Chapter 7: The Rising Team?

Chapter 7: The Rising Team?

Lu Ran endured the scorching sun as he trained on the school grounds for the entire morning, and also took on numerous clients during that time.

On this swelering day, when classmates came to team up with Lu Ran, they often brought bottles of water or other refreshments.

As the drinks accumulated, the well-intentioned classmates went a step further, bringing instant noodles, spicy strips, and sausage rolls.

In the end, Lu Ran became a makeshift vendor on the school grounds!

He stood alone on the south side of the playground, surrounded by a pile of drinks and snacks.

At noon, when school ended, many students witnessed this scene and couldn't help but laugh.

Li Yanzhu couldn't help but shake her head, ordering Lu Ran to quickly pack up and head to the cafeteria for lunch.

Lu Ran filled a large plastic bag with an assortment of snacks and drinks, including peanuts, sunflower seeds, grilled fish snacks, milk, and mineral water, and dashed off.

The school's student union had passed away.

He had reason to suspect that some classmates weren't there to team up but to stir up trouble and create a ruckus, which was why they brought food.

After all, who would give a 17-year-old boy a gift of strong liquor?

Who was he to blame?

Besides, why was the school store selling such things?

Report it! He must report it!

Hmm.

That afternoon, Lu Ran attempted to rejoin the class, and Li Yanzhu noticed, but she didn't say anything.

Lu Ran was overjoyed, as the teacher's disciplinary action was lifted.

Of course, the inspection report still needed to be submitted.

After returning home that evening, Lu Ran pondered and wrote a 5,000-word reflection with the help of the internet.

His sincere words and proper attitude satisfied the class teacher.

The matter was considered resolved.

From the second to the fourth day of the lunar month, outdoor training sessions were held to allow students to choose teammates and foster team cohesion.

Over these three days, Lu Ran and the goddess Jiang Ruyi trained with many classmates.

In the end, they selected the valiant Red Bandana believer, Deng Yutang!

Forming a team required not only mutual agreement but also adherence to the school's guidance.

As a key cultivation object for the school, Jiang Ruyi had agreed to team up with Lu Ran, and the school assigned another member to their team to fill the remaining spot.

This person had quite a background!

As mentioned earlier, Jiang Ruyi had consistently ranked among the top three in the school, and the top-ranked male student had a significant lead over the second and third-place students.

Jiang Ruyi had always been competing for second place with another female student.

The person assigned to their team by the school was none other than Jiang Ruyi's longtime rival, the class president of Class 12, Wu Shanshan.

This girl was extraordinary!

As one of the top three students in the school, Wu Shanshan worshipped the Second Rank Deity Asha!

Deity Asha, a female deity with a longbow, was known as the "Southern Sea Bow."

Alongside her were the Northern Wind Saber, Western Desolation Axe, and Eastern Thunder Spear.

These four deities, located in the four border regions of Daxia, were all Second Rank Deities and collectively known as the "Four Directions Martial Heroes."

Thus, Lu Ran's team was formed!

It consisted of Wu Shanshan, a Second Rank Deity Asha believer; Jiang Ruyi, a Third Rank Deity Jade Talisman believer; Deng Yutang, a Fifth Rank Deity Red Bandana believer; and Lu Ran, a Ninth Rank Deity Divine Sheep believer.

It seemed like there was an odd one out in the team?

Hmm. That didn't matter; what mattered was teamwork!

The four-person team trained diligently under the guidance of their teachers, constantly practicing formations and finding the right position for each member.

Unfortunately, the team's cohesion wasn't ideal.

Even by the afternoon of the fourth day, the team members still felt uncertain.

"I'm tired, let's stop," Wu Shanshan said as she plopped down on the concrete floor of the martial arts ground, her body drenched in sweat, not caring about her ladylike image.

Several sparring partners from the same grade stopped and looked at the spoiled "apple of everyone's eye," feeling helpless.

Jiang Ruyi frowned, not liking Wu Shanshan's bossy attitude.

Both of them were top-ranked students and class presidents, accustomed to being the center of attention and giving orders.

Leadership within the team had always been a significant issue.

Wu Shanshan rubbed her hair, looking troubled as she gazed forward, "You two, one yelling and the other bleating, are giving me a headache."

Deng Yutang, with a red bandana wrapped around his head and a red-tasseled spear in hand, effortlessly drove back a sparring partner, looking cool and collected.

Without turning around, he said, "If I hadn't given you a boost in fighting spirit, you'd have been captured by my brother Lu already."

Red Bandana Divine Technique - Red Bandana Order: A battle cry technique that enhances the target's fighting spirit.

"What nonsense are you spouting!" Wu Shanshan retorted.

"Nonsense?" Deng Yutang turned to look at the stubborn girl. "Just now, I almost saw the glow of motherhood on your face."

Lu Ran, who had been watching the spectacle, suddenly froze with a stiff smile.

Motherly love?

Motherly love???

"Who can bear the pitiful cries of Lu Ran?" Wu Shanshan said indignantly. "You two have hearts of stone."

As she spoke, Wu Shanshan noticed Lu Ran standing awkwardly to the side.

She immediately said, "Lu Ran, say something for me!"

Lu Ran: ???

Who is your 'Lu Ran'?

"Lu Ran?" Wu Shanshan blinked and tilted her head, looking at Lu Ran.

"Get lost," Lu Ran said irritably.

"Hehe~" Wu Shanshan covered her mouth, bursting into laughter.

Jiang Ruyi's eyes narrowed as she watched the two of them laugh and argue, feeling a bit uneasy.

It was you who shouted so loudly, wanting to team up with me.

Cursing Kou Yingquan, understanding Kou Yingquan, becoming Kou Yingquan!

The whole world,

Is just a giant vinegar jar.

"Let's call it a day; it's almost time for the next class, and the teachers have left. No one is here to guide us," Jiang Ruyi said, addressing the students from the same grade.

"Okay."

"See you tomorrow, good luck!"

"Likewise, likewise."

The two teams politely bid farewell, leaving only Lu Ran and his teammates on the field.

"Tomorrow, we're going to Evil Dog Village." Wu Shanshan casually mentioned.

Deng Yutang chimed in, "I heard that the first-place reward is a high-quality Divine Energy Orb?"

The Divine Energy Orb could absorb and store divine power, making it a valuable asset for believers in battle endurance and cultivation assistance.

"I'd be content with a top three finish." Wu Shanshan sighed lightly, "Our team hasn't had much time to gel, and our coordination isn't seamless yet."

However, Lu Ran didn't share Wu's concerns.

Short on time,

Others are in the same boat!

Additionally, Lu Ran genuinely believed that this squad had a great setup.

Deng Yutang was brave and fierce, always leading the charge with his Red Plume Spear, a true top-lane solo warrior!

Jiang Ruyi, positioned in the middle, controlled the overall situation, serving as the team's backbone.

Moreover, all the believers of the Jade Talisman Deity were late-game powerhouses!

Once Jiang Ruyi, the goddess, grew stronger, she would not only control the battlefield but also wield the Jade Talisman to unleash heavenly thunder and earthly fire.

Her damage output was astonishing!

As a follower of the Southern Sea Bow, Wu Shanshan was a powerhouse from start to finish, currently serving as the team's main damage dealer.

Lu Ran considered himself agile, wielding the Tang Crossblade as he roamed the map, supporting various positions, and feeling like a true jungler.

Once he reached the third stage of the Mist Realm and learned the Divine Technique Immortal Hoof, Lu Ran's speed would reach a whole new level!

At that point, he would be an even better fit for the jungle role.

As for the support role...

Everyone on the team was a veteran; who needed a support?

This lineup was so impressive that it made other students envious.

Wasn't this the ultimate ranking team?

"Woman!" Deng Yutang scoffed, "Why be so unambitious? I aim for the top spot!"

Wu Shanshan shot him a glare, "You act as if you've always been the top student in school.

I and Jiang Ruyi haven't even said anything, and here you are, all fired up?"

Jiang Ruyi: "."

At the beginning of their team-up, Wu Shanshan had admired Deng Yutang with a dreamy look on her face.

But as they spent more time together, she began to dislike this self-proclaimed "Young Master."

He was not humble at all!

Lu Ran was better, but only in terms of character.

The deity Lu Ran revered was indeed a disappointment!

One reason for Wu Shanshan's lack of confidence was Lu Ran.

After all, the nature of the Divine Sheep was evident—kind, yielding, and non-confrontational.

Under such circumstances, how could Lu Ran possibly be a reliable teammate?

Currently, he could still maintain his individuality.

But what about the future?

Lu Ran was very likely to be influenced by his deity and disciplined into a "goody-two-shoes" by the Divine Sheep's teachings.

He would always prioritize harmony, endure grievances, and no longer seek to be the best.

Perhaps one day in the future, on the battlefield, Lu Ran might abandon his teammates and flee.

Because the Deity Immortal Sheep avoided conflict!

Most of the Divine Sheep's techniques were about avoiding battles, and that's how they should be used.

Wu Shanshan didn't care how other students viewed Lu Ran or wanted to latch onto him.

She was one of the majority, filled with concerns about Lu Ran.

In Wu Shanshan's mind, Lu Ran would eventually let them down, making him suitable only as an early-game teammate.

With the tight schedule and the assessment on the fifth day, and considering the school's arrangements, Wu Shanshan couldn't refuse directly, so she temporarily joined this squad.

"I'm not good at written exams!" Deng Yutang was equally stubborn, "As for sparring, I can't bring myself to fight my classmates.

But tomorrow's assessment is different; we're going to kill some dogs!

It's time for He Ma Tianchuan to step down from his first-place position."

Wu Shanshan snapped back to attention and retorted, "Say what you mean, and don't curse."

Deng Yutang: "."

Jiang Ruyi, who had been silent all along, finally spoke up, her expression filled with worry:

"Ma Tianchuan's team is also strong. He's a follower of the Third Rank Deity Nuo Sha, and he has several powerful teammates."

"It's not a First Rank Deity." Wu Shanshan scoffed, secretly rejoicing.

For two whole years, she had been trampled under Ma Tianchuan's feet.

But after this year's deity worship, she had finally surpassed him in deity rank!

"The rank of the deity isn't crucial; it's our individual combat strength that matters." Deng Yutang shifted his gaze, "How's your cultivation coming along?"

Interestingly, Deng Yutang didn't even glance at the two geniuses but looked directly at Lu Ran.

Lu Ran shrugged, "I'm almost at the second stage of the Mist Realm."

Wu Shanshan: "Huh?"

Deng Yutang's eyes lit up, thinking, "As expected!"

Jiang Ruyi raised her eyebrows slightly and asked, "When exactly?"

Lu Ran carefully sensed his cultivation, "Tonight, or maybe tomorrow. It's close."

"So soon!" Wu Shanshan's expression was one of surprise, and she was skeptical, "I'll need at least three or four days. How did you... Oh, I see!"

Wu Shanshan suddenly understood.

Lu Ran had indeed revered the Ninth Rank Deity Immortal Sheep, but before that, he had revered the Demon Concubine!

In terms of talent potential, Lu Ran was undoubtedly the top student in school.

At this thought, Wu Shanshan's gaze at Lu Ran was filled with both envy and pity.

What a waste!

With such excellent talent, he had chosen to worship a sheep.

If he had worshipped any other deity, Lu Ran could have been unstoppable.

Sigh, what a pitiful guy.

"Let's head back early." Jiang Ruyi approached Lu Ran, "The sooner you break through and advance, the better our chances."

In ordinary society, believers could cultivate divine power, as evidenced by the misty aura surrounding these individuals, none of whom were slacking.

However, divine power was even more concentrated in the presence of shrines and statues.

"Okay, let's go home!"

Thank you, Smile Kun, for your generous reward of 100,000.

Thank you, boss, for your support! It's been a while, and I wish you all the best in your reading and life.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end