[{"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-963":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},2363091,4618,"Chapter 963: The Second Time Being a God","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-963",963,"\u003Cp>On the ninth day of the ninth month, in Closed Chamber No. 1 of Yunhai Cliff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside a pitch-black stone chamber, a woman in a white robe knelt seated on the floor, her long black hair swaying gently with the hem of her dress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huuu!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, a violent surge of wind erupted from Jiang Ruyi’s body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Crimson Phoenix Pattern Gourd was startled!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It hid within its mistress’s arms; had she not held it firmly, it would have been flung against the stone wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mmm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi emitted a low nasal sound, thoroughly enjoying it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The divine power surging within her resembled a raging river, scouring her broad meridians.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>River Realm · Stage Four!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi slowly opened her beautiful eyes, light swirling within her pupils.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wum~” The little Crimson Phoenix stirred gently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi released her grip, and the precious gourd floated upward, hovering before her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The exquisite phoenix patterns shimmered, contrasting with her mistress’s delicate, fair complexion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hehe~” Jiang Ruyi couldn’t help but laugh softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Crimson Phoenix Pattern Gourd swayed back and forth, looking delighted and exuberant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She curled her fingers and tapped the gourd lightly: “Full?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wum~” The little Crimson Phoenix, highly sentient, nodded once forward and back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if in agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi couldn’t help but smile, her voice unusually gentle: “Did you listen well to your mistress’s orders? Did you study how to consume living people?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Crimson Phoenix Pattern Gourd froze midair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi’s smile vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having just ascended, her divine nature had not yet faded—she radiated solemn, sacred authority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She opened her palm, her slender jade hand cradling the plump gourd: “Your mistress loves you deeply. In all this time, I’ve probably never scolded you once, have I?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He never forces you to do anything, but you must try harder, alright? Crimson Phoenix?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wum~” The little Crimson Phoenix felt as if granted a great pardon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It bobbed back and forth rapidly, nodding incessantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi said no more, using the golden phoenix patterns on the gourd’s glow to survey her surroundings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The exit of Closed Chamber No. 1 at Yunhai Cliff lies within the forest north of Yunhai Manor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, a crowd had already gathered before the hidden exit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Out of respect for the sect lord’s lady, nearly everyone had come.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Jiang Ruyi stepped out and saw so many people, she was slightly surprised; facing the congratulations of the Lu Sect members, she immediately smiled and nodded in response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only after repeated persuasion did the crowd finally disperse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Si Xianxian refused to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With no one around, Xian’er’s true nature emerged—she gripped her Crazy Hammer in one hand and hugged Jiang Xianzi tightly: “Ruyi, Ruyi, I’ve missed you so much.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Si Xianxian mumbled, she buried her face against Jiang Ruyi’s neck, rubbing her cheeks back and forth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi: “.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Altogether, they had only been apart for ten days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who could have imagined that the once-hot-tempered, confrontational lunatic had become this clingy?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even more clingy than when they were in the human realm’s Great Xia·Luoxian Mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey!” A young man’s voice came from behind: “What are you doing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Si Xianxian ignored Lu Ran, burying her face in Jiang Xianzi’s neck and inhaling deeply as if savoring it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: ???\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then what am I?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Also, are you Crazy Xian’er, or Little Yuanxi?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran froze in place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within Sacred Spirit Mountain, Lu Ran avoided “deep thinking” about many things—not just regarding Jiang Ruyi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Also about his sister, and his mother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, Lu Ran had more concerns than ever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His mother was manageable—her power was boundless, no need to worry too much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his little sister, Yuanxi—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don’t come!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran’s mind held only one thought:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whatever you do, do NOT come to Sacred Spirit Mountain!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xian’er-jie?” Jiang Ruyi noticed Lu Ran’s odd expression, assuming he was upset, and gently pushed Si Xianxian away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Si Xianxian turned to Lu Ran, annoyed: “Fine, be jealous! I’m about to break through—I need to close off too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who knows how many days until we meet again? Can’t I even hug you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran suppressed his turbulent emotions and pretended nothing was wrong: “Then go quickly. Among the Four Guardians, you’re the weakest!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Take the little Crimson Phoenix with you… Oh, and don’t you dare drink directly from the mouth when you break through!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Si Xianxian was already angry; seeing Lu Ran’s disgusted look, she immediately raised her eyebrows: “You think I’m dirty, right?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’ll kiss, I’ll kiss, I’ll kiss!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: “.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I just—uh.” Si Xianxian suddenly shivered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She turned her head and saw Jiang Ruyi’s half-smiling, knowing expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Si Xianxian quickly apologized with a forced laugh: “No kissing, no kissing—I was just teasing him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi gave Si Xianxian a reproachful glance, then picked up the Crimson Phoenix Pattern Gourd: “Don’t forget what I just told you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wum~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Crimson Phoenix Pattern Gourd trembled slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Here.” Jiang Ruyi handed the gourd to Si Xianxian, instructing: “Focus on your breakthrough. Come find me once you’ve succeeded.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm!” Si Xianxian nodded firmly, gripping her Crazy Hammer in one hand and the little Crimson Phoenix in the other, then turned and left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi asked, puzzled: “Where are you going?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Isn’t the entrance right here?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Si Xianxian replied: “Respected Lady! This is the entrance to Closed Chamber No. 1—within Yunhai Cliff, only Young Master and you may enter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi looked at Si Xianxian, both annoyed and amused, and glared at her: “Go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Si Xianxian giggled, her eyes playful as she glanced at Lu Ran: “Young Master! Does a lowly maid like me have the privilege to enter?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran nearly rolled his eyes into the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahahaha~” Si Xianxian burst into laughter and stepped into the tunnel entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran grunted, watching Crazy Xian’er depart, then turned to Jiang Ruyi: “Would you like to close off for a few days to consolidate your realm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi shook her head lightly: “Staying in the stone chamber is boring. Let’s return to Yunhai Manor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine.” Lu Ran studied Jiang Xianzi, growing more delighted with each glance; then he suddenly remembered something: “What did you just say to the Crimson Phoenix?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi did not answer, but smiled warmly at Lu Ran: “I’ve returned to River Realm Stage Four. You’d better work harder.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: “.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had ascended to River Realm · Stage Four on the third day of the eighth lunar month.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today is only the ninth day of the ninth month!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reaching the peak of River Realm will still take a while.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran quickly changed the subject: “By the way, while you were in seclusion, I’ve developed a method to control devotees.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Control?” Jiang Ruyi raised an eyebrow slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Life and death.” Lu Ran nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two simple words—enough to send chills down the spine!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come, let’s test it.” Lu Ran stepped forward and took her soft jade hand, then habitually squeezed her palm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi let him lead her forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a daze, she felt as if she had returned to her high school classroom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That day, he had first secretly taken her finger; seeing she didn’t resist, he boldly took her entire hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That moment, Jiang Ruyi would never forget.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nor would she forget the corridor he had pulled her through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ruyi?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm?” Jiang Ruyi snapped out of her memory, feeling as if she had crossed an entire lifetime.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was as if—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had held her hand, walking from the corridor outside the classroom, straight into Sacred Spirit Mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The once weak youths have now become revered great masters of the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They have become the sect master and the sect master’s lady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are you thinking about, so absorbed?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran arrived before a dwelling in the western part of the cliff and regarded the woman behind him with curiosity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi looked up at Lu Ran and smiled without speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So mysterious,” Lu Ran muttered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before they could enter the house, several people inside stepped out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lady,” the three of Feixian Hall bowed respectfully and greeted them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Gao Yunyan and Jiang Ruyi advanced in realm, everyone on the cliff was assigned duties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the trio of Feixian Hall were not involved in the cliff defense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was Deng Yu’s wish: Feixian Hall needed only to focus on worshipping the divine and praying all day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now that the mist has cleared, the Feixian Hall can resume construction.” Lu Ran spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes!” Song Yu responded immediately, “Then shall I—?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The term was accurate—Song Yu had clearly come to see himself as a devotee.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not yet. I’m testing a hypothesis. The subject may suffer some harm. Who will volunteer?” Lu Ran looked at the three.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I will!” Song Yu spoke without hesitation, the first to answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm.” Lu Ran nodded, linking his spirit with the jade amulet statue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could a god, at the level of a covenant, control a devotee’s life and death?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After careful consideration, Lu Ran devised a plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under his control, the false god—the jade amulet statue—poured forth a terrifying energy, surging along invisible covenant threads into Song Yu’s body!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran’s action was grounded in precedent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he first became a Xiang Xianyang devotee, the tyrannical ram had grown annoyed by his noise and directly unleashed energy to knock Lu Ran unconscious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, Lu Ran was imitating the Immortal Ram’s methods, step by step, becoming a new god!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>About how to be a god—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Immortal Ram,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>had already taught Lu Ran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ugh.” Song Yu groaned, his body trembling violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vast energy flooded his body, far exceeding safe limits—not nurturing his flesh, but ravaging it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was destroying him!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yu’s face flushed crimson, his blood boiling as if he might vomit at any moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body convulsed uncontrollably; the violent divine power tore through his meridians, as if seeking to shatter his flesh entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran abruptly stopped!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh…” Song Yu gasped for breath, sweat pouring down his face as he collapsed trembling to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zhenghu’s face turned rigid; An Xian’s body trembled involuntarily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had no idea what had just happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Song Yu, the mighty river realm cultivator, had offered no resistance before Lu Ran?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pop~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran summoned a Soul-Returning Carp, which swam toward the fallen Song Yu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It really worked!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran nodded inwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it consumed considerable divine power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the statue’s realm advanced, shouldn’t it become easier to destroy a devotee’s body?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Also, Song Yu was River Realm Stage Two—his body could hold far more divine power than a River Realm cultivator.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the test subject had been An Xian of River Realm, would Lu Ran have found it easier to take her life?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An Xian’s voice trembled as she blurted: “M-Master! I—I pray devoutly day and night, never slackening!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Be quiet,” Jiang Ruyi frowned slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An Xian fell silent at once, daring not to speak again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Lu Ran, lost in thought, had still been disturbed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He came back to himself, speaking gently: “I said, I’m merely testing a hypothesis. I’m not punishing any of you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran stepped forward, helped Song Yu up, and offered him another Soul-Returning Carp: “You’ve suffered.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yu was terrified, wanting to speak, but words stuck in his throat—he felt as if he had just walked through the gates of death!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even after Lu Ran withdrew his power, Song Yu’s body remained in chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His meridians felt as if they might burst!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recovery would require days of rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pop~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran offered another Soul-Returning Carp and transmitted Caged Fire into Song Yu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With such control over a devotee’s life, he could indeed gather vast numbers of followers and accept massive offerings!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, this served as a warning to Lu Ran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he could do this, why couldn’t other gods?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If one day they truly returned to the mortal world, they must find the Immortal Ram at once and have it sever the master-slave covenants for all of Ran Sect’s warriors!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps it should be done more cautiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran must return to the mortal world first!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After properly communicating with the Immortal Ram, he would send the soldiers back directly to the Immortal Ram’s divine statue!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2036,"2026-06-21T06:13:01.220Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","e3b21f9124705297bc89ae064cc4e0192736267e97fee1a7d84e0996e8bac9bb","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-964","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-962",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fat-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-cover.jpg"]