Chapter 261: Step by Step to the Mountain Peak!

Chapter 261: Step by Step to the Mountain Peak!

As time passed, the rain grew heavier.

Lu Ran and his team marched forward, fighting as they went, occasionally providing support to other units as instructed by their superiors.

Lu Ran had experienced countless nights like this.

For some reason, Lu Ran felt that this night was passing by slowly.

Was it because of his nervousness that he found the time unbearable?

After all, during the day, Sun Zhengfang had clearly stated that Rain Alley City would not be peaceful tonight.

"What time is it?" Lu Ran crouched by the roadside, holding a Divine Energy Orb, absorbing the demon corpse bones.

As soon as he finished speaking, the darkness was suddenly illuminated.

A bolt of lightning tore through the night sky!

"It's 10:34," came Sun Zhengfang's voice from behind.

Jiang Ruyi furrowed her brows slightly, her gaze piercing through the layers of rain, cautiously surveying the surroundings.

The rain was getting heavier.

It was already obscuring their vision.

"Boom!"

Thunder rumbled, echoing in the night sky.

Lu Ran's body trembled slightly.

Since there had been a flash of lightning, everyone was mentally prepared for the thunder that followed.

However, Lu Ran's face still held a hint of unease.

The proud son of the Lu family was actually afraid of thunder? Yes, he used to be.

The sound of wind, rain, and thunder reminded him of some painful memories.

When Lu Ran was young, he was indeed afraid of thunder and lightning.

On every terrifying stormy night, his father would come to his room and tell him bedtime stories to lull him to sleep.

At the age of thirteen, Lu Ran believed he had grown up and become stronger, no longer afraid.

Because of this, on the night of the fifteenth, his father, Lu Xing, did not stay by his side but went out to carry out a mission.

On that night,

His father never returned.

And Lu Ran was trapped in that stormy night.

To this day, he still hasn't been able to escape.

Lu Ran often thought that he should continue to be afraid.

That way, on that stormy night, his father would have stayed by his side as he usually did.

His father wouldn't have died on the Wuli Riverbank.

"This rain is quite something, isn't it?" Sun Zhengfang's expression turned solemn.

Rain Alley City often experienced rain, and torrential downpours were not uncommon.

But a thunderstorm of this magnitude was indeed rare.

"Lu Ran," Jiang Ruyi called out softly, "Lu Ran?"

"Huh?" Lu Ran snapped out of his thoughts, and the demon corpse bones in front of him had already been absorbed.

Jiang Ruyi was sensitive and noticed Lu Ran's unusual behavior. She leaned forward, reaching out to hold Lu Ran's arm:

"Are you okay?"

Jiang Ruyi's voice was gentle, dispelling the lingering sound of thunder in Lu Ran's ears.

"I'm fine, I'm fine," Lu Ran assured her repeatedly, looking at the pouring rain and joking, "It's like the sky is leaking."

That forced smile naturally didn't escape Jiang Ruyi's eyes.

Jiang Ruyi opened her mouth to say something but stopped due to the presence of the camera. She decided against asking further.

As Lu Ran stood up, Jiang Ruyi's hand moved down and gently held Lu Ran's hand.

This action was clearly inappropriate for the time and place.

The team was on a patrol mission and might engage in combat with demons at any moment.

Everyone was wearing cameras, and any action would be visible to the public.

Jiang Ruyi was undoubtedly a qualified warrior, and with her thin skin, from any perspective, it was impossible for her to hold Lu Ran's hand.

"What's wrong?" Lu Ran turned to look at the girl and teased, "You're so old, and you're still afraid of rain and thunder?"

This move of reporting the other person first was a tactic he had mastered.

Unexpectedly, Jiang Ruyi didn't refute him but slightly lowered her head, softly agreeing, "A little bit."

Lu Ran was completely stunned.

It was a gentleness that ordinary people could hardly understand, let alone feel.

She accepted Lu Ran's sudden words.

She accepted them on Lu Ran's behalf.

Her long fingers interlaced with Lu Ran's, holding his hand tighter.

"Let's go, continue the patrol." Jiang Ruyi took a step forward, gently tugging at Lu Ran.

This action seemed to...

seemed to be leading Lu Ran out of the stormy night from years ago.

Suddenly, a flash of lightning lit up the dark sky once again.

Lu Ran silently followed her, feeling a sense of peace amidst the thunder and lightning.

What no one expected was that just after the thunder had passed, a panicked female voice came through the earpiece:

"Jiang Realm, Jiang...Ahh!"

"Uh"

The voices of two Moon Gazers suddenly appeared and then abruptly stopped with a scream.

Sun Zhengfang's face paled, and just as he was about to say something, the alarm sounded! Lu Ran's heart sank.

Has it finally come? On the night of the fifteenth, Rain Alley City had just experienced a "peaceful" night, a chance to catch their breath.

Tonight, this cursed city still couldn't escape, could it? Originally, Lu Ran's live stream was filled with comments like "Don't be scared, come to my embrace, little sister," and "Hugs."

As the alarm sounded, the content of the live stream changed abruptly:

"Special event! Is Rain Alley City about to experience a special event?!"

"This is the fourth trainee to experience a special event, and the neighboring channels are all about Ghost Night Walkers!"

"The alarm is short and urgent, the Demon Lord is descending!"

"It's not alternating long and short, Rain Alley City isn't Ghost Night Walkers, it's the Demon Lord's descent!"

"What should we do now? Let's find a shelter and stay there."

"Scared of a bird? Just kill them and it's done~"

"You're willing to take the risk, but what about Lu Ran's life? He's only at the mid-stage of the River Realm, at most the third stage. The Demon Lord's descent is guaranteed to be at the Jiang Realm!"

"Right! It's beyond Lu Ran's capabilities, so don't be impulsive. Leave it to the powerful human cultivators, saving lives is the priority!"

"Nonsense! The Heavenly Talents would never retreat!

The live-streaming room was in an uproar, but on the streets of Rain Alley City, the quartet was moving swiftly, their footsteps echoing.

The heavy rain poured, and the dark night sky lit up again and again!

Terrifying thunder roared, mixing with the low and urgent alarm, weighing heavily on everyone's hearts.

"Wuuuuu!"

"Hurry up! Faster!" Sun Zhengfang urged his team, rushing towards an office building next to a crossroad.

That was a shelter.

Sun Zhengfang's thoughts were simple; Lu Jiang, the two of them, absolutely couldn't be in danger!

A "Demon Lord," an existence at such a powerful level, was something the human race's mighty ones should deal with.

If the Demon Lord descended upon a nearby neighborhood, Lu Ran and Jiang Ruyi must enter the shelter immediately and accept protection.

If the Demon Lord appeared elsewhere, Sun Zhengfang might allow Lu Jiang to continue their patrol mission.

Ultimately, Lu Ran was the human race's hope, a rising star.

He absolutely couldn't meet an untimely end or die a tragic death here!

"Attention all units!" A male voice came through the invisible earpiece, "There's a Jiang Realm Demon Dog roaming in the central square area.

Conservative estimates place the Demon Dog's strength at above the third stage of the Jiang Realm!

Our soldiers have engaged it and are currently fighting the Demon Dog in the square."

However, this Demon Dog possesses the Dark Art of Evil Shadow Flash, allowing it to teleport over long distances, and it may escape to various locations at any moment.

All squads, please stay alert and prepare for combat. Report any sightings immediately!"

"Damn!" Sun Zhengfang stopped, his heart filled with surprise and anger, and he swore out loud, which was rare for him.

A third to fifth stage Demon Dog of the Jiang Realm?

If the human race's mighty one guarding Rain Alley failed, how many would die tonight?

Even if the mighty one achieved victory, if they made a mistake and failed to kill the Demon Dog, allowing it to escape with its flashing ability...

Tonight, Rain Alley City would still suffer countless casualties!

There were so many types of demons in the world, and now there's one that can teleport?

Is it not enough to slaughter Rain Alley City to the last man, or will the heavens be satisfied?!"

"Captain Sun!" Wei Long, who had been silent, suddenly spoke up.

"Hmm?" Sun Zhengfang looked at Wei Long.

Wei Long's eyes were intense: "Jiang Realm Demon Dog."

Sun Zhengfang's mind was in turmoil, and he didn't immediately catch the implied meaning: "Hmm, we'll continue the patrol but stay alert."

Sun Zhengfang paused.

He had been thinking that their squad was in the west river area, while the central square was in the east river area, near the Wuli Building.

Since the battlefield was so far away, they could continue their patrol, complete their duties, and try to slay demons and support the Moonwatcher forces as much as possible.

But as he spoke, Sun Zhengfang suddenly remembered something.

It was last month, on the morning of the 16th day of the lunar calendar.

At the entrance of Lu Ran's residential area, he had heard some shocking news and, in response, made a statement:

"Not only can Lu handle the Ghost Night Walkers, but he can also deal with the Demon Lord's descent."

"Slap!"

Sun Zhengfang slapped himself: "Jinx."

The fact that it made the mature and steady Sun Zhengfang behave so uncharacteristically was enough to show the threat the Jiang Realm Demon Dog posed to the human race.

The root cause was that terrifying teleportation ability!

Other Jiang Realm demons might not be able to break into the shelter.

After all, each shelter had numerous shrine statues.

But the Demon Dog clan?

They could truly flash and slaughter their way into buildings, killing ordinary citizens!

"Uncle Sun?" Lu Ran was perplexed and looked at Sun Zhengfang in surprise.

That morning, after Lu Ran gave the Jiang Grade Demon Dog Crystal to Jiang Ruyi, he stayed at home.

He didn't know about the conversation the squad had after Jiang Ruyi returned.

Sun Zhengfang waved his hand, not intending to explain.

Wei Long's expression turned cold, and he repeated to Sun Zhengfang: "Jiang Realm Demon Dog!"

Because of the surveillance cameras, he deliberately concealed much information.

If Wei Long directly revealed that Lu Ran had the feat of slaying a Jiang Realm Demon Dog and had this unique experience, there would be no room for negotiation!

Countless eyes were watching Lu Ran.

Speaking bluntly would be like forcing Sun Zhengfang to give the order, pushing Lu Ran to go to Liangshan!

Wei Long only said four short words as a reminder, allowing Sun Zhengfang to make the decision and give the order himself.

But Wei Long didn't expect Lu Ran to speak up: "Uncle Sun, I..."

"No!" Sun Zhengfang's words were crisp and decisive.

Lu Ran, on the other hand, remained calm, displaying the demeanor of a warrior: "Currently, there are three possible situations.

First, our mighty one slays the Demon Dog, and everyone rejoices.

Second, our mighty one severely injures the Demon Dog, but it escapes and continues to wreak havoc during its flight.

Third, the Demon Dog wins, which is the outcome we least want to see."

"Boom!"

The thunder rumbled.

Lu Ran paused: "As long as I'm here, the second situation won't happen!

I can attract the Demon Dog's hatred and completely eliminate its thoughts of escape.

My presence can also help our soldiers and do our best to prevent the third situation from occurring!"

Jiang Ruyi gripped Lu Ran's hand tighter and tighter.

Wei Long's gaze intensified as he looked at Lu Ran with admiration, no longer just approval.

Sun Zhengfang opened his mouth but hadn't spoken when Lu Ran continued: "Uncle Sun, you don't know."

Lu Ran looked straight at Sun Zhengfang and said each word clearly:

"I've killed a Jiang Realm Demon Dog before!"

Forced to go to Liangshan?

Nonsense, the mighty Burn God needs no coercion.

This mountain, this peak!

Lu Ran will climb it himself!

Last day of the month, please support with some monthly votes.

Thanks to the stars, to the boss of Mu Shao001X, and to the boss of T Mo29 for the rewards!

Thanks for the support, bosses!

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end