Lu Ran had thought he'd be fortunate enough to make his way to the very top and take in the entire view of Rain Alley City.

But under Ge Bin's lead, he and Lu Jiang found themselves on the eleventh floor at an outdoor restaurant.

Lu Ran had a profound memory of this place.

It was here that on the night of the fifteenth of last month, Lu Ran had rushed over for reinforcement, landing and surveying the battlefield.

"Senior Liu?" Lu Ran was somewhat surprised.

The outdoor restaurant was cleared out, leaving only a lone round table.

In front of the small round table, Lu Ran saw the figure of Liu Yunlan.

Since their last meeting, Lu Ran had looked into Liu Yunlan and knew that she was the Deputy Director of the Divine People Bureau of Yunshan City.

However, Lu Ran didn't change his form of address but still referred to her as "Senior."

At this moment, Liu Yunlan, dressed in the standard attire of the Divine People enforcers, had her hair pulled back into a bun, simply secured with a hair clip, looking sharp and capable.

Already an imposing figure, she now exuded an extra sense of pressure in her uniform.

So, two great powers have come forward. What on earth is going on?

"Here you are," Liu Yunlan said, looking at the group approaching.

"Hello, Senior Liu," Jiang Ruyi, following beside Lu Ran, called out in a soft voice.

The girl was gentle and well-mannered, with a lively spirit. Lu Ran, tall and gallant, the pride of Da Xia.

This pair of young man and woman appeared to be so fitting together that even Liu Yunlan nodded inwardly in approval.

She gestured to the chairs by the table and said softly, "Take a seat."

After everyone was seated, Lu Ran brought up past events, "Thank you for your help that night, Senior Liu."

He truly meant his appreciation—the Silent Night Blade could achieve the status of a Divine Weapon, thanks in large part to the stable environment created by Liu Yunlan.

Liu Yunlan looked at the humble young man before her and replied, "You're welcome."

Ge Bin spoke up, "Speaking of which, we should be thanking you for your assistance."

To the higher echelons of the human clan, crises were ranked by severity.

Therefore, on the night of the fifteenth of last September, when the Sea Realm - Yin Hua Dan descended, the Sea Realm - Human Clan Great Power had already stationed themselves in Rain Alley City.

And on the fifteenth of last month, while the humans predicted a crisis would hit Rain Alley City, it wasn't enough to dispatch external powers for assistance.

In other words, after the Demon Lord's arrival that night, Liu Yunlan and Ge Bin were Rain Alley City's last line of defense!

No one expected that a young man would volunteer, making contact with the command center.

That claim, "I've killed Evil Dogs of the River Realm before," left everyone stunned.

Before Lu Ran arrived, the two were locked in a fierce battle.

His arrival instantly turned the tide of the fight!

It truly felt like the arrival of a "Divine Weapon from the Heavens!"

As the group chatted, Jiang Ruyi picked up the teapot on the table, offering tea to the others.

Her kind and gracious appearance further endeared her to Liu Yunlan.

She asked, "You're about to graduate, which university do you two plan to attend?"

Lu Ran: "Wu Lie River University."

"Oh?" Liu Yunlan sounded surprised. While Wu Lie River University wasn't bad, it certainly wasn't top-tier.

Lu Ran smiled, "Close to home. I can't go far."

Liu Yunlan pondered for a moment, clear in her mind that Lu Ran's reason wasn't as simple as it sounded.

Ge Bin suddenly spoke up, "Like Deng Yuxiang?"

Lu Ran nodded, "My mindset when I advanced to the River Realm was rather peculiar.

From that moment, I knew I couldn't go far, nor did I wish to."

Hearing this, Liu Yunlan and Ge Bin exchanged glances.

They weren't surprised by Lu Ran's response.

Presumably, they had already done their research.

At the hint from Liu Yunlan, Ge Bin followed up, "Have you ever considered, like Deng Yuxiang, joining the Divine People Bureau?"

"The Divine People Bureau?"

"Yes," Ge Bin nodded, "Since you and little Deng both deeply love this land, why not join the Divine People Bureau?

We guarantee to do all we can to help you grow and offer every support you need."

Lu Ran: "..."

The gods you worship might not treat me as kindly as you do.

Am I infiltrating your ranks here?

Hmm… that's probably not the right way to put it.

Enforcers of the Divine People, indeed, are believers of various gods, but the Divine People Bureau is a national institution. Public servants should be loyal to Da Xia.

That should be the case, right?

Lu Ran didn't have a deep understanding of this world yet and wasn't aware of the exact nature of the relationship between Da Xia and the various gods.

The restaurant was silent, only the sound of the wind could be heard.

Liu Yunlan quietly watched Lu Ran, watching this rising star.

By now, Lu Ran had ascended to the third place on Da Xia's prestigious list!

Under normal circumstances, a place like Rain Alley City couldn't contain someone like him.

But as Lu Ran's university choice showed, it wasn't about who could keep him; it was where he chose to stay.

Just now, Lu Ran made it clear: he wasn't leaving.

Liu Yunlan sighed inwardly: After all these years, the tumultuous Rain Alley City had finally awaited its guardian deity.

"I'll think it over," Lu Ran said, looking at the two, "Thank you for holding me in such high regard, Seniors."

"No need to rush," Liu Yunlan spoke softly, "Take your time to enjoy university life, participate in activities, travel and see the world.

Like little Deng, when you return after seeing the world, your perception will undoubtedly change.

Those experiences will be nourishment for your growth."

"Mhm," Lu Ran nodded repeatedly.

Liu Yunlan: "Study with peace of mind. Later on, we will leave our phone numbers with you.

If you need help, or if there are matters back home needing resolution, call us anytime."

Lu Ran did not refuse: "Okay."

Liu Yunlan glanced briefly at Jiang Ruyi, who had been sitting quietly.

The girl had been somewhat neglected, but she didn't seem to mind.

When Jiang Ruyi caught the gaze of her senior, she said softly, "I'll follow him."

Liu Yunlan could not help but chuckle, turning her head to look beyond the fence.

Buy one get one free?

It seemed that if Lu Ran decided to join the Divine People Bureau, Jiang Ruyi would naturally come as well.

"Tonight, Rain Alley City is likely not to be too peaceful," Liu Yunlan began another subject, alerting them both.

"Mhm," Lu Ran's expression turned serious.

Liu Yunlan let her gaze wander, looking at the bustling yet decaying commercial district:

"Be ready, Lu Ran. We may ask you for help."

"Senior Liu, this is my hometown. You don't have to ask; it's what I should do," Lu Ran said seriously.

Liu Yunlan turned to face him, a smile of appreciation on her face, her eyes showing even more affection.

"Call me Auntie Liu."

Such words took Lu Ran by surprise.

This Jiang Realm Great Power was showing obvious favor toward Lu Ran: "It sounds more affectionate."

"Okay, Auntie Liu," Lu Ran grinned, quick-witted as always.

In the future, once the Biwu Divine Statue in my courtyard reaches maturity, if you could even switch to the Ran Sect, we'd be even closer...

Lu Ran quickly shook his head to dismiss the fanciful idea.

He was actually daring to think about bringing the head of the Divine People Bureau into his fold—outrageously bold!

Well... regardless, he was on the rise.

Making good connections, choosing carefully, infiltrating subtly—always the correct approach.

Half an hour later, Captain Ge escorted Lu Jiang downstairs.

On the way, Captain Ge reminded Lu Ran, "Don't divulge the content of our conversation to outsiders."

"Oh," Lu Ran nodded thoughtfully.

Captain Ge explained, "Your status as a Heavenly Pride is quite sensitive. Da Xia protects you vigorously.

You must have noticed, few departments from Da Xia make private contact with you."

Lu Ran: "..."

Truth be told, it's only because Lu Ran isn't close with Captain Ge.

If it were Sun Zhengfang, Lu Ran could have quipped: Aren't you breaking the law knowing the law?

As the pair returned to the group, Deng, Tian, and Chang all curiously looked towards Lu Ran.

Lu Ran shrugged his shoulders, "Last time I supported this place and departed quickly from the two great powers.

Today, our exam just happened to be here, so Captain Ge came to catch up with me."

As he spoke, Lu Ran suddenly realized something.

Could it be that the Divine People Bureau deliberately arranged for this exam to take place at Wu Lie Building to create this chance encounter?

Crafting a serendipitous meeting, huh?

Jiang Ruyi suggested, "Let's take a walk near the plaza to get familiar with the surrounding environment."

"Sure," Zhang Feng naturally wouldn't refuse.

Under the envious eyes of the guards on duty, the group entered patrol mode, casually strolling east and west.

The daylight quickly passed by.

As the night fell, the flickering neon lights dazzled Lu Ran.

One building after another, shops along the streets were closed, but their sign lights kept flickering.

The bustling nightlife stubbornly displayed traces of civilization, as if taunting the blood-drinking Evil Demons.

A clear moon hung high, and a drift of clouds dotted the sky.

On a night without rain, the stillness was eerie.

The team of five stood in front of the building's entrance, having been silent for a long time, all waiting for something.

"Hoo~"

Lu Ran immediately turned to look.

In the distance, under a streetlamp, a surge of energy swirled, and several Blood Disaster Dogs descended.

"Woof!"

"Woof woof! Woof!" The clamor of barking dogs was maddening.

"Buzz!!"

Lu Ran felt a violent vibration behind him.

The dreary night was unnerving, but the Silent Night Blade took sheer pleasure in it.

Now, the "wonderful" atmosphere disrupted by the Blood Disaster Dogs could not be tolerated by the Silent Night Blade.

"Go," Lu Ran said softly.

"Whoosh~" The Silent Night Blade shot out instantly.

Jiang Ruyi unsheathed the Silent Night blade at her waist and instructed: "Tian Tian, cast the Nine-Petal Lotus to protect the structure!

Yutang, go on the offensive, Chang Ying, Eight Treasures."

Lu Ran said, "Just like we did on Ghost Moon Mountain, don't be under pressure."

"Got it!"

Chang Ying immediately grabbed a divination cylinder and shook it back and forth, the eight sticks inside clattering.

"Whoosh!"

A golden stick shot out, making Chang Ying's eyes light up.

Really? Now?

She had been prepared to draw a bad stick, was her luck actually this good today?

"Huh!"

The small golden stick suddenly enlarged.

The Eight Treasures' defensive stick!

"Lend it to me," Lu Ran said, looking up at the golden stick, a thought stirring in him.

A fog swirled at his feet as he leaped high and grasped the golden stick's edge.

"This?" Chang Ying was puzzled. What kind of borrowing was this?

"Take to the skies," Lu Ran shouted.

"Oh," Chang Ying reached out with one hand, controlling the golden stick to fly Lu Ran up into the night sky.

As she adjusted continuously, aligning the golden stick parallel to the ground, Lu Ran stood on it as if on a golden raft.

"Mee~~~"

The cry of sheep rose suddenly, turning the attention of the Blood Disaster Dogs upward.

Columns of fire blasted towards the sky, no longer posing a threat to the buildings.

The stick became a raft, the fire became waves.

Lu Ran rode the flame waves up and down, bellowing like a sheep.

The grand graduation exam officially began!

...

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