Chapter 191: Dragon Slayer!

Chapter 191: Dragon Slayer!

The next battle was between Ma Tianchuan and Gao Zhonglin, both third-rank deity followers. One venerated the Deity Nu Sha, and the other, the Deity Greedy Wolf.

Both had a swift and agile fighting style, making it a well-matched contest that captivated the audience. In contrast, Lu Ran's battle against Kou Yingquan was a complete domination! Unlike the exciting back-and-forth between Ma and Gao, Lu's victory was swift and overwhelming. In the end, Ma Tianchuan emerged as the victor in the duel.

With that, Lu Ran, Ma Tianchuan, and Wu Shanshan advanced to the final round.

The finals would be a round-robin tournament, with all three participants facing each other.

As Ma Tianchuan had just finished his previous battle and was receiving treatment below the stage, the first match of the finals naturally featured Lu Ran and Wu Shanshan.

"Ran Bao!" Chang Ying strode forward with her long legs, cradling the Xiahua Blade wrapped in fabric, and reached Lu Ran's side in two quick steps.

She wore a mysterious expression and whispered, "Do you want to use the Xiahua Blade?"

Lu Ran shook his head. "No."

"Class Monitor Wu is quite formidable," Deng Yutang said softly, standing on Lu Ran's other side.

Lu Ran nodded, "When the opportunity arises, I'll summon it."

"Okay," Chang Ying's eyes lit up, adjusting her hold on the Xiahua Blade, "Then I won't hold it too tightly."

Lu Ran smiled at the female wildling, "Don't worry, you can't stop it. Even if you hold it as tight as you can, it'll just fly with you, taking you both to the stage."

Chang Ying chuckled, "That's so cool!"

"Master, go for it!" Tian Tian stepped forward, clenching her tiny fists to cheer Lu Ran on.

Tian Tian had once been Ma Tianchuan's teammate, but Wu Shanshan's arrival had directly replaced her.

"I'll help you get some revenge," Lu Ran patted Tian Tian's head.

"No, no, I don't mean that," Tian Tian shook her head repeatedly, "I'm just here to cheer you on."

People might not believe it, but Tian Tian genuinely held no resentment towards Wu Shanshan.

If not for Wu Shanshan's shortsightedness, Tian Tian wouldn't have joined this team, become Jiang Ruyi's assistant, or become Lu Ran's apprentice.

Meeting such a group of comrades and facing the dangerous world together, Tian Tian felt incredibly fortunate and grateful for the heavens' blessing.

Resent Wu Shanshan?

No, quite the opposite!

Tian Tian even wanted to thank Wu Shanshan in person!

But if she did that, it would be like killing with kindness.

"Lu Ran!" The teacher's voice called from the judges' podium.

"Yes!" Lu Ran strode towards the podium.

At that moment, Wu Shanshan had already been waiting on the east side of the podium for some time.

She held a bow made of ice-blue wood, which looked very high-end.

"Attention!" The male teacher addressed the two, "This is the final round, and you three will be fighting in a round-robin format.

The primary ranking criterion is the number of wins.

If you three end up with the same number of wins and losses, your ranking will be determined by your performance in the battles."

The teacher's gaze swept over Wu Shanshan and Lu Ran, "In other words, you must use all your skills to defeat your opponents with minimal cost and maximum speed.

If the number of wins is tied, these factors will be crucial in determining your rankings.

Do you understand?"

Wu Shanshan tightened her grip on the ice-blue wood bow, "I understand."

Lu Ran, holding the Jie Ye Sword, twirled it in a flourish, "Got it."

The male teacher put the whistle in his mouth, glanced at his wristwatch, and mumbled, "Get ready!"

"Huff!"

In an instant, tiny water droplets surrounded Wu Shanshan, and Azure Dragons swam among them, creating a stunning and awe-inspiring scene.

As the waves of energy rippled, Wu Shanshan's short hair danced in the air, exuding a vibrant spirit.

Even Lu Ran couldn't help but nod in admiration.

Indeed, she was a follower of the Second Rank Deity Asha, and her prowess was evident.

The countless tiny water droplets filled the air, dense and mesmerizing.

"Whoosh!" The male teacher blew the whistle.

The battle began!

Wu Shanshan swiftly nocked an arrow, and a phantom image suddenly appeared on the ice-blue wood bow.

Asha Deity Spell: Tranquil Bow! This spell allowed the caster to summon a weapon from thin air when unarmed, or enhance their existing weapon.

The effect of the Tranquil Bow was astonishing—automatic tracking! Of course, this "enchantment" had its prerequisites.

The arrows you shoot couldn't be ordinary; they had to be summoned using the Asha Deity Spell.

"Swish!"

Wu Shanshan didn't hesitate and fired an arrow without delay!

Deity Spell: Water Mist Arrow!

Previously, when Lu Ran and Wu Shanshan teamed up, they frequently used this arrow.

Back then, the Water Mist Arrow was short and small, and the mist was also thin.

Today, it has become thicker and longer.

The mist is no longer the main body of the arrow, but instead, it swirls around the arrow formed by the condensed water flow.

"Crack!"

Lu Ran tightly gripped the Jie Ye Sword, directly slicing through the mist arrow.

"Pfft~"

The mist arrow shattered into mist, and Lu Ran sidestepped.

This was no ordinary mist!

It could penetrate the target's body and disrupt the divine power within the enemy!

"What do you mean?" Lu Ran gazed at the short-haired girl with an awe-inspiring aura, "First, a show of courtesy, then a show of force? Or do you want me to see how it has grown after I left?"

Wu Shanshan furrowed her brows, naturally understanding the hidden meaning in Lu Ran's words.

The matter of leaving the team had always been a hurdle in Wu Shanshan's heart.

The stronger Lu Ran became and the better his performance, the more uneasy Wu Shanshan felt inside.

She didn't think she was wrong.

No one would be willing to team up with a Nian Sheep Sect believer! No one!

No matter how dominant Lu Ran appeared, it was merely a beginner's protection period.

Eventually, Lu Ran would slip up! But at this moment, Lu Ran was already a strong River Realm practitioner, and he remained so dominant!

Could it be that she was truly wrong?

The reality of the situation was clear:

If, in the beginning, she hadn't looked down on Lu Ran but had stayed on the team like Jiang Ruyi and Deng Yutang, her desired high scores would have been easily attainable.

Deng Yutang, Chang Ying, and Tian Tian.

These ordinary people, every time under Lu Ran's leadership, managed to achieve the top team score.

If she were still in Lu Ran's squad, would she have had a better chance of being noticed and participating in the Shenmin Bureau's additional trials alongside Lu Ran? Would her believer points be seventy or eighty points higher than they are now?

Seventy or eighty points!

For a high school student preparing for college entrance exams, what does that mean?

"Whoosh~!"

Wu Shanshan's emotions surged, but her actions were swift.

She swiftly drew her bow and fired a series of water flow arrows from the ice-blue wooden bow.

Deity Spell: Linked Celestial Beads!

"Now that's more like it." Lu Ran slightly bent his legs, and the mist beneath his feet churned as he immediately dashed towards the right front.

The linked arrow also had an automatic tracking effect, drawing a U-shaped arc in the air as it flew towards Lu Ran.

For other believers, the speed of the linked arrows was astonishing.

But for a Nian Sheep Sect believer,

all they needed to do was follow behind and eat the exhaust!

When dealing with an Asha Sect believer, close combat was the way to go.

Even with Wu Shanshan using the Deity Spell: Dragon Sea Domain, Lu Ran had no choice but to make this decision!

The arrows of an Asha Sect believer would only increase in number as they shot!

Unless you actively shattered the arrows, otherwise, those arrows formed by divine power wouldn't dissipate in a short time.

In other words, Lu Ran had to fight quickly and decisively!

If you engage in a prolonged battle with an Asha Sect believer, you're asking to be pierced by a thousand arrows.

"I'm not wrong!"

Wu Shanshan glared at Lu Ran, her clenched teeth showing her determination.

Her bow-holding posture suddenly changed, and she held the ice-blue wooden bow horizontally, divine power surging between her fingers as she released the bowstring.

"Thud!"

The bowstring tightened and vibrated vigorously.

"Hiss"

"Roar!!"

Eight slender water dragons emerged from her bow in a row, creating a spectacular scene.

The audience below couldn't help but stir, and exclamations of surprise rose from the students.

"Wow!"

"It's a Second Rank Deity believer, so imposing!"

"Those are dragons! Wow, they're so enviable."

On the battlefield, three slender Azure Dragons rushed towards Lu Ran, while the other five Azure Dragons circled around Wu Shanshan, providing protection.

They seemed like living creatures, baring their teeth and claws towards Lu Ran and roaring fiercely.

Deity Spell: Dragon Thousand Shadows!

"Hmph." Wu Shanshan coldly snorted, retreating while drawing her bow and firing another series of arrows.

A string of arrows flew out.

Deity Spell: Linked Celestial Beads!

The arrows on the field became more and more numerous, dense and packed, and they all had an automatic tracking effect!

Moreover, Wu Shanshan was protected by the Azure Dragons, intimidating the lesser opponents.

Countless demons had died at her hands.

Lu Ran's fate should be the same as those demons.

Either pierced through the head or pierced through the heart by a thousand arrows.

Or have his divine power disrupted by the mist, ultimately becoming an ordinary person with only physical strength.

"Ha! Finally, someone is here to punish Lu Ran!"

"How can we fight this? The Nian Sheep Sect's mental techniques are useless against Wu Shanshan."

"Is Wu Shanshan still shooting? She's not leaving any room for survival?"

"Xiangguang, do you want to..." Chang Ying hugged the fabric in her arms, her face filled with worry.

However, the divine armament showed no response, as it had not received its master's summon.

"Sigh, the Nian Sheep Sect is still an auxiliary sect, unable to compete with the Southern Sea Bow. Alas?"

"Just charge in?!"

"Slay Dragon! Wow, the lamb is slaying dragons!!"

Under the astonished gazes of the crowd, Lu Ran dashed out from the judges' podium, forming a "7" shape.

With his absolute speed, Lu Ran managed to dodge the pouncing attacks of three Azure Dragons and a barrage of arrows, before charging straight towards Wu Shanshan.

Wu Shanshan was protected by the Azure Dragon's body.

Seeing this, the leading Azure Dragon immediately turned and attacked Lu Ran.

Lu Ran held the Jie Ye Sword in both hands, keeping it at his side, as he and the dragon advanced towards each other.

Divine Art: Celestial Hoof!

Demonic Art: Midnight Dance!

Lu Ran's feet shifted, and his body rapidly lunged forward, moving sideways half a meter.

"Pfft!"

The Jie Ye Sword slashed across the dragon's head!

But that wasn't all!

As Lu Ran darted past the Azure Dragon, the sword cut from the dragon's head all the way to its tail!

"Pfft~" The Azure Dragon shattered, turning into countless water droplets that sprayed in all directions.

"Up!" Wu Shanshan was startled, and her arrows kept flying.

She commanded the Azure Dragon to pounce while firing a continuous stream of arrows.

There were a limited number of Azure Dragons, but the mist arrows were endless!

"Roar!"

Another Azure Dragon approached, its long tail lashing out fiercely.

Just above the dragon's tail, a string of mist arrows attacked simultaneously.

"Baa!"

Lu Ran let out a battle cry, without any divine art.

There was no other reason; he just wanted to shout!

Lu Ran suddenly crouched and pounced forward.

Wu Shanshan's pupils constricted slightly.

She saw Lu Ran running parallel to the ground, his body almost touching the ground, as mist erupted from his feet like a jet engine.

"Thud!"

The bowstring vibrated.

Wu Shanshan quickly aimed downwards, and a mist arrow shot out.

Why didn't she use the Divine Art: Celestial Shot?

Because only after the mist arrow exploded could the mist surround the enemy, infiltrating their body and disrupting their casting.

"Smack!"

Lu Ran, still running forward, suddenly braced himself against the ground with one hand, his body tilting.

The Demonic Art: Malicious Agility enhanced Lu Ran's extraordinary speed and control over his body.

The Demonic Art: Malicious Perception allowed Lu Ran to hear and see clearly, gathering all the information on the battlefield around him.

"Pfft!"

The mist arrow shot down and shattered into mist.

Lu Ran had already changed direction, and with the assistance of the Celestial Hoof, he charged towards the right front.

"Roar!!"

Two Azure Dragons roared, their fangs bared, as they pounced downwards.

"Baa!!"

The sheep's cry sounded again, this time without any divine art.

After all, Wu Shanshan had activated the Divine Art: Dragon Sea, which could purify all abnormal states.

But this time, a pair of sheep horns grew on Lu Ran's head!

Divine Art: Celestial Horn!

With a dull thud, Lu Ran was like a cannonball, charging with unmatched momentum. With the sheep horns, he forcefully pushed aside the two dragon heads!

"Holy shit!"

"So tough! Brother Lu! Wow! He's so damn tough!"

"Damn! A sheep's head butting a dragon's head, how badass is that?!"

"It's the Celestial Hoof that deserves the credit; the combination of Celestial Hoof and Celestial Horn is explosively powerful!"

"Hehe, my head's buzzing~"

"Smack!"

Lu Ran braced himself again, instantly assuming a sprinting stance.

In front of him, Wu Shanshan's face was filled with fear, and she kept retreating.

"Ssss—"

Lu Ran lunged forward.

Wu Shanshan quickly drew her bow and fired an arrow, while the Azure Dragon protecting her body charged towards Lu Ran.

"You..." Wu Shanshan's face turned pale.

As Lu Ran lunged forward, he swayed left and right. Wu Shanshan's left hand, holding the bow, kept adjusting the angle, while her right hand, pulling the bowstring, didn't release for a long time.

At that moment, the sword pierced the water dragon's head!

Once again, Lu Ran held the sword in both hands, keeping it at his side, as he rapidly advanced alongside the Azure Dragon.

As Lu Ran slashed the dragon, his pitch-black eyes silently watched Wu Shanshan.

There was no malice or aggression in his gaze.

Instead, there was a hint of disappointment.

Yes, disappointment.

Through the Divine Art: Dragon Sea, Wu Shanshan realized that Lu Ran shook his head.

Wu Shanshan: !!!

At this moment, Lu Ran finally stopped his erratic movements.

But Wu Shanshan's fingers, gripping the bowstring, didn't let go.

She couldn't hit the target.

Wu Shanshan's heart was trembling.

Her mind was filled with the image of Lu Ran's eyes filled with disappointment, gently shaking his head.

Such a simple action shouldn't have been so devastating.

But it was built upon the foundation of the arrows she had fired and the dragons she had summoned since the start of the battle.

She couldn't hit the target.

She really couldn't hit it.

This was her last chance, her final arrow, and he was about to...

"Pfft!"

The blade sliced through the dragon's head, cutting across its body, and tearing through its tail.

In the blink of an eye, Lu Ran had reached Wu Shanshan, but the girl was frozen in place, her fingers still tightly gripping the bowstring.

She couldn't and didn't dare to fire that last arrow.

The Jie Ye Sword was incredibly sharp.

It had cut through Wu Shanshan's pride, from start to finish.

Four thousand two hundred characters, three more chapters completed.

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(End of Chapter)

Chapter end