[{"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-957":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},2363085,4618,"Chapter 957: Flying Immortal","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-957",957,"\u003Cp>In the council hall, everyone took their seats.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran looked at the disciples from various sects gathered in one room, and for the first time, felt a faint sense of accomplishment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until now, the Fire Sect had always followed an elite path, with nearly every follower personally recruited by Lu Ran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this time, Jiang Ruyi had built her own power base and brought eight people with her!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It truly added some vitality to the Fire Sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve all met each other,” Lu Ran said from the main seat. “From now on, we are companions bound by life and death.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those seated around the table all wore solemn expressions and nodded in unison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“On the way back, I discussed with Lady Jiang the idea of merging the Fallen Immortal Pavilion into the Fire Sect,” Lu Ran said, looking at the eight new followers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, no one dared to object.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whatever you two lovebirds say goes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xiong Xiong, Shi Yong, Shi Biao.” Lu Ran called out three names.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Squeak.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound of wooden chair legs scraping the floor rose as the three burly men immediately stood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their appearance was utterly unlike everyone else in the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scene was quite amusing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran looked at the bald giant. “The three of you will join the Demon Subjugation Hall. Xiong Xiong, you are deputy hall master; Shi Yong and Shi Biao, you are hall members.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go find Hall Master Jing Hong later and report in.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.” The three responded at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran had given Xiong Xiong, the former leader of the Split Mountain Gang, a position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a reward for leading his men to follow Jiang Ruyi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Mountain Sect’s perception technique, Mountain’s Will, was exceptional—it could detect enemies hidden within mountains and deep underground, making it ideal for guarding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The primary duty of the Demon Subjugation Hall was to protect Yunhai Cliff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the number of demonic forces grew, Jing Hong, now a general with no troops, naturally needed help.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Demon Subjugation Hall falls under the command of the Nightmare Guardian,” Lu Ran said, glancing at Deng Yu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman gave a slight nod but said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran turned to the “Two Birds of the Western Wastes”—Feng Er and Yan Er. “Had you two not abandoned darkness and embraced the light, I might never have found Ruyi.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yun said solemnly, “Lord, you overstate it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Fengchen added, “Actually, it was Lady who saved us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran smiled. “Within the Fire Sect, there is a rank called the Eight Divine Generals.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You two are Second-Class Divine Generals, disciples of the Western Wastes, both at the peak of the River Realm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How about this: whoever among you reaches the Sea Realm first will be granted the title of Divine General; the other will serve under them. Agreed?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yun smiled, glancing at the martial youth beside her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Fengchen: “.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran then turned to the trio of Yu Fu disciples. “Today, the Fire Sect establishes its second hall—the Flying Immortal Hall.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Song Yu is hall master; Zhang Zhenghu and An Xian are hall members.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.” The three rose at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran observed closely—he noticed Song Yu’s subtle expressions, faintly tinged with excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wondered just how far this loyalist would go in his devotion to Jiang Ruyi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Would Song Yu willingly cooperate later?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran thought silently, his gaze sweeping over them all. “Yunhai Cliff is remote; few followers are willing to set foot near the sea.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, don’t grow complacent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xun, arrange accommodations for everyone after this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xun Yifei nodded immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Long before Lu Ran had been in the Great Northwest, he’d asked the Shadow Guardian to send word, requesting General Xun to build houses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran said, “Alright, you’ve all worked hard these past days. Go rest now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone rose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi spoke softly: “Flying Immortal Hall.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yu turned to her, respectfully inquiring, “Lady?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi gave a slight nod. “Stay behind.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An Xian and Zhang Zhenghu exchanged glances, then stood obediently behind Song Yu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the others departed, Lu Ran looked at the three of the Flying Immortal Hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do any of you know what the Flying Immortal Hall is?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yu was puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran had given him the title of hall master but never explained his duties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran smirked. “I originally wanted to name this hall the ‘God-Making Hall,’ but Lady Jiang thought it sounded bad.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi turned her head and gave Lu Ran a playful glare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yu’s mind raced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>God-Making Hall?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flying Immortal Hall… and Lu Ran had deliberately called Jiang Ruyi “Immortal Lady.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi sat in the chair beside Lu Ran, watching the three Yu Fu followers standing rigidly. “We’ve been in the Sacred Spirit Mountain for over a month.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You’ve all seen the conditions here firsthand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The trio nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi spoke softly. “In this slaughterhouse, do you still worship the gods as you did back in the mortal world?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Listen to the meaning behind the words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi asked, but her stance was already clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or perhaps this was a test from Lady?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An Xian nervously twisted her fingers, head bowed, silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The word “slaughterhouse” was the first she’d ever used—and thankfully, Lady hadn’t punished her for it then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xiao Xian?” Jiang Ruyi called gently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An Xian jumped, looking up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just speak your true thoughts,” Jiang Ruyi encouraged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An Xian took a deep breath. “I—I think the gods sent us here under the pretense of collecting Sacred Spirit Qi, but in truth, they’re here to purge us!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi nodded in approval, then turned to Song Yu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yu understood Jiang Ruyi’s meaning and spoke words of heresy:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Both gods and demons are cruel—they treat all things as grass and dogs.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran nodded inwardly—his summary was precise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These people were all sharp; they kept their true thoughts buried deep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi turned to Zhang Zhenghu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the two “seniors” having spoken first, Zhang Zhenghu nodded firmly. “I think the same!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi nodded. “Since the gods are cruel, are you willing to tear up your divine contracts?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?” An Xian’s eyes widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How dangerous was this world?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if she hated the gods, she couldn’t tear the contract!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without it, how could she protect herself?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi rose, stepped sideways, and stood behind Lu Ran’s chair, placing a hand on his shoulder, her gaze encompassing the three:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No longer believe in Yu Fu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“From now on, believe in us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whatever Yu Fu can give you, we can give you too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zhenghu swallowed hard, his mind reeling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yu was stunned—he had no doubt they were telling the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An Xian trembled. “Believe… in Lord and Lady?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran spoke at the right moment: “You’ve all seen with your own eyes—I can wield techniques from every sect, yet I am not a follower of these gods or demons.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I can steal the power of gods and demons and make it my own.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone: !!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People had their own theories about how Lu Ran could wield so many techniques.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But no one dared to discuss it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, Lu Ran plainly told the three: he could steal the power of gods and demons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran casually reached out, pinching a white jade amulet between two fingers: “I can use stolen power to forge new gods.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, Lu Ran tilted his head slightly, gesturing toward Jiang Ruyi behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The implication was clear:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi is the new god I have forged!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The council chamber fell utterly silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cultivating a god?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since their first meeting, Lu Ran had already seemed mysterious and terrifying enough to everyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when he uttered these words, he still left them all stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fuck! I told you!” Zhang Zhenghu roared inwardly. “I actually blurted out the truth before—this time, I’ve truly met a real god!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi whispered: “I am no longer a follower of Yu Fu. A few days ago, the Menzhu transferred Yu Fu’s power to me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I know these words sound unbelievable, but I am truly walking the path to godhood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you are willing, you will be my first followers.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thud!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yu dropped to his knees at once, his voice firm and resolute: “Song Yu pledges allegiance to Lady.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zhenghu hurriedly knelt down as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked as if he feared any delay might anger the two young gods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only An Xian remained dazed, still struggling to comprehend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you have reservations, An Xian, you need not tear up your contract,” Jiang Ruyi said, looking at her. “You remain a member of the Ruan Men·Feixian Hall. It’s fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An Xian finally snapped back to awareness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She realized the situation in the room and hastily knelt to swear loyalty: “Ah, Lady! No, I have no reservations—I believe in you! My life belongs to you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi gazed at her three trembling companions, paused a moment, then ordered: “You may go now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’ll come to you with the physician shortly; we’ll tear up the contracts then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.” The others responded in unison, rising and leaving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran watched their retreating backs and exhaled slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Xianyang had clearly stated that in the Divine-Demon World, there existed supreme laws.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the mortal realm, when Lu Ran contracted followers, they had to pray before him—only then could the false god statues within the garden absorb faith energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If followers were too far from Lu Ran, the faith energy would be stolen by true gods holding divine positions!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this is Shengling Mountain!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The true gods themselves are all stationed in Daya; their hands cannot reach here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Lu Ran signs master-servant contracts with these three using the false god statue of Yu Fu, their prayers should channel faith energy directly through his body into the statue garden!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Worshiping gods and cultivation do not conflict.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the mortal realm, followers were already accustomed to kneeling before small shrines, cultivating while devoutly offering worship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within Yunhai Cliff, we could build a “Hall of Revering Immortals.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Somewhere closer to Lu Ran’s residence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Feixian Hall members could cultivate while praying, continuously feeding energy to the false god statue of Yu Fu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a long time, Lu Ran had only two methods to cultivate his statues:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One: fighting and killing; two: laboriously gathering Shengling energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this new method works, could Lu Ran simply lie at home and cultivate his statues?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, all this is merely Lu Ran’s hypothesis—success remains to be tested.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it proves effective, the Feixian Hall could continue to grow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are you thinking about?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi tapped Lu Ran on the shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran grinned: “Stealing followers from Yu Fu feels kind of nice~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Screw that damn Yu Fu!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From now on, worship your Menzhu!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1801,"2026-06-21T06:13:01.220Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","3f127f8b54d1a62d5e31601a98365e3627d1f995daca3a704ad7c0a5cc79d643","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-958","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-956",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fat-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-cover.jpg"]