Lu Ran ascended the stage, took the Divine Power Pearl handed by the teacher and then walked away!

The teacher wanted to use the same trick again, asking Lu Ran to give a speech to motivate the students.

But Lu Ran ran so fast~

It was not until Lu Ran returned to his team that the male teacher showed a look of regret and said, "After this city defense, you all will have your winter break.

No homework over the winter break, wish you all a good year.

Alright, follow your Moon Gazer team leader and go!"

"Yeah, New Year is coming soon." Lu Ran muttered while holding the newly acquired Divine Power Pearl.

Though he had always lived alone, every New Year's Eve, he still went to Beijing to celebrate the festival with his mother and sister.

It had been a year since he last saw his mother, and to say he didn't miss her would be a lie.

Ever since he became a Believer, he had been busy training and gaining experiences every day, and he had fewer phone calls with her.

"Let's go, Brother Lu!" Deng Yutang patted Lu Ran's shoulder, "It's our turn."

"Oh." Lu Ran immediately came back to his senses.

"What were you thinking about? You seemed so engrossed," Deng Yutang asked curiously.

"Thinking about the New Year. It's only half a month away now, it's really soon," Lu Ran remarked wistfully.

Deng Yutang nodded silently, empathizing deeply.

Since becoming a Believer, these months kept...

"It's been a while." A familiar male voice came from ahead.

The group looked ahead and saw the Moon Gazer in charge of Squad 98, Zhang Feng.

"Hello, Zhang Brother."

"Morning, Zhang Brother."

"Hello." Zhang Feng smiled, nodding as he sized up the group, "How's your training been? What ranks are you all now?"

It had been four months since they parted ways on August 15th.

The students had changed quite a bit, matured a lot, and took on more of a warrior's flair.

"We are all at Stream Realm Fourth Rank," Chang Ying proudly stated, "Lu Ran is at River Realm First Rank now!"

"Oh?" Zhang Feng looked at Lu Ran, both surprised and delighted.

This special young man always brought him surprises.

Whether it was Lu Ran's desire to fight, his battle capability, or his terrifying talent, it was all enough to astonish anyone.

Now, Chang Ying's mention of "River Realm·First Rank" stirred up waves in Zhang Feng's heart.

Half a year to reach River Realm First Rank!

Without a doubt, this was the growth rate of a first and second class deity's Believer.

Even powerful third-class God Believers probably couldn't match it!

"Incredible." Zhang Feng was filled with emotion, gazing over everyone, "Good, you all are doing very well, have made considerable progress!

Especially Lu Ran, you've changed a lot.

You now possess the aura a warrior should have."

Lu Ran chuckled sheepishly, "I'm not there yet, still a long way to go.

The one who has changed the most is Jiang Ruyi."

"Ah?"

"What?" The group was confused, looking at Lu Ran.

But they saw Lu Ran patting Chang Ying's back, looking up at the black-skinned girl, "Look at the change in Jiang Ruyi!

From a fair-skinned, beautiful young girl to a tall, imposing big foodie~"

Chang Ying: ???

Tian Tian couldn't help but cover her mouth with a hand, yet she burst out laughing, "Pft...haha~"

Deng Yutang: "Hahaha!"

Such hearty laughter caught the attention of the onlookers.

Zhang Feng was also amused, leading the group towards the bus, "Looks like it's time for me to step back."

"Team leader Zhang?" Tian Tian, keen and thoughtful, noticed the complex tone in Zhang Feng's voice.

"Step back?" Lu Ran looked at Zhang Feng.

Zhang Feng nodded, "Yes, you are at least all Stream Realm Fourth Rank now, have undergone half a year of training, participated in numerous battles.

Now, you all are warriors, the main force protecting our city.

I guess my role as a leader should come to an end."

Evil Demons invading cities on the night of the 15th mostly range between Mist Realm and Stream Realm.

Normally, a four-person squad is indeed capable guardians of the city.

Hearing Zhang Feng's words, Lu Ran couldn't help thinking of another person—Instructor Dou Zhiqiang.

During the last visit to Evil Dog Village with Si Xianxian, Dou Zhiqiang had said something similar.

The stern-faced instructor had already bidden farewell to Lu Ran in his words.

From this point forward, they were unlikely to meet again.

The path ahead, he had no ability to accompany Lu Ran any further.

Hmm...thinking about it, it was actually quite good.

At least there was a formal goodbye.

And in one's life journey, many final goodbyes happen without one realizing it.

"Get on the bus!" Zhang Feng arrived in front of the bus, "After this test, go home for the New Year!"

This flag setting, quite standard indeed.

The group quickly boarded, feeling the spaciousness inside the bus. Including Lu Ran's group of four, only 20 students remained in the class, totaling five squads.

The bus carried everyone towards the east side of the city.

Their destination was that abandoned school—Rain Alley City Elementary School No. 5.

When the bus arrived at the school, and Lu Ran stepped onto the playground, he couldn't help but look towards the southeast.

The old swing still existed.

Only the yellow leaves of autumn had turned into the white snow of winter.

So many memories!

Lu Ran walked directly towards the swing, treading on the accumulated snow.

Zhang Feng remained easy-going, not bothering Lu Ran.

"Tsk tsk~" Lu Ran arrived at the swing set.

One of the swings had a broken wooden board, leaving only two iron chains tied together—Lu Ran's own masterpiece.

Back then, he was chasing a Night Charm up and down, relentless in pursuit.

He had also swung around with the full moon of August 15th, right there on the swing.

Beauty, all done~

Thinking about it made Lu Ran wear a strange expression, gripping the icy swing chain, "You might not believe it if I say it.

Now, I've become a Night Charm."

"Squeak~"

The rusty iron chains gently swayed, making a sharp noise.

"Creak, creak..."

The sound of footsteps in snow approached from afar.

Lu Ran turned his head and saw Tian Tian approaching, carrying his twin blades.

"Master." Tian Tian called softly.

"Thanks." Lu Ran took the twin blades.

Tian Tian's eyes darted slyly, full of little thoughts, "Master, were you thinking of Sister Ruyi?"

"Uh." Lu Ran choked.

Four months ago, he indeed swung on this swing with Jiang Ruyi.

If I say I was thinking about Night Charm, wouldn't that sound bad?

"Not really?" Tian Tian whispered, feeling somewhat disappointed.

"I thought about it, thought about it," Lu Ran was somewhat amused.

My disciple is actually a fan of our CP (character pairing)?

Tian Tian's little face brightened with a sweet smile, not caring whether Lu Ran was deceiving her.

It seemed as if, as long as Lu Ran said it, she was willing to believe.

Lu Ran wrapped one hand around the twin blades and patted Tian Tian's little head with the other, "I haven't slept for two days and nights, I'm a bit tired."

Tian Tian quickly said, "Don't sleep here, you'll catch a cold."

Lu Ran: "..."

...

Lu Ran's sleep was deep and complete!

As night fell, finally a tall dark shadow quietly crept into an office on the fourth floor.

"Ran Treasure, Ran Shen?"

"Hmm..." Lu Ran mumbled drowsily, turned over, and continued to sleep deeply.

Chang Ying stepped forward a few steps, sat by the bedside, and gently patted Lu Ran's shoulder, "Wake up, Ran Treasure.

It's getting dark, time to get up!"

"Hmm?" Lu Ran finally opened his eyes and, aided by the light from the hallway, looked at the person in front of him.

"Time to get up," Chang Ying smiled brightly\Message received, "In a bit, the Evil Demon will be crawling into your blanket."

Lu Ran: "..."

Your method of waking someone up is quite scary, isn't it?

If it's the Straw Demon or Wooden Demon that crawled into the blanket, you could tie them up and continue to sleep.

Just a pillow.

But if it's the Yan Zhi...

Who could handle that?

Lu Ran sat up, feeling his head buzzing.

"It's just our squad patrolling outside," Chang Ying whispered, "Without you, we're a bit anxious."

But Lu Ran laughed, "Isn't Zhang Feng leading the team?"

Chang Ying pursed her lips, with evident reason saying, "It's not the same sense of security as being with you."

Lu Ran rubbed his eyes and warned, "Don't say this in front of others."

"I know, I know, I'm not a fool."

"I need to wash my face." Lu Ran got up and shuffled out in his shoes.

"Should I wait at the door?"

"Blades."

"I'll get them." Chang Ying had already spotted the twin blades on the table.

Just like Tian Tian, Chang Ying didn't mind being Lu Ran's "blade carrier".

To this day, the relationship between Lu Ran and his teammates was slowly changing.

Fundamentally, it was because of Lu Ran's strong abilities, and partly, he was guiding them intentionally.

As for when it would bear fruit, he didn't know.

Lu Ran just hoped that when the day he was ready came, when he invited his teammates...

They would meet his expectations and join the "Ran Sect" without looking back.

A few minutes later.

The two arrived at the lobby on the first floor, just in time to see Bai Manni's team guarding beside a small shrine.

"How does it feel?" Lu Ran greeted everyone, then looked at Bai Manni.

As a Caster Believer, Bai Manni still looked restless, her worries shaking her head.

"Ah..." Lu Ran sighed deeply and walked out the door.

The cold air hit his face, fully awakening him!

Stars twinkled in the night sky, the moon hung high.

The cool moonlight poured onto the snowy ground, making the frost shine brightly.

"Nice weather, Dawn Blade!" Lu Ran clenched the Dawn Blade in his left hand and slowly raised it.

His gaze, through the pitch-dark yet clear black ice material, targeted the moon in the sky.

"It's freezing, how is the weather nice?" Chang Ying rubbed her hands together, breathing out warm air.

Lu Ran softly spoke, "She doesn't understand what we're waiting for, does she?"

"Buzz!!"

The Dawn Blade in Lu Ran's hand suddenly trembled violently, making quite a noise.

Such a scene flabbergasted everyone.

If a weapon could react so violently, could it possibly be about to...

Zhang Feng, shocked, couldn't help asking, "Lu Ran, your blade?"

"It was left by my father."

Lu Ran peered through the icy thin blade, his eyes fixed on the night sky's moon.

It's time, Dawn Blade!

Tonight, might be the last night before the skies fill with rosy clouds.

Moon Gazers said, tonight in Rain Alley might not be peaceful.

That Caster Believer also looked deeply worried.

It seems, tonight will be tough.

But...

Dawn doesn't come to us by waiting.

It's something we must fight out!

Don't you think?

"Buzz!!"

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