In the midst of Ghost Moon Mountain, there was no day or night cycle.

At eight o'clock in the morning, the group of five, decked with stars and moon, rushed off to the southeastern area of the village.

Before a wooden building adorned with large red lanterns, Lu Ran and the others met a small squad of soldiers.

The leader was a middle-aged female soldier with a stern face, a harsh gaze, and a capable demeanor.

She was exactly the type that Lu Ran feared!

Every time he encountered such middle-aged women, Lu Ran was always reminded of his headteacher...

"It's an honor." The female soldier held out her hand, introducing herself, "Fang Lin, River Realm Second Rank, North Wind Believer."

"Miss Fang, hello." Lu Ran was secretly surprised; he had encountered a great power.

Logically speaking, Fang Lin should have exceptional talent, since she was taken under the wing of Second-class God Lord Beifeng.

But looking at her age, she must be around forty, right?

She was about 20 years older than Big Nightmare but was only a small rank above Big Nightmare?

Sigh...

The path of cultivation really is difficult.

The further one progresses, the more one treads on thin ice.

Even if your talent and qualifications are evident, any other influencing factor can firmly hold you back from leveling up.

Insufficient luck, missed opportunities, a lack of sincerity, an unstable state of mind, and many more.

All the words and phrases converge into one—difficult!

"I'm the person in charge of this encirclement and suppression of the Ghost Moon Fox Clan. I'll explain the situation to you now."

Fang Lin looked at the group of students and continued, "The clan consists of thirty-three Ghost Moon Foxes.

Among them, eight are from the Stream Realm, mostly Stream Realm Fifth Rank.

There are twenty-five Ghost Moon Foxes in the River Realm, with eighteen of them being River Realm Third Rank or above."

Chang Ying couldn't help but mutter softly, "That's quite a large clan."

Fang Lin nodded, "The Ghost Moon Fox Clan is intelligent and extremely cunning.

Moreover, the clan possesses a skill: 'Bright Moon Fox Heart'."

Deng Yutang nodded in agreement, "It can predict danger."

The most excited person to come to Ghost Moon Mountain was Caster Believer Bai Manni.

This was because the Caster sect and the Ghost Moon Clan were sworn enemies!

For some reason, the techniques of the two factions have many similarities.

Like Caster Divine Technique·Heart Sense Spell and Ghost Moon Evil Technique·Bright Moon Fox Heart.

Both of these techniques allow the caster to sense impending danger in advance.

The God Caster despises the Ghost Moon Fox Clan!

If Bai Manni kills enough enemies during this trial, upon her return, she could receive a reward from her God.

Fang Lin said solemnly, "Especially their leader, who is a River Realm Fifth Rank Ghost Moon Fox, significantly larger than its clan members, seemingly on the verge of advancing to the Jiang Realm.

Under its leadership, this clan has continuously roamed within our territory, growing and expanding.

Fortunately, we discovered them in time and contained the clan's development.

Otherwise, the consequences would be unimaginable."

"Jiang Realm?" Tian Tian said with her mouth slightly agape.

Fang Lin nodded, "After several days of pursuit, the clan is now surrounded by our forces in a forest.

This mission is to exterminate the entire clan without leaving a single survivor."

"No problem!" Lu Ran said, full of confidence.

Fang Lin was quite satisfied and took the opportunity to ask, "None of you have been affected by the Ghost Moon Fox's Pupil Skill, right?"

For a moment, the four teammates all looked at Lu Ran.

Fang Lin was also a bit puzzled, looking at Da Xia's prodigy, "Are you affected?"

Lu Ran felt a bit embarrassed, "It happened seven days ago."

Jiang Ruyi timely explained, "Lu Ran fell into it deliberately."

Fang Lin: "..."

Lu Ran smiled, "Knowing is half the battle."

Behind the female leader, the three soldiers looked at each other in dismay.

This young man!

Truly brave?!

The soldiers guarding Ghost Moon Mountain had been churning through the ranks, all bewitched by the Ghost Moon Fox.

Others couldn't avoid it fast enough, yet here you are.

Walking into the trap?

Or, under the guise of "knowing the enemy," are you here looking for true love?

After hesitating for a moment, Fang Lin still asked, "Are you still up to the task?"

If the opposite party were not a Jiang Realm Great Power, Lu Ran really wanted to roll his eyes.

Where am I not okay?

I'm super okay...

"No worries, Captain Fang," spoke Jiang Ruyi, "During these days, Lu Ran has slain many Ghost Moon Foxes decisively."

"Rest assured, Captain Fang!" Lu Ran said with seriousness and earnestness.

The pride of Da Xia, his credibility naturally had a guarantee.

"Mm." Fang Lin nodded and didn't think too much of it.

Perhaps Lu Ran was steadfast in mind or perhaps cold and ruthless.

It doesn't matter either way.

As long as Lu Ran could slay the demons.

Fang Lin continued to remind, "Among these thirty-three Ghost Moon Foxes, most of them can turn invisible."

Lu Ran replied directly, "Invisibility won't work in front of me.

The foxes won't remain still; as soon as they cast a spell, there's movement."

"Good!" Fang Lin's eyes brightened, her tone a little more spirited, seemingly appreciating Lu Ran's confidence.

Such is the bearing of Heavenly Pride!

Lu Ran grinned.

There, I've even oversold myself!

What does it matter if the Ghost Moon Foxes don't move?

Their scent, that fox charm, can't escape my dog's nose, ahem, my nose?

Besides, if I just call out, won't they reveal themselves?

"Let's not delay, we leave now," Fang Lin turned to look behind her.

A male soldier immediately stepped forward; with a flip of his hand, a black Other Shore Flower quietly bloomed.

Deng Tian Chang, the three of them, had their eyes light up; this was their first time experiencing the Teleportation Skill.

Lu Jiang, the pair, were quite used to it, having teleported frequently during their Yan Zhi Village trials.

"Whoosh~"

The illusion of the flower expanded and then retracted.

In the blink of an eye, from the peaceful village, they arrived at the edge of a forest.

Lu Ran quickly surveyed the surroundings and saw many soldiers around.

"How's the situation?" Fang Lin asked in a low voice.

A male soldier glanced over Lu Ran's face, suppressing the excitement in his heart, and reported in a low voice,

"This forest is surrounded by mountains on three sides; there's only this exit, so the fox clan can't escape."

Fang Lin looked toward Lu Ran and the others, "Our squad will follow you into the forest.

The completion of this mission determines your score; you can proceed with the task now."

"Let's go." Lu Ran took the lead, charging into the forest first.

"Quite decisive," Fang Lin showed a trace of admiration on her face and followed with her team.

"Tian Tian, Treasure Lotus Flower," commanded Lu Ran.

"Yes!" Tian Tian immediately employed the Divine Technique, cradling a delicate lotus flower in her palms.

"Chang Ying, Eight Treasures!" Lu Ran continued.

"Rattle rattle~"

Chang Ying took out the divination cylinder, shaking it incessantly while chanting,

"Heaven's spirit, Earth's spirit, when treasured Lu Ran commands me, you must deliver… Output sign, come out!"

Five golden signs and three shoddy signs rattled within the cylinder.

Then, with a "swoosh," a golden sign flew out.

Chang Ying's face immediately brightened with joy.

It wasn't the output sign she wanted.

But it was the extremely rare Summoning Sign!

"Whoosh~"

A massive golden figure landed heavily on the ground.

His body was enormously tall, standing at three meters, exuding a massive sense of oppression.

Draped in a golden helmet and golden armor, holding a golden spear, his entire being shimmered in dazzling radiance!

Eight Treasures·Summoning Sign·Golden Armored Guard!

"Oh my goodness..." Chang Ying clutched her heart, so excited she was nearly in tears.

It might be unbelievable if she said it out loud.

This was the first time since advancing to River Realm First Rank and learning the Eight Treasures that she had drawn a Summoning Sign!

Indeed!

Where there's a child crying every day, is there a gambler losing every day?

With plans gone awry!

Today, I, Chang, will not exceed ghosts.

I! Shall! Exceed! Gods!

Her teammates turned their heads, infected by Chang Ying's joy.

"Nice!" exclaimed Deng Yutang at once.

"Yingying, that's awesome!" Tian Tian immediately encouraged.

With such teammates, it was indeed Chang Ying's luck.

When she failed, no one blamed her.

Whenever she performed well, there was nothing but praise and applause within the team...

"Captain Fang!" From the back of the soldier squad, a young woman hurried to Fang Lin's side.

"Mm?" Fang Lin's expression was solemn, looking at her teammate beside her.

This female soldier was a Mountain Lord believer.

In the Da Xia god hierarchy, there were six Second-class Gods.

Four Directions Martial Heroes accounted for four, with the remaining two divine beast gods: one the Heavenly Luan, and the other the Mountain Lord.

The image of God Mountain Lord was a golden tiger.

As for the Mountain Lord believers, not to mention their ferocious output, their senses were terrifyingly sharp!

"Over there." The female soldier pointed not so far away and indicated that members of the Ghost Moon Fox Clan were nearby.

As a North Wind Believer, Fang Lin needed to rely on Sound Positioning and had not yet detected the presence of the Evil Demon.

But the Mountain Lord believer was different. The young woman used her sense of smell to point out the location of the Evil Demon ahead of time.

"Mm." Fang Lin discreetly pressed down on the woman's hand, signaling her to stay silent.

This mission involved student evaluations.

At the moment, the student squad in front was jubilant, as if unaware of the seriousness of the task.

This was a good opportunity to teach these proud youngsters a lesson!

Of course, the main goal was to teach Da Xia's pride, Lu Ran.

Feeling responsible, Fang Lin was willing to help this young person.

It's better to take a small setback and be alerted now than to lose one's life in the future.

"Huh?" Fang Lin suddenly froze.

The Mountain Lord believer beside her also froze.

Just as Fang Lin's hand pressed down the young woman's hand, Lu Ran, twenty meters ahead, raised his.

And the direction he pointed was exactly where the Mountain Lord believer had indicated!

"Whoosh~"

Behind Lu Ran, the Divine Weapon was unsheathed.

Black Ice Blade sped through the moonlit forest, drawing a beautiful arc of rosy light.

"Sss!"

Blade met flesh.

With a pitiful howl, a white fox was impaled beneath what was previously empty space, now pinned to a tree by its tail!

It was clear that the fox, trying to flee quickly, didn't stand a chance against the speed of the Dawn Blade; it penetrated the fox's tail and nailed it to the tree.

"Wow..." The young woman's eyes glittered brightly.

Worthy of being Heavenly Pride!

No fake prestige; this is the real deal?

Before, while watching "Heavenly Pride," the soldiers couldn't comprehend Lu Ran's ease within the Night Charm Blade Formation, amidst thousands of red threads.

Now, Lu Ran piercing the invisible white fox with a single strike made the woman marvel even more.

Fang Lin's face soured.

There's no denying that the Ghost Moon Fox had moved.

Upon seeing the group, it observed for a moment and then chose to flee the scene, likely to warn its kin.

But Lu Ran... noticed?

He seemed carefree but was actually on high alert?

Was this meant to lull the enemy into complacency?

Thinking this, Fang Lin felt a bit uncomfortable.

She planned to teach Lu Ran a lesson within her capability.

In the end, had Lu Ran taught her a lesson instead?

"Get in formation, face the enemy!" Lu Ran roared, "Golden Armored Guard, take the front!

A large force is coming from behind, they seem to be making a desperate push to break our ranks!"

Lu Ran commanded swiftly, drawing the Silent Night Blade from his back.

Thirty-three Jiang... ah, Ghost Moon Foxes.

Twenty-five from the River Realm, with eighteen River Realm Third Rank or higher!

Bring it on,

Let's battle!

Time to sever this karmic bind!

...

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