Chapter 170: Winter Snow and Old Acquaintances

Chapter 170: Winter Snow and Old Acquaintances

As the celestial phenomenon in the sky dissipated, the demon clan no longer surged towards the eastern suburbs.

Deng and Lu continued their slaughter, until all the demons were eradicated.

The Night of a Hundred Ghosts, which lasted for nearly three hours, failed to plunge the city into a sea of flames.

After the Nightmare Demon flew away, Lu Ran did not return to the Fifth Elementary School. Instead, he patrolled the three nearby blocks.

As he searched for any remaining demons, he also encountered several Moonlit People along the way, nodding and greeting them as they passed by.

The joy of surviving a disaster was evident on their faces, some more than others.

Especially when Lu Ran walked past residential communities, he often saw citizens watching from behind windows.

The look of relief on their faces was even more pronounced.

Some smiled at Lu Ran, while others waved from a distance.

In the East Water Bay Community, there was even an elderly aunt who lived on the third floor. She opened her window and repeatedly thanked Lu Ran.

When Lu Ran left the community, he found two sugar cakes in his arms, a gift from the old aunt.

The cakes had been thrown down from the third floor, making Lu Ran feel like a beggar.

Believe it or not, they were quite delicious.

As the sun rose, Lu Ran indeed witnessed the sky filled with dawn's glow.

It was indeed beautiful,

But in the darkness of two or three in the morning, Lu Ran had already seen something even more breathtaking.

He even held that dazzling light in his hand.

At the Fifth Elementary School, in front of the main entrance of the teaching building.

Deng Yutang stood there, holding the Sky-Dawn Spear and leaning against the pillar.

Suddenly, Chang Ying exclaimed, "Oh, Ran is back!"

"Oh?" Deng Yutang lifted his head and looked towards the school gate.

"Master!" Tian Tian's face lit up with joy as she saw the familiar figure returning safely.

Then, everyone's expressions turned to astonishment.

They saw a young man holding a pitch-black Jie Ye Sword, and behind him, a floating sword hung upside down.

Following? Floating?

"It's him, it's that sword!" Zhang Feng exclaimed in awe.

When the Radiance Blade ascended, the celestial phenomenon occurred in the eastern suburbs, and those guarding the school naturally noticed the anomaly.

"Good morning," Lu Ran said as he approached.

However, only Tian Tian called out, "Master," her eyes filled with happiness as she welcomed Lu Ran.

The team leader Zhang Feng, Chang Ying, and Deng Yutang all stared at the Radiance Blade in awe.

"Be careful, it's very sharp," Lu Ran said, looking at Deng Yutang, "If I hurt you, I won't be able to explain to your sister."

"Ah," Deng Yutang felt a bit embarrassed. Before his fingers even touched the blade, he quickly retracted his hand.

Indeed, the more beautiful something is, the more deadly it can be.

Currently, the Radiance Blade was not in combat mode, so it did not emit a red glow.

But it was, after all, a divine armament! With its innate divinity and under the radiance of the sun, it shimmered with a peculiar luster, dazzling and magnificent.

"It's really true," Chang Ying said, examining the Radiance Blade closely before looking back at Lu Ran.

Like Tian Tian, her eyes were filled with deep admiration.

In the past, Lu Ran might have felt uncomfortable or tried to divert everyone's attention with jokes.

But now, Lu Ran was clear about what he wanted.

Loyal companions and devoted believers! Therefore, Lu Ran did not interrupt the emotions that were spreading among his teammates.

"Oh, right!" Deng Yutang suddenly spoke up, "Lu, you attracted the celestial phenomenon, so you must have drawn a lot of demons, right?

Did you get hurt?"

Lu Ran shook his head, "Sister Yu Xiang came to help me. She's truly a powerhouse of the River Realm, so fierce!

Sixteen Gale Blades, tearing bloodlines and weaving layer upon layer of nets.

So strong, it's almost shameless."

He said he wouldn't joke, but one's personality is indeed hard to change.

Deng Yutang muttered, "I'll tell her exactly what you said."

Lu Ran: "..."

Chang Ying pouted, "At least he's a Crimson Bandana believer, why is he tattling?"

Deng Yutang: ???

"Lu Ran, you can start considering the divine armament domain," Zhang Feng said at the right moment.

"Mhm," Lu Ran calmed his mind and reached out with his right hand.

The Radiance Blade moved as his heart desired, and the hilt slowly descended into his palm.

"Divine Armament Domain," Lu Ran murmured to himself.

He didn't know what the divine armament domain of the Radiance Blade was.

If it was a completely new domain, then it was fine.

But if its domain overlapped with that of a deity or demon's weapon,

Then they would have to fight for it.

Lu Ran's heart stirred, and he looked up at the sky:

"Perhaps, your divine armament domain is also related to the dawn's glow?"

"Perhaps," the Radiance Blade responded softly.

Lu Ran raised the sword and looked towards the colorful clouds in the sky through the cool and translucent blade, "How will it manifest?"

Everyone watched Lu Ran quietly, not daring to disturb his thoughts.

It must be mentioned that Lu Ran, holding the divine armament, also possessed a trace of "divinity."

Just like Deng Yuxiang, who once stood at the Wuli Bridgehead.

At this moment, Lu Ran's mere presence was enough to make hearts tremble.

After an unknown period, Lu Ran finally broke the silence, "Tonight, did you stay at the school gate the whole time?"

"Mhm," Tian Tian replied, "Team Leader Zhang led us to kill many demons."

"Haha, this time our team's score won't be low," Lu Ran said with a smile.

Normally, during the Night of a Hundred Ghosts, students should take refuge in shelters.

But this time, the situation was special. The Strawfiend Clan was relatively weak, and Squad 98 was fortunate to participate throughout the event.

Tian Tian looked at Zhang Feng, full of anticipation, "Will Lu Ran get a perfect score?"

Zhang Feng smiled.

He couldn't say for sure how many points Lu Ran would get.

Zhang Feng hadn't witnessed Lu Ran's patrol, but he was certain that Lu Ran had made a significant contribution to Rain Alley City that night.

So, for this final exam,

A perfect score might be inevitable for Lu Ran?

Lu Ran was also quite expectant, turning his head towards Zhang Feng.

"That's not something I can decide," Zhang Feng said with a smile, "But I will report your performance tonight in detail and truthfully."

Lu Ran nodded silently, and that was enough.

Returning to the topic, that night, he had seen many Moonlit People and helped quite a few of them.

When they report their mission status, they should also put in a good word for him, right?

The group stood guard at the door until around eight o'clock, and then, under the Moonlit People's organization, they switched shifts and went to rest on the fourth floor.

Due to the special incident last night, the students were required to stay in the shelter for an extra day.

Naturally, no one objected to this.

Lu Ran was both physically and mentally exhausted. After sending a text to his family to let them know he was safe, he fell into a deep sleep.

He slept until dusk.

Lu Ran woke up because he was hungry.

The sugar cakes from the Elder Aunt could only satisfy one meal, and it was obvious they couldn't last an entire day.

As he woke up groggily, he picked up his phone to check the time and saw several missed calls and numerous messages.

Xiao Yuanxi?

His sister's messages seemed to carry their own tone, and Lu Ran smiled as he read them.

"You made it through the 15th safely? Congratulations!"

"When do you plan to come home for the New Year?"

"Hey, cold-blooded brother, say something!"

"Don't tell me you fell asleep again?"

"Come on, who's the seventeen or eighteen-year-old guy who needs a nap after pulling an all-nighter?"

"Hey! I just saw that Rain Alley City experienced another night of ghosts roaming?"

"Why don't you answer the phone?"

"You jerk, I'm not talking to you anymore."

"Hmph (｀⌒メ)"

Lu Ran hesitated for a moment as he looked at the string of messages on his phone, but he still called her back.

After a moment, a drowsy voice came from the other end of the line, "Hmm?"

Lu Ran asked in confusion, "What are you doing?"

"Sleeping," said Qiao Yuanxi in a soft and sticky voice, sounding quite interesting.

Lu Ran: "."

Is this how much you worry about me?

He paused for a moment, but still smiled and shook his head, "Alright, I'll call you again tomorrow."

Qiao Yuanxi: "Hmm, right, who are you?"

Lu Ran said impatiently, "I'm your brother!"

"Oh, my brother. Hey? My brother?" Qiao Yuanxi immediately became more energetic.

Lu Ran hummed, "Go back to sleep, we'll talk tomorrow."

"I'm awake! I'm awake!" Qiao Yuanxi hurriedly said, "Are you injured?"

Hearing his sister's concerned voice, Lu Ran's heart warmed, and his voice became gentler, "The night the Savage Naga invaded, I fought through it, so what's a Straw Mage Clan?"

"Tsk, you're so full of yourself." Qiao Yuanxi muttered softly, "You never tell me anything, and I always have to find out myself."

Lu Ran: "I didn't want to worry you."

Qiao Yuanxi immediately became unhappy, "When you went to Qiantang River Province and took a vacation in Bamboo Sea Devil's Cavern, you didn't tell me either, was it also to avoid worrying me?"

Lu Ran was taken aback and said immediately, "Don't wrong me! How could I not tell you?"

"Huh?" Qiao Yuanxi was also made to doubt herself, "When did you tell me?

Didn't we only get in touch after you came back?"

Lu Ran was stunned again.

Oh, right!

Before going to the Bamboo Sea, I think I called Si Xianxian?

Hmm. It doesn't matter!

Qiao Yuanxi pouted unhappily, "You didn't call me."

Lu Ran got up and walked towards the door, saying softly, "Do you want to eat a burger?"

"I do," Qiao Yuanxi blurted out, then stopped, apparently not planning to calm down so quickly.

Lu Ran continued, "Two?"

Qiao Yuanxi couldn't resist in the end, "Yes, yes~"

"Hehe." Lu Ran chuckled softly and walked down the stairs, his mind filled with the image of his cute and lovely sister.

"Then when are you coming back?"

"What's the rush? It's still half a month until New Year's Eve."

"But I want it now!"

Hearing this, Lu Ran was helpless, "Fine, wait at home, I'll order it for you right away. No, wait, the city is under lockdown now."

Qiao Yuanxi complained, "Is this how you coax girls?

My foolish brother, how will you ever catch up to Sister Yi Ren like this?"

Lu Ran pushed open the school building door, and a cold wind blew in, just like his sister's words at that moment.

He stepped onto the playground and hummed, "Still talking about Sister Yi Ren?

Your good sister ran off with our family's cool night a long time ago!

After the New Year, I'm going to report her to the police."

"Haha~" Qiao Yuanxi giggled, "Do you want the Divine Bureau to help you bring her back to Rain Alley?"

Lu Ran: "."

Qiao Yuanxi whispered, "You scheming man."

Lu Ran: ?

As they spoke, Lu Ran walked across the playground and stopped in front of the swing set.

The setting sun, a lone shadow, and an empty swing.

The swing, with only iron chains binding it and no wooden board, was where Lu Ran had sat.

The swing that still had a broken wooden board was where she had sat.

Qiao Yuanxi's eyes lit up, "You can come to the capital a few days later, but on one condition: you have to go to Jade Pass."

Jade Pass?

The place where the Third Rank Divine - Jade Talisman was located, and also Jiang Ruyi's place of ascetic cultivation.

"Squeak~"

The swing chains rattled, creating an unpleasant sound.

Lu Ran looked at the two swings and chose to sit on his own spot.

"Brother?"

"Forget it." Lu Ran looked at the empty swing board beside him.

"You're so annoying! It's just a few hours away by flight."

"Don't disturb her." Lu Ran spoke softly.

Qiao Yuanxi was also helpless, "It's almost the New Year, and you're worried about disturbing her when we can meet during the holidays?"

"Squeak~"

A cold wind blew by, carrying frost and snow.

The swing board beside him swayed gently back and forth.

It was as if an old friend had come.

Lu Ran looked at the swing board, and his gaze shifted slightly upwards, imagining a faint, ethereal figure:

"I'm afraid that if I go, she won't be able to calm down and might want to come back."

Qiao Yuanxi held the phone, her small mouth slightly open.

After a long while, a sweet smile appeared on her face, "Wow, so sweet!

Say more, I want to keep watching~"

"Du du. Du."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end