[{"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-80":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},2362208,4618,"Chapter 80: Rain-Soaked Old City","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-80",80,"\u003Cp>The tense and intense battle continued without pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After midnight passed, Lu Ran clearly felt the number of demonic invaders in the world gradually decreasing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He no longer had to scramble desperately as he had before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Chang Ying really called it right.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In front of the pharmacy, Lu Ran muttered to himself, staring at the dead dog at the entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, nearly three hours had passed, and everything had passed with narrow escapes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran continuously trapped souls to nourish various demonic sculptures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He even had a delusion that after this night, he could activate many demonic sculptures!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind him, Wei Hu heard the boy’s words and silently shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Hu had always been skeptical of spirit-sign believers, and besides, Lu Ran’s classmate was of very low rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Wei Hu showed no sign of doubt and said nothing to dampen the mood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Setting aside fortune-telling, that “upper sign” had served as a positive psychological suggestion for Lu Ran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xiao Lu, absorb it.” Sun Zhengfang ordered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes!” Lu Ran didn’t hesitate; he knelt on one knee, unfastened the Divine Power Pearl from his neck, and pressed it against the dog’s corpse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was certain he could now cast the demonic art: Evil Fang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, Lu Ran now had ranged offensive capability!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After returning, I’ll have to play around with it~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wei Ge, what time is it?” Lu Ran asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“2:28.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Isn’t that almost there?” Lu Ran’s voice carried a hint of delight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t slack off until daylight fully breaks,” Sun Zhengfang warned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes!” Lu Ran would never argue with the examiner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of the examiner, Lu Ran couldn’t help but recall the team’s official captain and asked: “Has Captain Ge not shown up?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’d better pray that Captain Ge doesn’t appear,” came Deng Yu’s voice from above.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?” Lu Ran looked up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yu stood on the pharmacy signboard, tilting her head downward: “Captain Ge is a River Realm believer, a great power in the eyes of the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His duty isn’t patrolling—it’s guarding the entire Rain Alley City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you ever see him act, it means the demonic invaders have surpassed River Realm strength.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh.” Lu Ran nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking back, the demons they’d encountered this night had all been between Mist and River Realms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They hadn’t encountered any demon above River Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From this perspective, a small county town has its advantages—at least the target is small.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, the overall strength of the demons invading the city this night was no joke—far stronger than in other months!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran had ample grounds to speak on this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This night alone, his squad had slain over twenty River Realm demons!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?” Lu Ran suddenly felt a tap on his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though standing atop the pharmacy signboard, Deng Yu’s long Night-Cutting Blade could easily reach the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She lightly tapped Lu Ran’s head with the blade’s flat: “This night, you didn’t see Captain Ge—and you also didn’t see the Paper-Face people?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: “.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Didn’t see them? So what?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why’d you tap me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm?” Deng Yu raised an eyebrow, her gaze probing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: “The Paper-Face clan is so rare— isn’t it normal not to encounter them?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is it?” Deng Yu’s eyes held a teasing glint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Zhengfang chuckled: “Xiao Lu, you don’t know—we all did psychological prep before the mission.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: “What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Hu, ever vigilant behind Lu Ran, spoke gravely: “We prepared for the worst!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Based on your performance at the Spirit Altar and your experience last fifteenth, we thought we’d likely face a powerful Paper-Face tonight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran snorted: “So you’re saying I attract Paper-Faces?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yu: “Dare you say you don’t?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran grunted: “Facts speak louder than words! She didn’t show up—actually, I kinda wanted to see her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He fell silent as those around him wore strange expressions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran wanted to see the Paper-Face because he had a demonic sculpture garden in his mind—he wanted to trap souls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But no one else knew that!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who in their right mind would want to meet a Paper-Face?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Do they want to die sooner?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mistake, mistake,” Lu Ran quickly stammered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He truly hoped to collect enough Paper-Face souls tonight—then, once he advanced, he could activate the demonic sculpture directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, heaven didn’t grant his wish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month was certainly not a day for good fortune.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Speaking of activating demonic sculptures—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran truly had the potential to be a heartless bastard!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This night, he encountered many demons and trapped many souls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was truly love at first sight—every single one!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Take the Spirit-Charmed Doll, for example!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demonic arts of the Spirit-Charmed Sect closely resembled the divine arts of the Jade-Fu Sect—how could Lu Ran not like them?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jade-Fu Lord is cold and aloof, looks down on me, right?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fine,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’ll slam on the brakes, turn around, and go play with Spirit-Charmed instead!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You’ve got Flame Explosion—I’ve got Blood Explosion!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You command lightning and thunder—I can summon thunder and lightning too…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All I’m doing is drawing talismans on black paper instead of white jade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What are you pretending to be?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah,” Lu Ran sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having an overly powerful divine patron isn’t always a good thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You built me a demonic sculpture garden? Where do I even complain about this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There are countless demons, countless demonic arts—too many choices!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which one should I activate?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Done yet?” Sun Zhengfang urged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Done.” Lu Ran snapped back to reality—the dog’s corpse had been fully absorbed, not even a single hair left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only a glittering demonic crystal remained on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran picked up the crystal and handed it to Wei Long behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Move out!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Zhengfang gave the order; the team followed closely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sky slowly brightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Night faded, and the rain lessened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The patrol squad’s demeanor was undeniably serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at this hour, the teammates couldn’t help but exhale in relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hardest night of the seventh lunar month had, barely, passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Paper-Face never appeared… hmm, could it all have been a misunderstanding?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last fifteenth, when the Paper-Face appeared precisely behind Lu Ran—was that just a coincidence?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What time is it?” Lu Ran asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Again, Lu Ran reached the crossroads and saw the deep blade cuts in the asphalt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yu’s handiwork.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her great Night-Cutting Blade had severed everything in its path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the earth had been torn open—a sight that sent chills down the spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“4:58,” Wei Long replied, his tone unusually relaxed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Wei brothers were the most exhausted—especially mentally!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’d spent the entire night as Lu Ran’s bodyguards, on edge the whole time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, a Mist Realm student should be the team’s dead weight—quietly follow along and stay out of trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Lu Ran’s role is crucial!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t sneak around quietly—he shouted loudly instead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran is rapidly climbing the ranks!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Wei brothers guarding him, however, had no words to express their suffering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s almost five,” Lu Ran said, exhausted but glowing with excitement, immediately quickening his pace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Long and Wei Hu hurried to keep pace, never leaving Lu Ran’s side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The so-called mental fatigue really has its reasons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister,” Lu Ran said, arriving behind Deng Yuxiang with the Wei Dragon and Wei Tiger guards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is it?” Deng Yuxiang, wielding the Night-Cutting Blade, let its tip glide once more over the deep cuts on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scene was like reopening a person’s wound all over again!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did you bring your phone?” Lu Ran whispered, staring at the asphalt road covered in scars. “I want to let my family know I’m safe.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yuxiang turned to Sun Zhengfang; seeing the team leader give a slight nod, she pulled out her phone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the slanting wind and fine rain, Lu Ran lifted his raincoat to shield his phone and lowered his head to dial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After just a few seconds, the call connected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A cold, clear voice came through: “Who is this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran had never heard the Divine Sword One speak, so he didn’t know what her voice sounded like.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in his mind, a woman’s cold tone over the phone must be Sword One’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran spoke softly: “Mom.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ranran,” the woman’s voice instantly softened, as if transformed from before. “Are you tired?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m fine. The Wangyue people have taken good care of me,” Lu Ran said, walking with the team, his gaze sweeping over his teammates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He suddenly remembered something and added: “By the way, we rescued a stray cat together—I plan to adopt it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm, if you want to keep it, keep it. Rest well when you get home.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His mother’s gentle voice, mingling with the faint patter of rain around him, made Lu Ran feel like he could drop off to sleep right then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You haven’t answered me yet,” Lu Ran said, lowering his head to look at the slender, radiant blade in his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiao Wanjun smiled faintly: “Your father and I disagree on many things.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But when it comes to you, we see eye to eye.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm.” A faint smile appeared on Lu Ran’s face. He lifted his head, gazing far off toward the Wu Lie River.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sky was gray and hazy, the rain misty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran experienced a brief hallucination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the rooftop of the abandoned apartment building, he seemed to see the figure of someone long gone, gazing at him from afar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The departed one, like wind and rain, drifted day and night, remembering the old city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Special thanks to the patrons: Lingxi, Arunxing, Jiangzhu Yuqiao, Mijiu Tou Hao Yang, and others! Thank you for your support, patrons, you’re magnificent!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(`) Sending hearts!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1608,"2026-06-21T06:12:58.056Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","713cf80bf293bbd68989f87eac7c4d4502defddf619aa18bbadef9121ad831df","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-81","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-79",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fat-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-cover.jpg"]