That night, Lu Ran had too much fun.
His bedroom was too small to contain the joy in his heart, so he simply climbed out the window and shuttled back and forth on the pedestrian paths and lawns within the neighborhood.
In the drizzling rain, successive hissing sounds came!
Trails of Immortal Fog outlined Lu Ran's movement path.
Not until he had exhausted most of the Divine Power inside his body did Lu Ran stop, watching as his pair of white mist-formed sheep's legs gradually dissipated.
"Awesome~!"
Lu Ran wiped his drenched face vigorously and shook his head hard.
He had not felt this wild in a long time.
As he reflected on this, he crossed the lawn and climbed back into his small bedroom window.
"Phew..." Soaked to the bone, Lu Ran slumped onto the floor, exhaling deeply.
With such Divine Technique at his disposal, he gained another asset for the battle to defend the city tomorrow!
Thinking of this, Lu Ran suddenly realized that Lord Immortal Sheep was extraordinarily indulgent towards him.
The original intention of creating Divine Technique·Immortal Hoof was for the believers to stay away from danger and avoid disputes.
Deities certainly allowed believers to practice Divine Techniques, but just now, Lu Ran had exceeded mere practice and was purely indulging in joy.
With this thought, Lu Ran stood up and went before the shrine: "Thank you, Lord Immortal Sheep!"
The Immortal Sheep Jade Carving was gleaming white, silent and still.
After a moment's thought, Lu Ran asked, "Tomorrow, I will inevitably use this technique to confront the Evil Demon Clan directly in battle, not to flee. I hope for your approval."
"Afterward."
At long last, the usually unresponsive Lord Immortal Sheep finally delivered a message.
Lu Ran immediately perked up: "Afterward?"
"Not just tomorrow, afterward."
Lu Ran clenched his fists—just the response he had expected!
From the very beginning, the attitude of Immortal Sheep was to encourage Lu Ran to fight, never suggesting he avoid confrontation or show cowardice!
This was evident from the special Divine Technique·Desolate Sound that Immortal Sheep had taught him.
Lu Ran clasped his hands together and said solemnly, "Disciple will strive hard to make the sect of Immortal Sheep shine brilliantly and not let you down!"
"By the way." Something else came to Lu Ran's mind; he hurriedly asked, "Divine Technique·Immortal Hoof, is there any special way to use it?"
If he could produce something like the Voice of Compassion from Divine Technique·Desolate Sound, wouldn't that be a windfall?
The room was silent.
Lu Ran waited patiently, but no response came for a long time.
No special version then?
Lu Ran felt slightly disappointed but dared not voice his frustration.
It was all because the mysterious and imperious Lord Immortal Sheep had brought too many surprises these days, truly spoiling him.
Lu Ran spoke no more; he sat cross-legged in front of the shrine, absorbing the Divine Power from the universe, fully preparing for tomorrow's battle to defend the city.
It rained all night,
and Lu Ran, accompanied by the pitter-patter of light rain, stayed awake through the night.
Until the early morning of the next day, a deep and long alarm sound rang again in the city:
"Woo~~~"
Lu Ran opened his eyes, his pupils especially bright, with energy visibly circulating within them.
He stood up, his body surrounded by strands of fog, and went to the window.
Dark clouds hung overhead, the rain unceasing.
Judging by the weather, the moon was unlikely to appear tonight.
Lu Ran sighed inwardly as he reached for the Stream Divine Skill·Divine Power Pearl hanging around his neck, feeling the full store of Divine Power within.
These days, every time he practiced before the shrine, he would channel Divine Power into the pearl, all for this fifteenth day of the lunar month.
"Woo~~~"
The alarm continued to echo in the city, unrelenting.
Lu Ran wasted no more time, went to wash up, and then hurried to his parents' bedroom to ask for his father's Dawn Blade.
Ten minutes later, clad in a black raincoat and carrying the Dawn Blade wrapped in cloth, Lu Ran stepped onto the empty streets.
Inevitably, he became the center of attention along the way.
Especially as he passed through residential areas, curious citizens always appeared on the balconies and behind the windows of each household.
_some even shouted at Lu Ran, urging him to hurry home and not wander around.
Yesterday, ordinary people could still go out shopping, but today it was completely forbidden!
Despite the earnest encouragement from the citizens, Lu Ran did not reply, only feeling deeply moved.
Once, he had also been among these citizens, powerless and could only pray for divine mercy to endure this night of the fifteenth.
Back then, Lu Ran didn't even qualify to stay at home!
Because only if your home enshrined a Divine Sculpture could you remain indoors.
Whether consecrated by yourself or a relative, you could kneel devoutly before the shrine and seek a night of peace.
But now, everything had changed.
Lu Ran had become a believer, possessed Divine Techniques, and even had the courage to brandish his blade at the Evil Demon Clan.
This feeling...
"Phew." Lu Ran took a deep breath, holding the Dawn Blade tightly, and looking out at the rain-drenched streets.
It had been seventeen years,
and it was finally his turn to take the stage.
...
When Lu Ran arrived at the school, the playground was already buzzing with activity. Most students were wearing raincoats—it seemed everyone had the same idea, as no one could fight while holding an umbrella.
"Brother Lu!" From a distance, Deng Yutang waved his hand.
The problem was he was also holding a red headband, making his gesture to beckon others over seem a bit odd.
"Brother Lu, are you in a bad mood?" Deng Yutang asked, looking at Lu Ran's stern face.
Tian Tian stood behind Jiang Ruyi, peeking out with half of her face, curiously looking at Lu Ran.
"It's nothing." Lu Ran shook his head.
On his way to school, he had taken another trip to the banks of Wu Lie River, hoping to give himself and his cat another chance.
But fate was not on his side.
At this moment, Lu Ran's arms still only held a blade, no tabby cat.
I hope it survives the night.
"What's wrong?" Jiang Ruyi looked at Lu Ran, a hint of concern flashing in her eyes.
"Really, it's nothing!" Lu Ran said casually, turning his eyes to Deng Yutang, and complaining, "Next time you call me, don't wave a handkerchief."
It makes me look like a pimp~
Deng Yutang promptly handed over the red headband: "Here!"
Lu Ran: "Huh?"
"It's for you." Deng Yutang smiled, "Last time, didn't you say you wanted to try wearing it?"
"Hehe~" Lu Ran suddenly was not averse anymore, "I'm rather embarrassed!"
Despite his words, Lu Ran smoothly took the red headband.
Jiang Ruyi watched him with an expression of speechlessness while Tian Tian giggled quietly.
"Ha ha!" Deng Yutang laughed loudly, quite proud as he looked at Jiang Ruyi, "You've lost the bet, Captain Jiang!"
Jiang Ruyi nodded helplessly, accepting the two red headbands handed over by Deng Yutang: "Thank you."
"The bet was what?" Lu Ran was quite puzzled.
Deng Yutang: "I prepared one for each member of our team, and the captain said they were too valuable to accept.
Later, we made a bet that if you took one, she would too."
Lu Ran felt a bit awkward and quickly changed the subject: "By the way, Mr. Deng, what does your sister do?"
Deng Yutang: "She's part of the Moon Gazer squad, affiliated with the Divine People Bureau, working at the city bureau in Yunshan City."
Rain Alley City was a county city, and the prefecture-level city in charge of Rain Alley was Yunshan City.
With a population in the millions there, it also housed the Divine Sculpture of the Seven-class God·Witch Crow.
"Divine People Bureau, Moon Gazer squad." Lu Ran understood.
So Deng's sister was an official!
That explained why she appeared by the Wu Lie River, and why she was so nosy.
The Divine People Bureau of Da Xia was a law enforcement agency.
Unlike ordinary police departments, the Divine People Bureau was specifically aimed at the believer community, primarily responsible for combating crimes among believers, etc.
The Moon Gazer squad was an internal organization of the Divine People Bureau, and those belonging to this department were collectively called "Moon Gazers."
The moon phase "Moon Gazer" is another name for the full moon.
In the lunar calendar of Da Xia, every day's moon phase has a corresponding name, and "Moon Gazer" specifically refers to the fifteenth day of the lunar month.
Every fifteenth night,
the Moon Gazers were the city protectors most relied upon by the citizens and the most trustworthy.
"Why suddenly bring her up?" Deng Yutang was puzzled.
On the side, Jiang Ruyi let Tian Tian wind a red headband around her arm, her beautiful eyes giving Lu Ran a subtle glance.
"Just asking, nothing special." Lu Ran muttered quietly, sighing in his heart.
Big Nightmare was actually a public official and a law enforcer for believers!
Trying to spank her would be extremely difficult.
It might even
land me behind bars...
"What's her name?" Lu Ran inquired further, "Be more specific."
"Deng Yuxiang, the 'yu' from 'pure jade,' and 'xiang' from 'Xiaoxiang' region."
"Oh." Lu Ran scratched his head, not surprisingly, catching the raincoat's hood.
He had indeed called her name wrong.
"Why do you keep asking about her?" The typically brave Deng man felt a rare panic.
Lu Ran: "Just curious, why are you nervous?"
Deng Yutang's expression turned odd: "I know in others' eyes, my sister is beautiful, strong, and wealthy...
But Brother Lu, listen to my advice, don't mess with her!"
"Me, mess with her?" Lu Ran grinned.
Sure, your sister is drop-dead gorgeous and uses money like it's nothing to wipe her nose.
But she specializes in handling believers like myself!
With such a perfect match in professions,
why would I walk into the lion's den?
"Brother Lu, I've always treated you as a brother!" Deng Yutang put his arm around Lu Ran's shoulder.
Lu Ran: "..."
I don't want to be your brother-in-law.
Besides, my petite frame can't handle her huge... sword!
"Alright, Sister Ruyi." Tian Tian finished tying the red headband, whispered.
"Mhm." Jiang Ruyi responded in a low voice, casually playing with the butterfly knot on her arm.
Tian Tian eagerly awaited for her counterpart to tie the headband for her.
However, Jiang Ruyi just fiddled with the knot and ignored the girl.
Tian Tian opened her mouth but ultimately didn't speak, silently placing her headband in her pocket.
Meanwhile, Deng Yutang was still earnestly cautioning: "Brother Lu, don't jump into the fire pit!"
"You've misunderstood." Lu Ran explained helplessly, "Yesterday during my training, it happened that your sister was patrolling, and then..."
"Then what?"
"Then your sister beat me up!" Lu Ran's face showed discomfort, "I didn't want to mention it, it makes it seem like I'm complaining."
"I see." Deng Yutang sighed in relief, "Then what's there to hide? Complaining to me is useless.
I wouldn't dare... cough."
Lu Ran: ???
What happened to the fearless believers in red headbands?
Jiang Ruyi came back to her senses and looked down at the silent Tian Tian: "Where's your red headband?"
"In, in my pocket." Tian Tian whispered.
"I'll tie it for you."
"Oh, okay." Tian Tian's gloom immediately lifted, revealing a smile as she hurriedly took out the headband.
"How did she beat you?" Deng Yutang continued to probe.
"Don't mention it, your sister is a follower of the North Wind blade technique, and you didn't even tell me!"
Lu Ran sighed, still muttering: "She got me, looking everywhere for the cat..."
Deng Yutang: "What?"
Lu Ran waved his hand, not wanting to continue.
"Ha ha!" Deng Yutang laughed loudly, "My sister indeed doesn't know her own strength, but after beating someone, she always offers some pointers.
Brother Lu, didn't she teach you a few tricks?"
A thought crossed Lu Ran's mind as he looked at the red headband in his hand.
Yesterday, Big Nightmare indeed opened a new world for him:
She repeatedly reminded Lu Ran to listen to the wind's voice, not just to look at the world with his eyes.
"She did teach me something." Lu Ran, holding the headband, folded it into a long strip and tried to cover his eyes with it.
Deng Yutang watched for a long time, still puzzled: "What exactly did my sister teach you?"
"Don't you see?" Lu Ran, with his eyes covered, carefully listened to the noisy surroundings.
Deng Yutang looked at Lu Ran with confusion.
It must be said, wearing the headband over his eyes did look kind of cool!
"I get it!" Deng Yutang's eyes lit up, "She taught you to cosplay a ninja turtle?"
Lu Ran: ???
You really watch a variety of things, huh?