Chapter 197: Acting

That single bleat was enough to cost Jiangjiang Ruyi her life!

Her heart was in chaos, and naturally, her movements slowed.

However, the Cool Night Sword was not slow!

As a divine weapon, its mode of existence was unique, and it remained unaffected by the Divine Art: Sound of Compassion.

"Whoosh!"

The Cool Night Sword shot forward with a sound that tore through the air, moving so fast it made one's hair stand on end.

In fact, the moment Lu Ran leaped from the edge of the quicksand, the Cool Night Sword had already broken away from the fray and galloped to the rescue.

"Hmm?" Lu Ran's heart tightened.

While kicking toward Jiangjiang Ruyi with one foot, he swung his blade diagonally backward.

Toward divine weapons, Lu Ran showed immense respect!

He spared no effort in channeling the power of Xie Fa: Soul-Splitting, fearing his weapon would be knocked flying and his body pierced clean through.

"Clang!"

The sound of blade meeting sword was exceptionally ear-piercing.

In the end, the Cool Night Sword was still sent spinning away.

Rather than saying it was struck down by Lu Ran, it was more accurate to say it was slashed away by the Xia Guang Dao that had rushed to intercept it.

"Ah!"

"Move, quickly..."

To the side of the main podium, the crowd parted once again to create a path.

Jiangjiang Ruyi, who had been kicked flying, did not turn into a skipping stone and bounce across the ground repeatedly like Wu Wu Shanshan had.

She remained suspended above everyone's heads, flying backward at high speed.

Master Yu Fu's formation had granted her the ability to fly, yet its proud defensive prowess failed to manifest.

Lu Ran was truly fast, and truly accurate!

That kick had slipped between two white jade tokens and landed heavily on Jiangjiang Ruyi's arm.

"Good heavens~"

"Look at Jiangjiang Meiren's expression..."

"That damned Lu Ran, how could he bring himself to do it!"

After being kicked by Lu Ran, Jiangjiang Ruyi became considerably more clear-headed.

Consequently, her gaze turned deep and distant as she looked toward the figure standing at the edge of the main podium.

That slightly wounded appearance and those somewhat resentful eyes made everyone's hearts feel as though they were shattering!

Indeed, beauty is justice!

Below the stage, the crowd was incensed, creating quite a commotion.

When Lu Ran had fought Wu Wu Shanshan earlier, he had not provoked such public outrage.

It seemed Jiangjiang Meiren's beauty and temperament truly exceeded the standard.

"Baa~~~"

Standing at the edge of the main podium, Lu Ran looked at the white-skirted maiden flying backward and opened his mouth again.

Jiangjiang Ruyi's breathing hitched slightly.

Again?

"Mm." She pressed one hand to her forehead, trying to use reason to suppress her surging emotions.

"Hoo~"

The Cool Night Sword arrived instantly, presenting its hilt and pressing it into the maiden's palm.

"Master!"

A nearly identical voice rang out within Jiangjiang Ruyi's mind.

Jiangjiang Ruyi's body trembled slightly as she struggled to rein in her thoughts.

Jiangjiang Ruyi felt a bit more invigorated, but the students below suffered misfortune.

The crowd was not particularly familiar with Lu Ran, nor did they share a deep emotional foundation with him.

The problem was that most of these students were at the Stream Realm!

They were not evil cultivators; they lacked extreme emotions like ferocity or cruelty, which led to them being quickly captivated by the "demon sheep" on the stage.

"Everyone, gather over by the Precious Lotus!"

"Class Wu Ban Zhang Wu has a Cang Long here; this spot works too!"

"Woo~~~"

Suddenly, the sound of a horn echoed throughout the school and beyond.

In an instant, the minds of all living beings stabilized, and the students who had already sunk into delirium were rescued one after another.

"Hmm?" Lu Ran turned his head, looking toward the other side of the main podium.

There, a male teacher held a illusory horn, having just finished blowing it.

"I am still fighting!" Lu Ran said dissatisfiedly.

The male teacher remained expressionless: "If you keep bleating, the students will start ganging up to beat Jiangjiang Ruyi on your behalf."

Lu Ran: "..."

Now that they had regained their senses, when the crowd looked at Lu Ran again, they were once more filled with righteous indignation, feeling that their emotions had been deceived!

"A calamity, a true calamity!"

"Hit him, Jiangjiang Meiren, give him a thorough beating!"

"Teasing me again, boo-hoo-hoo~ I'm just a spectator, yet you mock me and toy with me; I won't watch anymore, boo-hoo~"

Indeed, Lu Ran was a calamity.

As a One River Realm believer, given enough time,

he could indeed toy at will with the hearts of Stream Realm boys and girls.

As for ordinary people, they had even less chance of survival.

Such individuals, before Lu Ran, were like Little Li Hua; the concept of "personal will" simply did not exist for them.

Fortunately, the main stage stood in the very center of the playground, so the crowd watching from outside the school heard the sheep bleats rather faintly.

Otherwise, someone's compassion would likely have overflowed already, and they would have rushed in to protect Lu Ran.

Presumably, the teacher blowing the horn was also for the sake of the onlookers outside the school.

"Huff~"

Lu Ran suddenly sensed a surge of energy churning.

He retreated rapidly, gazing to the side.

There, Jiangjiang Ruyi drifted over slowly, holding the Cool Night Sword.

She extended her slender two fingers and slowly stroked along the blade.

In an instant, the pitch-black, translucent Cool Night Sword glowed with a fiery red luster, as endless sparks burst outward.

Yu Fu Shen Fa·Explosive Flame Talisman!

At this moment, Lu Ran witnessed the fighting style of his late father from days past.

Enchantment!

Lu Ran whispered softly, "Baa~"

Jiangjiang Ruyi's eyes were deep and obscure; her thin lips parted slightly: "Villain."

Lu Ran: "."

Lu Ran fell silent, and the crowd below was utterly numb!

Lu Ran's sheep bleats could be erased by the sound of the horn or various auxiliary divine arts.

But what of Jiangjiang Ruyi's soft, gentle voice?

That was no divine art at all, yet it was enough to stir feelings of pity and affection in people's hearts.

Today's audience had indeed suffered greatly!

The students' emotions rose and fell, swaying left and right, toyed with repeatedly by the man and woman on the stage.

"Whoosh!!"

Jiangjiang Ruyi gripped her long sword and immediately charged at Lu Ran.

Look how they've forced the child; he's already resorting to close combat.

Although the young lady was nobly a River Realm, she indeed lacked the ability to resist the Sound of Compassion.

Jiangjiang Ruyi could only seek another path, wielding a divine weapon.

Under the deafening reminder of the artifact spirit, she still possessed the strength to fight!

Otherwise, sooner or later, Lu Ran would grind away the fighting will in her heart, and she would fall completely under his spell.

"Yah~!"

With a delicate cry, Jiangjiang Ruyi wielded the Cool Night Sword and slashed out a crescent of crimson moon.

Endless sparks scattered, dot by dot, strikingly beautiful.

"Damn!" Lu Ran's feet churned with immortal mist as he rapidly increased the distance between himself and Jiangjiang Ruyi.

Regarding the technique of Enchantment, the Yufuyi Sect had made considerable achievements.

Jiangjiang Ruyi could detonate this enchanted black-ice sword at any moment!

Should that happen, a sea of raging fire would surge outward in all directions with her at the center.

Jiangjiang Ruyi was indeed at the epicenter of the explosion, but as the caster, she possessed immense damage exemption.

Within the great Yu Fu formation encircling her waist, the white jade tablet bearing the Explosive Flame Talisman could absorb the onrushing flames.

This was also why, just moments ago when facing Lu Ran's charge, Jiangjiang Ruyi had dared to crush the Frost Talisman with her bare hand.

Once the talisman shattered, Lu Ran might be frozen stiff, but Jiangjiang Ruyi would not!

"Baa~" Lu Ran retreated rapidly, emitting the Sound of Compassion once more.

"Buzz!" The Cool Night Sword in Jiangjiang Ruyi's hand hummed loudly.

The young lady's expression was complex; biting her lower lip, she suddenly flung her left hand upward.

Within the great Yu Fu formation, the Frost Talisman shot straight toward Lu Ran.

"Pfft"

A clump of frost and snow burst open, layer upon layer of cold mist spreading out and invading the surrounding environment.

"Lu Ran is too fast; Jiangjiang Meiren can't catch up!"

"Haven't you seen Class Wu Ban Zhang Jiang using the Frost Talisman to set up a formation? Sooner or later the arena will be covered in frost and snow, and Lu Ran's movements will grow slower and slower."

"Brother Ran is being countered! Jiangjiang Ruyi is holding an enchanted sword; she's like a bomb that no one can even touch!"

"It doesn't matter if you touch her; as long as Jiangjiang Meiren shows mercy and doesn't detonate it, you'll be fine."

"What's this? Is my Brother Ran being countered again and again?"

"The Xianyangyi Sect has only one Immortal Hoof; Lu Ran is just fast and has nothing else, so of course he gets countered by everyone!"

"No, Lu Ran must be throwing the match! Based on that fierce momentum he showed when he slew the Cang Dragon earlier and forcibly mounted Wu Wu Shanshan, I don't believe he can't get close to Jiangjiang Meiren!"

"Brother, open your eyes and see what Jiangjiang Meiren is holding! That f***ing thing is a divine weapon! How can Wu Wu Shanshan compare to Jiangjiang Ruyi?"

Lu Ran: "."

The murmurs rising from below made Lu Ran grimace.

If it weren't for you lot of spectators, I'd have just flung a string of Night Charm Blades out.

I'd smash Jiangjiang Ruyi and her Jade Talisman Array to pieces!

Hmm. Never mind, I'll keep the beauty.

She's useful.

In broad daylight, a ruffian like Lu Ran would naturally dare not act recklessly.

Moreover, the outcome of this battle isn't that important.

As long as the school leaders find it acceptable and award some points, the mission is accomplished!

More importantly, Lu Ran was truly delighted by Jiangjiang Ruyi's growth.

"Hiss—"

While Lu Ran fled frantically, his thoughts raced.

He was about to participate in the Heavenly Talents event.

With Jiangjiang Ruyi performing so well, could she stay by his side as a "cameraman"?

In that case, her performance would surely be seen by the public.

Jiangjiang Ruyi's follower points were already scarce; if she could be specially recruited by a higher institution based on pure strength, that would be even better.

In the past,

Jiangjiang Ruyi had shouldered huge risks, disregarding the school's and others' warnings, stubbornly insisting on teaming up with Lu Ran.

Now,

Lu Ran naturally had to return the favor!

He lacked the ability to make up for the points Jiangjiang Ruyi had lost over the past five-plus months.

But Lu Ran could try his best to provide her with a platform!

This battle was being recorded by a teacher standing nearby.

Later, the recording could be submitted to the Divine People Bureau; with school leaders vouching for her, they could request the Divine People Bureau to let Jiangjiang Ruyi join the Patrol Team.

If that really didn't work, they could just ask Great Nightmare for help.

A powerhouse like Tang Tang Jiang Jing should carry significant weight in his words.

A dull "Thud" sound.

Lu Ran's fleeing figure suddenly halted; wielding twin blades, he surged fiercely toward Jiangjiang Ruyi.

The seemingly cornered little lamb, no longer choosing a slow death, decisively charged forward.

"Whoosh~ Whoosh~"

Jiangjiang Ruyi waved her left hand repeatedly; two Bai Yu stone tablets flew toward Lu Ran.

"Hiss—"

Mist churned beneath Lu Ran's feet, revealing his determination!

Although frost and snow stained his body, hindering his movement, he still darted left and right, narrowly dodging the two talismans.

In the thick cold mist, two figures drew infinitely close, blades and swords clashing!

Xie Fa: Lie Hun Mo power, activate!

I can fly, but you can't stand on the platform either.

As the God of Ran, I naturally need to save face; mainly, I'm afraid we'll both lose points~

"Baa~~~"

Lu Ran stomped heavily on the ground, sending a shockwave churning.

Xie Fa: Lie Hun Mo Hooves, activate!

"Clang!!"

Blades and swords collided heavily, the sound piercing.

Unexpectedly, there was no explosion, no flames spreading everywhere.

Only one person, wielding a sword, was blasted away.

Lu Ran was stunned.

Oh no! Oh no, oh no...

His original intention was to make her hesitate, to prevent her from triggering the Liang Ye Sword prematurely, or blasting herself right back at him.

But he ended up "baaing" too loudly!

Jiangjiang Ruyi couldn't bear to trigger the Liang Ye Sword?

That simply wouldn't do!

"Hiss—"

Lu Ran leaped from the ground; with the aid of the immortal hooves, he slashed diagonally into the air, attacking the flying-back Jiangjiang Ruyi.

Just explode for me!

"Boom Boom Boom!!"

Shockwaves churned, flames spread everywhere.

Ah~

That feels good.

Thank you to Happy Little Bambi for the donation to character card Lu Ran. Thank you to jeremyMak, Lin Yue Miss Rainforest, Book Friend 20240714398574, and other bosses for their donations! Thank you for the support; bosses are generous!

(`) Sending hearts

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(End of Chapter)