Chapter 98: Escape from Rain Alley

Chapter 98: Escape from Rain Alley

September 19th, the light rain had just stopped.

Lu Ran finally stepped out of his home, standing under the still gloomy sky.

Two consecutive special incidents had dealt a significant blow to Rain Alley City.

On the previous few 19th days of the Chinese Lunar Calendar, when Lu Ran left his home, he could still see people strolling in the neighborhood and elders walking their birds.

Now, the number of people had decreased, and the elders were nowhere to be seen.

"Huff"

Lu Ran took a deep breath, holding the twin blades wrapped in cloth, and strode towards the outside of the neighborhood.

His destination was still the high-speed train station.

But this time, Lu Ran didn't have to skip class.

The school had only one morning class each month, and the one for the September month had been canceled.

Not only that, but the school also canceled this month's assignments to consider the students' emotions.

Students were free to arrange their time as they pleased.

If you wanted to cultivate at home, go out and relax, visit relatives in other places, or do anything else, it was all up to you.

Due to the special incident of Demon Sovereign's Arrival, students wouldn't have to participate in the city defense mission next month on the 15th day of the lunar calendar.

In other words, Lu Ran was on vacation.

A whole month of holidays! Although the school didn't assign tasks to the students, Lu Ran had his own mission.

His main life mission was to become stronger and live a good life.

On this main line, there were closely related side missions.

For example, improving one's power level, having a more robust physical body, and more potent divine power.

Another example was activating the demon statues, equipping various dark arts, and summoning and controlling demons.

Until one day in the future...

He would manage the entire God and Devil Sculpture Park!

Regarding this month's vacation, Lu Ran didn't care how other students arranged their time.

He and his team had already decided on their destination—the Black Lantern Demon Cavern!

The Black Lantern Clan's dark arts had offensive and healing capabilities, and they could also create black smoke to obscure vision.

Each of these dark arts was something Lu Ran desired, and he could equip them in the early stages.

The most famous technique of the Black Lantern Clan was still the control-type dark arts they acquired in the River Realm.

There was a single-target control technique—Shadow Flame Cage.

And there was also a group control technique—Shadow Lantern Array!

Any living being enveloped by the shadow lantern's light would have their movements hindered.

Especially the dark art Shadow Lantern Array, which was so powerful it made one's scalp tingle!

Since the arrival of the demons, countless human warriors had been enveloped by the shadow lantern's light, unable to move even a finger.

They could only wait hopelessly for death.

Of course, not all Black Lantern dark arts were useful to Lu Ran.

Like the Soul Shredder Demon Clan, the Black Lantern Clan could also attract human souls, capture them in a cage, and burn them with the cage's fire.

Some Black Lantern cages preferred slow cooking with a small flame.

They would savor the agony and wails of human souls.

Some Black Lantern cages preferred a quick boil with a large flame.

They would ignite a raging fire, violently burning human souls to ashes.

These dark arts were purely for the demons' enjoyment.

Equipped on Lu Ran, they probably wouldn't have much use?

After all, Lu Ran couldn't think of what kind of terrible enemy would deserve such treatment from him.

Kill their physical body first, then burn their soul?

Hmm... Hopefully, no one would be so foolish.

In fact, Lu Ran had another idea in mind.

In the future, when he could summon demons like the Crimson Paper Doll and Night Charm, equipping them with the "artifact" of the Black Lantern Cage seemed like a good choice.

At 7:15, Lu Ran arrived at the station square.

Looking at the bustling station, Lu Ran was mentally prepared.

When he and his team booked tickets, they realized that many people were traveling.

And when Lu Ran saw these people with his own eyes, he also sensed the difference.

Travelers would naturally carry luggage.

However, the people were carrying so many bags that it seemed more like they were moving house.

It was more like moving than traveling?

Were these people leaving Rain Alley City?

Once again, the impact of the Demon Sovereign's Arrival was evident to Lu Ran.

If it had been an occasional special incident, it might not have caused such a strong reaction among the people.

Unfortunately, just last month, this small city had experienced the "Night Parade of Ghosts."

His mother had said over the phone: "This city seems cursed."

Apparently, she wasn't the only one who thought so.

"What are you looking at?" a female voice asked, "So engrossed?"

The next moment, an elbow was already resting on Lu Ran's shoulder.

With this familiar gesture, Lu Ran didn't need to turn around to know who it was.

Lu Ran gestured towards the noisy station: "So many people."

Chang Ying also noticed the difference among the travelers and whispered, "They won't be coming back, will they?"

Rain Alley, an old and dilapidated city, was losing population every month.

However, this month seemed particularly severe.

"Maybe," Lu Ran said softly, "After all, the defenses and security are better in big cities."

Suddenly, Chang Ying said, "Should we move somewhere else?"

Lu Ran: "Why?"

Chang Ying slightly lowered her head and whispered, "Several divine law enforcement officers are staring at you."

Lu Ran was puzzled and looked around.

Chang Ying whispered, "Your face is gloomy, you're obviously holding a weapon, and you're standing still, staring at the crowd.

If I were the guard here, I'd keep an eye on you too."

Lu Ran: "..."

Living in such a dangerous world might indeed cause people to go insane, and they might do anything.

However, in this era where gods and demons coexist, people once again proved that they were no less capable than their ancestors.

Like any dark and difficult period in history, people would always find ways and strive to survive.

Perhaps some would crumble, and others would give up.

But when it comes to survival, the collective spirit of humanity is definitely not one of resignation and surrender.

"Should I hold this for you?" Chang Ying held the large axe in one hand and took the cloth bag from Lu Ran's embrace with the other, "So they won't misunderstand."

"Alright." Lu Ran glanced at the large clock above the station building, "Have you eaten breakfast? There's a Great Fortress King over there."

At this, Chang Ying's eyes sparkled, "Are you treating me?"

Lu Ran smiled as well.

This big girl was truly carefree and unburdened.

It seemed like she didn't have much of a reaction to the people "fleeing Rain Alley City"?

Lu Ran thought this, and without hesitation, he asked directly.

"Hehe~" Chang Ying giggled, "If we're going, let's go. It's all for the sake of staying alive."

"That's right." Lu Ran nodded in agreement, "Let's go, I'll treat you to a hamburger."

"Yay~!"

Chang Ying became even happier, contrasting the atmosphere of the station.

Lu Ran's smile grew even brighter.

Some people forced themselves to be overly cheerful, putting on a facade of optimism and cheerfulness to face this dangerous and oppressive world.

While others were naturally like that.

Lu Ran believed that Chang Ying was the latter.

Executing a mission with such a person should be enjoyable.

The two of them indulged in a hearty meal, and during this time, Deng Yutang and Tian Tian also received information and joined them.

It wasn't until 8:30 that the group of four boarded the train heading towards the northeastern region.

In Jinchuan City, Liaodong Province, there was a Black Lantern Demon Cavern.

This was the closest one Lu Ran could find to Rain Alley City, about an hour and a half's drive away, which was still acceptable.

"Which side do you want to sit on?" Inside the carriage, Chang Ying turned a row of seats and looked down at Tian Tian.

"Anywhere, anywhere is fine." Tian Tian said softly.

"Then you sit inside, by the window." Chang Ying placed a hand on Tian Tian's shoulder and pushed her to the inner seat.

"Oh."

"She's so small, what if someone carries her away?" Chang Ying whispered, sitting down on the aisle seat.

Tian Tian: "."

Lu Ran looked at Chang Ying and said, "Be gentler with your actions."

"I know!" Chang Ying listened to Lu Ran, and she slightly leaned towards Tian Tian, "Sorry."

"Lu Ran." Tian Tian also leaned away, pressing herself against the window.

Lu Ran looked on amusedly, stopping Chang Ying with a glance, and asked, "What's wrong?"

"Has Jiang Ruyi contacted you?" Tian Tian asked softly.

"No." Lu Ran shook his head, "She's probably in seclusion or training in the demon cave?"

"Oh." Tian Tian lowered her head.

Chang Ying leaned closer, smiling, "Don't worry, with Captain Jiang not here, I'll protect you!"

"Yes, I was just about to tell you this!" Lu Ran immediately spoke up, "Deng Shao can take the lead.

You stay with Tian Tian in the middle to respond."

"Ah," Chang Ying's face showed her displeasure, "But my axe is so thirsty."

Lu Ran: ???

Deng Yutang was also taken aback.

What kind of savage words were these?

Tian Tian secretly raised her head and stole a glance at Chang Ying.

To be honest, being with Chang Ying made Tian Tian feel a lot of pressure.

She even felt a sense of oppression.

Ever since their first year of high school, Tian Tian's first impression of Chang Ying wasn't very good.

She always felt that this dark-skinned, tall girl was like a female savage.

Although, yes, Chang Ying's smile was also very sweet.

But when she wasn't smiling, she was indeed quite "wild".

Tian Tian always had the illusion that Chang Ying would catch her at any moment, drag her back to the tribe, and swallow her alive.

"You Spirit Sign Adherents are very suitable for the middle position, so it's decided." Lu Ran said directly.

"So bossy." Chang Ying pouted and looked at Tian Tian, muttering, "Is he always like this?"

Tian Tian pursed her lips, not saying a word.

Lu Ran spoke again, "Tian Tian."

"Huh?" Tian Tian immediately looked up.

Lu Ran: "How about you take command?"

"Me?" Tian Tian was a bit surprised, "Can I do it?"

Lu Ran laughed, "You've been following Jiang Ruyi around every day, you've picked up a thing or two."

Deng Yutang nodded and offered some encouragement, "As long as you speak up."

Tian Tian: "I..."

"Don't worry, Tian Tian has a loud voice!" Lu Ran said with a laugh, "That night when the Shadow Opera Dan appeared, Tian Tian sent me a voice message, wow~

She shouted so loud it hurt my eardrums!"

Tian Tian's face instantly turned red, all the way to her ears.

"Huh?" Chang Ying seemed to have discovered something interesting.

She curiously extended her finger and gently pinched Tian Tian's earlobe.

Lu Ran slapped away Chang Ying's mischievous hand and looked at Tian Tian, "I'll be fighting outside.

Deng Shao will be at the forefront, so he can't oversee the whole situation.

So, the only ones left to command are you and Chang Ying."

Deng Yutang nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes!

You don't want this team to be commanded by Chang Ying, do you?"

"Huh? You!" Chang Ying suddenly became unhappy, raising her eyebrows, "What's wrong with my command?"

Lu Ran's expression was strange as he looked at Deng Yutang, "You know, if she commands, it might actually suit your taste?"

Deng Yutang: "Huh?"

Lu Ran shrugged, "Charge! Kill!"

Deng Yutang: "."

"Pfft~" Tian Tian couldn't help but laugh, and quickly covered her mouth with her hand.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end