Chapter 47: Mockery of the Crowd

Under the watchful eyes of countless onlookers, Lu Ran led his team swiftly onto the stage to claim the first-place reward.

Lu Ran received a slender blade, clearly modeled after the Tang crossbow sword style.

It resembled a bronze artifact, long buried, its entire surface coated in a dark green patina, pitted and ancient.

“Tsk.” Lu Ran pursed his lips, gripping the long blade, feeling a wave of antiquity wash over him.

Mottled Green Stone Knife!

Mottled Green Stone is among the better-quality materials found among the common minerals of the Demon Caves.

Jiang Ruyi and Tian Tian each received a Mottled Green Stone sword; Deng Yu also obtained a Mottled Green Stone spear.

I wonder if Deng Shao silently muttered this in his heart:

“Thanks for the school’s junk!”

After the four-member team thanked the judges and stepped down, the second- and third-place teams took the stage for their awards.

Their weapons were made of inferior material—Mottled Yellow Rock, a common ore extracted from the Demon Caves.

It resembled a dull, brownish rock with no distinguishing features.

As for the weapons awarded to teams ranked 4th through 10th, they were even more pathetic!

Their material was Mottled Gray Rock!

Like stones picked up off the street.

Compared to that, Mottled Green Stone suddenly looked decent—after all, it at least carried a hint of “bronze artifact” prestige!

“This holiday’s going to be busy.”

Lu Ran dragged his fingertips across the Mottled Green Stone blade.

Mottled Green Stone is a dividing line!

Materials superior to it can no longer be classified as “common.”

Over here, Lu Ran was eager, his mind brimming with thoughts of completing the task and acquiring a precious weapon.

On the Altar of Reverence, after the school honored the top ten, the male teacher assigned the summer homework.

The summer assignment was simple:

Students were required to form small teams and collectively slay one hundred Mist Realm demons.

This assignment carried no ranking—complete it, and you earn six Faith Points.

It felt a bit like handing out welfare?

“These six points are a free gift from the school! If you don’t take them and fail to graduate, don’t come crying to me!”

“You’ve already undergone two assessments—you know your own worth, you know how hard Faith Points are to earn.”

“If you don’t know, go look at the leaderboard—or check the official website!”

“Look closely at the gap between you and the first-place student. You all became believers on the same day, yet Lu Ran is already being invited for an additional trial!”

“If you don’t complete your summer assignment, you’ll fall even farther behind Lu Ran!”

Lu Ran: ???

You’re scolding them, fine—but why drag me into it?

Damn!

I thought my Voice of Despair was bad enough, but you’re even better at mockery?

“That’s all I’ll say—think it over yourselves.” The male teacher finally changed the subject. “Next item: the Fifteenth Night!”

Upon hearing this special term, the students all grew solemn.

The teacher on stage, equally grave, said: “Next month’s fifteenth is the uniquely significant Lunar July fifteenth!

And you’re all on summer break.

Let me emphasize this once more: On the night of July fifteenth, you are forbidden from participating in combat!”

Lu Ran fiddled with his Mottled Green Stone knife, his thoughts turning restless.

Lunar July fifteenth—

Indeed, the most extraordinary full-moon night.

On this night, the number of demons invading the city far exceeds that of any other fifteenth night, and the danger level is far higher.

Everyone alive on this earth knows this well.

As for the Divine People Bureau’s additional trial, it is not mandatory—students may choose not to attend.

But

Who could afford to let such an opportunity slip away?

Everyone understands the principle: a head start means staying ahead.

The better your performance among peers, the more opportunities you’ll have to earn points.

This very invitation from the Divine People Bureau is a real-life example.

And the Divine People Bureau’s additional trial offers more than just points.

If you complete the mission, you will receive material rewards!

For decades, Great Xia has upheld this incentive policy, encouraging believers to train and grow.

On the podium, the teacher barked: “Don’t think becoming a believer and surviving one city defense makes you arrogant and self-satisfied.

Before and after July fifteenth, you will stay home, kneeling before your household shrine, praying!

Or go to a shelter and accept protection.

Any violation will result in immediate expulsion. Understood?”

“Understood!”

“Understood!” The courtyard echoed with a unified roar.

The teacher nodded: “Next item: team reassignments. Teams I call out will keep their current roster and disband immediately—vacation starts!”

“Team One, Team Four.”

Instantly, the courtyard erupted in uproar.

Team One, then straight to Team Four?

So Teams Two and Three are being restructured?

Tian Tian nervously twisted her fingers, like a defendant awaiting judgment, her heart pounding in her throat.

Her team was Team 98, so she had waited, waited, until she nearly broke down.

“Relax.” Jiang Ruyi gently rubbed Tian Tian’s head.

“Mm.” Tian Tian lowered her head, murmuring softly.

Seeing the girl still anxious, Jiang Ruyi pinched her cheek and comforted her: “We all like you.”

“Th-thank you.” Tian Tian whispered.

It sounded like an acceptance speech?

“Team Ninety-Eight!” Finally, the verdict came.

Acquitted!

Hearing her team number called, Tian Tian nearly burst into tears.

The girl’s emotional reaction seemed excessive—unless you’d been in her shoes, you couldn’t understand.

“There, there.” Jiang Ruyi patted Tian Tian’s shoulder, then turned to Lu Ran, hesitating.

“I have a different view regarding Lu Ran’s special recruitment,” Deng Yu said, clearly sensing Jiang Ruyi’s concern.

“Hmm?” Jiang Ruyi turned to look.

Deng Yu thought for a moment: “The Divine People Bureau deliberately placed Lu Ran into the Wangyue People’s team for next fifteenth night.

In my opinion, this is actually a form of protection?”

We just completed the city defense—on our assigned Gate Four, numerous powerful demons appeared.

I can’t shake the feeling something’s off.”

As he spoke, Deng Yu glanced at Lu Ran—his meaning was clear.

After all, Lu Ran’s “glorious” record was well documented.

Back on the Altar of Reverence, Lu Ran had summoned a demon god—Yanzhi Ren.

“Protection?” Jiang Ruyi frowned slightly, unconvinced.

If they truly wanted to protect Lu Ran, wouldn’t it be safer to keep him at home before his shrine—or lock him in a shelter?

“I’ve decided to go.” Lu Ran suddenly spoke, his usual joking demeanor replaced by rare seriousness. “I won’t let this opportunity slip.

So—next topic!”

Then Lu Ran shifted gears: “When do we go to Dog Village?”

“Heh.” Deng Yu chuckled, shaking his head.

Yes—this was the spirit!

A true man—

Should be just like this!

Jiang Ruyi fell silent for a moment, then said: “Let’s go home and prepare. We’ll head out this afternoon.”

Deng Yu added: “You stay home—I’ll drive to pick you up.”

Lu Ran was surprised: “Are you old enough? Do you have a license?”

To his surprise, Deng Yu replied: “Almost.”

Lu Ran: ???

Faster again, bro?

I asked you when you’d advance, and you said “almost.”

I asked if you had a driver’s license, and you still said “almost”?

Lu Ran sighed, “Aren’t you afraid your sister will lock us up in a dark room?”

“Almost bro” also sighed, “I don’t drive—there’s a driver at home.”

Lu Ran: “.”

Sorry, Deng Shao.

I just spoke a bit too loudly.

(End of chapter)