"Heavenly Pride, Heavenly Pride..."

Lu Ran looked at the calm surface of the lake, his thoughts agile and active.

Da Xia's official program was undoubtedly of golden quality.

Mobilizing the entire country's resources to select a handful of people for battle, how could the quality possibly be low?

The mere name of the program alone was enough to make the youth from all over Da Xia break their skulls and rush in, wasn't it?

To put it unpleasantly, you don't even need to perform well!

As long as you were selected, wouldn't that mean you've been recognized as "Heavenly Pride" by the official authorities of Da Xia?

Setting aside the various benefits the participants could obtain for now, the key point was that behind each person stood a deity!

Thinking of this, Lu Ran's thoughts grew even more active.

Such a significant project would certainly be broadcast nationwide, even around the whole world, the influence of this program would be unprecedented!

So behind this project, could there also be the shadow of deities' involvement?

Historically, the All Gods within the borders of Da Xia typically only recruited believers from within the realm.

It seemed now, at this special moment in time, the All Gods were ready to expand and exert their influence abroad?

After the program was broadcast, those foreign guests who witnessed the strong presence of Da Xia's believers might even come to join out of admiration?

To deities, humans were humans, with no distinction in skin color or race.

As long as you were from the Human Clan, you could provide the exclusive Power of Faith that belonged to humans, which the deities would greatly relish!

"Tsk tsk~"

Lu Ran pursed his lips, unsure if his thoughts were correct.

But the strengthening of the Evil Demon Clan was evident for all to see.

Various signs also indicated again and again that the deities were indeed expanding their recruitment.

"Deng Yuxiang!!"

A loud shout yanked Lu Ran out of his musings.

Deng Yuxiang and Lu Ran simultaneously turned their heads, looking toward the lake's edge.

There, they saw Sun Zhengfang with a solemn face, loudly commanding, "What are you doing? Take your hand off, don't cover the camera!"

Deng Yuxiang: "..."

Lu Ran looked toward Deng Yuxiang and saw a rarely seen expression.

Big Nightmare wasn't very happy, but she forced herself not to explode.

A bit amusing~

So long a time has passed, and this was the first time Lu Ran had seen Big Nightmare being scolded.

Without a doubt, Deng Yuxiang was a genuine powerhouse. As a "Sword Cultivator," she was a veritable killing machine.

It's not an exaggeration to say that, given a minute, she could have Sun Zhengfang die 60 times over.

Um... maybe even more than sixty if she put in extra effort.

Sun Zhengfang had always been very polite to Big Nightmare, but today...

It was clear to see that "Heavenly Pride" was indeed a major project as Sun Zhengfang had even invoked his identity as the old captain.

"Hmm?" Deng Yuxiang naturally noticed the schadenfreude in Lu Ran's eyes.

She expressionlessly dropped her hand from the camera and let it rest on Lu Ran's shoulder.

"Hisss..." Lu Ran sharply inhaled in pain.

He almost thought his shoulder was going to be crushed by her.

Good lord~

She truly was the pinnacle of River Realm, truly one of the first batch officially selected as Da Xia's genius!

Such strength in her hand!

Almost deadly...

"Smiling?" Deng Yuxiang's lips curled with an indistinct smile, speaking softly.

"Wrong, wrong," Lu Ran rapidly begged for mercy, "so many people are watching, don't reveal your true nature... cough, behave better.

You're not just representing yourself now.

You represent your school, the Divine People Bureau, the Beifeng Sect, and the basic quality of Da Xia Country's citizens..."

Deng Yuxiang was truly not okay!

A series of titles heavily pressured her, weighing her down significantly.

She wanted to say something but seemed wary of something.

In the end, she raised a finger and touched her lips; her slightly narrowed eyes carried a hint of severity.

Lu Ran decisively shut his mouth, sensing that it was time to accept the current advantage.

He could feel that Deng Yuxiang was extremely uncomfortable.

Hmm... even more amusing~

"You two, come here," Sun Zhengfang called again.

"Whoa!" Lu Ran exclaimed.

Big Nightmare scooped up Lu Ran, and gusts whipped around their feet.

The two traced a parabola across the lake's surface, and with a flurry of frost and snow, they landed firmly on the shore.

"Ergh." Lu Ran quickly stepped aside, well-advised to not provoke Big Nightmare any further for now.

"Come here, bring your camera too," Sun Zhengfang gestured for Lu Ran to follow, heading towards the dock cabin.

"I have to bring it too?" Lu Ran immediately followed.

Sun Zhengfang laughed, "If only Xiao Deng wears one, wouldn't that make you the main character?"

Lu Ran: "..."

Right!

Lu Ran entered the dock cabin and saw a familiar figure.

"Brother Wei." Lu Ran greeted.

If it's unclear whether it's a dragon or a tiger, calling by the surname can't go wrong.

Wei Long nodded, "You're here."

Lu Ran: "Where's your brother?"

Wei Long: "Little Tiger has returned to his own team; I'll be guarding you tonight."

"You're pretty clever," Sun Zhengfang, naturally shrewd, laughed, "not showing any fear, you drew out his identity."

"Heh," Deng Yuxiang followed into the room, sneering, "He's got more than a bit of cunning."

The woman's words didn't carry much mockery, but rather a hint of praise?

Indeed, just as others had assessed, Lu Ran speculated, "So, no special events tonight?"

Without Wei Hu on the team, it unquestionably revealed this message.

Otherwise, the team's configuration wouldn't be downgraded.

On the other hand, it should also be due to Lu Ran himself, right?

Lu Ran believed that on the fifteenth of last month, his performance was superb!

With a completely terrifying combat power that could be described as "slaughtering in all directions," he surely earned deep trust from the Divine People Bureau.

"We can't discuss this," Sun Zhengfang handed the equipment to Lu Ran.

Lu Ran accepted the small camera, turned his head to look at Deng Yuxiang, and internally sighed in regret.

If there were no special events, Deng Yuxiang's performance in battle would probably be greatly reduced.

It would likely be very difficult to achieve impressive results.

Quick-witted as she was, Deng Yuxiang understood Lu Ran's gaze and softly said, "Adjust your mindset."

Lu Ran: "Hm?"

Deng Yuxiang once again covered the camera: "My personal performance is not important. What matters is this city, the people within it.

If there's no Evil Demon invasion tonight and I have no chance to showcase, that would be for the best..."

Deng Yuxiang's abrupt stop in her words came because of the camera in Lu Ran's hanging hand, capturing her towering figure from a sneaky low angle.

"I understand," Lu Ran nodded vigorously.

In the face of major principles, Lu Ran's ideology was without a doubt sound.

His affection for this small city and for the people still residing in his hometown was no less than that of Big Nightmare.

If Lu Ran didn't possess certain qualities, with his sinister nature, he could only have grown even more rapidly!

This wasn't without proof.

That Red Scarf Believer, Chen Jing, still alive, was the best evidence.

Otherwise, Chen Jing would have become fertilizer in Lu Ran's Sculpture Garden last month.

With convictions and principles in his heart, there was no need to declare them to outsiders; Lu Ran was always silently acting on them and demonstrating with actions.

But Lu Ran wouldn't pass up the impression points that Deng Yuxiang should gain.

Each situation has its place.

Now that he was in the game, he should seize every opportunity and make a name for himself!

"Mm," Deng Yuxiang nodded, finally saying nothing and stepped outside.

Standing outdoors, she breathed a sigh of relief.

Deng Yuxiang wasn't even sure whether Lu Ran purposely induced her to say those words.

Inside, someone's voice came through again, "Uncle Sun, you should suggest to those above, us war correspondents need an equipment upgrade.

It would be best to fix it on our heads; the camera's constant wobble is not good."

Deng Yuxiang, standing in the icy snow outside the cabin, felt somewhat helpless, yet a warmth surfaced in her heart.

Hearing that, it truly seemed deliberate.

This guy really was...

...

Night gradually fell, and the snow stopped.

However, the gusting wind never ceased, stirring up layers of frost and cold to the face.

The four-person squad walked through the empty streets, setting off on the same patrol route as last month.

"By the way, sister, which university are you from?" Lu Ran quickened his pace to reach Deng Yuxiang's side.

Deng Yuxiang: "..."

Since the advent of the camera, she always felt that Lu Ran's every word was calculated.

"Sister?"

"You don't know that and you're asking me?"

"Well, a university only has one battle quota, right!" Lu Ran chuckled, "I'm attending university next year; I'm worried about snatching your spot."

Deng Yuxiang's eyes widened slightly as she looked at Lu Ran.

"Hahaha!" Sun Zhengfang laughed heartily from behind.

The always serious Wei Long also revealed a smile.

For this rising star, his growth and performance along the way were deeply known by everyone in the Divine People Bureau.

"Wu Lie River University." Deng Yuxiang volunteered her school.

"Nice school," Lu Ran nodded.

In this world, universities with the privilege of being named after a province were the leading institutions of that province.

"Come be my junior," Deng Yuxiang casually said, "Right now, it's only a pilot broadcast, with very few pilot schools.

In the future, each school shouldn't have just one quota, right?"

"That's fine, when the time comes, let us be a pair of twin stars... Oh, sister," Lu Ran asked again, "what's the reward for your ranking this time?"

Deng Yuxiang pondered for a moment, saying, "There are Believer points, as well as weapons and equipment."

Lu Ran uttered an "oh" and didn't speak further.

Big Nightmare had already cultivated her own Divine Weapon; other weapons would probably not catch her interest.

What mattered the most was the Believer points and the immense influence that ranking could bring to one's own Divine Sect!

In his case,

As a believer of the Nine-level God·Immortal Sheep, to trample all those believers of Sword One, North Wind, Dong Ting, and others underfoot...

And to display it clearly before all people!

How exhilarating would that be?

What's called a public execution?!

Suddenly, Deng Yuxiang spoke, "It's said that the scores are cumulative, calculated annually.

The final ranking rewards supposedly include Divine Weapons and Magic Artifacts."

Lu Ran: "What did you say?"

Deng Yuxiang smiled as she watched Lu Ran, "What, interested now?"

"Divine Weapons and Magic Artifacts are living beings with Artifact Spirits; how could they possibly be given as prizes?" Lu Ran expressed his doubt.

Deng Yuxiang shook her head, unable to explain.

But the news was solid!

This also indicated how much Da Xia valued the project.

Even Divine Weapons and Magic Artifacts, such precious and rare treasures, could be offered as prizes...

...

A new month, a new beginning!

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