Zhou Fan's goal that day was also to hone his skills.
Wind Release, Water Release, Wood Release-he needed to keep using these newly acquired skills in actual combat to improve his proficiency.
But in the end, he still used the Sharingan's Genjutsu the most.
It was simply too useful.
Over the course of the day, he wiped out another few dozen Mutant Beasts.
He had traumatized the forest's Mutant Beasts with his killing spree, and every last one scrambled to stay out of his way.
By the end, none of the Mutant Beasts in the forest dared approach him.
That left Zhou Fan a little frustrated, so he headed back early.
When he returned to the city gate.
He ran into Lin Qianqian again.
Lin Qianqian looked... so clean.
Clean in the literal sense.
Her clothes were spotless, with no sign whatsoever that she had been fighting.
He couldn't tell whether she had gone out to farm monsters or to sightsee.
When they met, they still had little to say.
Once inside the city, they went their separate ways.
But as Lin Qianqian left, she glanced at Zhou Fan's retreating figure.
She wanted to take one last look.
Because tomorrow would be their first comparison.
Once it was over, there would no longer be any connection between her and Zhou Fan.
She paid attention to Zhou Fan now.
Because she wanted to know how strong he was.
Once the comparison was over, his strength would no longer matter, and naturally, she would have no reason to keep paying attention to him.
"After tomorrow, he and I will have nothing to do with each other."
Lin Qianqian looked away and went home.
Back home.
Lin Qianqian ate dinner as usual, then filled the bathtub.
Standing before the tub, she took off her cloak and unbuttoned her shirt, revealing her delicate, snow-white body and a white lace bra.
She reached behind her and unfastened her bra as well.
Finally, she sank into the bathtub.
The clear, hot water just covered her entire body, leaving only her exquisite, beautiful face exposed.
The warmth of the water relaxed her completely, body and mind.
She closed her eyes and emptied her mind, thinking of nothing at all.
She had no idea how long she soaked.
Only when the bathwater turned cold did she get up.
Glistening droplets slid down her body, making her fair, tender skin look even more supple and alluring.
She dried herself and put on her pajamas.
Back in bed, Lin Qianqian glanced at the time-9:40 p.m.
There was still quite a while until midnight.
Normally, she would be getting ready to sleep at this hour.
Every night, she went to sleep at ten sharp.
But that night, she wasn't sleepy at all.
Her mind was filled with thoughts of the approaching first comparison.
Although she had already anticipated the outcome.
Until it was truly revealed, she couldn't help feeling a little nervous.
She even... imagined what punishment she might receive if she lost.
"No, there's no way I'll lose!"
Lin Qianqian shook her head, banishing that ridiculous thought.
How could she possibly lose?
Absolutely impossible!
Lin Qianqian closed her eyes, sat in meditation, and calmed her mind to cultivate.
She couldn't let these jumbled thoughts distract her.
Now, all she needed to do was wait patiently for the appointed time.
As she settled into meditation and cultivation.
Lin Qianqian's heart grew calm again, her mind emptied, and even time seemed to stand still.
When she opened her eyes again.
It was already midnight!
[Ding! It is time for the comparison!]
The system's voice rang out right on schedule.
"Finally."
At that moment, Lin Qianqian felt calmer than ever before.
[Updating system. Retrieving host's strength data...] [10%... 30%... 60%... 100%!] [Data compilation complete. Comparison will begin shortly!] [This comparison will use system-simulated combat. The simulated battle results will determine the comparison outcome!] [Retrieving data for comparison target "Zhou Fan"...]
The system updated its data in an orderly fashion.
After all, this was the first comparison, and plenty of data needed to be configured before it could be used.
"Simulated combat? System, can you guarantee that you'll bring out my full strength?" Lin Qianqian asked.
[This system can read all of the host's ability data. There will be absolutely no problem. Please rest assured!]
"Good, then hurry up and start the comparison." Lin Qianqian was growing a little impatient.
Before the comparison began, she had still felt a little nervous.
Now that it was officially underway, she felt calm instead.
Why?
Because she had confidence in herself!
Against Zhou Fan.
Would she win?
Of course she would!
[Ding! Successfully retrieved all data for comparison target "Zhou Fan"!] [Detected that "Zhou Fan" is at Second Tier, 1 Star, the same level as the host!] [System privilege: before the official comparison begins, if the host lacks confidence in this comparison, you may choose to postpone it until the next comparison period.] [If the comparison is postponed, victory rewards will be halved; defeat penalties will be doubled!] [Would the host like to postpone the comparison?]
Postpone the comparison?
What a joke!
Why would she lack confidence?
Why would she need to fear Zhou Fan?
Why would she need to avoid his edge?
Ridiculous!
Although Zhou Fan being at Second Tier, 1 Star did come as a bit of a surprise to Lin Qianqian.
After all, she herself was only at Second Tier, 1 Star. For Zhou Fan's cultivation to keep pace so closely, he certainly had some ability.
But even so, Lin Qianqian remained utterly confident!
[Would the host like to postpone the comparison?]
"No!"
[Does the host confirm that the comparison should begin?]
"Yes!"
[...] [Beginning the first comparison...]
After that final message, the system fell silent.
The comparison took the form of virtual battles.
Lin Qianqian didn't need to participate in person.
Still, the wait was bound to make her a little nervous.
She took a deep breath and closed her eyes again.
Stay calm!
I have an S-Rank Superpower!
I'll definitely win this comparison.
Rather than being nervous, I might as well think about what reward the system will give me.
Ten minutes later.
[Ding! Comparison complete!]
Lin Qianqian opened her eyes.
It's finally over!
[The results of this comparison are as follows-] [A total of 10 simulated battles were conducted.] [Zhou Fan: 10 wins, 0 losses] [Lin Qianqian: 0 wins, 10 losses]
Lin Qianqian let out a long breath.
The comparison was over.
Just as expected.
She had won!
It couldn't be helped. She had an S-Rank Superpower.
She admitted that Zhou Fan was formidable.
More than once, she had felt pressure from him.
Unfortunately for him, she had an S-Rank Superpower!
Zhou Fan's defeat was perfectly fair.
If he wanted to blame anything, he could blame his own lack of an S-Rank Superpower... huh??
Wasn't something wrong here?
Lin Qianqian took a very careful look at the results displayed by the system-Zhou Fan had ten wins, and she had zero!
What did that mean?
Wasn't she supposed to have won?
"System, you got the results wrong. I'm the one who won. Hurry up and correct it." She pointed out the system's mistake with complete seriousness.
How could it get even something like this wrong?
That deserved a pay cut!
Luckily, she had caught the mistake in time.
[There is no error in the comparison results.] [Host, you have lost!]
Before you continue