[{"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-6":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},2362134,4618,"Chapter 6: Mmm~","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-6",6,"\u003Cp>Lu Ran sprang to his feet with a thump and turned to run for the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the moment he grasped the doorknob, his body froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A jumble of thoughts flooded his mind, instantly overloading his brain and paralyzing his thoughts and movements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only after several seconds did Lu Ran gradually regain his senses, feeling as if thorns pricked his back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, a low voice echoed in his mind, brimming with authority:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If I were a malevolent spirit, you would not be conscious now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?” Lu Ran’s expression startled, then a flicker of hope rose in his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words were blunt and crude, yet highly effective.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran had already joined the other’s sect; one could say a pact had been forged between them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under this premise, the demonic race could freely manipulate weak humans, plunging them into self-loss and eternal servitude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of this, Lu Ran turned to gaze at the shrine: “Are you Lord Xiang Xianyang?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black sheep head remained silent, offering no reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran calmed his breathing and stared at the pitch-black sheep head inside the shrine: “Forgive me, Lord Xiang Xianyang. I thought you were a gentle, kind deity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one in the world knew you had such a terrifying—ah, formidable—side.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The low voice surged into his mind again: “You crave proof of yourself. You crave to repay your debt.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran slowly nodded: “Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The situation was too strong for him to refuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, Lu Ran genuinely wished to repay the debt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had Lord Xiang Xianyang not come this time, Lu Ran’s only outcome would have been rejection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless examples lay before him: the success rate of reoffering worship the next year, and every subsequent year, approached zero.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s the same as chasing a girl:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>About her not loving you—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You really don’t need to keep confirming it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If rejected, Lu Ran’s entire life would be that of a fragile, powerless ordinary person, living in fear in this dangerous world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To say Lord Xiang Xianyang had given Lu Ran a rebirth is no exaggeration!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black sheep head: “Good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the third and final sentence the black sheep head spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran waited a long time but received no further instruction from the divine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Buzzzz.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His phone suddenly vibrated in his pocket, jolting Lu Ran from his silent contemplation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He cautiously glanced at the shrine, hesitated a moment, then pulled out his phone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing it was his mother calling, Lu Ran answered immediately: “Mom.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran grew up in a single-parent household.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After his parents divorced, his five-year-old self lived with his father, while his mother left the city with his younger sister to return to her family home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Lu Ran was thirteen, his father Lu Xing died in the line of duty, and he was taken in by his mother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until he turned sixteen, Lu Ran, believing he could care for himself, returned alone to his hometown and moved into his father’s old house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His mother’s gentle voice soothed Lu Ran’s spirit: “How have you been lately?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine,” Lu Ran replied, his expression awkward as he glanced at the shrine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Have you been training properly?” his mother Qiao Wanjun asked further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran instinctively turned his head toward a wooden sword leaning against the wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its blade was straight and slender, clearly modeled after the Tang cross-sword style.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since childhood, Lu Ran had trained in swordplay under his father Lu Xing’s guidance, showing considerable talent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then, young Lu Ran had even dreamed of one day earning the recognition of the deity Yu Fu, fighting shoulder to shoulder with his father.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The things remain, the people are gone—all is ended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve trained.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm.” Qiao Wanjun’s voice was soft; after this simple greeting, she moved to the point: “I heard what happened at your school.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ranran, you must adjust your mindset. Being favored by a deity is already our greatest fortune.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His mother mentioned nothing of the demonic, only the deity Xiang Xianyang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran looked again at the shrine, his heart stirred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His mother was immensely powerful and well-traveled—perhaps she knew something about the black sheep head?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if she didn’t, she could at least offer advice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the moment Lu Ran opened his mouth to ask, he was frozen in place!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A jumble of thoughts surged in, instantly blanking his mind and leaving him speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Five full seconds passed before Lu Ran slowly regained his senses, gazing at the shrine in terror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder no one in the world knew the deity Xiang Xianyang had such a side!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did it forbid its followers from revealing its existence?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a daze, Lu Ran caught his mother’s next few words: “. The divine arts of Xiang Xianyang’s sect are unique; when used well, their effects are extraordinary.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Misinterpreting Lu Ran’s silence, Qiao Wanjun assumed her son was depressed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, Lu Ran had high aspirations, trained relentlessly for years, and had only secured the very last spot in the ninth row—Xiang Xianyang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such a blow was not insignificant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, before Xiang Xianyang arrived, his son had summoned a demonic deity!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This further suggested Lu Ran’s exceptional talent, deserving of fierce competition from deities in the front rows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for what exactly went wrong, Qiao Wanjun did not know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiao Wanjun said gently: “When you brought the deity statue home, the school gave you a small booklet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, yes,” Lu Ran stammered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On his desk lay a booklet titled *Xiang Xianyang Sect Rules*, filled mostly with warnings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It instructed followers to pray devoutly daily, to be kind to others, and to foster unity and friendship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The booklet also recorded a unique divine art of the Xiang Xianyang sect—Voice of Compassion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The name sounded impressive indeed!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, it was simply begging for mercy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Xianyang’s followers could use their voice to stir pity in others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once an opponent felt sympathy or pity, they might avoid conflict—or spare you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for actual combat effectiveness—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was merely the most basic divine art of the Xiang Xianyang sect, and its effect was truly poor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not even against cruel demonic races, let alone resolute, unyielding individuals, would your cries for mercy make them spare you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiao Wanjun: “Study the basic divine art. Understand it thoroughly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: “When Teacher Li dropped me off, he tutored me and explained it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see.” Qiao Wanjun nodded slightly. “When you became a follower, Lord Xiang Xianyang granted you a bit of divine power.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm.” Lu Ran replied absently—he had received a wisp of divine mist from Xiang Xianyang’s apparition on the offering altar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That divine mist was the so-called divine power; it had also reshaped Lu Ran’s physique, enabling him to absorb and cultivate divine power in the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiao Wanjun said: “Feel the divine power within you. Mobilize this force to envelop your vocal cords.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Lu Ran already guessed what his mother intended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was trying to distract him, using a divine technique to lift his spirits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran’s heart leapt!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every follower, when performing a divine art, must go through a ritual—praying to their own deity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only with their deity’s approval and aid could followers wield their sect’s unique techniques.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That meant Lu Ran could attempt to perform the sect’s unique divine art—Voice of Compassion—to test whether the black sheep head truly was Xiang Xianyang himself!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright.” Lu Ran decided instantly and, under his mother’s careful guidance, completed the preparations properly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiao Wanjun spoke softly: “Look toward Lord Xiang Xianyang. Pray for his aid.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran gazed at the shrine and softly murmured, “Mm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiao Wanjun: “Say it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: “.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What kind of thing is that to say!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It sounded so embarrassing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiao Wanjun waited patiently for a long while, but her son still did not perform the divine art.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She comforted him: “It’s fine. Beginners always struggle to adapt. We’ll practice more times.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran immediately explained: “Mmm~ No, Mom!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiao Wanjun: “.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: “.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stunned!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran stood frozen, spinning in place, tugging at his hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the hell kind of divine art is this!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why am I bleating like a goat?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So! Embarrassing! Ah!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even more speechless was the soft laugh that came from the other end of the call—Jiang Wanjun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, she did it on purpose!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a powerful believer, how could she not know the embarrassment a new follower might face when first using the divine art?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m hanging up,” Lu Ran said irritably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ranran.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Practice your divine power well, train hard,” Jiang Wanjun said gently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Got it,” Lu Ran hung up, plopped onto the chair, and felt utterly defeated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At seventeen, one’s self-respect is at its peak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bleating like a goat in front of his mother left Lu Ran deeply ashamed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aaaah!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I really want to just bash my head against the wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Lu Ran’s thoughts churned, he suddenly shivered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He suddenly realized—another deity was watching him!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran slowly turned his head toward the shrine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The jade statue’s body remained luminous white, but its goat head was now pitch black.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran had confirmed the deity was the Immortal Goat, yet new doubts rose in his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long hesitation, he whispered: “Why do you forbid me from asking others about your existence?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you have some secret you can’t reveal?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black goat head remained silent, then gradually faded, returning to its luminous white hue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, don’t go!” Lu Ran cried out—he still had too many questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that very moment, Lu Ran’s head went blank again!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flood of thoughts surged in, silencing him, leaving him dazed, his body collapsing to the floor as he slipped into unconsciousness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The deity seemed annoyed and didn’t want this person peppering him with endless questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the silent little room, mist drifted from the shrine, enveloping the sleeping Lu Ran, nurturing his fragile human body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran slept all the way until evening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only when the lanterns of Rain Alley City flickered to life did he slowly open his eyes, still half-asleep, lying on the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment, he finally remembered what had happened!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Does it have to be this tyrannical?” Lu Ran gazed out at the night outside the window, his expression pained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You tell me to shut up, I shut up? You tell me to sleep, I sleep?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Am I some ideal girlfriend?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All this precious cultivation time, wasted… Huh?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran frowned—he sensed something was off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why was his body brimming with thick divine power?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had only become a believer this morning, and his body had held just a faint wisp of divine power granted by the Immortal Goat—thin as mist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, that thin mist had grown vastly denser!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He also felt stronger, as if his body had been nourished and transformed by divine power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran lifted his head, gazing at the wooden shrine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did the deity knock me out… and then bless me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whoa,” Lu Ran clenched his fists, feeling the abundant divine power and waves of strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Couldn’t feel better!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Immortal Goat is flawless!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A true deity being a bit tyrannical—so what?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I like tyrannical ones!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Awesome!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thanks to all my brothers for showing up—I’ll post a special chapter later to thank you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After writing for so many years, having such loyal, unwavering readers means the world to me—I’m truly grateful and honored.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today’s extra update is my respect to all my brothers!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the extra updates from patron donations, I’ll make them all after the novel goes live.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In short,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today’s three updates: 12, 17, 20.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1932,"2026-06-21T06:12:58.056Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","cafb31cd7bf4e52b599ca87b8b4061f85d9c2cf4df6155c3967cc6bde52530b8","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-7","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-5",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fat-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-cover.jpg"]