[{"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-56":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},2362184,4618,"Chapter 56: Agreement","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-56",56,"\u003Cp>Lu Ran slept so deeply that the world turned dark and hazy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he finally opened his bleary eyes, it was already deep night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran propped himself up with one hand on the bed, feeling every muscle in his body aching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He instinctively glanced at the wall clock, but the room was pitch black.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though moonlight spilled across the windowsill, it offered him little help.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A thought stirred in Lu Ran’s mind; memories from his dream began flooding his thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, he felt much more alert!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, the past twenty-one days of slaying dogs had brought Lu Ran a stage of success!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his dream, the demon dog statue had finally been activated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran couldn’t help but lick his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next moment, divine power surged across his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Demon Art: Demon Perception!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran’s eyes widened!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t quite night vision, but he could now faintly make out the clock face on the wall!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>12:00 exactly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heh,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Waking early is nothing compared to waking at the right moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Open my eyes, and it’s exactly emo time!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The evening breeze lifts the white strands at your temples, smoothing the scars left by memory; in your eyes, light and shadow mingle.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran’s voice was soft and quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes glowed faintly; with the aid of Demon Art: Demon Perception, he surveyed the room’s furnishings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long while, Lu Ran rose and walked to the window, his fingertips lightly brushing the windowsill washed in moonlight, savoring the strange sensation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bright moon hung on the horizon; insects chirped in the summer night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slowly, Lu Ran closed his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He listened intently to the world wrapped in nightfall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rank of Demon Art: Demon Perception was still too low—only Mist grade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It couldn’t achieve true night vision, nor capture distant or varied sounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You can slay more evil dogs.” A low voice suddenly echoed in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran jumped!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had been carefully listening to the night—this sudden voice was no different from a horror movie’s “jump scare.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran stepped back diagonally, arriving before the altar, clasping his hands: “Lord Xiangyang?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The white sheep jade carving: “Capture more evil dog spirits to nourish the demon statue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stronger the evil dog statue becomes, the higher the rank and the greater the variety of Demon Arts.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Disciple understands.” Lu Ran nodded firmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The white sheep jade carving: “Do not neglect your own cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The weak cannot wield advanced techniques—no amount of forcing will help.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes!” Lu Ran nodded again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The small dark bedroom fell silent once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran waited a long while, receiving no further instruction from the deity, then turned to the desk and picked up his phone, fully charged after a day’s rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As expected, his phone was packed with messages from his twenty-one-day absence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aside from his mother’s concern, the most frequent messages came from his sister, Jiang Qiao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Starting on the third day of the seventh lunar month, she began pestering him:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Done yet?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After that, almost daily WeChat messages followed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s been over ten days—haven’t you finished your mission yet?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why aren’t you out yet? Your strength must be terrible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stupid brother, you’re so weak! If you don’t reply, I’ll call you stupid little brother!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Today I ate a burger and secretly threw out the lettuce, hehe~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“T^T, Mom caught me and scolded me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s already the eighth of the seventh month—my cold-blooded, weak brother…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stupid little brother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran’s finger slid to a stop, the screen freezing on the last message.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at those three words, Lu Ran’s expression turned peculiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm… in this one thing, his sister really was like him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Purely upside-down heavenly order!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran glanced at the time, then tossed the phone back onto the desk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Forget it—he’d call to report his safety tomorrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He returned to the altar, sat cross-legged, and entered cultivation mode.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A wisp of mist quietly drifted from the altar, swirling around the human believer, nourishing his flesh and blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Funny enough, sleeping had left Lu Ran aching all over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet cultivating divine power greatly eased his physical fatigue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The night passed without further incident.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At dawn the next day:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ughhh~~~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran stretched out with fierce intensity, hearing several crisp pops from his joints.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lord Xiangyang, good morning.” After greeting, Lu Ran rose and headed straight for his phone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His mother always woke early, so there was no worry about disturbing her rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure enough, after only a few seconds, the call connected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ranran?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mom, sorry for worrying you.” Lu Ran walked to the window, watching the sky brighten, “The mission was extremely demanding—I barely finished on the last day.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You slept all day yesterday, didn’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah.” Lu Ran smiled sheepishly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiao Wanjun’s voice remained gentle: “Next time you return home, send me a quick message before resting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Got it.” Lu Ran hurriedly replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiao Wanjun didn’t press further, instead asking: “Can you upgrade your divine pearl and weapon?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, I slaughtered dogs in Dog Village until the world turned dark and hazy.” Lu Ran grinned, “I’m practically ready to open a butcher stall now!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiao Wanjun chuckled softly: “At first, you had to muster the courage to pick up the cleaver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, you must constantly remind yourself to hold reverence for life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Remember to clearly distinguish the demon race from other living beings.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I will.” Lu Ran replied solemnly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A powerful believer’s path is paved with piles of corpses, his hands stained with blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demon race is truly cunning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if they cannot kill you, your soul may still be corrupted through repeated slaughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over the past two years of high school, their homeroom teacher had repeatedly lectured students:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Disregarding life, becoming numb—it’s easy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What believers must truly strive for is preserving their inner self through a long, brutal combat life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good.” Qiao Wanjun wasn’t overly concerned—after all, the deity was watching. She continued, “Yesterday, when I came home, Yuanxi mentioned you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran felt awkward: “I’ll book my ticket right away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the way, is that big bao place near our house still open?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t buy her any. I’ve punished her—no food this week.” Qiao Wanjun continued, “Just come home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That way, you two can stay together and enjoy the Mid-Autumn night—I’ll feel more at ease.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, Mom.” Lu Ran immediately said, “I have to return the day after tomorrow—there’s a mission on the fifteenth.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mission?” Qiao Wanjun was startled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s like this…” Lu Ran explained in detail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other end of the line, Qiao Wanjun’s frown deepened with every word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Believers could certainly participate in the fifteenth night city defense mission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the world was about to face the most perilous July fifteenth!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Extra test.” Qiao Wanjun murmured to herself. Her child had received such an honor—she should feel proud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in reality, her heart was filled with even more worry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry, Mom, I’m with the Wangyue people—I’ll be perfectly safe,” Lu Ran reassured her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How could you not tell me about something this big?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing his mother’s words, Lu Ran fell silent, unsure how to respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiao Wanjun, however, misinterpreted his silence, thinking her tone had been too harsh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For this fiercely strong and fiercely independent son, Qiao Wanjun rarely scolded him—not even willing to speak sharply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve just been too busy lately, and I haven’t cared enough for you,” Qiao Wanjun’s tone softened. “You shouldn’t come over—stay home and rest properly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Remember, on the fifteenth night, stick close to the Wangyue people. Don’t make Mom worry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I will!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll tell Yuanxi myself,” Qiao Wanjun sighed lightly. “Ranran.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your father would be proud of you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran smiled: “What about you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, Qiao Wanjun smiled too: “Call me at five a.m. on July sixteenth. I’ll tell you then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Deal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran hung up the phone and set it down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“July fifteenth,” he murmured, pressing his hands against the windowsill, gazing up at the clear sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last month’s fifteenth, he hadn’t been lucky enough to see the full moon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hope, this time, I can see it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Vrrr~ Vrrr~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The phone suddenly vibrated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran looked at the unknown number and answered curiously: “Hello?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the other end came a familiar female voice: “Little Lu Ran?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran froze, three words slipping out: “Big Nightmare?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yuxiang’s expression turned bizarre: “Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: “.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine, fine, fine!” Deng Yuxiang snapped back, laughing in exasperation. “You dare sneakily give me a nickname behind my back?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran hurriedly said: “You misunderstood—I said Big Dream Beauty!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your divine beauty is something only dreams can hold! Even prettier than Yanzhi people!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yuxiang: ???\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, Deng Yuxiang couldn’t tell whether Lu Ran was complimenting her or insulting her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you want?” Lu Ran seized the chance to change the subject.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yuxiang snorted: “I heard from Yutang that you completed your mission and came back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes,” Lu Ran’s mind stirred. “Are you calling about joining the patrol team?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Deng Yuxiang said: “I’m bored, thought I’d stretch my limbs.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey? Talk! This damn phone—why’s the signal so bad? Beep-beep-beep—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1522,"2026-06-21T06:12:58.056Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","396ccc3d88255dfc620213daae6232bd56ad6dfbc224c959b860e59a1ccea355","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-57","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-55",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fat-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-cover.jpg"]