[{"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-985":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},2363113,4618,"Chapter 985: Three Flowers, Red Lotus, and a Few Lotus Blossoms","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-985",985,"\u003Cp>Tianya Island, the Council Hall, was shrouded in gloom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two island masters of Tianya and Mingyue sat deep within the hall, facing the assembly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along the east and west sides of the hall stood two rows of seats, where the major island masters of the Sea Realm sat uneasily, whispering among themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had been several minutes since Lu Men’s Xue Fengchen began his breakthrough; half of the Misty Rain Lake was now veiled in white mist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tianya Island, standing at the lake’s center, was also wreathed in faint fog.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Island Master Tianya!” A middle-aged woman with her hair high-piled frowned, “Such intense divine power—Lu Men is breaking through a major realm!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this continues, they’ll misunderstand us. The Jingting Mountain bastards might launch an early attack on our Qianzhou Alliance!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Second Flower Island Master speaks truth,” another middle-aged woman rose from her seat. “We’re not ready for war.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two speaking women were both island masters of the Zhenhua Faction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The names of the Seven Zhenhua Islands are easy to remember—they’re simply numbered from First Flower to Seventh Flower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These two island masters carried noble bearing and graceful poise; their sorrowful faces were especially pitiable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Indeed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Must we really fight now?” Murmurs rose from below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Island Master Tianya fell silent for a moment, looking at the two women: “Second Flower Island Master and Fifth Flower Island Master—what do you propose?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second Flower Island Master opened her mouth, then bit it back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fifth Flower Island Master spoke: “Lu Men is powerful—they can break through anywhere. Here, they might be disturbed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they leave, they’ll break through smoothly, and won’t drag disaster onto our Qianzhou Alliance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph.” A cold laugh echoed suddenly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fifth Flower Island Master frowned, turning: “Red Lotus Island Master—what’s your opinion?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike the Zhenhua Faction, the Jianlian Seven Islands are named by color.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Red Lotus Island Master was Pei Hong, clad in a crimson robe—the very island master once saved by Lu Men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glared coldly at the noble, untouchable middle-aged woman, speaking bluntly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fifth Flower Island Master, what a clever scheme you’ve devised!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you mean by that?” Fifth Flower Island Master’s expression darkened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Island Master returned her glare: “Lord Lu gave us aid without asking for return—he stood by us when Lu Men guarded our shores. You said nothing then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that one of them is breaking through and needs protection, you leap up to drive them away?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How dare you!” Fifth Flower Island Master’s slender brows shot up. “Don’t slander me—I never meant that!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moving Lu Men elsewhere benefits them more!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They can break through cleanly—no need to suffer Jingting Mountain’s harassment!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You—” Pei Island Master pointed at Fifth Flower Island Master, but a woman beside him quickly restrained him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Red Lotus, say less,” the woman pressed down on his arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Island Master stared, incredulous, at his own faction’s Blue Lotus Island Master: “You… you agree with this too?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blue Lotus Island Master’s eyes flickered; she smiled to defuse tension: “The situation is urgent—our Qianzhou Alliance could be invaded at any moment. Let’s speak calmly, no quarrels.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Island Master: ???\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Listen to the words. Listen to the tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taken alone, the woman’s words held no fault.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at this moment, stopping Pei Island Master—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone understood her meaning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re unreasonable!” Pei Island Master flung his sleeve, shaking off her hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hall fell into brief silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fifth Flower Island Master spoke again, her words sharper now: “Our strength is limited—we must remain at full strength to protect Lord Yun Qianzhou!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If we suffer losses here, what will we do when Lord Yun ascends to the Heavenly Realm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Indeed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s logical.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Though unpleasant, letting Lu Men break through elsewhere benefits both sides.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the main seat, Tianya and Mingyue listened in silence, exchanging a glance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Tianluan Faction are mostly kind-hearted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tianya and Mingyue had followed Lord Yun Qianzhou for years; chosen as his right and left arms, their natures naturally aligned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deep down, they did not wish to drive Lu Men away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stick your head out, it’s a sword. Pull it back, it’s still a sword~” A young woman’s voice rang out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her tone was crisp; the hall fell quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All turned to see a beautiful woman, twenty-six or twenty-seven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wore a pale yellow long dress, her hair coiled in an ancient flying-heaven bun—like a figure stepped from an ancient painting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among this assembly of middle-aged and elderly island masters, a woman under thirty stood out as remarkably young.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fifth Flower Island Master frowned: “Third Flower Sister—what do you mean by that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Jianlian Faction had already produced a traitor in Blue Lotus Island Master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now the Zhenhua Faction had one too?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Third Flower Island Master had peach-blossom eyes; she gazed lightly at Fifth Flower Island Master and smiled: “Jingting Mountain will come eventually, won’t they?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What difference does it make—fighting now or later?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fifth Flower Island Master frowned: “More time means better preparation! And—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She paused, hesitated, then continued: “And Lu Men can keep weakening Jingting Mountain’s strength!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This great battle should be delayed as long as possible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Third Flower Island Master smiled, her peach-blossom eyes twinkling mischievously:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You know Lu Men has weakened Jingting Mountain’s strength too?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing her tone, Fifth Flower Island Master’s face darkened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Third Flower Island Master elegantly crossed her legs; her embroidered cloth shoes lightly brushed the hem of her pale yellow dress:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lu Men destroyed Lingfeng Hall, then Huxu Hall—great service rendered.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lord Lu, guided by righteousness, even brought the great masters of Wu Jifeng to jointly guard our islands and unite against the enemy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To drive Lu Men away now? That’s heartless.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh.” A hoarse laugh echoed; all turned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There stood the withered, elderly Lotus Island Master, leaning on her cane, her cloudy eyes sweeping the assembly: “Don’t imagine Lord Lu as too gentle.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don’t take Lord Lu Tianjiao’s full-hearted aid as your due.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He destroyed Lingfeng Hall. He destroyed Huxu Hall.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could destroy our Qianzhou Alliance island by island.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her hoarse words fell—and the hall fell deathly silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among a hundred people, a hundred different natures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not everyone understands gratitude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those who take advantage are everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To the Qianzhou Alliance, Lu Ran seemed almost “saintly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He seemed to want nothing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing of Qianzhou Alliance’s plight, he immediately offered full support!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He contacted Wu Jifeng, and for our safety, led the Lu Men warriors into repeated life-and-death battles against Jingting Mountain’s forces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this cruel Shengling Mountain, such a person—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone could only assume Lu Ran was a “Great Summer Tianjiao,” driven by fierce duty and responsibility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or perhaps they thought he sought to curry favor with Lord Yun, willing to anger Jingting Mountain?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, withered Lotus Island Master’s words reminded them: Lu Ran is an ally—but also an extremely dangerous one!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He is young, approachable—but is Lord Lu truly easy to handle?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Do you think it’s possible?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Would you dare try?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Summon him at will, dismiss him at will?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you do, think carefully—what will the consequences be?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cough.” The leader of the Bihe Seven Islands, Grey Lotus Island Master, rose: “Lu Men gaining another Sea Realm great one benefits us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The warrior has already begun his breakthrough, entering the body-nourishing phase. Changing location now risks failure.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No island master here wants to lose an ally—or face Lu Men’s wrath.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her words rang clear—and the hall remained silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes,” said Lotus Island Master beside her, her eyes soft as water as she gazed at the two leaders: “If Lord Yun were here, he would never allow us to drive away our benefactor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Right!” Gold Lotus Island Master and Rain Lotus Island Master chimed in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to Jianlian and Zhenhua, the Bihe Faction was clearly more united.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good.” Island Master Tianya finally spoke: “Follow our original defense plan. All islands coordinate. Protect Lu Men with the same level of security we reserve for Lord Yun.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lord of Tianya Island.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This matter is settled—no more talk!\" Lord of Tianya Island waved his hand forcefully, \"Jingting Mountain will inevitably fight us—abandon all illusions.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This battle concerns life and death—perhaps, this is the one.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmph.\" The Lord of Wuhua Island snorted inwardly and sat back down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hehe~\" A delicate laugh echoed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Lord of Wuhua Island flew into a rage—she was a Great Expert of the Sea Realm, and to have her face undermined was already infuriating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who dared mock her?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She turned her head—and there was that little fox spirit!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She dressed up extravagantly every day, constantly changing her hairstyle and hairpins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially those peach-blossom eyes—how many men’s souls had they stolen!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Lord of Sanhua Island blinked playfully at the middle-aged woman, whose face had turned red, and laughed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sister Wuhua, you’d better get along well with everyone~\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Lord of Wuhua Island’s face darkened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Lord of Sanhua Island covered her mouth and giggled: \"If what Sister proposed today reaches Lord Lu’s ears—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Lord of Wuhua Island’s expression froze instantly!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>True, she was a Great Expert of the Sea Realm, a being who could decide the fate of all others; most on Qianzhou Island had to kneel before her words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But since Lu Ran came to the Qianzhou Alliance, how many Sea Realm Great Experts had he killed?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And all of them were disciples of the Second-Rank Divine—Dongting Sect!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Divine One Chenhua was a Third-Rank Divine, and even more so of a defensive and supportive lineage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Send for Master He and Lord Lu to come to the island for a meeting,\" Lord of Tianya Island ignored them and swiftly issued orders, \"Each sect leaves one representative; everyone else return to your islands immediately and go on full alert!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1618,"2026-06-21T06:13:01.220Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","4a8ea50a4afe432565ba7a2c8b3002b3fca246e51799782f8500ad9d822a136e","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-986","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-984",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fat-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-cover.jpg"]