Chapter 244: Pre-Exam Rush!

Chapter 244: Pre-Exam Rush!

For the next three days, Lu Ran dedicated himself to intense cultivation at home.

Considering that Jiang Ruyi might break through and ascend at any moment, Lu Ran didn't dare disturb her.

Lu Ran, however, was actively communicating with the Deng Tianchang Trio in their group chat, confirming his return to their squad to complete this month's training assignment together.

The trio was thrilled! Everyone was eagerly anticipating this month's training, seemingly keen to showcase their progress to Lu Ran.

On the 19th day of the lunar month, the city's lockdown was lifted.

That morning, Lu Ran stepped out of his home after replenishing Little Fox's cat food and water.

"Huff!"

Standing at the entrance of his apartment building, Lu Ran took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.

The post-rain morning air was filled with the refreshing fragrance of grass and trees, invigorating his senses.

Lu Ran wore a black training uniform, carrying a pair of swords on his back, exuding a heroic aura.

He set off with confident strides, under the watchful eye of an elderly man walking his bird.

Indeed, there were fewer and fewer people in Rain Alley City.

Today, the residential compound had only refreshed an elderly bird-walking man.

Recalling the previous year, on every 19th day of the lunar month when the city reopened, Lu Ran would see numerous elderly couples taking a stroll.

Along the way, most people he encountered would stop in their tracks, staring at him in awe.

Some bolder citizens even chased after him for autographs and photos.

Lu Ran realized, belatedly, that he wasn't wearing a hat or a mask.

Change of plans!

He decided to take a detour through desolate areas, avoiding the steamed bun shop, and headed to school with an empty stomach and a determined stride.

As Lu Ran approached the campus, the number of pedestrians increased.

Shouts of "Flame Charm" and "Flame God" echoed from all directions, making him feel a bit embarrassed.

There were moments when Lu Ran was tempted to use the Crimson Ink Sorcery - Crimson Headscarf to cover his head.

The young students were far more enthusiastic than ordinary citizens, and Lu Ran eventually gave in.

He drew out the Radiant Light Saber and flew straight up into the sky, descending directly onto the school building.

It's worth mentioning that there was no gathering of students at the school entrance.

There was no grand chart today.

Due to the special incident on the 15th of February, most students were not allowed to participate in the battle on the night of the 15th.

On February 15th, the Divine Citizen Bureau suffered heavy losses, and the Moon Watchers were mentally exhausted.

On March 15th, you shouldn't come and be a burden. Don't add to the defense legion's troubles.

Why were "most students" not allowed to participate in the battle?

Because a small portion of the students within the school had already advanced to the River Realm!

For these students, both the school and the Divine Citizen Bureau encouraged their participation in the city defense mission.

Your strength has reached a certain standard, and you no longer need the constant protection of the Moon Watchers. You are now a qualified city defender!

As long as you participate, you will earn 15 Devotee Points as a "Social Volunteer."

Additionally, due to your special status as a genuine high school student, the school will also have corresponding encouragement policies, granting you an extra 15 points.

Thus, 30 points are within reach!

The students who had advanced to the River Realm were overjoyed.

With the college entrance examination approaching, every point was extremely valuable.

However, those students stuck in the Stream Realm at the third, fourth, or fifth segment were filled with complaints.

The problem was, who could they blame for this? If your strength is lacking, you can only stay at home.

"Huff~"

Lu Ran, holding the Radiant Light Saber, landed steadily at the entrance of the teaching building.

"Wow, Flame God!"

"Lu Ran!"

"Flame Charm is here, everyone move aside~"

Voices rose from inside and outside the building, making Lu Ran's head spin.

Mist surged beneath his feet as he darted straight into the building.

Behind him, he could still hear the whispers:

"Haha, it's the real deal!"

"Even his escape is so cool, I'm so happy."

"So happy for you, sis~"

Lu Ran ignored the commotion and quickly climbed the stairs, rushing towards his classroom.

However, at the classroom entrance, he paused.

Because Lu Ran saw his deskmate sitting in the fourth row.

The girl wore a light-colored shirt and jeans, her black hair cascading over her shoulders.

Lu Ran rarely saw a hint of laziness in her demeanor.

She seemed a bit bored, propping her chin with one hand and gazing absentmindedly out the window.

Coincidentally, the spring sunlight bathed her, creating a bright and serene scene.

"Flame God!"

"Flame Bro is here! Quick, give me an autograph!" Although there weren't many classmates in the room, the commotion they created was significant.

Jiang Ruyi snapped out of her thoughts and turned to look.

She saw Lu Ran standing at the classroom door, smiling at her.

Jiang Ruyi's heart stirred, and she didn't avert her gaze, but her mind was flooded with memories.

During their first and second years of high school, she had lost count of the times she saw Lu Ran's figure at the classroom door.

Occasionally, like now, he would secretly watch her.

Ever since they became followers, such moments had become rare in their senior year, almost disappearing entirely.

Now, with the college entrance exam approaching, the students would soon leave this classroom.

Such a scene would likely never happen again in their lifetime.

"What once seemed ordinary..."

Jiang Ruyi whispered softly.

"We've been classmates for two or three years. Why an autograph? Stop fooling around. If you insist, go ask the class teacher," Lu Ran said as he entered the classroom, trying to decline. "I've written so many assignments and submitted so many papers, and my name is all over them!"

"Bro, here!"

"Huh?"

"Click!" Qian Hao took a selfie with his phone, his chubby face beaming with a radiant smile.

On the phone screen, behind Qian Hao, was a scene of Lu Ran surrounded by classmates, looking flustered.

Click! Click!"

Another series of shutter sounds rang out, and Lu Ran didn't sign, but was forced to pose for many photos.

After a while, he finally made his way to his seat and plopped down, "Did you succeed in the promotion?"

Jiang Ruyi shook her head gently.

Lu Ran's heart sank.

As a believer's level increases, it's not uncommon to fail to break through bottlenecks.

Seeing Lu Ran's expression, Jiang Ruyi smiled and explained, "I haven't tried to break through yet."

Lu Ran finally breathed a sigh of relief, "Oh, so you're still in the preparation stage."

"Mhm, I want to be more thorough. It's a good opportunity to go to the Demon Abyss and kill some more demon crystals."

"Good!" Lu Ran nodded firmly.

For higher-level believers, no amount of preparation is too much.

Promotion is something that requires a single-minded effort! Once you fail to break through the bottleneck, it will have a certain negative impact on both your morale and your body.

At that time, you'll be delayed for more than just a few days.

"What did you eat this morning?" Jiang Ruyi propped her chin with one hand, casually looking out the window, and said casually.

"I didn't eat," Lu Ran was helpless.

"You didn't eat?" Jiang Ruyi was puzzled.

Is eating a difficult task? Lu Ran shrugged, "I forgot to wear my hat, so I didn't dare go to crowded places."

Jiang Ruyi was speechless. She took out a piece of chocolate from the desk drawer and placed it on the table, "Here."

But Lu Ran didn't move, his eyes fixed on the chocolate.

Jiang Ruyi looked at Lu Ran, feeling both amused and exasperated, and lowered her voice, "Eat it yourself! Many classmates are watching."

"Lu Ge!" Deng Yutang strode into the classroom.

Behind him, Chang Ying followed with equal enthusiasm, "Ruan Bao, chocolate!"

Compared to the Summer Pride, Chang Ying seemed more interested in the food.

Lu Ran clenched his fist and bumped it with Deng Yutang.

Deng Yutang sat down in front of Lu Ran and asked, "By the way, Lu Ge, do you know where my sister went?"

Lu Ran: ?

Why are you asking me?

Which one of us is her real brother?

Deng Yutang looked at Lu Ran with a doubtful expression, "I just heard from my parents that my sister went to Northwind City a while ago."

You didn't know about this?"

"I..." Lu Ran opened his mouth, then said, "I know."

"You really knew!" Deng Yutang's expression was as expected, and he asked further, "What did she go to Northwind City for?"

Lu Ran: "Didn't your parents tell you?"

Deng Yutang frowned, "They said my sister went to Northwind City for further training, but I feel like something's not right."

Deng Yuxiang had the opportunity to stay in Northwind City before, why did she change her mind now?

Moreover, this Rain Alley City, which she loves, helped her successfully break through and become a powerful being in the River Realm.

Deng Yuxiang has even less reason to leave!

Deng Yutang lowered his voice, "Lu Ge, she didn't lie to my parents, right? It's not like she's going to the battlefield or the front lines, is it?"

Lu Ran shook his head immediately, "No, she went to Northwind City."

"That's good." Deng Yutang nodded, "How long will my sister be gone? Is it just for further training, or will she always be by the side of the deity? Will she come back?"

With that one sentence, Lu Ran was left speechless.

Will she come back?

Deng Yuxiang... Can she come back?

She should be able to, right? I'll go and pick her up, no matter what her fate may be.

"Lu Ge?" Deng Yutang carefully observed Lu Ran's reaction, feeling that something was amiss.

Jiang Ruyi reached out and touched Lu Ran's leg, her fingertips gently tapping.

"It's just further training," Lu Ran finally spoke, "As for when she'll be back... Your sister is a powerful being in the River Realm, and once she enters closed-door cultivation, it could be a few months, or even a few years, right?"

"Mhm." Deng Yutang's heart eased a little, and he nodded.

Lu Ran, on the other hand, sighed inwardly.

It seemed that Deng Yuxiang didn't tell her family about the Divine Weapon. She probably didn't want them to worry.

It's unknown if her colleagues are aware.

Fortunately, when I told Jiang Ruyi about this yesterday, my voice was very soft, and there was a certain distance from Sun Zhengfang behind me.

"Everyone, return to your seats and sit properly." Suddenly, the homeroom teacher's voice came from the podium.

Tian Tian, who had been waiting to greet Lu Ran, lost her chance and had to sit down in the back seat with a disappointed look.

Fortunately, Sister Ruyi was gentle enough to turn and smile at Tian Tian.

Tian Tian immediately brightened up, as if the whole world had become a little more cheerful.

On the podium, Li Yanzhu scanned the students, "Today is April 23rd on the Gregorian calendar, and there are less than two months left until the college entrance exam.

Today's training assignment is also the second-to-last assignment of your high school life.

You don't have many opportunities to increase your scores, so you must get these 20 points. Do you understand?"

"We understand!"

"Yes!" There were only about twenty students in the class, but their voices were loud.

Li Yanzhu nodded in satisfaction and glanced at Lu Ran and Jiang Ruyi, "Capable students can try to communicate with the military stationed at Ghost Moon Mountain and apply for a task upgrade, taking a chance."

"Ghost Moon Mountain?"

"Are we going to Ghost Moon Mountain this time?" For a moment, the students were both excited and nervous, and discussions arose in the classroom.

Thank you, Master Liuxi, for the 20,000 reward for the character card · Lu Ran! The boss is generous, thank you for your support!

May you live long~ Hurray!

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end