The villains are redeemed, and the heroines cry and beg for forgiveness.

However, Gu Ran quickly suppressed this curiosity and interest.

This curiosity and interest should not be allowed to grow.

......

Before they knew it, it was time to explore the legendary ruins. Gu Ran and the others arrived at the edge of the inner city.

During this period, in addition to her daily teaching, Gu Ran spent her time collecting information about the ruins and studying it carefully.

What troubled and alarmed Gu Ran was that even after searching the entire Lanxin University, he couldn't find any written materials exceeding a thousand words, only brief introductions of a few hundred words, let alone more detailed materials such as videos.

Gu Ran thought that Lanxin University had kept the relevant information secret. In the end, he even approached Xue Yingsong and said that he would either hand over the information or he would not go.

It wasn't until Xue Yingsong repeatedly assured him that Gu Ran finally had to believe that the vast Lanxin University really didn't have any more information about that ruin.

As for the reason, Xue Yingsong said he also wanted to know, but there was no answer.

Therefore, Gu Ran could only study the relevant information of other relics. He only felt a little more at ease after studying eighty-one relics of mostly different types.

"Has the Dragonblood River really changed? They've even posted a notice saying challenges are invalid now."

A young male researcher accompanying them looked at the Dragon Blood River and exclaimed in surprise.

"Yes, it's said that even Principal Xue was alarmed and came to Dragon Blood River to investigate for a long time. However, some people saw that Principal Xue actually showed a slight smile when she left."

Another male researcher said.

Gu Ran looked around the scene and found that most of the people there were young.

"Why aren't there any senior researchers? Who's leading the team then?"

At that moment, a figure that Gu Ran found somewhat familiar ran over.

Wu Wang said somewhat apologetically, "I'm sorry I'm late. I ran here, but I don't go out often and I'm not very familiar with the roads in the inner city, so it took me a while. I'm really sorry."

"You're Teacher Wu Wang! I remember now, is Teacher Wu Wang leading the team this time?" Gu Ran raised an eyebrow and asked, feeling slightly relieved.

Wu Wang looked at Gu Ran with some surprise: "Teacher Leng Ran, as the leader of this exploration mission, you don't even know about it yourself?"

"Me? Team leader?" Gu Ran felt like he had been tricked by Xue Yingsong.

"Not only am I not qualified enough to command respect, but I also lack experience. How can I possibly lead this exploration mission? Besides, no one told me I was the leader. What's going on?"

Just then, Gu Ran heard a familiar voice.

"Oh, I saw you were reading very intently, so I didn't have the heart to disturb you." Gu Ran turned his head and looked over. Sure enough, it was that old fox Xue Yingsong, sitting in the car, watching them.

Xue Yingsong pushed up his glasses and said with a smile, "However, I still informed all members of this scientific expedition team that you have been appointed as the team leader."

Gu Ran asked in surprise, "So they agreed? There were no objections?"

Xue Yingsong shook his head: "How could there be no objections? I didn't expect those old fogies to be so resistant and to make so many underhanded moves. Now it seems that Lanxin University has indeed reached the point where it has to undergo a complete overhaul."

"So later I gathered these young people for you. They are all researchers who have joined Lanxin University in the last year or two. They admire your abilities and therefore do not object to you being the team leader."

Gu Ran was speechless: "Didn't you hear what I said earlier? I'm inexperienced, fine, you've solved that for me, but I also lack experience, how can I be a team leader?"

Xue Yingsong said with a smile, "Inexperienced? Didn't I find you a very experienced deputy team leader? Professor Wu Wang has a lot of experience in exploring ruins, and he has a wealth of professional knowledge. I put a lot of effort into finding such a person. Professor Wu Wang has a very good impression of you. He is an excellent researcher who is willing to mentor younger generations, and his abilities are among the best at Lanxin University. With him around, I feel much more at ease."

"Principal, you flatter me. I've attended Leng Ran's classes a few times, and they are indeed excellent. I am far inferior to Leng Ran, so I am very happy to be Leng Ran's deputy team leader," Wu Wang said, waving his hand quickly.

"Okay, can we set off now?" Gu Ran calmed down.

Since we're here, we might as well make the best of it. In any case, having an experienced senior researcher is definitely a good thing.

"Alright, the last member of your team has arrived. I'll have Lao Xiao give you a ride." The rear window of the car Xue Yingsong was in slowly rolled down, revealing Xue Xiling, who could be both happy and angry.

139. Eternal Realm! I've traveled to Azure Dragon City over 300 years ago? (4k)

Gu Ran hadn't expected Xue Yingsong to send his only daughter over as well. He had thought that with the safety of this operation still uncertain, Xue Yingsong had thrown him a hot potato, making him risk his life to pave the way for Lanxin University.

But now Gu Ran has changed his mind—unless Xue Xiling isn't that old fox's biological daughter.

Along the way, the vehicle carrying the entire scientific expedition team from Lanxin University crossed the bridge over the Longxue River and drove out of the slums.

Xiao Chaofeng's driving skills were a revelation to Gu Ran; he hadn't realized that Xiao Chaofeng could drive even a mid-sized car so skillfully.

Gu Ran looked at Xue Xiling sitting next to him and wanted to get some information out of her, but since there were other members of the research team sitting around, he didn't feel comfortable speaking up. So he simply greeted the others and got to know them.

After all, they are "partners" in the upcoming exploration mission, so it's good for them to get to know each other better.

After Gu Ran deliberately displayed his friendliness, everyone else present relaxed.

Although Lanxin University is a university, it still places great importance on hierarchical relationships when conducting external operations, sometimes even more strictly than the military.

Apart from Xue Xiling, who was a female researcher, all the other researchers on this trip were male.

Gu Ran sat in the innermost seat, while Xue Xiling sat next to Gu Ran without hesitation, taking up the only seat in the innermost seat.

The other researchers had more or less discerned the relationship between the principal's only daughter and Gu Ran, and thus felt even greater awe towards Gu Ran.

"Captain Leng, which ruins are we going to explore this time? Why aren't there any guards?" asked a chubby boy wearing thick glasses.

Gu Ran glanced at the curious looks on the other people's faces and knew that Xue Yingsong had not told them about the ruins they were about to explore, but had kept it a secret.

But how did this manage to get these researchers to join the exploration team?

You should know that after joining Lanxin University, no matter what project you research, you will become a hot commodity and have a bright future.

However, joining an exploration team is different, because field missions carry the risk of injury and death, and this risk is not low.

Gu Ran was curious as to why they abandoned a stable future development and instead participated in this exploration team adventure.

After thinking for a moment, Gu Ran said, "This operation is highly confidential because it involves a top-secret research project at Lanxin University. You'll find out when we get there. But I'm curious why you joined without even knowing the details of this operation?"

"Hey, Captain Leng, you don't know this. Although joining Lanxin University is like reaching the top in the eyes of outsiders, in reality, it's incredibly difficult for those of us without any connections to continue to advance. So we have to work hard to achieve something, and it would be best if we could find a powerful backer."

Another researcher said, the obsequiousness in his eyes was self-evident.

Gu Ran roughly understood their thoughts and also figured out the process of this matter.

Xue Yingsong initially wanted to find some experienced senior researchers for him, but for some reason, those senior researchers didn't really buy into that old fox's schemes. So in the end, the old fox tricked these young researchers into believing that he would have a bright future and that they would also have a good future if they followed him.

They're treating me like a kept man.

Gu Ran recalled the information that the old fox had revealed before they left, and guessed that during the time they were away from Lanxin University, he would take some major measures to rectify the situation and deal with those stubborn old men who were just occupying positions without doing their jobs.

It's unclear how significant this move is. Is sending their daughter out to avoid trouble, or is it a multi-pronged approach?

Could this be a major purge at Lanxin University?

Gu Ran suddenly thought of the dead idiot Ye Liqing. If the higher-ups at Lanxin University were really in power by such a family, then it would indeed be necessary to rectify the situation, or even carry out a major purge.

At this crucial moment, they deliberately sent me and Xue Xiling to explore the ruins. It seems this old fox is playing a rather grand game.

Gu Ran did not deny his identity as the "son-in-law of the Xue family" afterward. Since these researchers valued this, it was necessary to use his influence to make them listen to him more.

Along the way, Gu Ran used her social skills to get along well with her teammates.

"We're here, this is it," Xiao Chaofeng's voice came through.

In Gu Ran's perception, they had indeed arrived in front of a colossal object.

When Gu Ran got out of the car and actually saw the building, he was immediately shocked.

Because it is a colossal object shaped like a triangular pyramid, its entire body shimmering and towering into the clouds.

However, upon closer inspection, it becomes apparent that the background appears somewhat artificial, seemingly belonging to a different world from the space itself.

Gu Ran was puzzled: "Such a tall building, and it even emits a faint light, would be very noticeable at night and easily spotted by others, right? Why hasn't anyone discovered it for so long? Could it be concealed by some kind of hiding tool?"

"This is the ruin you're going to explore this time. It's called the 'Eternal Realm'." After Xiao Chaofeng finished speaking, he pulled Gu Ran aside and whispered, "He should have told you everything about it. This ruin is extremely dangerous. I really don't know why he even sent Xiao Ling this time."

"It seems like it's because they trust you a lot, so please don't let me down. Also, those people aren't really proper researchers. Apart from Wu Wang, who genuinely enjoys research, the others joined with ulterior motives, as I'm sure you've noticed yourself. So, don't trust these people during the exploration process, although you can still trust Wu Wang a little."

Gu Ran was startled.

Since even Xiao Chaofeng could see through the background of these researchers, what exactly did Xue Yingsong mean by insisting on sending them to explore this ruin?

Xiao Chaofeng patted Gu Ran on the shoulder: "I'm entrusting Xiao Ling to you. I hope you won't let me hear any sad news."

Gu Ran wanted to ask more questions, but found that Xiao Chaofeng had slipped away quite quickly, driving away in the blink of an eye.

"This matter is truly unusual in every way," Gu Ran said, glancing at the other researchers.

Finally, he looked at Wu Wang.

"It's so beautiful..." Wu Wang looked at the ruins in front of him, seemingly completely immersed in them, his eyes shining.

"Teacher Wu, do you have any suggestions for our next exploration?" Gu Ran asked.

Wu Wang turned to look at Gu Ran, then at Xue Xiling: "I think we should consult Teacher Xue about this matter; she definitely knows more than I do."

"Her?" Gu Ran asked, puzzled, then quickly understood. "That old... cough, did your father give you any specific instructions?"

“Yes, there is… He said that as long as you get close to the ruins, you will be able to open the gate to the ruins. Then he said that once you get inside the ruins, you should do whatever you want.” Xue Xiling said obediently.

?

What does it mean?

He's a real old riddle maker.

Gu Ran wished she could go back right now, grab that old fox by the collar, and punch him twice.

Can't you just say things more clearly? Why do you always only say half of what you mean?