Chapter 87

Leaning against a large tree by the lake, Zheng listened to the wind and gazed up at the starry sky. Suddenly, a group of patrol personnel hurried past not far from him.

Normally, Ji Ran wouldn't pay much attention to these patrol personnel. Even if he didn't know them, so what? There were so many students in the academy; it was impossible for Ji Ran to know everyone... In fact, he couldn't even recognize all his classmates yet.

There was nothing unusual about their hurried pace. The patrol personnel were already stretched thin today, and if there was no activity here, it was normal for them to rush to another place.

However, with the wind, Ji Ran faintly heard their conversation.

Due to his cultivation of the Heart Sword technique, Ji Ran's various senses had been greatly enhanced. Normally, the whispers among those people would be inaudible to others, but Ji Ran's sharp senses allowed him to catch some key words.

It didn't matter much for the rest, but when he heard one of them say "blessed by the True God," his face instantly changed.

The True God Sect! No one else would say such things!

People on this continent also had faith, but when they prayed, most would say... "Holy Light above!" Even for a few unique religions, their prayers would never include the term "True God"!

Apart from the True God Sect, no one on this continent acknowledged the existence of a True God.

Ji Ran immediately became alert, and his body involuntarily moved, making a slight sound.

"Someone!" someone in the patrol team said.

"It's a student, not very powerful. Leave two people to deal with him."

"Kill him?"

"Idiot, if you kill him, the student ID will react, causing trouble. Just knock him out."

"The Azure Wind is really troublesome, that damned Eye of Wisdom..."

"Stop talking nonsense, act quickly!"

The group's voices were very low, but they still reached Ji Ran's ears. Immediately, two patrol personnel stopped and turned toward Ji Ran.

"Student over there, please stop and accept inspection!"

This was a common phrase used by patrol personnel, usually directed at students with abnormal behavior. If Ji Ran hadn't heard their previous conversation, he would have stood still and waited for them to come over. But now, would he sit and wait for them to knock him out?

Of course not! He quickly stood up and ran away!

Both of them were clearly above the Silver Rank, maybe even Intermediate Silver. A direct confrontation would likely be disadvantageous...

Although he was very curious about the True God Sect's intentions in Azure Wind, the most important thing now was not to put his life in their hands!

Who would willingly be knocked out by them! He still hoped to find a way to lift the Beck curse from the True God Sect!

These two... maybe, he could lure them to a certain place and take them out?

Ji Ran quickly turned back and saw that the other patrol personnel had already left, leaving only these two. He felt more confident. If it was just these two, he might have a chance to deal with them...

This place was very secluded, especially today, with no one else around. That's why the two True God Sect believers, pretending to be patrol personnel, could chase after him so boldly!

"Student ahead, stop! Accept inspection!" The two believers seemed to be enjoying their act—perhaps to lull Ji Ran—still maintaining their fake patrol personnel identity.

Ji Ran ran far away and hid in a forest. The patrol team had already left and couldn't be seen from here. The two True God believers, however, rushed in, shouting.

Ji Ran stopped.

"Sorry, I haven't done anything against the school rules..." Turning to face the two True God believers disguised as patrol personnel, Ji Ran shrugged.

"Shut up! If you didn't violate the rules, why did you run? Stand still and let us inspect you!" The two True God believers were quite into their roles. Seeing Ji Ran stop, they immediately approached. They thought that if they could scare him and get close, they could easily knock him out, saving a lot of trouble.

So, complacency is not good.

Ji Ran's goal was to lull them. As long as they still thought he saw them as patrol personnel, they would inevitably relax their guard...

Then, it would be his turn to attack.

Both True God believers held weapons—if they were more cautious, they would have noticed that their weapons exposed their true identities. The patrol personnel in the school used standardized weapons, while these were clearly their personal weapons, not issued by the school.

However, the two True God believers were quite relaxed. A third-level student, seeing two patrol personnel, wouldn't be afraid? Although patrol personnel were mostly older students doing part-time jobs, those without sufficient strength wouldn't be in the patrol team. With their strength far exceeding this kid, why would they be afraid he wouldn't comply?

But just as they were about to attack Ji Ran, he suddenly moved.

His figure blurred, and he vanished from the spot. Then, the two True God believers saw a flash of sword light.

Startled, they immediately raised their weapons to block and retreated! Ji Ran's movement was too fast. Although they avoided the fatal blow, they were both injured.

One True God believer was slashed on the shoulder, and the other on the forearm.

Neither wound was severe, and they reacted quickly. The main reason was that Ji Ran's sword technique caused less damage.

Flowing Wind, swift and intangible.

This sword technique could instantly close the distance to the enemy and strike quickly. Its main feature was that it could be used simultaneously on multiple enemies within a short distance. If it hit a vital point, it could cause significant damage. If it missed, the effect was less impressive.

However, now that it had injured both of them, the technique's effect was still quite good.

"What are you doing! How dare you attack patrol personnel!" The one with the shoulder wound was likely a mage, who looked at Ji Ran with shock and anger. The other, with the forearm wound, drew his longsword from his waist.

"Patrol personnel? I haven't heard that the True God Sect has taken over the security of Azure Wind..." Ji Ran smiled and replied, then moved again instantly!

He launched an attack! With the enemy's level higher than his, he would definitely be at a disadvantage if the fight dragged on!

"What! How do you know..." The mage believer was startled, but before he could finish his sentence, he saw Ji Ran charging at him!

The mage immediately retreated and waved his staff, sending a fireball toward Ji Ran. The Fireball spell was a powerful attack spell, present from level one to level seven, with only slight differences. The mage cast a level two Fireball spell; he was a level five mage, and instant-casting a level two spell was the limit for a normal mage.

But a level two Fireball spell was enough to cause significant damage to a level three swordsman. The mage's intention was simple: force the student back and buy time to cast defensive spells! As long as the student didn't get close, once the mage was protected, the student would die!

Well, he couldn't kill, but capturing and torturing him was possible. The True God had said that heretics could be punished severely...

Unfortunately, the next moment, his eyes widened.

His Fireball spell was directly split in half by the swordsman! Yes, split right down the middle!

The Fireball spell split into two halves and exploded due to elemental chaos. The explosion's power was much weaker, enough to cause minor burns to a normal person.

But for a level three swordsman, this power was negligible!

Ji Ran charged directly at the mage, thrusting his sword through the mage's chest!

Although it didn't hit the heart, it pierced the mage's lung. Blood gushed from the mage's mouth, and he couldn't even speak, let alone cast a spell!

Ji Ran was about to deliver a finishing blow when the other swordsman charged over with a roar. His longsword aimed at Ji Ran's arm, as if to sever it in one strike!

Ji Ran quickly retreated, his sword slicing diagonally, causing the swordsman to hesitate. Then, he charged back, striking directly at the swordsman!

The mage was out of the fight, and now he just needed to deal with this swordsman!

Thunder! A loud boom echoed in the silent night sky, but with no one else around, it didn't attract much attention.

However, the swordsman facing this attack couldn't help but pause. Before he could react, a flurry of sword strikes appeared before him!

Flower Petals! A series of sword strikes left the swordsman with no place to hide. After barely dodging a few, he was hit in the thigh and arm again!

"Damn!" The swordsman believer growled, his body bursting with fighting spirit. A wave of energy pushed Ji Ran back. However, Ji Ran's body was like a willow branch in the wind, retreating temporarily but quickly rebounding and striking again!

The swordsman was furious. Damn it, just a level three swordsman! How dare he injure me so much, die!

The swordsman didn't dodge, infusing his longsword with a large amount of sword energy and striking directly at Ji Ran!

Attack for attack! I have fighting spirit protecting me, your sword might not hurt me much. But my sword will definitely make you pay!

At this moment, Ji Ran suddenly paused, sidestepping the swordsman's sword by a hair's breadth. The shockwave from the strike blew his hair and clothes outward.

Dodge, Cut the Tide!

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During the strong push, I seek support. Votes... they look a bit too low...

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