Chapter 11: Top Climbing Team?

Lu Ran trained on the playground under the scorching midday sun all morning, during which he also received plenty of visitors.

On such a sweltering day, when classmates came to ask Lu Ran to form a team, they usually brought a bottle of water or something similar.

As more drinks piled up, the students trying to curry favor got creative, bringing along crispy noodles, spicy strips, and sausage-wrapped pancakes.

In the end, Lu Ran became a vendor on campus!

He stood alone on the southern edge of the playground, surrounded by a pile of drinks and snacks.

At noon, when school let out, many students saw this scene and couldn’t stop laughing.

Li Yan was equally amused and exasperated, ordering Lu Ran to pack up immediately and go eat in the cafeteria.

Lu Ran stuffed a huge plastic bag full of snacks—peanuts, sunflower seeds, grilled fish slices, milk, drinks, mineral water—and bolted away.

It was way too embarrassing.

He had reason to suspect some classmates weren’t here to form teams—they just came to gawk and stir up trouble by bringing food.

After all, who gives a 17-year-old boy a gift of strong liquor?

Who are you insulting?

And why does the school store even sell this stuff?

Report it! Must report it!

Hmm.

That afternoon, Lu Ran tried returning to his class group; Li Yan saw him but said nothing.

Lu Ran was overjoyed—Teacher Li’s big ruler had been raised high, then gently lowered.

Of course, he still had to submit a written reflection.

After school that night, Lu Ran brooded deeply and wrote furiously, eventually composing a five-thousand-word reflection with help from the internet.

His earnest language and sincere attitude greatly pleased his homeroom teacher.

This matter was officially over.

From the second to the fourth day of the lunar month, all outdoor training sessions were held to let students choose teammates and build team synergy.

Over three days, Lu Ran and Jiang Ruyi trained with many classmates.

In the end, they still chose the brave and fierce Red Turban Follower—Deng Yu!

Forming a team required not only mutual agreement but also adherence to the school’s recommendations.

As a key student, Jiang Ruyi’s decision to team up with Lu Ran prompted the school to assign one more member to complete the squad.

This person was no ordinary student!

As previously mentioned, Jiang Ruyi had always held the top three spots in the grade; in fact, the top-ranked boy led the second and third by a massive margin.

Jiang Ruyi had long competed with another girl for second place.

The person assigned to join the team was precisely Jiang Ruyi’s longtime rival—the class monitor of Grade 12, Wu Shanshan.

This girl was no joke!

As one of the top three in the grade, Wu Shanshan’s divine patron was the Second-Rank Deity—Asha!

Deity Asha is a female deity statue holding a longbow, located on the southern island of Daya—Sha Island.

Locals also call this deity the “Southern Sea Bow.”

Alongside it are the Northern Wind Blade, the Western Waste Axe, and the Eastern Thunder Spear.

These four deities, stationed at the four frontiers of Daya, are all Second-Rank Deities, collectively known as the “Four Border Warriors.”

Thus, Lu Ran’s team was complete!

It included Wu Shanshan, follower of the Second-Rank Deity Asha; Jiang Ruyi, follower of the Third-Rank Deity Yu Fu; Deng Yu, follower of the Fifth-Rank Deity Red Turban; and

Lu Ran, follower of the Ninth-Rank Deity Xiang Xianyang.

Something strange seems to have slipped in?

Hmm. Doesn’t matter—what matters is synergy!

The four-member team trained hard, constantly practicing formations under the teacher’s guidance, refining each member’s role.

Unfortunately, the team’s synergy was still poor.

Even by the afternoon of the fourth day, after school, none of them felt confident.

“Tired. Done.” Wu Shanshan plopped down on the cement ground of the training yard, sweat drenching her, no longer caring about her ladylike image.

Several peer trainees paused their drills, helplessly watching the spoiled “chosen one.”

Jiang Ruyi frowned slightly, disliking Wu Shanshan’s unilateral decision.

Both ranked among the top in overall scores and both were class monitors, accustomed to being fawned over and issuing orders.

Command authority within the team had always been a major issue.

Wu Shanshan rubbed her hair, frowning ahead: “You two—one yelling like a beast, the other bleating like a goat—give me a headache.”

Deng Yu, head wrapped in red cloth, wielding a red-tasseled spear, easily drove back a training partner, looking effortlessly cool.

He didn’t turn around: “If I didn’t boost your battle spirit, wouldn’t you already be charmed by my brother Lu?”

Red Turban Divine Art: Red Turban Command—a battle shout technique that enhances the target’s combat will.

“What nonsense are you spouting!” Wu Shanshan retorted.

“Nonsense?” Deng Yu turned to the stubborn girl, “Just now, I could’ve sworn I saw maternal radiance on your face.”

Lu Ran, who had been watching the spectacle, froze mid-laugh.

Maternal?

Maternal??

“Lu Ran was crying so pitifully—who could stand it?” Wu Shanshan huffed. “You’re both heartless.”

As she spoke, Wu Shanshan noticed Lu Ran standing dumbly nearby.

She immediately called out: “Ran Bao, say something for me!”

Lu Ran: ???

Who the hell is your Ran Bao?

“Ran Bao?” Wu Shanshan blinked, tilting her head at Lu Ran.

“Get lost,” Lu Ran snapped.

“Hehe~” Wu Shanshan covered her mouth and burst into laughter.

Jiang Ruyi watched them banter and bicker, a strange ache forming in her chest.

It was you who shouted loudly to team up with me.

Curse Kou Yingquan, understand Kou Yingquan, become Kou Yingquan!

The entire world,

is one giant vinegar barrel.

“That’s enough for today. Class ended a while ago—the teacher’s gone, no one’s here to guide us,” Jiang Ruyi said, addressing the other students.

“Alright.”

“See you tomorrow—good luck!”

“Let’s encourage each other.”

The two teams politely parted ways, leaving only Lu Ran and his teammates on the field.

“Tomorrow we head to Dog Village,” Wu Shanshan said casually.

Deng Yu replied offhandedly: “I heard the first-place prize is a high-quality Divine Power Pearl?”

Divine Power Pearls can absorb and store divine power—excellent for sustaining combat and aiding cultivation.

“I’d be satisfied just making the top three,” Wu Shanshan sighed. “We’ve had too little time to sync up.”

Lu Ran dismissed Wu’s words.

We’ve had little time,

but so have others!

Besides, Lu Ran truly believed this team’s composition was excellent.

Deng Yu was bold and fierce, charging ahead with his red-tasseled spear—purely a top-lane big brother!

Jiang Ruyi controlled the center, managing the whole battlefield—she was the team’s backbone.

And followers of Deity Yu Fu were all late-game powerhouses!

Once Jiang Ruyi matured, she wouldn’t just control the battlefield—she could unleash thunder and fire through her Jade Talisman.

Her damage output would be staggering!

Wu Shanshan, as a follower of the “Southern Sea Bow,” was dominant from start to finish—already the team’s primary damage dealer.

Lu Ran considered himself agile enough, wielding his Tang broadsword, dashing between positions, feeling like a jungler.

Once he reached Mist Realm Stage Three and learned the Divine Art: Immortal Hoof, his speed would leap to another level!

Then he’d be even better suited for jungling~

As for the support dad…

The whole team’s made of dads—why need a dad?

This lineup was enough to make other students weep with envy.

Isn’t this a perfect climbing team?

“Woman!” Deng Yu sneered. “Why settle for less? I aim for first place!”

Wu Shanshan shot a glare at the overconfident Deng Yu: “Like you’ve ever won first in the whole school.

Jiang Meiren and I haven’t even spoken yet—why are you so eager?”

Jiang Ruyi: “.”

At the start of the team formation, Wu Shanshan had gazed at Deng Yu with a dreamy expression.

But as she got to know him better, she began to resent this guy who called himself “Young Master.”

He’s so arrogant!

Lu Ran is a bit better. Hmm, but only in character.

The deity Lu Ran worships is utterly useless!

Wu Shanshan’s lack of confidence also stems from Lu Ran.

After all, the nature of Immortal Goat is to be kind to others, to avoid conflict.

Under these circumstances, how could Lu Ran possibly be a reliable teammate?

At this stage, he still maintains his own personality.

But what about later?

Lu Ran is very likely to be influenced by his deity, molded by Immortal Goat into a “perfect good person.”

He’ll value harmony above all, endure injustice without resistance, and cease striving to win.

Perhaps one day on the battlefield, Lu Ran will abandon his teammates and turn to flee.

Because the deity, Immortal Goat, refuses to fight!

The divine arts of the Immortal Goat sect are mostly avoidance techniques—meant to be used that way.

Wu Shanshan didn’t care how other students viewed Lu Ran or how they wanted to cling to him.

She was one of the majority, deeply wary of Lu Ran.

In Wu Shanshan’s mind, Lu Ran would eventually let the team down—he was only suitable as an early-stage teammate.

Because time was tight and the assessment was on the fifth day, and she couldn’t outright refuse the school’s arrangement, she had temporarily stayed on this team.

“Young Master isn’t good at written exams!” Deng Yu’s voice was stubborn, “As for sparring, I can’t bring myself to hurt my classmates.”

Tomorrow’s assessment is different—we’re going to kill dogs!”

Ma Tianchuan should get off that top seat.”

Wu Shanshan snapped back to reality, displeased: “Say what you mean, don’t insult people.”

Deng Yu: “.”

Jiang Ruyi, who had been silent until now, finally spoke, her expression troubled:

“Ma Tianchuan’s team is also strong—he’s a follower of the Third-Rank deity, Nuo Sha, and has several powerful teammates.”

“He’s not even a First-Rank deity,” Wu Shanshan snorted, secretly delighted.

For two full years, she had been trampled under Ma Tianchuan’s feet.

And after this year’s deity worship, she had finally surpassed him in divine rank!

“The deity’s rank doesn’t matter—it’s our own combat strength that counts,” Deng Yu changed the subject. “How’s your cultivation going?”

Interestingly, Deng Yu didn’t look at either of the two prodigies—he looked directly at Lu Ran.

Lu Ran shrugged: “I’m about to reach Mist Realm, Second Stage.”

Wu Shanshan: “Huh?”

Deng Yu’s eyes gleamed—he’d known it all along.

Jiang Ruyi raised an eyebrow and asked: “Exactly when?”

Lu Ran sensed carefully: “Tonight, maybe tomorrow? Sometime around then.”

“So fast!” Wu Shanshan’s face showed surprise, her mind filled with doubt. “I still need three or four days—how are you—oh, right!”

Wu Shanshan suddenly understood.

Lu Ran did indeed worship the Ninth-Rank deity, Immortal Goat—but before that, he had worshipped the demonic entity, Crimson Paper Man!

In raw talent and potential, Lu Ran was unquestionably the top student in the entire school.

Thinking of this, Wu Shanshan looked at Lu Ran with a mix of envy and pity.

What a waste.

He had such incredible potential, yet ended up with a goat.

If he’d worshipped any other deity at all, wouldn’t he have ruled the school?

Sigh.

What a pitiful guy.

“Go home early,” Jiang Ruyi walked toward Lu Ran. “Break through sooner—we’ll have a better chance.”

In ordinary society, believers also cultivate divine power—like these people now, each surrounded by faint wisps of mist, none slacking off.

But before altars and divine statues, divine power grows denser.

“Alright, home!”

Thank you to WeChat user Weixiao Kun for the 100,000 reward.

Boss, you’re generous—thank you for your support! Long time no see—wishing you happy reading and smooth sailing~

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(End of Chapter)