Chapter 10: The Sweet Treat

“Thirty or forty people can’t stop two kids fighting?” The homeroom teacher’s reprimand echoed through the classroom. “What kind of time is this, and you’re still gawking?”

“Today is the second day of the sixth lunar month! Before the fifth, you must form your teams and head straight to Dog Demon Village to face the demons.”

“By the fifteenth of this month, you’ll be participating in the city’s defense battle!”

“Still not panicked? You’re no longer ordinary people under protection—you must now protect others!”

“You’re the worst class I’ve ever taught!”

The classroom fell silent, while in the hallway, Lu Ran and Kou Yingquan stood far apart, both standing at attention.

After a brief silence, the classroom door slammed open with a thud.

Li Yanzhu stormed out, and upon seeing the two standing in punishment, her fury surged: “You two, stop standing here blocking the view!”

Go home and get your parents!”

Lu Ran: “.”

Kou Yingquan: “.”

Li Yanzhu’s sharp cry rang through the hallway: “When you were fighting just now, no one could stop you—now you’re frozen in place?”

Not just Class 4 of Grade 2, but the entire third floor was utterly silent.

“Kou Yingquan!”

“Here!” Kou Yingquan snapped to attention.

“Go!” Li Yanzhu cut him off sharply.

Kou Yingquan: “.”

Under the homeroom teacher’s stern gaze, Kou Yingquan reluctantly shuffled off to fetch his parents.

Li Yanzhu barked again: “Lu Ran!”

Lu Ran spoke weakly: “Teacher…”

Li Yanzhu’s anger flared: “Teacher? I don’t have a student like you!”

Lu Ran stepped forward, whispering: “Teacher, I know I’m wrong. My mom’s away, in Jingcheng. My dad…”

“I’m an only child.”

Though he said “away,” Lu Ran’s home province of Wu Lie River actually bordered Jingcheng.

From Yuxiang City, the high-speed train to Jingcheng took just over an hour.

If Li Yanzhu was determined to summon his parents, Lu Ran had no recourse.

Li Yanzhu looked at Lu Ran, head bowed in apology—angry, yet pained: “Why did you fight?”

Lu Ran grimaced: “As soon as I walked into class, Kou Yingquan choked me and called me a little lamb.”

“He told me to beg for mercy and bleat like one.”

Li Yanzhu frowned—she already knew why they’d fought.

The brief silence in class earlier had been her checking with others for details.

This morning, Kou Yingquan had been picking fights nonstop—perhaps his mindset had destabilized since becoming a follower of the Third-Rank God: Prisoner Demon.

Teachers had seen too many cases like this.

Li Yanzhu said sternly: “If you have an issue, come to me to resolve it.”

“The school strictly forbids private fights—you, of all people, started one the day after becoming a follower? Don’t you fear being made an example?”

“How many students are expelled each year after the God-Worship Ceremony? Don’t you know? Are you trying to provoke it?”

“I’m wrong.” Lu Ran kept apologizing.

“Do you truly understand your mistake?” Li Yanzhu asked.

Hearing her tone, Lu Ran instantly perked up!

There’s a chance?

He nodded vigorously, words tumbling out like a machine gun: “I swear, next time I’ll come straight to you—I’ll never act impulsively again!”

“You’re a beacon of justice, fair and clear, seeing every detail…!”

“You’ll surely deliver a fair judgment—you’re a true heavenly judge!”

Li Yanzhu’s head throbbed from his babbling. She delivered her verdict: “Fine. Three days suspension. Write a three-thousand-word self-criticism.”

“Ahh!” Lu Ran’s face fell.

Three days suspension?

By then, everyone would’ve formed their teams and left for Dog Demon Village on the fifth.

By the time I return with my report, everything will be over!

“Teacher, I really know I’m wrong—but Kou Yingquan accused me of colluding with the demon race! He slandered me!”

Lu Ran’s voice grew softer, adopting a pitiful expression: “I’m just too proud.”

“But if I don’t stand up for myself, who will?”

“Teacher, you know—I lost my father when I was little…”

“So you dare use Compassion’s Voice on me?” Li Yanzhu laughed bitterly.

She kicked him hard in the buttocks: “Go to the playground. Stand in the sun. Punishment: standing.”

“Understood.” Lu Ran turned and walked off.

No expulsion, no suspension, no parents called—what’s a little standing?

Worth it to stick the chair leg right into Kou Yingquan’s smug mouth!

Midsummer June—the sun was brutally harsh.

But Lu Ran didn’t seek shade. Only by enduring full punishment could the homeroom teacher possibly show mercy.

Lu Ran wouldn’t stand idly. Soon, he slipped into cultivation, absorbing divine power from heaven and earth.

Divine power levels are divided into: Mist, Creek, River, River, Sea.

Each major level contains five minor stages.

At the first and third stages of each major level, followers may learn a unique divine art.

Lu Ran was currently Mist Stage, First Stage—a novice—and had learned the divine art: Compassion’s Voice. After testing it just now, the effect was excellent.

To learn another unique skill, Lu Ran needed to reach Mist Stage, Third Stage.

Come to think of it—

Lu Ran’s expression turned strange. He suddenly realized something: Lord Xianyang created Compassion’s Voice to prevent conflict.

Not to be used like he just did—begging while fighting!

It wasn’t that Lu Ran couldn’t use it that way—the problem was, every time a follower activated a divine art, they had to pray to their god.

That meant you couldn’t deceive your own deity.

As a follower of Xianyang, constantly opposing your god by weaponizing this technique was… inappropriate.

One day, Lord Xianyang might punish him.

Wait—

Isn’t Lord Xianyang merciful and forgiving?

Then no matter how much I twist things, He wouldn’t really mind, right?

Oh wow—

This is a bug!

“It doesn’t matter.”

Suddenly, a low voice echoed in Lu Ran’s mind.

Lu Ran’s heart jolted—had Lord Xianyang manifested?

Normally, a follower must kneel and pray devoutly before the deity’s statue to communicate.

Even then, the god might not appear!

But this god Lu Ran worshipped—

“You’re not angry with me?” Lu Ran looked up at the sky, whispering.

The low voice spoke again: “A cub’s cry draws care and protection from parents and kin.”

The sudden shift confused Lu Ran.

“The wail of the weak also draws the gaze and hunger of hunters.”

“That’s true,” Lu Ran nodded thoughtfully.

“Compassion’s Voice can amplify benevolence in a being’s heart, stirring pity. Or it can awaken the desire to kill and torment the weak.”

“Huh?” Lu Ran was stunned.

The knowledge I learned doesn’t match what you’re teaching!

Lu Ran was certain: Compassion’s Voice had only one effect—begging.

How could Lord Xianyang say this divine art could transform into mockery and provoke hostility?

Worse—Lord Xianyang didn’t scold him, didn’t order him to be patient, forgiving, and avoid conflict.

Instead, it encouraged him to fight?

Otherwise, why reveal the second effect of Compassion’s Voice?

This is wrong.

Extremely, profoundly wrong.

Since Lu Ran joined Xianyang’s sect, this deity’s image, behavior, and words all clashed violently with the world’s understanding of Lord Xianyang.

Yet Lu Ran had confirmed, through using the unique divine art, that this was truly Xianyang—this…

“Do you want to learn?”

Lu Ran hesitated a moment, then nodded firmly: “Yes!”

“You need the Mist Realm, Second Stage.”

“Fine, I’ll work hard,” Lu Ran nodded again. “But Master Xiangyang, haven’t you taught this method to any other believers?”

Otherwise, Lu Ran would never have gone his entire life without hearing of it.

But Lu Ran waited half a lifetime—and heard no further voice from Xiangyang.

“Again with this.” Lu Ran sighed helplessly, yet dared not press further, afraid of angering the Divine and drawing punishment.

He could only bury his doubts deep inside.

No matter what, Master Xiangyang’s acts of rebirth, blessing, and instruction were all real.

Thinking of this, Lu Ran felt somewhat comforted, and resumed cultivating his divine power.

Until the dismissal bell rang, and the campus erupted once more into noise.

“Lu Ran.” Not long after the bell, a voice called from afar.

Lu Ran looked up to see a boy striding onto the playground—Deng Yu.

“Class is over,” Lu Ran tilted his head slightly in greeting.

“You smashed my stool—I stood through the whole class,” Deng Yu said with a grin.

Lu Ran felt a bit embarrassed: “Thanks for helping me earlier.”

Deng Yu stepped up to Lu Ran: “How about we team up from now on?”

“Huh?” Lu Ran froze, staring at the strikingly handsome boy before him.

Deng Yu was tall, noble-looking, with piercing eyes that locked directly onto Lu Ran’s.

“Thanks for stepping in,” Lu Ran looked apologetic. “But… I like girls.”

Deng Yu: ???

Lu Ran’s expression was serious: “Don’t be upset—you’re great. We’re just not compatible.”

“What the hell are you talking about? I like girls too!” Deng Yu snapped. “I meant team up!”

“What?” Lu Ran was even more confused.

He’d rather believe Deng Yu was into guys than think he wanted to form a team.

Lu Ran had plenty of reasons to suspect his own deity was odd—but no one else knew that!

He was baffled: “I’m a Xiangyang believer. Are you sure?”

“So what if you’re a Xiangyang believer?” Deng Yu snorted. “Kou Yingquan’s a Prisoned Demon believer—what of it?

Didn’t you beat him into vomiting congee?”

Hearing this, Lu Ran nearly broke composure.

Vomiting congee? Really?

“I’m a Red Sash believer,” Deng Yu reached out and gripped Lu Ran’s hand. “Lu brother, think about it?”

The Divine Red Sash ranks fifth in the lineup.

Its statue depicts a bare-chested man with a red cloth wrapped around his head.

Its followers are mostly battle-obsessed, naturally brave and fierce.

“I’ll think about it seriously,” Lu Ran, flattered, immediately shook Deng Yu’s hand.

As they spoke, the playground filled with more people.

Among them was Chang Ying, who had once cast Lu Ran’s fortune.

The girl approached them and grinned: “Heard you got into a fight?”

Lu Ran gave Chang Ying a deadpan look. Deng Yu repeated his request for a team-up, then took his leave.

“I already cast your fortune—it was a bad omen. How could you still be so careless?” Chang Ying leaned her elbow on Lu Ran’s shoulder, slumping against him.

Before becoming a believer, she could swing a mountain-splitting axe with terrifying force—she was built strong and tough.

Having a girl like this lean on him was torture for Lu Ran.

But he didn’t want to admit he couldn’t handle it, so…

“Move off. It’s hot,” Lu Ran said with a disgusted look, shaking his shoulder.

“A hundred yuan, I’ll cast you another fortune—guaranteed. How about it?” Chang Ying didn’t get mad, just smiled at him.

“Just leave me alone.”

“Fine, fine, no need to get all grumpy,” Chang Ying looked down at him, then suddenly changed tone. “Hey, we’ve got real luck together. Want to team up?”

“Huh?” Lu Ran stared, stunned, at the beautiful yet wild girl.

“Really! I already cast it,” Chang Ying nodded solemnly. “It’s the best omen!”

The best omen?

“You got it wrong,” Lu Ran frowned. “I’m a Xiangyang believer.”

“Pfft~” Chang Ying waved her hand grandly. “I won’t call you little lamb, and you won’t call me a gambling addict!

How’s that deal?”

Lu Ran: …

Teacher Li, I was wrong about you.

I thought this was detention—but you’ve turned me into a display piece, putting me on display here!

“Lu Ran.”

“Lu Ran!” Several more classmates crowded around, volunteering themselves.

Lu Ran greeted them politely, his sense of accomplishment soaring.

Until the class bell rang, and everyone headed to the training ground. As the crowd dispersed, Lu Ran spotted a familiar figure.

“You’re popular,” Jiang Ruyi smiled.

Lu Ran shrugged: “One fight, and I’m famous.”

Jiang Ruyi gave him a light disapproving look: “All your classmates are thinking the same thing—you can summon demons, your talent is rare, and now you’ve shown such strength.

Team up with you, and you’ll almost certainly do well in the Fifteen-Defense City missions or demon caves.”

“This is surreal,” Lu Ran murmured. “I worship Xiangyang, yet I’m this popular?”

Jiang Ruyi: “Most students still hesitate—they haven’t come to you.

If you’d worshipped another deity, the playground would already be packed.”

“These people know nothing,” Lu Ran muttered. “I just summoned a little red paper spirit—you’re the real goddess… hmm.

You’re the real powerhouse!”

“Smooth talker,” Jiang Ruyi blushed slightly and turned to leave.

Seeing he was fine and calm, she had no reason to stay.

“Wait!” Lu Ran called out urgently. “Let’s team up!”

Jiang Ruyi stopped, turned, and smiled at him: “Oh? The celebrity wants to team up with me?”

“Who doesn’t want to cling to a powerhouse… no no, don’t go yet!”

Seeing the girl about to walk away, Lu Ran blurted: “I do!

Jiang Ruyi, I want to be with you!”

His voice rang out loud and clear, making Jiang Ruyi’s eyes widen.

Not just the students still on the playground—even the distant classroom buildings must have heard this bold confession.

“Ooooh~”

“Lu Ran’s really something—he’s being punished and still dares to confess? Doesn’t he fear expulsion?”

“You don’t get it! Real men charge into the wind!”

“Yes! Lu Ran, I support you! Screw this school!”

“Jiang Meiren is mine—I’ll kill this lamb!”

“Bro, he just crushed a Prisoned Demon believer. You’re just a nobody—step back!”

Hearing the murmurs, Jiang Ruyi’s face burned red as fire.

She lowered her head and hurried away.

“Will you answer or not?” Lu Ran muttered, gazing at the girl’s receding silhouette.

Those long legs,

Who wouldn’t want to cling to them?

I, Lu Ran, am a man… hmm, a good student who wants outstanding results!

Thank you, Zangyuesheng, for the 100,000 reward for the character card—Lu Ran!

Big boss, generous as ever—thank you for your support! May you grow rich daily, eat meat every meal, and celebrate every day!





(End of Chapter)