[{"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-84":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},2362212,4618,"Chapter 84: Mist Realm Summit","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-84",84,"\u003Cp>“Meow~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Meow meow meow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At nightfall, a series of cat calls awakened someone fast asleep in bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shh,” Lu Ran opened his eyes half-consciously, one hand stroking the cat’s head to soothe the little thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a shrine and divine statue in the bedroom; if the little tabby kept meowing like this, it might anger the deity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hungry?” Lu Ran held the tabby and sat up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the room pitch black, he knew he had slept all day—and so had the tabby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Meow~” The tabby looked pitifully forlorn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its fluffy little paws kept scratching at Lu Ran’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s canned food at home,” Lu Ran carried the tabby to the kitchen and pulled out a can of luncheon meat from the cabinet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He diced it, plated it, and poured a bowl of water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Eat up, you must be starving,” Lu Ran placed the food and water on the floor, watching the little tabby gobble it down, “Did I sleep too long?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran suddenly remembered something and hurried out of the kitchen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t even turn on the light, walking straight to the shrine and clasping his hands together:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lord Xiang Xianyang, in your dream you said you would eventually dissipate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the shrine, the white sheep jade carving remained silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran paused, then continued: “What can I do for you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can this dissipation be avoided?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A deity needs faith energy, right? If more humans come to worship you, wouldn’t that help prolong your life?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran asked urgently, but the white sheep jade carving gave no response whatsoever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran grew both anxious and furious!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He truly wanted to kick you right now~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lord Xiang Xianyang, please say something!” Lu Ran sighed helplessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You wish to help me,” a voice suddenly echoed in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran instantly perked up: “Yes, of course I do!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran took the matter of repaying a debt with utmost seriousness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The white sheep jade carving: “What can a mere Mist Realm do to help me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: “.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fine, fine, fine!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I want to help you, and you stab me in the heart in return?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The white sheep jade carving repeated the words from his dream: “No need to worry—focus on your growth.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes!” Lu Ran nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had always craved power intensely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether to avenge his father or to stop living in fear each night, both drove Lu Ran to train relentlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, after experiencing July 15th with the Wangyue team, Lu Ran wanted to grow even stronger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although he had played a crucial role on the night of the fifteenth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he didn’t want to be the one being protected!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If possible, Lu Ran wanted to let the Wei brothers fight freely, to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Great Nightmare and carve out dawn together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The white sheep jade carving: “If we classify by cultivation level, the Evil Dog statue is currently at Mist Realm, Stage Three.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Capture more Evil Dog souls, and cultivate the Evil Dog statue into the Brook Realm as soon as possible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once Lu Ran possessed a Brook Realm Evil Dog demonic statue, he would gain the demonic art: Demonic Agility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With this, Lu Ran’s agility stat would far surpass others at the same level, and his combat power would surge dramatically!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I understand,” Lu Ran replied solemnly, still unwilling to give up, “about your dissipation—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The white sheep jade carving suddenly said: “Souls can also nourish me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t sure if the deity was just placating him—or if it was truly possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A mighty deity, eating demonic souls?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is that what a deity should do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wait a minute!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran frowned tightly—Lord Xiang Xianyang had created an entire garden of demonic statues!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And its method of activating demonic statues was precisely by using demonic souls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Lord Xiang Xianyang’s words were likely true!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more Lu Ran thought about it, the more his heart raced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The white sheep jade carving: “You may capture more souls.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After school starts, I will descend into the Demon Caves again and do my best to slaughter demons,” Lu Ran said solemnly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The deity ceased its mental transmission. Lu Ran waited a moment, then sighed deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Power, power…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The foundation of everything!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sat down on the floor and immediately entered cultivation mode.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lord Xiang Xianyang was also considerate—threads of mist drifted from the shrine and flowed toward Lu Ran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just a few minutes later, Lu Ran suddenly remembered something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He slowly raised his hand, energy surging in his palm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Four fangs woven from mist took shape several meters away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Crack!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The four fangs snapped together tightly, the sound sharp and grating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the pitch-black room, Lu Ran’s dark eyes glimmered with strange light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First Demonic Awareness, now Evil Fangs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What’s this thing called “Suzhou Murong Fu”? Who’s this “Kiba Kakyushi”?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wonder—if I used this move in front of the Evil Dogs, would those little mutts just stare blankly?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dog hasn’t even opened its mouth yet,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>and I’m already biting it first!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’ve got to make you all understand—who the real little dog is… uh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Days at home passed in a flash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the blink of an eye, it was the 22nd day of the seventh lunar month, September 1st on the Gregorian calendar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the morning, his phone alarm disturbed Lu Ran, who was meditating before the shrine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mist swirled around him, far denser than usual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, Lu Ran was on the verge of breaking through!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Vrrr~ Vrrr~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The phone kept vibrating, relentless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran seriously considered waving his hand and summoning Evil Fangs to crush the annoying thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment, the phone finally fell silent—but only temporarily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just ten minutes later, it vibrated again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Seriously…” Lu Ran opened his eyes in exasperation, still seated cross-legged, and crawled over to the small bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Meow?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the corner of the room, on a soft cushion, the little tabby tilted its head curiously at its master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Slap!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran slapped his hand onto the phone on the bedside table, tapping rapidly until he finally silenced the alarm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today was the first day of school—he had to go to class.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran felt uneasy; he wanted nothing more than to push through his breakthrough and didn’t want to go to class.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, Rain Alley City had already been lifted from lockdown on the 19th day of the seventh lunar month.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that time, only three days remained until school started, yet Lu Ran hadn’t even stepped outside his door, choosing to continue training at home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because he felt he was about to break through to Mist Realm, Stage Five!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran opened his contacts and quickly dialed a number.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Duuu…” After a few rings, the call was finally answered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lu Ran?” Jiang Meiren’s voice was soft, laced with concern, “What’s wrong?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This reaction was utterly unlike the cold, aloof goddess who only replied to WeChat with “mm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m, I’m breaking through, can you help me get…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran stammered—but before he could say the word “leave,” she cut him off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I understand, keep cultivating,” Jiang Ruyi said quickly, then hung up immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran let out a deep sigh, knelt beside the bed, leaned forward, and collapsed onto it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt just like “where you fall, rest there a while.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room’s mist grew thicker, denser.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran’s body began to tremble slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mmm.” Lu Ran buried his face in the bed, letting out a muffled sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So comfortable~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So incredibly comfortable!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I really wish I could level up every day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mew~” Little Li Hua padded over, leapt lightly, and landed on the small bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A soft paw gently patted Lu Ran’s arm—clearly confused by his behavior, thinking he was crying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shh.” Lu Ran instinctively pulled Little Li Hua into his arms, rubbing his cheek against its fluffy body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mew! Mew~~” Little Li Hua immediately protested, pushing against Lu Ran, unwilling to be cuddled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But poor little thing—how could it possibly push away a two-legged beast?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After struggling for a long while, Little Li Hua finally gave up, expression utterly defeated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My body’s not clean anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran held Little Li Hua like that for over ten minutes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mew!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At last, Little Li Hua was freed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran’s trembling body loosened its grip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mist inside his body compressed and condensed wildly; external mist surged inward, making his face flush red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mmm~” A sound of supreme bliss slipped out softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Energy churned through the room; Lu Ran gradually grew still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mist Realm · Stage Five!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ha!” Lu Ran sat up, clenched his fists, feeling the bliss of overflowing power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing could be more exhilarating!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next, I can prepare to break through to the Great Realm—Stream Realm · Stage One!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This isn’t greed on Lu Ran’s part, not grasping for more after gaining.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within any Great Realm, once you reach Stage Five, further advancement no longer requires quantitative accumulation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You’ve already completed that accumulation through the previous five minor stages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, it’s all about achieving a qualitative breakthrough!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for how to achieve it—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It depends on fate, talent, and opportunity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether you can experience a sudden flash of enlightenment!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That is, Lu Ran might level up to Stream Realm · Stage One in the next second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, he might also be stuck here for three to five months—or even ten or twenty years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He might even be stuck for life!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why so many believers remain forever trapped at Stage Five of a Great Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Zhengfang and Deng Yuxiang are perfect examples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Commander Sun, over forty, and Deng Yuxiang, only twenty—both are River Realm · Stage Five!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lord Xiangyang!” Lu Ran’s expression stirred with excitement as he hurried to the altar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>White Sheep Jade Carving: “Cultivation must not be blind.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran’s face grew solemn as he listened to the teaching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>White Sheep Jade Carving: “In this stage, you need do only one thing: condense the mist within your body into streams.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The day these streams converge is the day you ascend to Stream Realm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes!” Lu Ran nodded firmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Requesting monthly votes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1688,"2026-06-21T06:12:58.056Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","2d10b725df6d5513b6fee93499eb93d45c8cf5a20a50e3a03f806d67abdab34d","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-85","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-83",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fat-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-cover.jpg"]