[{"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-66":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},2362194,4618,"Chapter 66: The Evil Sculpture Project","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-66",66,"\u003Cp>The days of preparation passed one by one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On a gloomy rainy day, Lu Ran and his Rain Alley City welcomed the fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That day, at dawn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran sat before the shrine, receiving wisps of mist sent by the White Sheep jade carving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint glow still shimmered around his neck—the Divine Power Pearl!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether within his body or within the Divine Power Pearl, Lu Ran was brimming with “ammunition.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“On the fifteenth day of the lunar month, the Yin Gate opens; demons and malevolent spirits come of their own accord.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran murmured softly, clasping his hands together: “May Lord Xiangyang protect your disciple.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tonight, I shall join the Moonwatchers on a mission and should be able to slay many demons, activating numerous demon sculptures.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nourish.” The voice came suddenly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?” Lu Ran looked up at the small shrine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The White Sheep jade carving said: “You are weak in strength and deficient in spiritual power.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You may capture demon souls to nourish the demon sculptures, to be activated later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you insist on activating too many demon sculptures, it will harm you, not help—you may be consumed by them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran’s heart leapt in shock!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sudden news caught him off guard: “So… before I slay demons, I must first screen them?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This isn’t a joke!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In my own squad, I can choose which demon lair to enter and which demons to kill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this fifteenth night, I’m with the Moonwatchers!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What demons I encounter, how many I kill—it’s all up to fate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Moonwatchers won’t spare demons just because of me!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No need to worry. Collect demon souls to nourish all types of demon sculptures.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice came again, full of authority: “I alone decide whether to activate the demon sculptures.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood.” Lu Ran felt slightly reassured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Lord Xiangyang covering his back, it couldn’t be better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran paused, then asked: “How many demon sculptures can I activate now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The White Sheep jade carving: “You are merely a Mist Realm cultivator. Activating one demon sculpture is your limit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do not be greedy or reckless.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Only when you ascend to a higher realm may you activate more demon sculptures and make them your own.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: “.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You should’ve told me sooner!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only one slot—I must choose carefully!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, this determines what demonic arts I can wield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sensing Lu Ran’s inner turmoil, the usually domineering Lord Yang offered an unusual explanation:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Evil Dog clan is the ideal starting point.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Their demonic arts are relatively hidden—you may use them freely. Beyond enhancing your senses, later techniques can also grant swift agility.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Evil Dogs are relatively weak and easier for us to control.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Powerful demons, like the Crimson Paper Women you’ve encountered multiple times, are not easily tamed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“With your current spiritual strength, activating a Crimson Paper Woman sculpture first would likely overwhelm you—you might be manipulated by her instead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran listened, chilled to the bone, and said solemnly: “Disciple understands.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From this transmission, Lu Ran also gleaned another piece of information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Evil Dog clan, of course, has powerful cultivators at River and River-Flow realms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rare Crimson Paper Woman clan also has weak Mist Realm minions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Lord Xiangyang clearly ranked them: Crimson Paper Women are stronger than Evil Dogs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That is, Lord Xiangyang’s reference to “demons” means the stone sculptures behind entire clans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Think about it—the Divine Sequence has rankings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So too must the Demon Sequence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The White Sheep jade carving asked: “What do you understand?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran thought: “When I activate demon sculptures later, I should choose those of relatively low rank in the Demon Sequence.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Progress step by step. The absolute prerequisite is to avoid backlash.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No haste, no greed—as Lord Xiangyang taught me—steady growth.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rarely, Lord Xiangyang praised Lu Ran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran’s heart stirred: “Lord Xiangyang, do you have any recommended demon choices?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I am currently Mist Realm, Fourth Stage—close to reaching Stream Realm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On this fifteenth night, whatever demons Lu Ran encountered, whatever souls he captured, were matters of fate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But after the fifteenth, Lu Ran could decide for himself—demon lairs were scattered throughout Great Xia, housing all kinds of demons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was like a buffet with a full room of sumptuous dishes—he could simply choose what to eat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The White Sheep jade carving: “I observe you favor the Crimson Paper Women.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“N-No I don’t!” Lu Ran’s face flushed awkwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You can’t say that!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If others heard, they’d think I’m a traitor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The White Sheep jade carving: “Demons are about quality, not quantity. So too are demonic arts.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At Stream Realm, you may activate two or three more demon sculptures.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But you may sacrifice quantity to pursue quality.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh?” Lu Ran’s eyes lit up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You can do that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lord Xiangyang means I should, upon reaching Stream Realm, go straight for the Crimson Paper Woman sculpture?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The White Sheep jade carving: “The Crimson Paper Woman’s demonic arts offer formidable defense—they can truly protect you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: “.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He finally understood: Lord Xiangyang’s logic for activating demon sculptures was to help Lu Ran survive better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he couldn’t deny—he was tempted!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who wouldn’t want Sister Crimson Paper?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Lu Ran’s ultimate goal wasn’t just the Crimson Paper Woman’s demonic arts—it was her, the demon herself, one day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To have such a powerful being guarding him—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Would he not slay gods who stood in his way, and demons who dared oppose him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran considered: “But the Crimson Paper Woman’s demonic arts aren’t hidden.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one is blind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I suddenly wear a bright red bridal veil, who won’t see it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Also—isn’t this cross-dressing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the red bridal veil grants strong defense and can summon tidal waves, it still feels…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Embarrassing~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The White Sheep jade carving suddenly said: “The Crimson Paper Woman’s demonic arts, when fused with our divine arts, hold infinite subtlety.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?” Lu Ran blinked. “Can divine arts and demonic arts be combined?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course—Lord Xiangyang wouldn’t activate the Crimson Paper Woman sculpture just because Lu Ran liked her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lord Xiangyang had his own reasons!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice came again: “What is our Divine Sheep Sect’s most famous divine art?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sheep… and the Substitute Body!” Lu Ran named two signature divine arts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regarding the divine art of Sheep, Lu Ran had already pondered it deeply during his entrapment on the rooftop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the divine art of Substitute Body was even more weighty!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The folk called this art—the Scapegoat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its effect resembles immunity to attacks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When facing a fatal strike, a Divine Sheep follower may pray to Lord Xiangyang for protection, escaping death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, while the follower avoids the fatal wound, Lord Xiangyang suffers instead!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For Lord Xiangyang is the one who bears the substitution…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is the strongest protection Lord Xiangyang offers his disciples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Special reminder: Never, never imagine Lord Xiangyang will manifest!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You should even mentally prepare yourself as if you never learned this divine art.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lord Xiangyang is your god!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He is the being you must defend with your life!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not your slaves or livestock, summoned at will to die in your place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In your lifetime, being granted one chance to activate the Divine Art: Scapegoat is already a sign of the god’s special favor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After an immensely long span of years, your loyalty and devout offerings have earned you one chance at “life.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But more often than not, no matter how much you call, it is useless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Divine Sheep has no wish to involve itself in conflicts—yet you dare imagine summoning it to the battlefield, even to take a blade for you?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Are you even a follower of the Divine Sheep?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How does the Divine Sheep usually instruct you in daily life?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You might as well just die.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The white sheep carving asked again: “What is the most feared dark art of the Crimson Paper Sect?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran answered without hesitation: “Paper Dolls.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last month, on the fifteenth day of the lunar calendar, Lu Ran had watched with his own eyes as a Crimson Paper Sect disciple summoned a tiny paper doll, clenching it in his palm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Moonwatcher pursuer was suddenly gripped by an invisible hand, crushed into a ball of flesh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you think of combining Paper Dolls with the Scapegoat Vessel?” The low voice carried a hint of darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran’s eyes widened slightly!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more he thought, the more his heart trembled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long while, he stammered: “Are you saying, Divine Sheep, that you can transfer the harm you suffer onto the Paper Doll?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Paper Doll is in your hand. The Scapegoat is upon your body. The link lies in you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gulps.” Lu Ran’s Adam’s apple moved; his head buzzed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Dark Art: Paper Dolls was never a defensive technique. A tiny paper figure, no bigger than a palm, could not shield Lu Ran’s vital points.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if the Dark Art: Paper Dolls and the Divine Art: Scapegoat Vessel could be skillfully combined—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For Lu Ran, damage immunity became damage transfer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the Divine Sheep, it no longer needed to bear the blame—it only needed to assist Lu Ran’s casting. The rest? Let the enemy suffer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Drip~ drip~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the window, a car horn suddenly blared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this quiet neighborhood, it was jarringly out of place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran stared blankly at the white sheep carving, feeling its gentle, friendly smile grow increasingly sinister.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Beep! Beep!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The horn finally jolted Lu Ran awake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Divine Sheep, for your guidance. Allow your disciple time to consider!” With that, Lu Ran bowed deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He quickly rose and walked to the window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There, in the steady drizzle, a luxury sports car stood parked on the sidewalk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside, a radiant woman in a yellow raincoat waved at him: “Let’s go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait a moment—I’ll get my blade.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1635,"2026-06-21T06:12:58.056Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","80f6cd8547cb7e1252506328c91ec7214a5826881a815a72db3b1e5d50946f5e","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-67","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-65",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fat-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-cover.jpg"]