[{"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-82":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},2362210,4618,"Chapter 82: Did the Gods Fall?","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-82",82,"\u003Cp>At around 8 a.m., a luxury coupe slowly entered the Yuxiang Jiayuan residential complex.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along the way, the vehicle was repeatedly stopped and inspected by patrol squads of Wangyue personnel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, it would’ve been easier to walk home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sis, come in and have a drink of water?” Lu Ran sat in the passenger seat, not moving to get out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I still need to report back—I have another mission.” Deng Yuxiang shook her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran said, “Since dawn, our squad has circled those two blocks over and over—there are no demons left.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yuxiang smiled: “Go home, take a hot shower, and get a good night’s sleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We’ll report your performance on the night of the fifteenth truthfully.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Deng Yuxiang was determined to leave, Lu Ran said nothing further—he was merely a candidate, while she was a warrior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Say goodbye to sister.” Lu Ran patted the large towel wrapped in his arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the towel, something wriggled, then a fuzzy little head peeked out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its eyes, like beautiful glass beads, shimmered with clarity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Meow~” The tabby cat poked its head forward, nuzzling Lu Ran’s palm, ignoring Deng Yuxiang entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran had not activated the Divine Art·Sound of Compassion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, the tabby cat was highly sentient—it knew who had saved its life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Get out. I still have duties.” Deng Yuxiang urged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: “.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Woman,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Your name is Wuqing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last night, we braved the storm together, inseparable—how many demons did we destroy together?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that dawn has come and the demons have fled, you turn your back on me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Do you even care about my “meow” all night long?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Goodbye!” Lu Ran wrapped the tabby cat snugly to keep it dry from the rain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He picked up the Radiant Blade, opened the door, stepped out, and turned back: “This raincoat—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s yours.” Deng Yuxiang waved dismissively, stomped the accelerator, and drove off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran watched the car recede into the distance, then finally walked home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Here’s your new home.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After opening the door, Lu Ran lifted one corner of the towel slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Meow~” The little tabby let out a soft cry and darted out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its vitality and healthy condition were naturally thanks to the attending physician—Sun Zhengfang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Biwu believers truly are remarkable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They heal not just the body, but also soothe spiritual wounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran headed straight for the bathroom, stripped off his soaked clothes, and took a long, satisfying hot shower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as he washed, sudden meowing came from outside the door, accompanied by persistent scratching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should a stray cat really be this clingy?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran hurried his pace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time he dried off and opened the bathroom door, the meowing had stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To his surprise, the little tabby hadn’t left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It sat quietly in front of the bathroom door, head tilted up, tail swaying gently—as if waiting for him to emerge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So sentient?” Lu Ran was stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He bent down to pick it up, but the tabby darted away in a flash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: ???\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn, are you teasing me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you don’t want me to hold you, why did you scratch the door?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran’s expression turned odd as he approached the altar and bowed respectfully: “Lord Xiang Xianyang, your disciple has returned.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t say much—just a brief greeting—then headed straight for the small bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No need for words: three characters—Dreams await!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran knew well—this next sleep would not be peaceful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, last night he had slain many demons and captured numerous souls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, Lu Ran had learned a lesson: before sleeping, he first called his sister and squad members to confirm their safety, then lay down on his side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Meow?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Lu Ran asleep, the tabby cat approached.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It leapt onto the small bed, circled once, then fixed its gaze on Lu Ran’s hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The little tabby pressed its fuzzy head against his palm and settled down comfortably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The little one slept soundly and contentedly, while Lu Ran—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As expected, he once again arrived at the Demon Sculpture Garden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, Lu Ran stood before the sculpture of the Demon·Soul-Splitter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whoa~!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran gasped, gazing up at the massive black sculpture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This statue was clearly much larger than the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Lu Ran studied it closely, he suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said sternly: “Lord Xiang Xianyang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your performance is acceptable.” Above and behind him, a massive black-fire ram’s head materialized silently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran sighed: “Lord Xiang Xianyang, in the squad I can only play support—sound alarms, draw aggro, that sort of thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I have no offensive capabilities.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Actually, saying this felt a bit dishonest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What realm was Lu Ran in? Mist Realm·Stage Four!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What realm were the Wangyue personnel? River Realm·Stage Four to Five!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And what level were the demons invading the world?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Considering all factors, Lu Ran being useful as support was already impressive—did he really expect to be a primary DPS?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black-fire ram’s head ignored him and continued: “Twenty-three River Realm souls, twenty-seven Stream Realm souls, thirty-one Mist Realm souls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Your harvest tonight was excellent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: “It’s the fifteenth of July—demons are stronger and more numerous.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If calculated by time, from 7 p.m. on the fifteenth to 3 a.m. the next morning—eight hours total.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On average, the squad had to kill one demon every six minutes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, the intensity of the fifteenth of July was immense!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, in the two blocks under Lu Ran’s jurisdiction, the number of River Realm demons was nearly equal to that of Mist and Stream Realm demons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In any other month, this would be unimaginable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran thought for a moment and asked: “Lord Xiang Xianyang, is there any demon sculpture that meets the activation condition?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No.” One word—Lu Ran grimaced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black-fire ram’s head: “Activating a demon sculpture requires substantial materials—roughly two thousand Mist Realm souls.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why the Hellhound clan’s statue was activated after he completed his summer mission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black-fire ram’s head: “Each subsequent minor advancement of a demon sculpture requires one hundred souls of the same realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Breaking through a major realm requires even more.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood!” Lu Ran turned to face the black-fire ram’s head. “Lord Xiang Xianyang, you previously said the Yanzhi clan is powerful and hard to control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why not let me wait a bit longer—activate her when I reach River Realm?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For now, in Stream Realm, let me activate the Soul-Splitter sculpture—what do you think?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black-fire ram’s head remained silent, offering no reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran continued: “The Soul-Splitter’s demonic arts can enhance my physical attributes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demonic art·Soul-Splitter Horn resembles my sect’s divine art·Immortal Horn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could the demonic art·Soul-Splitter Hoof be concealed within my sect’s divine art·Immortal Hoof?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The former is irrelevant for now—that’s a technique I can only equip in Stream Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let’s focus on the latter:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran’s Immortal Hoof lets him move swiftly, like wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demonic art·Soul-Splitter Hoof causes the ground to tremble and flings nearby opponents away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This made Lu Ran’s mind race!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since I’ve already set the precedent—making everyone aware that my Divine Art·Sound of Compassion has a unique variant with special effects—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>why not exploit this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’ll claim my Divine Art·Immortal Hoof also has special effects!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stomped his foot, and mist spread everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I don’t use it to teleport—I use it to cast “War Trample”!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Externally, it’s claimed to be a special casting method of the Divine Law: Immortal Hoof, but in reality,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>what I cast isn’t a Divine Law at all—it’s the Heretical Law: Soul-Shattering Demon Hoof!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Isn’t that wonderful?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blackfire Sheep Head: “You want offensive techniques.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm.” Lu Ran nodded, too embarrassed to say much more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Immortal Sheep Sect’s offensive methods are far too scarce.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or rather, the Divine Laws of the Immortal Sheep Sect are all meant for begging for mercy, survival, and fleeing combat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blackfire Sheep Head: “Strengthening offensive techniques will plunge you into danger.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?” This logic left Lu Ran deeply confused. “My disciples are already engaged in battle—they haven’t retreated from the battlefield!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blackfire Sheep Head: “Powerful offensive techniques will change your combat mindset and fighting style.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that confidence, you’ll act accordingly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For instance, before you had the Heretical Law: Soul-Shattering Demon Hoof, you wouldn’t charge into enemy ranks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But once you possess the Demon Hoof—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran opened his mouth, but for a long while, he couldn’t speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blackfire Sheep Head: “That’s all I’ll say. You must consider carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you insist on activating the Soul-Shattering Demon Sculpture, I won’t stop you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: “The Immortal Sheep Lord won’t stop me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s not something a god should say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every god in the world, without exception, holds absolute authority when communicating with followers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the god says, the follower must obey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What? You’re talking about human rights?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brother, he’s not your friend, not your master, not your superior—he’s your god!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The god who grants you Divine Laws, helps you survive, and demands your daily, nightly devotion!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blackfire Sheep Head: “I won’t stop you. You must forge your own path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One day, I will dissipate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You must walk your own way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: “Huh???”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran was utterly stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Are you kidding me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A full-fledged god—dissipating?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Silence!” A commanding voice shook Lu Ran’s skull, making it ring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Immortal Sheep Lord…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry. Grow in peace. That day is still far off.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1556,"2026-06-21T06:12:58.056Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","dd210fdfbdecf3432d90627c02b07d934aa80f41d94eeeb38acf43c8532b3ff3","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-83","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-81",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fat-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-cover.jpg"]