Chapter 303: Giving the World a Little Shock

Chapter 303: Giving the World a Little Shock

The sun and moon traverse the sky, and it is mid-August.

Once again, it is evening.

A young man carrying a pair of blades stands on the abandoned rooftop of the Wulie Riverbank Neighborhood, leaning against a stone fence, gazing at the surging Wulie River.

His longing gaze is like a statue of a wife waiting for her husband.

From the fourth to the fourteenth of August, Lu Ran's heart went from eager anticipation to the current silence.

This shouldn't be.

The insight in his heart should be correct.

When he advanced from Stream Realm, Fifth Stage to River Realm, he had already proven that his insight was on the right path.

Moreover, Deng Yuxiang used the same insight when she advanced from River Realm, Fifth Stage to River Realm.

Why?

Why hasn't the gateway to the River Realm opened for him?

Don't tell me this is a one-time thing.

How is that possible?

So, is it that his insight isn't profound enough?

Lu Ran sighed deeply, lifting his head to look at the overcast sky.

After a while, he reached into his pocket and took out his phone.

He scrolled through his contacts, and his gaze fixed on three words: Grand Nightmare.

Lu Ran hesitated for a moment but eventually dialed the number.

Unexpectedly, the call went through.

Lu Ran raised his eyebrows slightly, patiently waiting for a moment, and a familiar voice came from the other end:

"Little Lu Ran?"

"Sister Yuxiang," Lu Ran greeted.

There was a brief silence on the other end before the voice spoke again, "Why did you suddenly think of calling me?"

Lu Ran: "How have you been lately?"

Deng Yuxiang replied briefly, "Cultivation, battle preparedness."

"Mmm."

"What's wrong?" Grand Nightmare's voice carried a hint of concern.

"I've advanced to River Realm, Fifth Stage."

"Oh? So fast?"

Lu Ran spoke softly, "I'm at the Wulie Riverbank, standing where you once stood."

A glimmer of reminiscence flashed in Deng Yuxiang's eyes as she said softly, "You want to advance to the River Realm."

"Yeah." Lu Ran lowered his head, kicking the stone fence, "I've been watching for ten days, but there's been no response."

"Hehe~" The woman chuckled lightly, "It seems I'm luckier than you.

When I advanced, I had a teacher's guidance, but you don't."

Lu Ran rolled his eyes, "Do you say that without feeling guilty?"

"Hahahahaha~" Deng Yuxiang burst into laughter, carefree.

It was confirmed that her conscience was truly unbothered.

What Lu Ran didn't know was that Deng Yuxiang hadn't laughed in a long time.

After a while, Deng Yuxiang composed herself and joked, "Do you want me to give you some pointers?"

Lu Ran pouted, correcting her, "Help me review!"

Deng Yuxiang reluctantly agreed, "Alright, first call me 'Master' and let's see."

Lu Ran's face darkened, "Do you have the nerve?"

Deng Yuxiang hummed, "I called you 'Master Lu' too."

Lu Ran sighed, "Are you feeling wronged now?"

Deng Yuxiang smiled sweetly, "Call."

Lu Ran: "Baa."

Deng Yuxiang: "..."

After some back and forth, Miss Deng's mini-lecture finally began.

Lu Ran stepped onto the fence, gazing at the distant river, attempting to review and gain new insights.

Until a certain sentence from Deng Yuxiang, Lu Ran suddenly realized a problem.

All along, his focus had been on the surging Wulie River.

But what he should have been paying attention to was this Rain Alley City and the world around him.

After Deng Yuxiang finished speaking, she asked, "Well? Do you have any thoughts?"

Lu Ran pondered for a moment, then said, "I'm not sure, but I'll give it a try."

"Good luck," Deng Yuxiang said softly.

"Sister."

"Hmm?"

"Remember, when you're ready to challenge, you must tell me in advance!" Lu Ran's voice was solemn.

Upon hearing this, Deng Yuxiang's heart warmed.

Since coming to Northwind City, she hadn't laughed like she just did.

The overcast sky above and the uncertain future ahead had also made her heart soften after a long time.

"Alright, you have my word!" Deng Yuxiang promised solemnly over the phone.

"Mmm." Lu Ran hung up, shifting his gaze from the Wulie River to the surroundings.

The sky was shrouded in clouds, and the buildings were old and dilapidated.

The streetlights cast a dim yellow glow on the deserted streets.

Suddenly, Radiant Light Sabers and Night Silence Blades appeared, crossing each other on the ground in an "X" shape according to their master's will.

Lu Ran took a step forward, stepping on a pair of divine weapons, and his entire body slowly rose into the air.

He soared higher and higher, reaching a height of nearly three hundred meters, overlooking the small city below.

Lu Ran rarely indulged like this.

He had wielded his saber and flown through the sky several times, rushing to the battlefield again and again.

But this time, he was standing high above the city, with Rain Alley City beneath his feet.

"Huff~"

The wind was strong up in the sky, causing his raincoat to flutter noisily.

Lu Ran lowered his head, gazing at the city.

From his lofty position, he didn't feel superior or have the illusion of possessing everything.

Lu Ran felt like a half-grown child, with a bit of ability, but far from enough to protect her completely.

All he could do was watch her wither away day by day in the wind and rain.

Her?

For this city that gave him birth and raised him, including the Wu Lie River, Lu Ran was willing to use the pronoun "her" to refer to it.

Lu Ran closed his eyes and sighed deeply.

The ten thousand household lights in the night were one of the few scenes this cursed land could boast of.

Indeed, not many people lived here.

But every night, as each household lit their lamps, a heartwarming picture was formed.

Lu Ran opened his eyes again and saw his past self in the familiar streets.

The way home, the poplar trees lining the road.

The small restaurant where they ate, the campus that held their youthful memories.

"Hmm."

Lu Ran's eyebrows suddenly furrowed, as if he had caught something, yet it was also as if nothing was there.

It was like seeing a ghost, just like before! Ten days ago, when he captured the inspiration of "Radiant Light Soaring High," it was the same.

Ever since then, Lu Ran had been waking up early every day and going out with his Divine Weapon.

Unfortunately, Rain Alley City rarely saw sunny days, and thus, dawn rarely graced it with its presence.

Lu Ran adjusted his mood, trying to sense the inspiration again.

Time passed, and the city lights became sparser.

House by house, people fell asleep, and each extinguished light seemed like a second ticking off the countdown.

Lu Ran's heart grew chaotic.

In the end, he glanced at the sky once more, and a sense of powerlessness rose in his heart.

Perhaps his past path had been too smooth, and his expectations were too high.

The vast river was not an easy feat.

The Divine Weapon flew west, carrying its master, and descended upon the Rain Alley Home Neighborhood.

In the late night, the lights in Lu's residence were still on.

Lu Ran strode down from the Divine Weapon and headed towards the apartment building.

The Dazzling Nightlight flew up automatically and precisely sheathed itself.

Lu Ran stood in front of the door, listening intently.

Amidst the silence, he heard the sound of even breathing, long and rhythmic.

It seemed she was asleep.

Lu Ran took out his key and gently opened the door.

The indoor lighting was warm, and the aroma of food wafted through the air.

On the living room sofa, a graceful figure sat quietly.

She wore a white silk nightgown, and her long legs were elegantly crossed, leaning against the sofa back, already fast asleep.

Lu Ran took off his raincoat and shoes and tiptoed into the room.

He glanced at the clock on the wall and realized it was already past one in the morning.

Lu Ran approached the sofa and looked at the sleeping girl's cute face, feeling a bit guilty.

He had told her many times not to wait for him.

But when it came to waiting for Lu Ran to come home, she was very stubborn.

Lu Ran bent down, slipped one hand under her knees and the other around her back, and lifted her up in a princess carry.

"Hmm," Jiang Ruyi woke up gently and instinctively hugged Lu Ran.

Her cheek rubbed against Lu Ran's neck, and her voice was soft and sticky, "You're back."

"Sorry, go to sleep," Lu Ran whispered, carrying her to the master bedroom, carefully placing her on the bed, and covering her with a blanket.

He tiptoed out and headed straight for the kitchen.

In the clay pot, there was a soup simmering over a gentle flame.

This special beef and wolfberry soup also reminded Lu Ran that tomorrow was the day of Heavenly Pride.

Due to the divine patrol in the sixth lunar month and the opening of the Yin Gate in the seventh lunar month, the Great Xia official did not hold Heavenly Pride during these two months.

In other words, Lu Ran had not missed a session.

After the first two sessions of Heavenly Pride, Lu Ran's ranking was quite good, and as long as he maintained his position in the top three, he would receive rewards such as Divine Weapons and artifacts.

As the third-ranked on the Heaven Rank, Lu Ran also had a good chance of competing for the top three.

He would, of course, take it more seriously! If he could add another treasure to his arsenal, his combat power would naturally be stronger, and his chances of survival would increase.

Lu Ran thought to himself as he drank three bowls of soup in a row.

Warming his stomach and heart.

The night passed without incident, and the next morning at dawn.

Lu Ran and Jiang Ruyi had a hearty breakfast, fully equipped, and left the house.

The gathering place was still the usual spot.

On the fifteenth day of Rain Alley City, a light drizzle fell once more.

At the lakeside cottage in West River Park.

Sun Zhengfang, wearing a raincoat, waved to the two of them from a distance, "Lu Ran and Jiang Ruyi!"

Lu Ran couldn't help but smile.

Recalling their first meeting with Captain Sun, he was so calm and composed.

As Lu Ran continued to grow, they experienced life and death together, and Captain Sun became more like a close friend.

"Uncle Sun!"

"Uncle Sun," the two hurried forward and greeted politely.

"Haha!" Sun Zhengfang walked to Lu Ran's side and put an arm around his shoulder, "You kid! Back from your pilgrimage?"

"I thought that after going to university, even if you returned, you'd be guarding Wu Lie River City."

"A few days ago, I heard you were coming back, and it made me so happy!"

Lu Ran shrugged, "A big city like Wu Lie River has plenty of people to guard it."

As he spoke, Lu Ran added silently to himself: Rain Alley is different; only we are in Rain Alley.

Sun Zhengfang asked with concern, "How's university life?"

Lu Ran's expression turned peculiar, "I'm not sure. From the start of school until now, I've only attended one day of classes.

No, not even a full day."

As he spoke, Lu Ran looked at Jiang Ruyi, "Maybe just twenty minutes?"

Jiang Ruyi remained silent, but she secretly thought it was probably only seven or eight minutes.

"Hahahaha!" Sun Zhengfang's laughter was hearty as he shook Lu Ran's shoulder, "I've seen your glorious achievements!

On the day you returned to school, you became enraged for a beauty! Haha!"

Lu Ran: ".

Jiang Ruyi's face turned red, and she slightly lowered her head.

There were too many onlookers that day, and various short videos of Lu Ran's battle spread like wildfire online.

The discussion was intense, with all sorts of opinions.

Some said Lu Ran's methods were too cruel, as they were still fellow countrymen, and sparring should have its limits.

Others argued that Lu Ran had already shown restraint by dismantling his opponent's golden body, not the main body.

Still, others claimed that Lu Ran should use thunderous means to deter those with ill intentions! As a Tianjiao, he represents Great Xia's face; how could he let himself be bullied? Netizens had all sorts of opinions, and some even said Lu Ran was bullying the weak.

As soon as this comment appeared, it was quickly drowned in a flood of criticism.

A River Realm believer fighting a River Realm master, and you're telling me he's bullying the weak? Do you have any shame?

Consequently, Wu Lie River University also gained some notoriety, not the good kind. Various official accounts were flooded with criticism from netizens.

A prestigious Tianjiao and the national college entrance examination champion 'marrying down' to your school, only to be bullied there?

It was said that Lu Tianjiao had gone to Cai Nan for a pilgrimage and should have been focusing on cultivation.

But on the second day of school, he specifically flew back to Wu Lie River to handle the issue!

What's your school doing? Are you hindering our Great Xia's Tianjiao from dedicated cultivation?!

Can't you see the influence of 'Heavenly Pride'? Lu Ran and Jiang Ruyi have already released two episodes of their sweet moments, and you don't know their situation?

If you don't have the ability to provide a stable learning environment for students, then don't recruit Tianjiao!

Universities like Capital University, Shanghai University, and Qiantang River University are all eagerly hoping for Tianjiao to enroll!

Didn't your school have any contingency plans or situation assessments before recruiting him?

During this time, Wu Lie River University has been continuously issuing apology statements and dealing with the responsible parties.

At this point, the matter has little to do with Lu Ran and Jiang Ruyi; it's about the school calming public anger.

Some things are like this; once they're online, they spiral out of control.

"You kid, you're becoming more and more unpredictable," Sun Zhengfang sighed, "That was a River Realm master, and you dared to fight him."

Not only did he dare to fight, but he also won? It's no exaggeration to say that this battle shocked the entire Great Xia!

Usually, when Lu Ran appeared in the public eye, it was to slay demons.

The words "hard-charging" had accompanied Lu Ran throughout his demon-slaying journey.

No one could have imagined that facing a human River Realm master, even a First Rank Divine Disciple under the Monk of Thunder, Lu Ran would still dare to charge head-on!

The analysis of this battle set the entire Great Xia ablaze.

From Lu Ran's initial trash talk, luring the River Realm master into a trap, to his continuous bleating, provoking the Monk's faction to unleash their ultimate move.

Using their strength against them, the Sin Sacrifice Body, damage immunity, and twin blade dissection of the golden body.

Step by step, each move intricately connected!

This battle truly showcased Lu Ran's brilliance.

And Lu Ran's brilliance, of course, represented Great Xia's brilliance!

"Calm in crisis, well-structured and controlled," "Textbook example of overcoming strength with weakness," and more.

People gave Lu Ran extremely high praise, sparking a carnival-like atmosphere.

Of course, Lu Ran was unaware of all this.

He had been tirelessly comprehending the Divine Armament Domain, seeking enlightenment on the method of ascension.

This young man, who had brought a touch of awe to the world, remained at the Wulie Riverbank, day after day, without a hint of activity.

He couldn't even create a stir; he was almost wilting.

Today's update: 12, 18, 22.

Four thousand words, please vote.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end