[{"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-958":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},2363086,4618,"Chapter 958: A Stray Dog","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-958",958,"\u003Cp>Under the protection of physicians Yu Changsheng and Jing Hong, the three members of Feixian Hall tore up their pact with the gods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suffering was inevitable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A drop in rank was also expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yu and Zhang Zhenghu were fine—they had originally been at the second or third level of the River Realm, and even after dropping, they still remained within the River Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only An Xian, who had been at the first level of the River Realm, plummeted straight back to the Stream Realm; not only did she suffer a massive blow to her cultivation level, but now she had to eat and drink just to sustain life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mighty River had thus been reduced to an ordinary mortal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An Xian was in great pain and deeply discouraged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran observed it all, and couldn’t help feeling a pang of guilt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’ll have to treat my first followers better from now on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran continuously released Soul-Returning Carp, and together with Yu Changsheng and Jing Hong, healed the three members of Feixian Hall until hours later, when he saw their brows relax, he finally let out a breath of relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unexpectedly, the three members of Feixian Hall all fell asleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This left Lu Ran both amused and exasperated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Think about it—they hadn’t had a single peaceful night’s sleep since arriving in the Sacred Spirit Mountain Realm, had they?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their bodies and minds were utterly exhausted; today they had suffered severe trauma, then been healed and calmed by several physicians—of course they’d fall asleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the three sleep peacefully, Lu Ran finally relaxed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He nodded to Yu Changsheng, then stepped outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran stood before the dwelling and took a deep breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was afternoon, and the sky was once again churning with cloud seas, filling the air with oppressive weight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve been kind enough to them,” came a cool voice from behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm?” Lu Ran turned his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Xianzi wore a white veil; the mountain wind stirred her white robe, making her breathtakingly beautiful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve given them a place to rest—that alone is a great grace,” the cool beauty stepped forward and gently linked arms with Lu Ran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ru Yi, Ru Yi!” Before Lu Ran could respond, another figure hurried over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Si Xianxian arrived at Jiang Ruyi’s other side, affectionately linking arms with her, and asked, “Have you finished?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“For now, they’re resting. Once their mental state improves further, Lu Ran will need to come back to sign the pact.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So you’re free now?” Si Xianxian’s eyes sparkled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm.” Jiang Ruyi, seeing the girl’s hopeful gaze, couldn’t help but soften.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come on, come on—I’ll take you to tour the Cloud Sea Cliff!” Si Xianxian clung tightly to Jiang Ruyi’s arm, as if afraid she’d refuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll tell you, Ru Yi,” Si Xianxian immediately launched into chatter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran watched the two tall, graceful backs and realized something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Am I being abandoned?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is this the power of girlfriends?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Little Ru Yi was just holding my arm, and now she’s ditching me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ahead, the two women suddenly stopped. Si Xianxian turned back: “Why are you standing there?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: “...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Si Xianxian waved cheerfully: “Hurry up, hurry up, Young Master—come along with the Lady!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran’s expression turned odd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady and Young Master? Isn’t that a generation gap?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Isn’t the Lady supposed to be paired with the Master?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come on!” Si Xianxian urged, “Come tour your own little nest with the Lady!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran rolled his eyes and walked after them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi couldn’t help smiling softly. “Let’s start by seeing his quarters.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright!” Si Xianxian stepped forward, grinning. “Don’t worry, Lady—the Young Master has always lived alone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So well-behaved, so well-behaved~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though the Sacred Spirit Mountain Realm has no laws or morals, the Young Master still has conscience—he hasn’t bullied the weak or oppressed women.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi gave Si Xianxian a look of both annoyance and amusement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hehe~” Si Xianxian laughed harder and quickened her pace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran’s residence stood on the eastern heights of Cloud Sea Cliff, close to the seaside cliff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yunhai Residence wasn’t small—it sat in a small valley, surrounded on three sides by rocky hills and dense, towering trees, with a neatly repaired bamboo fence enclosing the front courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Serene. Hidden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Jiang Ruyi stepped into the fenced courtyard, she already liked the place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was truly quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If only Sister Xian’s mouth could pause for a moment, it’d be perfect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the southeast corner of the courtyard stood a stone table and several stone chairs, reminding Jiang Ruyi of the courtyard at Luoxian Mountain’s Luoxian Dwelling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi surveyed the surroundings as she walked forward and pushed open the gate to Yunhai Residence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside was a reception hall; to the left was a bedroom, to the right a room that looked like a training hall—or perhaps a study?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room was spacious, with a desk placed in the center.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the desk sat a small wooden rack holding an exquisitely ornate short sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blade gleamed with cold radiance; the hilt was forged from pure gold, inlaid with seven gemstones of different colors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi stepped forward, picked up the Seven-Star Precious Blade, and idly played with it: “Do you often clean this house?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nope,” Si Xianxian realized the entire residence was spotless, and guessed, “Maybe the Shadowed Evil Guardian helped clean it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shadowed Evil.” Jiang Ruyi sighed inwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another unfortunate soul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From Lu Ran, Jiang Ruyi had already learned the general situation of Yan Shuangzi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This close friend of the Great Nightmare had suffered immensely in this cruel Sacred Spirit Mountain Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If suffering could be compared, then everyone on Cloud Sea Cliff—from one to the next—had no right to claim they’d endured hardship or pain compared to Yan Shuangzi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not even Bai Yanhui!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi also knew that Lu Ran had led the Ran Sect north to the Blade Ridge Peak and forcibly rescued her from the Northern Wind Sect’s stronghold!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He saved Yan Shuangzi, gave her dignity, hope, and purpose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gave her a new life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he had done for Deng Yuxiang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi trusted Lu Ran’s judgment—and believed Yan Shuangzi’s absolute loyalty to him!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only someone like this deserved to sign the “Inheritance Pact” with the divine and demonic statues in Lu Ran’s mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To become a stone statue, to transcend the stone statue, to replace the stone statue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter what the Ran Sect faces in the future—whether condemned by all or doomed to utter ruin—the Shadowed Evil Guardian will stand firmly beside Lu Ran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And within Lu Ran’s sculpture garden, many stone statues still await binding!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each successor must be chosen with great care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they were all like Deng Yuxiang and Yan Shuangzi, that would be perfect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi thought silently, then turned her gaze toward the doorway, her eyes passing through the hall to see Lu Ran standing dazed by the bedroom door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked at his now undeniably “tall” figure, her beautiful eyes holding a faint admiration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And at this moment, Lu Ran—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was filled with wicked thoughts!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran was a man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A young, vigorous, robust youth!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a long time, Lu Ran’s mind had been tightly strung; now that he’d returned from his mission to the peaceful Yunhai Residence, he looked at the double bed—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ugh.” Lu Ran shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a while, he still had to sign the master-servant pact with the three members of Feixian Hall!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d endured half a year already—just a little longer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wait until nightfall!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the moon is dark and the wind high—that’s when things get done.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran turned around, just meeting Jiang Xianzi’s gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He felt awkward, slightly averting his eyes, then noticing the Seven-Star Precious Blade in her hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran said: “You like it? Take it—good for self-defense.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi lifted the short blade; it was exquisitely crafted, almost too much so, dazzlingly ornate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn’t suit her temperament at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It would be hard to make it shine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Lu Ran added: “I have several other weapons to cultivate—I can’t spare the focus. You might as well take it and cultivate it yourself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This sword has a solid foundation—it’s got great potential.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi slowly shook her head: “It suits Nightmare or Evil Shadow better—Nightmare’s aura fits even more.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I see, she only has one broken blade, and it’s already been cultivated into a divine weapon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran raised an eyebrow slightly, surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Throughout this time, Jiang Ruyi and Deng Yuxiang’s relationship had never been particularly close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi read Lu Ran’s expression and smiled: “We’re all one family, aren’t we?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Sacred Spirit Mountain truly brought the girl a profound shift in understanding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once she learned all of Lu Ran’s secrets and what he intended to do, those who faithfully followed him naturally needed to be as strong as possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything else paled before the safety of his life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran smiled too: “Fine, you give it to her?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He certainly hoped the sect lord’s lady and the guardian lord would reconcile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm.” Jiang Ruyi said casually, returning the Seven-Star Treasure Blade to the desk’s blade rack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come on, let’s go see the sea first,” Lu Ran invited, stepping outside the house. “I always go there to stare into space.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stare into space?” Jiang Ruyi followed him out, smiling. “Why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah~” Lu Ran shrugged. “I need somewhere quiet to think of you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi slowed her steps; her gaze toward Lu Ran softened considerably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Si Xianxian tilted her head: ???\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No! What the hell is this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Am I some stray dog on the street, randomly kicked for no reason?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran stepped out through the fence gate, turned to Jiang Ruyi, and suddenly grinned:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hehe~ I’m kidding you—I never thought of you at all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi smiled at the hypocrite, softly saying “Mm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran’s expression turned serious: “Really—I didn’t think of you much.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Si Xianxian froze, because Lu Ran was genuinely serious, not lying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What’s going on?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did Lu Ran suddenly fall ill? Does he think your bond is too strong?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi was also taken aback.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long while, she whispered: “You’re busy surviving, busy carrying out missions—you really don’t have time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Little Ruyi remained as gentle as ever when facing him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She comforted herself and gave Lu Ran an excuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s not it,” Lu Ran turned and walked away, speaking softly. “I’m afraid to think of you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Afraid to think deeply.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi’s heart trembled slightly—she clearly understood the meaning behind Lu Ran’s words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She felt the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, on the mortal world’s Fallen Immortal Mountain, there was always a lone figure standing, gazing across the Cangshan and Erhai.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too deep a longing could easily lead to sinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Si Xianxian was utterly stunned!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No! What even is this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Learned? Learned a pile of shit! I was just worried about you!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You kicked me once, then walked away—and now you kick me again?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Are you even human?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1829,"2026-06-21T06:13:01.220Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","5f94aab4d936a1bf813e50796a0fc0d2c8f96c0563fc1e2d36405b4af5d8f873","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-959","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-957",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fat-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-cover.jpg"]