Summit of the Old Gods

The strict instructor began to elaborate on the problems of the squad, without mincing words.

After a severe critique, Lu Ran almost thought that his team had finished last.

It wasn't until the group was so berated that they began to question their life choices that Dou Zhiqiang finally turned to leave.

"The instructor is really strict," Lu Ran said, watching the instructor's retreating figure, hands helplessly on his hips.

"Brother Lu." Deng Yutang looked towards Lu Ran and said something that had been suppressed in his heart, "Do you really intend to score perfect marks?"

"I was just saying that," Lu Ran said with a smile.

Jiang Ruyi and Deng glanced at each other, not revealing Lu Ran's modesty.

After the scene on the rooftop yesterday, both teammates were certain that Lu Ran was determined to prove himself!

Both to make a noise for Lord Immortal Sheep, and to shatter the world's mockery and doubt.

"Ruyi." Suddenly, a man's voice rang out not far away.

Everyone turned their heads and saw through a wire fence a middle-aged man walking with a young girl.

"Teacher Zhao," Jiang Ruyi greeted politely.

Lu Ran recognized this teacher too; he was the homeroom teacher of Class 7, and the girl following him seemed somewhat familiar too.

"This is my student, Tian Tian," Teacher Zhao said with a smile, looking at the three prominent figures, "She will be training with you this morning."

The first trial trainee has arrived?

"Tian Tian," Lu Ran murmured under his breath.

Isn't she Ma Tianchuan's teammate?

During this assessment, she had achieved second place with her team.

"Hello." Tian Tian's voice was very soft, she slightly bowed to everyone.

Such an action was unexpected for everyone.

Usually, a simple greeting sufficed when meeting; why bow?

Lu Ran wore a puzzled expression and looked at Jiang Ruyi beside him: "Are we really becoming judges now?"

Jiang Ruyi smiled wryly, stepping forward to meet her.

Tian Tian was petite, with ear-length hair, appearing very docile.

"Her personality is rather introverted, please take care of her, Ruyi," Teacher Zhao spoke.

"Don't worry, Teacher," Jiang Ruyi responded generously, with a smile, "We'll train well."

The teacher nodded in satisfaction and after giving some advice to Tian Tian, he turned to leave.

Once Teacher Zhao had departed, Jiang Ruyi looked down at Tian Tian, who then dropped her gaze even lower.

So shy?

Jiang Ruyi spoke gently, "Your team achieved second place, why the change then?"

Tian Tian whispered, "They think... think that I'm not really suited for that team."

"They?" Deng Yutang asked, "Who? Your teacher or your family?"

Tian Tian just shook her head silently.

Deng Yutang frowned slightly: "Your teammates think you're not suitable?"

This time, Tian Tian didn't shake her head, but she still remained silent, failing to utter a word.

Deng Yutang's frown deepened: "What about you? Do you also think you're not suited for that team?"

Tian Tian hesitated and then stammered, "I... I don't know."

Jiang Ruyi sighed softly, "Suitability is something you should judge for yourself."

Deng Yutang put it more bluntly, "If you're being ostracized or bullied, you need to speak up!"

Tian Tian remained silent, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Alright, alright," Jiang Ruyi interrupted Deng Yutang, softly wiping Tian Tian's eyes.

Although they were all peers, Jiang Ruyi seemed more like a gentle older sister, comforting a wronged younger one.

Lu Ran silently watched the scene, feeling that Tian Tian had perhaps worshipped the wrong deity.

In people's eyes, Lu Ran, a devotee of Immortal Sheep, should have been the one to appear fragile and timid, right?

"I remember, you're a Sword Lotus believer?" Jiang Ruyi spoke softly.

"Yes, that's right." Tian Tian was flustered and hastily nodded.

She had never imagined that someone as radiant as Jiang Ruyi would notice her.

"Lord Sword Lotus is soft on the outside but tough within," Jiang Ruyi reassured, "As long as you're diligent and devoted enough, you'll come to resemble Lord Sword Lotus more and more."

"Thank you," Tian Tian whispered.

Among the ranking of deities, Sword Lotus is only one word different from Sword One, but their statuses are vastly different.

Sword Lotus ranks in the fourth row, and its Divine Sculpture portrays a budding lotus, seemingly a plant-like deity.

But don't be fooled by its appearance!

Within those delicate petals, above the lotus heart, floats a sharp sword!

At first, no one knew there was a sword among the lotuses, as the Divine Sculpture was made of stone, not transparent.

It wasn't until one day that the deity, Sword Lotus, began recruiting believers and appeared in the public eye as an apparition.

It was then that people understood why the deity was dubbed "Sword Lotus"!

It turns out, nestled within those delicate petals was indeed a formidable item!

As Jiang Ruyi mentioned, Sword Lotus believers are typically of the type who appear frail but prove resolute, and Tian Tian before them was evidently gentle to excess, lacking in resolution.

No wonder the homeroom teacher personally accompanied the student over, explicitly requesting Jiang Ruyi to take care of her.

"What's the basic Divine Technique of the Sword Lotus sect again?" Lu Ran finally spoke.

"Lotus Shield." This time, Tian Tian's response was prompt.

She didn't think that Lu Ran was unaware of this basic knowledge; clearly, he was providing her an opportunity to showcase herself.

Tian Tian extended her small hands, and with a surge of Divine Power, a lotus petal materialized in front of her.

Divine Technique: Lotus Shield!

This lotus petal was about a meter in size, pinkish-white, and exuded a fragrant aroma.

Lu Ran clucked his tongue in amazement, walking over and sniffed.

Sniff~

Delicious!

It's worth mentioning that the lotus petal was assembled by Divine Power, exhibiting a semi-transparent state.

Thus, Tian Tian could see Lu Ran sniffing around her, through the petal.

She shyly withdrew her hands.

"It seems the school thinks our squad lacks defense," Lu Ran looked towards Tian Tian, "you think so too, which is why you're here for the trial?"

"I..." Tian Tian stumbled over her words.

Jiang Ruyi placed a hand on the girl's shoulder, encouragingly saying, "Speak up.

For a squad to achieve good results, smooth communication within the team is essential."

Tian Tian hesitated for a moment then muttered, "I don't know; the homeroom teacher applied to the school on my behalf."

Everyone: "..."

Realizing the three big shots were somewhat speechless, Tian Tian lowered her head again.

After all, in her previous team, she had been spurned, how could she dare apply to train with the top squad?

Yesterday, after receiving complaints from three team members, the homeroom teacher of Class 7 repeatedly confirmed their wish to adjust, before signing up Tian Tian who was "adjusted" out.

Fortunately, the deity Tian Tian worshipped was very powerful.

The school valued the Sword Lotus believers' dual ability in offense and defense and gave her a chance to meet the top squad.

Hearing this news, Tian Tian mustered courage to come.

She had experienced being in the second-ranked team and knew what kind of people these Heaven's Chosen were.

Thus, she didn't harbor much hope.

The field grew quiet.

Tian Tian hung her head, knowing she had misspoken, yet lacked the courage to say more.

A gentle voice broke the silence: "From now on, you can stay by my side, to protect me."

"Hmm?" Tian Tian looked up in surprise at Jiang Ruyi.

That meek appearance was like that of a devotee in the presence of the sacred!

Like looking at a luminous goddess.

"You must perform well," Jiang Ruyi spoke softly, "after all, you still have three other competitors."

"I will," Tian Tian nodded eagerly, "I'll definitely work hard."

Jiang Ruyi didn't realize the pedestal she occupied in Tian Tian's heart.

In academics, martial arts, appearance, demeanor...

Including the powerful deities Jiang Ruyi worshipped at the God Worship Platform.

For two years, Tian Tian had silently witnessed the splendid rise of Goddess Jiang, never thinking she would have any interaction with such a figure.

Unexpectedly, after being kicked out of her team, by a stroke of fate, she found herself standing before her.

"Go grab your weapon," Jiang Ruyi gestured towards the weapon rack, "let's get familiar with each other's fighting style, then later we can spar with other teams."

"Yes," Tian Tian obediently turned and quickly walked towards the rack.

Jiang Ruyi watched the girl's retreating figure, sighing in her heart.

No wonder she was ostracized, this girl was too "obedient."

Lu Ran then turned to Deng Yutang beside him, inquiring, "What's with that expression, don't you like it?"

"What's there to like or dislike." Deng Yutang appeared indifferent.

Lu Ran chuckled, "A domineering rich young master like you, don't you fancy these gentle and weak girls?"

"Wrong!" Deng Yutang waved dismissively, "I prefer the type that are bold and vigorous."

Lu Ran made a strange face: "Deng Yi likes someone like Chang Ying?"

"Ah?" Deng Yutang instinctively wanted to rebut, but the more he thought about it, the brighter his eyes shone, as if he was seeing a new world.

You know... you really shouldn't say!

That chick, she really is quite something?

Wielding a Mountain Opening Axe, she's even braver than I am!

Jiang Ruyi glanced at the two, reprimanding, "Keep it down, don't let Tian Tian hear.

Also, you still don't know what your Mr. Deng likes?"

Lu Ran hurriedly said, "How would I know what he likes."

Whose Mr. Deng is this?

Sounds weird...

Deng Yutang suddenly spoke, "Brother Lu, have you seen 'Bright Sword'?"

"I've watched a few episodes, what about it?"

Deng Yutang's voice rose: "Cavalry unit!"

Lu Ran paused, unsure, and replied, "Charge?"

"Yes, yes, yes!" Deng Yutang clenched his fists, his face full of agreement and longing, "I love that kind!"

"No wonder you could become a believer of Red Scarf," Lu Ran smiled.

If the label for Sword Lotus believers was "tender outside, tough inside," "balanced in attack and defense," then the label for Red Scarf believers was "Master of Combat Spirit."

In the advanced Divine Techniques of the Red Scarf sect, there's a technique akin to "mental duel."

Once the duel begins, regardless of your realm or how powerful your martial arts and Divine Techniques are, all of these are set aside.

In the dueling arena, the only thing contestants compare is willpower.

Who lives and who dies depends entirely on personal will!

From this perspective, even an ordinary person could defeat a powerful believer.

A saying circulated in Da Xia:

There are differences among deities in the heavens, distinctions among believers on earth.

Yet the Red Scarf makes all beings equal!

A true Red Scarf believer dares to battle everything and can fight anything!

Even facing the deity group that represents "authority," or extremely powerful evil demons and spirits...

Dueling arena, open!

Cavalry unit...

Fix bayonets, charge!