[{"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-64":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},2362192,4618,"Chapter 64","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-64",64,"\u003Cp>A sleek black luxury sedan drove through the rain-slicked alley, utterly out of place in this old little town.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the passenger seat, Lu Ran gazed out the window, watching the Wuli River draw nearer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This river ran north to south through the town, nurturing generations after generations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran mostly lived on the west bank, since his home, high school, and other places were all on the west side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging by Deng Yu’s demeanor, she was driving to the east bank, which was relatively more prosperous, at least boasting a central commercial plaza.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Little Lu Ran, want to hear a story?” Deng Yu said casually as she drove onto the bridge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What kind of story?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Once, there was a man who wanted to file a complaint,” Deng Yu said with a faint smile, “then he got hungry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn.” Lu Ran was baffled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did the story involve someone chasing him to kill him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahahahaha~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yu hadn’t been this happy in a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since joining the job, everything had been serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran’s presence reminded her of the joyful days when she used to tease Deng Yutang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too bad those good times were gone forever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yutang was now absurdly well-behaved, with no spirit of rebellion—boring now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Actually, jumping off a building is pretty thrilling,” Lu Ran suddenly spoke, cutting off the woman’s laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yu: “You didn’t say that just now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran shrugged, forced to admit it really was a unique experience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don't even mention that Lu Ran was a Fog Realm cultivator—even if he were a Stream Realm or River Realm cultivator, he wouldn't dare jump off a rooftop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran watched the Wuli River flow southeast and hummed softly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We who don’t know how to show tenderness still think suicide pacts are just ancient legends~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yu: ???\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cough.” Lu Ran cleared his throat and quickly changed the subject, “By the way, is Uncle Sun a follower of Biwu?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yu suddenly laughed: “Keep that spirit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though she said that, she added silently in her mind: Don’t you dare become like Yutang—give up resistance, surrender without a fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That would be too dull.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran was puzzled: “What spirit?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yu didn’t answer, instead saying: “Captain Sun is a follower of Biwu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sixth-Rank Deity, Biwu, resembles a phoenix tree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is an auxiliary deity, capable of defense and control, but especially renowned for healing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every fifteenth night of the lunar month, altars in every shelter display statues of Biwu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who would’ve thought a disciple of a Sixth-Rank Deity could be a squad leader?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: “So your squad is three protectors and one DPS?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two Prisoned Demon believers, one Biwu believer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is Deng Yu the only offensive specialist?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yu explained: “Wei Hu was specially assigned by the Bureau to protect you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Captain Sun is deputy leader; we have a main leader named Ge Bin—you’ll meet him in a couple days.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Which deity does Captain Ge follow?” Lu Ran immediately became interested.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nuo Sha.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nuo Sha?” Lu Ran’s heart stirred—Ma Tianchuan, the top student at school, was also a Nuo Sha believer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yu nodded and warned: “You’d better shape up. When you meet our captain, don’t piss yourself from fear.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran nodded firmly: “I’ll try.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He, usually so confident, gave this response for good reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Third-Rank Deity, Nuo Sha.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A full deity whose name contained the character “Sha”—could that possibly be a gentle, friendly god?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the 1980s, when the Demon Clan first appeared, everyone believed demons were the most cruel and violent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the emergence of the Deity Nuo Sha completely overturned that conclusion!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nuo Sha was even more cruel than demons, more vicious than vengeful ghosts!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, only because Nuo Sha protects humanity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, given his appearance and terrifying methods, people would have classified him as a demon!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too! Scary!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The car slowed to a stop, and Lu Ran saw the large gilded sign: Yuxiang Fang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The floor-to-ceiling windows were clean and bright; the interior glittered with gold and splendor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This place was among the finest restaurants in this small county.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yu turned off the engine and stepped out, saying casually: “I heard from Yutang that when you trained in Dog’s Den, you always covered your eyes with a red cloth?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes,” Lu Ran replied with gratitude, “you told me to listen for the wind’s voice—I tried it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yu nodded: “Then this meal is on you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine!” Lu Ran gritted his teeth and stomped his foot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Yuxiang Fang wasn’t cheap, he truly owed her this meal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just kidding,” Deng Yu smiled, “when you’re out with me, you don’t pay.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: “.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He silently watched this domineering rich girl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why did that sound so weird?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yu continued: “After dinner, we’ll return to the Wuli Riverbank and train some more.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Still training? I already finished my trial!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You forgot—I haven’t even warmed up yet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sis, I know there’s a bun shop on the west bank… uh, do you like tea eggs?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Night fell, evening arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran dragged his weary body back home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a shower, he grabbed a towel, dried his wet hair, and collapsed onto his small bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He idly picked up his phone beside the bed and noticed a message Jiang Ruyi had sent that morning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang: “If you’re upgrading the Banlü Sword, which material would you choose?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran was puzzled—hadn’t she already chosen Bai Hongshi and submitted it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He checked the time: 7:10 PM, and immediately replied on WeChat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ran: “Bai Hongshi.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the saying goes: Beauty is like jade, sword like rainbow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Meiren deserved that phrase.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unexpectedly, she replied quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang: “Mm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran stared at the screen and couldn’t help grinning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some people really need face-to-face interaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too cold on the phone!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran didn’t reply further, opened the four-person group chat, and found it lively—earlier that afternoon, the three had been discussing Demon types.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thought for a moment, then tapped on the screen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ran: “Deng Shao, what did you do today?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yutang: “I’ve been training nonstop, dare not slack off! What about you? Why haven’t you messaged all day?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ran: “Your sister took me to breakfast.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yutang: “Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Lu Ran typed his reply, Deng Yutang sent another message immediately:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your sister?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Deng Yutang sent message after message—he was clearly panicked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Didn’t I tell you? Don’t ever provoke her!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re foolish, Lu Brother!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is her food something you can just eat?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then what was the price?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran winced, twitching his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder he’s her brother—he hit the nail on the head. That question was too soul-crushing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long pause, Lu Ran finally typed a reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ran: “She beat me up all morning.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yu:「.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tian Tian: (#Д)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yu:「It’s already past seven at night. Were you knocked unconscious and just now woke up?」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran rolled his eyes, fingers tapping rapidly on the screen, sending multiple messages:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「I did a reconnaissance with the Wangyue Team this afternoon.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Checked out neighborhood terrain, visited shops and homes—felt like a local cop.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「By the way, did you know? Chang Ying’s family runs an auto repair shop—that Chang Ying, the one who does fortune-telling.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Her shop is on the street I’m assigned to. I ran into her while doing my rounds—she was wearing a white tank top, changing a tire!」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Damn! Those muscle lines—pure streamlined perfection, cooler than the car itself! I’m so jealous.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yu:「This fifteenth, is it my sister’s team leading you?」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ran:「Yeah, I can’t avoid her! Tomorrow morning, my sister’s taking me to breakfast—what do I do?」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yu:「Lu Brother, listen to me—be a statue.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whatever she says, agree. Whatever she does, don’t resist. In a few days, she’ll get bored.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「She’s got too many twisted whims. With people like her, don’t engage at all!」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ran:「Screenshot taken.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yu:「Ran Brother.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang:「Patted Deng Yu on the shoulder」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang:「Is this team strong?」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the squad leader appear, Deng Yu’s eyes lit up as if he’d found a savior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yu:「Squad Leader, please talk some sense into Lu! I still want to live another two years!」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ran:「One River Realm, Fifth Stage—Biwu Follower; one River Realm, Fifth Stage—Beifeng Follower; two River Realm, Fourth Stage—Qiumo Followers.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「And one River Realm expert—a Nuo Sha Follower.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「He’s the team captain, but he’s busy—I didn’t meet him today.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang:「What a powerful team. Looks like we’ll see you on opening day.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yu:「Ran Brother!!」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tian Tian: ()(._.`)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1410,"2026-06-21T06:12:58.056Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","4ece4f6b95348c8be6f2e6384e5764afe02d0604d104c279635563ab75a21a31","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-65","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-63",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fat-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-cover.jpg"]