Life Is About Showing Off

The fifth day of the lunar month, and the sky was overcast.

Amid a blaring chorus of alarms, Lu Ran opened his bleary eyes and swiftly shut off the life-threatening ringing.

With a thump.

Lu Ran performed an unconventional carp leap, not bending his knees in the slightest. Like a zombie rising from its coffin, he stood bolt upright.

Youth really did mean a strong lower back~

He strode out of bed and stopped before the shrine, bowing properly in worship. "Good morning, Immortal Sheep! I'm going to Evil Dog Village for training today. You have to watch over me."

As soon as Lu Ran finished speaking, his body shuddered.

Within the shrine, the White Goat Jade Carving released wisps of mist that continuously surged toward Lu Ran.

Lu Ran immediately reacted, repeatedly compressing and solidifying the Divine Power within his body, clearing space for Immortal Sheep's gift.

"Urgh~" Lu Ran leaned against the cabinet and slowly slid down to sit on the floor.

His body trembled more and more violently. He felt as though he were about to burst from being pumped full of air!

Whoosh!

Wind Wave suddenly rose, and Divine Power spilled outward.

Mist Realm: Second Stage!

"Hehe."

Lu Ran gulped in lungfuls of air, wild with joy inside!

Last night, he had meditated before the shrine, enduring Hard Cultivation until late at night. Yet at that final step before the threshold, he simply could not cross it no matter what he did.

And yet, such wonderful news had come first thing this morning.

Awesome~!

Lu Ran savored the overwhelming sensation of power for quite a while before finally looking up at the shrine.

"Thank you for your help, Immortal Sheep! Today, this disciple will certainly strive for good Results and bring glory to our Immortal Sheep Sect."

The White Goat Jade Carving merely continued releasing mist in silence, nourishing Lu Ran's human body without responding.

"You said before that once I reached Mist Realm: Second Stage, I could learn a special version of Divine Technique: Compassionate Sound?"

Lu Ran pressed his palms together and asked with expectant eyes.

"Evil Dog Village." Those three words entered Lu Ran's mind.

After giving it some thought, he understood the god's intent.

So Immortal Sheep intended to teach him through actual combat?

"Alright!" Lu Ran nodded heavily, then ran excitedly into the bathroom to brush his teeth and wash his face.

After freshening up, he headed straight for the Master Bedroom.

Since his Father passed away, Lu Ran had rarely entered this room. Now, however, he strode straight toward a Tang-style Katana hanging on the wall.

This blade was no wooden prop. It was a genuine Weapon, forged from Black Ice.

Black Ice was a mysterious mineral produced in the Demon Lair.

The material was as cold and light as ice, half-translucent with a pitch-black sheen, and exceptionally durable.

The blade was slender and long, measuring a full seventy-seven centimeters, two fingers wide, with a thirty-three-centimeter handle.

Whoosh! Lu Ran gave it a light blow, sending dust scattering everywhere and stinging his Eyes a little.

This blade was called Xiaguang.

It had been Lu Xing's personal sword. Who knew how many talismans had once been inscribed upon its blade?

Unfortunately, Lu Ran was not a Jade Talisman Believer.

In his hands, this Tang Dao could no longer bring forth resplendent rosy clouds, ignite flames, coil with lightning, or spread frost.

But Class Monitor Jiang was a Jade Talisman Believer.

Once she grew stronger, Lu Ran could have Class Monitor enchant the blade before every battle.

"Come with me, Xiaguang."

Lu Ran channeled Divine Power into the sword. Wisps of white mist spread out and flowed across its slender blade, brushing away the dust.

Buzz!

Xiaguang trembled lightly, emitting a pleasant sound.

Since Lu Xing's death, it had gathered dust for four years.

Today, it could accompany the descendant of its old master out into the world once more. It should have been happy as well.

Fine rain drifted beneath the overcast sky.

Rain Alley City truly lived up to its name.

There were genuinely many rainy days here—more London than London itself.

Through the drizzling rain, Lu Ran carried his sword and held an umbrella as he arrived at First High School's gates.

The Sports Field was already filled with students, gathered in little clusters of two or three.

Lu Ran looked around and quickly found his Three People teammates, because Deng Yutang's appearance was exceptionally eye-catching!

Ever since becoming a Red Turban Believer, Deng Yutang had bought a red headscarf and wrapped it around his head.

It gave him a highly distinctive look.

And the spot where the three of them stood was precisely where Lu Ran had previously set up his stall.

Lu Ran felt they had done it on purpose.

Jiang Ruyi spotted Lu Ran approaching from afar. Seeing his strange expression, the Girl could not help smiling.

Just as she was about to wave, Wu Shanshan beat her to it, waving first. "Lu Ran, over here!"

Jiang Ruyi: "..."

Wu Shanshan stepped forward curiously. "Let me see what kind of Divine Weapon Sharp Blade you brought."

Lu Ran's Xiaguang Saber was wrapped in cloth to avoid attracting attention.

Black Ice was a precious and rare mineral. Finished Black Ice Weapons were even more exorbitantly valuable, far beyond what ordinary families could afford.

Lu Ran's Home was not especially wealthy. Rather, because Father Lu had served in the military, the blade had been specially awarded to Lu Xing by the army in recognition of his outstanding contributions.

"Wow, it's Black Ice!"

Wu Shanshan crouched beside Lu Ran, pinched the cloth, and lifted it slightly. Her Eyes immediately lit up.

"Shh." Lu Ran gestured for the girl to keep her voice down.

"Who would've thought you were a rich second-generation kid too?" Wu Shanshan raised her face and teased him with a smile.

Too?

Lu Ran keenly caught that word and lowered his head to examine Squad Leader Wu. "I wish I were a rich second-generation kid."

"Modest, aren't you? Are you carrying a sword?" Wu Shanshan lightly flicked the blade. "You're carrying an A6!"

"Not that much, not that much." Lu Ran repeatedly waved his hands with a modest expression. "At most, it's a Cullinan."

Wu Shanshan: ???

Did he even understand prices? Wait a second!

A thought suddenly struck Wu Shanshan, and she asked in disbelief, "You've already cultivated a sword spirit?"

But that still wasn't right!

If he had truly cultivated a sword spirit, then this sword could no longer be measured in money.

Weapons possessing artifact spirits were genuine Divine Weapon Sharp Blades—the dream of every Believer!

Lu Ran shook his head. "Squad Leader Wu thinks too highly of me. How could I possibly have that ability?"

Wu Shanshan was even more confused.

Without an artifact spirit, it was merely an ordinary Black Ice blade.

Wu Shanshan complained, "So do you not understand cars, or do you not understand swords?"

Lu Ran lifted the blade and lightly tapped the Girl on the head. "It's you who doesn't understand me."

Wu Shanshan: "Tch."

If he didn't understand cars, then he didn't understand cars. Why was his mouth still so stubborn?

Lu Ran asked with a smile, "What did you mean when you said 'too' just now?"

Wu Shanshan tilted her chin toward the side. "There's also a Panamera over there."

Lu Ran turned to look at Deng Yutang, carefully examining the Red Tasseled Spear in his hands.

The red-tasseled steel spear appeared to be made of ordinary material, with nothing special about it. But when he considered the price estimate Squad Leader Wu had given...

Lu Ran's heart stirred. "Tianchen Steel?"

Like Black Ice, Tianchen Steel was also a mysterious material produced in the Demon Lair, and it was far more precious and rare than Black Ice!

Deng Yutang admitted it openly, casually passing over the Tianchen Red Tasseled Spear. "Brother Lu, want to give it a try?"

"Tsk, tsk~" Lu Ran took the heavy spear and weighed it in his hands.

This kid had hidden himself deeply indeed!

If one said Deng Yutang was low-key, he called himself "this young master" every day and flaunted himself shamelessly.

But if one said he was high-profile, then after two years as classmates, Lu Ran had never known Deng Yutang's family was so well-off.

Now that they were about to enter the Demon Lair, the kid had finally shown his wealth.

For the sake of his Results and his life, he had brought out a Tianchen Spear worth millions. Wait a second!

Lu Ran suddenly raised his head and looked at the Red Turban wrapped around Deng Yutang's head.

What he had considered a 9.9-yuan roadside stall item instantly became a 999-yuan designer brand.

A few days earlier, Deng Yutang had given Lu Ran a headscarf, saying they could wear them together and look imposing.

Lu Ran had politely declined. After all, he was not a Red Turban Believer and was not used to having his head wrapped up. But now, it seemed...

Lu Ran asked, "Brother Deng, your red headscarf is valuable too, isn't it?"

"How much could a headscarf possibly be worth?" Deng Yutang shook his head.

"Oh." Lu Ran nodded, feeling much more at ease.

Who would have thought Deng Yutang would casually add, "Only a few thousand yuan."

Lu Ran: ???

I fucking guessed high and only dared guess 999, but you opened your mouth and said several thousand?

Damn, I'd suffered a huge loss!

Lu Ran said quietly, "Brother Deng, you gave me one before."

Seeing Lu Ran's lack of Prospects, Jiang Ruyi could not help smiling and rolling her eyes at him. "Didn't you say you weren't used to wearing one?"

"What kind of thing is that to say?" Lu Ran waved a hand. "You get used to it by wearing it! How could I refuse a gift from a friend?

Whenever I think about it, I feel like I hurt Brother Deng's sincere heart.

It's all because I was too young and too ignorant."

Wu Shanshan was already laughing her head off. "Alright, alright, stop proving yourself! I believe your family is poor now, okay?"

Lu Ran: "..."

Deng Yutang: "..."

Jiang Ruyi could not hold back her laughter either. Smiling, she changed the subject. "By the way, Lu Ran, did you advance?"

Lu Ran casually handed the Red Tasseled Spear back. "What do you think?"

Deng Yutang immediately perked up. "Judging from Brother Lu's confident look, he should have succeeded."

Lu Ran nodded as though it were only natural. "I told you all yesterday."

Sorry, everyone.

When the banquet began, you all reached for your chopsticks, while I pulled out a Plastic Bag!

Enough said.

I'll Show Off first~

Wu Shanshan's eyes immediately widened. "You really advanced?"

Deng Yutang burst into loud laughter. "Haha, good!"

Seeing Lu Ran's smug expression, Jiang Ruyi could not help smiling and shooting the Guy a sidelong glare.

It was rather interesting.

She had always been soft and quiet, known among her classmates as Beauty Jiang.

Yet before Lu Ran, she always "broke character" and lost her usual composure.

"You all need to work hard too," Lu Ran said casually, carrying the air of a master lonely at the top.

Honestly—

Lu Ran looked as steady as an old dog, but inside, he was nervous as hell!

After all, he had only advanced this morning while worshipping the god.

For this act of Showing Off to come full circle,

he could not have done without President Overbearing Sheep's help.

"Everyone, line up according to your team numbers!" On the podium, a Male Teacher held a microphone and shouted loudly.

The few of them stopped joking and immediately went to line up.

There were 399 Believers in the second-year cohort, divided into one hundred teams.

Because of the numbers, one squad had only three members. Who knew which unlucky bastards they were.

"Everyone, get your spirits up!"

"After entering Evil Dog Village, you must obey the accompanying instructors' orders."

"Don't think your teams are fixed! Anyone who violates discipline or has a poor attitude will be screened out!"

"And show your value! Based on the final rankings and individual traits, the school will readjust the squad configurations."

As Lu Ran listened to the teacher's lecture, his heart remained utterly unmoved.

It was July 17 on the Gregorian Calendar. Until early September, before their final year of high school began, no team would be permanent.

Great Xia had nearly a hundred gods, each with distinctive Divine Techniques. To build a team with true chemistry, repeated experimentation was only natural.

If the day truly came when Lu Ran and Jiang Ruyi had to separate, there would be nothing to be done about it.

He wanted Jiang Ruyi to enchant his sword. Wouldn't others want that too?

If he did not strive for it, he would not even qualify to cling to a powerful thigh.

"Hm?" Jiang Ruyi vaguely sensed something and turned to look at Lu Ran.

Only to find Lu Ran staring blankly at her legs.

Jiang Ruyi's cheeks could not help flushing as she gave a soft cough.

Lu Ran came back to his senses, looked up at her, and wore an inquisitive expression.

"Hmph." Jiang Ruyi's face burned crimson. She shot Lu Ran a light glare before turning away.

"Brother Lu, do you have to be so deeply affectionate?" Deng Yutang sidled over.

Lu Ran: "Huh?"

Deng Yutang looked utterly disgusted. "It would be one thing if the class monitor were wearing a skirt, but what is there to look at in those lousy School Uniform pants?"

Lu Ran: "."

Was I looking at her legs?

I was looking at her thighs. Wait?

There was no explaining this now.

"Do not bring shame upon the gods you worship! Do you hear me?" The teacher's voice onstage grew even louder, bailing Someone out.

"Loud and clear."

"Loud and clear!"

"Very good." On the podium, the Male Teacher nodded in satisfaction. "Line up according to your team numbers, board the school buses, and head for Evil Dog Village!"

The so-called Evil Dog Village was, in truth, a Demon Lair.

Demon Lairs were scattered throughout Great Xia. Each contained different scenes and different kinds of evil fiends.

Wherever a Demon Lair opened, a Divine Idol would stand above it to suppress it.

Although Great Xia had nearly a hundred gods, there were even more Demon Lairs—and their numbers continued to grow.

Thus, gods of every kind had begun creating "Divine Idol avatars" to suppress Demon Lair Gates one after another.

Rain Alley City, where Lu Ran lived, had an avatar of the Seventh Rank God Wuya's Divine Idol. Its Original God Statue stood in a prefecture-level city more than a hundred kilometers away.

Whether it was an Original God Statue or an avatar, as long as a place had a God Sculpture, the corresponding believers would come on pilgrimage.

Over the past few days, Lu Ran had also looked into it and learned that the Original God Statue of his own god, Immortal Sheep, stood in Yunnan.

Not bad.

Immortal Sheep was in the southwest of Great Xia, not the northwest.

Otherwise, it would be easy to get "watered."

In truth, it did not matter much whether believers went on pilgrimage. After all, every believer had invited a Small God Statue into their home.

Worshipping a Small God Statue was equivalent to meeting the god in person.

Still, Lu Ran planned to find an opportunity to personally see Immortal Sheep's Original God Statue.

He truly wanted to see whether Immortal Sheep's face could actually turn black.

Thanks to Fuhei Dali for the hundred-thousand-league patron reward. Thank you for the support, boss! May the boss live for a thousand autumns and ten thousand years, with a lifespan equal to heaven itself! Ura~