Under the moonlight, in the mountain forest.

Niu Zhengzheng grew increasingly uneasy as he walked.

The area was just too quiet, and the occasional wind that rustled the leaves only made the atmosphere even more spine-chilling!

"Niu Head," Lu Ran called out softly.

"Where?" Niu Zhengzheng's head swiveled frantically like a rattle-drum as he scanned his surroundings.

Lu Ran: "You follow the Miao Fire Lantern, leading the team since Little Yuanxi is showing the way, saying it will lead us to Crescent Lake."

"Ah..." Niu Zhengzheng looked at the octagonal lanterns flitting by his side.

It wasn't strange that he was so nervous; the Night Charm Clan was undoubtedly an extremely dangerous presence.

Everyone gathered here could not really call it a practice experience; it should rather be termed "risking our lives"!

Honestly, if Guan Yiren hadn't stated she wanted to invite Lu Ran over, Niu Zhengzheng might not have agreed to come here.

After all, he was the one at the very front of the team.

The new year was around the corner, and he would soon be able to eat big pork knuckles and drink plenty of alcohol; wouldn't it have been better to keep a low profile?

Fortunately, Lu Ran had arrived as expected, and Niu Zhengzheng felt somewhat at ease.

He greatly admired Lu Ran's ability to gather intelligence information.

Even if the Night Charm Clan was faster and could hide better, Lu Ran would certainly have foresight!

Well... he should be able to, right?

At the rear of the team, Xiao Yusong felt something was off, whispering:

"Big Lang, is there something wrong with the blade that Lu Ran is holding?"

Lang Zhixuan knew what his brother meant, for he had also sensed the anomaly: "Not sure, let's wait and see.

That said, the kid really is sharp like a blade, isn't he? Is he a North Wind Believer?"

Xiao Yusong injected a word of caution: "When I tell you, you better not scream."

Lang Zhixuan spoke in annoyance, "He is whatever he is, so what's there to be secretive about?

Even if he's amazing, he would just be a Martial Artist Believer or a Martial Monk Believer.

Why should I scream?"

Xiao Yusong: "Guan Girl said, Lu Ran is an Immortal Sheep Believer."

Lang Zhixuan: "Ah??"

Instantly, everyone but Lu Ran turned to look in their direction.

The team was alert, thinking something dangerous had occurred near Xiao Lang and his companion.

Xiao Yusong smiled apologetically at everyone, waving them off while lowering his voice, "I told you, don't shout."

Lang Zhixuan felt a bit embarrassed, then his expression changed: "Is he that sinister?"

Xiao Yusong: "What?"

Lang Zhixuan's voice dropped even lower: "That kid wasn't lying, his ears are indeed sharp!

He must have heard our entire conversation."

"Oh?" Xiao Yusong looked towards Lu Ran's back.

He then understood what Lang Zhixuan meant.

The shout from earlier had put everyone on edge, causing them to look over immediately.

Only Lu Ran did not turn his head!

No reaction?

That was the biggest problem!

As the strong reinforcement specially invited by Guan Yiren, Lu Ran should have had the quickest reflexes.

Since he did not respond, there could only be one explanation:

Lu Ran had heard the entire conversation between the two men and knew the whole context!

"Watch." Lang Zhixuan bumped Xiao Yusong's shoulder and cleared his throat.

He spoke slightly louder, but still quietly: "Little bro, that Black Ice Blade of yours is pretty good, huh?"

Both men watched Lu Ran's back in anticipation.

1 second, 2 seconds, 3 seconds...

Lu Ran continued to walk quietly forward, still without any reaction.

Lang Zhixuan was a bit embarrassed; had he guessed wrong?

Impossible!

Lang Zhixuan rejected the thought, for he could distrust Lu Ran, but he had to trust Guan Yiren's judgment.

Thus, Lu Ran must have heard again, which is why he did not turn around.

"This is too strange," Lang Zhixuan whispered. "Speaking of which, I've never seen a brave and fierce little sheep before!

Today, I might get an eye-opener."

Xiao Yusong advised, "You know he can hear us, speak more politely."

Lang Zhixuan laughed: "Aren't I behaving well enough? How much more polite can I be? Should I also address him as 'Brother Ran'?"

"People ahead," Lu Ran suddenly spoke up.

The squad immediately halted.

Guan, Niu, and Qiao believed without a doubt, while Xiao and Lang were skeptical.

Team leader Zhang Ya, however, slightly furrowed her brows.

After a thorough survey, all she saw was a tranquil deep forest; where were the enemies?

"Where, Brother Ran?" Niu Zhengzheng raised his big axe, asking alertly.

"The person is playing with water," Lu Ran closed his eyes, listening intently, "Keep walking forward and stay alert.

You'll see the person once you spot the lake."

"Got it." Niu Zhengzheng strode forward.

Lu Ran spoke again: "Not just one, there should be three Night Charms, or perhaps more."

"This..." Niu Zhengzheng turned to look at the commander.

For a moment, Qiao Yuansi was also at a loss.

The military forces stationed here clearly didn't have the capability to screen out Evil Demons.

The Night Charm Clan could fly and use the properties of Evil Technique to flicker, to some extent.

Ordinary human methods, such as building tall walls, couldn't stop the Night Charms from rampaging freely.

Let alone screening them out, even the human race's main base had to be constantly anxious, fearing a Night Charm ambush!

In other words: the Night Charms you encounter here could be of any power realm!

If there were only one or two Night Charms, it could still be manageable.

But if there were three or more...

Lu Ran read his sister's expression and proposed: "According to our usual tactics, I'll lure two away.

You quickly defeat the rest, and then I'll bring the Night Charms back."

"No way!" A stern voice suddenly came from above everyone's heads.

Several people looked upward, only to see Zhang Ya standing solemnly on a giant tree branch, staring seriously at Lu Ran:

"I don't care about your battle strategies in other Demon Caves.

Nor do I care how strong you really are; I do not approve of this tactic, and don't bring it up again in the future!"

Everyone: "..."

Zhang Ya was indeed somewhat annoyed, feeling that the students had not taken her words before leaving the city to heart.

So she delivered a strong dose, speaking icily: "I've seen too many people like you.

All dead under the Night Charm Blade, just like those 'strong' individuals."

Lu Ran looked up at Zhang Ya: "I assure you, you have never seen someone like me."

"Heh." Zhang Ya scoffed coldly, "That's what everyone says before they die."

"Fine then." Lu Ran turned to face Qiao Yuansi, with a helpless look, "Let's try a different tactic.

The way team leader Zhang is acting, she's too much like my homeroom teacher; I don't dare to be too obstinate."

Zhang Ya stiffened: ????

This kid... is he mocking me?

As one of Jiang Realm's Great Powers, she naturally carried some authority, and in ordinary times, who would dare to joke around with her?

"That, that..." Seeing the situation taking the wrong turn, Qiao Yuansi hastily said, "We must take the upper hand first, let's try a sneak attack on one!

Brother, provide intelligence for Sister Yiren so she can use the Flying Sword to kill the enemy!"

Among the team's four individuals, Guan Yiren's Flying Sword is undoubtedly the swiftest and the most efficient in slaughter.

"Possible." Guan Yiren softly acquiesced, looking at Lu Ran.

Lu Ran pondered for a moment. If he himself were to attract the two strongest ones, it would be fine.

But if the team fought together against two or three Night Charms, the battlefield would undoubtedly become chaotic.

There might be a myriad of Night Charm Blades crisscrossing...

With that thought, Lu Ran stepped towards Qiao Yuansi, picking up the Dawn Blade.

"I have a sword." Qiao Yuansi, not understanding the reason, shook the Black Ice Sword in her hand, a gift from her mother.

But Lu Ran pushed Qiao Yuansi's shoulder with the hilt of the blade, turning her around: "You little Stream Realm rascal!

I told you not to come, yet you insisted.

Carry Dawn with you, it won't get in your way."

As he spoke, Lu Ran placed the Dawn Blade on his sister's back.

"Eh?" Qiao Yuansi grabbed the hilt reflexively, intending to pick up the blade, but found she couldn't move it?

"In a while, protect her well," Lu Ran said, tapping the cold Dawn Blade with his fingers.

"Hum~" The Dawn Blade buzzed softly.

Guan Yiren's eyes narrowed sharply!

Was this actually a Divine Weapon?

An Immortal Sheep Believer, even sooner than a Sword Technique specialist like herself, a Sword One Believer, came to possess an exclusive Divine Weapon?

"Wow!" Qiao Yuansi was both shocked and delighted.

She released her hand and spun around on the spot.

The Dawn Blade also clung to her back, spinning with her, without falling off.

On the tree branch, Zhang Ya's eyebrows raised slightly.

As a Biwu believer, Zhang Ya had no destiny with weapons in her life and was indeed not very sensitive in this aspect.

But upon seeing Lu Ran's actions, and the Black Ice Sword resting on the young girl's back...

Zhang Ya suddenly recalled a phrase Lu Ran had just mentioned:

"I assure you, you have never seen someone like me!"

From a distance, Xiao Yusong's expression turned very animated: "Now I know why he was chosen as a Heavenly Pride."

"Nonsense!" Lang Zhixuan was completely flustered, "I can see that too!"

"Let's go." Lu Ran held the Silent Night Blade, twirling it as he strode forward.

Guan Yiren looked at Qiao Yuansi, who was carrying the Divine Weapon, feeling somewhat envious.

Lu Ran, as a brother, was really too good to his sister.

They were about to face the powerful Night Charm, and at such a time, he left the Divine Weapon with Little Yuanxi...

"Let's go, let's go." Qiao Yuansi pulled Guan Yiren forward.

"Hush!" Lu Ran issued a silencing command, creeping forward.

Moments later, Lu Ran came to a halt, his gaze through the forest shadows landing on a curved, pristine lake.

The lake lived up to its name—Crescent Lake!

The moonlight poured down, casting glimmering waves on the water, stunningly beautiful.

There was also a woman in black, wearing a bamboo hat, with black gauze gently flickering, standing quietly above the lake surface.

Such a Night Charm,

Like the finishing touch that brought the entire scene to life, full of artistic conception!

The more he looked, the more Lu Ran wanted to take her home to be a nanny for his little civet...

"Do you see her?" Lu Ran, leaning against a large tree, whispered.

Guan Yiren nodded lightly: "And the other two?"

Lu Ran closed his eyes, listening attentively to the surroundings: "They should be at the bottom of the lake."

Guan Yiren slowly raised her hand, suddenly asking, "Do you think I should use the Flying Sword Technique or the Ten Thousand Sword Style?"

Lu Ran was taken aback, turning to look at the white-robed young girl beside him.

Sword One believers are extremely proud individuals. Why would they seek someone else's opinion on which Divine Technique to use?

Lu Ran thought for a moment and said, "Ten Thousand Sword Style, I guess. The sword rain could also kill the Night Charms at the bottom of the lake."

Guan Yiren: "The Ten Thousand Sword Style cannot track the Night Charms, making it difficult to sneak up and reduce their numbers."

Lu Ran whispered, "Oh, then use the Flying Sword Technique."

Guan Yiren shook her head: "The two Night Charms at the bottom of the lake will be alarmed and will rush out to attack us."

Lu Ran looked bewildered at Guan Yiren: "So what do you really want?"

Guan Yiren calmly said, "I just wanted you to help me make a decision.

Ever since I learned the Ten Thousand Sword Style, this question has troubled me for a long time."

Lu Ran immediately twirled his blade: "Don't dwell on it.

How about I take over? Will that do?"

Guan Yiren: "..."

If it were anyone else vying for the vanguard position with a Sword One Believer, Guan Yiren would certainly disdain.

Even giving such an individual an extra glance would be considered charity on her part.

But when the words came from Lu Ran...

He truly was capable!

"Hmph!" Without lingering doubts, Guan Yiren's palm surged with energy.

Directly above Crescent Lake, a golden sword rain abruptly appeared, rapidly sweeping downward.

Sword One Divine Technique·Ten Thousand Sword Style!

...

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