Chapter 29: Total Output Ninth Place! Title: 'City Guardian'!

The terror of a sixth-rank Saint-level expert—today Lu Zheng had finally witnessed it firsthand.

After Fu Cangli transformed into his dragon-man state, the sky split open, and a pitch-black massive spear flew out from within it. Everything around seemed to lose its color in an instant. The terrifying aura of destruction made every living creature nearby feel overwhelming dread.

The enormous Battle-Axe Bull Demon, locked by this aura, grew even more frenzied. It raised the huge axe above its head with both hands, seemingly wanting to meet that terrifying attack head-on.

This fellow had powerful skills too, but it didn't have the chance to use them.

Fu Cangli had held the advantage earlier precisely to seize this moment and deliver a fatal blow.

Unable to use a skill to counter, the Battle-Axe Bull Demon hastily resisted with its own physical strength. Yet beneath this Spear of Destruction that seemed to descend from the edge of the sky, its axe was knocked flying from its grip, and both hands were directly destroyed by the power of destruction! Immediately after, half of its body was ruined, and it let out a roar of unwillingness.

Just one move short, and it was directly heavily wounded. Fu Cangli's crushing advantage over the Battle-Axe Bull Demon had been established.

Next, spear shadows instantly engulfed the entire Battle-Axe Bull Demon. After just a moment, this Saint-tier monster completely fell, transforming into a massive amount of experience points that entered Fu Cangli's body.

After this Battle-Axe Bull Demon died, the remaining wild monsters that had been besieging the city all fled in the direction away from the city. The outcome of the war was already decided.

At this time, the settlement sound appeared beside his ears.

【Hidden quest 'Resist the Beast Tide, Defend the City' completed. Total output value rankings have been announced. The top ten will receive the title 'City Guardian.'】

【Total output value — First place: Fu Cangli; Second place: Ran Mingqiu; Third place...】

【Congratulations on achieving ninth place in total output value. You have obtained the title 'City Guardian.'】

【Title: City Guardian】

【Effect: When you are in a city defense state, defense increases by 5%; Strength +200, Constitution +500】

Above the sky of Fengdu City, an enormous golden ranking appeared, and ten people's names surfaced in the sky, along with their total output value numbers.

Among the ten people, nine were prominent figures within Fengdu City. Six of them were Mage-class professionals who enjoyed great prestige in the city and held high positions.

Among the ten, apart from Lu Zheng, the one with the lowest strength was still a fourth-rank expert, with a level reaching 178.

Within Fengdu City, there was one sixth-rank Saint-level expert, four fifth-rank experts, and fifty-six fourth-rank experts. Lu Zheng obtaining ninth place in output meant his total output value had surpassed fifty-three of those fourth-rank professionals! Lu Zheng was somewhat surprised by this, but didn't feel there was anything wrong.

He not only had a large number of summoned beasts, but also the Demon Banner controlling large numbers of demons. Surpassing those fourth-rank professionals in total output value was not impossible.

But in the eyes of others in Fengdu City, this name was a bit conspicuous.

Even Fu Cangli, after hearing his name, pondered slightly and couldn't recall such a figure existing within Fengdu City.

He immediately had someone look into it—where exactly this Lu Zheng had come from.

The golden ranking did not publish the levels. Otherwise, if people learned that the professional who took ninth place was merely a level‑58 intermediate professional, it would probably cause an uproar.

At this moment, the only person who knew the true situation behind this name, Tantai Chengfeng, was already filled with shock. Although he knew Lu Zheng's strength was formidable and that he might even possess an epic-tier class, when he learned that a high school graduate had taken ninth place in a city defense campaign, he still couldn't quite believe what he was seeing.

After confirming that it was indeed that name, he immediately made up his mind that he must have his granddaughter follow Lu Zheng.

An excellent support needed to follow a sufficiently powerful damage dealer in order to fulfill their role and reap great benefits! His summoned beasts had generally seen a small increase in level, and he had also obtained a title. Lu Zheng was in an especially good mood.

He returned to the Moon God Pavilion. Since his earlier conversation with Tantai Chengfeng had been interrupted, he needed to come back and continue the discussion. He still cared very much about this Grandmaster Forger.

One day, if he could exchange for a full set of five-star Purple Radiance Divine Equipment, that would be absolutely incredible! After Lu Zheng knocked and entered, he found that Tantai Mingyue was also there. Upon seeing him enter, the latter immediately rushed up to him excitedly.

"Ninth place on the golden ranking, is it really you?"

Lu Zheng nodded at her words. This wasn't anything shameful—as long as he didn't reveal his divine pet trump card, he still needed to show what he should show. Without sufficient potential, how could he earn the attention and investment of the strong? "Wow! So you're this amazing! What level are you now? Your output can actually crush those level 150+ fourth-rank professionals. Are you really a student from the same graduating class as me!?"

Tantai Mingyue fired off questions in rapid succession, not concealing her curiosity and admiration for Lu Zheng in the slightest.

This girl was quite straightforward, without the coyness of other young girls. She had previously held a grudge against Lu Zheng for refusing her support, but now she had cast it entirely aside.

Before Lu Zheng could answer, Tantai Chengfeng over there scolded: "You girl, why are you so lacking in manners? Blocking someone at the door—what does that look like! You go out first. I need to discuss matters with young friend Lu."

Although Tantai Mingyue was carefree and bold, she was still obedient to Tantai Chengfeng's discipline. Hearing this, she could only unwillingly leave the reception hall first.

After the door closed, Tantai Chengfeng had Lu Zheng sit down, then asked:

"Regarding what we discussed this morning—letting my granddaughter follow you to level up—how have you considered it?"

After raising the question, as if afraid Lu Zheng would refuse, he continued:

"Mingyue's parents went missing in dungeons one after another when she was ten. These past years I've raised her alone, and there are inevitably areas where I've been too indulgent or lacking in discipline. If you agree to let her follow you to level up, how to discipline her afterward is for you to decide. I absolutely will not interfere."

Hearing this, Lu Zheng was speechless for a moment.

It was just a teammate—how did this sound like marrying someone off, entrusting her entire life!? "Cough, cough, Grandmaster, you're overstating it. I can take her along to level up, but I can't guarantee we'll be together every time. Some of the places I go are too dangerous, and I can't guarantee her safety."

Hearing Lu Zheng relent, Tantai Chengfeng immediately smiled and said:

"Good, normally let her train on her own, and when you're free, just call her anytime! Wait here, I'll go get her. You two can add each other as friends and figure out the leveling arrangements yourselves."

Saying that, he walked out of the reception hall with a face full of smiles. Lu Zheng waited here for two minutes. After two minutes, Tantai Chengfeng pushed open the door, but he wasn't bringing Tantai Mingyue in with him.

Behind him followed a middle-aged man wearing black armor. Lu Zheng recognized the pattern on this armor—a dark red dragon head, indicating that this person was from the Saint's Guardian Legion under Fu Cangli's command! Sure enough, the man stepped forward, cupped his fists, and said:

"Mister Lu, His Holiness the Saint requests your presence. He hopes you can come with me for a trip."

Thanks for your support! (End of this chapter)