[{"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-74":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},2362202,4618,"Chapter 74: Ghost Rune Doll","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-74",74,"\u003Cp>Time dripped like rain, tick-tock, tick-tock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran followed the Moonwatch patrol team, repeatedly cutting through their jurisdiction, campaigning south and north.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From roadside shops to abandoned wastelands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From residential buildings glowing with lights to the dilapidated, deserted neighborhood along Wu Lie River.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The team’s presence was everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran’s chest heaved violently as he gasped for breath, once again following the others back to Wu Lie River.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rain slid down his hair, tracing his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this high-intensity combat, wearing or not wearing a raincoat made no difference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tired?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yu Xiang, her blade still dripping blood, stepped over the still-warm corpses of demons and arrived before Lu Ran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, not tired,” Lu Ran gasped, plopping down onto the wet, muddy ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve got a tough mouth,” Deng Yu Xiang said, yet her beautiful eyes betrayed clear admiration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Little Lu, do you still have enough energy in your Divine Power Pearl?” Sun Zhengfang stood before a demon corpse, calling out loudly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His fatigue was physical, not from Divine Power depletion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The team had taken excellent care of him—Lu Ran’s Divine Power Pearl, worn around his neck, had never once run dry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Come to think of it, these Moonwatchers’ physical conditioning was insane—barely human!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially Deng Yu Xiang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wielded a long, heavy greatsword, dashing through battlefields, slaughtering until heaven and earth darkened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For every hundred meters Lu Ran ran, she probably covered five hundred!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now, looking at her calm, composed demeanor, she made even the famed Xue Xue Ma sweat more than sweat!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Probably even horses didn’t have this endurance?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Eleven oh one. Hold on,” came Wei Long’s voice from behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Only eleven?” Lu Ran’s face froze in shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt like hours had passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yu Xiang knelt on one knee, gazing at Lu Ran’s face: “Endure a little longer—just four more hours.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three a.m. was a turning point—the demon incursion would sharply decline until no more descended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nearby, Sun Zhengfang called out again: “If Little Lu can’t hold on, forget it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We’ll find a house, get him inside, and end the trial.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, Uncle Sun!” Lu Ran hurriedly said, “Don’t kick me out!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he was exhausted, his heart was utterly fulfilled!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along this path of slaughter, Lu Ran, using the Moonwatch team’s hands, had captured many demon souls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d been filling his own pockets!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pure bliss~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Zhengfang smiled broadly: “You’re tired. Don’t push yourself—I’ll find you a safe place to rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the way, that auto repair shop belongs to your classmate’s family—why not go there and hold out for half the night?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran panicked: “I’ve run with you from east to west, from south to north!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We haven’t even unloaded the mill yet—why are you slaughtering the ox?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No! I won’t leave—I want to see Captain Ge!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’ve sweated for the Moonwatchers! I’ve bled for Rain Alley City!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha~” Deng Yu Xiang burst out laughing, reaching out to gently flick the brim of Lu Ran’s hood. “Your Uncle Sun’s just teasing you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before she finished speaking, both Deng Yu Xiang and Lu Ran turned their heads simultaneously, gazing upward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This sight left Wei Hu stunned and Wei Long envious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The body language between this man and woman was unmistakable—enemy attack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a follower of the North Wind, Deng Yu Xiang’s ability to sense enemies in advance was natural.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But how could Lu Ran, with his low power, do the same?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Wei brothers followed their gaze and saw energy churning in midair—a slender, vicious hound rapidly forming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Woof~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The roar instantly turned into a whimper—the hound had barely appeared when a barrage of wind blades struck it head-on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dare to show yourself?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Show yourself—die instantly!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yu Xiang lowered her hand; the hound’s head and body fell apart onto the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Poor little dog.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran was still muttering to himself when he sensed something strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his mind, within the Demon Sculpture Garden, the massive demon statue of the hound clan flickered again with a faint glow in its eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran had a faint feeling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He might be able to use the Demon Art: Evil Fang?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was there enough soul energy?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hound clan was indeed a common type of demon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over the past few hours, the team had slain many hounds, including several River Realm hounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran’s heart stirred—he wanted to test the Demon Art: Evil Fang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there were so many Moonwatchers around… never mind, better lie low for now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, this ability couldn’t be explained—better test it privately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Boom!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Roar!” Roars and thunderous crashes followed in succession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group stood in the dark, desolate wasteland, gazing far north toward the brightly lit city district.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Zhengfang’s playful mood vanished; his face turned serious: “This hound wasn’t an isolated case—it’s a signal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yu Xiang stood up: “Indeed—the frequency of demon descents increases as midnight approaches… hmm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the second time she’d been interrupted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Meow!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sudden, piercing cry sent chills through several hearts!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What rare demon had just descended?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran’s expression changed sharply!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cat?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A cat’s meow?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He scrambled to his feet and stared toward the sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To the Wei brothers, Lu Ran’s energy surged violently—he clearly looked panicked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that wasn’t true!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran’s Divine Power surged because he’d maxed out the Demon Art: Demon Sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His pitch-black eyes pierced through the night and rain, searching for that long-absent figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it be him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it be that little mottled tabby?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go check!” Sun Zhengfang ordered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes!” Deng Yu Xiang lightly tapped the ground and vanished in a blur.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait for me!” Lu Ran’s feet churned with mist as he launched forward like a cannonball.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lu Ran?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Slow down, Lu Ran!” The Wei brothers rushed after him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran followed Deng Yu Xiang’s trail straight toward a residential building.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entrance to the dilapidated apartment block stood wide open, like a gaping black gate to hell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wu ya ya~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From within the pitch-black stairwell, eerie cries echoed faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Interspersed was the strange laughter of a child.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: !!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His hair stood on end!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he’d heard a child’s laughter during daylight, in a park, Lu Ran wouldn’t have reacted so strongly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it was now—eleven at night!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a long-abandoned residential neighborhood—in this pitch-black stairwell, a child was laughing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This damn…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It might be a Ghost Rune Doll.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yu xiang slammed the Zhan Ye Dao into the ground and strode into the stairwell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stairwell was narrow, leaving no room to wield the Zhan Ye Dao effectively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yu xiang summoned a wind blade out of thin air, gripping it in her hand; the headlamp on her forehead also activated, casting a beam of light into the dark stairwell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran gripped the Xia Guang Dao tightly and followed close behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, the sound of rain was cut off; the silent stairwell grew even more sinister.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hss~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran sniffed, then frowned—ghostly aura!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many demonic races carried a distinctive odor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How to describe it exactly?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was like the musty smell of moldy walls in a damp, dark basement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran knew it well—he had a demonic sculpture garden in his mind, and every time he dreamed of entering it, he smelled it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hee-hee~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as they reached the third floor, a child’s laughter echoed from above, sending chills down their spines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the beam of the headlamp, a small head suddenly popped out from the upper stairwell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran’s eyes narrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a little girl, no more than three or four years old.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From this angle, Lu Ran couldn’t see her clothes, but he saw she wore a tiger-head cap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cap’s design was festive, resembling the lion heads used in folk lion dances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why call it a tiger-head cap, not a lion-head cap?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because a “king” character was embroidered on the tiger’s forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And what was stuck beneath the “king” character? Nothing cute at all!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A yellow talisman was pasted there!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It bore crooked, uneven runes, partially obscuring the girl’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huh~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The little girl playfully blew a puff of air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The yellow talisman before her face fluttered up, revealing her true face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was actually kind of cute?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Demonic race: Ghost Talisman Doll!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hee-hee~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Ghost Talisman Doll gripped the handrail with her tiny hands, crouched down, and grinned at them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Baby,” Deng Yu xiang suddenly spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice was gentle, making Lu Ran blink in surprise—he nearly answered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come here, big sister will hug you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yu xiang cooed softly, climbing upward with the blade in hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?” The Ghost Talisman Doll tilted her head; the yellow talisman on her cap fluttered up again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good girl,” Deng Yu xiang soothed. “Don’t be naughty, don’t blow—no!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yu xiang suddenly raised her voice, but it was too late—the mischievous child had already acted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The yellow talisman stuck to the cap finally fell off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, flames erupted from the cap, burning the tiger-head cap to ashes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Ghost Talisman Doll’s face turned instantly pale!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Worse still, her eyes vanished!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only two hollow, dark sockets remained—terrifying beyond words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a damn transformation!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hee-hee~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Ghost Talisman Doll grinned eerily, her hollow sockets “staring” at them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You dare disobey?” Deng Yu xiang’s expression turned icy—she transformed too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From a gentle big sister, she became a ruthless Great Nightmare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stretched her long legs, leaping over two or three steps at once, lunging upward with her blade!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hss~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran sniffed again, then turned his head downward: “There’s another one!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Zhengfang, covering the rear, frowned sharply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He immediately released tendrils of branches from his palm, never questioning Lu Ran’s judgment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since joining the team, Lu Ran had proven his keen perception time and again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure enough!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the stairwell’s lower corner, another “little tiger” poked its head out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a little boy, his face curious, looking up at them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The yellow talisman stuck to his tiger-head cap also slipped off silently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Please vote for monthly tickets~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1668,"2026-06-21T06:12:58.056Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","4ca649f6f2dac052f7b2afce3fa78bd6796c5c4b633a069ba53afdad4f5b19fc","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-75","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-73",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fat-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-cover.jpg"]