Chapter 17: Sword Lotus and the Red Bandana

Chapter 17: Sword Lotus and the Red Bandana

The strict instructor began to address the team's issues, not holding back in the slightest.

After a harsh critique, Lu Ran almost thought his team had come in last place.

It wasn't until the team was thoroughly scolded that Dou Zhiqiang finally turned and left.

"The instructor is so strict," Lu Ran said, looking at the instructor's back and helplessly crossing his arms.

"Brother Lu," Deng Yutang looked at Lu Ran and said what had been on his mind, "Do you really want to aim for a perfect score?"

"I was just saying," Lu Ran smiled.

Jiang Ruyi and Deng Yutang exchanged a glance, neither exposing Lu Ran's true intentions.

After the incident on the rooftop the day before, both teammates were certain that Lu Ran had a strong determination burning within him! It was for the sake of the Divine Sheep's reputation and to shatter the world's ridicule and doubts.

"Ruyi," a man's voice suddenly called out from a distance.

The group turned to see a middle-aged man walking towards them with a young girl, separated by a wire fence.

"Teacher Zhao," Jiang Ruyi greeted politely.

Lu Ran also recognized this teacher; he was the homeroom teacher of Class Seven, and the girl behind him seemed familiar to Lu Ran.

"This is my student, Tian Tian," Teacher Zhao smiled at the three renowned students, "This morning, she will be training with you."

The top trainee was about to join them?

"Tian Tian," Lu Ran muttered.

Wasn't she Ma Tianchuan's teammate?

During this assessment, she had achieved the second-place team ranking with her group.

"Hello," Tian Tian said softly, bowing slightly to the group.

This gesture surprised them; usually, a simple greeting would suffice, but why was she bowing?

Lu Ran's expression turned peculiar as he looked at Jiang Ruyi beside him, "Do we really look like judges now?"

Jiang Ruyi gave Lu Ran a playful glance and stepped forward to greet Tian Tian.

Tian Tian was petite with short hair that reached her ears, and she looked very docile.

Teacher Zhao spoke, "She's a bit shy, so please take good care of her, Ruyi."

"Don't worry, Teacher," Jiang Ruyi replied confidently with a smile, "We'll train her well."

The teacher nodded in satisfaction and gave Tian Tian a few more instructions before leaving.

After Teacher Zhao left, Jiang Ruyi looked down at Tian Tian, but the girl only lowered her head further.

Why was she so shy?

Jiang Ruyi's voice was gentle, "Your team achieved second place, why did you request a change?"

Tian Tian whispered, "They... they think I'm not suitable for that team."

"Who?" Deng Yutang asked, "The teacher? Or your family?"

Tian Tian silently shook her head.

Deng Yutang furrowed his brows slightly, "Your teammates think you're not suitable?"

This time, Tian Tian didn't shake her head, but she remained silent, not saying a word.

Deng Yutang's brows knitted further, "What about you? Do you also think you're not suitable for that team?"

Tian Tian opened her mouth slightly, hesitating, "I... I don't know."

Jiang Ruyi sighed inwardly and spoke softly, "You should have your own judgment about what's suitable for you."

Deng Yutang was more straightforward, "If you're being excluded or bullied, you need to speak up!"

Tian Tian remained silent, her eyes welling up with tears.

"Alright, alright," Jiang Ruyi stopped Deng Yutang and gently wiped Tian Tian's eyes.

Even though they were of the same age, Jiang Ruyi seemed more like a gentle senior comforting a junior who had been wronged.

Lu Ran quietly observed the scene, feeling that Tian Tian had mistakenly worshipped the wrong deity.

In the eyes of the world, wasn't Lu Ran, a Divine Sheep follower, supposed to be the one with a gentle and timid demeanor?

"I remember, you're a Sword Lotus follower, right?" Jiang Ruyi asked softly.

"Yes, yes," Tian Tian nodded eagerly, surprised that someone like Jiang Ruyi would notice her.

She had never imagined that someone as radiant as Jiang Ruyi would pay attention to her.

"The Sword Lotus deity is gentle on the outside but strong on the inside," Jiang Ruyi reassured her, "As long as you're diligent and devout enough, you'll become more and more like the Sword Lotus deity."

"Thank you," Tian Tian Tian whispered.

In the deity rankings, Sword Lotus and Sword One differed by only one word, but their positions were vastly different.

Sword Lotus was ranked fourth, and her divine statue was a lotus bud about to bloom, appearing like a plant deity.

But don't be fooled by its appearance!

Within that delicate flower bud, above the lotus heart, hovered a sharp sword!

At first, no one knew about the sword within the lotus, as the divine statue was made of stone and not transparent.

It wasn't until the day when the Sword Lotus deity began recruiting followers and appeared in the public eye as a holographic image that people understood why the deity called herself "Sword Lotus"!

It turned out that within those delicate petals, there was a hidden weapon!

As Jiang Ruyi had said, most Sword Lotus followers were gentle on the outside but strong on the inside, but Tian Tian in front of them clearly lacked inner strength despite her outward gentleness.

No wonder the homeroom teacher personally brought the student and specifically asked Jiang Ruyi to take care of her.

"What's the basic divine technique of the Sword Lotus sect?" Lu Ran finally spoke up.

"Lotus Shield," Tian Tian responded promptly this time.

She didn't think Lu Ran was unaware of this basic knowledge; he was clearly giving her a chance to demonstrate her skills.

Tian Tian extended her small hands, and as divine power surged, a lotus petal immediately appeared in front of her.

Divine Technique: Lotus Shield!

This lotus petal was about a meter in size, white with a hint of red, and exuded a fragrant scent.

Lu Ran clicked his tongue in amazement and strode forward, wrinkling his nose.

Sniff~

It smells so good!

It was worth mentioning that the lotus petals were made of divine power and were semi-transparent.

Therefore, Tian Tian could see Lu Ran sniffing around her hand through the petals.

Tian Tian felt embarrassed and quickly retracted her hand.

"It seems like the school thinks our team lacks defense." Lu Ran looked at Tian Tian, "You think so too, which is why you came for the trial training?"

"I..." Tian Tian stumbled over her words again.

Jiang Ruyi placed a hand on the girl's shoulder and encouraged her, "Speak your mind. A team needs smooth communication to achieve good results."

Tian Tian hesitated for a moment and said softly, "I don't know, it was the class teacher who applied for me."

Everyone: "."

Realizing that the three big shots were a bit speechless, Tian Tian lowered her head again.

It was known that she had been rejected in her previous team, so how could she dare to apply for a trial in the school's top team?

The day before, after receiving feedback from the three team members, the Class Seven teacher repeatedly confirmed that they wanted adjustments before registering Tian Tian, who had been 'adjusted' out.

Fortunately, the deity Tian Tian worshipped was very powerful.

The school valued the Sword Lotus Follower's well-roundedness in both offense and defense and gave her a chance to meet the first team.

Upon hearing this news, Tian Tian came with a heavy heart.

She had been in the second-best team and knew what kind of people these top students were.

So, she didn't hold out much hope.

The arena fell silent.

Tian Tian bowed her head, knowing she had said something wrong but lacking the courage to say anything more.

A gentle voice broke the silence, "From now on, you can protect me by my side."

"Hmm?" Tian Tian raised her face and looked at Jiang Ruyi.

Her humble expression was like an audience with a deity!

It was like gazing upon a statue of a goddess radiating brilliance.

"You need to perform well." Jiang Ruyi spoke softly, "After all, you still have three competitors."

"I will," Tian Tian hurriedly nodded, "I, I will definitely work hard."

Jiang Ruyi was unaware of the significance Tian Tian held in her heart.

Academics, martial arts, appearance, and temperament... Even on the shrine platform, Jiang Ruyi had worshipped two powerful deities.

For two years, Tian Tian had silently witnessed Jiang Ruyi's brilliance, never imagining that she would have any connection with such a figure.

Unexpectedly, after being kicked out of the team, she found herself standing before Jiang Ruyi due to a twist of fate.

"Go get your weapon." Jiang Ruyi gestured to the weapon rack at the side of the arena, "Let's first get familiar with each other's combat styles, and then spar with other teams later."

"Yes." Tian Tian obediently turned and quickly walked towards the edge of the arena.

Jiang Ruyi watched the girl's back and sighed inwardly.

No wonder she was pushed out; this girl was too 'obedient.'

Lu Ran turned to Deng Yutang beside him and asked, "What's that expression? Don't you like her?"

"It's not about liking or not liking." Deng Yutang shrugged nonchalantly.

Lu Ran chuckled, "A domineering young master like you doesn't like this gentle and weak type of girl?"

"Wrong!" Deng Yutang waved his hand, "I prefer the type who is fearless and full of vigor."

Lu Ran's expression turned peculiar, "Do you like Chang Ying's type?"

"Huh?" Deng Yutang instinctively wanted to refute, but the more he thought about it, the brighter his eyes became, as if a new world had opened before him.

Don't say it. Don't say it!

That girl is actually quite something!

She wields the Mountain Splitting Axe with more courage than me!

Jiang Ruyi glanced at the two of them and scolded, "You two, keep your voices down. Don't let Tian Tian hear you."

"And don't you know what type Deng likes?"

Lu Ran quickly replied, "How would I know what he likes?"

Whose Deng?

That sounds strange.

Deng Yutang suddenly spoke up, "Lu, have you watched Bright Sword?"

"I've seen a few episodes. What about it?"

Deng Yutang raised his voice, "Cavalry Company!"

Lu Ran paused, then uncertainly replied, "Charge?"

"Yes, yes, yes!" Deng Yutang clenched his fists, his face filled with agreement and admiration, "I like that!"

"No wonder you became a Red Bandana Follower." Lu Ran smiled.

If the Sword Lotus Follower's tag is "gentle on the outside, strong on the inside," and "well-rounded in offense and defense," then the Red Bandana Follower's tag is "Warrior of Will!"

Among the profound divine techniques of the Red Bandana, there is one similar to a "spiritual duel."

Once the duel begins, regardless of your cultivation realm, martial arts, or the power of your divine techniques, all of these factors are set aside.

In the duel arena, the only thing that matters is one's willpower.

Life and death depend solely on individual willpower! Even an ordinary person can defeat a powerful follower solely based on this aspect.

In Great Xia, a saying is passed down:

The myriad deities have their high and low, and the human followers have their noble and base.

But the Red Bandana makes all beings equal! A true and pure Red Bandana follower dares to fight all and can fight all! Even when facing the authoritative deity group or extremely powerful demons and monsters, they are fearless.

Duel Arena, begin!

Cavalry Company.

Fix bayonets, charge!

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end