Summit of the Old Gods

"Flap flap flap~"

Dark crows descended from the sky, landing on Lu Ran's shoulder.

It spoke human language, asking, "What's going on?"

Everything that had just happened had all fallen into Dou Zhiqiang's eyes.

But to the instructor's inquiry, Lu Ran remained silent, not responding.

Because he was listening to the divine being's telepathic message.

At the same time, several team members also gathered around, all with confusion in their hearts, not knowing why the battlefield had suddenly changed.

They had only caught a glimpse of the clues, knowing that this bizarre scene had something to do with Lu Ran.

"Cadet?" the black crow spoke again.

Finally, Lu Ran slowly began, "Immortal Sheep Divine Technique·Voice of Compassion."

Yet Dou Zhiqiang thought Lu Ran was spouting nonsense.

The Voice of Compassion having such an effect?

What a joke!

The black crow flew back elegantly, transforming into human shape: "The Evil Dog Clan is naturally brutal, and will not show you a hint of mercy."

Retreating ten thousand steps, even if the Evil Dogs were really bewitched by you, it couldn't possibly be that kind of reaction.

Was it pity arising in their hearts?

They were completely "strongly controlled"!

The battle had almost reached a fever pitch, the time for bayonets clashing, at such a moment, would two Evil Dogs simultaneously turn their heads to look at you?

Lu Ran said, "The cries of weak beings can call forth the protection of their kin, but also lure the hunters that prowl."

"Oh?" Dou Zhiqiang was somewhat surprised, never expecting Lu Ran to say something like that.

Lu Ran looked at the Iron-faced Instructor: "Since it's impossible to awaken the goodness within all beings, then we'll use the wickedness within them."

Dou Zhiqiang's expression was more serious and stern than ever before, listening intently.

"It can't be called wickedness," Lu Ran thought for a while, then continued, "after all, only human society speaks of respecting the elderly and loving the young.

In nature, it's the old, weak, sick, and disabled that are preyed upon."

Dou Zhiqiang nodded thoughtfully, with a rare note of appreciation in his voice, "That's a good understanding."

Lu Ran looked towards the instructor: "Lord Immortal Sheep has enlightened me, more than that, I cannot say."

Dou Zhiqiang pondered for a while, then nodded again: "I understand, carry on."

The cadets couldn't speak in depth, naturally because it involved the secret techniques unique to the Immortal Sheep sect.

In fact, what Lu Ran had said was already quite a lot.

"Flap flap flap~"

Dou Zhiqiang transformed back into a crow and flapped his wings towards the night sky.

With the instructor gone, several team members also turned their gaze to Lu Ran.

"Brother Lu, that was amazing!" Deng Yutang stepped forward and slapped Lu Ran's shoulder hard, his face full of surprise.

Initially, Deng Yutang joined this team, attracted by Lu Ran's charisma.

During a class conflict, the frail lamb holding a wooden chair charged at the powerful Prisoner Demon believers.

Deeply influenced by the drama "Bright Sword," Deng Yutang loved that feeling of "the brave prevails on a narrow path."

And now, Lu Ran's performance excited Deng Yutang even more.

You translate,

What! they say tm! Surprise!

Lu Ran wasn't just a little lamb with a willingness to fight.

But a big lamb leg!

The kind that sizzles with oil and aroma~

"Luck, just luck." Lu Ran repeatedly waved his hand, but his mind was active.

No wonder my domineering Lord Goat,

this special use of the Voice of Compassion was indeed powerful!

"The Voice of Compassion can also be used in this way," Wu Shanshan whispered softly, "Truly an eye-opener.

Now I finally understand why Yan Zhi had to snatch you away."

Lu Ran claimed to have been enlightened by Immortal Sheep, that much was true.

The question was, why hadn't other Immortal Sheep Believers used this technique?

Why was there not a shred of related information online or in books?

In Wu Shanshan's mind, this must be the result of Lu Ran's extraordinary talent and understanding!

Immortal Sheep created Divine Techniques, while Believer Lu Ran...

actually processed and transformed the divinity's spells?

Ah, this gives me a headache.

Wu Shanshan's thoughts were in turmoil.

After this assessment, should she leave the team and start anew?

Jiang Ruyi looked displeased: "If you can use Divine Technique to such an extent, why didn't you tell us earlier?"

"Uh," Lu Ran stuttered, not knowing how to explain.

"Let's change our tactics," suggested the beautiful Jiang, ever so gentle, not wanting to embarrass someone, "We'll split into two teams."

Wu Shanshan immediately caught on: "Right! One team to distract the Evil Dogs, and you, Ran, keep your distance to divert their attention."

Lu Ran shook the blood off his blade and walked towards the carcass of the Evil Dogs.

Huh,

Women!

Just a moment ago, you wanted me to stop causing trouble, and now you're calling me Ran treasure?

Isn't that why you are always among the top three in the class, purely a dominator...

"I'll attract the Evil Dogs," Deng Yutang volunteered resolutely.

"Alright." Lu Ran sliced open the Evil Dog's head, resisting the nausea, and reached in to search for the Demon Crystal.

Everyone has their first time.

After Lu Ran kills enough Evil Demons, he probably won't feel sick anymore.

Before long, Lu Ran retrieved a blood-stained, diamond-shaped shard from the head of the Evil Dog.

An Evil Dog Demon Crystal!

It was dark grey, semi-transparent, and the size of a fingernail, with strands of energy coursing within.

Though the Evil Dogs were from the Evil Demon Clan, the energy cultivated by both the Evil Demons and the gods and humans was the same.

Therefore, by absorbing the Demon Crystal, the Human Clan believers could supplement their Divine Power.

But Lu Ran wouldn't directly absorb it, after all, the Demon Crystals had to be kept for the task, and within the Demon Cave, Divine Power was abundant, he'd simply replenish it himself.

"It's a pity to waste this corpse," Lu Ran mused, looking at the Evil Dog whose head was separated from its body.

If he had a Divine Power Pearl, he could completely drain the Evil Demon's corpse and extract all the energy it contained.

The Divine Power drawn from the dog's corpse was roughly equivalent to the energy in the Demon Crystal.

And the school's examination ranking rewards were precisely Divine Power Pearls of varying qualities.

"It won't go to waste," Jiang Ruyi said softly, "The school specifically avoids allowing us to bring Divine Power Pearls, they mean to leave the corpses for the military."

Wu Shanshan urged, "Shall we find the Demon Crystal from the other Evil Dog and then move on?"

The school only gave three hours, which for teams desiring a ranking, naturally meant making every second count.

After securing the two Evil Dog Demon Crystals, the four-person team quickly set off, soon encountering another Evil Dog.

More precisely, an Evil Dog sought them out.

This thin dog was very cunning!

Originally pitch black, it hid in the dark wilderness, silent as a ghost.

Until the team noticed it, it was following behind them, ready to launch a stealth attack.

"I've got this!" Deng Yutang rushed to the rear.

"Stick to the plan." Wu Shanshan pulled her bow and notched her arrow, excitedly said, eager for the new team tactic.

"Go." Jiang Ruyi took Lu Ran with her, quickly moving sideways away from the torch-lit path.

Due to the rules, the two of them couldn't go deep into the wilderness, and had to stay within the range of illumination, so they didn't go far.

In fact, the military, to prevent students from straying from the torch-lit path, had not issued lighting equipment, fundamentally stopping any adventurous ideas.

"Any problems?" Jiang Ruyi faced the torch-lit path, leaning against Lu Ran's back, vigilantly scanning the surroundings.

"It's very quiet." Lu Ran faced a pitch-black expanse of wilderness, feeling somewhat eerie.

"Ha!" Deng Yutang's roar came from a distance, drawing the Evil Dog's attention.

"The Evil Dog is charging at Deng Yutang," Jiang Ruyi reported the battlefield situation, "Get ready."

"Okay." Lu Ran focused his mind, quietly gathering Divine Power.

The special version of Voice of Compassion required higher casting conditions, involving mental state.

You couldn't just pretend to be pitiful; you had to truly be weak and defenseless, truly desperate and woeful.

Lu Ran thought it would be more appropriate to call it the "Sound of Despair."

Speaking of which, other believers could only learn a Divine Technique at the first and third stages of each major realm.

And it seemed like Lu Ran had learned an extra Divine Technique?

After all, the Voice of Compassion and the Sound of Despair were completely different in effect.

"Ran treasure?" Wu Shanshan's distant shout came.

"Don't rush." Jiang Ruyi stopped her quietly, as calm as ever.

"Ran treasure?" Wu Shanshan, ready with her bow and arrow and the Evil Dog approaching, couldn't help but call out again, "Why don't you make a sound?"

Jiang Ruyi just quietly watched the charging Evil Dog.

Closer, ever closer...

"Arf!" The Evil Dog howled as it leaped forward.

"Now," Jiang Ruyi finally said.

Lu Ran's emotions churned, and he let out a sheep's bleat: "Mee~~~"

The faint sheep sound was like the cry of a baby.

The wilderness was already ominous, and the cry made it all the more chilling.

"Huh?" The Evil Dog, with its gaping maw, suddenly turned its head toward the wilderness.

Instinct can be both a blessing and a downfall!

"Thud!" The bowstring trembled.

Wu Shanshan's fingers slipped, and the mist arrow pierced straight into the dog's head, forcefully penetrating it.

Deng Yutang followed swiftly, plunging the Heavenly Star Red Tassel Spear into the oncoming Evil Dog, pinning it to the ground!

Minutes ago, the team faced turmoil and danger against the Evil Dog's assault.

Now, everything had become so simple.

All because of Lu Ran's existence, all because of his unique Divine Technique·Sound of Despair!

"The tactic worked!" Deng Yutang shouted excitedly, turning to look at Lu and Jiang.

Lu Ran did not respond because he sensed something amiss!

He saw Jiang the beauty breathing rapidly, her chest rising and falling slightly, her grip on her sword growing tighter.

"Captain?" Lu Ran vaguely realized something.

Deng Yutang and Wu Shanshan were too far away to hear the wailing and were therefore unaffected.

But Jiang Ruyi was different!

She had been back-to-back with Lu Ran and had heard the Sound of Despair loud and clear.

"Mm." Jiang Ruyi responded in a low voice, then turned her eyes to Lu Ran.

The usually blushing girl, for the first time, had red eyes when facing Lu Ran!

Jiang Ruyi did not consider herself a bully, but Lu Ran's call...

directly provoked the wickedness in her heart!

He was weak, he was helpless, he had no ability to resist.

To trample on Lu Ran, to tear Lu Ran apart, to devour Lu Ran...

All these actions would not cost her anything, indeed they would be the optimal solution for survival.

Jiang Ruyi did not act, because she was not a brutal Evil Dog, she was a person with self-control.

But if Lu Ran continued to call out, it was uncertain!

"Mee~"

Jiang Ruyi was still trying to suppress the wicked fire while another sheep's cry reached her ears.

The original Divine Technique·Voice of Compassion!

Jiang Ruyi's expression blanked, her emotions fluctuating.

Her prey gradually became a weak and helpless creature that needed help and care.

"Heh." Jiang Ruyi breathed deeply, slowly lowering her head, covering her eyes with one hand.

Guilt, annoyance, and various emotions surged.

You wretched guy,

You're driving me insane.

"Feeling better?" Lu Ran asked the silent, head-bowed girl cautiously, "Should I make another call?"

The beautiful Jiang...

She hadn't been broken, had she?

We really can't afford that!