Chapter 23: Danger in the Rain

Chapter 23: Danger in the Rain

As evening fell, the west gate of the gymnasium.

The team members stood or sat, guarding the steps leading to the main entrance.

There had been silence among them for a while, and everyone quietly waited, watching the sky gradually darken.

Leaning against the wall, Zhang Feng naturally sensed the tense atmosphere within the team.

He reassured them, "Don't be nervous. There are many believers on guard outside, and numerous divine statues within the building.

If any demons from the Demon Clan appear, just follow my orders."

Although Lu Ran and the others were indeed believers, as newcomers, they lacked the ability to handle things on their own.

As Zhang Feng said, there were many believers on guard outside.

Unless they were extremely unlucky and encountered a demon up close, it wouldn't be their team's turn to take action.

The true purpose of this night watch task was to help new believers get started, change their mindset, and so on.

It wasn't about letting these students risk their lives.

Zhang Feng continued, "Rain Alley City is just a small county town with a small population, and there's only one divine avatar statue located in the suburbs.

Over the years, very few powerful demons have descended upon our side."

Lu Ran: "..."

Why do these comforting words sound more like a jinx the more he listens?

Zhang Feng changed the topic, "You are the top students of this year."

"Yes," Jiang Ruyi nodded slightly, gazing into the distance.

Outside the west gate was an open space, and further west were bushes and iron railings. Beyond the fence was a road illuminated by streetlights.

In the dim yellow light, the drizzle was clearly visible, like a curtain of water.

Zhang Feng spoke softly, "As long as you get through this night safely, your scores won't be too bad."

Deng Yutang suddenly spoke up, "I noticed that the student teams that arrived later were all assigned inside the shelter, and only we're guarding the outside?"

Zhang Feng nodded, "The inside of the building is naturally safer than the outside.

Only the top ten teams can guard the outside of the major shelters.

So, as long as you make it through tonight safely, your base score will be much higher than the other teams."

Deng Yutang understood and requested, "Brother Zhang, if we encounter a low-level demon, please let us have a try."

To get a good score, they needed more than just the base points.

Before their departure, everyone had learned that Zhang Feng was a River Realm, Second Tier Sword Lotus believer.

River Realm!

No wonder they were the Moon Gazers guarding the city; their strength and realm were indeed high.

Although Lu Ran had only taken half a month to advance two tiers and reach the Mist Realm, Third Tier, it was impressive.

In Great Xia, at least half of the believers remained in the Stream Realm for their entire lives!

These believers would never cross the threshold and enter the River Realm.

The term "watershed" carried significant weight!

When a believer cultivates to the River Realm, their control over divine power will take a qualitative leap.

River Realm believers can condense divine power into water flows, and further, they can release and wrap themselves in these water flows.

This "water flow armor" is like a life-saving talisman and your capital for charging into enemy forces!

If you already have defensive divine techniques, it's even better.

You have an extra layer of armor, which, in some cases, is like having an extra life!

"The city defense task is no joke," Zhang Feng emphasized again, "I know you want to get good scores, but the prerequisite is to follow orders.

Otherwise, I'll deduct points."

"Understood," Deng Yutang sighed inwardly and nodded.

During the previous Evil Dog Village assessment, the military instructor accompanying them had given the scores. This time, the Moon Gazers from the Divine Citizen Bureau would be judging the city defense task.

Lu Ran spoke up from the side, "This time, the school's ranking reward is a weapon, Deng Shao."

Deng Yutang: "What?"

Lu Ran joked, "Are you even interested in the million-level Heavenstar Gun you're holding when the school offers rewards?"

Deng Yutang looked at Lu Ran, who was sitting on the steps, and shrugged indifferently, "Just playing with it."

Lu Ran nodded seriously, "Thank the school for sending us some fruits and snacks, right?"

"Hehe~" Jiang Ruyi couldn't help but chuckle softly.

"Brother Lu, you're wrong!" Deng Yutang also laughed, "Are you aiming for the top spot for the reward?"

Lu Ran nodded, "Yes."

Deng Yutang tilted his head, a big question mark appearing above his head.

After a long pause, he said, "No, we're doing it for honor!"

"Yes," Lu Ran listened and changed his tune, "Also for honor."

Deng Yutang: ???

Also?

"Don't tease him," Jiang Ruyi said with a soft laugh.

"Oh," Lu Ran extended two fingers and slowly wiped the cold blade.

He wouldn't replace the Radiance Blade, but if he got another blade, he could try dual-wielding?

"Uuuu—"

Suddenly, a deep horn blast pierced the long night.

Lu Ran slowly got up, following the sound, and gazed toward the north.

Unfortunately, the distance was too great. Even though the city streets and buildings were brightly lit, he could see nothing.

He only sensed that the night rain was growing heavier.

"Has it begun?" Deng Yutang gripped the Heavenstar Gun tightly.

"Ah!"

"Help, it's a d—demon!"

"AAAAAAH!" Suddenly, a series of shrill screams echoed from the gymnasium behind them.

The screams were incredibly piercing, causing everyone to instinctively turn and look inside the building.

"Stay at your posts!" Zhang Feng sternly commanded, "No one is to act on their own or leave their post."

The screams continued inside the gymnasium, and Lu Ran could only imagine the chaos within.

The once-quiet rainy night was now completely shattered.

"Uh." Tian Tian's heart leaped into her throat, and she tightly held Jiang Ruyi's hand with one small hand.

In her other hand, divine power surged, ready to cast the Lotus Shield at any moment.

"Roar!"

Another roar came from the north, this time much closer.

Everyone immediately looked over and saw a massive, mist-covered figure appearing about a hundred meters away.

"Mist Shadow!" Deng Yutang stepped forward, blocking the team members in front.

The Demon Clan's Mist Shadow, also known as "Mist Shadow."

"Its realm is very high," Jiang Ruyi frowned, her mind taut.

Demons come in various types, each with different characteristics.

However, there is a general rule: the larger the demon, the higher its realm and power.

The Mist Shadow in the distance was at least three meters tall, exuding a strong sense of oppression.

This was at least a River Realm Mist Shadow!

It was humanoid, composed entirely of gray mist, with no facial features, looking both magical and terrifying.

From the moment it appeared, it acted like a pollution source, continuously releasing thick gray mist in all directions.

"Don't move, continue to be on alert!" Zhang Feng, who had already gauged the enemy's strength, ordered.

"What about this?"

"Kill!" Several angry shouts rang out as a Moon Gazers team stationed to the north charged forward.

Seeing this, Tian Tian felt slightly more at ease.

However, Zhang Feng suddenly reached up to his ear.

The voice from his invisible earpiece made his face change.

"Close your eyes!" Zhang Feng blurted out, issuing an extreme command.

"Huh?"

"Close your eyes?" Everyone was quite shocked.

In such an extremely dangerous environment, opening your eyes is a form of courage, and closing them requires just as much courage!

"Close your eyes!" Zhang Feng repeated the order, looking up at the sky to the west.

Above the iron fence, a surge of energy was forming.

In the next moment, a slender figure suddenly took shape and fell into the shrubs.

It was humanoid, with a withered, corpse-like face.

It had an incredibly ugly skin, yet its green eyes were crystal clear and radiant.

The Demon Clan's Shadow Eye, also known as "Shadow Eye Ghost."

When you encounter such a creature, never, ever make eye contact!

One slip, and you might find yourself lost in its gaze, even willing to dig out your own heart for the demon to taste.

"Rise!" Zhang Feng knelt on one knee, pressing his hand firmly on the ground.

In an instant, a giant lotus flower bloomed from the shrubs.

The sturdy iron fence was severed by the rapidly closing petals, which wrapped the shrubs and the Shadow Eye together into the flower bud.

"How can this be?" Zhang Feng questioned in his mind.

A Mist Shadow appeared to the north, and a Shadow Eye Ghost appeared right in front. Both were River Realm demons?!

This is human society, not the depths of a demon lair, nor a higher-level battlefield of the Divine Demon Tribes.

Moreover, this was just an ordinary full moon night.

Not to say that powerful demons can't invade, for on the fifteenth day of the lunar month, anything is possible.

But the probability is off!

The frequency of River Realm demons appearing is off!

Zhang Feng had been in service for a decade, and this was the first time he encountered two powerful River Realm demons appearing one after another.

River Realm,

is not only a dividing line for human cultivators but also a significant threshold for the Demon Clan.

Rain Alley City is just a small county!

For a long time, most of the demons attracted to such a small place were below the Stream Realm.

"Boom!"

The flower bud trembled as the demon inside wreaked havoc, trying to break free from its prison.

"West Gate, Gate 4, requesting support!" Zhang Feng's face was stiff as divine power surged in his other hand, pressing it to the ground again. "You can open your eyes, continue to be on alert!"

"Screech!"

A

As Zhang Feng cast his spell again, the sword within the lotus sheath was drawn?

Lu Ran received the command and immediately opened his eyes, only to see a huge, pure white lotus bud.

Such a beautiful and flawless flower seemed out of place in the eerie rainy night.

"Rulu~"

Just as Lu Ran was feeling the stark contrast, another sound came from his left.

His heart skipped a beat, and he turned his head abruptly.

On the building's wall, there was a surge of energy, and then a black dog fell from the sky, slamming hard onto the concrete ground.

"Woof!"

The black dog barked defiantly, its entire body pitch-black, and suddenly, a seductive deep red pattern lit up on its body.

Its dog mouth also spat out sparks.

Bloodplague Demon!

It was the demon race that humans most dreaded, the Bloodplague Dog, capable of igniting raging fires!

Moreover, its body length was around 1.4 meters.

In other words,

This was a Mist Realm Fourth Rank Bloodplague Dog?

One small rank higher than Lu Ran, and two ranks higher than the other three!

Lu Ran's pupils contracted slightly, watching as the Bloodplague Dog opened its blood-red mouth, and a fiery light ignited within.

"Jiang Ruyi!" Zhang Feng kept his hands on the ground and gave a decisive order, "Form a defensive formation. Lu Ran?!"

"Tsk!"

Before Zhang Feng could finish his sentence, Lu Ran had already darted out.

Divine Technique: Celestial Hoof!

What's this about a launching start? Lu Ran's feet turned into sheep hooves, and he charged straight into the rain:

"Mee~"

The small and light sheep's bleat sounded like a baby's cry, even more chilling than the eerie cries of the Mist Shadow and Shadow Eye! The pitiful bleating of the little lamb also pierced through the layers of rain, reaching the Bloodplague Dog's ears.

"Rulu?" The Bloodplague Dog's attention was drawn by Lu Ran, and it turned its head subconsciously.

Yes, Lu Ran didn't charge directly at the Bloodplague Dog; he didn't want to be engulfed by the flames.

The fire that was supposed to spray towards the West Gate-4 was redirected by the dog's head, scattering into the rainy night and shooting towards the distant iron fence.

"Oh no!"

Lu Ran's heart raced, and his feet continuously sprayed immortal mist, feeling the flames raging behind him.

"Help! Help!"

Lu Ran frantically fled, while the Bloodplague Dog searched for the lamb's location, sweeping its scorching fire pillars.

"Brother Lu!" Deng Yutang was both shocked and anxious, brandishing his long spear and charging towards the Bloodplague Dog.

Another talisman flew past Deng Yutang's side, reaching its target first.

"Pa!"

Electric sparks flashed, and currents overflowed.

The rapidly shot Lightning Shackling Talisman precisely adhered to the Bloodplague Dog's neck.

Jiang Ruyi's divine power surged, and her raincoat fluttered.

The noble Mage Lady took action!

Her beautiful eyes fixed on the Bloodplague Dog, and her fingertips trembled slightly as she swiftly drew another Lightning Shackling Talisman.

"Help!" Lu Ran paused, looking at the numbed Bloodplague Dog, "Is this the help?"

"Ha!" Deng Yutang's feet stomped, and holding the Heavenstar Gun, he pressed towards the Bloodplague Dog.

With such momentum, he was determined to pierce a hole in the Bloodplague Dog's body.

"Woof!"

The Bloodplague Dog howled in anger, relying on its internal energy and robust body, trembling as it opened its mouth.

As expected of a Mist Realm Fourth Rank Demon!

It could actually open its mouth, shivering, under Jiang Ruyi's hard control?! Witnessing this, Deng Yutang's heart trembled as he charged forward.

The Bloodplague Dog's mouth already glowed with fire.

"Mee~~~"

At this critical moment, the pitiful bleating of the little lamb pierced through the layers of rain.

It was a tragic and desolate sound, like a lament.

The Bloodplague Dog was indeed a little embarrassed, a shameful dog.

As a demon, the Bloodplague Dog had fallen under the spell! Driven by its primal desires, it uncontrollably turned its head, its eyes filled with violence and greed, once again focusing on the weak and pitiful creature.

Sometimes, having too keen a sense of hearing isn't a good thing.

Deng Yutang didn't hear the wailing sound; his tiger-like eyes were bright, and without hesitation, he pounced forward, his spear aiming straight for the dog's head.

"Ding!"

The spearhead pierced the dog's head, then stabbed heavily into the concrete ground, emitting a crisp sound.

Although it was a Mist Realm Fourth Rank Demon, the Bloodplague Dog was made of flesh and had no defensive techniques.

"Good!" Zhang Feng gave a light shout, his face also showing some astonishment.

In just three to five seconds, he had almost guessed wrong every step of the team's actions!

Following the team's gaze, Zhang Feng turned and saw Lu Ran standing alone in the rain.

From the team's actions, it seemed that this boy was the creator of all this?

Continue with 4,000 characters, please vote!

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end