Your First Lie

Unsurprisingly, Tian Tian's weapon was a sword.

After practicing several formations and clarifying their positions, the group went to spar with other teams.

Tian Tian performed exceptionally well!

Throughout the sparring matches, she diligently guarded Beauty Jiang's side, shielding her goddess with petals.

Deng Yutang used to be the team's sole defensive bulwark; once he was breached, Lu Ran had to rush to cover.

Now, with the Sword Lotus Believer, Deng Yutang's pressure was greatly reduced, and Lu Ran could roam more freely.

Jiang Ruyi was on a killing spree!

With a relatively stable output environment, the Electric Shackles Talismans in her hands flew everywhere, crackling throughout the entire training ground!

After several rounds of combat, the crackling electricity flashing from her fingertips made the observing students tremble in fear.

It had to be said, the school's personnel change this time was well-thought-out~

By the time school ended in the morning, Tian Tian, full of gratitude, bowed to the group again before quickly walking away.

She had received so much care this morning, and her teammates had not spared their praise.

Even when she made mistakes, Jiang Ruyi didn't scold her.

For Tian Tian, who had been disliked and ostracized, such a team environment was beyond her wildest dreams.

"This teammate is good, just not confident enough," Deng Yutang removed the sweat-soaked red turban from his head and shook his hair.

This action had become his standard after every battle.

It felt like a "settlement animation."

"Mhm," Jiang Ruyi watched Tian Tian's departing figure and sighed softly.

"What do you think?" Lu Ran sat on the cement ground, looking at Beauty Jiang's tall back.

"She's good, very obedient," Jiang Ruyi said softly, "and a great fit for our team."

"Indeed," Lu Ran agreed.

When he came to school this morning, regarding Wu Shanshan leaving the team, he had thought: "Bye-bye, next one will be even better!"

He hadn't expected a truly obedient girl to appear.

She did whatever she was told, unconditionally obeying Jiang Ruyi's commands.

Even when talking to Jiang Ruyi, Tian Tian would unconsciously lower her head, appearing respectful and submissive.

Hmm. She seemed a bit too obedient?

"We can help her build confidence," Jiang Ruyi mused, "Once the Lotus Sword is unsheathed, our team will experience another qualitative leap."

Before she finished speaking, Jiang Ruyi suddenly trembled slightly.

Waves of divine power surged, filling Lu Ran and Deng Yutang with surprise and joy.

Was their class monitor about to advance?

Lu Ran had advanced on the morning of the seventh day, and today was the ninth. It was clear that Beauty Jiang's aptitude was also excellent.

A moment later, Lu Ran turned to Deng Yutang and raised an eyebrow slightly.

This small gesture alone made Deng Yutang's face turn red.

"Hmph," Deng Yutang turned his head away, stubbornly saying, "This young master is also about to advance, what's the rush?"

Lu Ran chuckled.

Only he knew who was in a rush~

Deng Yutang simply walked away, "I'm going home to eat."

Lu Ran called out, "Don't forget to come back at 1:30 PM, there are other trainees to try out."

Deng Yutang didn't look back, just waved his hand with a flourish.

"Mmm~"

Beside him, Beauty Jiang suddenly let out a soft hum, seemingly very comfortable.

Lu Ran, hmm, also felt quite comfortable.

He knew the feeling of advancing all too well and couldn't help but savor the memory.

It was exhilarating!

"Don't tell anyone," Jiang Ruyi suddenly said in a small voice.

"Huh?" Lu Ran looked at Beauty Jiang, who was enveloped in divine mist, with some confusion.

What was there to hide about advancing?

"It's nothing," Jiang Ruyi's face flushed, realizing she was overthinking.

It was mainly the hum just now that made her feel a bit embarrassed.

Slightly awkward, she casually parted the surrounding mist, drawing out wisps of mist like threads, creating a dreamlike scene.

This mist is truly misty.

"You want to hide your strength?" Lu Ran found it inexplicable, yet also amusing.

In front of Tian Tian, Beauty Jiang was a gentle older sister.

But in front of him, she had reverted to a girl who often blushed.

Interesting, huh?

"How are you? When can you advance to Mist Realm third stage?" Jiang Ruyi walked towards the edge of the training ground.

"You're truly beautiful," Lu Ran pouted and followed her.

"Speak properly," Jiang Ruyi said, a little annoyed and embarrassed.

"I said you're dreaming!"

Jiang Ruyi: "..."

"I only advanced two days ago. Uh, don't kick, don't kick, put your leg down, be a lady."

At noon, Lu Ran excitedly rushed home to report the good news of being first on both lists to Immortal Sheep.

However, Immortal Sheep did not send down a telepathic message.

Lord Yang was not only domineering but also extremely aloof.

Lu Ran didn't pester him and immediately entered cultivation mode before the shrine.

He naturally yearned to advance to Mist Realm third stage quickly. That way, he could learn the new divine technique, Immortal Hoof.

This divine technique could greatly enhance his speed, making it more advantageous for him to maneuver and kill enemies.

Although Immortal Sheep's original intention in creating Immortal Hoof was for his followers to avoid conflict and stay away from the battlefield.

But it didn't matter.

How the divine technique Immortal Hoof was utilized in Lu Ran's hands was another matter entirely.

After all, Lu Ran was the kind of person who could beg for mercy while smashing someone with a chair.

For the past two days, Lu Ran's team had trial-tested all four trainees.

The subsequent three trainees also had their unique characteristics, but the group felt something was missing.

It wasn't until the evening of the eighth day that the trio unanimously agreed to report "Tian Tian's" name to their homeroom teacher.

Thus, Team 98 was rebuilt!

The members dared not slack off, training and coordinating daily, waiting for the final exam on the fifteenth of the lunar calendar.

Days passed, and it was soon the thirteenth of the lunar calendar.

The four who were nervously preparing encountered an old acquaintance on the training ground—Wu Shanshan!

"Isn't that Wu Shanshan?" Deng Yutang, drenched in sweat and holding a wooden spear, looked outside the wire fence.

Everyone turned to look. Lu Ran couldn't help but raise an eyebrow slightly: "Judging by the situation, is she here for us?"

Jiang Ruyi frowned slightly, looking at Wu Shanshan and her new teammates.

Tian Tian seemed a little nervous. She shifted sideways, her small figure hiding behind Beauty Jiang.

This was because Wu Shanshan's new teammates were Tian Tian's former teammates!

Since the Evil Dog Village assessment, many teams had undergone adjustments, and most had confirmed their new teams before the eighth day.

In the past few days, everyone already knew which team Wu Shanshan had joined.

It was the team of Ma Tianchuan, second in the entire school!

"Squad Leader Jiang, hope you're well." Ma Tianchuan took the lead, bringing his team into the field.

"Hi~" Wu Shanshan followed beside Ma Tianchuan, smiling and waving at her former teammates.

Behind her were another male and female teammate, both students from Class 7.

Deng Yutang snorted: "Squad Leader Wu, have you found your own team?"

Before, after hearing Jiang Ruyi relay Wu Shanshan's reason for leaving, he had thought highly of Wu Shanshan.

It was natural for a soldier to want to become a general.

But upon hearing that Wu Shanshan had joined Ma Tianchuan's team, Deng Yutang felt as if he heard the sound of a slap in the face.

You couldn't be a leader under Jiang Ruyi, so you could be one under Ma Tianchuan?

Wasn't that just a joke?!

"Mhm, and you? How's the new team?" Wu Shanshan's smile didn't diminish, seemingly unfazed by Deng Yutang's words.

"Not bad," Deng Yutang said without hesitation, giving his new teammates high praise.

"Tian Tian, you're truly fortunate!"

Another female teammate said with a smile, looking at the silent Tian Tian: "You left our team, but you joined the first-ranked team!"

Tian Tian did not respond to her former teammate Wang Xinyao's words. She remained standing behind Jiang Ruyi.

Even one of her small hands quietly clutched Jiang Ruyi's clothes.

Wang Xinyao saw this and couldn't help but curve her lips upwards.

That condescending attitude made Deng Yutang quite displeased: "So, you mean Tian Tian should thank you for kicking her out?"

Wang Xinyao's expression changed: "Why are you speaking so harshly?"

Lu Ran suddenly spoke, chuckling: "Our Young Master Deng likes to speak a little truth~"

Praised by Lu Ran, Deng Yutang puffed out his chest proudly: "Yes, I like to speak the truth!"

Wang Xinyao was instantly furious: "You—"

The male team member beside her, Zheng Cheng, was also displeased: "Team adjustments are very normal! Everyone is striving for better development, what's right or wrong?"

"Alright, alright," Ma Tianchuan said, "Don't get so heated."

As soon as the captain spoke, Wang Xinyao and Zheng Cheng fell silent.

Ma Tianchuan stated his intention: "These past few days, I've been watching Squad Leader Jiang's team spar with other small teams, and I'm really itching for a fight. Before the big exam, shall our two teams spar?"

"Are you afraid of us?" Deng Yutang blurted out.

The people on the opposite side looked at Jiang Ruyi, knowing she was the leader of Team 98.

Unexpectedly, Jiang Ruyi turned slightly and looked down at the silent Tian Tian: "Do you want to spar?"

Tian Tian's eyes widened slightly. She was flattered and a little lost. She had always been the obedient one. At home, she listened to her parents. At school, she listened to her teachers. In this team, she listened to Captain Jiang Ruyi. From childhood to adulthood, her own wishes never mattered, and she had long grown accustomed to quiet obedience. Tian Tian truly hadn't expected Jiang Ruyi to ask for her opinion.

"I, I..." Tian Tian stammered, whispering, "I'll listen to you."

Wu Shanshan on the other side urged, "What's there to hesitate about?"

Wang Xinyao looked at Lu Ran, her eyes carrying a hint of scrutiny: "I heard you have a unique understanding of divine techniques. We're all very curious! Show us a bit later, let me experience it?"

"You might not be able to handle it," Lu Ran said with a smile. "My divine technique is specifically for killing evil. Once I use it, blood must be drawn."

Wang Xinyao's anger hadn't subsided, and her expression was unfriendly: "Are you threatening me?"

To everyone's astonishment, Lu Ran actually nodded! Not only that, but he uttered a sentence that left everyone dumbfounded: "Do you want to die?"

Instantly, the atmosphere in the venue dropped to freezing point! Wang Xinyao was also a little flustered. This lambkin was indeed different from other weak and timid celestial goat believers. He was truly fierce!

"Just kidding, I'm different from Young Master Deng," Lu Ran suddenly laughed, waving his hand. "I like to tell little lies~"

Everyone: ???

Wang Xinyao: "..."

Although furious, Wang Xinyao didn't say anything more. Ultimately, Lu Ran's achievements were undeniable. He was the undisputed first in the entire grade, someone who almost scored full marks! The evil creatures and evil dogs he had killed numbered at least in the dozens.

Jiang Ruyi looked at the meek Tian Tian and said softly, "What do you think?"

"I..."

"It's okay, speak," Jiang Ruyi gently tucked a strand of hair behind Tian Tian's ear.

Tian Tian finally mustered her courage and whispered, "Let's... let's not fight. We have the city defense operation the day after tomorrow. Don't, don't get injured at this time."

"Okay," Jiang Ruyi turned to Ma Tianchuan. "Forget it. The final exam is the day after tomorrow. Let's not invite trouble."

Ma Tianchuan hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded: "Alright, then after the city defense mission, we'll come ask for guidance." He could also tell that everyone was very agitated.

Forcing a fight in this atmosphere would be unwise, as the mission on the Night of the Fifteenth is the top priority.

What a shame, I was hoping for a good, satisfying battle.

"Let's go," Ma Tianchuan turned and left, smiling. "Lu Ran, don't get surpassed by me in this big exam!"

"Last time was luck," Lu Ran said humbly. "This time, you're guaranteed to be first."

Ma Tianchuan chuckled, "Sweet talk?"

Lu Ran shrugged, "I like to tell little lies~"

Ma Tianchuan: "."

Everyone: "."

"Hmph," Deng Yutang watched them leave. "What sparring? They just came to pick a fight."

"From now on, let's be like this," Jiang Ruyi rubbed Tian Tian's head. "If you have any thoughts, tell us. Don't always make yourself suffer. We're a team, and in the future, we'll face many problems together."

"Mhm," Tian Tian replied softly, her small hands twisting together, her head bowed even lower. She looked like a well-behaved little bride?

On this track, Lu Ran could find some common ground with Tian Tian. After all, when facing the Tyrannical Sheep Boss, Lu Ran was the one who made it shut up when he wanted it to shut up, and sleep when he wanted it to sleep~

Jiang Ruyi turned to Deng Yutang and teased, "You didn't get to fight, you must feel wronged."

"Defending the city is more important," Deng Yutang knew what was important. "In this big exam, just keep one step ahead of Ma Tianchuan."

Although Wu Shanshan had left, she had said something very true. Every time Deng Yutang mentioned the name "Ma Tianchuan," he felt like he was cursing.

"What do you say, Brother Lu?" Deng Yutang looked at Lu Ran. "Shall we give them another lesson?"

"Survive first, then talk about scores," Jiang Ruyi corrected the team's philosophy, afraid Lu Ran would get carried away and mess around with Deng Yutang.

"Mhm, Beauty Jiang is right!" Lu Ran nodded decisively.

Hearing Lu Ran's response, Jiang Ruyi felt relieved and said softly, "That's all for today. Cultivate well when you get home. Oh, right." She looked at Lu Ran again. "You said yesterday that you were close to advancing to Mist Realm, third stage."

Lu Ran felt it carefully and confirmed, "It's just a matter of these two days."

Tian Tian secretly looked up, her eyes full of admiration for Lu Ran. Was he going to break through again? So amazing.

Jiang Ruyi noticed the girl's furtive glances and couldn't help but pat her head, teasing, "The day after tomorrow, you'll have to protect us well."

"Mhm," Tian Tian hastily lowered her head, not daring to peek again.