Lunar day nineteen, the sun shining brightly.

After several months, Lu Ran once again put on his blue and white school uniform and stepped out of his house.

"Ugh~~~"

He stood at the entrance of the apartment building, gazing at the blue sky and white clouds, viciously stretching himself in a lazy yawn.

Time really flies.

Today's morning class is the last one before the college entrance examination.

"The little yellow flowers in the story have been drifting since the year they were born~"

Humming a tune, Lu Ran walked along, casually kicking a little flower by the roadside.

Petals fluttered up in the wind, slowly falling to the ground as Lu Ran's figure receded into the distance.

Lu Ran passed the residential building and saw a tall figure standing under a big tree not far away.

Blue and white school uniform, a refreshing ponytail, and a pure and lovely face.

Yet compared to a year ago, the girl had grown a lot, both emotionally and physically.

"Is your school uniform a bit small?" Lu Ran quickly approached.

"It's fine, I'm just wearing it for today." Jiang Ruyi smiled at Lu Ran.

"Let's go, we need to take the back road." Lu Ran took her soft hand and gently squeezed the palm of her hand.

Jiang Ruyi slightly lowered her head, feeling a sense of joy in her heart, allowing herself to be led toward the exit of the neighborhood.

Today, the school required all students to wear their uniforms, and if Lu Jiang both wore hats and masks, it would be too obvious.

So neither of them was fully dressed in disguise.

Fortunately, Rain Alley City wasn't very crowded, and they intentionally chose desolate sections, so the journey was relatively peaceful.

Until several streets later, in a deserted alley, Lu Ran suddenly said:

"Ruyi, there's something I need to tell you."

"Hmm?" Jiang Ruyi turned to look at Lu Ran, a premonition of unease stirring in her heart.

Every night before bed, they would text each other.

The fact that he didn't talk about it over the phone but wanted to say it face-to-face meant it must be something significant.

Lu Ran spoke, "Lord Immortal Goat has summoned me."

Jiang Ruyi felt a stir in her heart and asked, "For a pilgrimage?"

"Yes." Lu Ran nodded, "Lord Immortal Goat wants me now, but I begged for a delay because I still have to attend the college entrance exam.

After the fifteenth of next month, I must go."

Jiang Ruyi pressed her lips tightly and lowered her head.

Of course, she couldn't stop Lu Ran from going on a pilgrimage.

No believer in the world is qualified to defy the will of a deity.

And once Lu Ran left, it was uncertain how long he would be gone.

Jiang Ruyi herself had once stayed at the foot of Divine Sculpture at Yumen Pass for half a year.

"I'm sorry," Lu Ran stopped, apologizing, "On Children's Day, I won't be able to join you guys at the front line."

Every fifteenth day of the fifth lunar month is the day of the college entrance examination.

And on the first day of June, it's the students' last chance to score.

As known, the first day of the sixth lunar month is the annual Worship God Day.

On this day, deities patrol the human realm and gather believers.

During this time, Evil Demons are most subdued.

Each graduating class of high school seniors would be organized by the school on June first to enter the Demon Cave and go to the front line to observe.

This is the last lesson the school provides for believer students.

Students from Mist Realm and Stream Realm can only climb the city walls to watch.

While those from the River Realm can apply to join the army and carry out tasks under the guidance of soldiers.

Either clear the mountainous bodies piled beneath the walls or advance the front line with the troops.

In any case, the school, in collaboration with the military, ensures the safety of students while allowing them to grasp the cruelty of this world as much as possible.

"The deity has commanded it, then it must be fulfilled." Jiang Ruyi shook her head, "It's okay, I'll go with them."

Lu Ran nodded slightly, also feeling somewhat helpless.

It's not that he wasn't brave enough, but he couldn't go!

Lu Ran couldn't absorb a large number of Evil Demon souls in a short period, as that could likely expose him.

If the Evil Demon itself comes knocking, then things could get really interesting!

The deities would definitely investigate why an Evil Demon is particularly fixated on Lu Ran.

Once the reasons are discovered, the deities themselves would step in...

Take Divine·Forget Spring's current situation!

She was exiled by All Gods into the Demon Cave·Bamboo Sea to barely survive.

Forget Spring Sect was simply growing by absorbing souls.

While Lu Ran owned a Sculpture Garden that could fundamentally shake the foundation of All Gods...

The nature of these was completely different!

Lu Ran never believed the All Gods would spare him.

"Did Lord Immortal Goat mention what you are supposed to do?" Jiang Ruyi held back before asking.

Previously, when she was summoned by a deity, Lu Ran had asked a similar question.

At that time, Jiang Ruyi had shaken her head and laughed, saying how could she possibly know.

Now, with Lu Ran being summoned, Jiang Ruyi realized she just couldn't help but ask.

"I performed well on the night of the past fifteenth." Lu Ran replied, "After returning, I reported the results to Lord Immortal Goat, which pleased him.

It seems Lord Immortal Goat wants to reward me this time, to help speed up my advancement."

"Okay." Jiang Ruyi lowered her eyelids.

"Don't be like this, Ruyi, I still have a month before I leave."

"26 days."

"What?"

"There are 26 days left before you leave." Jiang Ruyi spoke softly.

Lu Ran felt somewhat bitter inside; actually, he was the one who instigated this pilgrimage.

As a Human Clan student, he was aware that every first day of June, the school organized something significant for the graduates.

Lu Ran naturally needed to avoid risks and needed a valid reason not to participate.

After explaining the situation to the deity, Lord Immortal Goat readily agreed, allowing Lu Ran to come to this Divine Sculpture for further studies.

"Are you already starting to count days?" Lu Ran slightly lowered his head and gently bumped her forehead.

Jiang Ruyi: "I...umm."

Her words were blocked back in her mouth.

In the deserted alley, Lu Ran held Jiang Ruyi, capturing her delicate lips.

Jiang Ruyi closed her eyes, her cheeks flushed, her hand tightly gripping Lu Ran's clothing.

After a while, Lu Ran spoke again in the alley, "I'll tell you about it later.

Don't be sad, I'll try to come back as soon as possible."

Last month on the fifteenth, Jiang Ruyi sternly stated that if Lu Ran had any major decisions, he must tell her in advance.

Otherwise, Lu Ran might really drag it out.

People indeed can't be too well-behaved.

"Who's sad." Jiang Ruyi also had her moments of stubbornness, her face pressed against Lu Ran's shoulder, "Just listen carefully to the deity's teachings.

Focus on your cultivation, strength is the most important."

Suddenly, she lifted her head, her face breaking into a smile, "When you come back, I hope you will be River Realm."

Good guy~

Lu Ran laughed, "You really have confidence in me."

"Right, you're applying for Wu Lie River University, right?"

"Yeah."

"Then I'll wait for you at school."

"No, I still have a month before I go, why are we saying goodbye now..."

...

Lu Jiang arrived late. The upside was that there were no students crowding them, asking for autographs or photos.

The downside was...well, there wasn't any.

Always stern, Li Yanzhu stood by the podium, smiling as she let the couple enter.

There were no reprimands or punishments, the class teacher just picked up the pointer and tapped on the blackboard again. There was a phrase written on it:

"The suffering in the world is like this terrifying night of thunderstorms.

There are always people who won't just wait for the storm to pass but will dance in the rain."

When Lu Ran saw this phrase, he was clearly stunned.

This phrase was a comment written for by the judges of "Heavenly Pride" for Lu Ran.

"This is your last morning class of high school," Li Yanzhu said gravely, "Using 'Heavenly Pride's quote for Lu Ran, I offer this to you all."

Li Yanzhu's gaze swept over the only twenty-some students in the class and continued, "This world is not beautiful.

And it seems it won't get any better.

The rain will only get heavier, and the lightning more frequent.

But your lives are just beginning.

After graduation, as you all go your separate ways, I hope you learn to dance in the rain early in your paths."

"Clap! Clap! Clap..."

A solemn and somewhat sad atmosphere was broken by applause.

The over twenty students in the class also began clapping their hands.

Li Yanzhu smiled, "This month's training homework is to prepare for the college entrance exam.

There are no Demon Crystal submissions required.

You can go to any Demon Cave to practice teamwork and tactics, or rest at home.

When you stand in the examination room on the fifteenth of next month, you will get your scores for this month's training homework."

With that, Li Yanzhu added, "Twenty points, full marks."

For a moment, students exchanged glances.

The final assignments of past years weren't like this.

Is it because Rain Alley City has endured too much, and the students have borne too much, that the school has made such arrangements?"

Li Yanzhu continued, "On the fifteenth of next month at eight a.m., meet on the school playground for the final exam.

No tardiness allowed, do you hear me?"

"Got it!"

"Yes!"

Li Yanzhu nodded in satisfaction, "Additionally, on the first of June, the school will organize a trip to Evil Dog Village to the front lines for observation.

No avoidance, no leave, all students must attend, otherwise a large number of believer points will be deducted.

For the vast majority here, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, cherish it."

A few students responded, most remained silent.

Li Yanzhu glanced at her watch before continuing, "Everyone tidy up your appearance; we're starting to take graduation photos soon, it will be Class Four's turn shortly.

Any questions?"

The class was silent.

Today's class headteacher was unusually gentle, "After the graduation photos are done, everyone is free to leave.

Lastly, I wish you all a bright future."

Bright future.

Again, these words.

But this time, no matter how Lu Ran heard them, they felt somewhat sad.

Minutes later, the twenty-something students of senior class four stood in front of the academic building.

School leaders and teachers sat in the front row, the students standing row by row on the steps.

Lu Ran was asked to stand in the very center of the crowd, Jiang Ruyi next to him with a slight smile on her face.

Today in Rain Alley City, the sun was brilliant with blue skies and white clouds.

It was indeed perfect for taking photos.

Amidst the sound of shutter clicks, Lu Ran fiddled with Ruyi's fingers and quietly took her hand.

...

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