Chapter 321: The Cursed Land

Chapter 321: The Cursed Land

"Bro, you smell so good~"

Lu Ran: "..."

What kind of talk is this!

In his embrace, Qiao Yuansi lifted her head, her eyes curving into crescent moons as she smiled.

"You smell like Sister Ruyi."

With just one sentence, she made Lu Ran blush.

"Get away from me!" Lu Ran pushed Qiao Yuansi away.

Is that the scent of your Sister Ruyi?

It's the immortal aura of Falling Immortal Mountain and the fragrance of the flowers and plants in the forest, right?

It's true, it does smell nice.

"Why hasn't Sister Ruyi come back yet?" Qiao Yuansi asked curiously.

"You're the one texting her every day, why are you asking me?" Lu Ran hummed.

Guan Yiren: "Yuansi!"

"I know, I know!" Qiao Yuansi grabbed Lu Ran's wrist and led him to sit down.

As soon as he sat down, Xiao Yuansi started talking again, her mouth like a machine gun going 'tut tut tut':

"Bro, you have to try Skull King Ling's Fish Pot, it's so delicious!

And this Zisuu Stir-Fried Chicken... Forget it, let's just eat the roast duck first!

I'll roll one for you."

As Qiao Yuansi spoke, she picked up a thin lotus leaf wrap.

Lu Ran's gaze softened as he looked at his sister, suddenly feeling that she had grown up.

Good, she's learned to be considerate.

She used to only feed me wilted lettuce leaves and the leftover oil from burgers.

Suddenly, the private room fell silent.

Lu Ran realized and scanned the group: "Everyone, eat up, don't make it seem like I'm the host here.

Quick, quick, don't be polite."

"Haha!" Niu Zhengzheng laughed heartily and grabbed his chopsticks, heading straight for the beef.

Guan Yiren also picked up her chopsticks and symbolically picked up a slice of bamboo shoot.

Qiao Yuansi, on the other side, finished arranging the cucumber strips and spreading the sweet bean sauce, finally rolling up the duck meat and offering it to Lu Ran:

"Here, ah~~~"

Qiao Yuansi paused, her expression strange: "Bro, you're so amazing now?"

Lu Ran was puzzled: "What?"

Qiao Yuansi: "You can eat with your mask on?"

Lu Ran: "..."

He immediately took off his hat and mask.

For a moment, the room fell silent again.

Qiao Yuansi held the lotus leaf wrap, her movements frozen as she stared at Lu Ran in a daze.

Lu Ran paused for a moment, then put his hat back on, pulling the brim lower.

After advancing to the River Realm, everyone's demeanor was different.

Sitting beside them, Chen Jingjing undoubtedly exuded an ethereal beauty.

But compared to Lu Ran, who had just emerged from Falling Immortal Mountain, she paled in comparison.

And this was after Lu Ran had converged his aura! There was a reason why Lu Ran didn't want Jiang Ruyi to come down from the mountain.

"It's delicious." Lu Ran leaned forward and took a bite of the lotus leaf wrap, speaking with a mouthful of food.

"Everyone, start eating." Chen Jingjing's gaze shifted from Lu Ran's profile, her mind calming down, "Lu Ran's train leaves at 1 p.m."

"Ah!" Qiao Yuansi blinked her big eyes, looking at Lu Ran.

She suddenly reached out and stuffed the remaining half of the lotus leaf wrap into Lu Ran's mouth.

Lu Ran: "Mm."

"Don't worry, Jingjing, we won't be late." Qiao Yuansi smiled, "We'll cancel the train tickets later, and we'll drive together with my brother."

Lu Ran: "Hmm?"

In fact, he had already realized that their gathering wasn't just for catching up.

Guan Yiren had just mentioned that there was something to discuss?

Qiao Yuansi propped her chin with one hand and tilted her head, looking at Lu Ran's fair and handsome face under the hat's brim:

"Bro, on the 15th, can we go with you to protect Rain Alley City?"

Lu Ran reached out and pushed her face away without hesitation.

You just said she grew up,

but now she's turned into a hooligan?

He looked at Guan Yiren: "Is this a school assignment?"

Guan Yiren silently lowered her head and ate her bamboo shoot, not looking at Lu Ran.

Wang Ling suddenly spoke up: "Lu Tianjiao, I want to go, and my teammates are coming with me."

Lu Ran picked up a wrap and started rolling the roast duck: "What's the point of going to such a small place?"

Despite his words, he had his suspicions.

This person is using Xiao Yuansi's connection to find me, is he trying to get on 'Heavenly Pride'?

To gain fame as a photographer?

The influence of 'Heavenly Pride' is immense, enough to boost anyone's reputation.

For university students in their growth and development phase, the benefits that 'Heavenly Pride' could bring were undoubtedly immense.

For example, it could enhance their influence in school and society, gain the attention of Capital City University and the various sects, and more.

All of these could contribute to their personal development and success.

Wang Ling glanced at Guan Yiren, and seeing her nod slightly, he spoke:

"On the 15th, Rain Alley City might not be peaceful."

Lu Ran's rolling of the duck meat paused for a moment, then resumed as usual: "The night of the 15th in Rain Alley City is rarely peaceful."

Guan Yiren suddenly spoke up: "Just say it."

Wang Ling thought for a moment and said: "Lu Tianjiao, an elder in my family has been invited to oversee Rain Alley City."

Upon hearing this, Chen Jingjing's expression turned solemn.

Lu Ran also frowned slightly.

What the hell!

Is Rain Alley truly a cursed land? On the 15th, even Rain Alley City needs an external powerful figure to reside there?

Lu Ran still remembered the Wusheng follower he had seen flying in the sky last September 15th.

That night, the Demon Lord descended upon the city.

And it was the Sea Realm's Yinhuadan!

Wang Ling continued: "My uncle is a Gunrot follower, just like you, in the River Realm."

Hearing this, Lu Ran's heart relaxed.

It seemed that it wasn't the Sea Realm Demon Lord's arrival after all.

"Here." Lu Ran rolled up the lotus leaf wrap and offered it to Qiao Yuansi's small mouth.

"It's really for me!"

Qiao Yuansi was overjoyed and took a big bite, "Ah!"

They ate until their little faces were round and full.

You don't have to be angry to puff up like a pufferfish.

Wang Ling: "Lu Tianjiao, you know that the powerful individuals sent to various towns are usually well-prepared for their missions."

Lu Ran finally turned to look at Wang Ling: "Do you mean the Evil Gun Emperor is coming?"

When the Evil Demon Yinhuadan attacked, why was the human expert stationed in Rain Alley a Wusheng Follower?

It was because the Wusheng Sect and the Yinhuadan Clan were arch-enemies!

As for how the humans got advance notice, whether it was through information, divination, or other means, that's another story.

Similarly,

The Gunrot Sect and the Evil Demon Evil Gun Emperor's clan were also arch-enemies.

That's why Wang Ling mentioned 'well-prepared'.

Human followers who slay their arch-enemies can receive rewards from their own deities!"

The more enemies you slay, the more you'll please the Divine Lord."

Not to mention the immense grace of a 'Divine Blessing'.

Even if Wang Ling could hold military merits and have a chance to communicate with the deity, allowing the Gunrot Elder to have an impression of him, that would be excellent.

"Wang Ling," Guan Yiren reminded him softly.

At this moment, Wang Ling's expression froze, as Lu Ran's gaze fell upon him.

To be precise, it was Lu Ran's stare that made him feel awkward. Lu Ran smiled apologetically and lowered his hat brim.

"Six or seven out of ten," Wang Ling quickly adjusted his state and said in a deep voice.

"Six or seven out of ten," Lu Ran sighed heavily.

The arch-enemy of a First-Ranked God was no laughing matter.

The power of the Evil Demon Evil Gun Emperor was beyond doubt.

Once again, Lu Ran's old habit kicked in, and he didn't want Qiao Yuansi to face danger.

Just like the last time when they went to the Night Charm Demon Den for training, Lu Ran really wanted to send Little Yuansi back.

Lu Ran spoke up: "Rain Alley is small, and its facilities and follower arrangements are not as complete as the Capital City.

Whether it's reconnaissance, medical care, logistics, or any other aspect...

In short, when you go there for your mission, you'll need to adapt to the circumstances."

Guan Yiren spoke softly, a rare long sentence from her: "Our squad has already been decided, and this time, we'll be guarding Rain Alley for fifteen days.

Since you've been stationed in Rain Alley, we're just letting you know."

The girl's companion, Niu Zhengzheng, who was wolfing down his food, suddenly stopped, "What's wrong? Why are you kicking me?"

Guan Yiren: "..."

Niu Zhengzheng wasn't too slow on the uptake and immediately realized, "Brother Ran, Wang Ling is our teammate!

He obtained this information by chance, and we must seize this opportunity to help him. Our squad should support him."

Qiao Yuansi nodded in agreement.

She believed that if the roles were reversed, her three teammates would also do their best.

Lu Ran looked at his sister, feeling helpless but unable to say anything:

"Alright, I'll accompany you."

"Haha! It's settled!" Niu Zhengzheng laughed loudly, his voice hoarse, "With us, won't we be invincible?"

Guan Yiren covered her forehead.

Qiao Yuansi said, "By the way, Brother, you're a River Realm expert. Do you have other tasks?"

Lu Ran shrugged, "I'm participating in 'Heavenly Pride', so I can't stay on the top floor of the Wuli Tower all the time.

Besides, if you're going back to Rain Alley, how can I leave your side?"

"Hehe~" Qiao Yuansi revealed a happy smile, "Big brother is the best to me!"

Lu Ran clicked his tongue.

The best again?

Am I being stupid and cold-hearted?

"Let's get this straight," Lu Ran scanned the crowd, "By joining me on this mission, you're essentially entering 'Heavenly Pride'.

Every moment of yours will be scrutinized by the audience, frame by frame.

'Heavenly Pride' can magnify your strengths, but it will also amplify your weaknesses infinitely."

Wang Ling immediately spoke up, "Lu Tianjiao, rest assured, we understand!

We're loyal viewers of 'Heavenly Pride', and we've been studying your combat techniques repeatedly."

Niu Zhengzheng grinned, unbothered: "I get to go on a mission with Brother Ran again, haha!"

Wang Ling looked at his teammates, and several of them raised their cups: "Lu Tianjiao is willing to lead our squad to respond to this special event, and our safety will be greatly guaranteed.

A great favor like this doesn't need words of thanks, and we'll have plenty of time to repay it in the future!"

Lu Ran also picked up his cup: "You're too kind. Since you're Little Yuansi's comrades, you're naturally my comrades as well.

I'm grateful that Rain Alley will have another powerful team to protect it."

Wang Ling couldn't help but feel deeply moved as he looked at the extraordinary and humble First Dayjiao of Great Xia.

Setting aside all other factors, this was a River Realm expert communicating with him amicably.

For a moment, Wang Ling's respect for Lu Ran showed on his face.

He raised his cup as if it were a toast, feeling incredibly fortunate.

No wonder his family had worked so hard to connect him with this squad.

Guan Yiren, Niu Zhengzheng, and Qiao Yuansi,

Each of their family backgrounds was more terrifying than the last.

Only Qiao Yuansi didn't come from a 'great family', and her family consisted of just three members.

However, the other two,

One was the Shocking Swan Peak Master of the Sword One Sect.

And the other was the First Dayjiao of Great Xia, renowned throughout the land!

These teammates were no joke!

As long as he didn't make any mistakes, how could those dozen rotten garlic heads dare to covet the position of the family head in the future?

At the beginning of the month, I ask for the support of my brothers and sisters through monthly votes!

Thank you, Book Friend 20220724130403486, for your generous reward! Boss, you're bold, fearless, and incredibly handsome!

Thank you to the bosses, including Li Taibai, wg23fc, and the 'Stupid Brother' for your rewards and your continued support!

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end