[{"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-990":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},2363118,4618,"Chapter 990: Why?","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-990",990,"\u003Cp>The Jingting Sect had clearly come prepared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Lu Xiao ordered his troops to form ranks, Jingting disciples stretched their line along the lake’s shore, as if intending to encircle Yanwu Lake with just two hundred men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the Bihe disciples activated their grand technique—Ten Thousand Zhang Clear Lotus—lotus flowers bloomed in succession, spreading across the western shore of Yanwu Lake, causing the Jingting disciples to scatter in panic!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with countless lotus leaves darting through the air and endless petals stabbing like needles, not a single corpse was left behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The so-called frontline vanished in an instant—not a single figure remained!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Jingting disciples shifted positions far too quickly!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ding! Ding! Ding!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After retreating to a relatively safe zone, the Jingting contingent immediately obeyed their Sect Lord’s command and swiftly cast their spells.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In but a moment, a series of sounds echoed from the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dozens of Jingting Divine Spears rapidly coalesced high above, stabbing violently toward the Sky-Roof Umbrella and the Connecting Leaves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dense purple currents surged wildly across the sky!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dim world was utterly illuminated by violet lightning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sss!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first Jingting Divine Spear appeared!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It found a weak point in the defense, piercing through a lush, emerald lotus leaf, revealing a terrifyingly massive spear tip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ziziz~!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the spear tip, fine purple currents erupted outward, an awe-inspiring spectacle!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its downward thrust had noticeably weakened, yet its speed remained formidable, angling toward Fuyao Island.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fuyao Island—a cluster of islands linked by mist tornadoes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The island where Xue Fengchen stood!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes, no matter how loudly the two sides cursed each other on the battlefield, the one who had ascended within the Thousand Boats Archipelago was the true root of their conflict.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master of Qinghedao!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In midair, He Yingcai cried out sharply, her slender hand reaching toward the heavens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was not announcing her name, but informing the other Bihe Island Masters that she would resolve this crisis, to prevent overlapping defensive resources.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sheets of green lotus leaves rapidly materialized, stacking atop one another as they soared upward, expanding at breakneck speed to a hundred meters in scale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bihe Divine Art: Connecting Leaves!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sss! Sss!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Jingting Divine Spear struck the lotus leaf again, spewing lightning everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spear tip pierced through two more leaves, then lost all downward momentum, fully engulfed by the remaining leaves and pushed skyward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That terrifying Jingting Divine Spear retreated back into the heavens, slipping through the gaps between the oil-paper umbrellas.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Yingcai bore the bearing of Nüwa herself!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her slender hand slowly pushed upward, and the sky-shielding lotus leaves flew to fill the defensive gap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had mended the “sky.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder she’s my divine general, Shencai!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran silently praised her in his heart, sending a mental message: 【Ruyi, Flowing Sand Talisman.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi stood beside He Yingcai, flicking her right hand forward—the moment the Yu Fu formation spread, two white jade plaques entwined with fine sand shot toward the northwest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Flowing Sand Talisman!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stop it! Intercept the jade plaques!” Some Jingting disciples fled hastily; others, mid-casting, could not afford interruption and shouted for help.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm?” The Lady Major, stationed northwest of Yanwu Lake, snapped her head up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That white-robed woman standing atop the lotus leaf—was she a Yu Fu devotee?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Soo~ Soo~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While the Lady Major watched, Lady Lu San had already acted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two short spears spun rapidly and shot forward to intercept the white jade plaques.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph.” Jiang Ruyi sneered, her jade finger pressing lightly downward—the jade plaques obeyed her will, plummeting sharply and easily evading the twin spears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Lu San’s eyes narrowed as she fixed her gaze on the white-robed woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Lady Major knew the Yu Fu Divine Art’s power and acted decisively, hurling her divine weapon—the Fangtian Huaji.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Soo!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady San’s short spears were mere ordinary weapons, capable only of straight-line thrusts; divine weapons, however, could autonomously track the jade plaques!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi’s expression remained blank; suddenly, her five fingers spread wide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two white jade plaques obeyed their master’s intent, instantly splitting apart and flying in opposite directions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How dare you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Lady Major roared, glaring furiously at Jiang Ruyi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sss—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran’s feet erupted with immortal mist, darting swiftly across the lake’s surface as he swung his weapon with a sudden motion!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Soo!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sharp tearing sound rang out as the Bahuang Dao shot skyward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The divine spear tried to intercept the jade plaques?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Bahuang Dao slashed in, striking the Lady Major’s Fangtian Huaji with brutal force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Third Sister!” the Lady Major barked, “Don’t let the Flowing Sand Talisman touch the ground!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Lu San was a decisive woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In her hand, she gripped another divine spear, assuming the stance of a javelin thrower, and hurled it violently into the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Soo!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another piercing sound echoed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Again—it was Lu Ran!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another divine weapon, the Jiyedao, shot from his waist, streaking toward the heavens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sharp crack rang out as the sword and spear flew apart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Lady Major: !!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Lu San’s gaze flickered toward the heroic, white-robed young man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He darted freely across the lake as if walking on solid ground, his wide white robe billowing wildly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Exceedingly graceful!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more she watched, the stronger her longing grew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These divine weapons might be cultivated by the young Sect Master himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or perhaps he seized them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn’t matter!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given Lu Ran’s past legendary victories, even if he possessed countless treasures, Lady Lu San found nothing surprising.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Lu San merely felt regret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such a young man, already holding such a high position, with several Sea Realm experts bowing to him—he must possess corresponding strength and methods!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Worse still, his potential!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How high could his future achievements reach?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If only he weren’t an enemy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If only she had met him sooner—to control him, transform him, or serve under him…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how, ascending with him to the peak of Shengling Mountain, trampling all creation beneath their feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What a magnificent life that would be!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the chaos of the battlefield, Lady Lu San’s thoughts churned wildly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only regret filled her heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Run!” Seeing the tide turn, the Jingting disciples reluctantly abandoned their spells and fled in panic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pam! Pam!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two white jade plaques finally struck the shore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, the vast Liusha River surged into existence, churning violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whips of sand erupted from the river, attempting to lash all living beings within the area skyward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Watch out! Help me! Ugh!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several enemy soldiers were struck!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the Flowing Sand Talisman touched the ground, the Liusha River had already begun to boil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Primarily because its flooded area was enormous!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jingting disciples who hadn’t escaped the river’s reach were either whipped into the air by sand whips or toppled and swallowed whole by the surging sands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Ran Sect had previously clashed with Lingfeng Hall and Hu Xu Hall, possessing rich combat experience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone knew that ordinary Sea Realm Jingting disciples needed to exert every ounce of strength—and even then, required a stroke of luck—to escape the Liusha River.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Jingting Mountain’s tactic was to unleash a barrage of hundreds of Jingting Divine Spears, ultimately shattering Fuyao Island and interrupting the cultivator’s ascension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For these Dongting disciples who cannot fly and must concentrate to unleash their ultimate techniques,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi was their absolute nemesis!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Ruyi, keep going! Leave them nowhere to land!】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Got it.】Jiang Ruyi circled the lake, continuously hurling Sandflow Talismans toward the shore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Dongting disciples fled in panic, their casting constantly interrupted, their survival space shrinking further with each passing moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Lady Dowager’s face turned ashen!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Bihe, Chenghua, and Jianlian sects used oil-paper umbrellas, lotus petals, and lotus leaves to jointly construct a relatively sturdy “sky defense net.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In earlier times, the Jingting Sect, with its superior mobility and devastating output, would have forced the Qianzhou Alliance into a desperate, defensive struggle!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over time, the sky defense net would inevitably develop fatal gaps and be shattered by countless Jingting Divine Spears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The island in the lake would meet a catastrophic collapse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet now, just one Yu Fu disciple had turned the tide into this chaos!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the strong protection of the Qianzhou Alliance’s three sects, Jiang Ruyi went berserk!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Dongting disciples, driven into disarray by Jiang Ruyi, could no longer focus to unleash their ultimate techniques.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pressure on the Qianzhou Alliance’s three sects dropped sharply, allowing them to reinforce their defense net further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more solid the defense net became, the better it protected Jiang Ruyi, letting her sustain her casting and continuously expand the Sandflow River’s reach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three words: closed loop!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey! Why don’t you just charge in?” Lu Ran mocked from afar, gazing at Lu Xiao in the northern sky. “You’re the only ones who can fly—yet you won’t even lead the charge?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Dongting Sect possessed no flight techniques.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To fly, one could only rely on divine weapons or magical artifacts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, the Lord’s Second and Fourth Ladies also possessed divine weapons, but this campaign had been launched in haste—Lu Xiao had gathered his troops in fury and marched immediately upon Qianzhou Island.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Second Lady was on an external mission; the Fourth Lady remained in the mountains, guarding the main base.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, only Lu Zongzhu, the Lady Dowager, and the Third Lady could fly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only they could pursue Jiang Ruyi and stop her reckless antics.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet these three\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>were each more cowardly than the last!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They hovered constantly on the opposite shore of the lake, showing not the slightest intention to enter the skies above Yunyu Lake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran continued taunting: “Lord Lu, I’ve even activated my Immortal Hooves! What, you still think I’m a follower of the Evil Dog?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Afraid I’ll teleport right away and steal your divine weapon, leaving you to die midair?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yu, accompanied by Gao Yun, arrived at the neighboring island, facing the enemy leadership directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her icy voice carried equal mockery:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You dare call yourself a sect lord? You dare claim to be at the peak of the Sea Realm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These words not only darkened Lu Xiao’s face but ignited fury in both ladies!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Lady Dowager, having suffered repeated setbacks, had shed all her former composure and screamed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wretched woman! I’ll tear out your tongue!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yu’s beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, about to speak—when Lu Xiao barked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Abandon the Jingting Divine Spears!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, continuing the assault would only waste the Dongting disciples’ divine energy, making it impossible to break through the Qianzhou Alliance’s defense net.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every second, the Dongting disciples risked being swallowed by the Sandflow River.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not worth it!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Everyone!” Lu Xiao pointed his spear at Fuyao Island and ordered, “Land! Kill!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A situation Lu Ran could brag about for the rest of his life had emerged!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His fiancée, wielding only Stage Four River Realm power, under the Qianzhou Alliance’s protection, shattered the Jingting Mountain’s offensive plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Forced them to change tactics.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes!” At the Lord’s command, the Jingting Mountain disciples felt as if granted divine pardon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They finally abandoned their obsession with finding safe zones and ranged attacks. Large numbers of Dongting disciples surged forward, circling the lake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the western side of Yunyu Lake was heavily guarded, and the northwest and north were churned by the Sandflow River,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>then we’ll land from the east and the south!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Distance had never been a problem for the Dongting disciples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Dongting Sect boasted a wealth of powerful close-combat techniques!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once they landed successfully, the followers of the Qianzhou Alliance would face a brutal massacre.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Qianzhou Alliance knew their weakness and summoned flowers from the lake, trying to block the enemy’s landing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fuck! I’ve had it with you!” A voice echoed from afar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Tiger-Face Chief!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the moment battle began, he had fixated his gaze on Lu Ran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His brother, the Tiger-Whisker Chief, had died by this youth’s hand!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially after seeing Lu Ran activate the Immortal Hooves, the Tiger-Face Chief nearly exploded with rage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the hell had the world come to?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When had even the weakest, most humble Xianyang followers begun to ride on others’ necks and lord it over them?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No need to think!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This pretty boy must have charmed several Sea Realm experts, using their power to boost his own prestige.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He even had several divine weapons!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How good was this pretty boy at sucking up?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Tiger-Face Chief wanted to crush Lu Ran underfoot right then and there!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But orders were ironclad—he had to obey the Lord’s command.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, at last, the Lord had changed strategy—he could finally land on the island!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Tiger-Face Chief charged into Yunyu Lake from the northeast, sprinting across its surface, his eyes fixed solely on Lu Ran’s island, ignoring all others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Lady Dowager also thrust her spear downward—not to tear out Deng Yu’s tongue, but straight at Lu Ran!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sand Drift.” Deng Yu whispered, drawing her broken blade from her back. Immortal mist surged beneath her feet as she raced toward Lu Ran’s island.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Puff!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the sand began to rise, a massive school of fish erupted from the lakebed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Tiger-Face Chief’s pupils shrank violently!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He forgot his charge toward Lu Ran, instinctively stomping his feet—but forgot he was standing on water, not land!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If his speed dropped, he’d plunge into the lake!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ahh! Aaaah!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A terrifying swarm of fish instantly swallowed the Tiger-Face Chief, hurling him skyward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone had been hiding beneath the lake all along!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Tiger-Face Chief had long endured Lu Ran—so had Fish Changsheng, lurking beneath the water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet all anyone heard was the Tiger-Face Chief’s screams.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a terrifying sandstorm had already erupted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Lady Dowager’s face changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Xihuang Sect truly was vile!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Lady Dowager’s mind raced—though her target was merely a River Realm Xianyang follower, she chose caution, commanding her divine weapon to carry her away from the battlefield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, Lu Ran was surrounded by multiple divine weapons—what if he had some terrifying divine weapon domain?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shhh~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that exact moment, a figure engulfed in flames appeared silently above the Lady Dowager’s back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Accompanying the figure was a massive hammer crashing down!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ruan Men’s “Blade” Technique, Third Form: Shuoxing!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Lady Dowager’s heart leapt into her throat, as if her chest would burst.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the face of death, the Sea Realm expert unleashed astonishing survival instinct—she spun violently, swinging her halberd with all her might.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she hadn’t even finished turning when the hammer struck her spine!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bang!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hammer’s impact was unnaturally shrill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the Jingting Armor she wore exploded violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Puh!” The Lady Dowager’s qi surged wildly; she spat a mist of blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sea-grade Waterflow Armor hadn’t fully shattered, but the hammer’s devastating force not only made her spit blood—it sent her flying like a cannonball toward the island below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was stunned and panicked!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Teleportation technique?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That little brat—he really is an Evil Dog follower?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But how could he possibly use the Xianyang Divine Art: Immortal Hooves?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the Senior Lady could react, a string of rapid-moving Night Phantom Blades slashed toward her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other practitioner of Immortal Hoof Technique, hidden within thick dust, did not reveal the Evil Hound Art—but instead unleashed the Night Phantom Heresy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>CRACK!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Water Armor shattered violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same moment, a jade bracelet on the Senior Lady’s outstretched arm, sensing danger, shot away at once, fleeing far into the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The judgment of this artifact bracelet was utterly precise!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For in the next instant, the Night Phantom Blades and the Flame Hammer shadows converged from opposite directions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One stabbed diagonally upward, the other slammed diagonally downward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blade and hammer met with thunderous force upon the Senior Lady’s body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ahh! Aaaah!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The piercing scream cut off abruptly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The renowned Lord of Thunderclap Mountain—the Senior Lady—a vast ocean of cultivation—fell into eternal ruin from a single misstep!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t even worth calling a “mistake.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had merely been swallowed by the dust, and at once sought to flee—yet—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No chance remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The truth proved: Lu Ran’s hammer was fiercer!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Night Phantom Blades pierced the Senior Lady’s heart; the hammer and the explosion’s shockwave blasted her remains toward the island.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A soft *plop*.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yu opened her palm and seized the Senior Lady’s skull in one firm grip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Senior Lady’s waist had been shattered; only the upper half of her mangled body remained, her back reduced to pulped flesh, the back of her skull a bloody mess.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only her face remained barely intact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>CRACK!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yu’s eyes were icy; her slender fingers covered the Senior Lady’s face and crushed the skull in her hand with brute force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tear my mouth apart?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*Whoosh~*\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran’s figure flashed instantly; he snatched the Flying Heaven Halberd as it flew away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*Whirr!* The Flying Heaven Halberd trembled violently, trying to escape his grip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you don’t want to shatter, behave!” Lu Ran poured the Power of the Fiery Heaven into his hand and squeezed the halberd shaft with brutal force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next moment, he flashed with the divine weapon to the side of General Yan: “Take it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes!” Gao Yun responded in a low tone, gripping the Flying Heaven Halberd firmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was a Great One of the Sea Realm and possessed the Divine Art: Power of the Western Wastes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could a mere first-rank divine weapon escape General Yan’s control?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran’s figure flashed again; his two fingers pierced precisely into the jade bracelet’s ring and firmly hooked the artifact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*Whirr~* Compared to the Flying Heaven Halberd just now, this jade bracelet showed far more sense—it struggled weakly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran casually slipped the bracelet onto his wrist, his expression dark, his voice icy:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you don’t want to shatter, behave!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The artifact—Bingxin Bracelet—was more than obedient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This crystal-clear jade bracelet offered submissive cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It emitted faint, chilling energy, continuously cooling and relieving pressure on Lu Ran, attempting to calm him, while also using its miraculous power to aid him in constructing a mental defense system.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Lu Ran—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His heart burned with murderous intent, frantically searching for every enemy within the dust zone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could he possibly calm down?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Five thousand one hundred characters—this chapter is longer. One update today; I’m heading home for the New Year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Happy New Year to everyone!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",3046,"2026-06-21T06:13:01.220Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","87fcbfb23be74bd1cd4c4fa253e3bfeccedcf8bb11a2478dfce87a0c008b64c7","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-991","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-989",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fat-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-cover.jpg"]