Under the watchful eyes of countless complicated gazes, Lu Ran quickly led his teammates onto the stage to collect first place's reward.
Lu Ran received a long, slender blade, clearly modeled after a Tang-style Katana.
It resembled a bronze artifact, the sort that had been buried for ages, dark green all over, mottled and ancient.
"Tsk." Lu Ran pursed his lips and gripped the long blade tightly, feeling an ancient, weathered aura wash over him.
Banjushi Saber!
Among the common types of minerals found in Demon Lairs, Banjushi was considered relatively high-quality material.
Jiang Ruyi and Tian Tian each received a Banjushi Sword, while Deng Yutang obtained a Banjushi Spear.
Who knew whether Young Master Deng had said those words in his heart:
"Thanks to the school for these crooked melons and split dates!"
After the four-person group gave their thanks and stepped down, the teams in second place and Third Place went up to receive their awards.
The weapons they received were made from inferior materials, taken from a more common mineral found in Demon Lairs—Mahuangyan.
It looked like a yellowish-brown rock, with nothing particularly distinctive about it.
As for the prize weapons for places four through ten, those were even more heavyweight!
They were made of Mohuiyan!
They looked like stones picked up off the street.
Compared to that, Banjushi looked much more pleasing to the eye. At least it still carried a bit of that "bronze artifact" flair!
"This vacation is going to be busy."
Lu Ran ran two fingers across the Banjushi Saber.
Banjushi was a watershed!
Any Demon Lair mineral more advanced than it could no longer be considered "common"!
While Lu Ran was itching for action, his mind filled with thoughts of completing missions and obtaining a precious weapon,
the school authorities, having commended the top ten from the God-Worshipping Platform, had the male teacher assign summer homework.
The summer homework was simple:
The school required students to form teams and jointly slay one hundred fog-realm evil demons.
There was no ranking for this assignment. As long as one completed it, six Believer Points would be credited to their account.
It really felt like handing out a "minimum living allowance," didn't it?
"These six points are being given to you for free by the school! If you refuse even this kind of point, then when you fail to graduate, don't come crying to me!"
"You've already gone through two assessments. You all know how much you weigh, and you know how difficult Believer Points are to earn."
"If you don't know, go look at the big list! Or check the official website!"
"Take a good look at the gap between yourselves and first place. You all became believers on the same day, yet Lu Ran is already about to undergo an additional test!"
"You must complete your summer homework. Otherwise, Lu Ran will only leave you farther and farther behind!"
Lu Ran: ???
If you wanted to lecture them, then lecture them. Why drag me into it?
Damn!
He had thought his Sound of Lamentation was impressive enough, but who would have guessed that this teacher could mock people even better than him?
"That is all I have to say. Think it over carefully yourselves." The male teacher finally changed the subject. "The next matter: Night of the Fifteenth!"
Upon hearing those special words, the students all turned solemn.
The teacher onstage was equally grave. "The fifteenth of next month will be the most special lunar July Fifteenth!
"And you will happen to be on summer vacation.
"I will emphasize this once more: on the night of July Fifteenth, you are forbidden from entering battle!"
Lu Ran fiddled with the Banjushi Saber in his hand, his thoughts racing.
Lunar July Fifteenth
was indeed the most special full-moon night of all.
The evil demons invading cities that night far outnumbered those on other Nights of the Fifteenth, and they were far more dangerous as well.
Every person living in this world understood that clearly.
As for the Gods Bureau's additional test, it was not mandatory. Students could choose not to go.
But
who could easily give up such an opportunity?
Everyone understood the principle that one step ahead meant every step ahead.
The better one performed among students of the same cohort, the more opportunities one would have to earn points.
The Gods Bureau's invitation this time was a real example.
And the Gods Bureau's additional test offered far more than just points.
As long as one could complete the mission, there would definitely be corresponding Material Rewards!
For decades, Great Xia had adhered to this policy of incentives, encouraging believer trainees to cultivate and grow.
From the podium, the teacher sternly said, "Do not think that just because you are believers now and have participated in one city defense, you can become blindly proud and arrogant.
"Before and after July Fifteenth, all of you are to stay obediently at home and pray before your household shrines and Divine Idols!
"Or go to shelters and accept their protection.
"If there is any outrageous behavior, you will be expelled immediately. Do you understand?"
"Understood!"
"Understood!" A neat, uniform response rang across the Sports Field.
The teacher nodded. "Now for the next item: team adjustments. The teams whose names I call will retain their current lineup, disband where they stand, and begin vacation!
"Team 1, Team 4."
At once, an uproar broke out across the Sports Field.
After Team 1, it went straight to Team 4?
So Teams 2 and 3 both had to be adjusted?
Tian Tian nervously twisted her fingers together like someone awaiting judgment, her heart hanging in her throat.
Her team was Team 98, so Tian Tian kept waiting and waiting, until she was nearly on the verge of collapse.
"Don't worry." Jiang Ruyi gently rubbed Tian Tian's head.
"Mhm." Tian Tian lowered her head and answered softly.
Seeing that the girl was still heavy with worry, Jiang Ruyi could not help pinching her cheek. "We all like you very much."
"Th-thank you." Tian Tian spoke quietly.
It sounded rather like she was delivering an acceptance speech.
"Team 98!" At last, the verdict arrived.
Acquitted and released!
When Tian Tian heard the teacher call Team 98, she nearly cried tears of joy.
The young girl's emotional swings seemed a little too intense. Unless one stood in her shoes, it would likely be hard to understand.
"Alright, alright." Jiang Ruyi patted Tian Tian's shoulder, then turned to Lu Ran, hesitating as if she wanted to say something but held it back.
"As for Brother Lu being specially recruited, I do have a somewhat different view." Deng Yutang had clearly noticed Class Monitor Jiang's concern.
"Hm?" Jiang Ruyi looked over at him.
After considering it, Deng Yutang said, "The Gods Bureau deliberately threw Brother Lu into the Moon Watchers' team on the next Night of the Fifteenth.
"In my view, that might actually be a form of protection?
"We just experienced the city defense mission. In front of the Gate 4 we guarded, quite a few powerful evil demons appeared.
"I keep feeling that something isn't right?"
As he spoke, Deng Yutang also looked toward Lu Ran, the meaning obvious without being spoken.
After all, Lu Ran's "glorious" record was clear for all to see.
Back at the God-Worshipping Platform, Lu Ran had summoned an Evil God—Yanzhiren.
"Protection?" Jiang Ruyi frowned slightly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
If they truly wanted to protect Lu Ran, would it not be safer to have him remain before the shrine at home, or throw him into a shelter?
"I've already decided to go." Lu Ran suddenly spoke. Usually all smiles and laughter, he wore a rare solemn expression. "I'm not letting this opportunity slip away.
"So. Next topic!"
Then Lu Ran abruptly changed the subject. "When are we going to Evil Dog Village?"
"Heh." Deng Yutang could not help shaking his head with a laugh.
That was right, this was exactly the spirit!
A real man
ought to be like this!
After a moment of silence, Jiang Ruyi said, "Let's go home and prepare first. We'll head out this afternoon."
Deng Yutang added, "Just wait at home. I'll drive over to pick you up."
Lu Ran was somewhat surprised. "Are you old enough? Do you have a driver's license?"
Unexpectedly, Deng Yutang replied, "Soon."
Lu Ran: ???
Soon again, Big Bro?
When I asked when you would advance, you said soon.
When I asked whether you had a driver's license, you also said soon?
Lu Ran said helplessly, "Aren't you afraid your sister will catch us and lock us in a dark room?"
"Soon, Big Bro" was also somewhat helpless. "I'm not driving. There's a driver at home."
Lu Ran: "."
Sorry, Young Master Deng.
I spoke a little too loudly just now.
Before you continue