Summit of the Old Gods

The welcome ceremony was brief.

After all, the night was still dangerous, and it was long.

Under Jiang Ruyi's soft reminder, Deng Yutang reined in his celebratory thoughts, and Lu Ran approached Team Leader Zhang Feng.

"I'm back," Zhang Feng sized up Lu Ran from head to toe.

From the ragged raincoat, it was clear that Lu Ran had been through a fierce battle.

"Brother Zhang," Lu Ran nodded.

Zhang Feng extended his hand, resting it on Lu Ran's shoulder, "I failed to protect you."

"It was an accident," Lu Ran immediately responded, "Brother Zhang needn't blame himself."

From the moment he set foot on the path of the believers, danger had been a constant companion.

Logically speaking, having a member of the River Realm·Second Rank and a Moon Gazer anchoring the team should have been sufficient to protect everyone.

After all, many other Moon Gazer teams were stationed nearby.

But no one expected that, in such a short time, in front of Gymnasium Gate No. 4, a total of three River Realm Evil Demons would appear.

This was an extraordinarily abnormal probability!

Zhang Feng let out a wry smile, shaking his head, "You're pretty laid-back about it."

Lu Ran said softly, "I'm just pretending."

Zhang Feng: "..."

Zhang Feng was at a loss for words, but Deng Yutang's expression was odd.

He felt like he had seen this scene before.

"Back to your post," Zhang Feng said softly, gesturing to the front of Gate No. 4.

"Brother Lu," Deng Yutang slung an arm around Lu Ran's shoulder, stepping up the stairs, "Tell us about what just happened?"

Tian Tian closely followed behind Jiang Ruyi, her large eyes filled with curiosity as she gazed at Lu Ran's retreating figure.

"It was just me being carried off by the Paper Mache Man, and the Moon Gazer came to rescue," Lu Ran turned to look at Deng Yutang, "Right, your sister is my lifesaver!"

"Ah?" Deng Yutang was a bit surprised, "My sister?"

Lu Ran nodded emphatically, "Your sister is really fierce, fiercer than the Paper Mache Man!

With one swipe of her saber, she cut down the Paper Mache Man, utterly destroying him. It was cutting down blooms in their prime."

Zhang Feng, who had been eavesdropping by the side, had a big question mark above his head.

What kind of description was that?

From your tone, are you feeling sorry for the Paper Mache Man?

"Really?" Deng Yutang's eyes sparkled, he felt honored.

Lu Ran grinned, "The last time I sparred with your sister, she casually summoned a wind blade, tonight I found out that your sister's weapon is a Big Horse-cutting Saber?

Man, it's 2.5 meters long!

With one strike, even a horse would be cleaved in half, how could the Paper Mache Man stand a chance?"

Lu Ran shared all his gratitude and admiration for the Big Nightmare with his teammates.

Then, he vividly recounted his ordeal of being abducted.

When they learned that the Paper Mache Man had summoned tiny Paper Mache Men, Zhang Feng couldn't help but ask, "Evil Technique·Paper Mache?"

"Yes," Lu Ran confirmed once again.

Zhang Feng's expression became grave.

This Evil Technique was a skill possessed by the Paper Mache Man Clan once they reached River Realm·Third Rank.

Meaning that the Paper Mache Man, who had unexpectedly appeared, even surpassed Zhang Feng in terms of power!

Power not only dictated what spells one could study.

Each promotion within the lower ranks also led to an increase in all attributes of a creature.

If at that time, the Paper Mache Man had appeared behind Zhang Feng and abducted him...

Zhang Feng seriously doubted whether he could have performed better than Lu Ran.

After all, the result was clear:

Lu Ran had survived and safely returned to his post!

"After the Paper Mache Man squashed the Thousand Bone believers into meatballs, it broke through the bone wall," Lu Ran continued his tale, leaving his audience filled with trepidation and Deng Yutang entranced.

Until Lu Ran reached the final scene, Zhang Feng couldn't help but exclaim, "This time, you really don't have to worry about your score."

Lu Ran immediately said, "Our team's score should have increased as well, right?"

Zhang Feng nodded, "After you left, the team performed very well. Adjustments in mindset and changes in tactics were all noteworthy."

While speaking, Zhang Feng's expression grew strange as he gazed at Lu Ran.

Since Lu Ran's departure, the frequency of Evil Demon Clan's appearances seemed to have returned to normal.

No more River Realm Evil Demons appeared.

This was really strange!

Could all of this truly be related to this kid?

"Brother Zhang misunderstood," Lu Ran explained, "I'm talking about helping the Moon Gazer cut down the Paper Mache Man."

Lu Ran boasted without reservation, "They shouldn't just add points for me alone. I'm the team's jungler!

I'm supposed to roam solo, scoring points for the entire team. That's our team's strategy!"

Zhang Feng: "..."

With that silver tongue, I almost want to be your teammate!

So, you lying there could also score points?

So, getting carried off by the Paper Mache Man was also part of your team's plan?

His three teammates, watching Lu Ran's effort to fight for more recognition, didn't know what to say.

They needed to work harder...

Deng Yutang clenched his fist.

He was delighted with Lu Ran's excellent performance from the bottom of his heart.

At the same time, Deng Yutang realized that his contribution to the team was far from enough!

He had never wanted to be a burden, but two assessments later, a cold reality confronted them:

Jiang Ruyi was the anchor of the team.

Lu Ran was the mutton leg that took the team soaring!

Indeed, he needed to work harder, even harder...

"Whoosh!"

Just as Deng Yutang was gathering his resolve, Zhang Feng suddenly tensed up and quickly turned his head to the west.

Under the surge of energy, an Evil Demon took shape.

To everyone's surprise, it was their old foe—the Evil Dog!

"A preliminary judgment places it as a Mist Realm·Fourth Rank Evil Demon," Zhang Feng quickly concluded, commanding in a deep voice, "Go."

Although he said so, what he was really thinking was: Yes, this is the normal situation!

Mist Realm and Stream Realm Evil Demons should be the main force invading Rain Alley City on the Night of the Fifteenth.

Not three River Realm Evil Demons showing up in a bunch, strutting about on everyone's faces!

"Woof!"

The pitch-black Evil Dog immediately spotted them and opened its huge maw.

Right in front of Jiang Ruyi, energy surged.

Four sharp canine teeth rapidly took shape, aiming to shatter the Human Clan girl.

Evil Technique·Evil Tooth!

In Evil Dog Village, the evil technique they hadn't seen before was finally witnessed tonight!

"Sister Ruyi!"

Tian Tian spread her small arms, raising a petal shield straight at the threat.

Jiang Ruyi was frighteningly calm, literally taking only a half step back, her fingertips sparking with electric light, sizzling.

Her thin lips slightly parted, she directed someone who had just rejoined the team, "Lu Ran."

"Zzt..."

Without a second word, Lu Ran darted off, circling to the side.

In the heavy rain, a faint bleat sounded like a baby crying, chilling to the bone:

"Meh~~~"

"Huh?" Startled, the Evil Dog sharply turned its head, its canine eyes chasing the direction Lu Ran sped to.

The four sudden Evil Dog Teeth snapped the petal shield but didn't continue any further.

Because the attention of the big black dog had been diverted by a little fat sheep.

At the same time, Jiang Ruyi tossed out an Electric Shackles Talisman!

An illusory slab of white marble appeared out of nowhere, carrying little serpents of lightning, brushing past Deng Yutang as he rushed forward, directly driving at the Evil Dog.

"Crack!"

Electricity twinkled and currents spread.

The Mist Realm·Fourth Rank Evil Dog was thus pinned in place by Jiang Ruyi.

Jade Talisman believers were indeed strong in the late game, but that didn't mean they were ineffective early on!

Among those of the same realm, be it Human Clan believers or Evil Demons, none would want to face Jiang Ruyi as an enemy.

Because she truly could subdue you until your end!

It wasn't an exaggeration—her achievements were clearly recorded:

Not long ago, they had encountered a Blood Disaster Dog of Mist Realm·Fourth Rank.

Under her strong control, all the Blood Disaster Dog could do was tremble and gape.

Its limbs couldn't even twitch!

And the present Evil Dog fared even worse than the Blood Disaster Dog, unable to even open its mouth.

"Foul beast!" Deng Yutang followed, lunging with his spear.

Killing a flesh-and-blood Evil Demon was much easier than taking down a Fog Shadow Man.

The spearhead pierced the dog's skull, and Deng Yutang didn't stop there, but rather jabbed repeatedly, ensuring the kill.

Since someone's return, everything had gone back to normal.

Although the team members were of a lower realm, they managed to eliminate the Mist Realm·Fourth Rank Evil Dog in a single encounter.

Zhang Feng, who had witnessed such a performance, also silently gave extra points in his heart.

"You, come back."

Jiang Ruyi suddenly said, her gentle words drifting into the layers of rain.

"Huh?" Deng Yutang turned to look.

However, Jiang Ruyi wasn't looking at Deng Yutang at all.

Awkward!

And Lu Ran, who had been moving alone in the rain, also felt a bit embarrassed.

Under the gaze of those beautiful eyes, he bowed his head and walked toward Gate No. 4.

But to his surprise, Jiang Ruyi's voice came again, "Use Immortal Hoof."

Lu Ran: "..."

Can't I even walk back?

Do I need to use Divine Technique just to move faster?

"Lu Ran?"

"Oh."

Mist clouded around Lu Ran's calves, conjuring up a pair of ram's legs, and he shot back to the front of Gate No. 4.

"Tsk," Lu Ran looked at the girl before him and teased, "Can't be without me even for a moment?"

"Who can't be without you."

Jiang Ruyi turned her head away, her cheeks flushing slightly, "Just be careful not to get carried off again."

Lu Ran: "..."

In your eyes,

am I some kind of toy doll?

...

Some monthly tickets, please~