[{"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-955":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},2363083,4618,"Chapter 955: A Heart of Finality","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-955",955,"\u003Cp>At the foot of the wasteland mountain, beside the tunnel entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A tall, burly bald man stood guard with two others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiong Xiong, former leader of the Lie Shan Gang, now had only two underlings left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of them was especially despondent—Shi Yong, one of the newly joined husband-and-wife pair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His wife, Wan Fangling, had died in the previous war.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This shattered Shi Yong; he was hollow-eyed and lost, and if things continued like this, this Jiang Jing believer would likely drop a rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiong Xiong had tried to comfort him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But after such a devastating loss, how could Shi Yong recover in a short time?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sigh,” another Shan Wei disciple couldn’t help but let out a breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This man also bore the surname Shi, named Shi Biao, and was already in his mid-forties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The preferences of the Divine Being Shan Wei were plain to see.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiong Xiong, Shi Biao, and Shi Yong were all nearly identical—broad-shouldered, muscular, and with fierce, menacing faces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In comparison, both Shi Biao and Shi Yong had hair and were slightly more refined in appearance than Xiong Xiong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But not by much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What the hell are you sighing for?” Xiong Xiong glared at Shi Biao and hissed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The emotions of a Jiang Jing adept can alter the surrounding environment!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Yong was already so broken; being on guard with him had already soured Xiong Xiong’s mood—now Shi Biao was sighing too?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Boss,” Shi Biao grinned, looking as if he had a thousand words but couldn’t find one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?” Xiong Xiong was clearly annoyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Biao hesitated, then said: “Jiang Gezhu is like a fairy—cold and aloof, she doesn’t even bother to abuse us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She’d find it beneath her to hit us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this Lu Menzhu—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shut up!” Xiong Xiong hissed, wanting to slap the back of Shi Biao’s head right then and there!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You idiot!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How many years have you been here at Shengling Mountain? Still not smart enough? Just surviving on dumb luck?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you want to die, don’t drag me down with you!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Menzhu’s methods are beyond comprehension—he wields countless divine and demonic arts—who can fathom them?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You think no one’s around, but what if the Menzhu can hear you?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two slender figures drifted down slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiong Xiong: !!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Biao jolted in fear, his fierce face twisted with terror as he dropped to his knees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Menzhu, Lady!” Xiong Xiong also knelt, head bowed, forcing his voice to remain steady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran’s gaze swept over the two, then landed on Shi Yong, sitting beside the cave entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He slumped, motionless, waves of grief washing over them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiong Xiong and Shi Biao misread it entirely—they trembled, drenched in cold sweat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi frowned slightly; these two Shan Wei believers were utterly terrified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She knew that earlier that morning, Lu Ran’s use of Soul Prison and Soul Fire to burn corpses had left an indelible psychological scar on everyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps, in their minds, Lu Ran was a tyrant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least, his methods were exceptionally cruel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi took Lu Ran’s hand and gently squeezed his palm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran snapped back to himself, looked at the trembling pair, and said with quiet resignation: “From now on, kneel on one knee.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiong Xiong and Shi Biao froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’d expected punishment—instead—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A small change in posture meant a world of difference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Menzhu!” Xiong Xiong thought deeply but dared not delay—he immediately adjusted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Comfort your comrades,” Lu Ran said, holding Jiang Ruyi’s hand as he walked toward the tunnel entrance. “We’re all in the same trench—look out for each other.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes!” Both replied in unison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu and Jiang entered the narrow tunnel, walking deeper into the mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Left behind were Shi Biao, trembling with fear, and Xiong Xiong, glaring at him angrily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments later, Xiong Xiong stepped forward and slapped Shi Biao’s skull, whispering: “Watch what you say next time!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Biao: “Ah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiong Xiong grew angrier, and slapped him again—right on the back of the head!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The saying “Fools have luck” fit Shi Biao perfectly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Earlier that morning, that Hai Jing follower from the Dry Sea had used Sand Thorns to snatch three Shan Wei believers and flung them toward Elder Peng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two of them were split apart in one stroke by Elder Peng’s axe!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shattered cleanly, without mercy!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The third, Shi Biao, had been thrown on a trajectory that missed Elder Peng by several meters—he’d survived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the tunnel, Lu Ran walked on, silently shaking his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d heard everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Xiong appeared crude, but he was sharp as a blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether Lu Ran was magnanimous or simply hadn’t heard, Xiong Xiong had done everything perfectly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, if Lu Menzhu had heard their earlier conversation, he’d surely hear these slaps now too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this devouring Shengling Mountain,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was too hard for the weak to survive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After winding through the tunnel, Jiang Ruyi saw faint light ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They hurried into the cave and saw a small pale-gold fish drifting slowly through the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A beautiful golden rain of light illuminated the cavern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Yu Changsheng sat in a circle with three Yu Fu disciples and two Xi Huang believers, discussing something intently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yu and Jing Hong were not inside—they were on guard outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luoying was also absent; she must have gone to rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though this cave was hastily carved, they’d dug several private chambers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Menzhu!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lady!” Seeing Lu and Jiang arrive, everyone rose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sit,” Lu Ran gestured down, scanning the new faces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Fengchen wasn’t entirely new—he had some memory of him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng’er!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran knew well how netizens mocked Xue Fengchen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Our Xi Huang’s great Feng, first to become a Jiang Jing adept, surpassed all peers in strength!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet scored the lowest, always ranked last.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Proof: The stronger you are, the weaker you are!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman always by Xue Fengchen’s side, Gao Yunyan, Lu Ran had already recognized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One Feng, one Yan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These two fine birds had escaped the cage of Tianhuang Mountain, flying wing to wing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of the remaining three Yu Fu disciples, Lu Ran had a general sense—Song Yu, the stern man, had earned Jiang Xianzi’s favor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Yu,” Lu Ran sat cross-legged on the ground, facing Yu Changsheng. “I plan to return to Yunhai Cliff as soon as possible—to settle down quickly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Changsheng pondered a moment, then said slowly: “Menzhu, consider carefully—the northwest journey is long, and coming here isn’t easy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words clearly carried hidden meaning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran nodded: “This afternoon, we extracted much information from Elder Peng and You Tianyao—we now know the distribution of the demonic clans.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I intend to meet the Evil Dog Clan tomorrow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Complete the mission in three days, return to Yunhai Cliff within seven.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Changsheng, hearing Lu Ran’s clear plan, immediately nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran looked at the others: “All of you from Luo Xian Pavilion, follow Lady Jiang and return with me to Yunhai Cliff.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone nodded without objection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among them, An Xian’s expression was odd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Xian Pavilion… Ru Men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don’t you two keep separate households?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aren’t we all yours, both of you?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran stood up, never letting go of Jiang Ruyi’s slender hand, as if afraid she might vanish: “Master Conglong, come with me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Changsheng smiled and rose, bowing courteously to all present.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Jiangjing elders were stunned and honored, promptly returning his greetings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Big Dream Nightmare, send Jing Hong to find me.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Understood.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran led Jiang Ruyi and Yu Changsheng into a private room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pop~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Changsheng summoned a small Long Li, gazing at the young couple with deep confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You two just reunited and poured out your hearts—why did you call me here?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ruyi intends to tear up her pact with the gods,” Lu Ran said to Yu Changsheng. “Since she’s made up her mind, the sooner the better!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sooner she severs the pact, the sooner Ruyi will recover—and the sooner she can fuse with the false god’s stone statue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Changsheng hesitated, pondering: “I heard the Lady of the Sect has already begun breaking through to the peak of Jiangjing. If she tears the pact now—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi said coolly: “My Dao is here. I must sever it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Changsheng raised an eyebrow slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi’s single sentence silenced every argument he had prepared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, Yu Changsheng had an idea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If so, why not first advance to Jiangjing peak, then sever the pact?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, she’ll drop a rank anyway!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the Lady might drop only to Jiangjing Stage Four, rather than sinking further from Four as she does now—no, wait.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Changsheng reconsidered. That wasn’t how it worked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The higher one climbs, the harder the fall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So… should the Lady tear the pact now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After much thought, Yu Changsheng finally sighed and urged: “Lady, think carefully!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi: “My decision is final, Master—no more persuasion!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she spoke, she turned her head and looked at Lu Ran’s profile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking back over her entire cultivation path, Jiang Ruyi had never felt her “Dao” so unwavering as today!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regarding her faith in Lu Ran—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi was utterly resolute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Physical wounds were inevitable after tearing the pact, but in her heart, she felt no turmoil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the contrary, after embracing Lu Ran, her inner state would grow even more stable!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Changsheng: “...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That look in the Lady’s eyes—she sees nothing but Lu Ran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sect Master is truly blessed. Burp~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Full.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sect Master, you called for me?” Jing Hong hurried in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm.” Lu Ran gave a slight nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minutes later, Jiang Ruyi sat cross-legged on the floor. Waves of energy surged around her, her snowy white robe spreading like tidal waves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amidst the pale golden rain, the girl’s long hair fluttered, breathtakingly beautiful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this beauty did not last long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vast energy gathered at her head—and exploded with a thunderous crash!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The humble human race tore at her pact with the gods through self-mutilation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ugh.” Jiang Ruyi’s face twisted in agony, her eyes filled with pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wuuu~~~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Anhun Horn emitted a deep, echoing tone within the stone chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pop~ pop~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Changsheng Li and Huisheng Li drifted slowly toward the woman’s forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran knelt beside Jiang Ruyi, heart aching, gripping her clenched hand as he poured thick black flames into her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, Jiang Ruyi turned her gaze to Lu Ran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s wrong?” Lu Ran’s heart tightened; he asked urgently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his sight, the girl’s pain slowly faded—what remained—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was only resolve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1742,"2026-06-21T06:13:01.220Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","5ee80d83843eebd75d6651266904df1ab28e18e9fb7052cade4efc90a239b8c7","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-956","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-954",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fat-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-cover.jpg"]