Chapter 16: Divine Energy Orb

Chapter 16: Divine Energy Orb

This world is indeed dangerous and cruel.

Even if you just want to live an ordinary life, you have to give it your all.

Every full moon, demons of all levels may descend upon the world, wreaking havoc on humanity.

After every 15th day, the news reports casualties from all over the world, a bloody reality.

"After this full moon, I hope to still see you all here," Li Yanzhu said solemnly.

The cheerful atmosphere in the classroom vanished, leaving only dead silence.

Li Yanzhu gave the students ample time to reflect before speaking again, "Team 98."

Jiang Ruyi and Deng Yutang stood up immediately.

As for Lu Ran, he didn't stand up because he had been standing the whole time and never sat down.

Li Yanzhu took out three small red boxes and placed them on the podium, "For this evaluation, your team ranked first in the school.

These are your rewards, come and collect them."

The trio immediately stepped forward and approached the podium.

The school's rewards were distributed based on team rankings.

Individual rankings only received Follower Points as a reward, and for other achievements, the students could report to their deities at home.

For a follower, the deity's recognition was undoubtedly the greatest praise!

As for whether the deity would bestow blessings or take an interest in offering guidance, that was a matter between the deity and the follower.

"Check it out," Li Yanzhu said softly, looking at Jiang Ruyi who had come to the podium.

Jiang Ruyi picked up one of the small boxes and gently opened it, revealing a small orb inside.

The orb was only the size of a fingertip, resembling a crystal, but not exceptionally translucent.

Visible to the naked eye was a faint mist swirling within the orb.

A Divine Energy Orb! Judging by its size, it should be a Stream-grade Divine Energy Orb.

In this world, whether it's the strength of the followers, the rank of divine techniques, or the quality of treasures, they all use the same evaluation system: Mist, Stream, River, River, and Sea.

As a small county high school, Rain Alley High School offering a Stream-grade Divine Energy Orb as a reward during the students' initial evaluation was already quite impressive.

It's worth mentioning that the quality of this treasure can be further improved.

It's not that the Divine Energy Orb has growth potential.

Rather, Great Xia has a special welfare policy for new followers.

During the summer vacation, as long as Lu Ran can complete the corresponding tasks, he can exchange it for a higher-grade Divine Energy Orb.

Li Yanzhu instructed, "When using this treasure to assist in combat, you must never drain the divine energy within the orb.

Feel the total amount of divine energy within the orb; this portion of energy is the foundation for the normal operation of the Divine Energy Orb.

Unless it's a life-or-death situation, never kill the chicken to get the egg!"

"Yes, teacher," Jiang Ruyi's fingers were long and fair, and she held the sparkling orb delicately, admiring it.

For a moment, Lu Ran couldn't tell if the orb was more beautiful or her hand.

Hmm, both are so nice~

"You two, remember this?" Li Yanzhu looked at Lu Ran and Deng.

Lu Ran nodded immediately, as he was very familiar with the characteristics of the Divine Energy Orb.

His father possessed Divine Energy Orbs, and not just one.

But on that full moon night, all that his father left behind was a bloodstained Radiance Blade.

It was said that the Divine Energy Orbs hanging around his father's neck shattered.

It was hard to imagine just how intense that battle was.

Of course, it's also possible that after his father's sacrifice, the demons extracted the energy from the orbs, causing them to shatter completely.

But Lu Ran preferred to believe the former.

His father, as fierce as he was, must have fought until he was exhausted, until he had no more ammunition or food.

"Go back," Li Yanzhu encouraged, "Stay humble and keep striving."

"Yes," Lu Ran closed the small box and quickly walked back to his seat.

The classmates looked on with envious eyes.

It was known that only the top ten teams would receive Divine Energy Orbs as rewards!

As for the other team members, they could only purchase Divine Energy Orbs privately.

The Divine Energy Orbs available in the market were the lowest grade, Mist-grade Divine Energy Orbs.

A Mist-grade Divine Energy Orb could only store the energy of 8-10 Mist-grade demons, a very small capacity.

A Stream-grade Divine Energy Orb, on the other hand, could store the energy of 8-10 Stream-grade demons, equivalent to the energy of 80-100 Mist-grade demons!

What a huge difference! Even more terrifying was the fact that...

The Stream-grade Divine Energy Orb was already good enough, and Lu Ran, being in the top ten, could further enhance the grade of this Divine Energy Orb!

What does it mean to have a head start? It's like having it made!

But a question arises:

Demon crystals also have longevity effects, so why are people so obsessed with possessing Divine Energy Orbs?

Firstly, Divine Energy Orbs can drain the last bit of energy from demons.

Taking the example of a Malicious Dog's corpse, only a Divine Energy Orb can absorb the energy from the dog's body; otherwise, it's just a lifeless corpse.

Secondly, many demons don't have physical bodies! For instance, the Crimson Paper People.

Although they appear to have flesh and blood, their bodies are actually composed of pure energy. When you defeat a Crimson Paper Person, they don't drop demon crystals.

You can think of a Crimson Paper Person's body as a 'demon crystal'.

However, you can't absorb the energy directly from them while they're alive; you have to shatter them first and then collect the energy into the orb.

"This summer vacation is going to be busy."

Lu Ran suppressed the joy in his heart, playing with the small box as he sat down in his seat.

He planned to go to a jewelry store after school to have it processed so he could wear the Divine Energy Orb around his neck.

Before Lu Ran could even sit down properly, Li Yanzhu informed everyone to gather at the Martial Arts Ground.

Her exact words were, "The instructors who led your teams in the Evil Dog Village assessment have been invited to the school and are waiting for you at the Martial Arts Ground.

You can ask the instructors about any problems you encountered during the practical assessment."

Upon hearing this, Lu Ran raised his eyebrows.

Instructor Dou Zhiqiang is here? So, I'll get to see Wu Shanshan at the Martial Arts Ground later?

"After seeing your former teammates, don't be impulsive, and talk things out calmly," Jiang Ruyi said, gently touching Lu Ran's elbow.

Lu Ran: "..."

I'm not some hot-headed, impulsive person.

I only fought with Kou Yingquan because I couldn't take it anymore.

"Did you hear me?" The girl looked at Lu Ran, earnestly trying to persuade him.

Lu Ran gestured to the middle of the desk, "Hand, it crossed the line."

Jiang Ruyi was speechless.

Are you a primary school student?

Seeing that the girl wasn't moving, Lu Ran immediately reached out to grab her, "It's on my side of the table, so it's mine!"

Jiang Ruyi quickly retracted her fair hand.

Feeling a bit annoyed, she glared at Lu Ran, and just as she did, she noticed that his elbow had crossed the line. She immediately said, "You crossed the line too."

"Yeah, yeah, I'll give it to you." Lu Ran willingly extended his hand, "You like it, I'll give it all to you."

"Who likes it," Jiang Ruyi's face turned red, feeling both shy and irritated, and she slapped Lu Ran's arm.

"Slap!"

"Everyone, head to the Martial Arts Ground now." Li Yanzhu's voice sounded again, "Team 98, stay behind!"

Jiang Ruyi immediately lowered her head, thinking that her small action had been discovered, which was why their team was asked to stay.

For a moment, she felt a surge of anger, irritated by Lu Ran's words.

The students in the class stood up and quickly left.

It wasn't until the classroom was empty that Deng, Jiang, and Lu, following the teacher's instructions, gathered around the podium again.

"The school has notified that there will be some adjustments to your team." Li Yanzhu looked at the three of them, "The school has taken into account your wishes, and the three of you will remain unchanged for now."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ruyi felt relieved, and Lu and Deng were even more reassured.

Li Yanzhu advised, "Team changes are quite normal, don't have any other thoughts about it.

Before the start of the senior year, this is the stage for team formation and coordination. There are no fixed teams."

"We understand." Jiang Ruyi spoke softly, "Last night, Wu Shanshan also called me to explain."

"Huh?"

Deng Yutang and Lu Ran both looked at Captain Jiang.

Li Yanzhu nodded, "Your performance is excellent, and the school has listed you as key cultivation objects. Many students want to join your team.

After comprehensive consideration, the school has selected four candidate trainees for you. They belong to different deity factions and are all suitable for your team.

Today and tomorrow, these four students will come at different times to report to you and undergo trial training."

"Haha, that's great!" Deng Yutang laughed.

Lu Ran also became interested, "Am I a judge now?"

A bit like the 'Great Xia Talent Show'?

If you want me to turn around, you have to offer something more~

Li Yanzhu looked at Jiang Ruyi, "By 8 PM tomorrow, unify the team's opinion and choose one new teammate from the four candidates, then report back to me."

"Okay, Teacher Li."

"Go." Li Yanzhu waved her hand, "Martial Arts Ground 13."

"Yes, ma'am!"

"Thank you, Teacher Li."

The trio bid farewell to the class teacher and quickly left, heading towards the Martial Arts Ground located in the northern part of the school, nestled within the forest.

The Martial Arts Ground was essentially a concrete area enclosed by barbed wire, resembling a basketball court.

The difference was that there were no basketball hoops, only weapon racks filled with various wooden weapons.

Along the way, Deng Yutang curiously asked, "Captain Jiang, what did Wu Shanshan tell you?"

"She said that after discussing with the teachers and her family, she felt she wasn't a good fit for this team."

Jiang Ruyi spoke softly and added, "She also wished us to become stronger and achieve even better results."

"Hmph." Deng Yutang scoffed, "What's so unsuitable about her?"

"There's one thing she said that's quite true." Jiang Ruyi thought for a moment and said, "Wu Shanshan said this wasn't her team."

"Does she want to be the captain?" Deng Yutang's expression turned strange.

If Wu Shanshan wanted to be the leader and didn't distrust her teammates, and had no bias against Lu Ran, Deng Yutang would truly see her in a different light.

"I see the instructor." Lu Ran interrupted their conversation, gesturing towards the distance.

Through the barbed wire, they saw a familiar figure.

They didn't see Wu Shanshan, probably because she had already formed a team.

"Instructor Dou!"

"Instructor." The group quickened their pace and jogged into the arena.

Dou Zhiqiang spoke, "Time is tight, so let me first address some issues that arose during your task."

This soldier was indeed efficient and decisive.

Lu Ran raised his hand, "Instructor, I have a question. Can you answer it for me first?"

"Go ahead."

Lu Ran asked, "I've been wondering, how did I get 98 points?"

The scores for this assessment were the results provided by the supervising instructor to the military.

On the military's individual performance list, the second place was only 87 points, and Lu Ran was far ahead!

Dou Zhiqiang explained, "Your understanding and application of the Divine Technique of the Divine Sheep faction far surpasses others."

Lu Ran: "Oh, I see."

Dou Zhiqiang continued, "Due to your outstanding performance, your team has been transformed, and you've established a dominant position over the Malevolent Dog Clan.

Your success rate has reached 100%, and your efficiency in killing enemies is higher, while ensuring your own safety."

"Hehe~" Lu Ran laughed, "Look at the trouble this has caused."

Dou Zhiqiang's face turned cold, "Do you have any other questions?"

Lu Ran: "..."

Why so fierce?

Dou Zhiqiang said sternly, "If not, I'll begin."

Lu Ran raised his hand again.

Dou Zhiqiang frowned slightly, "Ask."

Lu Ran, indeed brave, blurted out, "Since I'm so amazing, where did those two points go?"

Dou Zhiqiang: ???

Deng Yutang was also taken aback, "Wow."

Jiang Ruyi was quick to react, reaching out to grab Lu Ran's wrist and pushing down his raised hand, "Instructor, please tell us about our issues. Lu Ran has no more questions."

Lu Ran felt very uncomfortable.

Where did I say I had no more questions? According to the instructor, even a perfect score couldn't stop me, I should have gotten 120 points!

Thanks to the Alliance Leader of the Sharp Blade for the beautiful and talented girl. Thanks to the support of the Alliance Leader, I wish you a smooth and successful writing career, and may your writing flourish like a rainbow.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end