[{"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-979":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},2363107,4618,"Chapter 979: Grand Banquet","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-979",979,"\u003Cp>“What’s this, junior?” He Yingcai looked at Lu Ran in confusion. “Why bring this up suddenly?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just curious~” Lu Ran grinned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Yingcai made no reply, silently guiding the lotus leaf beneath her feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran spoke again: “Life on Sacred Spirit Mountain is so hard—if only we could find someone to warm each other’s hearts and walk side by side, wouldn’t that be wonderful~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, Lu Ran wrapped his arm around Jiang Xianzi’s slender waist again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi gave him a light, disapproving glance—but ultimately couldn’t resist him, and let him have his way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Yingcai found it amusing, watching her junior shove dog food right into her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder everyone calls you “Lu Dog!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who are you trying to provoke, hmm?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Yingcai suddenly realized her private thoughts had been spotted by her junior!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, Lu Ran wouldn’t have suddenly brought up matters of romance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, a faint blush crept across her charming face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Bad boy, what are you up to?】Jiang Ruyi’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Lu Ran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【I feel Sister He has a soft spot for Master Conglong.】Lu Ran smiled, whispering mentally, 【I’m just nudging her a little, encouraging her!】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi raised an eyebrow slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The usually cold and aloof Jiang Xianzi now seemed like a mischievous little girl, stealing glances at the two of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They really do suit each other, don’t they?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi’s eyes held amusement as she turned back to Lu Ran: 【Are you planning to marry into the Thousand Boats Alliance?】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【What kind of talk is that!】Lu Ran protested mentally, 【Why can’t it be about luring the Qinghe Island Master over to our Ruan Sect?】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hehe~” Jiang Ruyi couldn’t help laughing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the quiet, emerald lotus leaf, Jiang Xianzi’s laughter was pleasant—but also oddly out of place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Changsheng gazed at Lu Ran with a distant, thoughtful look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Yingcai knew nothing; she only thought the junior and junior sister had perfect chemistry, communicating with nothing but glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Yu Changsheng knew—the Sect Master and Sect Mistress were surely exchanging private thoughts right now!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Joining Lu Ran’s sect really has its perks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You can bind yourself to divine statues and gain the qualification to become a god.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You can even whisper to each other, communicate secretly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Look at it from another angle—it’s practically a divine technique!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sigh…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Changsheng sighed inwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hope the Ruan Sect can soon find a way back to the mortal world, so the Sect Master can ask Master Xiangyang to sever the master-servant contracts between everyone in the sect and their respective deities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Changsheng had once considered tearing up his own contract, living the rest of his life without restraint, devoted solely to Lu Ran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his rank is too high!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’s reached Sea Realm·Stage Four.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he forcibly tore the contract, the backlash wouldn’t be “minor” like it would be for someone in River Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Yu Changsheng himself is striving toward Sea Realm·Stage Five.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew his talent and potential hadn’t been exhausted—he could still climb higher.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once he fell from the peak, he might never climb back up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze must remain long-term.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he chose to follow Lu Ran, he had to aim for the “late stage”—no missteps allowed on the climb.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group drifted across Misty Rain Lake, each lost in their own thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two women remained silent; Lu Ran schemed to recruit someone, while Yu Changsheng pondered the late stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, they arrived at the central island of Misty Rain Lake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only upon landing did Lu Ran realize it wasn’t the Seven Lotus Islands hosting them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Thousand Boats Alliance had shown great respect to Wu Jifeng and the Ruan Sect!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides the Seven Lotus Islands’ master who escorted them, the island already had the Twin Masters of Heaven Phoenix, the Seven Masters of Supporting Flowers, and the Seven Masters of Sword Lotus waiting for them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran was utterly dazzled!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d just finished memorizing the Seven Lotus Islands’ masters, and now here came even more island masters!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And every single one of them was in Sea Realm!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran had never seen so many Sea Realm experts gathered in one place in his life!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It made him start having small ideas.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I had a group like this under me, could the Jingting Mountain people still bully me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ever since seeing this gathering of Sea Realm island masters, Lu Ran and Jiang Ruyi’s hard times had begun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group showed no hostility—in fact, the island masters were quite warm and enthusiastic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in this world, the hierarchy was brutally strict!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if a powerful person did nothing but stand still, they would exert immense pressure on the weak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before River Realm, everything was manageable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fog Realm and Stream Realm novices felt nothing when facing River Realm experts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But once you took the first step toward godhood, becoming a vast river—all hell broke loose!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran was miserable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm… just bear with it a little longer!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next month!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next month I’ll advance to River Realm·Stage Five, then directly charge into Sea Realm!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran fumed inwardly, following the island masters’ invitations toward the island’s center.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This small island in the lake’s heart wasn’t occupied by any of the four sects; its dozens of permanent believers came from various minor divine sects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the lush forests on the island stood a large building.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the grand hall, straw mats covered the ground, and low tables were neatly arranged—everyone would sit on the floor like ancient people and feast together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This banquet opened Lu Ran’s eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The food included not only smoked cured meat, but also fermented fruit wine?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, though Sacred Spirit Mountain was harsh, the Thousand Boats Alliance had truly gone all out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Wu Jifeng·Meat-and-Wine True Man surprised everyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This fat monk tasted just one bite of the cured meat and identified it as meat from the demonic Mud Mountain Boar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran was utterly stunned!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm… impressive. He truly lived up to his title.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every ounce of flesh on him was earned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During the feast, Lu Ran saw members of the Immortal Music Troupe again: besides the Jade Flute believer playing the flute, there was also the Yaoqin believer playing the ancient zither.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even female dancers were present!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran’s mind replayed that same phrase again:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the hell am I doing here?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Am I still on Sacred Spirit Mountain?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ding~ ding~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After three rounds of wine, all unnecessary personnel withdrew. A man in white robes seated on the northern side of the banquet hall gently tapped his cup.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room fell silent instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The white-robed man scanned the crowd: “Jingting Mountain harbors treacherous ambitions and has long coveted the Thousand Boats Alliance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as he spoke, the previously harmonious atmosphere turned icy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This white-robed man was no ordinary figure—he was the Island Master of Tianya, of the Heaven Phoenix faction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within the Thousand Boats Alliance, the Heaven Phoenix faction had only fifty-odd disciples and controlled just three islands in the center of Misty Rain Lake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three islands were named Qianzhou, Tianya, and Mingyue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Tianya Island Master was a refined middle-aged man; the Mingyue Island Master was a serene and graceful middle-aged woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During the Alliance Master’s seclusion, these two temporarily held authority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both wore white robes, gentle and courteous, with dignified bearing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran took one look and knew they were both excellent physicians.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Tianya Island Master continued: “While our Alliance Master is in seclusion, Jingting Mountain has grown restless, repeatedly harassing us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not long ago, they even launched a major battle against us, inflicting heavy losses.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere in the banquet hall grew heavier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that battle, the Thousand Boats Alliance lost two full Sea Realm experts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>River Realm disciples suffered devastating casualties, leaving the Alliance severely weakened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In terms of casualty ratios, Jingting Mountain had ample reason to continue its aggression against the Thousand Boats Alliance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And they’ve done exactly that—over the past ten days, Jingting disciples have reappeared near Misty Rain Lake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All island masters have stopped venturing out to collect Sacred Spirit energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Lord of Tianya Island said gravely: “If this continues, Jingting Mountain will gradually devour the Qianzhou Alliance, and eventually disturb Lord Yun’s cultivation, causing him to fail at the critical moment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Lord of Tianya Island lifted his wine cup and raised it in salute to the members of Dafeng Hall and Ran Men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At this critical juncture, the Qianzhou Alliance has received your steadfast support—we are deeply grateful!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The island lords all echoed him, raising their cups.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran felt a bitter pang inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wine in his cup was likely brewed from some kind of fruit—bitter and sour.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to it, the purely bitter Yanyu tea was actually more drinkable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet since the great one of the Sea Realm had toasted him in thanks, Lu Ran could not refuse face, so he took a sip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After draining his cup, the Lord of Tianya Island turned again to the two young prodigies of Dayan: “Lord He, Lord Lu—for the Qianzhou Alliance, Lord Yun’s advancement is the most important matter!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, ascending to the Heaven Realm is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; one misstep, and one may never advance again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On behalf of the Qianzhou Alliance, I humbly beg the two of you to remain on the island for a while longer—the Qianzhou Alliance will surely repay you handsomely!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh.” He Qi smiled. “As long as there’s plenty of wine and meat.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, the True Man of Wine and Meat squinted his eyes into slits and nodded vigorously: “Exactly! Exactly!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Lord of Tianya Island also nodded with a smile: “Of course!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he turned to Lu Ran and noticed Yu Changsheng seated beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Lord of Tianya Island bowed slightly in apology: “Lord Lu, a few days ago, Master Long discussed matters at length with us, but in the end, we chose to hold our ground in the Qianzhou Archipelago.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is our home turf; the Dongting faction suffers great disadvantage fighting on the lake’s surface.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Lord of Tianya Island paused, then added with shame: “Moreover, Jingting Mountain is brimming with experts, and we have little knowledge of their inner workings.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran suddenly spoke: “Nineteen Sea Realm experts—roughly nine to eleven mid- and low-tier, the rest high-tier.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There are three confirmed Sea Realm peak cultivators.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They are Master Lu, the Third Lady of the Master, and a Wang elder.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, the room fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The island lords stared at the young Lord Lu in astonishment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Lu Ran was staring into the deep purple wine, grimacing from its bitterness: “There are 184 River Realm cultivators total—half mid- and low-tier, half high-tier peak.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There are nearly four hundred slaves; the Red Turbans are doing well—they’re not pure slaves, about fifty or so.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The banquet hall was utterly silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone listened as Lu Ran laid out these priceless intelligence details.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one could imagine how Lu Ran had obtained this information!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the Qianzhou Alliance was the one truly fighting Jingting Mountain, facing existential crisis!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Qianzhou Alliance and Jingting had fought countless battles over this long period—and still knew nothing of Jingting’s true strength!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Lu Ran had only just arrived—yet already knew everything?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Qi’s eyes gleamed as he looked at Lu Ran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Lu Ran was staring at his cup, looking inwardly miserable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Qi was both annoyed and amused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn it!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You’ve pulled it off again!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lord Lu,” said the Lord of Mingyue Island, his expression complex as he looked at Lu Ran, “please don’t take offense—but how did you acquire this intelligence? Are you certain it’s accurate?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, right!” Lu Ran seemed to remember something. “It’s not quite accurate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, right!\" Lu Ran seemed to remember something, \"not quite accurate.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?” Everyone stared curiously at Lu Ran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran set down his cup: “It should be eighteen Sea Realm, one hundred seventy-four River Realm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A few days ago, while on a mission, I happened upon the Lingfeng Hall of Jingting Mountain hunting the Jianlian Sect.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the southeast side of the banquet hall, Lord Pei raised his cup and toasted Lu Ran from afar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ever since Lord Pei’s force returned to the island, news of his rescue by Ran Men had spread throughout the Qianzhou Alliance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just moments ago, Lord Pei had crossed the banquet hall personally to pour Lu Ran wine and toast him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran scanned the room and nodded: “That Sea Realm hall master—Fang Lingfeng—and her ten River Realm subordinates—I killed them for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once again, the banquet hall fell into deathly silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sea Realm great ones were always reserved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one gasped or murmured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sea realm experts are all very reserved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this silence, there was more sound than any noise!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi knelt beside Lu Ran, her slender hand lifting the wine jug to refill his cup.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran stared at the deep purple fruit wine and winced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi knelt beside Lu Ran, her slender fingers picking up the wine flask and pouring him more wine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Ruyi, which side are you on?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was just pulling out a plastic bag—and now you’re making them toast me?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was just pulling out a plastic bag—how’s this not someone offering me a drink?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2225,"2026-06-21T06:13:01.220Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","761d12cc926f3be46907dae32088072b75f90f40bc8147dab92d5c97d9ac829b","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-980","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-978",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fat-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-cover.jpg"]