"Flap, flap, flap~"

As the two approached Stone City, a black crow descended from the night sky.

"Coach Dou?" Lu Ran turned slightly, facing the direction of Dou Zhiqiang.

"This is the fifth Stone City you've reached," Dou Zhiqiang said.

"Hmm," Lu Ran nodded.

He had come to Evil Dog Village for training several times, but this time he had traveled the farthest and in the shortest amount of time.

Dou Zhiqiang suggested, "You can start heading back from here."

"Is half the time already passed?" Lu Ran sighed inwardly.

This time, he had entered the village late, and now a week had passed since it was already the beginning of the tenth lunar month.

Dou Zhiqiang explained, "On one hand, time is limited; on the other, you can no longer move forward."

Lu Ran raised his eyebrows slightly, "The area ahead, is it off-limits to trainees?"

Dou Zhiqiang replied, "It's off-limits to Stream Realm students."

Lu Ran: "..."

"Haha!" Si Xianxian, who had been sulking, finally showed a slight smile upon hearing this.

Dou Zhiqiang led the two toward the grand city gate: "Personally, I acknowledge your strength.

But there's a rule inside Evil Dog Village, Stream Realm trainees cannot go beyond the fifth Stone City.

Beyond that is the city wall."

"City wall?" Lu Ran's spirits lifted. "Is that the front line?"

"No," Dou Zhiqiang shook his head, "The real frontline of the battlefield is still very far away.

The walls ahead are used by our side to filter out Evil Demons."

"Oh," Lu Ran nodded.

This relatively stable training environment was naturally crafted by the military.

Dou Zhiqiang said, "Beyond the fifth city is a buffer zone, and beyond the sixth city is the filtering area.

Only River Realm Believers can enter there for training, and moreover, we cannot guarantee the trainee's safety.

As for the real frontline, it's beyond the ninth city. I believe one day, you will see it with your own eyes."

"Thank you for your encouragement, Coach Dou," Lu Ran smiled politely. "Shall we go together then?"

Dou Zhiqiang shook his head, "My strength is not up to the task, I can no longer serve as your accompanying instructor."

"Ah?"

"You don't have to wait until the ninth city; by the time you move toward the sixth and seventh cities, I will no longer be able to accompany you."

"Not possible to hire with money?"

"You can hire, but there's no need," Dou Zhiqiang's serious expression became a bit strange, "and it might not be allowed by the team."

Lu Ran was perplexed, "Why?"

Dou Zhiqiang glanced at Lu Ran, "I am a novice instructor, just a River Realm·First Rank in strength."

Lu Ran: "..."

In Lu Ran's eyes, Dou Zhiqiang, the stern instructor, had always been very formidable.

Only now did Lu Ran suddenly realize!

Was Dou Zhiqiang's level of strength even lower than Si Xianxian's?

But he was already around thirty years old... Well, perhaps his talent had reached its limit.

Thinking about it, if Dou Zhiqiang's qualifications were high enough, he wouldn't have been recruited by the Seven-class God·Witch Crow.

In this world, where is there fairness?

Si Xianxian, only 18 years old, was already River Realm·Second Rank.

Big Nightmare, also explosively talented, only twenty years old and was already at River Realm·Fifth Rank!

She was even always on the verge of breaking through to the Jiang Realm, poised to become a powerhouse in human society!

Lu Ran followed Dou Zhiqiang into the city, watching his back, and whispered softly, "I hope Coach Dou can break through to the next level soon."

"Hehe," unexpectedly, Dou Zhiqiang laughed.

He turned around to look at Lu Ran, his expression not as stern as usual.

For some reason, seeing Lu Ran again this time, Dou Zhiqiang had an illusion: this young man was about to graduate.

Perhaps, Lu Ran's official realm rank was still lacking.

But in terms of mental state, tactical literacy, and personal combat strength, Lu Ran's true level was far beyond the Stream Realm!

Dou Zhiqiang, aware of his own limitations, knew well that a Heaven's Chosen like Lu Ran, moving forward, he would no longer have the ability to protect him.

In fact, this journey had the most significant impact on Dou Zhiqiang, namely the teammate Lu Ran brought along—Si Xianxian!

This young, yet immensely strong Fierce Heavenly believer, should have been arrogant, lawless.

Dou Zhiqiang was constantly on edge, always ready to lend a helping hand, making sure to ensure Lu Ran's safety.

He even worried that if Si Xianxian truly went berserk, whether he would be able to survive from her hands.

After all, she was River Realm·Second Rank.

Her Divine Technique was meant for slaughter!

A true Fierce Heavenly believer cares about nothing, driven only by the rage in their heart.

However...

This girl, following beside Lu Ran, became more docile day by day.

Even just now, when the girl was annoyed, she merely stomped her feet.

For a Fierce Heavenly believer, that hardly counts as "annoyed".

Over seven days, Dou Zhiqiang witnessed how Lu Ran gradually tamed this fierce and violent being.

It involved Lu Ran's own strength, which was admirable and stunning.

It also involved Lu Ran ingeniously using Divine Technique, continuously manipulating the girl's body and mind.

Moreover, Lu Ran repeatedly, not minding any grievances or any past unpleasantness, took care of her as always.

Even two normal believers teaming up for training would inevitably experience friction.

Not to mention having an Explosive Barrel in the team?

Yet, Lu Ran, with his tolerance and forbearance, smoothly handled it all.

Only then could Dou Zhiqiang see the traits a believer of the Immortal Sheep should have in Lu Ran.

Now, a week had passed, and the team had stabilized.

The result of this male and female duo's adjustment also made Dou Zhiqiang sigh once more.

Immortal Sheep Believer, Fierce Heavenly believer.

These two despised beings could really work together!

And even, match quite well?!

That's really unbelievable...

"Coach Dou?" Lu Ran looked at the daydreaming instructor, saying, "I hope the next time we meet, Coach Dou has entered the River Realm·Second Rank."

"Thank you," Dou Zhiqiang came back to his senses and continued moving forward.

This was Lu Ran's first time reaching the fifth city.

He looked around, only to find, it was no different from the previous Stone Cities.

Under Coach Dou's lead, the two went to the Stone Inn.

After opening two rooms, they agreed to have dinner together in one hour, then each went to their own room.

Lu Ran hurried to take a bath and wash his clothes, and also prayed to the divine beings during his shower.

The approximate meaning was something like, "Lord Immortal Goat, keep quiet for now, don't be greedy, wait until the Evil sculpture is cultivated to River Realm then eat," and so on.

Of course, while that was the gist, the words Lu Ran spoke were quite understated...

An hour later, downstairs dining hall of the inn.

Lu Ran, wearing slippers and camo shirt and shorts provided by the inn, walked into the dining hall.

Just as he entered, Lu Ran was stunned.

In front of a square table, Lu Ran saw several familiar figures.

Ma Tianchuan, Wu Shanshan?

They were here too... Well, right, Rain Alley City only had this one Demon Cave.

It was indeed a team led by Ma Tianchuan to penetrate so deep into the Demon Cave!

He should know, reaching here, one could encounter River Realm Evil Dogs.

"Yo?" Lu Ran's voice was light, as he slightly raised his eyebrows.

The name of the other girl in the team, Lu Ran had already forgotten.

But that last boy... Kou Yingquan?

How did he mix into this team?

Lu Ran stood at the doorway, and facing the dining hall door, seated Ma Tianchuan also saw Lu Ran.

"Lu Ran?" Ma Tianchuan was somewhat surprised and waved his hand.

"Huh?" Wu Shanshan suddenly turned her head, looking towards the dining hall door.

Sure enough, she saw that familiar figure again.

Involuntarily, Wu Shanshan's face looked a bit ugly.

Since their last parting, Lu Ran was still the bright and shining one.

He had always been at the top and even participated in the Divine People Bureau's special test.

Meanwhile, Wu Shanshan, having tried every means to escape the team, finally had the teammates she wanted, but her results were not ideal.

She had tried her best, wanting to prove her choice.

However, Rain Alley had experienced two special events in a row. The school had not allowed the students to participate in the semester fifteen evaluation.

Everyone's scores surged, which was equivalent to no one gaining any ground...

Now, meeting old teammates privately, Wu Shanshan indeed felt a bit awkward.

"Coincidence," Lu Ran smiled and nodded.

"Not really a coincidence," Ma Tianchuan also smiled and nodded, "If you can walk this far, you will meet."

Hearing this, Lu Ran nodded in agreement.

This time, Evil Dog Village had only opened the west gate, and although there were many paths marked by torches, they all converged at each Stone City.

Kou Yingquan turned his head and looked at Lu Ran, the pair locking gaze once again after months.

With a hint of teasing, Lu Ran said, "Changed teammates again?"

Wu Shanshan's unhappy expression finally darkened.

Since her forceful entry into the team had effectively ousted Tian Tian, this statement was particularly harsh to her ears.

Ma Tianchuan remained unflappable, pushing his rimless glasses: "Previous teammates transferred schools."

"Transferred schools?" This response was somewhat unexpected for Lu Ran.

Ma Tianchuan sighed lightly, "His family moved away from Rain Alley City."

Lu Ran fell silent.

Rain Alley City was indeed like a cursed city.

He had also witnessed firsthand the crowds hastily leaving with big and small bundles in front of the train station.

"Why are you blocking the door?" Behind him, a pleasant female voice spoke.

Si Xianxian came to Lu Ran's side, following his line of sight to see a table of young people.

She scrutinized them and casually said, "Your classmates?"

For this newly appeared girl, Ma Tianchuan and the others were all taken aback, also a bit puzzled.

As far as they remembered, there was no such student at school.

The girl's physical attributes were excessively superior, definitely able to compete with Jiang Meiren.

That being said, for martial artists, being fair-skinned and beautiful couldn't be eaten as food, so they could dismiss it.

Yet her haughty and aloof demeanor almost had the words "Heavenly Pride" written on her face...

Clearly, this girl could not just be a decorative vase!

"Got any grudges?" Si Xianxian suddenly spoke up.

"Ah?" Lu Ran looked at her, quite surprised.

"Heh," Si Xianxian scoffed coldly, "I am a Fierce Heavenly believer.

In my life, hostility fills everywhere."

As she spoke, she turned to look at Lu Ran's profile: "It might take me a long time to confirm if someone genuinely shows goodwill towards me.

But I can instantly tell who harbors malevolence."

Lu Ran: "..."

Si Xianxian turned her head to look at the group, her eyes boldly sizing them up:

"Tell me, which one?"

...

There will be another update at 22:00, seeking some monthly tickets.

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