...

The three of them returned to the Eastern Capital Military Academy together at 7:30 p.m.

And the outcome was even more cruel than Gao Neng had imagined.

Before Gao Neng could even react, Fang Tangtang had already dragged Shen Ning’Er upstairs, not even giving her a chance to set foot in his room.

’Life’s hard enough as it is!’ Gao Neng stared at the two figures heading up to the second floor and sighed at the heavens. He entered his room, completely dejected. What was that saying again?

Fang Tangtang was the reason for his success, and also the reason for his failure.

Without Fang Tangtang, last night’s mission would have been impossible.

But with Fang Tangtang around...

’Today’s mission... was a failure?’

Gao Neng didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

’What do I do now?’

’Have I really hit a dead end? Does this mean I won’t get the remaining advanced treasure chest and lucky prize wheel? And what about the D-Rank Challenge? Can I still complete it?’

’No, I have to complete it! Even without the rewards from the advanced treasure chest and the lucky prize wheel, I have to conquer the D-Rank Challenge!’ Gao Neng grit his teeth.

’If I can’t finish the bonus mission, then so be it.’

But his training could not be interrupted.

He had said he would challenge the D-Rank list again in two days, which meant he had to take first place in one fell swoop.

Gao Neng paid no more mind to the giggling from upstairs, nor did he overthink it. The path of the strong was like rowing upstream; even a super genius needed to work with tireless diligence.

’If Shen Ning’Er isn’t here.’

’Then I’ll just practice by myself!’

Without a moment’s delay, Gao Neng immediately began to practice.

He stopped manifesting the mutt. No matter how well he controlled it, the thing simply wasn’t powerful enough. To grow stronger, the choice of what to manifest was also a key factor.

’Is it possible to manifest something from my imagination?’

’A dragon?’

’That’s basically a product of imagination, right?’

’Since Shen Ning’Er can manifest an Iron Dragon, can’t I also try to use my imagination and manifest my own "powerful weapon"?’

With this thought in mind, Gao Neng began to experiment.

...

「Night in the City of Hope.」

Ripples of activity stirred beneath the city lights. Even in a post-apocalyptic world, humanity would always find ways to relax and entertain itself.

However, these minor ripples paled in comparison to the storm the stray cats of the City of Hope were currently experiencing.

Because Gao Xiaomeng had arrived.

She came with three hundred stray cats, handpicked from the Forgotten Land.

In just a few days, the three hundred strays had swept from their landing point in the West District all the way toward the Eastern District. So far, their army of three hundred had already swelled to two thousand.

And this was after Gao Xiaomeng had culled their ranks.

Tonight, Gao Xiaomeng led her two thousand stray cats through the underground drainage pipes, successfully reaching the edge of the Eastern District behind a silent factory.

"MEOW!"

"MEOW MEOW..."

One by one, the stray cats let out cries of victory.

Directly in front of the cats, atop a tall utility pole, stood a silver-white cat. Arcs of lightning crackled across its body.

As for the area below the utility pole...

Several hundred stray cats, their fur standing on end from being electrocuted, were prostrated on the ground. Not a single one dared to look up.

"All of you, raise your heads! Tell this queen, in which direction is the Eastern Capital Military Academy?"

"Meow meow meow..."

"In the center of the Eastern District, you say? Several hundred kilometers away... Looks like we’ll have to wait a few more days." Gao Xiaomeng mused, but she quickly raised her head again. "Our target is the Eastern Capital Military Academy! Advance!"

"MEOW!!"

The stray cats raised their heads, their ranks swelling once more.

...

「Eastern Capital Military Academy.」

「Freshman Dormitory Area.」

「Time: 9:00 p.m.」

Gao Neng was still practicing. Whenever his energy was depleted, he replenished it. By now, he only had five Energy Pills left, but he showed no signs of stopping.

If he ran out of Energy Pills, he would just go exchange for more at the academy’s logistics department.

He had to intensify his energy manifestation practice. He needed to manifest something powerful enough; everything else could be put on hold for now.

...

「Time: 10:30 p.m.」

Gao Neng was still practicing.

The sounds of laughter from the second floor continued, but Gao Neng paid them no mind. He was completely immersed in his imagination, trying to envision what kind of thing would be powerful enough.

’It has to succeed in a single sneak attack... What kind of thing can launch a surprise attack the fastest?’

’The speed has to be incredible!’

’Ideally, it should be a one-hit kill. But can a small thing achieve a one-hit kill? If it’s too big, what special considerations are there for hiding it?’

’No, this won’t work. I need to keep improving it!’

’Imagination... Yes, I have to make full use of my imagination. My biggest advantage right now is my 100% success rate. As long as my imagination can conceive it, I don’t need to worry about the success rate...’

’The ultimate hunter... What kind of thing can be called the ultimate hunter?’

Gao Neng continuously pondered and refined his ideas.

...

「Time: 11:30 p.m.」

The dormitory area of the Eastern Capital Military Academy had gradually fallen silent.

Whether they were freshmen or upperclassmen, everyone had begun to rest. However, the light in Gao Neng’s room was still on. He was still thinking, still refining, still practicing.

By this time, Gao Neng was actually no longer thinking about whether the mission could be completed.

His mind was consumed by a single thought: to manifest a "hunter" powerful enough to ambush enemies, kill in one strike, and possess absolute speed.

Time flowed by once more.

The clock was about to strike midnight.

Gao Neng looked up at the clock on the wall, a bitter smile touching his lips. ’So, the mission really is a failure after all?’

’Failure is failure...’

’A man can’t be too selfish.’

Shen Ning’Er had already stayed in his room for one night, which even alerted Song Tianyun, the principal of the Eastern Capital Military Academy. If she kept staying over in his dorm, what would that make it?

Gao Neng shook his head.

Just as he was about to resume his practice, the door was pushed open from the outside.

"Why didn’t you lock the door?" A figure stepped into the room as a crisp voice rang out. Then, the door was closed again and locked.

Gao Neng turned around.

He looked at the figure standing in his room.

She was no longer in a stiff, black military uniform, but had changed into a set of casual clothes. On top, she wore a loose white T-shirt that revealed a sliver of her slender waist, and on the bottom, a pair of retro-colored jeans with a small tear in them.

This was the first time Gao Neng had seen Shen Ning’Er in such an outfit. It was youthful and fashionable, lacking the iron-willed demeanor of a soldier, but radiating even more vitality.

"Want some water?" Gao Neng wasn’t foolish enough to ask Shen Ning’Er why she had come, nor did he try to guess her purpose. Just like the first time, he asked a very calm question.

"Mm," Shen Ning’Er nodded, leaning back on the sofa.

Gao Neng immediately went to pour a glass of water and handed it to Shen Ning’Er.

Just as Shen Ning’Er was about to reach out and take it...

A subtle smile played on Gao Neng’s lips.

"SPLASH!"

The cup tipped over.

Without the slightest hesitation, Gao Neng flung the glass of water toward Shen Ning’Er’s face.

’Take that!’

’Get soaked!’

’Let’s see you try and leave now!’

The instant he had that thought, he saw Shen Ning’Er, who had been lounging on the sofa, move. With an uncanny maneuver, she dodged the water splashing toward her.

Then, Gao Neng saw a figure flash before his eyes.

"Whoa... So fast!" Gao Neng instinctively kicked out behind him.

But the kick...

...missed.

’Not behind me?’

"Down here!" Shen Ning’Er’s voice rang out.

"Huh?!" Startled, Gao Neng immediately looked down.

But there was no one there.

’This is bad,’ he thought. But it was too late. A powerful force had already struck him from behind.

"THUMP!"

Gao Neng found himself sprawled on the sofa.

It was a bit damp.

"You pour water for a guest, only to end up ’drinking’ it yourself? Your hospitality isn’t very impressive," Shen Ning’Er said, clapping her hands. She then took a few steps back and sat down at the table.

Just then, Gao Neng felt a flash of inspiration strike him.

’Shen Ning’Er’s movements just now!’

’So fast!’

’If I could simulate that...’

’What form would be best for simulating it?’

Although Gao Neng hadn’t figured it out just yet, he felt as if a new line of thought had been opened. When he looked at Shen Ning’Er again, his eyes were shining.

"Want to try that again?" Shen Ning’Er asked, crossing one of her long legs.

"No, I’ll go get you another glass of water." Gao Neng shook his head and quickly poured another glass. This time, he didn’t try to splash it on her, handing it directly to her instead.

Shen Ning’Er didn’t say much, simply taking the glass and having a sip.

"I’ve been thinking for a long time, and I’ve decided to try manifesting something from my imagination. It might give my combat power a huge boost. What do you think?" Gao Neng asked as soon as he saw Shen Ning’Er take a drink.

"Purely from imagination?" Shen Ning’Er countered.

"No, it’s imagination built on a certain foundation!" Gao Neng shook his head.

"Then it’s worth a try," Shen Ning’Er replied after a moment of careful thought.

"Mm, so... can you stay tonight?" Gao Neng finally asked, gritting his teeth. ’A man should just say what he’s thinking. Shen Ning’Er came here on her own initiative, the opportunity is right in front of me. If I keep beating around the bush, I’d really be a coward.’

"..." Shen Ning’Er’s expression flickered, as if she was also making a decision. But she soon nodded. "I can stay, but..."

"But what?"

"But I don’t plan on sleeping tonight." There was no hint of a joke on Shen Ning’Er’s face; she was completely serious, her bright eyes fixed on Gao Neng.

"Heh, I wasn’t planning on sleeping tonight either," Gao Neng chuckled. He naturally understood what she meant: she was going to stay up all night to practice with him.

"Then let’s begin." Shen Ning’Er nodded, then took out another ’silver high-dimensional capsule’ and crushed it.

"CRACK!"

A huge chunk of earth and stone landed in the room. In addition to that, a large assortment of various knives of different sizes appeared on the floor.

Shen Ning’Er glanced over, picked up one of the knives, and shaved off a piece of the rock. "What do you want to manifest? I can help you sculpt it. That might help you master it faster!"