Chapter 33: Group Ridicule
Chapter 33: Group Ridicule
Under the watchful gazes of the crowd, Lu Ran quickly ascended the stage with his team to receive the first-place reward.
Lu Ran was presented with a slender blade, clearly modeled after the Tang Dynasty's horizontal saber.
It appeared to be a bronze artifact, one that had been buried for a long time, its entire body a dark green hue with a mottled and aged appearance.
"Tsk," Lu Ran pursed his lips and gripped the long saber, feeling a surge of ancient energy wash over him.
Verdigris Blade!
Verdigris is considered one of the better materials among the commonly found minerals in the Demon Cavern.
Jiang Ruyi and Tian Tian both received a Verdigris Blade, and Deng Yutang also obtained a Verdigris Spear.
No one knew if Deng had muttered these words in his heart:
"Thank you, school, for sending us these deformed fruits!"
After the top four teams expressed their gratitude and left the stage, the second and third-place teams took their turn to receive their awards.
The weapons they received were made of even lower-grade materials, sourced from the more common mineral found in the Demon Cavern—Demon Yellow Rock.
These weapons resembled a yellowish-brown rock, lacking any distinct features.
As for the prizes for 4th to 10th place, they were even more impressive!
The material used was Demon Gray Rock!
It was like picking up random stones on the street.
In comparison, the Verdigris weapons looked much better, at least resembling the grandeur of "bronze weapons" to some extent!
"This vacation is going to be busy," Lu Ran said, running his fingers over the Verdigris Blade.
Verdigris is considered a watershed!
Materials from the Demon Cavern that are superior to Verdigris are no longer considered 'common.'
Lu Ran was eager to take on the challenge, his mind filled with thoughts of completing the task and acquiring a valuable weapon.
Meanwhile, on the shrine platform, after the school officials had finished commending the top ten teams, the male teacher began assigning summer vacation homework.
The summer assignment was straightforward:
The school required students to work in teams to jointly slay 100 Mist Realm demons.
This assignment had no ranking system; as long as you completed it, you would receive 6 Follower Points.
It felt like a kind of "minimum welfare" distribution.
"These 6 points are a gift from the school! If you don't take this opportunity, don't come crying to me later if you can't graduate!"
"You've already gone through two assessments, and you know your own strengths and weaknesses. You understand how difficult it is to earn Follower Points."
"If you're unclear, go check the leaderboard or the official website!"
"Take a good look at the gap between you and the top-ranked student. You all became followers on the same day, and Lu Ran is already being given additional tasks!"
"You must complete the summer assignment; otherwise, you'll only fall further behind Lu Ran!"
Lu Ran: ???
Why drag me into this when you're scolding them?
Damn!
I thought my Wailing Sound was powerful enough, but I didn't expect you to be even better at ridicule?
"That's all I have to say. Now, think it over." The male teacher finally changed the topic. "The next matter concerns the Fifteenth Night!"
Upon hearing this special term, the students all became solemn.
The teacher on the stage continued with utmost seriousness: "Next month's fifteenth day is the most special Fifteenth Night of the Lunar Seventh Month!
And it happens to fall within your summer vacation.
Let me emphasize this: you are not allowed to participate in battles on the night of the fifteenth!"
Lu Ran fiddled with the Verdigris Blade in his hand, his mind racing.
The Fifteenth Night of the Lunar Seventh Month,
Indeed, it is the most extraordinary full moon night of them all.
The number of demons invading the city on this night far exceeds that of other Fifteenth Nights, making it even more dangerous.
Everyone living in this world is well aware of this fact.
However, the additional assessment from the Divine Citizen Bureau is not mandatory, and students can choose not to participate.
But
Who could easily give up such an opportunity?
Everyone understands the principle of 'a head start leads to continuous advantage.'
Among your peers, the better you perform, the more opportunities you'll have to earn points.
For example, this invitation from the Divine Citizen Bureau is a real-life illustration of this principle.
And the additional assessment from the Bureau is not just about points.
As long as you complete the task, there will definitely be corresponding material rewards!
For decades, Daxia has adhered to this incentive policy, encouraging follower trainees to cultivate and grow.
On the stage, a teacher sternly addressed the students, "Don't let your participation in the city defense task as followers make you blindly arrogant.
Around the 15th of July, all of you will stay at home and pray before the divine statues in the shrines. Or you can go to the shelters and seek protection.
Any misconduct will result in immediate expulsion. Do you understand?"
"Yes, we understand!"
"Yes, we understand!" The playground echoed with unanimous responses.
The teacher nodded, "Moving on to the next item, team adjustments. The teams I call out will maintain their current formation and then disband for the holiday.
1st team, 4th team."
A buzz of surprise filled the playground.
Was the 4th team to follow the 1st team? Does that mean the 2nd and 3rd teams would be reshuffled?
Tian Tian nervously twisted her fingers, like someone awaiting judgment, her heart racing.
Her team was the 98th, so Tian Tian waited and waited until she was almost on the verge of a breakdown.
"Don't worry," Jiang Ruyi gently rubbed Tian Tian's head.
"Hmm," Tian Tian nodded, her head lowered, responding softly.
Seeing the girl's lingering worry, Jiang Ruyi pinched her cheek and reassured her, "We all like you."
"Thank you, thank you," Tian Tian whispered.
It was as if she was delivering an acceptance speech.
"98th team!" Finally, the verdict was announced.
Acquitted!
Upon hearing the teacher call out her team number, Tian Tian almost burst into tears of joy.
The girl's emotional reaction seemed a bit excessive, and perhaps only those who had experienced similar situations could truly understand.
"Alright, alright," Jiang Ruyi patted Tian Tian's shoulder and then turned to Lu Ran, wanting to say something but stopping herself.
"I have a different opinion about Lu Ran's special recruitment," Deng Yutang said, clearly noticing Jiang Ruyi's concern.
"Hmm?" Jiang Ruyi turned to look at him.
Deng Yutang thought for a moment and said, "The Divine Citizen Bureau intentionally placed Lu Ran in the Moon Gazers' team on the next 15th night.
In my opinion, this is a form of protection. We just completed the city defense task, and at the 4th gate we were stationed at, there were quite a few powerful demons.
I can't shake this uneasy feeling."
As he spoke, Deng Yutang also glanced at Lu Ran, the implication clear.
After all, Lu Ran's "brilliant" combat record was well-documented.
On the Divine Worship Platform, Lu Ran had summoned a Demonic Statue of the Crimson Paper Man.
"Protection?" Jiang Ruyi furrowed her brows, unsure of what to say.
If they truly wanted to protect Lu Ran, wouldn't it be safer to have him stay at home in front of the shrine or lock him up in a shelter?
"I've already decided to go," Lu Ran suddenly spoke up, his usually cheerful demeanor replaced by a serious expression, "I won't let this opportunity pass.
So, next topic!"
Then, Lu Ran changed the subject, "When are we going to Evil Dog Village?"
"Heh," Deng Yutang shook his head and smiled.
That's right, this determination!
A real man,
that's how it should be!
After a moment of silence, Jiang Ruyi said, "Let's go home and prepare. We'll leave in the afternoon."
Deng Yutang continued, "You can stay at home, I'll drive and pick you up."
Lu Ran was surprised, "Are you old enough? Do you have a driver's license?"
Unexpectedly, Deng Yutang replied, "Soon."
Lu Ran: ???
You're almost there, bro?
I asked when you would be promoted, and you said soon.
I asked if you had a driver's license, and you also said soon?
Lu Ran helplessly said, "Aren't you worried that your sister will catch us and lock us in a dark room?"
"Soon-bro" also seemed helpless, "I won't be driving, we have a driver at home."
Lu Ran: "."
Sorry, Young Master Deng.
I was just speaking a bit loudly earlier.
(End of Chapter)
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