Chapter 25: The Sword Lotus and the Red Scarf

The cold-faced instructor began detailing the squad’s problems, leaving no room for mercy.

After a scathing rebuke, Lu Ran nearly thought his team had finished last.

Only after the group was left questioning their very existence did Dou Zhiqiang turn and leave.

“The instructor is so strict,” Lu Ran said, watching the instructor’s back, helplessly placing his hands on his hips.

“Lu Brother,” Deng Yu looked at Lu Ran and voiced what he’d been holding back, “You really intend to score a perfect mark?”

“I was just saying that,” Lu Ran smiled.

Jiang Ruyi and Deng Yu exchanged a glance but said nothing to expose him.

After yesterday’s rooftop incident, both teammates were certain: Lu Ran was burning with determination!

To make Xiang Xianyang famous, and to shatter the world’s mockery and doubt.

“Ruyi,” a man’s voice suddenly came from nearby.

The group turned to look and, through the wire fence, saw a middle-aged man walking toward them with a girl.

“Teacher Zhao,” Jiang Ruyi greeted politely.

Lu Ran recognized the teacher—he was the homeroom instructor of Class 7—and the girl behind him also looked vaguely familiar to him.

“This is my student, Tian Tian,” Teacher Zhao smiled at the three prominent figures, “This morning, she’ll train with you.”

The top-ranked trainee has entered?

“Tian Tian,” Lu Ran murmured.

Isn’t she Ma Tianchuan’s teammate?

In this assessment, she helped her team secure second place overall.

“Hello,” Tian Tian spoke softly, bowing slightly to the group.

Such a gesture took them by surprise.

Usually, people just say hello when they meet—why bow like that?

Lu Ran’s expression turned odd as he glanced at Jiang Ruyi beside him: “Have we really become evaluators now?”

Jiang Ruyi gave him a amused look and stepped forward to greet her.

Tian Tian was petite, with a neat bob haircut, appearing very demure.

Teacher Zhao said, “She’s rather introverted—please look after her, Ruyi.”

“Don’t worry, Teacher,” Jiang Ruyi replied with poise and a smile, “We’ll train hard together.”

The teacher nodded in satisfaction, gave Tian Tian a few final reminders, then turned and left.

After Teacher Zhao departed, Jiang Ruyi looked down at Tian Tian—but to her surprise, the girl’s head sank even lower.

So shy?

Jiang Ruyi spoke gently: “Your team earned second place—why change now?”

Tian Tian whispered, “They think… they think I’m not suited for that team.”

“They?” Deng Yu asked, “Who? The teacher? Or your family?”

Tian Tian shook her head silently.

Deng Yu frowned slightly: “Your teammates think you’re not suited?”

This time, Tian Tian didn’t shake her head—but remained silent, saying nothing.

Deng Yu’s frown deepened: “What about you? Do you think you’re not suited for that team?”

Tian Tian opened her mouth, hesitating: “I… I don’t know.”

Jiang Ruyi sighed inwardly and said softly: “Whether you’re suited or not—you must decide for yourself.”

Deng Yu’s words were far more direct: “If you’re being excluded or bullied, speak up!”

Tian Tian stayed silent, but her eyes grew slightly red.

“Enough, enough,” Jiang Ruyi stopped Deng Yu, gently wiping Tian Tian’s eyes.

Though they were the same age, Jiang Ruyi seemed more like a gentle senior comforting a wounded junior.

Lu Ran watched quietly, feeling Tian Tian had worshiped the wrong deity.

In the world’s eyes, shouldn’t Lu Ran—the follower of Xiang Xianyang—be the one looking weak and timid?

“I recall—you’re a follower of Jian Lian?” Jiang Ruyi asked softly.

“Y-yes!” Tian Tian was stunned, nodding frantically.

She’d never imagined someone as radiant as Jiang Ruyi would even notice her.

“Jian Lian is outwardly gentle but inwardly firm,” Jiang Ruyi comforted her. “If you train hard enough and remain devout, you’ll grow more like Jian Lian.”

“Thank you,” Tian Tian whispered.

In the divine hierarchy, Jian Lian and Jian Yi differ by only one character—but their ranks are worlds apart.

Jian Lian ranks fourth, depicted as a closed lotus blossom—seemingly a plant deity.

But don’t be fooled by her appearance!

Within that delicate bud, at its heart, floats a sharp, gleaming sword!

Initially, no one knew the lotus concealed a sword, since the divine statue was solid stone, not transparent.

Until one day, the deity Jian Lian began accepting followers, appearing before the public as a spectral form.

Only then did people understand why the deity called herself “Jian Lian”!

Turns out, hidden within those tender petals was a deadly weapon!

As Jiang Ruyi said, Jian Lian’s followers are usually gentle outside but firm within—and Tian Tian clearly had plenty of gentleness but too little inner strength.

No wonder the homeroom teacher personally brought her here and specifically asked Jiang Ruyi to look after her.

“What’s the basic divine art of the Jian Lian sect?” Lu Ran finally spoke.

“Lotus Shield,” Tian Tian replied promptly this time.

She didn’t believe Lu Ran didn’t know this basic knowledge—he was clearly giving her a chance to show off.

Tian Tian extended her small hands; as divine energy surged, a lotus petal immediately materialized before her.

Divine Art: Lotus Shield!

The petal was about one meter across, white tinged with pink, exuding a sweet fragrance.

Lu Ran whistled in amazement and stepped closer, sniffing the air.

Hm~

So fragrant!

Notably, the lotus petal was formed from divine energy and was semi-transparent.

So Tian Tian could see Lu Ran sniffing around her hands through the petal.

Tian Tian blushed deeply and quickly pulled her hands back.

“Looks like the school thinks our squad lacks defense,” Lu Ran said to Tian Tian. “You thought the same, so you came for trial training?”

“I…” Tian Tian froze again.

Jiang Ruyi placed a hand on the girl’s shoulder and encouraged her: “Say what you feel—be brave.”

“A squad needs smooth communication to achieve good results.”

Tian Tian hesitated, then whispered: “I didn’t apply—I didn’t know. The homeroom teacher applied for me.”

The group: “…”

Realizing the three elites were speechless, Tian Tian lowered her head again.

After all, in her previous team, she’d been rejected—how could she dare apply to train with the top squad in the entire school?

Yesterday, after receiving feedback from the three squad members, the homeroom teacher confirmed they wanted adjustments—and then submitted Tian Tian’s name for trial training.

Fortunately, the deity Tian Tian worshipped was powerful.

The school valued Jian Lian followers’ balanced offense and defense, and granted her a chance to meet the First Squad.

Upon hearing the news, Tian Tian had forced herself to come.

She’d experienced being in the second-place team—she knew what kind of people these prodigies were.

So she hadn’t expected anything.

The training ground fell silent.

Tian Tian kept her head down, knowing she’d said the wrong thing, yet lacking the courage to speak further.

A gentle voice broke the quiet: “From now on, you can stand beside me and protect me.”

“Huh?” Tian Tian lifted her face to look at Jiang Ruyi.

Her humble expression was like standing before the Son of Heaven!

Like gazing upon a radiant goddess statue.

“You must perform well,” Jiang Ruyi whispered. “After all, you still have three rivals.”

“I will!” Tian Tian nodded urgently. “I—I’ll work hard!”

Jiang Ruyi didn’t know how Tian Tian saw her in her heart.

Academics, martial skill, appearance, demeanor…

Even on the Divine Altar yesterday, Jiang Ruyi had summoned two powerful deities.

For two years, Tian Tian had silently watched the goddess Jiang shine brilliantly, never imagining she’d ever cross paths with such a person.

Yet now, after being kicked out of her team, by sheer accident, she stood before her.

“Go get your weapon,” Jiang Ruyi gestured to the weapon rack at the edge. “Let’s first get familiar with each other’s fighting styles, then spar with another squad.”

“Yes,” Tian Tian obeyed, turning and hurrying toward the edge.

Jiang Ruyi watched the girl’s back and sighed inwardly.

No wonder she was pushed out—this girl was too “well-behaved.”

Lu Ran turned to Deng Yu Tang and asked, “What’s that look on your face? Don’t you like her?”

“What’s there to like or dislike?” Deng Yu Tang shrugged.

Lu Ran chuckled. “Isn’t that exactly the type a rich, domineering young master likes—soft, delicate girls?”

“Wrong!” Deng Yu Tang waved his hand. “I like bold, fiery, fearless types.”

Lu Ran gave him a strange look. “You mean like Chang Ying?”

“Huh?” Deng Yu Tang instinctively wanted to deny it, but as he thought more, his eyes brightened—as if a new world had opened before him.

Don’t you dare say it. Don’t you dare say it!

That girl? She’s actually pretty impressive.

Swinging a great mountain-splitting axe, she’s even braver than me!

Jiang Ruyi glanced at the two and scolded, “Keep your voices down—don’t let Tian Tian hear.”

Also, don’t you know what kind of girl your Deng Shao likes?”

Lu Ran hurriedly said, “How would I know what he likes?”

Whose Deng Shao?

Sounds weird.

Deng Yu Tang suddenly spoke up: “Lu Brother, have you watched ‘Sword of Honor’?”

“I’ve seen a few episodes. What of it?”

Deng Yu Tang raised his voice: “Cavalry Company!”

Lu Ran paused, uncertainly responding, “Charge?”

“Yes, yes, yes!” Deng Yu Tang clenched his fist, face alight with agreement and longing. “I love this kind!”

“No wonder you became a Red Scarf believer,” Lu Ran smiled.

If the Sword Lotus believers’ hallmark is “soft outside, hard within,” “balanced offense and defense,” then the Red Scarf believers’ hallmark is “Master of Battle Spirit!”

Among the profound divine arts of the Red Scarf Sect, there is a technique akin to a “spiritual duel.”

Once the duel begins, regardless of your cultivation level or the strength of your martial or divine arts, all of it is discarded.

Inside the duel arena, the only thing that matters is willpower.

Life or death depends solely on personal will!

From this perspective alone, even an ordinary person can defeat a powerful believer.

In the streets of Great Xia, people say this:

The heavens’ deities have high and low ranks; mortal believers have noble and base statuses.

But the Red Scarf makes all beings equal!

A true, pure Red Scarf believer dares to fight anything—and can fight anything!

Even against divine groups representing “authority,” even against immensely powerful demons and evil spirits—

Duel, commence!

Cavalry Company!

Fix bayonets! Charge!

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(End of Chapter)