September 19th, the light rain had ended.

Lu Ran finally stepped out of his home and stood under the still gloomy sky.

The two consecutive special events had dealt a not insignificant blow to Rain Alley City.

In the past, when Lu Ran left his home on the nineteenth day of the lunar calendar, he would see people strolling around the neighborhood, old men walking their birds.

Now, there were fewer people, and the old men were gone.

"Phew..."

Lu Ran took a deep breath, holding his double blades wrapped in cloth, as he began walking toward the neighborhood exit.

His destination was still the high-speed rail station.

But this time, Lu Ran didn't need to skip class.

The school only had one morning class each month and the one for this lunar September had been canceled.

Moreover, in order to take care of the students' emotions, the school also canceled this month's homework.

Students could freely arrange their own time.

Whether you wanted to cultivate at home, go out for leisure and relaxation, visit relatives out of town, or whatever else was entirely at your convenience.

Because of the special events, such as the descent of the Demon Lord, students wouldn't need to participate in the city defense tasks next month on the fifteenth day of the lunar calendar.

In other words, Lu Ran was on holiday.

An entire month of vacation!

Even though the school did not assign tasks to the students, Lu Ran had his own mission.

About becoming stronger, about surviving well—these were the main tasks he had set for himself in life.

Along this main task, there were numerous closely linked sub-tasks.

For instance, improving strength and realm, possessing a more powerful body, and cultivating more vigorous Divine Power.

Or like activating one Evil Demon Sculpture after another, equipping myriad Evil Techniques, summoning and controlling demons.

Until one day in the future…

He would take charge of the entire God Demon Sculpture Garden!

As for this one-month holiday, how other students planned was none of Lu Ran's concern.

He and his team had already determined their destination—the Black Lantern Demon Cave!

The Black Lantern's Evil Techniques included offensive powers, healing abilities, and black smoke that obscured vision.

All these Evil Techniques were what Lu Ran wanted and could be equipped in the early stages.

Moreover, the most famous technique of the Black Lantern Clan was the control type Evil Technique that was equipped during the River Realm phase.

There were single-target control techniques—Yin Fire Cage,

and also mass control techniques—Yin Lamp Formation!

All beings shrouded in the light of the Yin Lamp would find their movements hindered.

Especially the Evil Technique·Yin Lamp Array, it was terrifyingly powerful!

Since the descent of the demons, who knew how many Human Clan soldiers were shrouded by the light of the Yin Lamp Array and could not even move a finger.

They could only wait for death in despair...

Of course, not all of the Black Lantern's Evil Techniques were useful to Lu Ran.

Like the Soul-splitting Demon Clan, the Black Lantern Clan could also attract the souls of the Human Clan, lock them away in cages and burn them with cage fire.

Some Black Lanterns preferred to simmer gently in small fires,

savoring the pain and wails of the Human Clan's souls.

Others preferred to blaze fiercely and reduce the juices,

burning the Human Clan's souls to nothing with roaring cage fire.

Such Evil Techniques were purely for the "enjoyment" of the Evil Demon Clan.

Equipped on Lu Ran, they were not expected to be of much use, right?

After all, Lu Ran could not think of what kind of dire enemy would deserve such a level of reception from him.

First kill their physical body, then burn their soul?

Hmm... he hoped no one was blind enough to warrant that.

In fact, Lu Ran had another thought.

In the future, once he could summon demons, like Yan Zhi, Night Charm, and so forth,

equipping them with Magic Artifacts like the Black Lantern seemed like a good choice?

...

At quarter past seven, Lu Ran arrived at the square in front of the station.

Seeing the crowded station, Lu Ran was prepared.

His team had noticed that there were so many travelers when booking tickets.

But only when Lu Ran saw these people himself did he realize the difference.

It was natural for travelers to carry luggage.

However, the amount of baggage these people were carrying seemed excessive.

Rather than traveling, it seemed more like moving house.

Were these people... leaving Rain Alley City?

The influence of the Demon Lord's descent once again presented itself to Lu Ran's eyes.

If it were a one-off special event, perhaps it would not have elicited such a strong reaction from the people.

But just last month, this small city had just gone through a "Night of Ghosts."

His mother had mentioned on the phone that the city seemed to be cursed.

It looked like she was not the only one who thought that way.

"What are you looking at?" a female voice came, "Why so engrossed?"

In the next moment, an elbow was already resting on Lu Ran's shoulder.

With such a character, Lu Ran didn't need to turn his head to know who it was.

Lu Ran gestured toward the noisy station: "So many people."

Chang Ying also noticed the difference in the travelers, whispering, "They're not coming back, are they?"

Rain Alley City, such an old and decrepit town, was losing its population every month.

Only this month, it seemed to be particularly high.

"Maybe," Lu Ran spoke softly, "After all, the defenses in the big cities are stronger, safer."

Chang Ying suddenly said, "Uh… should we move somewhere else?"

Lu Ran: "Why?"

Chang Ying looked down slightly and spoke softly, "Several Divine Power guards are staring at you."

Lu Ran didn't understand and looked around.

Chang Ying whispered, "You're looking sullen, clearly holding a weapon in your arms, and standing motionlessly watching the crowd.

If I were the guard here, I'd also keep a close eye on you."

Lu Ran: "..."

Indeed, people living in this perilous world might experience mental breakdowns and could do anything.

However, in this special era of coexisting with God Demons, people had once again proven that they were no less capable than their ancestors.

Just like any other dark and difficult period in history, people would always find ways to survive at all costs.

Some might break down, some might give up.

But when it came to "survival," the overall spirit of the Human Clan was absolutely not one of resignation and submission.

"Should I hold it for you?" Chang Ying asked, carrying a big axe in one hand and taking the cloth-wrapped package from Lu Ran's arms, "So they don't get the wrong idea."

"Okay," Lu Ran looked at the large clock above the station building, "Have you had breakfast? There's a Burger King over there."

Hearing this, Chang Ying's eyes sparkled: "Are you treating me?"

Lu Ran smiled.

This lass was really carefree.

It seemed she wasn't too affected by the scene of people "fleeing Rain Alley City"?

While Lu Ran thought this, he did not avoid the subject and asked directly.

"Heh heh~" Chang Ying laughed, "If they leave, they leave, they're all just trying to stay alive."

"It's that principle," Lu Ran nodded in agreement, "Let's go, I'll treat you to a burger."

"Yay~!"

Chang Ying was even happier, completely out of place in the atmosphere of the station.

The smile on Lu Ran's face grew even broader.

Some people were overly forceful, smiling through gritted teeth, forcing themselves to be optimistic and cheerful in order to face this dangerous and oppressive world.

Others were naturally cheerful.

Lu Ran believed Chang Ying belonged to the latter.

It should be rather enjoyable to go on a mission with such a person.

The two indulged in a big meal, and during this, Deng Yutang and Tian Tian also received messages and joined.

By eight-thirty, the group of four finally boarded the train to the northeast region.

There was a Black Lantern Demon Cave in Jinchuan City, Liaodong Province.

This was the closest one Lu Ran could find to Rain Alley City, with a journey of about an hour and a half, which was acceptable.

"Which side are you sitting on?" Inside the carriage, Chang Ying rotated a row of seats and looked down at Tian Tian.

"An—any side is fine," Tian Tian whispered.

"Then you sit on the inside, by the window," Chang Ying said, pushing her to the inside seat.

"Oh."

"This little one, what if someone takes you away?" Chang Ying muttered under her breath and sat down on the aisle seat.

Tian Tian: "..."

Lu Ran looked at Chang Ying and said, "Be gentle."

"I know!" Chang Ying was very obedient to Lu Ran, leaning slightly toward Tian Tian, "Sorry."

"Lu Ran," Tian Tian also leaned over, tightly against the window.

Lu Ran looked at the amusing scene, stopped Chang Ying with his gaze, and asked, "What is it?"

"Has Sister Ruyi contacted you?" Tian Tian asked softly.

"No," Lu Ran shook his head, "She might be in closed-door cultivation or in the Demon Cave?"

"Oh," Tian Tian lowered her head.

Chang Ying again leaned over, smiling brightly: "Don't worry, Jiang isn't here, I'll protect you!"

"Right, I was just about to tell you this!" Lu Ran immediately spoke up, "Mr. Deng leading the front is enough.

You stick with Tian Tian in the middle for support."

"Ah..." Chang Ying was visibly displeased, "But my axe is very thirsty."

Lu Ran: ????

Deng Yutang was also taken aback.

What kind of wild statement was that?

Tian Tian secretly raised her head and sneaked a glance at Chang Ying.

Honestly, being with Chang Ying put a lot of pressure on Tian Tian.

It was even somewhat overwhelming.

Back when she entered high school as a freshman, Tian Tian didn't have a great impression of Chang Ying.

She always felt that this dark-skinned, tall girl was like a wild woman.

Although... well, Chang Ying's smile was quite sweet.

But when not smiling, she really seemed quite "wild."

Tian Tian always had the illusion that Chang Ying might capture her at any moment and drag her back to her tribe to be devoured alive...

"You Divine Power followers are well-suited to be in the middle, it's settled then," Lu Ran declared.

"So bossy," Chang Ying pouted at Tian Tian and mumbled, "Is he always like this?"

Tian Tian pursed her lips and remained silent.

Lu Ran continued: "Tian Tian."

"Yes?" Tian Tian immediately looked up.

Lu Ran: "What about you being the commander?"

"Me?" Tian Tian seemed surprised, "Can I... do it?"

Lu Ran smiled: "You've been with your Sister Ruyi every day, you've learned by watching and listening."

Deng Yutang nodded in encouragement: "Just need to raise your voice a bit."

Tian Tian: "I..."

"Don't worry, Tian Tian, your voice is really strong!" Lu Ran chuckled, "That night when Night Charm appeared, Tian Tian sent me a voice message, my goodness~

It was so loud, it hurt my eardrums!"

Tian Tian's cheeks instantly flushed red, extending all the way to her ears.

"Huh?" Chang Ying seemed to discover something interesting.

She curiously stuck her finger out and gently pinched Tian Tian's earlobe.

Lu Ran slapped away Chang Ying's mischievous hand and faced Tian Tian: "I need to fight in the wilderness.

And Mr. Deng is busy fighting in front, he can't oversee the whole situation.

So, the only choices for commander are you and Chang Ying."

Deng Yutang nodded vigorously: "Yeah, yeah!

You don't want Chang Ying to command the team, right?"

"Eh? What the heck!" Chang Ying was immediately unhappy, her eyebrows shot up, "What's wrong with my command?"

Lu Ran gave Deng Yutang a peculiar look: "You know, if she commands, it might just suit your tastes?"

Deng Yutang: "Ah?"

Lu Ran shrugged: "Charge! Kill!"

Deng Yutang: "..."

"Pfft~" Tian Tian couldn't help but giggle, then quickly covered her mouth with a hand.

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