[{"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-76":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},2362204,4618,"Chapter 76: Why?","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-76",76,"\u003Cp>“Watch out!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Long stretched out his long arm and pulled Lu Ran behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Hu landed farther back; the two brothers formed a front-and-rear barrier, trapping Lu Ran in the middle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the upper and lower staircases, Deng Yuxiang and Sun Zhengfang were fighting the boy and girl spirits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wu wu wu!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ghost-charm boy spat out a chilling cry, his pitch-black eye sockets “staring” at Sun Zhengfang as his tiny hands flailed wildly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, dozens of black paper talismans materialized out of thin air and whipped toward Sun Zhengfang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Zhengfang remained unmoved; the branch in his hand rapidly wove into a shield of interlaced twigs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two soft *tap-tap* sounds echoed as the black talismans stuck fast to the shield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately, deep red runes glowed across the black paper, their light growing blinding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*Bang! Bang!*\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Massive explosion!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Waves of blood mist burst outward, the stench of blood thick in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Sun Zhengfang’s twig shield remained undamaged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stream Realm, Stage 3 to 4!” Sun Zhengfang shouted, his palm surging with divine power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From within the twig shield, two branches shot out like whips, lashing at the enemy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Sun Zhengfang’s report, Lu Ran felt slightly reassured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ghost-charm boy’s appearance was terrifying, but if it was only Stream Realm, it couldn’t possibly threaten several powerful Moonwatchers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“River Realm! River Realm, above Stage 3!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Above them, Deng Yuxiang’s voice rang out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: “.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His heart, just settled, rose again in alarm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Zhengfang: “Big Dragon, Big Tiger, advance in order—help Little Deng find the yellow paper!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The so-called yellow paper was the yellow talisman previously stuck to the tiger-head cap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ever since the yellow talisman fell off, the ghost-charm boy’s body had become ethereal, immune to most physical damage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the yellow talisman was reattached, the ghost-charm boy would regain solid form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, Lu Ran couldn’t learn this technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because it wasn’t a demonic art.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the ghost-charm boy’s racial trait—innate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes!” The Wei brothers received the order and surged upward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran, caught in the middle, tried to rush up too—but though he’d lifted his legs, he couldn’t climb the stairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A supple branch had suddenly wrapped around his waist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Zhengfang: “Little Lu, your chance to shine—scared?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran instantly perked up: “Not scared!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good! I’ll lure this boy spirit up,” Sun Zhengfang spoke rapidly. “You climb the stairs again and find the yellow paper.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran was puzzled—climb the stairs again?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could ask, the branch around his waist tightened and hurled him upward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh!” Lu Ran let out a soft cry as the branch whipped him through the window between the third and fourth floors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Night wind struck, rain drenched him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The branch dragged Lu Ran downward until it released him at the second-floor level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran landed hard; before him stood Deng Yuxiang’s Night-Cutting Blade, planted at the stairwell entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hum~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Night-Cutting Blade trembled faintly, as if eager to join the battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran charged forward without pausing to soothe it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he moved, his divine power surged as he pushed the demonic art—Demonic Awareness—to its limit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He scanned the stairwell swiftly, sprinting up to the second floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before his headlamp’s beam even reached the yellow paper, his peripheral vision had already locked onto the target.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Found it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Found it!” Lu Ran clenched the yellow paper; its surface was rough under his fingers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Zhengfang held his twig shield, using another branch to lash at the ghost-charm boy: “Wait for the right moment—stick it to the spirit!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the whip cracks echoed constantly, each lash passed clean through the ghost-charm boy’s body, striking only the concrete steps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wah~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was the ghost-charm boy actually crying in frustration?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He kept summoning black talismans, flinging them relentlessly at Sun Zhengfang’s shield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, this demonic entity had low intelligence—like a real three- or four-year-old child.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Zhengfang and Lu Ran were loudly strategizing, yet the spirit paid no attention, fixated solely on hammering the twig shield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There you go~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran roared inwardly; as the ghost-charm boy launched another black talisman, he fired a burst of mist from his feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whoosh—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran shot forward, yellow paper in hand, and slapped the spirit’s occiput with a palm strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ugh~” The ghost-charm boy emitted a strange guttural sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His little head spun dizzily!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He even forgot to cry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ghost-charm boy’s ethereal body instantly solidified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Worse still, a festive tiger-head cap now sat atop his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nobody knew where the cap had come from.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the yellow paper was in place—and so was the cap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that the ghost-charm boy had regained solid form, his fate was obvious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran’s palm strike had been no light blow!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sent the ghost-charm boy flying straight into the twig shield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the shield, twigs sprouted upright, transforming into sharp wooden spikes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Puff~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ghost-charm boy’s energy body shattered into mist, spreading outward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“First time seeing that?” Sun Zhengfang retracted his twig shield and looked down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From Sun Zhengfang’s expression, it was clear he was highly satisfied with Lu Ran’s performance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Zhengfang could have handled the ghost-charm boy himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But under acceptable conditions, the Divine People Bureau’s doctrine was to let Lu Ran fight as much as possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran had not disappointed Sun Zhengfang’s expectations—he had once again completed his task flawlessly!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like his performance over the past few hours: one word—steady!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Truly eye-opening,” Lu Ran nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d only ever seen this kind of demon in textbooks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In rarity, the ghost-charm boy was on par with the Crimson Paper People.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Zhengfang gestured for Lu Ran to ascend: “Ghost-charm boys have a 30% chance of appearing in pairs. These demons are strong, yet weak.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Weak, because of their low intellect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strong, because of their racial traits and potent demonic arts.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm.” Lu Ran replied as he sprinted upstairs. “I’m familiar with Yu Fu’s divine arts.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran said this because the ghost-charm boy’s demonic art resembled the divine arts of the Yu Fu sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only, the ghost-charm boy flung black talismans instead of white jade tablets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stop!” Wei Long’s voice rang from above.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Zhengfang remained at the rear, gazing upward: “Did you find the yellow paper?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Long: “We gave it to Little Deng. Big Tiger’s opening a Blood Sea Chaos on the fifth floor, blocking the demon’s escape.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even so, since the ghost-charm boy was ethereal, the sides couldn’t be sealed off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there was no need to worry about it fleeing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, such demons had low intelligence and loved slaughter—they would never let this group go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Big Dragon, guard Lu Ran.” Sun Zhengfang continued upward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing the River Realm ghost-charm boy, Sun Zhengfang decided not to let Lu Ran fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Boom!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A violent explosion echoed from above—Deng Yuxiang had been forced to retreat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yuxiang closed her eyes, her expression grim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strands of wind wrapped around her body, interwoven with wisps of mist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Northern Wind Divine Art: Shattered Wind Armor!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come out!” Deng Yuxiang’s voice was icy. “I’ll give you a quick death.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, Deng Yuxiang’s ear twitched slightly; she swung her wind blade upward in a sharp slash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the wall to her left, a pale little hand suddenly emerged, flinging a black talisman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wind blade shattered the black talisman—instantly, brilliant lightning flashed!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fine currents of electricity crawled like tiny snakes up the wind blade toward Deng Yuxiang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as soon as the current touched her body, it was erased by the strands of wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, a small tornado scraped along the wall, tearing it open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Plaster peeled away, dust swirling everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Ghost Talisman Doll clearly sensed the danger—the little hand protruding from the wall retracted swiftly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yuxiang said grimly: “Captain Sun, you all evacuate first. I’ll tear this building down.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Zhengfang: “Nonsense!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yuxiang was indeed furious, itching to unleash everything—just summon a full tornado storm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Ghost Talisman Doll is immune to physical attacks, is it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then neither you nor this damn building will survive!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Zhengfang acted instantly: “Da Long, take Little Lu and jump out the window. Use the Sound of Compassion to lure the Ghost Talisman Doll.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shh!” Deng Yuxiang suddenly issued a silence command.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Zhengfang fell silent at once, afraid of disturbing his teammate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stairwell fell utterly still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yuxiang frowned slightly—had she misheard?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At present, the Ghost Talisman Doll’s body was in a phantasmal state; when moving, it made almost no sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Deng Yuxiang could only detect its presence by listening for the faint ripples of energy disturbance when it cast spells!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The difficulty was unimaginable!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Below in the stairwell, Lu Ran waited a moment, then sneaked again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He used Wei Long as a living shield, pushing the Cultist of the Imprisoned Demon up two steps, reaching the fourth floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Long naturally knew Lu Ran wanted to contribute to the team—but…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He planted his feet firmly, halting movement, blocking Lu Ran solidly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Lu Ran still had a trick!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hugged Wei Long, tilted his body, and strained to peer forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, Lu Ran saw the tall figure standing by the window on the half-floor above.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Long was about to steady Lu Ran when he noticed Lu Ran had closed his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hesitated a moment, but ultimately did not disturb him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, no one else knew: Lu Ran was utterly different from Deng Yuxiang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Northern Wind devotees\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>listen for the sound of wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>smells the stench of ghosts!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evil Art: Evil Perception doesn’t just enhance hearing—it enhances all five senses!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hm?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why is the smell fading?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Has the Ghost Talisman Doll left the building?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Impossible—how could such a demon flee? Wait, damn it!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran’s heart jolted: “Sis, watch out behind you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Behind me?” Deng Yuxiang was startled, but turned anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This trust stemmed from Lu Ran’s repeated astonishing performances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this time, Lu Ran seemed to have messed up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The broken window had no glass—only the frame—outside, utter darkness, torrential rain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where was the Ghost Talisman Doll?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm?” Just before Deng Yuxiang closed her eyes, she suddenly spotted a pale little hand creeping out from the window frame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yuxiang whipped her hand—yellow talisman flew toward the hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her motion was seamless: she leaned out through the frame, slashing horizontally with her wind blade!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The troublesome creature was instantly decapitated!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Puff!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Ghost Doll’s energy body shattered into wisps of mist, drifting outside the window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Long stood with his mouth slightly open, utterly stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This?” Sun Zhengfang also rubbed his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yuxiang straightened up and whispered: “Little Lu Ran.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sis?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: “...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because I’ve got a dog’s nose?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That explanation sounds ridiculous!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yuxiang turned slightly, looking down: “I didn’t hear anything. How could you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran opened his mouth, unsure what to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because I’m not listening!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’m smelling!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long pause, Lu Ran finally muttered: “When we finish work tomorrow, I’ll clean your ears for you, Sister.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yuxiang: ???\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is he insulting me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1842,"2026-06-21T06:12:58.056Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","301b4c169b2096eb73564969978ce33a163d7fcecd101192a3bb0c23b1b8b01f","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-77","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-75",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fat-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-cover.jpg"]