Chapter 83: Abundance

Chapter 83: Abundance

For the return journey, Jiang Ruyi had a plan, leading the team on a leisurely trip.

On the nineteenth day of the ninth month of the lunar calendar, in the afternoon, the group finally exited the Demon Cavern.

Lu Ran was in high spirits!

When they had arrived, the Soulshattering Demon Statue in the sculpture garden had not been activated yet.

Now, as they were leaving, his Soulshattering Demon Statue had already been cultivated to the fifth stage of the Stream Realm!

Speaking of which, Lu Ran truly believed that the Demon Statue could break through into the River Realm.

He wasn't sure if the Divine Sheep had secretly profited from this.

In any case, after just twenty days in the Demon Cavern, they had achieved such remarkable results!

Special thanks must be given to that brutal Sword Cultivator, Guan Yiren.

As they exited the Demon Cavern, the group had acquired thousands of Magic Crystals.

Among them were over seven hundred Mist Grade Magic Crystals, nearly five hundred Stream Grade Magic Crystals, and even more than thirty River Grade Magic Crystals!

The group had fought their way through, committing heaven-defying sins along the way.

Of course, they had slain brutal and tyrannical demons, so they didn't feel too guilty.

"Ah~ We're out!"

Qiao Yuansi was the first to step out of the military camp building, standing at the entrance, and stretching lazily.

Behind her, in the hall, Deng Yutang and others were calculating the Magic Crystal profits with the military personnel.

Lu Ran and Jiang Ruyi were talking to Instructor Cai Yunfei.

"Thank you, Instructor, for your care during our journey," Jiang Ruyi expressed her gratitude, speaking softly.

"Thank you, Instructor Cai!" Lu Ran smiled and agreed.

"Next time you come, don't look for me again," Cai Yunfei said with a smile, looking at Lu Ran, "Meeting you has been my bad luck."

Lu Ran nodded repeatedly: "Okay, okay, I'll definitely look for you next time."

Cai Yunfei widened his eyes: "Huh?"

Brother, can't you understand what I'm saying?

Cai Yunfei had just been joking, but now he turned and left.

Lu Ran watched Cai Yunfei's departing figure: "When I reach the River Realm, I'll definitely come back. I want to see what's on the other side of the forest!

Take care, Instructor Cai, I'll be back!"

"Get lost!" Cai Yunfei said irritably without turning back, waving his hand dismissively.

In the hall, the solemn soldiers also showed smiles on their faces.

In their hearts, they believed that these students must have been a handful, and Instructor Cai Yunfei had surely gone through a lot of trouble to escort and protect them until now.

This assumption wasn't entirely accurate.

After all, Cai Yunfei had never lifted a finger, he hadn't exerted himself, he had only been worried.

Lu Ran turned to look at Jiang Ruyi with a smile.

But the girl ignored him and walked out.

Lu Ran quickly caught up: "After so many days, are you still angry?"

Jiang Ruyi still didn't respond to Lu Ran.

Lu Ran joked: "Are you keeping a record in your little book?"

Jiang Ruyi finally stopped and looked at Lu Ran with her beautiful eyes: "Didn't you say we'd talk about it after we get back?

There are too many people here, so I've been holding it in."

"Uh." Lu Ran scratched his head, watching as Jiang Ruyi strode out with her long legs, exiting the entrance.

Outside the building, Qiao Yuansi naturally linked arms with Jiang Ruyi, chatting happily.

From time to time, Qiao Yuansi would glance at Lu Ran.

Lu Ran hesitated about whether to use the Evil Perception Spell to eavesdrop on their conversation, but suddenly, a graceful figure appeared beside him.

"What's up, Captain Guan?" Lu Ran turned to Guan Yiren.

"Not bad," Guan Yiren said expressionlessly, giving a faint compliment before continuing on her way.

Lu Ran: "..."

Why so cold and aloof?

Lu Ran was once again grateful that Jiang Ruyi hadn't joined the Sword One sect.

To quote Instructor Cai: Could you handle it if she did?

A few minutes later, Lu Ran followed Deng Yutang and others out of the central building.

This time, Tian Tian was giving the report. She had learned from Deng Yutang's previous experience, and her report was concise:

"After deducting accommodation fees, the summer homework for both squads, and the 10 Stream Grade Magic Crystals each of us left behind, we have a total of 28,500 yuan.

Dividing that among the seven of us, each person gets over 4,000 yuan."

The homework assignments for both squads were the same, each required to submit 300 Mist Grade Magic Crystals and 50 Stream Grade Magic Crystals.

Fortunately, the authorities allowed the two squads to collaborate on the homework, not penalizing them for their larger group size.

Jiang Ruyi nodded lightly: "On the way, let's exchange contact information and transfer the money."

"Oh." Tian Tian nodded obediently, "The soldier uncle said there's a shuttle bus over there, one per hour."

"Let's go."

"Oh, Brother!" Qiao Yuansi approached Lu Ran, "Your city just experienced a major event.

On the fifteenth of this month, do you still need to participate in the city defense mission?"

"Yes, I'm on vacation."

Qiao Yuansi's face lit up with anticipation: "Then, do you want to come home with me?"

Lu Ran's heart stirred: "Accompany you in the battle on the fifteenth?"

He was more than willing to protect his sister, even if it meant alleviating just a little of her pressure.

"Is that okay, Brother Lu?" Niu Zhengzheng, who was nearby, also showed interest.

Qiao Yuansi pouted: "Silly Niu Zhengzheng, you're just dreaming.

The school and the Divine Citizen Bureau are so strict; how could they possibly let us add an extra member so easily?"

Qiao Yuansi's squad was powerful, ranking at the top within the school, a true leader on the competition charts.

Countless eyes were watching, and they couldn't possibly let them cheat.

"That's true," Niu Zhengzheng smiled sheepishly, "If only Brother Lu could join our squad."

"Hehe~" Qiao Yuansi's eyes sparkled with pride as she hugged Lu Ran's arm, "If my brother were here, why would we need to guard the shelter?

With the four of us, couldn't we just go out on patrol?"

Niu Zhengzheng's eyes lit up with imagination: "Patrol..."

Lu Ran: "Patrolling is too dangerous, the intensity is too high. Forget about fighting enemies, just running around providing support would exhaust you.

Before reaching the River Realm, you shouldn't take it lightly."

"Iron Fang was stunned for a moment, and it took him a while to react. He asked in confusion, "Brother Lu, you patrolled?"

Qiao Yuansi giggled, her little face beaming with pride, "My brother didn't just patrol, he was on duty on the Fifteenth Day of the Seventh Month!"

Iron Fang's eyes widened in shock, "Huh?"

Even Guan Yiren was secretly surprised.

Patrolling on the Fifteenth Day of the Seventh Month? Iron Fang couldn't believe it. "Why didn't you tell me earlier, Brother Lu?

You're the one who patrolled on the Fifteenth Day of the Seventh Month, and now you're comparing with me?"

Lu Ran waved his hand dismissively, "Our Rain Alley City is just a small place, it's not as dangerous as you think, and it's nothing compared to the Capital City."

"Brother, why don't you come back to the Capital City with me?" Qiao Yuansi took the opportunity to invite him again.

Lu Ran thought for a moment and shook his head, "You have the divine sculptures of Sword One and Lantern God there, I don't want to disturb them too much.

Besides, I need to go home and pray before the Divine Sheep's divine sculpture."

As a believer, his words were impeccable.

But coming from Lu Ran's mouth, it did seem a bit insincere.

If it was about cultivating in front of the shrine, Lu Ran did that every day, but devout prayer? Ha!

The Divine Sheep's words were not false.

In some of Lu Ran's actions, he did reveal a hint of 'disrespecting the gods'.

And this kind of behavior was undoubtedly influenced by his subconscious.

Because, in his own perception, Lu Ran believed that he was very devout, and he held the Divine Sheep in high regard.

He firmly believed that the Divine God Divine Sheep would receive his faith power.

This conflict between 'personal perception' and 'subconscious' was undoubtedly quite contradictory.

No one knew

what exactly had happened to Lu Ran to cause this unique situation.

What's more interesting is:

Ever since Lu Ran brought the divine sculpture home, no matter how he behaved, the Divine Sheep never blamed him.

Not even a single reminder! It wasn't until the Fifteenth Day of last month that Lu Ran, in the sculpture park, saw the statues of the divine beings for the first time, that the Divine Sheep gently mentioned it once.

But at that time, Lu Ran still thought that the Divine Sheep was talking nonsense.

He only felt that offerings and incense were all secular etiquette, and they didn't represent anything.

At this moment, facing Qiao Yuansi's invitation, Lu Ran's excuse was naturally a lie.

He wasn't going back to pray.

Instead, he wanted to cultivate diligently, advance quickly, and bring glory to the Divine Sheep's faction.

Of course, if he had the chance to chat with the Divine Sheep this time, and discuss how to change the form of the Soulshattering Horn Technique, that would be even better."

"It seems like Mom already knew." Qiao Yuansi pouted, "Here, take the Cool Night Sword with you."

Lu Ran: "..."

Qiao Yuansi's expression changed in an instant, and she giggled, her lips moving close to Lu Ran's ear:

"Sister Ruyi is so beautiful! She's strong and so gentle and considerate."

Lu Ran tilted his head slightly, his face showing a strange expression.

After twenty days in the demon cave and fighting side by side, they had naturally gained some understanding of each other.

Moreover, Jiang Ruyi and Qiao Yuansi had been living and eating together, naturally developing a certain bond.

Qiao Yuansi whispered, "I really like Sister Ruyi~

Do you want to help me marry her?"

Lu Ran: ???

You like her, and you want me to marry her to you?

Does that even make sense?

Qiao Yuansi asked in confusion, "Why aren't you saying anything?"

Lu Ran replied in an annoyed tone, "So that you can spoil her and dote on her every day, right?"

Qiao Yuansi smiled, her eyes curving, "Yeah!"

Lu Ran: "Then what about me? Am I just out of the picture?"

Qiao Yuansi said matter-of-factly, "How is that possible? You have to spoil me together with her!"

Lu Ran: "..."

No problem!

It's the brother who was being careless.

"Get in the car." Up ahead, Jiang Ruyi called out, "Yuansi, in a bit, create a group chat and have Tian Tian distribute the money."

"Okay~" Qiao Yuansi's face lit up with joy.

Lu Ran suddenly spoke up, "Buy fewer hamburgers, I'll tell Mom how much money you earned."

"Ah," Qiao Yuansi's smile instantly vanished.

Lu Ran, on the other hand, felt refreshed and quickly boarded the bus.

Looking at the pouting girl, Jiang Ruyi couldn't help but smile.

Qiao Yuansi protested, "Sister Ruyi, look at him!"

Jiang Ruyi spoke softly, "The money you earn is limited, but you can ask your brother separately."

"Huh?" Qiao Yuansi's eyes lit up, "That's right!"

Qiao Yuansi's heart raced, and she quickly scrambled onto the bus.

As Jiang Ruyi was about to get on, she saw Qiao Yuansi stop in front and turn around.

"What's wrong?" Jiang Ruyi asked, puzzled.

Qiao Yuansi whispered, "Sister Ruyi, do you like the black ice sword I use?"

Jiang Ruyi's face froze.

The siblings might not know that twenty days ago, at the back of the van, they had a conversation that Jiang Ruyi overheard by accident.

Qiao Yuansi, with a mysterious look on her face, whispered, "Sister, listen to me, ask my brother for it!"

Jiang Ruyi: "..."

Qiao Yuansi: "Just borrow it for a while!

We're in the same squad, the stronger we are, the higher our chances of survival!"

Jiang Ruyi struggled to control her expression, "Get in the car."

"I don't know what my mom was thinking." Qiao Yuansi whispered, "My brother doesn't even use a sword.

It's a waste to keep it with him!

If you borrow it, this...cough, you can borrow it first, that sword is so sharp!"

Jiang Ruyi emphasized, "You're blocking the way, get in the car."

"Oh." Qiao Yuansi was repeatedly urged and had no choice but to turn around and get on the bus first.

She didn't notice that Jiang Ruyi behind her had a faint blush on her cheeks.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end