Summit of the Old Gods

Da Xia, Western Region · At the foot of Helan Mountain.

Within Ningyin City, constructed by humans, stands an ancient divine city — Xiao Yue City.

The ancient city venerates a beast deity, and the incense has always been abundant, with an endless stream of pilgrims and tourists coming to admire the deity's presence.

This was the situation before.

Since last month, things have changed.

Now in the late October, only shortly after the city's lockdown was lifted, the inside and outside of the ancient city are already overcrowded, with an astonishing number of visitors.

Outside the city, there are long queues of people wanting to enter, likely needing to line up for days and nights.

At this moment, above the city gate of the inner city, a slightly plump young man dressed in tidy and spirited black clothes is looking down at the bustling scenes on the streets and alleys of the outer city.

If Lu Ran were here, he would definitely recognize this high school classmate — Gao Zhonglin!

In the small Rain Alley First Middle School, within the 2016 student cohort, there were two "cubs" who were quite famous.

Unknown on the rankings before paying respects to the gods, they suddenly emerged as forces to be reckoned with afterward, dominating the rankings until graduation.

One was a little lamb cub.

The other was the little wolf cub · Gao Zhonglin.

The two once influential figures on campus have each embarked on their own paths, with the little lamb cub ascending to the pinnacle of Heavenly Pride, becoming renowned all over.

The little wolf cub, however, came to Xiao Yue City, gradually progressing from an outer sect disciple, only allowed in the outer city, to an inner sect disciple, and now holding some authority, responsible for overseeing the guards on one side of the inner city's wall.

The transformation in status naturally followed the growth in strength.

The little wolf cub diligently trained day and night, progressing steadily, and now has reached the River Realm, becoming a Great Power.

If it weren't for a certain overly dazzling individual, Gao Zhonglin would undoubtedly be the pride of Rain Alley First Middle School, and Rain Alley City as well.

Of course, he is still the pride of his school and hometown.

But whenever people mention Rain Alley City, the first person they think of is definitely not the bespectacled little fat wolf cub...

"Huh?" Gao Zhonglin suddenly let out a light sound of doubt.

In his sight, a large group of men and women are kneeling a few streets away, hands clasped, praying devoutly to the Divine Sculpture.

That is the closest spot tourists can reach to the deity.

Any further, and Gao Zhonglin's subordinates would go forward to dissuade them from advancing, as the inner city is sacred, where Lord God stands, and not everyone is qualified to enter.

But the problem is, as Gao Zhonglin watched, he suddenly found his vision becoming slightly blurred.

Blurred?!

What kind of joke is this!

As a Great Power, the Divine Technique · Wolf Sense he practiced is of River Grade.

It doesn't even need River Grade; his nearsightedness wasn't that severe, and he had gradually stopped wearing glasses since reaching Stream Realm, observing the world clearly.

But now...

Gao Zhonglin outwardly remained calm, but inwardly his heart skipped a beat!

What happened to his vision?

The Divine Technique unexpectedly failed; had he displeased Lord Greedy Wolf in some way, causing the deity to deny him the use of magic?

"Hiss..." Just as Gao Zhonglin was about to turn and gaze upon the majestic Divine Sculpture, he suddenly gasped, clutching his head.

It felt as if a nerve in his brain suddenly snapped.

The pain contorted Gao Zhonglin's face, making his expression extremely unpleasant.

Weirdly, such scenes were playing out repeatedly inside and outside the Xiao Yue City.

"Ah!"

"Ah! Ah ah ah..." From all directions came cries of pain as numerous disciples of the Greedy Wolf Sect held their heads in agony, either kneeling or collapsing, mostly clutching their heads.

As the main city of the Greedy Wolf Sect, Xiao Yue City gathered a large number of Greedy Wolf disciples, and the sudden turn of events threw the entire city into chaos.

"Senior Brother!"

"Senior Brother Gao, Gao... uh." Above the city wall, several disciples called out, while believers, unsure of what was happening, instinctively sought a backbone.

With a gloomy face, Gao Zhonglin realized he was not the only one affected.

So, it wasn't Lord Greedy Wolf forbidding him from using magic but severing the contract with the believers?

This situation was difficult to understand, but with disciples generally experiencing unbearable headaches, after much thought, this was the only possibility.

Why?

Why is Lord Greedy Wolf so furious?!

Who on earth committed such a sacrilegious act that made Lord God angry with all the disciples in the city?

While Gao Zhonglin was pondering in secret, he suddenly heard a loud cracking sound.

"Crack! Crack..."

Surprised, Gao Zhonglin turned his head sharply.

Even with slight nearsightedness, the enormous Divine Sculpture was large enough, and the crack on it was long enough.

Gao Zhonglin's expression changed dramatically!

What... what what is this?

"Greed..."

"Lord, Lord Greedy Wolf..." Trembling voices came from all around.

The densely packed Xiao Yue City momentarily froze, as if the entire world had hit the pause button.

Whether they were the believers suffering from headaches or the incense-offering devotees and tourists, they all stood dazed, watching the majestic Divine Sculpture gradually fracture.

"Crack! Crack!"

A massive stone skin peeled off, falling downward.

With a great sound, the stone shattered, turning into a thick mist.

Only then did the people realize the Divine Sculpture was hollow!

It had only a stone skin as an external shell, with the inside completely hollow.

The stone skin continued to peel off, and kept transforming into a thick divine power, spreading throughout the inner city.

"Ah!!"

"No, don't! Don't..." Reactions varied among the crowd, and chaos ensued in Xiao Yue City.

Some looked in disbelief at the fracturing Divine Sculpture, dazed in place.

Some knelt on the ground in despair, pleading with Lord God not to depart.

Some could not accept such a scene, and screamed out.

Others... wildly absorbed the rich energy.

Gao Zhonglin reacted swiftly. Despite the tremendous upheaval in his heart, the foundational qualities of the Greedy Wolf were still present, as an affected disciple of the River Realm.

"Close the city gates; no one is allowed to enter or leave until the situation is stabilized!"

Gao Zhonglin ordered loudly, supporting himself with the city teeth, flipping over and leaping down.

Even though the Divine Contract was broken, Gao Zhonglin had no Divine Technique to employ, but his River Realm body remained, his physical strength undiminished, and the universal Divine Technique, Water Flow Armor, was still active.

The little wolf pup landed heavily, stood on the spacious avenue behind the city gates, welcoming the rushing surge of divine power.

Since things have come to this, let's cultivate first!

Not only did Gao Zhonglin himself absorb divine power, but he also activated several precious high-grade Divine Power Pearls, frantically absorbing energy.

Damn!

What the hell is going on?

Lord God... could He have fallen?

In the past, Gao Zhonglin wouldn't even dare to think of such a thing—it was a great disrespect to the Lord God!

But things are different now; since the lunar calendar September 15, the whole world has changed—the Evil Gods fell one after another, and Demon Caves liberated.

Human society, under the guidance of the Lord God, finally welcomed the dawn.

Look at those Evil Gods!

Now they've become trophies, hanging from the Lord God's waist.

Some Evil Gods were directly killed by the Lord God, utterly erased!

This is official news released by Da Xia, and the liberated Demon Caves corroborate the authenticity of the official statements, further showcasing the glorious achievements of the Lord God!

The joyous atmosphere has persisted since September until now, and even to this day, Da Xia is still celebrating everywhere!

Just look at Xiao Yue City; why is it so overcrowded?

It's because the Evil God was slain, elevating the world's sentiments of reverence, worship, gratitude toward the Lord God to unprecedented heights.

But here's the problem!

Given that the Lord God can slay demons, can't demons also...

Could Lord Greedy Wolf's death be the call for a counterattack by the Evil Demon Camp?

The more Gao Zhonglin thought about it, the darker his expression became.

He also wanted to cover his eyes and ears, deceive himself, and say the Lord God is invincible.

But the reality is clear: the tug-of-war between the Lord God and the demons has lasted over 40 years; if demons were truly that weak, they would have been wiped out long ago.

And don't forget, there were many situations of "divine disappearance" at the beginning of the Lord God's arrival.

What the hell is divine disappearance?

The Lord God simply died in battle! Everyone just tacitly agreed to use a pleasant term.

So, was Lord Greedy Wolf killed by demons?

What should be done?

Under Greedy Wolf's feet lies the truly threatening Evil Dog Village, not some minor Demon Cave outside his hometown Rain Alley City.

Without the Lord God guarding, will the Evil Dog Clan rush out?

Invade the human world?!

The human military within the Demon Cave...

Da Xia must quickly send troops here! Hurry up to beg and plead with other gods to station here!

"Brother Gao, is Gao Zhonglin there?" A male voice called from afar.

"Here!"

"The City Lord commands! All River Realm disciples within the city must immediately enter the Demon Cave to assist the troops in defending Stone City!"

Gao Zhonglin: !!!

"Brother Gao?"

"Yes." Gao Zhonglin responded in a deep voice, his expression shifting with mixed emotions, having no choice but to start walking.

...

On Jinghong Peak, at the cliff behind the mountain.

A tall woman stood silently at the edge of the cliff, motionless, yet exuding a majestic presence, akin to a small goddess statue.

"Peak Master, Peak Master, something bad happened!" Suddenly a voice called from afar.

Chen Jingjing flew swiftly on her sword, reaching the cliff edge.

The goddess statue finally showed some reaction; she slightly furrowed her brows, and the subtle change in her mood altered the atmosphere of the entire area.

Chen Jingjing's heart trembled violently!

Just as she was about to step forward, she hastily knelt down and bowed: "Peak... Peak Master Qiao, Lord Greedy Wolf is shattered."

"Hmm?"

"The Divine Sculpture of Greedy Wolf within Xiao Yue City is shattered; in other cities too, Lord Greedy Wolf's separate stone sculptures have fractured! I've just contacted many, and every disciple of the Greedy Wolf Sect has lost the Divine Contract!"

Upon hearing this, Qiao Wanjun was quite surprised.

Greedy Wolf is dead.

Was it the Faceless Jade Venerable who killed him?

The Jade Venerable Clan's traits are obvious; though they overpower the God Demon in combat strength, they lack battle methods and facing the invisible Greedy Wolf, it wouldn't happen so easily.

The likelier possibility is...

Qiao Wanjun's eyes slightly moved; her once indifferent gaze was like a deep, icy pond, without a trace of ripple.

Now, however, it stirred a slight ripple.

Did Ranran kill him?

Earlier he slew Evil God Ghost Talisman Doll and possesses the Fourth Rank Stone Talisman, which specifically counters invisibility...

Qiao Wanjun pondered quietly, raising her hand to tidy a few stray strands of hair blown across her face by the wind.

She faced away from Chen Jingjing, also against the entire Jinghong Peak.

A faint, barely noticeable smile crept onto her lips.

...