Qiantang River, Anji City.

This is a lush small town that does not even require entry into the Bamboo Sea. When Lu Ran set foot on this land, he already felt exhilarated.

Distant mountains, sea of clouds, and strands of morning sunlight.

Compared to this small county town, the perpetually dark and hazy Rain Alley City seemed like a "Demon Cave".

Hmm... it produced the great demon, Lu Ran.

"Does the school also want us to escape from Rain Alley?"

On the bus, Lu Ran, sitting by the window, heard Chang Ying muttering from the seat behind.

At this moment, everyone was on their way to the Demon Cave·Bamboo Sea, organized by the school teachers.

It turned out that this female savage indeed did not snore.

But she was restless in her sleep. Last night, she even fell to the floor…

Although Lu Ran had deactivated Evil Technique·Evil Recognition and was wearing earplugs, his senses were still superior to ordinary people due to the stimulation and cultivation from Evil Recognition.

That "thud" last night had startled Lu Ran out of his seat.

On the other hand, the fallen Chang Ying continued to sleep soundly.

That scene had Lu Ran looking stupefied.

After hesitating for a long time, he still did not wake her, nor did he carry her back to bed.

After all, Chang Ying had just cast a spell on him. Lu Ran believed that sleeping on the floor was her personal will, and it was not good to contravene that…

Lu Ran never expected that while Chang Ying was sleeping, she suddenly raised a leg and kicked him!

It made Lu Ran burst into laughter.

Was she picturing herself as Cao Cao, killing people in her dreams…

"I met Lord Lantern!" Chang Ying said excitedly, looking out the window.

After a full night's sleep, she was energetic and radiant.

By contrast, Lu Ran was not as spirited.

After all, he had been "killed" by her all night; surviving that was already a testament to his tough life.

"Mind your words and behavior outside, don't embarrass the school!"

At the front of the bus, the teacher continued: "When you meet the Divine later, show your respect solemnly, don't create a ruckus!"

"In our school, we don't seem to have disciples of Lord Lantern, do we?" Chang Ying looked towards Tian Tian next to her.

"Lu Ran's sister is a Lantern Believer." Tian Tian whispered, adding, "His sister is really pretty."

"Eh?" Chang Ying leaned forward, "You have a sister?"

"Yes," Lu Ran said grumpily, "If I sleep with you for two more days, only my sister will be left at home."

"Uh." Chang Ying felt a bit embarrassed.

This morning when she woke up, she was bewildered to find herself, at some unknown time, under Lu Ran's bed.

Chang Ying knew herself well.

She could imagine that last night, she must have tormented him quite a bit...

"Next time sleep on the top bunk?" Chang Ying whispered.

Deng Yutang suddenly spoke: "You are embarrassed to bother your Ran Bao, but you're okay with bothering me?"

Chang Ying declared boldly: "My Ran Bao is so sensitive, his whole body is like a switch, a slight touch and he's awake.

You on the other hand sleep like a log~"

Lu Ran: ?

Deng Yutang: ?

He looked back at the gap in the chair: "No way, I must challenge you to a duel!"

Tian Tian timidly spoke up: "Don't fight, guys..."

"Everyone, get off the bus in order." The teacher loudly instructed, "Worship God first, then go to the side luggage compartment to receive your weapons!"

As they spoke, the bus drove into a bamboo forest.

Indeed, this camp was located in a large bamboo forest, the environment overly splendid.

As Chang Ying had mentioned before, the school really seemed to encourage students to flee Rain Alley City.

At least every moment Lu Ran spent outside, seeing various scenes, was much better than the gloomy, hazy Rain Alley City.

And this event organized by the school, whether or not it was inspired by multiple parties, at least had to be reported to many.

If so, was there a deeper meaning behind this motion?

With the Evil Demons' increasingly brutal invasions, would Da Xia evacuate some small cities, directing people to larger urban centers?

"Get off!" As the vehicle stopped, the teacher commanded.

The students filed out and stood within the elegantly-set military camp, looking up at the high Divine·Lantern.

She resembled a graceful lady walking slowly from ancient times.

The so-called willow-leaf eyebrows, cherry lips, that was probably it.

Her clothes were splendid, her hair ornaments delicate, and her demeanor elegant.

Though she was a Stone Sculpture, the eight-side lantern she held still showed exquisite carvings at its edges.

Third-class God·Lantern!

Lu Ran raised his head, admiring Lord Lantern's grace.

This was just an avatar of Divine Sculpture, while the real Divine Sculpture of Divine·Lantern stood in the provincial capital of Qiantang River, Hang City.

The current distribution pattern of gods in Da Xia had evolved over time.

Over the past forty years, a significant number of strong gods, by overt and covert means, had usurped the territories of weaker gods.

The gods seemed like colleagues, united against common enemies, but clearly there was also competitive tension.

The more people in a certain area, the more comprehensive its development, the easier it attracted strong gods to station themselves.

Rumor has it that when Divine·Lantern first appeared in the 1980s, she was located on an island on the eastern side of Qiantang River province.

Back then, the divine being residing in Hang City was not her...

And now, Divine·Lantern avatars were spread all across Qiantang River.

The only issue was, having such a strong god like Lantern guarding the Demon Cave·Bamboo Sea was somewhat an overqualified deployment.

"Okay, line up for weapons." The male teacher stood beside the bus, summoning the students who had finished worshiping.

He handed out weapons and continued: "The bamboo spirit clan doesn't produce Demon Crystals.

Your task in this training is to chop down a thousand Evil Bamboos."

Lu Ran took his twin blades and turned to look at Chang Ying.

Chang Ying blinked, "What's up?"

Lu Ran then looked at the large axe in Chang Ying's hands.

Chang Ying: "..."

Perfect for the job, it seemed.

The male teacher continued: "Before chopping the Evil Bamboo, make sure to measure it! Only those with a diameter over 10 centimeters and a height over 10 meters qualify.

If the bamboos you bring back don't meet the criteria, you will be punished."

"Annoying." Chang Ying unhappily rolled her eyes at Lu Ran.

Ever since she joined the squad, her large axe had rarely seen close combat.

Now, he was even asking her to chop bamboo?

The male teacher loudly said: "If you've got your weapons, you can line up now. Soldiers will lead you in."

"Let's go!" Deng Yutang took the lead, already itching to clash with a bamboo spirit.

The group of four set off first, led by a male soldier down the central building's stone staircase.

Lu Ran tilted his head, looking downwards and discovered that the "entrance" of this Demon Cave was different from others.

Below wasn't a Starry Sky Curtain but a clear water curtain.

It looked like a sparkling clear lake, with light mist swirling above it.

Overflowing with Immortal Energy.

The male soldier led the way: "For students above Stream Realm Third Rank, our side does not provide soldiers for escort for free.

If you feel uncertain, you can choose to pay to keep me."

Tian Tian stretched out her small hand, tugging Lu Ran's sleeve: "Shall we?"

"No need," Lu Ran turned back and smiled at Tian Tian, "I think I'm quite strong."

"Right!" Tian Tian also smiled, full-face in agreement.

Chang Ying suddenly said: "Soldier big brother, if we hire you, can you help us chop and drag the bamboos?"

Male soldier: "..."

Lu Ran: "Others come as instructors, not to labor for you."

"Just asking," Chang Ying pouted, "What if big brother is willing to help?"

The soldier ignored Chang Ying, continuing: "After collecting the Evil Bamboo, just deliver it to the nearest Bamboo Village, and it will be recorded for you.

Also, we have received notice that you do not need to participate in the next defense on the fifteenth;

On the night of the next fifteenth, if you wish to reside within the Bamboo Sea, you may register at the Bamboo Village."

Deng Yutang asked: "You don't drive people out on the new moon here? And we can stay inside?"

"Yes, the Bamboo Sea has a resort area, you can stay after reporting to the school."

The soldier continued down the stairs and stepped into the "lake," adding: "At your own expense."

The group entered the clear water curtain one by one, without feeling suffocated, and reappeared high in the air.

"Wow!"

Chang Ying's eyes sparkled as she gazed down at the Demon Cave.

This... this is called a Demon Cave?

This is clearly an Immortal Realm!

Although there was no sun here, the daylight was bright, and the visibility was excellent.

Below, the Bamboo Village was sizable. Rather than being defensive fortifications, it was more like a quaint village.

Looking into the distance, the scattered bamboo forests stretched further into the misty Bamboo Sea, without end.

"So beautiful." Tian Tian rubbed her eyes and looked intently again to confirm it wasn't her illusion.

The environment was not just pleasant; because it was a Demon Cave, the energy was relatively abundant.

Indeed, a great place for a vacation, very nurturing.

"You can go down now," the soldier advised, "Remember, whichever direction you head, do not go beyond the tenth Bamboo Village."

Lu Ran's heart stirred: "Beyond the tenth village, is it a selection area?"

The soldier moved upward: "Not exactly, we just don't want you going too far.

Our control over this Demon Cave is tight; the selection area is deep inside, you can be assured."

"Oh," Lu Ran replied softly.

Everything he encountered here was a revelation for him.

"Moreover!" the soldier cautioned lastly, "There might be bamboo wood cottages deep within the bamboo forest.

Those are not supply points but private places for spiritual practice and rejuvenation.

Without permission, do not intrude!

There are several prominent figures from the Human Clan residing quietly here; don't look for trouble."

"Human Clan's powerful figures?" Chang Ying's eyes shifted, "Now that feels interesting."

Deng Yutang: "What do you feel?"

Chang Ying confidently patted her chest: "It is said, where there's a cliff, there must be a cave; in the cave, there must be manuscripts!

Deep within this Bamboo Sea, there must naturally be reclusive experts!

Possibly those nearing their life's limit, ready to pass on decades of Divine Power to me..."

"Um," Tian Tian mimicked Sister Ruyi whom she remembered, holding her forehead.

This Chang Ying, truly whimsical.

Probably the enchanting atmosphere of this Bamboo Sea dredged up television drama scenes from the depths of her memory.

Lu Ran looked up at Chang Ying, teasing: "I never noticed, are you the protagonist?"

Chang Ying waved dismissively: "Ah~ I was born a protagonist; I just never found the right place.

Let's go, it's time to seize the opportunity that belongs to me!"

Lu Ran just laughed.

Is it possible that you have already found the right place because you were born in the right place?

Is it possible that I, standing before you, am that grand opportunity meant for you?

Thinking this, Lu Ran's expression turned odd.

Well, well~

Turns out the expert was myself?

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