Chapter 8

The fifth day of the lunar month, the sky was overcast.

Amidst bursts of alarm sounds, Lu Ran opened his sleepy eyes and quickly turned off the alarm that sounded like a death knell.

"Flop."

Lu Ran performed an unconventional carp leap, not bending his knees at all, like a zombie coming out of a coffin, standing straight up.

Being young means having a good waist~

He strode off the bed and came to the shrine, bowing respectfully: "Lord Xiang Xiang Xianyang, good morning! Today I am going to the Evil Dog Village for training; you must protect me..."

Lu Ran paused, his body shivering.

Inside the shrine, the white sheep jade carving released wisps of mist, continuously surging toward Lu Ran.

Lu Ran immediately reacted, repeatedly compressing and solidifying the divine power in his body, leaving space for Lord Xiang Xiang Xianyang's gift.

"Ugh~" Lu Ran leaned against the cabinet and slowly slid to the floor.

His body trembled more and more violently; he felt like he was about to be inflated and burst!

"Whoosh!"

Wind and waves rose suddenly, divine power overflowing.

Mist Realm, Second Stage!

"Hehe..."

Lu Ran gasped for air, his heart filled with wild joy!

Last night, he had been meditating in front of the shrine, working hard until late at night, but he just couldn't cross this final hurdle.

And early this morning, there was such good news.

Awesome~!

Lu Ran felt the fullness of his power and enjoyed it for a good while before looking up at the shrine:

"Thanks to Lord Xiang Xiang Xianyang for the help! Today, this disciple will definitely work hard to achieve good results and add luster to our Xiang Xiang Xianyang faction."

The white sheep jade carving just quietly released mist, nourishing Lu Ran's human body, without responding.

"You said before that when I am at Mist Realm, Second Stage, I can learn a special version of the divine technique, the Sound of Compassion?"

Lu Ran put his hands together and asked with anticipation.

"Evil Dog Village." The three words were imprinted in Lu Ran's mind.

He pondered for a moment and understood the deity's intent.

So, Lord Xiang Xiang Xianyang wants to conduct teaching in actual combat?

"Alright!" Lu Ran nodded heavily, then ran excitedly to the bathroom to brush his teeth and wash his face.

After washing up, he headed straight for the master bedroom.

Since his father passed away, Lu Ran rarely came to this room; now he strode toward a Tang horizontal blade hanging on the wall.

This blade was not a wooden artifact, but a genuine weapon, forged from Black Ice.

Black Ice is a mysterious mineral material produced inside the Demon Cave.

The material is as cold and light as ice, with a translucent pitch-black luster and a solid texture.

The blade is thin and long, a full 77cm, two fingers wide, with a 33cm handle.

"Whoosh!" Lu Ran blew lightly, and floating dust overflowed, stinging his eyes a bit.

This blade is named Xia Guang.

This was the blade worn by his father, Lu Xing; who knows how many runes had been inscribed on its blade.

Unfortunately, Lu Ran is not a believer in the deity, the Jade Talisman.

In his hands, this Tang blade can hardly reproduce colorful clouds, and it is difficult to ignite fire, wrap electricity, or diffuse frost.

However, Class Wu Ban Zhang Jiang is a believer in the Jade Talisman.

After she grows up, could Lu Ran let the Class Wu Ban Zhang enchant the blade before every battle?

"Come with me, Xia Guang."

Lu Ran channeled his divine power into the blade, and wisps of white mist permeated and flowed over the long, thin blade, brushing away the dust for it.

"Hum!"

Xia Guang vibrated gently, carrying a pleasant sound.

Since Lu Xing passed away, it had been covered in dust for four years.

Being able to go out of the mountains again today to accompany the descendant of an old friend, it must be very happy too.

The overcast sky was drizzling.

Rain Alley City, the city is as its name suggests.

There are really many rainy days, more London than London.

In the drizzling rain, Lu Ran carried the blade and an umbrella, arriving at the school gate of the First Middle School.

The playground was already full of students, gathered in groups of three or two.

Lu Ran looked around and quickly found his three teammates, because Deng Yutang's attire was very eye-catching!

Since becoming a believer in the deity, the Red Kerchief, Deng Yutang had bought a red kerchief and wrapped it around his head.

It had a lot of personal character.

And the location where the three of them were was exactly where Lu Ran had set up his stall before.

Lu Ran felt they were doing it on purpose.

Jiang Ruyi saw Lu Ran walking over from afar, and seeing his strange expression, the girl couldn't help but reveal a smile.

Just as she was about to wave, Wu Shanshan waved first: "Lu Ran, over here!"

Jiang Ruyi: "..."

Wu Shanshan looked curious and stepped forward: "Let me see, what kind of divine weapon did you bring?"

Lu Ran's Xia Guang blade was wrapped in cloth to avoid attracting attention.

Black Ice is a precious and rare mineral material, and finished Black Ice weapons are worth a lot, not something an average family can afford.

Lu Ran's family isn't exactly rich, but because his father was in the military, this blade was specially issued by the troops to commend Lu Xing's outstanding contributions.

"Wow, it's Black Ice!"

Wu Shanshan squatted beside Lu Ran, her fingers pinching the cloth to lift it slightly, and her eyes couldn't help but light up.

"Shh." Lu Ran signaled for the girl to be quiet.

"Can't tell, are you also a rich second generation?" Wu Shanshan raised her face and teased with a smile.

Also?

Lu Ran keenly caught a word and looked down at Class Wu Wu Ban Zhang: "I wish I were a rich second generation."

"You're being modest; is that a blade you're carrying?" Wu Shanshan flicked the blade lightly. "You're carrying an A6!"

"Not quite, not quite." Lu Ran looked humble and waved his hands repeatedly. "At most, a Cullinan."

Wu Shanshan:???

Do you even understand prices? Wait a minute!

Wu Shanshan's heart stirred, and she asked in disbelief: "Have you already cultivated a blade spirit?"

That's not right either!

If he really had cultivated a blade spirit, this blade wouldn't be measurable by money.

A weapon with an artifact spirit is a true divine weapon, something every believer dreams of!

Lu Ran shook his head: "Class Wu Wu Ban Zhang thinks too highly of me; I don't have that ability."

Wu Shanshan was even more confused.

No artifact spirit, just a normal Black Ice blade.

Wu Shanshan complained: "Then do you not understand cars, or do you not understand blades?"

Lu Ran raised the blade and patted the girl's head lightly: "It's you who don't understand me."

Wu Shanshan: "Tch."

If you don't understand cars, you don't understand them; why is your mouth so stubborn?

Lu Ran asked with a smile: "You said 'also' just now, what does that mean?"

Wu Shanshan pouted to the side: "There's a Panamera over there too."

Lu Ran turned his head to look at Deng Yutang, carefully examining the red-tasseled spear in his hand.

The red-tasseled steel spear seemed to be of ordinary material, nothing special, but combined with the guide price given by Class Wu Wu Ban Zhang...

Lu Ran's heart stirred: "Heavenly Star Steel?"

Like Black Ice, Heavenly Star Steel is also a mysterious material produced from the Demon Cave, and it is far more precious and rare than Black Ice!

Deng Yutang admitted it generously and handed the Heavenly Star red-tasseled spear over: "Brother Lu, want to try it out?"

"Tsk tsk~" Lu Ran took the heavy spear and weighed it in his hand.

This kid hides things really deep!

You say Deng Yutang is low-key, but he calls himself 'yours truly' every day, very showy.

You say he's high-profile, but they've been classmates for two years, and Lu Ran never knew Deng Yutang's family background was so substantial.

Now that he's about to enter the Demon Cave, this kid finally showed his wealth.

For the sake of grades and his life, he even brought out a million-level Heavenly Star spear... Wait a minute!

Lu Ran suddenly looked up at the red kerchief wrapped around Deng Yutang's head.

The 9.9-yuan street stall item in his mind instantly turned into a 999-yuan designer item.

A few days ago, Deng Yutang had given Lu Ran a kerchief, saying they should wear them together to look imposing.

Lu Ran had politely declined; after all, he wasn't a believer in the Red Kerchief, nor was he used to wrapping his head, but now it seems...

Lu Ran asked: "Brother Deng, this red kerchief of yours is also very valuable, right?"

"How much can a kerchief be worth?" Deng Yutang shook his head.

"Oh." Lu Ran nodded, feeling much more comfortable.

Who would have thought Deng Yutang would say casually: "Just a few thousand."

Lu Ran:???

I guessed high, only daring to guess 999, and you open your mouth and it's a few thousand?

Damn, I lost out big time!

Lu Ran whispered: "Brother Deng, you gave me one before."

Looking at Lu Ran's pathetic appearance, Jiang Ruyi couldn't help but roll her eyes at him with a smile: "Didn't you say you weren't used to wearing it?"

"What kind of talk is that!" Lu Ran waved his hand. "You get used to it after wearing it! How can I refuse a gift from a friend?

Every time I think about this, I feel like I've hurt Brother Deng's sincere heart.

It's all my fault for being too young and ignorant."

Wu Shanshan had already blossomed with laughter: "Alright, alright, stop proving yourself; I believe your family is poor, okay?"

Lu Ran: "..."

Deng Yutang: "..."

Jiang Ruyi couldn't help but laugh, changing the subject: "By the way, Lu Ran, have you advanced?"

Lu Ran handed the red-tasseled spear back: "What do you think?"

Deng Yutang immediately perked up: "Looking at Brother Lu's confident appearance, it must have been a success."

Lu Ran nodded as a matter of course: "I told you yesterday."

Sorry everyone,

you all picked up your chopsticks at the banquet, but I pulled out a plastic bag!

Don't say anything else,

I'm packing it up first~

Wu Shanshan's eyes widened: "You really advanced?"

Deng Yutang laughed: "Haha, good!"

Jiang Ruyi looked at Lu Ran's cocky appearance, and she couldn't help but glare at this guy with a smile.

It's interesting to say,

she, who has always been gentle and quiet, is called 'Beauty Jiang' by her classmates.

But in front of Lu Ran, she always "breaks her character" and loses her composure.

"You guys should work hard too." Lu Ran said casually, feeling the loneliness of a master.

Seriously,

Lu Ran looks as steady as an old dog, but he's actually incredibly shaky!

After all, he only advanced when he worshipped the deity this morning.

This act can be pulled off,

but it couldn't have been done without the help of the overbearing Sheep Boss.

"Everyone, line up according to your team numbers!" On the podium, a male teacher held a microphone and shouted.

The few stopped joking and immediately went to line up.

There are 399 believers in the second year, divided into 100 teams.

Due to the number of people, there is one squad with only 3 people; I wonder which unlucky ones they are.

"Everyone, get your spirits up!"

"After entering the Evil Dog Village, you must obey the orders of the accompanying instructor."

"Don't think your teams are fixed; those who violate discipline or have a bad attitude will all be screened out!"

"Also, show your value! The school will readjust the squad configuration based on final rankings and personal characteristics."

Lu Ran listened to the teacher's lecture without a ripple in his heart.

It is now July 17th, and until the beginning of September, that is, before the start of the third year, no team is fixed.

There are nearly a hundred deities in the Great Xia, and each divine technique has its own characteristics; if you want to build a team with chemistry, you naturally have to try repeatedly.

If one day Lu Ran and Jiang Ruyi are separated, there's nothing that can be done about it.

He wants Jiang Ruyi to enchant his blade, but don't others want that too?

If you don't work hard to fight for it, you won't even have the qualifications to cling to her coattails.

"Hmm?" Jiang Ruyi vaguely sensed something, and she turned her head to look at Lu Ran.

But she saw Lu Ran staring blankly at her legs.

Jiang Ruyi couldn't help but blush and coughed lightly.

Lu Ran came back to his senses, looked up, and showed a look of inquiry.

"Hmph." Jiang Ruyi's face looked like it was burning, and she glared at Lu Ran not too lightly or heavily before turning away.

"Brother Lu, do you have to be so affectionate?" Deng Yutang leaned over.

Lu Ran: "Huh?"

Deng Yutang looked disgusted: "If the Class Wu Ban Zhang were wearing a skirt, that would be one thing, but what's there to look at with those broken school uniform pants?"

Lu Ran: "..."

Am I looking at her legs?

I'm looking at her thighs... Huh?

It's getting impossible to explain.

"Don't let the deity you worship be shamed by you; have you all heard clearly!" The teacher's voice on the podium became louder, relieving someone of their predicament.

"Heard clearly."

"Heard clearly!"

"Very good." On the podium, the male teacher nodded with satisfaction. "Line up according to team sequence, get on the school bus, and head to the Evil Dog Village!"

The so-called Evil Dog Village is actually a Demon Cave.

Demon Caves are spread all over the Great Xia, with different scenes and different types of evil spirits.

Wherever a Demon Cave opens, there must be a deity statue suppressing it.

Although there are nearly a hundred deities in the Great Xia, the number of Demon Caves is even greater and is still increasing.

Therefore, various deities have produced "deity statue clones" to suppress the gates of the Demon Caves one by one.

Rain Alley City, where Lu Ran is, has a deity statue clone of the Seventh-Class Deity, the Witch Crow; its main statue is located in a prefecture-level city more than a hundred kilometers away.

Whether it's the main statue or a clone, as long as there is a deity statue in a place, it will attract corresponding believers to come on a pilgrimage.

In the past few days, Lu Ran has also checked the information and knows that the main statue of his own deity, the Xiang Xiang Xianyang, is located in the south of the Colorful Clouds.

That's fine,

the Xiang Xiang Xianyang is located in the southwest of the Great Xia, not the northwest.

Otherwise, it would be easy to be "poured."

Actually, whether believers go on a pilgrimage or not is not very important; after all, every believer has invited a small deity statue home.

Offering to a small deity statue is equivalent to meeting the deity.

But Lu Ran still plans to find an opportunity to see the main statue of the Xiang Xiang Xianyang in person.

He really wants to see if Lord Xiang Xiang Xianyang's face can really turn black...

Thanks to 'Fu Hei' (Great Official) for the 100,000-point alliance leader tip, thanks for the support, the boss is generous! Wishing the boss eternal life and longevity! Ura~

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(End of chapter)