Breaking Down

49%!

Worried that one machine might not be accurate enough, Chi Ming tested it twice more with two other machines.

But the readings were exactly the same, without the slightest discrepancy.

The number shattered Yun Jin's worldview.

He tipped his head back and glanced at the ceiling, as though looking through it at the woman who seemed beautiful and harmless, yet was cold, ruthless, and full of mysteries.

"Impossible! How could an S-rank guide have such strong spiritual power? Is she even human?"

"No! There must be something wrong with her spiritual power rank! She's definitely more than S-rank!"

He was practically breaking down as he shouted, but he had voiced what the other four were thinking.

Even Chi Ming, who had thoroughly prepared himself, was overjoyed and stunned to see such a low Rampage Level.

"The detector outside South Tower might have malfunctioned, but that may not be a bad thing."

Mo Xiao sat with his hands crossed over his legs, his azure eyes unreadable.

Chi Ming also sat down, his expression grave. "An S-rank guide is already enough to make the Federation fight over her. If she turns out to be SSS-rank..."

He left the rest unsaid, but everyone understood.

Cang Leng felt the warmth coming from his Spirit Body, his eyes filled with fascination.

"No wonder her compatibility with us is so high. It turns out Miss Guide's rank isn't any lower than ours."

His words made everyone's expressions grow even graver.

The SSS-rank guide in District K1 had a compatibility rating of only 85% with her most compatible exclusive sentinel, and so far, no higher rating had appeared anywhere in the world.

By that reckoning, Xin Lan's rank might be even higher than SSS...

It was simply unbelievable.

Mo Xiao unconsciously rubbed his fingers together, his brows tightly furrowed.

"Tomorrow I'll have her spiritual power rank tested again. But if she really tests as SSS-rank or even higher, she might not stay in K9 District, and she could unbind from us at any time."

"..."

The air suddenly fell deathly silent.

Xin Lan had only just taken the initiative to discuss making their arrangement official, yet tomorrow they might have to watch her leave with their own eyes.

Wu Xi's and Cang Leng's eyes reddened at the same time. Chi Ming clenched his fists, deeply reluctant to part with her.

Only Yun Jin didn't quite understand.

"Why does she have to be tested again? Can't we keep it from her, become her exclusive sentinels, and then have her tested again? None of us want her to leave anyway."

Once they became her exclusive sentinels, even if she tested as SSS-rank, she would only take them with her. A guide and her exclusive sentinels could never be separated for the rest of their lives.

Of course, he still thought there were many suspicious things about Xin Lan, but whatever faction she belonged to, her high spiritual power rank was a fact.

So no matter what, they had to keep her here first. Otherwise, if she left, they would not only lose her, but could also forget about ever having another guide for the rest of their lives.

Everyone had entertained that dark thought. Chi Ming had considered it too.

But he had rejected it outright.

"No, we have to respect her wishes. Lanlan is a very strong-minded person. If she finds out we hid her spiritual power rank from her, she'll unbind from us without mercy."

Yun Jin still didn't understand. "She can naturally unbind from her guardian sentinels at any time, but if we become her exclusive sentinels, no matter how angry she gets, surely she wouldn't insist on forcibly unbinding from us? That would cause her a lot of pain too..."

"No, she definitely would."

Chi Ming cut him off, his expression serious.

"And don't forget, even without unbinding, she has plenty of ways to make us live in pain every day, wishing we were dead. When that happens, you'll only regret the choice you made today."

Chi Ming's retort left Yun Jin speechless.

His lips moved, but in the end he slumped back onto the sofa.

"Fine, she can attack with spiritual power, she's awesome. But if we don't keep it from her, what do we do if she leaves? K9 District is a godforsaken backwater. There are contaminants and mutants everywhere outside, and inside it's full of deranged sentinels who could mutate at any moment. Anyway, if I were her and tested as SSS-rank, I'd leave immediately."

This time, Chi Ming fell silent.

How could he not know how precious an SSS-rank guide was? She was someone the sentinels and humans of all Iota M19 could revere as a savior!

When the time came, countless top sentinels with outstanding backgrounds, ranks, and strength would line up to beg for her favor without her even lifting a finger. She would have more choices than she could count, and each exclusive sentinel she chose would be more brilliant and dazzling than the last.

What did the five of them amount to?

She would probably forget them completely the day after she left.

The pessimism that had overtaken Chi Ming and Yun Jin after they broke down soon spread through the entire living room.

Mo Xiao, however, spoke calmly to reassure them.

"There's no need to be so pessimistic. I haven't asked Guide Xin Lan what she thinks yet. You should go back for now. Chi Ming, Cang Leng, keep an eye on your Spirit Bodies. If Guide Xin Lan wakes up and needs anything, contact us at any time."

He got up, left the 89th floor, and returned to the administrator's office. Chi Ming and Cang Leng also returned to the 90th floor, utterly dejected.

Each found a corner to lie in, looking just like two stray dogs shut outside a door.

By the time Xin Lan woke up, it was already growing dark.

She blearily opened her eyes. Before she had fully come to her senses, a warm, mellow mechanical male voice suddenly flowed slowly into her ears.

"Dear Guide Xin Lan, your nap lasted three hours. Please avoid making any sudden movements when you get up, and take care in case of dizziness. The robot butler has brought you warm water and freshly squeezed juice. Please replenish your fluids promptly."

The voice sounded a little like Mo Xiao's, but not quite.

Mo Xiao's voice was polite and gentle, yet had an inherent sense of distance. This voice, however, had a distinctly husbandly air.

Xin Lan rubbed her temples, sat up, and picked up the warm water, draining it in one go.

The anaconda and mermaid that had slept beside her on the bed also began to stir.

The anaconda moved over to her hand and rubbed its head against her thigh. Xin Lan yawned, dragged it onto her lap, and stroked its head.

The mermaid, meanwhile, moved behind her quite naturally and began massaging her head.

"My shoulders too."

Xin Lan narrowed her eyes in enjoyment, once again marveling inwardly at how wonderful it was to have transmigrated into a world like this.

How could men be as obedient as Spirit Bodies? They couldn't talk, but they listened and worked efficiently.

Once she was fully awake, Xin Lan looked up at the ceiling, which was gradually changing into a natural starry sky, and asked, "What's your name?"

The mechanical male voice came from all around her in surround sound.

"I am your smart butler. You may call me Noah, or give me a new name of your choosing."

"Noah? That name's not great."

Xin Lan stroked her chin and got out of bed. "From now on, your name is Fuxi. It sounds nice, and it's badass too."

"Understood, dear Guide Xin Lan. Fuxi is honored to serve you."

Fuxi readily accepted the distinctly non-European name, his voice even sounding a little pleased.

"If you wish to dine now, I will grant kitchen access for your guardian sentinel to use."

Whoa!

Was the technology on this planet really that amazing? It actually knew she didn't like the food here, and even knew to have Chi Ming cook.

She guessed that Mo Xiao had added some presets based on her preferences while she slept. After all, Fuxi hadn't appeared when she arrived that afternoon.

"Sure, let him cook."

Xin Lan happily accepted this smart butler who knew her preferences without needing to be trained.

"Understood. Kitchen access has been granted, and your guardian sentinel has been notified."

"Your dressing room is to the left of the bedroom. The inner door has been opened for you. Today's weather is clear with a light breeze, and the temperature is 29 degrees Celsius. Clothes suitable for today's temperature have been moved to the front."

Oh, she had a dressing room here too?

So that administrator, who was obviously twisted and dark on the inside, was actually quite thoughtful too.

Xin Lan followed Fuxi's directions into the dressing room and couldn't help clicking her tongue and shaking her head when she saw the neatly arranged clothes and accessories.

"Chi Ming, you've got competition."