[{"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-978":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},2363106,4618,"Chapter 978: Changing Skies","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-978",978,"\u003Cp>October 18, a fine drizzle fell continuously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beneath a hazy sky, a group led by the Master of Grey Lotus Island stood on the western shore of Mist Rain Lake, waiting for the returning guests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This welcoming party numbered nearly twenty, nearly half of whom were powerful Sea Realm adepts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was hard to imagine such a group of world-shattering strongholds standing silently in the rain, waiting for someone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tap, tap.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raindrops struck the emerald lotus leaves, producing a delicate, pleasing sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Yingcai stood beside Yu Changsheng, her jade hand slightly raised, manipulating a large lotus leaf to shield them both from the rain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man was elegant and handsome; the woman, graceful and refined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They looked perfectly matched, like a pair of celestial lovers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, the man was clueless—he kept staring down at his knife?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Swoosh~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Black Ice Blade suddenly slipped from Yu Changsheng’s hand and stabbed toward the dense forest ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flicker of delight passed through He Yingcai’s eyes as she whispered, “Lu Ran has arrived.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, he’s here,” Yu Changsheng smiled, lifting his head slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the gloomy western sky, several jet-black crows flew toward them—technically, they were conveying a message.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, disciples of the Witch Crow Sect could conceal their forms!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had the arrival been hostile, none of them would have seen these skilled scouts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Caw… caw…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the drizzle, the black crows circled briefly, then turned back into the forest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a while, a group emerged from the forest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Any observant eye could tell this was a merger of two teams.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One group wore earth-brown Wu Seng robes, crisp and brisk, radiating martial vigor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other wore conical hats and straw capes, like mysterious wandering swordsmen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The leaders of both teams not only dressed differently—they seemed to exist on an entirely different plane from the rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaving Lu Jiang aside for now, focus on the woman walking beside them:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was radiant and commanding, draped in a golden-brown long robe—clearly a person of great status!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I suppose this must be Chief He,” the Master of Grey Lotus Island murmured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind him, He Yingcai gazed in admiration and softly confirmed: “Yes, He Qifeng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She is the Second Prodigy of Great Xia, second only to one.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other island masters watched silently, their hearts stirred with quiet ripples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second only to one?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was hard to imagine what kind of celestial being could possibly overshadow someone like He Qifeng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You mean the First Prodigy of Great Xia stands right beside her—that Lu Menzhu?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Somehow, it didn’t feel like Lu Menzhu could overshadow her at all?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Great Xia had only four First-Class Divine Disciples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were Jian Yi, Qiang Xiu, Wu Seng, and Wu Sheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the folk rhyme goes: “One Immortal, One Saint, Two Martial Heroes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Disciples of these four sects stood at the very pinnacle of the divine-mortal world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, He Qifeng had done nothing—but her overwhelming aura, her silent majesty, already made the Blue Lotus disciples feel diminished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a First-Class Divine Disciple stationed in the Thousand Boats Alliance, why fear the Dongting disciples?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shengling Mountain is truly about to change.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The speaker was an elderly woman, slightly hunched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She leaned on a cane, her hair white, her voice hoarse and gravelly, grating on the ears and bones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Changsheng had stayed in the Thousand Boats Alliance for over ten days—he knew well that this woman was one of the Seven Masters of Blue Lotus Island: the Withered Lotus Master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her name suited her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The aged woman resembled a lotus slowly withering away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was deeply sorrowful to behold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Golden Lotus Master was a tall, dignified middle-aged man who spoke gravely:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After so many years, it’s time for change.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Wind Lotus Master was a gracefully alluring woman, her name fitting her perfectly—like a beautiful lotus swaying in the wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alluring without vulgarity, magnificent without being garish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She gazed at the two Great Xia prodigies approaching, her voice soft: “Great Xia has finally reached into our Shengling Mountain.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As her words faded, the welcoming party fell into silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With each prodigy entering the mountain, this group—capable, ambitious, yet bound by Great Xia’s halo—would likely cleanse the corruption and restore clarity to the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The truth lay before them:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The First Prodigy traveled far and wide, rescuing the suffering and punishing evil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He happened upon Mist Rain Lake, heard of the Thousand Boats Alliance’s crisis, and immediately stepped in without hesitation!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Second Prodigy had already built a Purple Forbidden City, welcoming refugees, even dragging the Wu Jifeng Sect into reform and strict self-discipline.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her ambition had already been declared to the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the past, if someone had reported this to the Blue Lotus Sect, each Sea Realm island master would have slapped them!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What nonsense are you spouting?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, the two Great Xia prodigies stood right before them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Pang Yuan of Grey Lotus Island, on behalf of the Seven Isles of Blue Lotus, welcomes you all,” the Master of Grey Lotus Island bowed and said loudly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Elder, greetings,” He Qifeng replied courteously, returning the bow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This small gesture eased the tension among many Blue Lotus disciples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the Second-Class Divine Disciples of Dongting treated them like dirt—why expect better from First-Class Divine Disciples?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In many hearts, He Qifeng treating them with condescension was normal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, Chief He treated them with courtesy—truly a calming balm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After exchanging pleasantries and introductions:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Withered Lotus, Cold Lotus, Grey Lotus, Golden Lotus, Blue Lotus, Wind Lotus, Rain Lotus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran saw the other island masters for the first time, but each Sea Realm master had such distinct presence—easy to remember.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Take the Wind Lotus Master, for example.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Good heavens~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This auntie had such exquisite charm!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>White Snake Lady?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though her face differed, her aura was remarkably similar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Blue Lotus Sect truly produced beauties!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran thought this Wind Lotus Master would be better suited to join his own sect, spending her days cultivating the Jade-Faced Snake Clan’s dark arts!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm?” Lu Ran felt something and turned his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi wore a half-smile, gazing at him lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran felt a flush of embarrassment, wrapped his arm around Jiang Xianzi’s slender waist, and whispered: 【For some reason, seeing the Wind Lotus Master made me think of the Jade-Faced Snake Clan.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Let go.】 Jiang Ruyi lowered her head slightly—she had no interest in listening to his excuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So many people are watching!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And they’re all Sea Realm adepts—uncles, aunts, grandfathers, grandmothers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You really have no shame at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Master of Grey Lotus Island smiled warmly, glanced at the young couple, then turned to He Qifeng:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Chief He, our sect has prepared a banquet. Please join us on the island, let us fulfill our duty as hosts.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good, good, good!” The Wine and Meat Immortal perked up instantly, his chubby face beaming, “Let’s go, let’s go!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Qifeng chuckled softly and nodded to the Master of Grey Lotus Island: “Elder, after you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After you!” The Master of Grey Lotus Island immediately summoned a lush green lotus leaf, which landed softly on the lake behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the drizzle, mist curled over the water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran and Jiang Ruyi boarded He Yingcai’s lotus leaf, joining Yu Changsheng as they drifted across the lake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Distant, rolling mountains faded in and out of the misty rain, like a faint ink-wash painting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Great Xia’s mortal realm, Lu Ran had never truly experienced “misty southern rain.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet here, in this corrupt Shengling Mountain, he saw such beauty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jingting Mountain is truly wicked,” Lu Ran remarked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To reach out and defile this paradise?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Changsheng turned to Lu Ran and whispered: “In recent days, I’ve met with all the sects and island masters, and attended one Thousand Boats Alliance meeting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran nodded slightly, waiting for more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Changsheng sighed: “I thought that since war was inevitable, we should seize the initiative and strike first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he shook his head: “The various sects of the Thousand Boats Alliance still prefer defense.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Partly because of terrain advantages, partly because they want to protect the Alliance Master and wait for Lord Yun to emerge from seclusion.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran remained silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Thousand Boats Alliance’s decision stemmed largely from their strength, but also from the temperaments of their disciples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Four Great Sects—Heavenly Phoenix, Azure Lotus, Umbrella Lotus, and Sword Lotus—are not aggressive by nature.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their divine arts reveal this clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s not that they lack offensive techniques, but their core focus remains healing, support, control, and defense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master need not regret it,” Lu Ran considered, then spoke to reassure him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Changsheng: “Oh? Does the Sect Master believe he can persuade them to change their stance?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran shook his head firmly: “Not at all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Changsheng: “...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: “Da Feng Hall came to form an alliance. During their time in the Thousand Boats Alliance, they will help defend against external enemies—but they will never strike first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Changsheng was speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So this was what he meant by “not regretting”?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran continued: “As He Qi says, a man without trust cannot stand; an enterprise without trust cannot succeed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Jifeng, including the Purple Forbidden City under Da Feng Hall’s rule, has established rules and codes of conduct that must be strictly followed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Changsheng nodded slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From a long-term perspective, Wu Jifeng’s reputation must be firmly upheld.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m sorry, junior,” He Yingcai said, her face filled with regret as she silently guided the lotus leaf forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was the one who had invited him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran had given his all, incurred a tremendous favor, and even dragged here a group of top-tier Divine Realm disciples!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the masters of the various islands within the Thousand Boats Alliance only wished to exploit terrain and cling stubbornly to their corners.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone also dreamed that one day, their Alliance Master would ascend to the Heavenly Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then all problems would be solved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Logically, one who ascends to the Heavenly Realm should “ascend,” leaving this sea of suffering behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Alliance Master Yun Qianzhou is kind and benevolent!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many had their own private calculations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They believed that if they gathered together, pleaded desperately, and relied on years of bonds and tears, they could move their Master to pity and keep Yun Qianzhou lingering in this world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s fine,” Lu Ran said casually. “It’s just that the Thousand Boats Alliance, Wu Jifeng, and Ran Sect hold different principles.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Yingcai nodded slightly, her gaze sweeping across Yu Changsheng’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How perceptive was Lu Ran?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From their very first meeting, he had noticed He Yingcai’s subtle, intermittent attention toward Yu Changsheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That glance just now wasn’t ordinary observation—she seemed particularly concerned with Yu Changsheng’s reaction?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Great Island Master of the Sea Realm, especially a disciple of Azure Lotus, would care deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran raised an eyebrow, gazing at the graceful woman on the green lotus leaf, then suddenly asked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Senior, do you have a boyfriend?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Yingcai: “...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1832,"2026-06-21T06:13:01.220Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","79580bb416c1d64254383df664726172cf8699f7c032b197702b1581d8840a33","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-979","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-977",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fat-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-cover.jpg"]