Chapter 61: The Iron Swing

Chapter 61: The Iron Swing

"Squeak~ Squeak~"

The sound of the iron swing chains rubbing against the metal poles was enough to make one's teeth hurt.

At the Fifth Elementary School, in the southeast corner of the abandoned playground, several young people were reminiscing about their childhood on the swings.

But for Deng Yutang, it was more like reliving a nightmare.

"Brother Lu!" Deng Yutang sat on the swing, his expression stiff.

It was evident that he did have some childhood shadows.

After all, with Deng Yutang's current strength, even if he were to be swung off, he wouldn't get injured.

"You're afraid of nothing!" Lu Ran caught Deng Yutang's back and gave him a hard push. "If you really can't handle it, just add some battle intent to yourself!"

Deng Yutang: "..."

Adding battle intent just to swing? Red Flag would probably kick me to death!

"Face your fears, you can do it." Lu Ran continued to encourage his teammate.

Deng Yutang clenched the old swing chains tightly, causing others to worry that he might crush the chains.

Jiang Ruyi sat on another swing, tilting her head and smiling as she watched this scene. Suddenly, she said, "Come and play for a while."

"No need." Tian Tian gently pushed Jiang Ruyi, enjoying the warm atmosphere.

In the distant classroom building, students stood by the corridor windows, looking at the playground with envy.

Class 3(4) had eight teams, and six of them were assigned to different floors.

Only two small teams had obtained the qualification to guard outside the teaching building.

One was Team 98, and the other was Team 18, led by Chang Ying.

Chang Ying and her team stood at the entrance of the teaching building, also gazing at Lu Ran's team.

A pale-skinned girl spoke up, "They're so relaxed and carefree, they don't even know what fear is."

Chang Ying leaned against the pillar, holding an axe, "Lu Ran has passed through the 15th of July.

For him, the 15th of other months is probably child's play."

Qian Hao chuckled and looked at the pale-skinned girl, "This time, we can also score some points, and the class ranking definitely won't be low."

Bai Manni frowned slightly, "But, aren't they too relaxed?"

"Don't worry." Chang Ying stepped forward and put her arm around Bai Manni's shoulder, "It's noon now!

Besides, didn't their Moon Gazer leader say anything?"

Qian Hao looked at Bai Manni's serious expression and tentatively asked, "Bai, did you sense something?"

Bai Manni hesitated for a moment and nodded, "I feel restless and a bit panicked."

Bai Manni worshipped a sixth-rank deity, the Curse Master.

This deity was an image of an elderly man with white hair, long hair, and a long robe, exuding a divine aura.

The Curse Master sect was proficient in various types of curses.

Among them was a divine technique, the Heart Sensing Curse, which allowed one to transcend the five senses and perceive potential crises at a higher level.

It had a bit of a 'predicting the future' meaning.

This technique was not a combat technique and couldn't predict an enemy's next move in a very short time.

The Heart Sensing Curse was more suitable for daily life, helping believers seek benefits and avoid harm, allowing them to survive better.

"Then why don't you try casting it?" Chang Ying suggested.

Bai Manni placed her hands on her chest, her ten fingers tightly clasped, and her two little fingers stood upright, forming a strange seal.

The next second, a virtual 'heart' character spread out from her body.

Yes, it was the square character 'heart' from the Xia Dynasty!

The virtual characters rapidly expanded, engulfing Bai Manni's body, and then quietly dissipated.

Slowly, Bai Manni opened her eyes, and the more she looked at the swing, the angrier she became, "My temples are pounding."

Chang Ying looked around, and the Moon Gazer teams on both sides stood solemnly, diligently guarding their posts.

Those reliable figures put Chang Ying's mind at ease.

"I can't take it anymore, I have to go and talk to them." Bai Manni couldn't bear the restlessness and took a step forward.

"Hey?" Chang Ying hurriedly followed.

Qian Hao and another male teammate also caught up.

At the swings, Jiang Ruyi gently pressed her hand, and Tian Tian immediately caught the goddess's back.

Jiang Ruyi looked towards the teaching building, watching the four-person team approach.

These four people had truly embodied the words 'tall, short, fat, and thin'! Chang Ying was tall and sturdy, Qian Hao was a bit on the plump side, and Bai Manni was slender.

As for the last male teammate, he was relatively short.

He had a very domineering name - Hu Dingtian!

Hu Dingtian worshipped a seventh-rank deity, the Dark Ape.

This was a typical beast deity, resembling a giant ape with sleek, black hair.

Whenever Dark Ape believers were mentioned, people's stereotypical impression was of steel-like bones and infinite strength!

So, Hu Dingtian's height of 1.55m (5'1") became an excellent disguise.

He wasn't 'small, agile, and quick', but rather a small cannon!

When Hu Dingtian threw a punch, it didn't matter if it was the tall and strong Deng Yutang or the tall and fit Chang Ying, they would all fly!

And while flying, they would also be spitting blood~

"Class President Jiang." Bai Manni spoke from a distance as she approached the swing.

"Hello." Jiang Ruyi replied politely.

Bai Manni had joined the class later, so they weren't very familiar.

"Class President Jiang." Bai Manni's expression was not good, and she advised, "You should be more vigilant, don't be so relaxed."

Jiang Ruyi raised her eyebrows slightly, not expecting the other party to be so blunt.

However, she didn't get angry because Bai Manni looked restless, her eyes filled with worry.

It was clear that the other party was tense, and this was out of good intentions.

"Hmm," Jiang Ruyi glanced at the swing beside her and said softly, "Let's stop playing."

Lu Ran reached out and caught Deng Yutang as he swung back, gently stopping his momentum.

"Oh!" Deng Yutang quickly jumped off the swing.

But his steps were unsteady, as if his legs felt weak.

Jiang Ruyi turned to look at the girl, deep in thought, "I remember, you're a believer in the Spell Master?"

Bai Manni didn't expect the high and mighty prodigy to be so easy to talk to.

Unwittingly, her expression softened significantly, "Yes."

Jiang Ruyi asked, "Have you learned the Calming Heart Spell?"

Bai Manni nodded naturally.

Jiang Ruyi smiled, "Go ahead and cast it, help me calm my mind."

"Of course, Miss Jiang." Lu Ran sat on the swing, "You're beautiful and kind-hearted."

With Lu Ran's words, even those who hadn't reacted yet understood Jiang Ruyi's intention.

She wanted to calm Bai Manni's emotions, but to save face for her classmates, she claimed it was for her own peace of mind.

"Hmm~"

A translucent block of text, 'Clear', emerged from Bai Manni's body and spread out.

In an instant, Lu Ran felt a gentle breeze brush past his face, and his mind became clear.

Spell Master's Divine Technique: Calming Heart Spell!

Calms the mental state of the masses, helping to stabilize one's realm.

Do not underestimate this divine technique.

Lu Ran had met his match with the Calming Heart Spell!

His Voice of Compassion and Voice of Anxiety became ineffective in the face of the Calming Heart Spell.

Including Deng Yutang's Divine Technique: Red Flag Command, even if it was meant to boost battle intent, a buff effect, would be thoroughly cleared by the Calming Heart Spell!

The Calming Heart Spell indeed had extraordinary effects!

After the translucent text faded, everyone's state changed, and they became calm and composed.

Jiang Ruyi said, "It's good to be cautious, but don't be too tense, or you might perform poorly.

There are many Moon Gazers here, and we should focus on cooperating with them.

This night is just an ordinary Mid-Autumn Night in our long lives."

Bai Manni listened to Jiang Ruyi's gentle words and couldn't help but lower her eyes, responding softly, "Hmm."

Jiang Ruyi turned to Hu Dingtian beside her, "You're like a mute gourd, show more concern for your teammates, and communicate more with them."

"Yes, Class Monitor," Hu Dingtian nodded.

Hu Dingtian was a student in Class 4, and Jiang Ruyi was quite familiar with him.

"And you," Jiang Ruyi looked at Qian Hao, "You talk so much, but not at the right time."

Qian Hao scratched his head.

After walking over from so far away, he got scolded?

It was true.

For the past two years, Jiang Ruyi had been the class monitor, but her gentle temperament didn't have much intimidation.

However, since becoming a believer, Jiang Ruyi's aura had become increasingly stronger!

Qian Hao and Hu Dingtian were scolded into obedience, and the new student, Chang Ying, didn't dare to speak up.

"Let's go," Jiang Ruyi called out to everyone.

"Let's go!" Deng Yutang was the first to respond, eager to get away from the swing.

Tian Tian followed closely behind, and after the group of seven had walked about a dozen steps, they realized that someone was missing.

"Lu Ran?" Jiang Ruyi turned around, only to see Lu Ran sitting on the swing, dazed.

The mist around his body was much denser than usual.

Was he...advancing?

"Squeak~"

A gust of wind stirred around Lu Ran, causing the swing to sway back and forth, and the iron chains and rods emitted a piercing screeching sound once again.

"What?" Qian Hao scratched his head again, "Is it real?"

Chang Ying looked on with admiration, "Lu Ran, that's too fast!"

Deng Yutang agreed, "Lu's advancement is indeed very fast!"

Hu Dingtian, who listened to the class monitor, spoke up, "I just advanced to the Stream Realm this morning."

Not only the students below, but also those guarding the school building's corridor, witnessed this scene.

The students' expressions varied, each knowing when they had advanced, and understanding the situation.

Strictly speaking, before the Stream Realm: Third Stage, it was all considered a 'Newbie Realm'.

Even with the varying talents of believers, it was difficult to create a significant gap during this stage.

For example:

A third-rank deity believer, Jiang Ruyi, and a seventh-rank deity believer, Hu Dingtian, had a vast difference in talent.

But was there a difference in their current strength and realm?

Although Jiang Ruyi advanced on the 27th of the 7th lunar month, and Hu Dingtian on the 15th of August, they were both currently at the Stream Realm: First Stage!

At least on the surface, it was difficult to create a gap.

Only upon reaching the Stream Realm: Third Stage, would the newbie protection period be considered over.

For believers to cultivate and improve, it would be a challenging step-by-step process!

Especially at the Stream Realm: Fifth Stage!

Countless heroes had been stuck at this unique rank.

But at this moment, Lu Ran, within the newbie protection period, had forcefully overtaken others.

His energy surged, and with a mighty roar, he advanced to the Stream Realm: Second Stage!

"You guys go ahead," Jiang Ruyi's eyes glanced with a hint of joy, and she walked over, "I'll stay here with him."

To summarize, the book will be officially published on June 1st.

After the release, there will be burst chapters and bonus chapters, thanks to the support and love from all the readers.

May you live long~~~Hooray!

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end