Sword Lotus and Red Turban

The stern instructor began to critique the team's issues, showing no mercy.

After a harsh dressing-down, Lu Ran almost thought his team had come in last place.

Only after they were all feeling down and questioning their lives did Dou Zhiqiang turn and leave.

"The instructor is so strict," Lu Ran said, watching the instructor's retreating back with his hands on his hips in exasperation.

"Brother Lu," Deng Yutang looked at Lu Ran and voiced what he had been holding back, "Do you really want to aim for a perfect score?"

"I was just saying," Lu Ran chuckled.

Jiang and Deng exchanged a look, neither calling Lu Ran out on it.

After yesterday's rooftop incident, the two teammates were certain that Lu Ran had a fire burning within him!

For the sake of Immortal Sheep's growing reputation, and to shatter the world's mockery and doubt.

"Ruyi," a male voice suddenly called out from not far away.

They all turned their heads and, through the chain-link fence, saw a middle-aged man walking with a young girl.

"Teacher Zhao," Jiang Ruyi greeted politely.

Lu Ran also recognized the teacher; he was the homeroom teacher for Class 7. The girl following him also looked somewhat familiar to Lu Ran.

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

The first trial trainee had arrived?

"Tian Tian," Lu Ran murmured.

Wasn't she Ma Tianchuan's teammate?

In this assessment, she had achieved a commendable second place as part of her team.

"Hello," Tian Tian said very softly, bowing slightly towards them.

Such an action surprised them.

Normally, people would just greet each other when meeting, why the bow?

Lu Ran looked at Jiang Ruyi with a strange expression, "Are we really acting like judge-teachers now?"

Jiang Ruyi glanced at Lu Ran with amusement and stepped forward.

Tian Tian was petite, with short, ear-length hair, and looked very well-behaved.

Teacher Zhao said, "She's quite introverted, Ruyi, please take care of her."

"Don't worry, Teacher," Jiang Ruyi replied gracefully with a smile. "We'll train her well."

The teacher nodded with satisfaction, gave Tian Tian a few more instructions, and then turned to leave.

After Teacher Zhao left, Jiang Ruyi looked down at Tian Tian, only to see the girl lower her head even further.

So shy?

Jiang Ruyi spoke gently, "Your team achieved a great second place, why are you switching?"

Tian Tian whispered, "They felt... they felt I wasn't a good fit for that team."

"They?" Deng Yutang interjected, "Who? Teachers? Or family?"

Tian Tian silently shook her head.

Deng Yutang frowned slightly, "Your teammates felt you weren't a good fit?"

This time, Tian Tian didn't shake her head but remained silent, not speaking.

Deng Yutang's frown deepened, "And you? Do you also feel you're not a good fit for that team?"

Tian Tian opened her mouth, hesitating, "I... I don't know."

Jiang Ruyi sighed inwardly and said softly, "Whether you fit or not, you need to make your own judgment."

Deng Yutang's words were much more direct, "If you're being ostracized or bullied, you need to speak up!"

Tian Tian remained silent, her eyes starting to redden.

"Okay, okay," Jiang Ruyi stopped Deng Yutang, gently wiping Tian Tian's eyes with one hand.

Even though they were all the same age, Jiang Ruyi seemed more like a gentle senior comforting a younger student who had been wronged.

Lu Ran watched the scene quietly, feeling that Tian Tian had prayed to the wrong deity.

In the eyes of the world, Lu Ran, the Celestial Goat believer, should have been the one appearing weak and timid, shouldn't he?

"I remember, you're a Sword Lotus believer?" Jiang Ruyi asked gently.

"Yes, yes," Tian Tian said, flattered and nodding quickly.

The girl had never imagined that someone as radiant as Jiang Ruyi would even notice her.

"Lord Sword Lotus is outwardly gentle but inwardly strong," Jiang Ruyi comforted her. "As long as you work hard enough and are devout enough, you will become more and more like Lord Sword Lotus."

"Thank you," Tian Tian whispered.

In the hierarchy of deities, Sword Lotus and Jian Yi were only one character apart in name, but their rankings were worlds apart.

Sword Lotus ranked fourth, its divine statue shaped like a budding lotus flower, appearing to be a plant deity.

But don't be fooled by its appearance!

Within that delicate bud, at its heart, floats a sharp, precious sword!

At first, no one knew about the sword within the lotus, as the divine statue was made of stone, not transparent.

Until one day, the deity Sword Lotus began recruiting believers, appearing in public in a phantom form.

Only then did people understand why the deity called itself "Sword Lotus"!

So, hidden within those delicate petals was a formidable treasure!

As Jiang Ruyi said, Sword Lotus believers were mostly outwardly gentle but inwardly strong. The Tian Tian before them clearly had plenty of gentleness but lacked inner strength.

No wonder the homeroom teacher had to personally escort the student and specifically asked Jiang Ruyi to look after her.

"What's the basic divine technique of the Sword Lotus sect?" Lu Ran finally spoke.

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

She didn't believe Lu Ran was unaware of this basic knowledge; he was clearly giving her an opportunity to shine.

Tian Tian extended her small hands, and with a surge of divine power, a lotus petal appeared before her.

Divine Technique: Lotus Shield!

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

Lu Ran clicked his tongue in wonder, walked over, and sniffed.

Sniff~

So fragrant!

It's worth noting that the lotus petal was formed from divine power and was semi-transparent.

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

Tian Tian became very shy and quickly retracted her hands.

"It seems the school thinks our team lacks defense," Lu Ran said, looking at Tian Tian. "Do you think so too? Is that why you came for the tryout?"

"I..." Tian Tian stammered again.

Jiang Ruyi placed a hand on the girl's shoulder, encouraging her, "Whatever you have to say, say it bravely. For a team to achieve good results, smooth communication within the team is essential."

Tian Tian hesitated for a moment, then whispered, "I don't know. The homeroom teacher applied for me."

Everyone: "..."

Realizing the three seniors were speechless, Tian Tian lowered her head again.

She knew she had been disliked in her previous team and wouldn't dare apply for a tryout with the top-ranked team in the school.

Yesterday, after receiving the opinions of the three team members, Class Seven's homeroom teacher repeatedly confirmed their desire for adjustments before helping Tian Tian, who had been "adjusted out," to register.

Fortunately, the deity Tian Tian worshipped was very powerful.

The school, recognizing the balanced offensive and defensive capabilities of Sword Lotus believers, gave her a chance to meet the First Squad.

Upon hearing this news, Tian Tian came with trepidation.

She had experience being in the Second Squad and knew what kind of people these chosen few were.

Therefore, she didn't hold out much hope.

The training ground fell silent.

Tian Tian lowered her head, knowing she had said the wrong thing but lacking the courage to say more.

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

"Huh?" Tian Tian looked up at Jiang Ruyi.

Her humble expression was like that of someone facing an emperor!

Like looking at a radiant goddess statue.

"You need to perform well," Jiang Ruyi said softly. "After all, you have three competitors."

"I will," Tian Tian quickly nodded. "I, I will definitely work hard."

Jiang Ruyi had no idea what kind of existence she was in Tian Tian's heart.

Academics, martial arts, appearance, demeanor.

Including this time on the God-Worshipping Platform, Jiang Ruyi had summoned two powerful deities.

For two years, Tian Tian had silently witnessed the brilliance of the goddess Jiang, and never thought she would have any interaction with someone like her.

Unexpectedly, after being kicked out of her team, she ended up standing before her through a twist of fate.

"Go get your weapon," Jiang Ruyi gestured to the weapon rack by the side of the field. "Let's get familiar with each other's combat styles first, and then we'll spar with other teams later."

"Yes." Tian Tian was obedient and turned to quickly walk towards the side of the field.

Jiang Ruyi watched the girl's retreating back, sighing inwardly.

No wonder the monster was ostracized; this girl was too "obedient."

Lu Ran, on the other hand, looked at Deng Yutang beside him and asked, "What's with that expression? Don't like it?"

"Like it or not, what's there to like?" Deng Yutang appeared indifferent.

Lu Ran chuckled, "Overbearing rich young masters, don't they all like this kind of weak and delicate girl?"

"Wrong!" Deng Yutang waved his hand. "This young master likes the kind who charges forward, full of vigor."

Lu Ran's expression turned strange. "Young Master Deng likes someone like Chang Ying?"

"Huh?" Deng Yutang instinctively wanted to retort, but the more he thought about it, the brighter his eyes became, as if a new world had opened up to him.

You can't say that. You really can't say that!

That tomboy, she's actually quite impressive?

Wielding a mountain-splitting axe, she's even fiercer than me!

Jiang Ruyi glanced at the two of them and chided, "Keep your voices down, don't let Tian Tian hear you. Also, don't you know what kind of person Young Master Deng likes?"

Lu Ran quickly said, "How would I know what he likes?"

Whose Young Master Deng is it? It sounds weird.

Deng Yutang suddenly spoke, "Brother Lu, have you watched Swords Drawn?"

"Watched a few episodes, why?"

Deng Yutang raised his voice, "Cavalry company!"

Lu Ran paused, then hesitantly replied, "Charge?"

"Yes, yes, yes!" Deng Yutang clenched his fist, his face full of agreement and longing. "I like that kind!"

"No wonder you became a Red Turban Believer," Lu Ran smiled.

If the label for Sword Lotus Believers was "outwardly gentle, inwardly strong," and "balanced offense and defense," then the label for Red Turban Believers was "Battle Intent Master!"

Among the profound divine techniques of the Red Turban sect, there was one similar to a "Mental Duel." Once the duel began, regardless of your realm, rank, or the power of your martial arts and divine techniques, all of that would be cast aside. Within the duel arena, the only thing the two sides competed on was willpower. Life or death depended entirely on individual will! Competing solely on this level, even an ordinary person could defeat a powerful believer.

A saying circulates in the Great Xia region:

There are distinctions among the gods in the heavens, and divisions among believers on earth.

But the Red Turbans make all beings equal!

A truly pure Red Turban Believer dares to fight everything and can fight everything! Even when facing the group of gods representing "authority," or even facing extremely powerful evil demons and fiends.

Duel Arena, open!

Cavalry company.

Bayonets fixed, charge!

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