then immediately went to collect the corpses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the disciples’ realms continued to rise, each breakthrough and advancement took longer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi stepped forward slowly, standing quietly beside Lu Ran, watching her two teammates work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, Lu Ran’s body tilted, his shoulder lightly leaning against Jiang Meiren’s leg.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi froze, looking down at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she found Lu Ran’s eyes still closed—as if he was fully focused on his advancement?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You rascal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi hesitated, but after a moment’s pause, she didn’t kick him away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all—Lu Ran was advancing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Best not to disturb him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi thought to herself, yet for some reason, a faint blush crept across her face, lit by the firelight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran was utterly comfortable!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sensation of advancement alone had already intoxicated him—now he had Jiang Meiren’s long leg as a backrest?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Being a disciple is truly wonderful!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next life I’ll still be—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pup pup pup~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A jet-black crow slowly descended and landed before them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Instructor Dou, Jiang Ruyi’s expression grew uneasy; she turned her head away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Reminding you—it’s the fifth day of the seventh lunar month,” the black crow spoke in human voice. “You are located outside Southern No. 2 Shitoucheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I advise you to return now, and leave the demonic lair before the tenth day.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi: “Understood, Instructor. Let Lu Ran focus on his advancement—we’ll discuss it shortly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dou Zhiqiang: “.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fine, I spoke too much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, a strange sound came from the side—as if something heavy was being dragged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi turned to look, and the sight made her want to laugh and cry at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tian Tian—the girl who was always gentle, even timid—was now dragging a dog corpse toward them?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her dirty little hands gripped the dog’s tail as she trudged forward, leaving a long trail of blood on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grim. Horrifying!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just use your Soul-Returning Pearl to absorb it,” Jiang Ruyi said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tian Tian stopped in her tracks, opened her mouth, but dared not object—so she stayed silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi spoke gently: “Listen to me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh.” Tian Tian finally released the tail and crouched beside the corpse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cruel training truly fosters growth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, even Lu Ran had been nauseated by the dog corpses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, the weakest member of the team could face the bloody, mangled bodies of demonic beasts without flinching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi watched Tian Tian’s small figure, a soft warmth flickering in her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had always believed that with sufficient respect and encouragement, the girl would develop confidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She would become a sword-lotus disciple, strong, reliable, balanced in offense and defense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this team, perhaps Lu Ran was the strongest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the one who had progressed the most was undoubtedly Tian Tian—she had overcome far more than anyone else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Instructor Dou.” Deng Yu returned, holding two bloodstained demonic crystals, staring at the black crow on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On this training mission, Deng Yu had regained his former glory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His Divine Art—Red Scarf Soul—had swept away his past gloom, restoring him to the radiant, wealthy young master he once was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Red Scarf Ancestor was truly extraordinary!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only flaw of this divine art was its heavy drain on divine power and stamina.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with Deng Yu’s vigor, he couldn’t keep invoking his ancestor’s spirit—otherwise, he’d turn into a limp noodle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black crow gave no reply, so Deng Yu didn’t press further; he faced north and went on alert.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After seven or eight minutes, Lu Ran’s energy fluctuations grew increasingly violent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From his nostrils came a sound of deep satisfaction:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mmm~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi, still shy, shifted a step away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The instructor is still watching!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had already endured enough just by not moving—yet\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What kind of noise is that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?” Lu Ran propped himself up with one hand, peering through the mist at Jiang Meiren.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why did my chair leg just walk away?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Congratulations,” Jiang Ruyi said, not looking at Lu Ran, instead taking the demonic crystal Tian Tian offered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Congratulations, Lu brother!” Deng Yu grinned and yanked Lu Ran to his feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lucky, lucky~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran, barely upright, crouched again and looked at the black crow: “Instructor Dou, you said we should return now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Black crow: “After the tenth, the demonic lair seals shut—you won’t be able to leave.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood.” Lu Ran turned to Jiang Ruyi. “Have we nearly completed our mission?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi: “Including today’s haul, we have 133 Stream Realm demonic crystals and 326 Mist Realm demonic crystals.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, one’s breath catches!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This four-person squad had already slaughtered so many little dogs…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Twelve days ago, Tian Tian and Deng Yu both advanced—since then, the team had headed straight for Southern No. 2 Shitoucheng, focusing entirely on hunting Stream Realm dogs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Acquiring these 133 Stream Realm crystals wasn’t steady—progress came in leaps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The later the time, the more skillfully they slaughtered Stream Realm dogs—and the greater their haul!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, they didn’t carry all these crystals on them; each time they returned to No. 2 Shitoucheng to rest, they turned in their harvest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let me count.” Lu Ran fiddled with his fingers. “We’ve got enough to exchange for a River-grade Soul-Returning Pearl. To upgrade our weapons, we still need…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi said coolly: “34 Stream Realm crystals, 4 Mist Realm crystals.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The school’s summer assignment doesn’t need separate calculation—it’s included in the equipment upgrade task.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re really a genius!” Lu Ran slapped his forehead. “We’ve been killing for over half a month, and you still remember the math.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi: “.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black crow flapped its wings and soared high, a distant voice drifting back: “Don’t forget to deduct the costs for food and lodging these past days.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran smiled at the top student: “I told you, anyone who kills nonstop for half a month will get mentally fuzzy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi, however, watched the black crow fly farther until the instructor vanished into the darkness, then whispered: “Already deducted.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Food and lodging: five mist realm magic crystals per day for two people per room.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, Lu Ran had no time to feel shame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His heart ached!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though the lodging fee was already the student rate, four people could truly share one stone room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But gender differences made sleeping and bathing inconvenient, so they had to grit their teeth and pay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Come to think of it, just the “bathing” alone was worth five mist realm magic crystals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, with the stench of blood on their bodies, they’d probably scare even themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We still have five days,” Deng Yu said confidently. “Slay thirty to forty stream realm vicious dogs—push hard, it’s definitely doable!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm.” Jiang Ruyi placed a hand on her neck, her fingertips gently rubbing the Spirit Power Pearl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After exchanging it for a River-grade Spirit Power Pearl, she wouldn’t have to worry about Spirit Power depletion for a long time to come.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And weapons—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi looked down at the mottled green stone sword in her hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though she often cast spells from afar and rarely engaged in close combat, the battlefield changed in an instant, and close quarters were inevitable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To upgrade the mottled green stone further, two relatively rare and uncommon cave mineral materials were needed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One was Bai Hongshi; the other was Cai Duan Shi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which should she choose?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1562,"2026-06-21T06:12:58.056Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","7ff4a8952e6f2b1301856faca36e0ea70d6ee397be17d734e253cf864ec25eb5","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-53","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-51",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fat-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-cover.jpg"]