At 1:30 p.m. in the west of Rain Alley City, beneath the crow's feet.

A business van passed through multiple checks and slowly drove into the military camp area.

"There sure are a lot of people," said Lu Ran from inside the van, noting many social trainees, including a good number of high school students like them.

Thanks to Da Xia's supportive policies, students who came to complete assignments didn't need to pay any fees.

The military would even appoint a soldier, free of charge, to act as a proctor for the teams.

From another perspective, wasn't this proctor teacher also a bodyguard?

"Is that Gao Zhonglin?" Deng Yutang suddenly spoke from the passenger seat.

Lu Ran turned to look and saw a slightly chubby teenager with glasses.

Tian Tian, who was usually silent, spoke up for a rare occasion in a low voice, "That's him, the impressive one."

The rise of Gao Zhonglin mirrored that of Lu Ran's in some ways and could be described in one sentence—popping out of nowhere!

In his first assessment, Gao Zhonglin seized the third place on the individual leaderboard.

In the second assessment, he shot straight up to the whole school's second place!

Keep in mind, in the two years before worshipping God, Gao Zhonglin had never made it into the top fifty of the school.

But after worshipping God...

Everyone like Ma Tianchuan, Jiang Ruyi, and Wu Shanshan, step back please!

Three words: the wolf is here!

Although... well, this little wolf cub was a bit chubby.

But that kind of fits with the word "greedy," right?

"Could he be better than my Brother Lu?" Deng Yutang spoke casually.

Lu Ran nodded in agreement: "Definitely not."

From the back seat, Jiang Ruyi extended her slender finger and lightly poked Lu Ran's head, "Be more humble."

Lu Ran was indifferent, "Just being realistic!"

He, a Greedy Wolf believer, had let those high-and-mighty top students take a step back.

As for me, an Immortal Sheep Believer, I let the Greedy Wolf believers step back!

What's the rebellion against the Heavenly Gang about?

"You can head back now; we'll be here for a long time," said Deng Yutang to the driver. "I'll call you when we come out."

"Okay."

As the vehicle stopped, everyone got out quickly, took their weapons from the trunk, and rushed to the central building to register in line.

Besides weapons, Lu Ran had also brought a red band, which he tied around his arm.

He was ready to try out the "Sound Positioning" taught by Big Nightmare.

In fact, Lu Ran also wanted to bring a backpack with some food and water.

But these items were not allowed into the Demon Cave.

Within each Stone City and at the supply points in the wilderness, both water and food were provided—they just needed to be exchanged with Demon Crystals.

In a word:

Training, free.

Eating, drinking, sleeping, pay up!

Of course, if you dare to camp out in the wilderness, eating dog meat and drinking dog blood to survive the day, the military won't stop you...

Save it,

Just use your life to save, right?

"Instructor Dou!"

"What a coincidence, Dou is our proctor again?"

After queuing for some time and nearing the building entrance, they saw an old acquaintance walking briskly towards them and immediately greeted him.

Dou Zhiqiang, however, said, "I am specifically in charge of Team 98."

Everyone: "..."

Dou Zhiqiang scanned them, "How long do you plan to stay in Evil Dog Village this time?"

After exchanging looks, it was Jiang Ruyi who stepped forward, "Instructor Dou, it might be for quite a while.

We need to update our weapons and Divine Power Pearls, slay a lot of Evil Demons."

Dou Zhiqiang nodded, "How did your squad do in the city defense task of the 'Fifteenth'?"

Jiang Ruyi: "First place."

An uncommon hint of appreciation appeared on Dou Zhiqiang's face as he turned to Lu Ran, "And individually?"

Lu Ran smiled embarrassingly, "I fell back a bit, didn't score that high this time."

"Huh," Dou Zhiqiang snorted, "Did you still expect to score 98?"

"You've got to have a dream," sighed Lu Ran. "This time I only scored 91.2, a setback."

The stern instructor paused, clearly taken aback.

He confirmed, "The Fifteenth city defense, 91 points?"

Lu Ran shook his head, "Not 91 points, 91.2 points."

In the span of two sentences, you docked me 0.2 points. Can I bear this?

Dou Zhiqiang: "..."

Timely, Jiang Ruyi spoke up, "Instructor Dou, Lu Ran performed very well.

During the Fifteenth night, he was still first.

Including Yunshan City and the five county-level cities it administers, he ranked first overall."

At that, Dou Zhiqiang's expression was quite animated.

Interestingly,

When the group was in the car, Jiang Ruyi had urged Lu Ran to be more humble.

Yet, when facing outsiders' skepticism...

Not only did Jiang Ruyi speak up to protect him, but she even seemed a bit prouder than Lu Ran himself?

After several seconds, Dou Zhiqiang turned and walked away, "Follow me!"

Not wanting to delay, everyone immediately followed the instructor.

Lu Ran sneaked a look at Jiang Ruyi and murmured, "You be more humble."

Jiang Ruyi: "..."

Different from the last assessment,

This time, after Dou Zhiqiang led the group into the Demon Cave, he went straight to the South City Gate.

Then he transformed into a crow once again, leaving the stage to the young people.

"South gate," Lu Ran clenched the Dawn Blade, looking down the fire-lit path.

Jiang Ruyi commented, "There seem to be fewer trainees this side?"

"Doesn't that suit us just fine?" Deng Yutang weighed the spear in his hand, full of eagerness.

Now, having been through a night of the Fifteenth, confidence was high among them all.

Even Tian Tian wasn't too worried.

"Rumble..." Suddenly, they heard the hunting sound of a canine from the right front.

Deng Yutang reacted swiftly, stepping forward with the Heavenly Star Spear in hand.

It seemed evident that not many Human Clan trainees were in this direction.

They were still near the city gate, and already an Evil Demon was attacking.

"The Mist Realm, roughly Second or Third Rank?" Deng Yutang called out sternly.

From behind, Lu Ran's voice came, "Let Jiang try the New Divine Skill, we'll see its power."

"Fine," Deng Yutang halted his steps, still standing at the forefront of the group.

Jiang Ruyi had no objections, and the fingers of her naturally drooping hand made light motions as if sketching something in the air.

"Woof!" The Evil Dog rushed forward quickly.

Jiang Ruyi's Divine Technique was ready, coiled for action but she didn't strike immediately.

Having plenty of experience slaughtering Evil Dogs, they knew that to kill with one blow, they needed to look for an opening rather than blindly attacking.

Deng Yutang's body tensed, with knees slightly bent, gripping the Heavenly Star Spear.

"Woof!!"

As the Evil Dog closed in, estimating the distance to be sufficient, it leaped forward.

Those dagger-like teeth aimed straight for Deng Yutang.

"Yutang, back off!" Jiang Ruyi flicked two fingers forward.

Deng Yutang leaped backward decisively, and at the same moment, a thin serpent of fire brushed past him.

The flame rune flew forward, revealing an ethereal white jade board mid-flight, carrying the fire serpent directly towards the Evil Dog.

Divine Technique·Blazing Talisman!

"Woof!!"

The Evil Dog's eyes widened as it frantically twisted in midair, with nowhere to apply force.

Think you can jump, tiny dog?

You dare to jump, I dare to finish you!

"Boom!"

As the Evil Dog twisted in its struggle, the Blazing Talisman didn't hit the head but struck solidly on the body.

In an instant,

The fire burst, and the shock wave surged!

Pieces of flesh scattered everywhere, and blood rained down.

"Woo~ Woo~~~"

The Evil Dog was blasted flying back, its miserable cries echoing across the wilderness.

"Die!" Deng Yutang stomped the ground and leaped forward.

Finishing the job was his specialty!

Even though... it wasn't Deng Yutang's goal.

Considering the current power dynamic of the team, he had to regard Jiang and Lu as the absolute core.

Only after Deng Yutang had ended the Evil Dog's life did Jiang Ruyi turn to Lu Ran with raised eyebrows:

"Satisfied?"

"Mm-hm!" Lu Ran nodded eagerly, full of admiration.

Worthy of the noble spell-caster!

Just at Mist Realm·Third Rank, and already such offensive power.

Considering the Jade Talisman Sect believers are called "late-game" players, one can only imagine how formidable the beautiful Jiang will be in the future!

Lu Ran took the chance to say, "For the four of us to update our equipment, we have to slaughter a thousand Mist Realm·Evil Dogs.

And that's just to upgrade to the Stream Divine Skill·Divine Power Pearls.

We also have school award weapons, which means another thousand Mist Realm Evil Dogs, such a number...

Who knows how long we will have to kill them."

Jiang Ruyi pondered, "You want to challenge the Stream Realm·Evil Dogs?"

The ratio between Stream Realm Demon Crystals and Mist Realm Demon Crystals was 1:10.

Two thousand Mist Realm Evil Dogs could be converted to two hundred Stream Realm Evil Dogs.

Lu Ran nodded, "Stream Realm·Evil Dogs have no defense skills and are made of flesh and blood that blades can slice and talismans can blast apart."

After a moment of contemplation, Jiang Ruyi still chose to play it safe: "No rush, let's slaughter Evil Demons nearby first.

When Yutang and Tian Tian both advance to Mist Realm·Third Rank, we'll move on to the next Stone City."

Hearing the decision of their goddess, Jiang, Tian Tian instantly agreed, "I'm close to advancing too, and I've memorized the Divine Technique that matches the next phase.

After advancing, I can summon lotus skeletons from the ground to imprison Evil Demons."

Having witnessed the "Earth Grows Lotus" technique themselves during the night of the Fifteenth, when team leader Zhang Feng used it to trap Evil Demons, they knew it would add wings to their team!

Facing the assault of two Evil Dogs, Tian Tian could force one to log off!

"I'm almost there too!" Deng Yutang answered without being asked, adding, "Trust me, I'm even more eager than you."

Indeed, this was the case!

Because at Mist Realm·Third Rank, Believers of Red Cloth could learn a powerful Divine Technique—Red Cloth Soul!

With this skill, Deng Yutang could break free from his awkward situation.

To put it mildly, Divine Technique·Red Cloth Soul was the confidence Deng Yutang needed to overcome his weaker position.

To put it grandiosely...

Red Cloth Soul,

Was the capital for the Red Cloth believers to challenge authority!

With this skill, Red Cloth believers could activate berserk mode, temporarily boosting all their physical attributes significantly!

The amplification values were particularly notable!

This was also why Jiang Ruyi insisted on waiting for Deng Yutang to advance before facing the Stream Realm Evil Dogs.

Who in the world doesn't know of the might of "Red Cloth Soul" among the believers?

"Okay, okay, we believe you," Lu Ran said with a laugh, "then we'll just advance—"

Before he could finish, Lu Ran stiffened.

He vaguely felt as if some invisible entity had quietly melded into his body.

"Lu Ran?" With her keen intuition, Jiang Ruyi noticed something off with Lu Ran, "What's wrong?"

Lu Ran's gaze was slightly vacant as he envisioned a bizarre scene in his mind.

It was a land shrouded in mist, where Evil Demon Sculptures stood tall amidst layers of fog.

The soul of the recently slaughtered Evil Dog drifted into the "Evil Demon Sculpture Garden" and was absorbed into a gigantic Evil Dog Statue.

Ah, Lord Immortal Goat!

Since our last meeting, you're not holding back, huh?

Easy now,

I'm off to bind souls!

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.