CHAPTER 202: CHAPTER 202: A FUN PLACE

Lunchtime was supposed to be the same as yesterday: eat, rest a bit, and then start.

But unexpectedly, as soon as Lu Ran returned to the Celestial Path Alliance headquarters, Cen Yunuo showed up.

"Lu Ran!" Cen Yunuo stood sweetly under the shade of a tree at the entrance of the Celestial Path Alliance headquarters, waving at Lu Ran.

She was wearing a goose-yellow long dress, standing gracefully with a sweet smile on her face.

At that moment, Lu Ran felt a bit dazed.

Back in Black Fire City, when he worked hard, going to the academy, Wang Yujiao used to wait for him just like this at the academy gate.

Now, less than twenty days after awakening his profession, things have changed significantly.

Su Ting looked at Lu Ran and said, "I’ll go eat first, you can have fun and rest a bit. We’ll communicate through our devices, don’t delay the afternoon’s match."

Lu Ran wasn’t interested in Cen Yunuo.

It’s just that Cen Yunuo, Cong Yu, and Cong Shuang, the two sisters, were so enthusiastic towards him that he was a bit uncomfortable.

Initially, he wanted to use Su Ting as an excuse to reject Cen Yunuo.

But Su Ting said her piece and hurried off.

Leaving Lu Ran awkwardly looking at Cen Yunuo, he braced himself and walked over.

"You’re really idle," Lu Ran joked casually.

"I was already eliminated by you, so I don’t have to participate in the later matches. Of course I’m idle. Come on, treat me to lunch," Cen Yunuo chuckled and said.

What?

Lu Ran’s eyes widened.

Damn, you’re the one who came looking for me, shouldn’t you be treating me to lunch?

Why am I treating you?

Cen Yunuo seemed to read Lu Ran’s thoughts.

Tilting her head, she said, "I was originally a hot contender for the championship. Even if not the champion, I’d be among the top few, at least in the top three. You eliminated me early on, causing me to lose a lot of resources. Treating me to lunch is compensation. Last night, I treated you to dinner, too."

"Alright." Lu Ran held back for half a day and could only muster a single word.

Anyway, he’s flush with cash now, and a meal won’t cost much.

But unexpectedly.

Cen Yunuo, a wealthy young lady, took Lu Ran to a secluded little restaurant in the suburbs.

The sixth floor of the little restaurant faced the Xiang Mountain range outside the city wall.

The world outside the city is full of wild monsters due to digitalization, but the scenery really is nice!

The restaurant wasn’t expensive either.

Cen Yunuo and Lu Ran sat by the window.

They ordered some simple snacks.

Cen Yunuo, sipping through a straw, gazed at the distant mountains and said vaguely, "I grew up in the Imperial Capital and used to come here often."

Lu Ran didn’t know how to start; it felt like going out for a meal with just the two of them was like a date.

Even if they were friends, Lu Ran and Cen Yunuo weren’t close enough to casually go out for a meal.

Fortunately, Cen Yunuo didn’t mind.

After a few seconds of silence, she suddenly asked, "Do you have any plans?"

Hmm?

Lu Ran was taken aback and asked, "What plans?"

"For the future," Cen Yunuo swallowed her drink and licked her lips with her petite tongue, continuing, "What will you do after winning the championship?"

Lu Ran was confused by this, as he hadn’t really thought about it.

"In the future... I’m not sure yet. After the competition, the war of nations will almost begin. For the remaining days, I should prepare and hopefully level up. As for after the war, I haven’t really planned." Lu Ran said casually.

Back in the academy days, when he was just a student, the plans were clearer.

Awaken the profession, level up, defeat monsters, gain equipment, and reach the pinnacle of life!

But now.

It’s been just over twenty days since awakening, and with Lu Ran’s current abilities, what kind of dungeon can’t be conquered?

What kind of boss can’t be defeated instantly?

Equipment is no longer rare; only Sacred Artifacts are needed, but there aren’t many leads yet.

Making money?

Lu Ran really isn’t short on cash.

"Then that’s great. Since you don’t have any plans, how about I take you to a fun place after the war? I guarantee there’s something you’d be interested in!" Cen Yunuo said cheerfully.

Her eyes shimmering with an enigmatic sparkle that Lu Ran couldn’t understand.

"What place?" Lu Ran asked.

"You’ll find out when the time comes." Cen Yunuo shook her head, not planning to tell Lu Ran directly.

"Then we’ll talk about it later." Seeing she wouldn’t say anything, Lu Ran cautiously didn’t agree.

Cen Yunuo still didn’t mind.

She continued drinking her drink.

Lunchtime and rest time were already limited.

Seeing the time was nearly up, Su Ting had sent a message reminding Lu Ran.

Lu Ran snapped back to reality and said, "I need to hurry back for the match, or I’ll be absent."

"There’s time. Go ahead, I’ll stay a bit longer." Cen Yunuo nodded.

"You’re not going to watch the match?" Lu Ran was surprised.

"Nothing interesting, since your opponents all get defeated instantly. The other matches are even less thrilling." Cen Yunuo shrugged.

"Alright, see you later!" Lu Ran threw out a comment and dashed off.

Shortly after Lu Ran left.

A woman who used to converse with Cen Yunuo suddenly appeared nearby, sitting down by herself.

Glancing at the direction where Lu Ran disappeared from the entrance, she said, "After the war, will there be time?"

Cen Yunuo smiled.

She said, "After the war is just the beginning, of course there’s time. Human race’s matters aren’t that complicated, especially for Lu Ran, it’s even simpler."

In the afternoon.

The plaza was still bustling with people.

Among the spectators.

A female fan group had already formed, with temporary banners and other items.

All of them bearing slogans supporting Lu Ran.

Some even more direct, hiring someone to paint portraits of Lu Ran, with large flags fluttering in the wind.

Lu Ran and Su Ting headed to the lounge, finding it amusing.

Even the four presidents on stage couldn’t help but smile.

"It’s surprising how quickly Lu Ran’s popularity has grown. In such a short time, the number of female fans has skyrocketed!" Yu Qingcang said with a smile.

"There are male fans too. I’ve seen quite a few teams from the Undead Mage Alliance Guild coming to support Lu Ran." Lei Tai added.

"Of course, it’s the first time an Undead Mage is participating in the Hundred Cities League and made it to the fourth round. For the Undead Mage Alliance Guild, it’s definitely something to be proud of." Ye Hongyi remarked.

At this moment.

Yu Qingcang occasionally fiddled with his communication device.

Attracting some curious looks from Liu Xinxin beside him.

"It’s Wang Mu. This guy’s been bothering me all morning, desperately trying to find out about Lu Ran." Yu Qingcang said, amused.

Wang Mu...

The three presidents muttered and quickly realized.

Member of the Celestial Path Alliance, the first Undead Mage of Longxia, Wang Mu!

"You’ll soon find out, no need to ask me." Yu Qingcang casually replied and stopped paying attention.

Meanwhile in the lounge.

The contestants were drawing lots.

In one room, a plain-looking young man dressed in a dirt-yellow magic robe looked at his draw and matched opponent results.

He frowned.

Shaking his head in disappointment, he said, "What a pity, the opponent still isn’t Lu Ran. Let him advance another round, then."