[{"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-956":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},2363084,4618,"Chapter 956: Long Time No See","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-956",956,"\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi regressed a stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From Jiang Realm Stage Four, she dropped to Jiang Realm Stage Three.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is it just one stage down?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran did not think so; after all, before tearing up the contract, Jiang Ruyi had already reached the bottleneck of her cultivation and was ready to ascend to Jiang Realm Stage Five.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By that calculation, she dropped two stages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran was heartbroken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not just because of the damage to her cultivation realm, but also because of her frail, injured appearance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That night, Doctor Lu, Doctor Yu, and Jing Hong, the mental therapist, stayed by Jiang Ruyi’s side the entire time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was essentially a three-way consultation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When dawn began to break, the patient’s condition finally improved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Doctor Lu transformed into the Master of the False Gods and appeared alongside the False Gods within the garden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A vast shadow expanded from within Lu Ran’s body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi, seated on the ground, looked terrible, her face pale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She slowly lifted her eyelids and saw a familiar shadow behind and above Lu Ran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>False God · Yu Fu!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One day, this False God will become a True God.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi pressed her thin lips together; Lu Ran had told her everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She knew she would continuously merge with this stone statue, inherit all of its essence, until she surpassed it and completely replaced this False God statue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Fu,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I once revered you, worshipped you, and offered you devout devotion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even while residing in the Xiangyang Sect’s territory—Luoxian Mountain—I specifically found you a house at the mountain’s base and erected a shrine, descending daily to kneel and pray before you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The world believes gods are saviors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt gratitude, and I never dared to slacken in my worship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, I was nothing but livestock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fifteenth night was a scheme orchestrated by gods and demons together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Generation after generation of humans are livestock, Gongnimenshenmoyongshengyongshi 、 Dakuaiduoyi .\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Fu,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You truly disgust me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wait for me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ready?” Lu Ran asked softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi’s gaze was icy; she said nothing, but clasped Lu Ran’s hands in both of hers and pressed them against her forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She slowly closed her eyes, carefully feeling the warmth of his palms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That warm palm finally brought a trace of warmth to her frozen heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shadow leaned down, its hand overlapping with Lu Ran’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi’s body trembled slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The contract is sealed!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another False God took shape beneath Lu Ran’s palm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The False God’s shadow quietly dissolved, vanishing without a trace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi still held Lu Ran’s hand, lowering it slightly to rest against her cheek, gently rubbing it left and right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Changsheng: “.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He silently turned his head, pretending not to look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jing Hong observed this tender scene, smiling with a faint “auntie’s smile.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My two children in the mortal world must have married by now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wonder what their spouses are like.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jing Hong didn’t expect their partners to be divine figures like Lu Menzhu or Jiang Gezhu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She only hoped their love would be as deep as the Master’s and Lady’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wu~~~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jing Hong blew the Soul-Soothing Horn again, calming the hearts of all beings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go.” As the low horn faded, Jiang Ruyi’s quiet voice echoed from within the stone chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Changsheng immediately bowed, said nothing, and hurried away with Jing Hong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They left in a hurry—fast!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching their hurried retreat, Lu Ran was speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’m your Master, you know!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You don’t even look at me, and Jiang Gezhu gives one order—you two just leave?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lu Ran?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh.” Lu Ran snapped back to attention, sitting beside the girl and channeling the Caged Fire into her, “Feeling better?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi leaned against him, her body slumping into his arms: “Don’t be sad. It won’t be long before I return to Jiang Realm Stage Four.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm-hmm.” Lu Ran gently smoothed her jet-black hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Meiren clearly had no taste for lying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she said she could, Lu Ran believed her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh.” Jiang Ruyi exhaled deeply, feeling the path ahead clearer than ever before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the past, she had occasionally thrown a tantrum, demanding Lu Ran carry her step by step up the stone stairs to the summit of Luoxian Mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deep within her Dao heart, she had already built a temple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only one worshipped inside was always one person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, her inner obsession and reality had perfectly aligned!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Jiang Ruyi had expected, after tearing the contract, she experienced no mental confusion or emotional instability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the contrary, her inner state had grown even more stable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm?” Jiang Ruyi suddenly opened her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before her floated a delicate treasure gourd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh~” The Crimson Phoenix Gourd swayed gently, as if greeting her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hello, little Chifeng,” Jiang Ruyi leaned against Lu Ran’s shoulder, smiling warmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lii~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The phoenix pattern shimmered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Little Chifeng flapped its exquisite wings and flew out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi raised her hand, letting Little Chifeng land on her palm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the next moment, her expression turned apologetic: “I’ll miss you too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran didn’t know what they were saying, but he could guess.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t help smiling inwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Little Chifeng is so small—you could just lie to her!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he thought this, Lu Ran felt something unusual beside his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A cold sword hilt gently pried at his fingers, slipping into his palm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liangye Sword?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A voice echoed in his mind: “Did you miss me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran immediately nodded: “I did. I missed you terribly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liangye Sword’s voice was as cold and clear as Jiang Ruyi’s, yet it carried a faint trace of resentment:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Liar.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: “.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stunned silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran gripped the hilt tightly and quickly changed the subject: “By the way, have you unlocked your Divine Weapon Domain yet?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A single, cold word—very much like how Jiang Ruyi spoke to outsiders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran’s voice softened: “Still haven’t decided on your path?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liangye Sword: “I decided long ago.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then why—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I was blocked. Some mysterious force forbids me from delving deeper along this path.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh?” Lu Ran frowned slightly. “Where is it? Can you sense it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liangye Sword: “Not in the mortal realm. Not in the Mountain Realm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran placed Liangye Sword flat on his knees, his fingers tracing the cold blade: “Jiye Dao was also blocked at the crossroad.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t lose heart—we’ll find each other eventually.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I believe you,” Liangye Sword replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That voice, identical to Jiang Ruyi’s, made Lu Ran momentarily dazed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hum~” Liangye Sword suddenly trembled slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran frowned, then realized his hand had stopped moving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smiled and brushed his fingertip along the blade again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Interestingly, the Chi Feng Wen  gourd beside him nestled into the mistress’s lap like a child seeking affection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stone chamber fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One sword. One gourd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two figures quietly leaning against each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the days that followed, Jiang Ruyi led the main force to rest within the cave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran continuously rearranged his troops, leading small squads on multiple expeditions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the intelligence provided by Elder Peng, he easily located the territory occupied by the Evil Dog Clan and eliminated many of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran did not rush or overreach—he avoided striking at the Evil Dog Clan’s stronghold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This might slow the mission’s progress, but it ensured far greater safety.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was precisely what Jiang Ruyi had repeatedly warned him about; Lu Ran naturally did not want to worry her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After five full days, Lu Ran finally completed the mission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thanks to thorough preparation, the operation was perilous but without major incident; Lu Ran promptly recalled his team and avoided prolonged combat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wanjian Mountain was extraordinarily dangerous!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tianhuang Mountain stood here as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Ruan Men’s current strength, they had no Zige  to challenge such a major sect—the sooner they left, the sooner they could rest easy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, Lu Ran did not find the distance daunting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once he ascended to the Sea Realm, he could activate the Sea-grade technique: Mirror Flower, Moon Reflection—capable of teleporting three thousand kilometers in a single use!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that point, Lu Ran could traverse the continent at will.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wanjian Mountain?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could come and go as he pleased!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, the members of Ruan Men began their journey home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the twenty-ninth day of the eighth lunar month, those stationed at Yunhai Cliff received good news from Bai Yanhui.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Lao said: “Something good will happen today.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such words clashed utterly with the tone of Shengling Mountain!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Si Xianxian immediately sensed something, repeatedly sending Lu Ran voice-call requests until she received the reply she wanted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the Mad Immortal Guardian spread the word, everyone on the cliff grew excited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially Xun Yifei!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t seen his wife in nearly a month; his children had been searching for their mother for a full month, crying and fussing every day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wonderful!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mom’s finally back—Dad’s saved!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now he could finally prove to the children that Mom didn’t abandon them—even though, well, she’d indeed run off with someone else, she still loved them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A full-length mirror opened on the western forest path of Yunhai Cliff—the only route into the cliff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sss!” The hissing of the Yemo Clan echoed far and wide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I!” Lu Ran stepped out first from the mirror, waving his hand toward the approaching Yemo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Yemo halted mid-air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those emerging from the mirror, witnessing this, couldn’t help but gasp in awe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the past few days, those who had never left Wanjian Mountain found everything astonishing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When they saw the rolling mountains and lush forests, they nearly leapt up cheering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When they saw the endless expanse of blue ocean, they were utterly speechless!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In just a few days, they had traveled from a desert choked with yellow sand to a coastal forest of azure seas and clear skies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was this merely two extremes?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was two entirely different worlds!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lord, you’ve returned,” a tall figure teleported beside Lu Ran and bowed respectfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran looked at Yan Shuangzi and said, “You’ve worked hard during this time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey! You’re finally back—” A joyful voice rang out from afar, then abruptly cut off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Si Xianxian slowed her steps, staring fixedly at the white-robed woman beside Lu Ran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi smiled, gazing at her lifelong best friend from the mortal world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh my god,” Si Xianxian’s eyes widened in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi’s eyes remained gentle, just as always.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Merely standing there, she pulled Si Xianxian back to the mortal realm, back to the tranquil peace of Luoxian Mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Si Xianxian’s nose tingled, her eyes reddened, and she rushed forward: “Ruyi—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh,” Jiang Ruyi stepped back slightly, steadied herself, then embraced the girl who flung herself into her arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How did you end up in this hellhole?!” Si Xianxian quickly loosened her grip and scanned Jiang Ruyi from head to toe. “Are you hurt? Did anyone chase you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was projecting her own fears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi already knew from Lu Ran what Si Xianxian had endured after entering the mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was why she was so frantic, so terrified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suffering was inevitable upon entering Shengling Mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, we both met the one who ended our suffering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi gently reached out, brushing her fingertips across Si Xianxian’s cheek, wiping away her tears:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s been so long, Xian’er.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1871,"2026-06-21T06:13:01.220Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","a0a4acb94eb3764bd9d582466db301fda7dcf0984ae15fb084e809e7b45e0216","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-957","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-955",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fat-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-cover.jpg"]