Summit of the Old Gods

After breakfast, Lu Ran, holding an umbrella and a wooden sword, arrived at a desolate area in the west of the city.

In the drizzle, several abandoned residential buildings stood quietly, this area once had a fitting name—The Banks of Wu Lie River.

Lu Ran entered the southernmost residential building, step by step, climbed to the rooftop, and went to the southeast corner.

For nearly two years, he had been practicing his swordsmanship here.

This was the place where his father had died on duty, it was very quiet, and the scenery was unexpectedly good.

Looking out into the distance in the misty rain, Lu Ran could see the rushing waters of the Wu Lie River, majestic and forceful.

Since his birth, the river had always been like this, unchanging.

He silently admired it for a long time, then put away the umbrella and picked up the wooden sword.

"Huh!" Lu Ran swung his sword as if to cut through the curtain of rain.

Around his body, wisps of mist and divine power fluctuations gradually gathered.

"Dad, how's this move?"

"And this one, this is how I killed the dog yesterday."

"Right, your Dawn Blade is really useful, chopping off a dog's head as easy as slicing tofu..."

Under the dark clouds, with slanted rain.

Above the rooftop, a silhouette and the marks of a blade.

The rain lessened, but the mist around Lu Ran grew denser.

This was only his sixth day becoming a believer, yet his physical strength had greatly improved!

Especially after overdrawing his energy yesterday, having been blessed by the gods overnight, Lu Ran felt reborn, his movements terrifyingly swift.

"Hmm?" Lu Ran caught something from the corner of his eye and immediately turned to look.

At the entrance to the rooftop, a furry little head appeared.

A tabby cat?

This was the seventh floor rooftop, what was this little guy doing up here?

The tabby cat was equally curious, tilting its head as it gazed at the "divinely radiant" Lu Ran; one man and one cat locked eyes like this.

Lu Ran wiped his wet face and crouched down, "Come here."

But the tabby cat backed away, its eyes filled with wariness.

"Come, don't be afraid." Lu Ran reached out his palm.

"Meow~" The tabby cat turned and fled into the dilapidated corridor.

Huh,

Little kitty, still trying to run?

Lu Ran called out: "Meow~"

Inside the stairwell, the tabby cat paused its movement, its pointed ears flittering slightly.

"Meow~"

The sheep's baaa echoed again, the expression of the tabby cat suddenly changed!

Lu Ran stayed calmly crouched on the spot, and after a short 2 or 3 seconds, the cat came back to him.

Now the tabby cat no longer had the cute appearance it had before.

It crawled forward, its ear tips quivering, tail wagging slightly, and its vertical pupils shrinking further.

Divine Technique·Desolate Sound!

The little tabby cat's hunting instincts were triggered as well as the typical feline nature to play with its prey.

"Meow!"

With a sharp scream, in an unobstructed hunting environment, the cat chose to pounce swiftly toward Lu Ran.

Lu Ran was unflustered, speaking again: "Meow~"

"Meow?" The tabby cat braked frantically, its hind legs fluttering like wheels.

Authentic Divine Skill·Voice of Compassion!

Completely soaked, Lu Ran simply sat on the ground, stretching out a hand towards the little tabby: "Meow~"

People really do change.

The day he first became a believer, Lu Ran felt ashamed at having to "baa" and wished he could smash his head on the computer desk.

Now, he baa'd more authentically than a sheep!

Even a real sheep might question him: why do you look so human...

"Meow?" The tabby cat's hunting posture disappeared, its pupils rounded and it tilted its small head as it observed Lu Ran.

Subsequently, the tabby cat was completely lost in the baaing sounds.

Heart almost broken!

The tabby cat swiftly approached Lu Ran's side, its fuzzy head rubbing constantly against his palm, licking his fingertips, comforting this pitiful human.

"Are you also alone?" Lu Ran rubbed the tabby cat's dirty head as he asked softly.

Unexpectedly, the tabby cat suddenly lay on its side, a paw playing with Lu Ran's fingers, seeming to pull him over.

"Don't lie down, the ground is cold and wet." Lu Ran tried to lift the tabby cat.

"Meow~ Meow~"

The tabby cat softly meowed, constantly fiddling with Lu Ran's fingers, gesturing for him to come closer.

Lu Ran looked at the tabby cat lying on its side, exposing its belly...

It took him a while to react, a lightbulb going off in his head, seemingly understanding the cat's intent.

"Not, I'm not hungry!" Lu Ran numbed, "I had breakfast, don't… hey, I won't eat it, just keep it."

The tabby cat looked at Lu Ran, softly calling: "Meow~"

What does that mean?

You're being too polite?

Lu Ran was nearly in tears, "I really won't eat it, Cat Sister! You better save it for the kids..."

"Lu Ran?"

Lu Ran jumped in shock, almost thinking the cat sister had started to talk.

He looked up, only to see a figure emerging from the rooftop entrance.

Jiang Ruyi?

In ordinary clothes, her youth and beauty stark against the worn-out and dirty rooftop atmosphere.

"You're indeed here." The girl's gaze swept back and forth between Lu Ran and the cat, "What did you just say you ate?"

"Nothing, didn't eat anything." Lu Ran hurriedly reached out and picked up the tabby cat in his arms.

Jiang Ruyi looked doubtful, not believing she had heard wrong.

"Brother Lu, quite a place to find, huh?" Deng Yutang walked out of the stairwell, carrying an umbrella.

"How did you guys get here?" Lu Ran was quite perplexed.

Deng Yutang couldn't have known about Lu Ran's training ground; he must have followed Jiang Ruyi here.

"Couldn't get in touch with you." Deng Yutang looked around, "Went to your house, you weren't there either."

"Ah." Lu Ran felt somewhat embarrassed, "Left my phone on the bed."

Jiang Ruyi crouched in front of Lu Ran, looking at the dirty little cat in his arms.

She extended a fair finger, gently stroking the dirty little cat: "So cute."

Hearing this, Lu Ran wore a strange expression.

My Cat Sister is not only cute, but also has work to do!

Earlier she insisted on milking me...

"This scenery, truly exhilarating!" Deng Yutang moved towards the railing on the rooftop, gazing at the roaring river, genuinely admiring.

Lu Ran nodded in agreement and asked, "What did you need me for?"

Deng Yutang, with one foot on the stone railing, said, "The school called to let us know to prepare mentally, the team will be adjusted."

"Ah?" Lu Ran was surprised, "We're doing so well, how can they just move us around?"

Seeing Lu Ran's reaction, Jiang Ruyi and Deng Yutang exchanged a glance.

Unaware of the reason, Lu Ran continued, "Teams that need adjustment are those with incompatible members.

Our four's positions are so suitable...hmm, no worries!

Such matters, in the end, depend on personal wishes. As long as we make it clear, the school won't make any move..."

Lu Ran paused in his words, suddenly understanding why the two had exchanged looks.

Four big words: individual will.

The will of the four can stabilize the team.

But the will of one can withdraw.

After all, the team is meant to go into battle, and it's no child's play; a team must not only match well but also must unite hearts and efforts!

Deng Yutang looked towards the beauty, Jiang: "I said, Brother Lu wouldn't leave without a word."

Jiang Ruyi remained silent, her fingertips lightly pinching the cat's ear.

"So, Wu Shanshan is leaving?" Lu Ran frowned deeply.

The school had not sought their opinions in advance, but directly announced that there would be changes in the team.

This implied that the team adjustment likely stemmed from a team member's initiatives.

And this member's personal will was very strong, non-negotiable!

"Meow~"

The tabby cat suddenly rushed out.

The little stray had returned to its senses and seized the chance to escape.

Deng Yutang: "We tried contacting Wu Shanshan too, couldn't get in touch."

Lu Ran understood, no wonder the two teammates misunderstood him.

"It shouldn't be." Lu Ran thought again and again, puzzled, "Why would she want to leave? It makes no sense."

Their team was performing so well, and their roles were very fitting, Lu Ran truly could not find a reason for Wu Shanshan to leave the team.

So...

Lu Ran's expression darkened: "Just because I'm an Immortal Sheep Believer?"

Yes, the reputation of Immortal Sheep Believers was extremely poor.

But wasn't my strong and divine performance yesterday enough proof?

Or is there a better teammate she has in mind?

Could it be she's teaming up with Ma Tianchuan?

If that were the case, Lu Ran could feel somewhat relieved.

What he couldn't accept was the thought that it was because of his presence that Wu Shanshan was determined, under any circumstances, to leave.

In Lu's heart, Wu Shanshan was someone highly focused on results.

Yet even though the team could likely win first place, she firmly chose to leave...

Thinking she's looking far ahead, taking drastic measures, and not being blinded by immediate gains, right?

The title of Immortal Sheep Believer, indeed a great mountain in people's hearts.

No matter how amazing Lu Ran's performance was for the moment, he couldn't shake this mountain, the other side had long set their opinion on Lu Ran's future.

"Maybe it's not like that, Brother Lu, don't overthink it." Deng Yutang spoke up, trying to comfort.

But no one was a fool; such consolation didn't work much.

"Hmph." Lu Ran huffed coldly, "Then I wish her a glorious future."

Deng Yutang laughed: "Brother Lu, what a generous heart!"

Lu Ran cracked a smile: "I'm just pretending."

Jiang Ruyi: "..."

Deng Yutang burst out laughing: "Brother Lu, how straightforward!"

Lu Ran: "..."

Either way, you can still praise me, right?

Honestly, having such a handsome, charming, young, and wealthy second-generation-rich guy, cooing sweet nothings to you every day...

Who could resist that?

"We'll call the school in a while to express our individual wishes," Jiang Ruyi softly spoke.

Her gentle tone carried a hint of comfort, "The three of us staying unchanged is enough, many people want to join us."

It's true, some consider Immortal Sheep Believers a hazard, bound to fail big, sooner or later.

Others think, Lu Ran being able to summon Evil Demons, is no ordinary person.

Previously in the schoolyard, there were quite a few students surrounding Lu Ran, volunteering themselves.

"I think so too." Deng Yutang turned to look at Lu Ran, who was sitting on the ground, inquiring, "What about you, Brother Lu?"

"I've thought about it more." Lu Ran stood up, "In the future, whether it's assessments or battles, I want to lead, always ahead."

Lu Ran walked towards the railing on the rooftop, speaking boldly: "I want her to regret.

Want her to remember my goodness whenever she joins any team or meets any new teammate."

Jiang Ruyi covered her mouth and chuckled, watching Lu Ran's back: "You sure hold a grudge."

"You're a Jade Talisman Believer, you wouldn't understand." Lu Ran shook his head, "Wu Shanshan isn't just one person, but represents a whole type of people."

You're a Jade Talisman Believer, just standing there is enough to dazzle.

No one would underestimate you, nor would anyone question you.

I'm different,

In their eyes, I'm an easily bullied Immortal Sheep Believer, in the world's mouth, just a little lamb.

I need to prove myself,

And need to keep proving myself again and again.

"Sigh..."

Lu Ran took a deep breath, gazing up at the gloomy sky and the tumultuous Wu Lie River.

This kind of life,

I really love it so much.

...

A new month, asking my brothers for monthly ticket support!