Chapter 98: Escaping Rain Alley

September 19th, the light rain had just ceased.

Lu Ran finally stepped out of his home, standing beneath the still overcast sky.

Two consecutive special events had dealt an undeniably heavy blow to Rain Alley City.

On previous lunar nineteenth days, when Lu Ran left his home, he could still see people walking their dogs in the compound and elderly men exercising their birds.

Now, the crowds were gone, and the elderly men were nowhere to be seen.

"Hoo—"

Lu Ran exhaled deeply, hugged his twin blades wrapped in cloth, and strode out of the residential compound.

His destination remained the high-speed rail station.

But this time, Lu Ran did not need to skip class.

The school held only one morning session per month, and the session scheduled for the lunar ninth month had been cancelled.

Not only that, but to care for the students' emotional state, the school had also cancelled all homework for this month.

Students were free to arrange their own time.

Whether you wished to cultivate at home, travel somewhere to relax, visit relatives in other regions, or anything else, it was entirely up to you.

Due to the experience of the special event, the Demon Lord's Descent, students would also be exempt from city defense duties on the fifteenth day of the next lunar month.

In other words, Lu Ran was on vacation.

A full month of holiday!

Although the school assigned no tasks to the students, Lu Ran had tasks of his own.

Regarding becoming stronger and regarding surviving well—these were the main life quests he had set for himself.

Along this main quest line lay a series of closely connected side quests.

For instance, raising his cultivation realm, possessing a more powerful physical body, and wielding more vigorous divine strength.

Or, for example, activating statues of evil gods one by one, equipping myriad Xie Fa techniques, and summoning and controlling evil gods.

Until one day in the future...

He would rule over the entire Garden of Divine and Demonic Sculptures!

As for how other classmates arranged this month-long holiday, Lu Ran did not care.

He and his squad had already determined their destination—the Black Lantern Demon Cave!

The Zhi Xie Fa of the Black Lantern sect offered offensive power, healing, and black smoke to obscure vision.

Every one of these Xie Fa techniques was something Lu Ran wanted, and they could be equipped even in the early stages.

Yet the most famous technique of the Black Lantern clan was still the control-type Xie Fa equipped during the River Realm.

There was the single-target control technique—Yin Fire Cage.

And there was the area-of-effect control technique—Yin Lantern Great Formation!

Any living being shrouded by the light of the Yin Lanterns would find their movements hindered.

Especially the Xie Fa known as the Yin Lantern Great Formation; its power made one's scalp go numb!

Since the descent of the evil gods, countless human soldiers had been engulfed by the light of the Yin Lantern Great Formation, unable to move even a finger.

They could only wait for death in despair.

Of course, not all Black Lantern Xie Fa were useful to Lu Ran.

Like the Lie Hun Mo clan, the Black Lantern clan could also draw in human souls, trap them within cages, and burn them with cage fire.

Some Black Lanterns preferred to simmer slowly over a low flame.

Savoring meticulously the pain and wails of human souls.

Some Black Lanterns preferred to reduce the sauce over a high flame.

Igniting Xiong Xiong cage fires to crudely incinerate human souls until nothing remained.

This kind of Xie Fa was purely an "enjoyment"-type technique for the evil god clans.

Equipping it on Lu Ran should serve little purpose, right?

After all, Lu Ran currently could not imagine what kind of vile enemy would deserve such treatment from someone of his caliber.

First kill their physical body, then burn their soul?

Hmm... hopefully no fellow is so blind as to warrant that.

In fact, Lu Ran harbored another idea in his heart.

In the future, once he could summon evil gods, such as Rouge Paper Men or Night Phantoms, and so on...

Equipping them with "dharma treasures" like Black Lanterns seemed like a rather good choice?

At seven-fifteen, Lu Ran arrived at the station square.

Looking at the surging crowds at the station, Lu Ran was mentally prepared.

When he and his squad had booked their tickets, they had already discovered that many, many people were traveling this time.

But when Lu Ran saw these people with his own eyes, he realized the difference.

Naturally, travelers would bring luggage.

Yet, carrying large bags and small bundles, the amount of luggage people brought seemed excessive.

Rather than traveling, it looked more like moving house?

Were these people... about to leave Rain Alley City?

The influence of the Demon Lord's Descent once again manifested before Lu Ran's eyes.

If it were merely an occasional special event, perhaps it would not provoke such a drastic reaction from the people.

But it just so happened that last month, this small city had experienced the "Night Parade of Hundred Ghosts."

His mother had said over the phone: This city seems as if it has been cursed.

It seemed he wasn't the only one who thought so.

"What are you looking at?" a female voice called out, "So engrossed?"

The next moment, an elbow had already hooked over Lu Ran's shoulder.

With such a style, Lu Ran didn't even need to turn his head to know who had arrived.

Lu Ran gestured toward the noisy station: "So many people."

Chang Ying had also noticed the difference among the travelers; she whispered, "They probably won't come back, will they?"

Rain Alley, this old, small city, was losing population every single month.

It was just that this month seemed particularly heavy with departures.

"Perhaps," Lu Ran said in a low voice, "After all, big cities have stronger defenses and are a bit safer."

Chang Ying suddenly said, "Um... should we two move somewhere else?"

Lu Ran: "Why?"

Chang Ying lowered her head slightly and whispered, "Several Divine Demon guards are staring at you."

Lu Ran, not understanding why, looked around.

Chang Ying murmured, "Your face is gloomy, you're clearly holding a weapon in your arms, and you're staring motionlessly at the crowd."

"If I were a guard here, I'd keep a close eye on you too."

Lu Ran: "..."

In this dangerous world, people surviving might indeed suffer mental breakdowns and do anything.

However, in this special era where Divine Beings and Demons coexist, people have once again proven that the present generation is no worse than the ancients.

Just like in any dark and suffering period in history, people will always try every possible method and exert their utmost strength to survive.

Perhaps some will collapse, and some will give up.

But regarding the matter of "survival," the overall temperament of the human race is absolutely not one of resigning to fate or yielding.

"Shall I hold it for you?" Chang Ying lifted the great axe with one hand while taking the cloth bundle from Lu Ran's arms with the other, "To avoid misunderstandings."

"Alright." Lu Ran glanced at the large clock above the station building, "Have you eaten breakfast? There's a Dabao King over there."

Hearing this, Chang Ying's eyes sparkled: "You're treating me?"

Lu Ran smiled as well.

This big girl really was carefree and oblivious.

Did she seem to have little feeling about the scene of people "fleeing Rain Alley City"?

Lu Ran thought this in his heart and, without any reservation, asked directly.

"Hehe~" Chang Ying grinned, "Let them go then; it's all just to stay alive."

"That makes sense." Lu Ran nodded, feeling quite in agreement, "Let's go; I'll treat you to hamburgers."

"Yay~!"

Chang Ying became even happier, completely out of place with the atmosphere of this station.

The smile on Lu Ran's face grew deeper.

Some people force their smiles, pushing themselves to be optimistic and cheerful to face this dangerous and oppressive world.

While for others, it is simply their nature.

Lu Ran believed Chang Ying was the latter.

Executing missions with someone like her should be quite pleasant.

The two of them ate heartily, and during this time, Deng Yutang and Tian Tian also received messages and joined them.

It wasn't until eight-thirty that the group of four boarded the train heading to the northeastern region.

In Jinchuan City, Liaodong Province, there existed a Black Lantern Demon Cave.

This was the closest one Lu Ran could find to Rain Alley City; the journey took about an hour and a half, which was still acceptable.

"Which side do you want to sit on?" Inside the carriage, Chang Ying turned a row of seats around and looked down at Tian Tian.

"A-anywhere is fine," Tian Tian said softly.

"Then you sit on the inside, by the window." Chang Ying placed a hand on Tian Tian's shoulder and pushed her into the inner seat.

"Oh."

"So small; what would happen if someone carried you away?" Chang Ying muttered quietly as she plopped down onto the aisle seat.

Tian Tian: "..."

Lu Ran looked at Chang Ying and said, "Be gentler with your movements."

"Got it!" Chang Ying was very obedient to Lu Ran; she leaned slightly toward Tian Tian, "Sorry about that."

"Lu Ran." Tian Tian likewise leaned away, pressing herself tightly against the window.

Lu Ran watched this scene with amusement, stopping Chang Ying with a look, and asked, "What's wrong?"

"Has Sister Jiang Ruyi contacted you?" Tian Tian asked in a small voice.

"No." Lu Ran shook his head, "She's probably in closed-door cultivation, or perhaps training within a Demon Cave?"

"Oh." Tian Tian lowered her head.

Chang Ying leaned over again, beaming: "Don't be afraid; with Squad Leader Jiang away, I'll protect you!"

"Right, I was just about to talk to you about this!" Lu Ran spoke immediately, "Deng Shaochong will take the front.

You will stay with Tian Tian from now on, providing support from the center."

"Ah?" Chang Ying looked utterly unhappy, "But my great axe is very thirsty."

Lu Ran:???

Deng Yutang was also stunned into silence upon hearing this.

What kind of tiger-and-wolf words are these?

Tian Tian quietly lifted her head and stole a glance at Chang Ying.

To be honest, staying with Chang Ying put immense pressure on Tian Tian.

It even felt somewhat oppressive.

Back when they first entered high school, Tian Tian's first impression of Chang Ying hadn't been very good.

She always felt this dark-skinned, tall girl resembled a female savage.

Although, well, Chang Ying smiled very sweetly too.

But when she wasn't smiling, she truly looked quite "savage."

Tian Tian constantly had the illusion that Chang Ying might anytime capture her, drag her back to the tribe, and devour her alive.

"You Spirit-Sign believers are well-suited for the center; it's settled then," Lu Ran stated directly.

"So domineering." Chang Ying pouted, looking at Tian Tian, and muttered, "Is he always like this?"

Tian Tian pressed her lips together and made no sound.

Lu Ran spoke again: "Tian Tian."

"Eh?" Tian Tian immediately lifted her head.

Lu Ran: "How about you take command?"

"Me?" Tian Tian was somewhat surprised. "C-can I do it?"

Lu Ran smiled: "You've followed your Sister Jiang Ruyi every day; you've learned through constant exposure."

Deng Yutang nodded, offering encouragement: "Just speak a bit louder, and it'll be fine."

Tian Tian: "I..."

"Don't worry, Tian Tian's voice is incredibly loud!" Lu Ran said with a chuckle. "The night Yin Hua Dan appeared, Tian Tian sent me a voice message. Good heavens~

It made my eardrums ache!"

Tian Tian's little face instantly flushed "swish," turning red all the way to her ears.

"Eh?" Chang Ying seemed to have discovered something interesting.

Curiously, she extended a finger and gently pinched Tian Tian's small earlobe.

Lu Ran slapped away Chang Ying's mischief-making hand and looked at Tian Tian: "I have to be outside hunting monsters.

Young Master Deng charges and kills at the front, so he cannot oversee the entire situation.

Therefore, the only candidates left for commander are you and Chang Ying."

Deng Yutang nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes!

You wouldn't want this squad to be commanded by Chang Ying, would you?"

"Eh? You!" Chang Ying immediately became unhappy, her eyebrows shooting up. "What's wrong with me commanding?"

Lu Ran's expression turned strange as he looked at Deng Yutang: "Don't say it, but if she commands, it might actually suit your taste?"

Deng Yutang: "Huh?"

Lu Ran shrugged: "Charge! Kill!"

Deng Yutang: "."

"Pfft~" Tian Tian couldn't help but laugh, then hastily covered her small mouth with one hand.

(End of Chapter)