Special Honor!

On the sports field, the old meeting spot.

Jiang Ruyi watched Lu Ran sprinting towards her and asked curiously, "What's the rush?"

Lu Ran, however, looked shifty. He hid behind Jiang Ruyi and glanced towards the school gate.

Seeing no one was chasing him, he breathed a sigh of relief. "It's nothing, I was just doing my morning exercises."

"Brother Lu, congratulations!" Deng Yutang, standing nearby, clenched his fist and leaned in. "You got first place."

Lu Ran and Deng Yutang bumped fists. "Congrats to you too. You were close to breaking into the top ten."

Jiang Ruyi looked at her two teammates. "Our results are pretty good. Tian Tian and Yutang tied for 12th place."

Unexpectedly, Deng Yutang didn't show the expected joy. "I don't deserve it."

Seeing this, Lu Ran couldn't help but raise an eyebrow slightly.

In his memory, Deng Yutang had always been proud, even a bit ostentatious.

But at this moment, the rich young master's emotions weren't very high.

Jiang Ruyi, with her more sensitive nature, had already noticed Deng Yutang's unusual state.

Now that Lu Ran had arrived, Jiang Ruyi spoke up to comfort him. "Yutang, our squad was already guarding the building exterior and completed our mission properly, killing quite a few demons."

Lu Ran suddenly said, "I know what Young Master Deng is thinking. You think I carried you guys."

He paused and continued, "I don't think so.

Team leader Zhang Feng said that after I was captured, the three of you performed admirably.

Brother Zhang even specifically mentioned two aspects: first, your timely and reasonable adjustments to the tactics, and second, your mindset, being able to regroup and face the demons."

Jiang Ruyi nodded thoughtfully and frankly admitted, "After you were captured, I was indeed a bit lost.

Yutang was the most like a warrior. He kept boosting morale and stabilizing the troops."

Praised by the captain like this, Deng Yutang's face turned red for the first time. He explained, "I just believed that Brother Lu would definitely come back."

"On what grounds?" Lu Ran chuckled. "The one who captured me was from the River Realm, Yanzhiren!

I didn't even believe I could come back alive, so why did you?"

After a long pause, Deng Yutang finally managed to say, "A man's intuition."

Lu Ran: "..."

"Heh heh~" Jiang Ruyi couldn't help but let out a light laugh.

The slightly somber atmosphere eased a bit after a few jokes.

Mainly, Deng Yutang's mindset had adjusted.

Deng Yutang was undoubtedly proud, but his performance didn't match his expectations of himself.

Yet, in this assessment, his individual results had improved significantly, pushing him straight to 12th place!

This gave Deng Yutang a sense of annoyance, like having a position he didn't deserve.

Now, after hearing Jiang and Lu's analysis...

Was it really like that?

The scores for Jiang, Tian, and Deng were all so high. It was very likely that after the squad encountered an accident, their subsequent actions had given them a significant score boost!

"Congratulations to you too, for returning to the top three." Lu Ran smiled at Jiang Ruyi.

"Hmph." Jiang Ruyi gave Lu Ran a light, dismissive glance.

Oh?

Acting tsundere!

Lu Ran said indignantly, "I'm congratulating you, and you're glaring at me?"

Jiang Ruyi's face held a faint smile. "Yes, I've returned to the top three, and Ma Tianchuan has been pulled down from his pedestal, but...

another even more insurmountable one has appeared."

Lu Ran chuckled. "Hey, what does it matter who gets first place between us?"

Jiang Ruyi: "Huh?"

Lu Ran said with mock seriousness, "The honor belongs to all of us!

I couldn't have ascended to the throne of first place without the support of my good brothers and my virtuous wife. Ooh!"

Jiang Ruyi blushed slightly and stomped on Lu Ran's shoe. "Nonsense!"

Stepping on his toes?

Heh, a child's game.

Lu Ran immediately took a step back. "Be more ladylike. There are so many people on the sports field, everyone's watching."

Jiang Ruyi glared at Lu Ran indignantly, her beautiful big eyes almost spitting fire.

In the summer, a breeze blew, causing a few strands of the girl's hair to brush across her forehead.

Lu Ran's heart skipped a beat!

Jiang Ruyi lowered her head slightly, averting her gaze.

Damn guy!

The sports field was indeed crowded, with students waiting to assemble, most of them glancing over here subtly, stealing glances.

In contrast, Deng Yutang was openly watching the pair of man and woman, with a peculiar expression.

In Deng Yutang's eyes, Class Monitor Jiang was gentle and demure, always ladylike.

But in front of Lu Ran... well, it was interesting.

"Sister Ruyi," Tian Tian jogged over.

"Mhm," Jiang Ruyi responded softly.

Tian Tian stood beside Jiang Ruyi and asked timidly, "What's wrong, Sister Ruyi? Your face is so red."

Jiang Ruyi: "."

Sensing her senior's silence, Tian Tian knew she had said the wrong thing and immediately changed the subject, "Sister Ruyi, did you advance?"

Jiang Ruyi nodded lightly.

"Mist Realm, third stage?" Lu Ran's eyes lit up.

Believers could learn a divine technique at the first and third stages of each major realm!

And for the Jade Talisman sect, the divine technique equipped at the third stage of the Mist Realm was "Exploding Flame Talisman."

This talisman was no small matter!

The noble Law Master was finally going to display his powerful talent in output!

"Mhm," Jiang Ruyi's fair palm hung naturally by her side, and at her fingertips, sparks suddenly burst forth.

Lu Ran watched with envy!

It wasn't that the Celestial Goat Believer was two-timing, but that the White Moonlight's destructive power was too strong.

After all, the God Jade Talisman was a god Lu Ran had worshipped with his father since he was young.

Although due to his age, Little Lu Ran wasn't a Jade Talisman Believer, in his heart, he considered himself an "unnamed disciple."

Thinking of this, the envy in Lu Ran's eyes gradually changed its flavor.

Back on the God-Worshipping Platform, all the gods had abandoned him, leaving him to fend for himself.

Especially the God Jade Talisman, whom he had worshipped for many years, had also refused to appear, offering him no pity.

The knot in Lu Ran's heart could not be untied no matter what.

People cannot change the past.

Lu Ran's devout worship and immense reverence in his youth were all established facts.

But as things stood now, It was time to put an end to all those past entanglements.

"This way, our squad's output will be even stronger!" Deng Yutang was a little excited.

Jiang Ruyi wasn't particularly happy.

In fact, she blamed herself, wondering why she hadn't advanced before the fifteenth day of the lunar calendar.

If she had, she could have ignited the Mist Shadow Person, or even detonated it, and her companions wouldn't have been in such a tough fight.

"How about you, Young Master Deng?" Lu Ran looked at Deng Yutang.

"Soon."

Lu Ran remembered their conversation in the training ground last time and burst out laughing, "Don't ask, just ask and the answer is soon, right?"

Deng Yutang snorted and fiddled with the red turban on his head.

When people are embarrassed, they really do pretend to be busy, don't they?

"You have to work hard too," Jiang Ruyi said gently, placing a hand on Tian Tian's shoulder.

"Mhm, mhm," Tian Tian nodded repeatedly, "I'll advance soon too."

This scene was quite interesting.

In this four-person squad, Lu Ran and Jiang Ruyi were each looking after one person?

"Whoosh~~~"

A piercing whistle suddenly sounded, followed by the voice of a teacher from the presidium: "Everyone, assemble!"

The students quickly formed ranks.

In just a few dozen seconds, there was only silence on the sports field.

On the presidium, the male teacher said sternly, "Congratulations, you survived."

Although the words were congratulatory, the atmosphere on campus grew increasingly oppressive.

"For this Night of the Fifteenth city defense mission, our school's second-year believers totaled 399 individuals. There were injuries, but no fatalities."

The male teacher reported the results: "Furthermore, one student received an unprecedented high score of 91.2 from the Gods Bureau."

At this moment, Lu Ran felt countless gazes fall upon him.

"Not only is he first place at Yuxiang No. 1 High School, but he is also the only student within Yunshan City and its five subordinate county-level cities to break the 90-point mark."

The male teacher pushed up his glasses and said gravely, "Celestial Goat Believer, Lu Ran!"

Lu Ran wasn't sure if he should respond "Here!" He only felt like he was at the center of a vortex.

Pairs of eyes all turned in his direction.

Envy, jealousy, curiosity, doubt.

After the last assessment, Lu Ran had also been the focus of attention within his small class group.

But compared to this moment, it was like comparing a firefly to the moon.

The male teacher continued: "Among all students, Lu Ran received the most evaluation forms.

Including your team leader, a total of 5 Moon Watchers from 3 Moon Watcher squads submitted reports on your mission performance.

After comprehensive consideration, the Yunshan City Gods Bureau has issued a special document for you."

As he spoke, the male teacher picked up the document in his hand and read aloud:

"While novice believers were still gathering their courage and beginning to understand the dangers of the Night of the Fifteenth, you already knew how to handle crises.

You already understood what attitude to adopt when facing unshakeable evil.

Born to face death, helping others and saving yourself.

We hope this courage to confront life and death is not a fleeting moment.

Maintain this momentum, and for the Lunar Fifteenth next month, we are offering you an opportunity for extra points.

You are specially recruited into the Patrol Team to be a Moon Watcher for one night."

"Huh?"

"The Moon Gazers Patrol Team?"

"Are they holding a special trial just for him?"

"What are you all shouting about? Students have been given extra trials by the Gods Bureau in previous years! Though, not this early. It's usually in the second half of their third year?"

"Are you guys stupid? There's nothing to be envious about. Next month is the fifteenth of the seventh lunar month! The fifteenth of the seventh month!"

"Holy crap! That's right! Next time is the fifteenth of the seventh month! Can this Lu Ran even survive?"

The sports field instantly erupted, and the students were in an uproar!

This evaluation was outrageously high!

And the message conveyed by this document left everyone stunned.

Jiang Ruyi's expression stiffened.

Originally, she had been happy that Lu Ran was being praised.

But patrolling on the fifteenth of the seventh month?

This...

In the crowd, Ma Tianchuan frowned, deep in thought.

And behind Ma Tianchuan, Wu Shanshan's expression was very complicated.

She truly hadn't expected Lu Ran to receive such an honor?!

Without a doubt, the opportunity for extra points provided by the Gods Bureau was exclusively for the top few students in each cohort.

And it was usually after students entered the second half of their third year that the Gods Bureau would conduct additional trials based on the situation.

Wu Shanshan sighed deeply in her heart.

Was her decision to switch teams wrong?

The Gods Bureau valued him this highly.

Hmm.

It's still early, and there's still a long way to go.

Let's just wait and see.

"Celestial Goat Believer, Lu Ran!" The male teacher suddenly raised his voice.

Lu Ran had no choice but to respond: "Here!"

"Bring your team onto the stage to receive the rewards and honors you deserve."