242: The first one is mine

Chapter 242: The First Place Is Mine

Lu Ran followed Shen Man to the Tianfu Association.

During this process, both Shen Man and the other members of the Tianfu Association occasionally looked at Si Luoluo with curiosity.

Lu Ran, on the other hand, only glanced a few times before losing interest.

"Don't mind them. They didn't participate in the previous monster siege. They only heard about your heroic deeds during the monster siege. This... this little sister next to you is very strong," Shen Man said to Lu Ran.

Lu Ran glanced at Si Luoluo.

Then he looked at the Tianfu Association members who were still staring at Si Luoluo.

He was a little surprised. These guys didn't participate in the monster siege?

"They knew about the trigger of the monster siege, but they weren't interested in the experience and rewards from it, so they didn't go out with the Tianfu Association," Shen Man explained, seeing Lu Ran's curiosity and confusion.

At the same time,

The Tianfu Association was also different from what Lu Ran had imagined.

It was in the core area of the Imperial Capital, and the environment was quiet, with defenses set up around it, preventing outsiders from approaching.

The area of the Tianfu Association was not large, not even as large as the Tiandao Alliance Headquarters.

When Lu Ran entered, there were large buildings to his front-left and straight ahead, while to his right was a very large training ground.

At this time, there were still many Tianfu Association members resting on the training ground.

As Lu Ran walked over from a distance, all these people stopped and looked at him.

Lu Ran then spotted Cong Shuang among them.

Cong Shuang was not at all surprised by Lu Ran's appearance. It was only normal for such a strong individual to be absorbed by the Tianfu Association.

However...

Cong Shuang looked at the Tianfu Association members around her.

Some of these members were recommended from surrounding small main cities, but most of them were the darlings of major forces, organizations, and families, and were arrogant.

Although Lu Ran was powerful, many people here had not seen him act with their own eyes, so they would definitely be unconvinced.

She wondered how Lu Ran would handle it.

Of course,

It's not that big families and major forces are more likely to produce talented individuals. It's just that under Dragon Xia's current system, many new professionals in some main cities, even if they have hidden professions and are very capable, might not have their talents buried because no one helped them level up, but they would certainly be discovered late, or not at all.

Even if they were discovered, reporting to the Tianfu Association, assessments, and so on, were also a problem.

For example, Cong Shuang, as the eldest young lady of the Cong Family in the Imperial Capital, had a smooth journey.

Her own professional abilities were also strong, giving her a high status in the Tianfu Association.

"I heard you know Cong Shuang. You probably don't know the others. Shall I introduce you?" Shen Man asked Lu Ran.

"Sure," Lu Ran nodded.

It seemed

that before absorbing Lu Ran, the Tianfu Association had investigated his whereabouts over the past few days.

They knew that Lu Ran and Cong Shuang knew each other.

Hearing Lu Ran's reply, Shen Man lifted her foot and led the way towards the training ground.

Lu Ran followed closely, while other Tianfu Association members flocked around, looking as if they were watching a show.

"By the way, Lu Ran, have you finally considered joining the Tianfu Association? Of course, there's no rush to answer me now. You can give me your answer whenever you've thought it over," Shen Man asked. Although eager, she knew she couldn't rush and gave Lu Ran ample time to consider.

The Tianfu Association's absorption would be a fatal temptation for any new professional; no one would be foolish enough to still need to consider it.

But Lu Ran was different.

"No need to consider, I'm joining," Lu Ran immediately said.

It was still the same point: whether he joined or not, no one could force Lu Ran to do anything he didn't want to do.

"Alright, I'll have someone handle your procedures now. From now on, you'll be a member of the Tianfu Association," Shen Man said happily.

She was naturally pleased to be able to absorb Lu Ran into the Tianfu Association so smoothly.

However, the atmosphere in the training ground at this moment was a bit strange.

Shen Man and Lu Ran had just entered the training ground.

From a distance, someone shouted, "I just heard that the Tianfu Association was going to absorb an Undead Mage. I didn't expect it to be true. From now on, the value of the Tianfu Association will greatly decrease. After all, being in the same Tianfu Association as an Undead Mage is very embarrassing."

The speaker was a young man with white short hair.

He was surrounded by other Tianfu Association members, and from their postures, it was clear that this white-haired young man was likely a core figure.

Lu Ran looked at him indifferently.

He hadn't expected that in a place like the Tianfu Association, there would be such an idiot.

Running around looking for trouble for no reason.

Wasn't that just seeking death?

Lu Ran wasn't going to tolerate him!

But before Lu Ran could speak, Cong Shuang frowned and said, "Bai Lei, it wouldn't kill you to say less. The Tianfu Association has always valued individual ability. Although it's highly related to one's profession, Lu Ran's Undead Mage is different from others, and you know that."

Bai Lei's brows furrowed in response.

He glanced at Cong Shuang and said, "Cong Shuang, you really do know this kid, but don't forget your ranking and how you speak to me. Of course, I know this kid is different from other Undead Mages, but so what? He's still just an Undead Mage after all."

Hearing this,

Lu Ran suddenly became curious.

He had already caused a stir, not just in the Hundred Cities League, but also during the monster siege, he had displayed some of his abilities.

Even an idiot, after hearing about Lu Ran's abilities, wouldn't foolishly come to provoke him, right?

So,

Lu Ran was curious about what Bai Lei had heard about him and how much he knew about his abilities?

He probably only heard a superficial part and became arrogant, no longer taking it seriously.

At this moment,

Shen Man cautiously observed Lu Ran's expression.

Then she said, "Lu Ran, don't mind it. The atmosphere of the Tianfu Association is like this. Everyone here is a favored child of heaven, competing with each other. Members have rankings, and high-ranking members have absolute authority, even able to insult and assign low-ranking members to assist."

As she spoke, she carefully observed Lu Ran's expression.

If Lu Ran showed any displeasure, Shen Man would have to change her way of speaking and consider Lu Ran's situation within the Tianfu Association afterwards.

But it would be awkward if someone just joined and then immediately wanted to quit because of these messy customs.

But what relieved Shen Man was that

Lu Ran not only showed no displeasure, but his lips even curved slightly upwards, and his eyes lit up as he said, "The system is good, direct, clean, and not fake. I like it."

After speaking, he pointed at Bai Lei and asked, "What's his ranking?"

Shen Man said, "Bai Lei is currently ranked first."

Ah?

Lu Ran was surprised; this was something he hadn't expected.

Such an idiot was actually ranked first?

No wonder he was so arrogant. This meant that Bai Lei had absolute authority in the Tianfu Association!

He was above all other members!

This also explained why there were some members similar to lackeys around Bai Lei.

Since that's the case...

This first place, it's mine!

One and done!