Chapter 71: The Sixteenth Circle

Chapter 71: The Sixteenth Circle

It was only then that Lu Ran realized the truth.

The river he had crossed was none other than a boundary river.

This sculpture garden was like a chessboard.

The sculptures of both factions stood facing each other across the river, separated by a boundary.

"I thought you were a deity," Lu Ran said softly.

The Black Flame Sheep Head hovered silently, without a word.

Lu Ran slowly turned around and looked up at the Black Sheep Head.

"I can understand us seizing the energy origin of demons," he said. "After all, the gods and demons are irreconcilable."

But you also created these divine sculptures?"

By now, his words were quite clear.

Lu Ran saw no need to be overly direct. He asked the Divine Sheep, "Do you also want to seize the energy origin of the deities and ultimately control and enslave them all?"

The Black Flame Sheep Head's voice echoed, "The deities have countless believers, constantly drawing upon the faith of humans to strengthen themselves.

This tiny bit of energy origin is insignificant."

Lu Ran replied, "When we absorb the energy origin of the demon archdemons, you didn't say that."

The Black Sheep Head asked, "How can deities be compared to demons?

Compared to demons, deities have a stable and vast source of energy.

I'm referring to the power of faith that humans offer at every moment."

Lu Ran listened silently, saying nothing.

After a long while, the Black Sheep Head whispered, "As I thought, you're not mentally prepared to face these divine sculptures."

Lu Ran remained silent.

Suddenly, the Black Sheep Head asked, "What is a deity?"

Lu Ran pursed his lips, a faint memory stirring in his mind.

Once, the Black Sheep Head had asked him, "What is a demon?" Lu Ran clearly remembered the answer.

After a long pause, he spoke words of great blasphemy, "A pile of stones?"

"Hmm," the Black Sheep Head said, its body shimmering with black flames.

Lu Ran looked up at the Black Sheep Head, his heart trembling slightly.

Those dead sheep eyes should have been lifeless.

For the first time, Lu Ran saw a hint of laughter in those horizontal pupils.

Was there a hint of approval?

"Divine Sheep, you are also a deity. If I describe you this way, won't you be angry?" Lu Ran asked.

He wasn't stupid. These words were spoken under the guidance of the Black Sheep Head.

In other words, Lu Ran knew that the Black Sheep Head wanted to hear this answer.

The Black Sheep Head slowly rose, looking down at the Divine Statue Garden, "These words should come from you."

Lu Ran's mind raced, testing, "If I show such disrespect to the deities, is it really okay?"

"Disrespect?" The Black Sheep Head coldly hummed, "It's more than just disrespect.

When have you ever believed in the gods?"

"Huh?" Lu Ran was completely dumbfounded.

These words couldn't be spoken lightly!

Lu Ran was born in an era where everyone revered the gods. He carried a strong sense of the limitations of his time.

From his family upbringing to his school education, and even the entire society, he was taught:

"Reverence for the gods!"

Only the deities could lead humans to resist the demons.

Only the deities could ensure the continuation of human life.

Lu Ran himself had followed this path.

Since childhood, he had worshipped the Third Rank God Jade Talisman alongside his father.

But now, the Divine Sheep was telling him that he had never believed in the gods?

Wasn't this pure nonsense?

If someone else had said this, it would be like putting a hat on Lu Ran, making him an outcast in the eyes of the world.

But it was the Deity Divine Sheep who spoke these words?

Lu Ran immediately spoke up, "Disciple believes that I am very devout towards you."

The Black Sheep Head asked, "Have you ever offered me three or two offerings or burned half an incense stick?"

Lu Ran was momentarily stunned.

After a long pause, Lu Ran said, "Aren't you nourished by faith? You don't need those mundane things, do you?"

"Hmm," this time, the Black Sheep Head didn't refute.

Everyone has their own way of showing reverence to the gods. Ultimately, the deities feed on the "faith" of humans.

From this perspective, Lu Ran did believe in the gods.

Just as Lu Ran was about to speak again, the Black Sheep Head said, "When you cultivated in front of the shrine, did you ever pray devoutly?

Who were you praying to, me or your own desires?"

Lu Ran: !!!

The Black Sheep Head spoke indifferently, "Who were you truly praying to, me or yourself?"

Lu Ran struggled to respond, "I... no, it shouldn't be like that.

I want you to become stronger more than anyone else, at least I'm no less devoted than other Divine Sheep followers! Didn't you receive my portion of faith?"

Suddenly, the Black Sheep Head changed the topic, "Whether you believe in the gods or not, it's not something you need to worry about.

So what if you believe, and so what if you don't?"

"This" Lu Ran opened his mouth.

The Black Sheep Head spoke in a low voice, "Believing in karma and cause and effect is enough."

Lu Ran struggled to process everything, remaining silent for a long time.

He understood the Divine Sheep's meaning, and he had spoken of repaying gratitude.

His heart was open to the scrutiny of the sun and the moon, and there was no need for further words.

"Enough"

The Black Sheep Head looked down at the Divine Statue Garden and continued, "You have your own path and your own principles.

I won't force you to turn your blades against your own kind and capture the souls of human believers.

But if human souls come here, they can depart in peace.

In the future, if your comrades fall in battle, you can send them off on their final journey."

Lu Ran's eyebrows furrowed slightly, latching onto a word, "Peace?"

The Black Sheep Head explained, "After the death of all living beings, their souls will eventually dissipate.

But you also know that there are many demon species that harm human souls.

Death does not mean the end of suffering; instead, it marks the beginning of hardship."

Upon hearing this, Lu Ran nodded heavily.

The Soul Shredder Demon was the best example.

It could imprison and torment human souls to satisfy its cruel nature.

Apart from the Soul Shredder Demon, there were many other types of demons with such cruel methods.

Lu Ran suddenly thought of something, "Captain Lin died on the playground, so close to the teaching building!"

"Has the Deity Green Phoenix discovered our presence?"

After all, inside the teaching building, every classroom was filled with Green Phoenix's divine statues.

The Black Ram Head spoke, "I often accompany you, leading to some misunderstandings about the gods."

Lu Ran paused, then softly replied, "Oh."

For humans, how challenging is it to communicate with the gods?

With a thousandfold piety and countless pleas, one might still not earn a single glance from the gods.

On the night of the fifteenth, countless battles raged across Daxia, and the Green Phoenix followers were numerous.

Lu Ran realized he was wrong.

Regarding Captain Lin's death, the small divine statue in the shrine didn't seem to care.

The more likely scenario was that the Deity Green Phoenix had never paid attention to this side.

The night of the fifteenth was indeed special.

With believers requesting divine spells, the gods might have granted them all, unable to keep up.

"Let's go back," the Black Ram Head said in a low voice. "Here, you can't rest, you need sleep."

Lu Ran suddenly asked, "Can I save my fallen comrades?"

Since he could summon the souls of human believers, could there be a next step?

The Black Ram Head replied, "That human has already departed, and you are powerless."

Lu Ran quickly asked, "What if more comrades die in the future? Can I do something for them?"

The Black Ram Head said, "In the Stream Realm, your heart is higher than the heavens."

Lu Ran: "..."

The Divine Sheep's tone was intriguing.

Lu Ran couldn't tell if it was sarcasm or praise.

Perhaps it was both.

As night fell, inside the fourth-floor office of the teaching building...

Lu Ran slowly woke up and looked around.

The office was brightly lit, with students sitting or standing, and some classmates were asleep.

"You're awake?" Deng Yutang, sitting by Lu Ran's bed, noticed the movement immediately.

"Is it night?" Lu Ran looked out the window at the night sky.

He had only stayed up for one night, so he shouldn't have slept for so long.

As the Divine Sheep said, in the Demon Sculpture Garden, he couldn't truly rest.

Thankfully, he had already contacted his family in the morning to let them know he was safe.

Otherwise, his mother and sister would have been worried.

"It's all clear today, don't worry," Deng Yutang said softly. "Want to eat something?"

"Thank you, I'm not very hungry," Lu Ran politely declined and quietly got out of bed.

Despite this, many students looked over.

Since some students were sleeping in the office, most of them nodded without speaking.

"I'm going to the bathroom," Lu Ran said softly, patting Deng Yutang's shoulder and leaving the office.

On the upper bunk, Jiang Ruyi slowly got up and watched Lu Ran leave.

Lu Ran entered the indoor bathroom, washed his face vigorously, and felt much more awake.

He leaned on the sink and turned slightly, seeing the moonlight spilling through the window.

Then, as if possessed, he walked over.

Using the Demon Perception Spell, he saw a lot.

The previously chaotic playground had been cleaned up, but faint traces of human blood could still be seen.

Lu Ran's mind was filled with images of the previous battle.

Looking around, in the southeast corner of the playground, one of the swing boards was broken, with only two iron chains holding the broken wooden blocks, swaying back and forth.

Lu Ran stared for a while, then turned and walked out.

The journey back was relatively smooth, and the Moon Gazers didn't stop Lu Ran from leaving. After all, the night of the fifteenth had passed.

The Moon Gazers only reminded Lu Ran not to leave the school grounds or the area where the troops were stationed.

Lu Ran stood at the entrance of the teaching building and took a deep breath.

Looking up, the moon on the fifteenth night was indeed rounder on the sixteenth.

He walked through the battlefield of the previous night, deep in thought.

Finally, Lu Ran reached the southeast corner and stood in front of the broken swing.

"Creak, creak."

The swing board was broken, so Lu Ran removed the broken wooden board from the iron chains and tied the two chains together.

It should still be usable? Lu Ran examined it and sat down gently.

Hmm, it was a bit cold on his butt, but there wasn't a big problem.

"Yutang said you're not hungry," a soft female voice said.

It wasn't abrupt; with the help of the Demon Perception Spell, Lu Ran had already noticed someone approaching.

Jiang Ruyi held out a small snack, offering it, "Want to try?"

"Thank you," Lu Ran didn't refuse and opened the packaging.

He took a bite, and his mouth was filled with a milky fragrance.

Lu Ran thought Jiang Ruyi would say something.

But he was thinking too much.

The girl simply sat on another swing, gently swaying back and forth.

Just like last night at the window of the teaching building, she silently accompanied him in watching the moon, without saying a word.

Jiang Ruyi was gentle and strong.

After experiencing the horrors of last night, she still maintained her composure.

Of course, she didn't witness the death of her comrades like Lu Ran did, nor did she see the horrifying scene of their demise.

That impact was difficult to express in words.

She also didn't see what Lu Ran saw in the spiritual world—the souls of his comrades vanishing before his eyes.

"After the seal is lifted, we'll go north to Tianjin and kill the Soul Shredder Demon," Lu Ran said softly, breaking the silence.

Jiang Ruyi turned to look at him.

In the beautiful moonlight, her eyes smiled gently, "Sure."

Thanks to the clowns in the eyes of the madmen, the paradise without sugar, the itchy head of the rice wine, the rain passes and the sky clears, I only ask for the support of the bosses of the Peach Blossom Source! Thanks for the support, bosses are so generous!

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end