Chapter 202: Starting Over

Chapter 202: Starting Over

As expected, the so-called teleportation array was activated by a Dust Shadow Believer.

With a blooming and then shrinking Ghost Flower, the group traveled a long distance and arrived directly in the Fifth City.

"Blazing Heaven Believer, Si Xianxian."

In the vast arena, three soldiers faced the group, led by a middle-aged man.

As expected, he was most likely the one who set the teleportation coordinates.

This man had a square face and an expressionless gaze, scrutinizing the six young people.

"Me," Si Xianxian waved her hand.

The male soldier nodded, and his gaze also fixed on Lu Ran.

Lu Ran responded, "Hello, what's your surname?"

"My surname is Zhou, Zhou Tian."

"Teacher Zhou," Lu Ran took a step forward, "I and this girl in the white skirt want to help our companions with their labor reform."

After Lu Ran finished explaining, Zhou Tian nodded, "I know, I just received the notification."

Lu Ran: "..."

Why did you make me talk so much!

Do you like listening to me so much?

Zhou Tian looked at the three people behind him, "All of you are at the Stream Realm Fifth Stage, and you are not allowed to cross the Fifth City.

This is the Northern Fifth City, and if you want to train, you can only go through the South Gate."

"Yes!"

"Understood," several people responded.

Zhou Tian gestured to the side, "This is your accompanying instructor."

To the side, a female soldier raised her hand, "You three, follow me later."

Due to the special circumstances of the small team, the three River Realm students were going to the Buffer Zone for a mission, so Jiang Ruyi hired an instructor for Deng Tanchang and the others as a precaution.

Zhou Tian waved to Lu Ran and the others, "You three, follow me."

Jiang, Lu, and Si immediately followed.

"Be careful!"

"We'll meet up in the Fifth City tonight!" From behind, the concerned voices of Tian Tian and others reached them.

Jiang Ruyi turned her head and smiled, nodding at the group.

Seeing the trio leaving, Chang Ying sighed deeply, "Alas."

A Stream Realm Fifth Stage practitioner was like a deep chasm, completely dividing the small team.

According to the original plan, the group was supposed to train and travel together for several days before briefly parting ways in the Fifth City.

However, plans often change quickly.

Si Xianxian, the "labor reform offender," took Jiang and Lu away.

Lu Ran, with his good looks, received great care from the military, bypassing the need to travel and being directly teleported to the Fifth City.

The female soldier looked at the trio's dejected expressions and could imagine what they were going through.

Such situations were not uncommon in this harsh and cruel world.

The female soldier spoke up, "You may advance at any time, obtain the Water Flow Armor, and gain the qualification to enter the Buffer Zone.

Instead of feeling sad and lost, immersing yourself in meaningless emotions, it's better to focus on the present and advance as soon as possible."

"Yes," Deng Yutang nodded firmly.

The esteemed Red Scarf Believers rarely needed much comfort or encouragement.

"Thank you, Sister, for your guidance," Tian Tian said softly, her gaze still following Jiang Ruyi's figure.

What a pity.

Originally, she could have stayed with Sister Ruyi for several days.

Strength, strength!

Chang Ying leaned on her large axe, remaining silent, her eyes filled with admiration as she watched the group's figures grow more distant.

Lu Ran and the others left the arena and headed towards the North Gate.

Upon reaching the city gate, two soldiers simultaneously transformed into crows.

"Flap, flap, flap~"

One crow flew into the sky, while the other landed on Lu Ran's shoulder.

The black crow spoke in a human voice, "The city wall is 2 li away from here. My teammate and I will guide you there.

A reminder: Your situation is special, and during your journey, you are strictly prohibited from harming any demons.

If you violate this rule, your punishment will be increased."

"I know, I know," Si Xianxian waved her hand impatiently.

She had participated in labor reform in other Demon Caverns and had experienced increased punishment due to these rules.

After being slapped by reality several times, Si Xianxian gave up on changing.

Tired,

Whatever will be, will be~

Zhou Tian suggested, "I suggest you speed up and try to avoid contact with the Evil Dog Clan."

"Here," Lu Ran handed the Radiant Light Saber to Si Xianxian.

"What for?" Si Xianxian was curious, but her body acted honestly, gripping the hilt.

She had become accustomed to following Lu Ran's orders.

Lu Ran said, "To avoid contact with the Evil Dog Clan."

Si Xianxian: "Oh!"

The Radiant Light Saber suddenly flew up, carrying Si Xianxian into the night sky.

On Lu Ran's shoulder, the black crow looked up, its crow eyes shimmering slightly.

A divine weapon!

Indeed, he was the legendary Lu Ran, renowned as "Unmatched in Rain Alley."

Nearly forty years had passed since the gods and demons descended upon the world.

In these four decades, among the generations born within Rain Alley City's territory, Lu Ran was the most dazzling!

Lu Ran, immersed in cultivation and training, was unaware that he had been elevated to great heights by the various circles of Rain Alley.

Unmatched in Rain Alley!

Especially after the night of the fifteenth of the twelfth lunar month, this saying became widely known.

This student, who should have been taking his final exam, centered on the Fifth Primary School, and under the watchful eyes of countless citizens and Moon Watchers, he protected one street after another.

What added a touch of legend to the name "Lu Ran" was:

That night, he created a sky phenomenon!

After that, he returned to the city with a divine weapon, continuing his patrol duties.

After that night, even the most oblivious person knew that Rain Alley City had hit the jackpot, as a true Heaven's Pride had appeared!

"Can I borrow your Cool Night Sword?" Lu Ran asked the white-skirted girl beside him.

Jiang Ruyi smiled at Lu Ran, with a hint of playfulness, "Why don't you ask it nicely?"

"Hehe," Lu Ran also laughed.

To be honest, he quite liked this side of Jiang Ruyi.

After all, when facing others, she always maintained an elegant and serene demeanor, like a fairy untouched by the mortal world.

This made Lu Ran feel very special.

Hmm. It's so exciting~

"Come." Lu Ran beckoned to the Cool Night Sword.

As Zhou Tian watched in astonishment, the Cool Night Sword flew up on its own and landed in Lu Ran's hand.

Zhou Tian was completely dumbfounded!

The fact that Lu Ran could cultivate a Divine Armament was already astonishing enough.

And now, another one appeared?

Has Rain Alley City turned lucky?

Could a small place like this also be filled with Heaven's Pride?

"Huff~" Around Jiang Ruyi's body, four white jade plaques also appeared.

"Let's go, Teacher Zhou." Lu Ran lifted his shoulders, gesturing to the black crow on his shoulder.

"Swoosh~"

The Cool Night Sword darted towards the night sky, and Lu Ran, gripping the sword hilt, soared high.

In just a blink, they covered the mere two kilometers.

Lu Ran focused his gaze, gazing at the majestic city walls below, his heart filled with awe!

The thick walls, nearly twenty meters high, were of immeasurable length, stretching to the ends of the night on both sides.

On the walls, torches flickered.

It was as if a fiery dragon lay coiled within this desolate land, its majestic body blocking the invasion of demons and petty fiends.

What a massive undertaking this must have been!

How many generations had it taken to complete this grand project?

"Puff, puff, puff~"

The black crow descended onto the wall, transforming into a human form and negotiating with the guard soldiers.

The soldiers, seeing the young people flying in the air with Divine Armaments, were also a bit dazed.

Such powerful believers. Why are they here for labor reform?

I mean, do you really have to go into this Evil Dog Village?

Making mistakes is normal.

Why not go on training missions to other Demon Caverns instead of doing labor reform?

Only when the guards heard that they were not only here for labor reform but also to complete a special training mission did the soldiers secretly nod in understanding.

That made sense.

Although, yes, it was still very odd for Divine Armaments to appear in the hands of these young people!

"Puff, puff, puff~"

The black crow flew back to Lu Ran's shoulder, "Let's go, we'll fly over the wall and land directly in the buffer zone."

"Yes!" Lu Ran tugged at the Cool Night Sword, "Let's go down."

"Buzz~"

Although it was Jiang Ruyi's Divine Armament, it seemed to obey Lu Ran's commands.

Aside from not being mentally connected to the Cool Night Sword, Lu Ran was no different from its owner.

The trio landed steadily, and Scarlet Xian was brimming with excitement, clearly not having flown much before.

Just being able to get up close and personal with a Divine Armament made this trip worthwhile for her!

"Lu Ran, the Radiant Light Saber became a Divine Armament, why didn't you tell me?" Scarlet Xian was still excited, clenching her fist and bumping Lu Ran's shoulder.

Lu Ran smiled and asked, "Is it fun?"

"Yes, yes." Scarlet Xian nodded repeatedly, "It's thrilling!"

Lu Ran added, "Cultivate your Black Radiant Stone Hammer well, and in the future, it will also be able to fly with you."

Scarlet Xian: "."

How casually he spoke!

Do you think Divine Armaments are some common street goods?

"Listen up." Zhou Tian transformed into his human form, landed steadily, and pointed to the side, "You need to drive the Evil Dogs into that prison."

Lu Ran turned and looked, seeing an iron gate at the base of the city wall.

On the other side of the wall, there was also an iron gate.

The thick stone wall was about 15 to 16 meters wide, and together with the iron gates on both sides, it formed a simple prison.

Zhou Tian: "After driving the Evil Dog Clan into the prison, our side will conduct a review.

Once we confirm there are no River Realm Third Stage or higher Evil Dogs, we will open the other iron gate.

After that, you will still need to continue driving the released Evil Dog swarm towards the direction of the Fifth City.

Only when the Evil Dog swarm disperses and stops circling the city wall will your mission be considered a success."

Lu Ran nodded, "Teacher Zhou, how many Evil Dogs do we need to drive away?"

Zhou Tian: "Scarlet Xian still needs over two months to be removed from the blacklist. You need to drive away 400 Evil Dogs to help her complete her reform mission.

As for your own training mission, there is no limit to the number.

The more Evil Dogs you drive away, the higher the evaluation on the assessment report we will provide for you."

"Understood!"

"River Realm Third Stage Evil Dogs are over 2.8 meters in length." Zhou Tian said, "I will accompany you throughout and help you identify them."

"Thank you, Teacher Zhou, let's not delay, let's get started!" As Lu Ran finished speaking, mist rose from beneath his feet.

"Sizzle—"

Lu Ran darted forward, heading straight for a pile of rocks.

Zhou Tian: "."

He waved his hand in front of his face, and his face was covered in mist and dust.

The environment inside the buffer zone was different from the outside wilderness, with towering rocks and piles of stones everywhere.

Clearly, this was a specially designed environment by the military to better screen demons.

Lu Ran climbed onto a large rock, using his gaze to scan the surroundings.

This place was near the city wall, and all around was quiet, with no sign of Evil Dogs.

"Everyone, cover your ears!" Lu Ran shouted, "If you hear anything, control yourselves and don't come to kill me!"

Everyone: "."

The next moment, a penetrating sheep's cry echoed through the dark, rocky wilderness:

"Baa~~~"

Lu Ran, standing on high, transformed into a fragile lamb, bleating loudly, luring the vicious Evil Dogs to come for a meal.

"Ruff!"

"Woof! Woof!!" Under the night sky, a faint sound of barking could be heard.

Lu Ran narrowed his eyes, quickly scanning, and saw one small dog after another.

Tsk tsk, quite a number of them?

Could a mere 400 Evil Dogs complete the labor reform task?

Lu Ran turned his head, looking at Scarlet Xian from afar, and gave her a thumbs up.

Scarlet Xian tightly covered her ears, showing some self-awareness.

Seeing Lu Ran's gesture, she released her hands and shouted, "What's going on?"

Lu Ran shouted, "Wait and see, in just three hours, I'll let you become a new person!"

Scarlet Xian: ???

Everyone: "."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end