However, Gao Neng really couldn’t think of any other options right now. All he could do was stall for as long as possible. If he really couldn’t complete the mission for the remaining two nights, at least he’d gotten the Soul Tempering Pill. It wouldn’t be a total loss.

In fact, he had considered another idea: continue challenging the D-List. Shen Ning’Er would most likely go to watch, which would kill some more time.

But with his current strength...

The chance of failure was at least fifty percent.

Gao Neng decided to wait a little longer. Proper preparation was key. After all, even though he could now use Energy Manifestation, he was still far from proficient.

He pushed the thought aside.

Gao Neng began to practice.

A mongrel quickly materialized.

Fang Tangtang was stunned as she watched from the side. She had never imagined that Gao Neng could actually master Energy Manifestation—something even she couldn’t do.

Shen Ning’Er was also somewhat surprised.

’Can someone really improve this much in a single night?’

"Can you control it to attack me? How’s your Spiritual Power connection with it?" Shen Ning’Er asked, looking at the lifelike mongrel before her.

"I think I can."

"Then have it attack me. Let’s see."

"WOOF WOOF!"

The mongrel barked twice and lunged at Shen Ning’Er.

Shen Ning’Er didn’t hold back, lashing out with a kick that struck the mongrel squarely on the neck.

"CRACK!"

The mongrel’s head lolled to one side.

It collapsed to the ground without any resistance.

"Its attack power is too weak, and there’s a problem with its attack method. You should try to control it to use its fangs. Also, jumping up like that doesn’t give it any advantage..." Shen Ning’Er began to explain.

Gao Neng listened intently.

Even Fang Tangtang listened with great attention.

A moment later, Gao Neng manifested another mongrel. This time, instead of having it pounce directly, he made it circle Shen Ning’Er.

"You can make it a little faster!"

"CRACK!"

Seizing the opportunity, Shen Ning’Er shattered the mongrel’s neck with another strike.

"Wrong, still wrong!"

"You need to infuse it with more energy. If the energy infusion is too low, its power is drastically reduced. A dog’s advantage is its nimbleness, so agile speed is crucial..."

"Remember, when you attack, you must target a weak spot!"

"Yes, that’s more like it, but it’s still not fast enough..."

...

Time flew by as they practiced, and soon it was noon.

Gao Neng and Shen Ning’Er had once again lost track of time. Fang Tangtang was also completely absorbed, and, surprisingly, hadn’t interrupted their practice at all.

They continued until five in the afternoon.

Fang Tangtang’s stomach finally started to rumble.

"Sister Ning’Er, let’s go get something to eat!"

"Mm... alright." Shen Ning’Er glanced at the time and didn’t refuse.

"How about I cook for you again?" Gao Neng asked, a little frustrated. ’Fang Tangtang really is a double-edged sword,’ he thought. Under the circumstances, this was the only suggestion he could make.

"Cook? You’re fine for making breakfast, but dinner? Forget it. Sister Ning’Er, let’s eat out! Let’s have a feast!" Fang Tangtang shot Gao Neng a disdainful look.

"Then we’ll train again after dinner," Shen Ning’Er said with a nod.

Gao Neng breathed a small sigh of relief. At least Shen Ning’Er wasn’t planning on bailing on him just yet.

That meant there was still a chance.

’But after dinner, what excuse can I use to get Shen Ning’Er to stay the night again?’

He didn’t dwell on it.

He wasn’t in control of the situation. Otherwise, he could just knock Shen Ning’Er out with a club. The problem was, he couldn’t beat her in a fight. He could only bide his time and wait for an opening.

The group headed out.

In the principal’s office at the Eastern Capital Military Academy, Song Tianyun also breathed a sigh of relief.

’They’re finally out!’

’They were in there for a whole day and night.’

’Tonight, surely Shen Ning’Er won’t be staying in Gao Neng’s dorm again, right?’

With this in mind, Song Tianyun decided he should take precautions, just in case. After a moment’s thought, he left his office and went straight to the academy gate.

As it happened... Gao Neng, Shen Ning’Er, and their group arrived.

"Ahem." Seeing Gao Neng and Shen Ning’Er approach, Song Tianyun let out two forceful coughs.

"Hello, Principal!" Fang Tangtang called out a greeting.

"Grandpa Song, what are you doing here?" In front of Gao Neng and Fang Tangtang, Shen Ning’Er didn’t address him as Principal Song.

Gao Neng was also a bit puzzled.

’A military academy principal, just standing around at the front gate at dinnertime?’

’Something’s not right!’

Before Song Tianyun could speak again, Gao Neng immediately jumped in, "Principal Song must have important work to attend to. We should hurry and get dinner so we can get back to practicing!"

... Song Tianyun opened his mouth. He had wanted to say that he was just heading out for dinner himself, but Gao Neng’s words completely shut him down.

"Oh, so that’s how it is. Well, we’ll be going then. Bye-bye, Principal!" Fang Tangtang didn’t think much of it, said her goodbyes, and prepared to leave.

"Ahem, uh... Ning’Er, how long are you planning to stay at the academy? Ahem, what I mean is, don’t you have matters to attend to at the Military Department?" Song Tianyun finally asked, gritting his teeth.

Gao Neng’s heart instantly tightened.

’As expected, Principal Song is up to no good.’

’How could it be such a coincidence, bumping into the principal the moment I step out? And right off the bat, the old man is already reminding Shen Ning’Er to return to the Military Department.’

’I really shouldn’t have gone out.’

But it was too late for regrets now. Gao Neng could already see a change in Shen Ning’Er’s eyes. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

After all, with Shen Ning’Er’s intelligence, there was no way she wouldn’t understand the meaning behind Song Tianyun’s words. He was reminding her that it was time to return to the Military Department.

’What do I do?’

’Is the mission really going to fail?’

Just as Shen Ning’Er was about to speak, Gao Neng threw caution to the wind and cut in, "Principal Song, do you think our Invincible Team can defeat the remaining 19 teams on the D-List within a month?"

"Heh heh, Gao Neng... this matter you’re talking about..." Song Tianyun was a bit confused as to why Gao Neng had suddenly asked this question, but he still managed a smile.

"You think it’s impossible, right?" Gao Neng continued, not waiting for Song Tianyun’s answer.

"Confidence is a good thing, but sometimes, confidence alone isn’t enough. I was very pleased that your Invincible Team won its first match, but as for going further..." Song Tianyun trailed off.

"I didn’t issue another challenge today, but in two days, I will resume. And I will absolutely defeat all 19 teams on the D-List within one month and take the number one spot!" Gao Neng declared, his tone firm.

"Gao Neng, you are all still just freshmen. If you would just take some time to build your foundation..."

"On the path to becoming strong, if you’re not advancing, you’re falling behind. Isn’t that right?" Gao Neng pressed.

"This..." Song Tianyun frowned.

"Grandpa Song, I’ll stay at the academy for two more days. After that, I will leave," Shen Ning’Er finally spoke up.

"Two days?!" Song Tianyun’s frown deepened.

"Yes. I hope you won’t try to persuade me further, Grandpa Song. Because in two days, you will naturally understand why I made this decision," Shen Ning’Er affirmed with a nod.

"Alright... Since you’ve made your decision, Ning’Er, Grandpa Song will trust you!" Song Tianyun fell silent for a long moment, then said no more.

"Would you like to have dinner with us, Grandpa Song?"

"No need. You young people have your fun; this old man won’t get in the way. Heh heh... Just remember to come back early." With that, Song Tianyun turned and left.

Seeing Song Tianyun leave, Fang Tangtang’s expression grew excited again.

"Sister Ning’Er, you’re really staying for two more days?"

"Yes, two more days, and then I’ll leave." Shen Ning’Er nodded seriously, then glanced at Gao Neng. "In one month, I will return to the Eastern Capital Military Academy to see the results of your battles!"

"I won’t lose a single match!" Gao Neng clenched his fists. This was the first time he had ever been so determined to complete the mission of toppling all nineteen teams on the D-List.

’If I’m going to get stronger!’

’Then I truly cannot back down.’

If he couldn’t even conquer the D-List of the Battle Rankings, what right did he have to compete for the title of number one at the Eastern Capital Military Academy?

’It’s not just about becoming number one on the D-List!’

’I’ll also be number one on the A-List of the Battle Rankings!’

’Number one at the Eastern Capital Military Academy!’

’Should I wait until I’m a senior to take first place?’

Gao Neng didn’t have that much time. In three years, he would challenge Shen Ning’Er, and her current strength was definitely no less than that of Lin Ying, the number one student at the Eastern Capital Military Academy.

’Three years...’

’I’m improving, but Shen Ning’Er is improving too.’

Gao Neng felt immense pressure. No matter what, he had to take first place on the D-List within a month.

...

The three of them didn’t take long for dinner this time. The place wasn’t far, just a large restaurant five hundred meters from the Eastern Capital Military Academy.

Fang Tangtang ordered a table full of dishes, ready to challenge Shen Ning’Er to another drinking contest.

But Shen Ning’Er refused.

Gao Neng considered whether he should try to persuade Shen Ning’Er to have just a little, but after seeing the look in her eyes, he swallowed his words.

However, this created a new problem.

Shen Ning’Er didn’t drink.

So, naturally, she couldn’t pretend to be drunk.

’So tonight...’

’Will Shen Ning’Er sleep in my dorm?’

"Tangtang, are you full?"

"I’m full, but I still want to drink..." Fang Tangtang grumbled.

"In that case, I’ll call Grandpa Fang. If he says you can drink, I won’t stop you," Shen Ning’Er said, picking up her phone.

"Hey, hey, Sister Ning’Er, don’t! Fine, I won’t drink, okay?" Fang Tangtang pouted, then added, "Sister Ning’Er, why don’t you sleep in my room tonight?"

"Mm, alright." This time, Shen Ning’Er didn’t even look at Gao Neng, nodding without a moment’s hesitation.

Gao Neng was speechless.

’It’s over!’

’Tonight, Shen Ning’Er is going to sleep at Fang Tangtang’s place?’

’Then what about me?’

"Then let’s hurry back, Sister Ning’Er! I have two new Battle Garments I just bought. I’ll try them on for you later." Fang Tangtang paid Gao Neng no mind, pulling Shen Ning’Er along as she left.

Gao Neng wanted to say something.

But what could he possibly say at a time like this?

’Shen Ning’Er, don’t sleep with Fang Tangtang, sleep with me?’ If he actually said that out loud, he’d probably be beaten to death by Shen Ning’Er and Fang Tangtang combined.