Chapter 48: The Soul-Grabbing Sheep

At 1:30 p.m., in the west of Yuxiang City, beneath Wu Ya’s feet.

A business vehicle, after passing through multiple layers of inspection, slowly entered the military base.

“There are quite a few people,” Lu Ran observed, spotting many social practitioners, including several high school students like themselves.

Thanks to the Great Xia government’s policy support, students coming to complete their assignments need not pay any fees.

The military also assigns a soldier to serve as an invigilator, free of charge.

From another perspective, isn’t this invigilator also a bodyguard?

“Isn’t that Gao Zhonglin?” Deng Yutang suddenly spoke from the front passenger seat.

Lu Ran turned his head and saw a slightly overweight boy wearing glasses.

Tian Tian, usually silent, spoke rarely and softly: “It’s him—the incredibly strong one.”

Gao Zhonglin’s rise followed a path similar to Lu Ran’s: you could sum it up in one phrase—he appeared out of nowhere!

In the first assessment, Gao Zhonglin ranked third on the individual leaderboard.

In the second assessment, he shot straight to second place schoolwide!

Remember, for two years before the Divine Worship, Gao Zhonglin never cracked the top fifty in school.

Then, after the Divine Worship—

Ma Tianchuan, Jiang Ruyi, Wu Shanshan—all of you, get behind!

Three words: The wolf is coming!

Though, uh, this little wolf pup is a bit fat.

But he fits the word “greedy” pretty well, doesn’t he?

“Can anyone be stronger than Brother Lu?” Deng Yutang said casually.

Lu Ran nodded in agreement: “Definitely not.”

In the back seat, Jiang Ruyi extended her slender fingers and lightly poked Lu Ran’s occiput: “Be modest.”

Lu Ran didn’t care: “I’m just being factual!”

As a Greedy Wolf devotee, I made those arrogant top students step back.

As an Immortal Sheep devotee, I made the Greedy Wolf devotee step back!

What is this, turning heaven upside down?

“You can go back now; we’ll stay inside for a long time,” Deng Yutang said to the driver. “I’ll call you when we come out.”

“Understood.”

As the vehicle stopped, everyone quickly got out, retrieved their weapons from the trunk, and hurried to the central building to register and queue.

Besides weapons, Lu Ran specifically brought a red scarf, tying it around his arm.

He was ready to try the “Sound Recognition” technique taught by the Great Nightmare Sect.

Lu Ran had also wanted to carry a backpack with food and water.

But such supplies cannot be brought into the Demon Caves.

Water and food are provided at supply points within the stone cities and across the wilderness, but must be exchanged for demon crystals.

In short:

Training is free.

Eat, drink, sleep—pay up!

Of course, if you dare camp in the wilderness, eat dog meat, and drink dog blood, the military won’t stop you.

Save money,

You save with your life!

“Coach Dou!”

“What a coincidence—again you’re our invigilator?”

After waiting in line for a long time, as they neared the building’s entrance, a familiar face strode over and greeted them.

Dou Zhiqiang replied: “I’m specifically assigned to Team 98.”

Everyone: “.”

Dou Zhiqiang scanned the group: “How long do you plan to stay inside the Dog Village?”

The group exchanged glances; Jiang Ruyi stepped forward: “Coach Dou, we’ll stay a long time.

We need to upgrade our weapons and divine energy pearls, and slay many demons.”

Dou Zhiqiang nodded: “How did your team perform on the Fifteen Nights defense mission?”

Jiang Ruyi: “First place.”

Dou Zhiqiang’s face showed rare approval, then turned to Lu Ran: “What about individually?”

Lu Ran smiled apologetically: “I slipped a bit—can’t score that high anymore.”

“Hmph.” Dou Zhiqiang snorted. “You still aiming for 98?”

“One must have dreams!” Lu Ran sighed. “This time I scored 91.2—still a drop.”

The cold-faced instructor clearly froze.

He confirmed: “Fifteen Nights defense—91?”

Lu Ran shook his head: “Not 91. 91.2.”

In two sentences, you deducted 0.2 points from me—can I even take this?

Dou Zhiqiang: “.”

Jiang Ruyi smoothly added: “Coach Dou, Lu Ran performed excellently.

On this Fifteen Nights, he was still first—

Top scorer across all five county-level cities under Yunshan City.”

Upon hearing this, Dou Zhiqiang’s expression turned complex.

It was amusing, really:

Back in the car, Jiang Ruyi had urged Lu Ran to be modest.

But now, facing outside criticism—

Jiang Ruyi not only defended him, but seemed even prouder than Lu Ran himself?

After several seconds, Dou Zhiqiang turned and walked off: “Follow me!”

The group didn’t dare delay—they immediately hurried after the instructor.

Lu Ran glanced sideways at Jiang Ruyi and whispered: “Be modest.”

Jiang Ruyi: “.”

Unlike the last assessment,

This time, Dou Zhiqiang led them into the Demon Cave and straight to the South Gate.

Then he transformed into a crow again, leaving the stage to the young ones.

“South Gate,” Lu Ran gripped his Radiant Blade, gazing at the torch-lit path.

Jiang Ruyi: “There seem to be fewer practitioners here?”

“Perfect for us,” Deng Yutang hefted his red-tasselled spear, brimming with energy.

Now that everyone had survived one Fifteen Nights, most were confident.

Even Tian Tian showed no worry.

“Ruuu,” a canine hunting cry suddenly came from the right front.

Deng Yutang reacted instantly, striding forward with his Tianchen Spear.

Clearly, this direction had few human practitioners.

They were still at the gate when a demon attacked.

“Mist Realm—probably level 2 to 3?” Deng Yutang called out.

From behind came Lu Ran’s voice: “Let Jiang’s classmate try her new divine art—we’ll see its power.”

“Fine,” Deng Yutang halted, but remained at the front of the formation.

Jiang Ruyi made no objection; her naturally hanging hand traced invisible symbols with her fingertips.

“Woof!” The evil dog moved with shocking speed.

Jiang Ruyi’s divine art was ready, fully charged—but she didn’t strike yet.

They had ample experience slaying these dogs.

The dog clan was fast, with sharp reflexes; to kill in one strike, you needed the right opening—not blind output.

Deng Yutang tensed his body, knees slightly bent, gripping his Tianchen Spear tightly.

“Woof!!”

The dog closed in, judged the distance sufficient, and launched itself forward.

Its gaping maw revealed sharp fangs, lunging straight for Deng Yutang.

“Yutang, retreat!” Jiang Ruyi flicked her two fingers forward.

Deng Yutang leaped back instantly; at the same moment, a slender fire serpent flashed past him.

Mid-flight, the flame runes revealed a phantom white jade tablet, bearing the serpent as it surged toward the dog.

Divine Art: Exploding Flame Rune!

“Woof!!”

The dog widened its eyes, its forward leap twisting wildly—but it had no ground to push off from.

Skinny dog, dare to jump?

Dare to jump, dare to be erased!

“Boom!”

Amid the dog’s thrashing, the Blazing Rune missed its head but struck its body solidly.

In an instant,

flames exploded, and shockwaves churned!

Shreds of flesh sprayed in all directions, blood rained down.

“Woo~ woo~~~”

The dog was blasted backward, its shriek echoing across the wasteland—terribly pitiful.

“Die!” Deng Yu tang stamped his foot and lunged forward.

Finishing off enemies? He’s a professional!

Though Deng Yu tang had no interest in this.

But the current strength composition of the quartet forced him to treat Jiang Lu as the absolute core.

Only after Deng Yu tang ended the dog’s life did Jiang Ruyi turn to Lu Ran and raise an eyebrow slightly:

“Satisfied?”

“Mm-hmm!” Lu Ran nodded vigorously, eyes full of admiration.

No wonder she’s a noble mage!

Even at Mist Realm·Stage Three, she has this kind of output.

And Yu Fu Sect followers are called “Late Stage” players—imagine how terrifying Jiang Meiren will be in the future!

Lu Ran added, “If we want to upgrade our gear, we need to slay a thousand Mist Realm·Evil Dogs.”

This is just to upgrade the Stream-grade·Divine Power Bead.

We still have the school-awarded weapons to upgrade—another thousand Mist Realm Evil Dogs needed. This kind of number—

Who knows when we’ll finish?”

Jiang Ruyi pondered: “Do you want to challenge Stream Realm·Evil Dogs?”

The ratio of Stream Realm to Mist Realm demonic crystals is 1:10.

Two thousand Mist Realm Evil Dogs equate to two hundred Stream Realm Evil Dogs.

Lu Ran nodded: “Stream Realm·Evil Dogs have no defensive techniques—they’re still flesh and blood, vulnerable to blades and spears, and can be shattered by Yu Fu.”

Jiang Ruyi thought a moment, then chose caution: “No rush. Let’s first slay demons nearby.”

Once Yu tang and Tian Tian both reach Mist Realm·Stage Three, we’ll head to the next Shitoucheng.”

Hearing the goddess’s decision, Tian Tian immediately agreed: “I’m about to advance—I’ve already memorized the next-stage Divine Art.”

After advancing, I can summon lotus buds from the ground to imprison demons.”

The team had witnessed “Lotus Born from Earth” firsthand—on the fifteenth night, their leader Zhang Feng had used it to trap demons.

With this technique, the squad would gain a tremendous advantage!

When facing two Evil Dogs, Tian Tian could force one offline!

“I’m almost there too!” Deng Yu tang answered before anyone asked, adding, “Believe me, I’m even more eager than you.”

It was true!

At Mist Realm·Stage Three, Red Scarf followers can learn a powerful Divine Art—Red Scarf Soul!

Once he gains this art, Deng Yu tang can escape his current awkward position.

On a small scale, Divine Art·Red Scarf Soul gives Deng Yu tang the confidence to overcome stronger foes.

On a grand scale—

Red Scarf Soul—

is the very capital Red Scarf followers use to defy their superiors!

This art allows Red Scarf followers to enter a frenzy state, drastically boosting all physical attributes in a short time.

The increase is especially staggering!

That’s why Jiang Ruyi insisted on waiting for Deng Yu tang’s advancement before challenging Stream Realm Evil Dogs.

Who among the faithful doesn’t know the power of “Red Scarf Soul”?

“Alright, alright, I believe you,” Lu Ran laughed. “Then let’s level up first.”

Before he finished speaking, Lu Ran’s body stiffened.

He had a faint sensation—as if some invisible force had quietly merged into his body.

“Lu Ran?” Jiang Ruyi, perceptive as always, noticed his oddness. “What’s wrong?”

Lu Ran’s eyes grew slightly vacant; a strange vision had surfaced in his mind.

It was a mist-shrouded realm where demonic statues stood in layers of fog.

The soul of the recently slain Evil Dog drifted into the “Demonic Statue Garden” and was sucked into a massive dog statue.

Ha, Xiang Xianyang!

After our last meeting, you’re no longer pretending, are you?

Calm down,

I’ll go collect the soul now!

(End of Chapter)