[{"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-92":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},2362220,4618,"Chapter 92: Energy Source?","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-92",92,"\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi lived up to everyone’s expectations!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That night, while the team stayed in Shitoucheng, she suddenly had a breakthrough and ascended successfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, only Deng Tian witnessed it; Lu Ran and Deng Yutang remained unaware.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, everyone slept in separate rooms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Lu Ran was carefully washing his bloodstained clothes in the bathroom of his room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By the way, Xiang Xianyang,” Lu Ran paused his movements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He furrowed his brows and pondered: “If I venture deep into the demon lair, far enough, I can reach the front-line walls of Shitoucheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I can catch the demonic horde’s invasion…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then beneath the walls, corpses will pile into mountains!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more he spoke, the brighter Lu Ran’s eyes grew: “What’s the maximum range of our soul-restraining ability?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could I stand atop the wall and, with the military’s help, harvest demonic souls en masse?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This would be vastly more efficient than Lu Ran killing demons himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A voice suddenly echoed in his mind: “Such recklessness will expose your presence prematurely.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Expose?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Xianyang asked suddenly: “Do you think we use the souls of demonic foot soldiers to nourish our own demonic statues?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran frowned in confusion: “Isn’t that right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No. It’s qi.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Qi?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Xianyang: “Though each foot soldier is an individual, their life is granted by the demonic statue’s essence.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Xianyang: “Each foot soldier carries a thread of ‘qi’ from the demonic master’s statue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This thread can be understood as the demonic master’s energy source.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This thread lies deep within the foot soldier’s soul.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Xianyang’s voice grew hoarse and grim as he continued: “Our demonic statues grow stronger precisely because we constantly steal the enemy statue’s energy source.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s because we’re constantly seizing the energy sources of the enemy statues.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran’s heart jolted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Isn’t this like plucking teeth from a tiger’s mouth?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Xianyang: “If you restrain a large number of souls in a short time, you will draw the demonic master’s statue’s attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What consequences follow will be impossible to predict.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran’s head buzzed!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He fell silent for a long while, then said: “But if we keep stealing the demonic master’s qi to cultivate our own statues…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Won’t they eventually notice?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Xianyang: “Yes, they will notice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sculpture garden in your mind is enough to shake the demonic master’s foundation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You must gain sufficient strength before they realize it—enough to withstand the demonic master’s wrath.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran stood there, mouth slightly open, unable to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had thought the sword hanging over his head was merely the monthly lunar fifteenth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had thought that the fifteenth day of every lunar month was a sword hanging over my head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another, sharper, deadlier sword had descended!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Xianyang delivered another blow: “‘Withstand wrath’ doesn’t begin to describe what you face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You must understand—you are slowly devouring the demonic master, stealing his energy source!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So when the demonic master comes for you…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It will be either your death or his destruction.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: “...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Xianyang warned: “Avoid greed and rashness. Do not absorb vast numbers of souls in a short time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I understand,” Lu Ran nodded firmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Lu Ran’s unease, Xiang Xianyang added: “Still, there’s no need to worry excessively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every day, countless demonic foot soldiers die; on their way to the afterlife, some of their ‘qi’ inevitably dissipates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, the demonic master’s statue is constantly growing stronger itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At your current rate of soul absorption, you still haven’t drawn the demonic master’s notice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran spoke gravely: “If so, at what stage of growth will our demonic statues become noticeable to them?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Xianyang paused, then replied: “No definitive answer exists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps River Realm. Perhaps Sea Realm. Or even higher.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran exhaled in relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, Xiang Xianyang had mentioned River Realm outright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meaning, for a long time ahead, as long as he didn’t deliberately court death, he’d be safe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he was cautious enough, perhaps he could secretly cultivate his demonic statues to Sea Realm?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I’m careful enough, perhaps I can secretly cultivate our own demonic statue to the Sea Realm?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xiang Xianyang!” Lu Ran’s mind raced as he asked, “Can I control soul-restraining myself?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though called soul-restraining, Lu Ran had never performed any “restraining” action.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every time he killed a demon, its soul automatically entered the garden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he could control it, he could go to the front lines and slowly absorb souls himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Xianyang: “You must understand: your demonic statues truly exist within your spiritual realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within fifty meters of you, whenever a demonic foot soldier dies, the statues automatically absorb their souls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the statues grow stronger and larger, their absorption range expands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the demonic statue’s realm advances and it grows larger, its absorption range expands further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Unless what?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I can help you shut down this demonic sculpture garden.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No need to go that far!” Lu Ran immediately refused. “Rest assured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’ll proceed slowly, bide my time… uh, act cautiously!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good.” Xiang Xianyang sounded satisfied with Lu Ran’s response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good.” It was clear that Xiang Xianyang was quite satisfied with Lu Ran’s response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regarding the “life-or-death” struggle with the demonic race, Lu Ran, though feeling a dagger at his back, accepted it calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran was human; from the moment he was born, he stood in irreconcilable opposition to the demonic race.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Your weakness won’t earn their mercy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Your tears and pleas will only excite them, make them more cruel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For humanity, there is only one path to survival—resistance!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lu Brother?” A voice called from outside the wooden door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Lu?” came Deng Yu Tang’s voice from outside the wooden door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you done yet? I need to use the toilet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh.” Lu Ran quickly rinsed his clothes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yutang waited nearly two minutes, then knocked again: “Lu Brother, I don’t want to end up like Qian Hao.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hold on! Think of your reputation!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next morning, Lu and Deng arrived at the cafeteria on the first floor of Shitou Inn, checking the time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When they arrived, Jiang Tian and the others were already seated at a small square table, eating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yutang,” Jiang Ruyi raised her hand and waved lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran’s expression turned strange—he had walked ahead of Deng Yutang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi noticed his expression and rolled her eyes, then bent her head to peel a boiled egg.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haha!” Deng Yutang laughed at Lu Ran. “The class monitor’s still mad at you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just soothe her. Watch closely—I’ll only show you once!” Lu Ran picked up a tray.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yesterday’s line—“No need to chase hard; I promise you”—had been devastatingly effective!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had left Jiang Meiren flustered and furious, ignoring him for hours.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright,” Deng Yutang said, intrigued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The breakfast at Shitou Inn was simple: thin porridge, steamed buns, stir-fried turnips, and boiled eggs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu and Deng quickly filled their trays and joined the small table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yutang told me to soothe you,” Lu Ran set down his tray and began peeling an egg.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yutang blinked: “Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Didn’t you say that yourself?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi didn’t look up, continuing to eat her egg in small bites.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi didn’t lift her head, continuing to eat her egg in small bites.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: “I know I’m wrong, don’t be mad at me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tian Tian paused, an unexpected pang of pity rising in her heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yutang also halted his motion, sensing something was off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You jerk!” Jiang Ruyi said, both angry and amused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You hid the word ‘mei’ pretty well, didn’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh?” This time, it was Lu Ran’s turn to be stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yutang and Tian Tian had already fallen for it; if Lu Ran kept saying ‘mei,’ they’d soon start calling him ‘Ran Bao.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Jiang Ruyi—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran’s eyes lit up: “You’ve advanced?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm.” Jiang Ruyi extended her hand and waved it in front of Tian Tian’s face. “Snap out of it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, oh!” Tian Tian came to, quickly lowering her head to eat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is this all you’re teaching me?” Deng Yutang finally caught on. “I can’t learn this!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran shrugged. “Fine, I’ve taught you—now it’s not my problem.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked at Jiang Ruyi and asked, “Have you mastered the Frost Rune too?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi lifted her hand and tapped the air with her fingertip; frost spread in delicate particles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her gaze swept over her fingertip and landed on Lu Ran across the table, her beautiful eyes carrying a faint threat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you dare hide characters again—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too bad, Jiang Meiren was too gentle—her threat held no real intimidation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Congratulations!” Lu Ran beamed, completely ignoring her words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder Jiang the top student had such exceptional talent!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luck, sudden inspiration—all of it rested on a foundation of innate talent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Jiang Ruyi was a devotee of the Third-Rank God, Jade Talisman Sect, don’t forget: on the Altar of Worship, she had refused the Second-Rank God, Heavenly Phoenix!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That means Jiang Ruyi’s talent was at least on par with Deng Yuxiang’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No more worries about Mist Shadows or other demons,” Deng Yutang sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Demons came in many kinds, their bodily forms wildly varied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some were stitched from mist, others from stone, wood, and more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Using the Electric Shackles Rune to control such demons yielded little effect—but when Jiang Ruyi unleashed a Frost Rune—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just freeze solid, you little bastards!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the very least, you’d move painfully slow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Eat up, eat up!” Lu Ran urged. “Let’s go kill some dogs and test the Frost Rune!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi huffed, but didn’t object.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Poor little dogs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Previously, they’d been electrocuted until paralyzed, charred on the outside, raw inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, they’d be turned into ice sculptures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Truth be told, the little dogs could’ve suffered less—Jiang Ruyi had originally planned to head to Mount Wuling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the evil canine clan’s techniques were too tempting; how could Lu Ran resist?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Lu Ran’s goal was crystal clear:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From now until the squad left the Demon Cave, he needed to kill 300 Stream Realm evil dogs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the evil dog sculptures reached Stream Realm, Third Stage, his skill pool would unlock the Evil Technique: Evil Shadow!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This evil technique allowed the caster to summon a phantom to lure and confuse enemies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Lu Ran improved the quality of the Evil Technique: Evil Shadow—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The phantom he summoned could even become a true clone!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Please vote for me～\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1727,"2026-06-21T06:12:58.056Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","270ed3decc2dfae65dd2b4c42b27806ef963b96291cfd2398868c39995332716","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-93","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-91",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fat-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-cover.jpg"]