[{"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-86":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},2362214,4618,"Chapter 86: Pearl and Blade","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-86",86,"\u003Cp>“Stay home and mind the place.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the front door, Lu Ran blocked the gap with his leg, watching the little mackerel tabby try to slip out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Meow~” After several failed attempts, the tabby looked up at its master, mewling plaintively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Click.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The merciless master firmly shut the security door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tabby tilted its tiny head, crouched by the door for a moment, then darted off toward one corner of the living room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There sat an opened can of fish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran stepped out of the residential building, gazed at the blue sky and white clouds, and took a deep breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He did not choose to continue cultivating before the shrine, because he no longer needed to absorb external divine power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the human body were likened to a vessel, Lu Ran’s body now held divine power at its absolute limit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Xiang Xianyang had just taught him, at the Fifth Stage of Mist Realm, Lu Ran needed only to do one thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Condense the water.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran murmured softly, carefully sensing the divine power within him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He compressed the mist within his body as hard as he could while walking toward school.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps due to his greatly enhanced physical condition, or perhaps because he was so absorbed he unconsciously walked too fast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He arrived at the empty campus in less than twenty minutes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, after students enter their third year of high school, they rarely attend classes anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You could even treat Yu Xiang No.1 High as a “mission hall.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The school issues monthly assessment missions, each tied to the fifteenth day of the lunar month.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It also organizes students to travel to surrounding cities and enter various demonic lairs for training.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All expenses—food, lodging, travel, demonic lair admission fees—are covered by the school.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All students must do is continuously hone themselves and strive to grow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today was the first day of school, and this morning’s lesson was likely the only one of the month.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran hurried as fast as he could, arriving at the classroom just before the bell rang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Knock knock knock~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran tapped on the classroom door and saw Teacher Li Yanzhu standing at the podium through the window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yanzhu turned her head, and her stern expression softened slightly: “Enter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Teacher Li.” Lu Ran opened the door and nodded apologetically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whoop~~~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wow! Alive! He’s really alive!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lu Ran’s actually alive? That’s insane!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A wave of cheers and exclamations erupted immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, everyone knew Lu Ran had participated in the lunar fifteenth city defense mission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And since Lu Ran hadn’t shown up this morning, people naturally speculated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Late again,” Li Yanzhu said, though there was no hint of reprimand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran chuckled: “I just went to Class 4, Grade 11—I was wondering why the teacher changed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Back to your seat,” Li Yanzhu said, briefly smiling before immediately returning to a stern face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Okay.” Lu Ran stepped into the classroom and noticed fewer students.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The class, once forty strong, now had fewer than thirty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Students who failed to revere the gods were no longer suited to remain with believers and had been reassigned to other classes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Think about it—believers are nominally “human,” but in every gesture, where was the humanity left?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi could casually slap a regular student into the wall—how could you possibly play together?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tian Tian?” Lu Ran blinked in surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he approached Jiang Ruyi’s desk, he realized his own seat had been taken by a little girl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran turned and scanned the classroom again, realizing several new faces had appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed the school had grouped students from the same team into one class.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran also noticed a dark-skinned girl sitting in the last row.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chang Ying?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl beside Chang Ying, Lu Ran didn’t recognize either, though she seemed vaguely familiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike Chang Ying, her desk-mate had a pale, cool-toned complexion—the contrast between them was striking!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like the Black and White Killers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are you standing there for?” Li Yanzhu urged. “Find a seat!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, okay.” Lu Ran immediately looked for a seat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sorry,” Tian Tian said, head bowed, voice soft.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No problem,” Lu Ran waved dismissively—what was there to apologize for?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He approached an empty seat and nodded politely at the unfamiliar classmate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy’s eyes lit up; he whispered low: “Brother Ran!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: “.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So considerate?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy had a side part, single eyelids, a plaid shirt, and a touch of handsomeness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Ran, can you sign my photo later? When I heard I was in your class, I printed out your picture right away!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: “Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He truly hadn’t expected the plaid-shirt boy to pull out an actual photo from his desk drawer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the same one Chang Ying had taken and posted in the grade group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Streetlamp. Light rain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A boy in a yellow raincoat, wielding a blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Actually, that wasn’t much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But add a date to the photo—lunar July fifteenth, night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm. It was indeed kind of cool.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran’s expression twisted as he glanced at his own photo: “What’s your name…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He reached out idly and grabbed a piece of chalk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the podium, Li Yanzhu’s face darkened: “Lu Ran!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran quickly lowered his head, scribbling on his desk with the chalk, pretending to be busy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yanzhu, clearly furious, snapped: “Come up front and collect your prize!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The teacher’s words and tone were in stark contradiction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the classroom, students all struggled to suppress their laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran immediately stood and walked up front—he’d already noticed the weapons piled in the corner when he entered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Bai Hongshi blade.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yanzhu handed him the rare equipment; Lu Ran took it, feeling only a smooth, warm texture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Hongshi resembled a kind of pure white jade, translucent and lustrous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along its slender blade ran fine white lines, like the luminous halos around sun and moon, glowing brightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Truly beautiful,” Lu Ran murmured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Lu Ran didn’t invest much emotion—he knew this Bai Hongshi blade would soon be replaced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yesterday, the Divine People’s Bureau had informed Lu Ran that his request for equipment upgrade had been approved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, the Divine People’s Bureau would decide material rewards for probationary students on its own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Lu Ran’s outstanding performance earned their recognition—and they’d prepared a Black Glitterstone blade as requested.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Black Glitterstone was rarer and more precious than Bai Hongshi or Cai Duan stone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A well-crafted Black Glitterstone weapon started at 180,000 at minimum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Market prices often soared higher, and even with money, you couldn’t always buy one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such a divine weapon was truly lifelong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where’s your Ban Lüshi blade?” Li Yanzhu asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I forgot to bring it when I left,” Lu Ran said, embarrassed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yanzhu pulled out a small red box and placed it on the podium: “Did you forget your Divine Power Pearl too?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I brought this one.” Lu Ran reached to his neck and removed the Xi Pin Divine Power Pearl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Next time you return to school, remember to bring your Ban Lüshi blade,” Li Yanzhu said, not pressing him, and took the Xi Pin Divine Power Pearl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she removed the pearl from its holder, she added casually: “Check it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran immediately opened the small box—and light flooded out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Divine Power Pearl was crystal-clear, twice the size of a fingertip, swirling with radiant, almost magical luminescence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, classmates cast envious glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a He Pin Divine Power Pearl!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It is a true “precious pearl”!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reserve of divine power is astonishing!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Master!” Lu Ran secretly rejoiced, returning with full hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His joyful expression inevitably stirred quiet envy among the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The students had no recourse, and even finding grounds for doubt was difficult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, Lu Ran’s achievements were clearly verifiable!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He even dared to participate in the July 15 supplementary exam in his Mist Realm!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was truly risking his life for a chance at victory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ding ding ding~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dismissal bell suddenly rang, but Li Yanzhu tapped the podium, her voice easily drowning out the bell:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Class is over. Go home and prepare. The school bus departs punctually at 1:30 p.m. at the gate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The classmates rose one after another, the classroom filled with noise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran watched Deng Yu tang approach and asked, “Where to?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yu tang: “The school is organizing us to go to Mount Wuling. We must submit 300 Mist Realm demon crystals within fifteen days.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran frowned slightly: “Can we skip it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sure, it’s not mandatory. As long as we submit enough demon crystals, we earn believer points.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yu tang looked puzzled: “Which demon lair are you planning to go to, Lu Brother?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran felt awkward: “Doggy Village?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yu tang froze. Why was he fixated on Doggy Village?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Do you have a grudge against those little dogs?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the other’s expression, Lu Ran didn’t know how to explain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He simply wanted to level up the Doggy Demon Sculpture as quickly as possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he could level it up to Stream Realm during the training, that would be perfect!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Evil Art: Evil Agility—then he could equip it!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When farming, you must have a farmer’s attitude!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just watch how I transform into a nimble little dog.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s wrong?” Jiang Ruyi arrived with Tian Tian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yu tang shrugged: “Lu Brother wants to go to Doggy Village.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh?” Jiang Ruyi was also surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Here’s the plan,” Lu Ran said, a little embarrassed. “Let’s head to Doggy Village first and slaughter them till the sky turns dark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then we’ll go to Mount Wuling, check out the new demon lair, and challenge new evil demons.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi didn’t refuse, but looked puzzled: “Do you really like killing dogs?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran nodded firmly, his resolve strong: “I love it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yu tang chuckled: “If Lu Brother really likes it, we could train in Doggy Village the whole time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mount Wuling isn’t far—we can go anytime later. No rush.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re truly a brother!” Lu Ran grabbed Deng Yu tang’s hand tightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You treat me so well—I’ll repay you tenfold!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just wait till I equip more powerful evil arts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Afterward, you can rest easy about your sister!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’ll take care of her for you!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1706,"2026-06-21T06:12:58.056Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","e81d6b418dbc093aef39359883c9248011bda1e70f6a5ef1391b44caf971b908","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-87","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-85",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fat-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-cover.jpg"]