Summit of the Old Gods

The next day, early in the morning.

"Ugh~" Lu Ran, sitting cross-legged on the small bed, stretched out mightily.

He hadn't slept all night, having been practicing cultivation to absorb Divine Power, trying to make the "fog" within him denser and denser.

The feeling of being nourished by Divine Power was simply too wonderful for words.

Lu Ran got up from bed, brought his hands together in prayer, and bowed respectfully towards the shrine next to his window:

"Good morning, Lord Immortal Goat!"

The Immortal Sheep Jade Carving in the shrine remained silent and unresponsive.

Lu Ran didn't mind; he made a beeline for the bathroom and took a quick, cold shower.

Before leaving the house, Lu Ran said another greeting to the divine presence, "Lord Immortal Goat, I'm off to school now!"

White Jade Immortal Sheep: "..."

"My believer sure loves to chatter"

Rain Alley City is a small county with just over one hundred thousand people. From the Rain Alley residence complex to the First Middle School, the distance is 2.5 kilometers, a half-hour walk.

But today, Lu Ran took even more time.

He deliberately took a detour to a barren area and paused for a long time in front of an abandoned residential building.

This was the place where Lu Ran's father had passed away.

"Dad, I've become a believer of a deity."

Lu Ran smiled, "Lord Jade Talisman didn't favor me, what a pity. I even thought of calling you 'Senior Brother'."

Suddenly, a gust of wind blew, messing up Lu Ran's short hair.

It was like a broad and warm hand gently ruffling his head.

The smile on Lu Ran's face slowly faded, and after a long silence, he said softly, "See you later."

With that, he resumed his steps.

...

The closer to the school grounds he got, the more students appeared.

Although everyone wore the blue and white uniform, Lu Ran's face drew quite a few odd looks.

Evidently, after yesterday's act of worship, Lu Ran had become a well-known figure on campus.

Lu Ran quickly crossed the playground and headed straight for the teaching building, towards Class 2-4.

"Hey, classmate, wanna have your fortune told?"

Just as Lu Ran had climbed to the third floor, a long-legged girl stopped him in his tracks.

"Chang Ying?" Lu Ran recognized the girl.

She was the sports representative of Class 1, tall and strong, her flourishing axe moves were both fierce and vigorous. She had won the school year's first place in the martial arts discipline and was quite an influential figure.

Chang Ying had also participated in the previous day's deity worship ceremony, starting it off for her class and for the entire school.

And the deity she had summoned was none other than the divining slip, the honorable fourth ranker.

"Lu, Lu Ran!" Chang Ying also realized who the newcomer was and stuttered a little in her speech.

Students often felt awkward when they saw Lu Ran.

Perhaps they were reminded of the shockingly beautiful Evil Demon·Yan Zhi...

Lu Ran smiled, "You've just become a believer of the divine slip yesterday, and you're already on duty today?"

"Heh heh." Chang Ying shook the old bamboo cup she held, "What say you, dear Lu Ran, care for a fortune-telling session? Love, academics, fate, anything can be predicted, guaranteed!"

Lu Ran sized up the "strong maiden" before him, saying, "You're clearly fighter material! Has becoming a believer of the divine slip led you astray?"

Honestly, Chang Ying was truly distinctive.

Every time Lu Ran saw her, he felt like he was witnessing the wild, powerful, and healthy beauty of women from ancient matriarchal societies.

"I've got two hands, right?" Chang Ying retorted, "One for drawing lots to tell fortunes, the other for wielding axes to fell foes! It's perfect for figuring out the enemy's fate before swinging. If the enemy's life is too tough, it's also good for beating a hasty retreat... cough cough."

Lu Ran: "..."

Chang Ying quickly changed the subject: "You faced an Evil Demon head-on yesterday, unflinching, truly a role model for us all! How about this, I'll give you a discount, eighty bucks for a fortune, let's be friends."

Hearing this, Lu Ran walked away.

Eighty bucks!

What a joke, that's enough for how many servings of starch sausages? I'd rather you just corner me by the restroom and rob me, that way I might hand over the money more cheerfully...

Chang Ying hurriedly followed: "Don't go, Lu Ran! I've had no suckers... cough, I mean, no customers this morning."

Lu Ran: ???

Chang Ying, quite bold, reached out her long arm and slung it around Lu Ran's shoulder: "How about this, for a good start to the day, I'll give you one for free! Just buy me a pack of spicy strips after class!"

"Good lord~" Lu Ran really couldn't hold back his laughter, "Spicy strips will do?"

"Come on, let's go!" Chang Ying laughed heartily, immediately shaking the quaint bamboo cup.

Strangely enough, although the cup was clearly empty, the sound of rattling came from inside.

With a surge of energy, several ethereal talismans appeared in the cup.

"Right!" Lu Ran suddenly said, "What aspect are you divining for me?"

"Ah?" Chang Ying's hand shook, and a divine slip fell out.

Lu Ran almost laughed in frustration. You're shaking it without even knowing what you're divining?

"Whew~"

The ghostly divine slip rose slowly and began to rotate, a sight quite magical.

The slip didn't have any inscribed poems or interpretations, just a single, plain word: Below!

Lu Ran: "..."

Chang Ying: "..."

The awkward silence in the air was the worst.

Lu Ran nudged Chang Ying aside and proceeded to walk towards Class 4.

From behind, Chang Ying's feeble voice could be heard, "Lu Ran, about my spicy strips..."

"Go play by yourself!" Lu Ran didn't even look back, entering his classroom.

Chang Ying stood somewhat embarrassed, shaking her rudimentary bamboo cup again.

After all, it was her first day on the job swindling people; she indeed lacked experience.

"Yo, is the groom here?"

Along with a sardonic voice, another tall figure approached and clapped Lu Ran on the shoulder.

"Hm?" Lu Ran turned to look.

What's with today, one after another getting chummy with me?