Chapter 25: Elimination Method

[Three backups are feeling jealous and fighting for you]

[You've snatched a level S backup's charm, and your charm +20]

...

"A fools' troupe, really kills me! I've sold them out, and they're still counting money for me! This intelligence, really needs a recharge."

Liu Qianrou was feeling incredibly smug inside.

Others feeling jealous and vying for her indicated that she was charming and able to manipulate these backups at will.

"You all go on and argue! The more noise, the better! I'll just collect my rewards."

Liu Qianrou's backup value had reached 30, and she could receive a secret manual for body method cultivation. Once she successfully cultivated it, she could plunder more from these backups the next time they argued or when she spoke to them.

[Your backup value is 30, would you like to claim your reward for this stage?]

"Of course, it wasn't easy to fool a bunch of idiots."

Liu Qianrou said impatiently.

[Reward has been distributed, please check!]

Liu Qianrou excitedly stared at her hands.

One minute later.

Empty-handed!

Her smile suddenly froze.

"System, where's my body method secret manual?" Liu Qianrou asked.

[Reward has been distributed, please begin cultivation as soon as possible to become stronger]

The system advised warmly.

Liu Qianrou searched every corner around her, but could not find her reward!

No, something didn't add up. The first system reward yesterday was delivered directly into her hands, so why did today's reward disappear?

"System, where have you distributed my reward?" Liu Qianrou asked hurriedly.

[Reward has been distributed to the host's hands, please begin cultivation]

Liu Qianrou was furious!

Distributed?

Distribute to your great-uncle!

Liu Qianrou almost jumped on the spot!

But no matter how she explained, the system kept giving the same warm reminder, baffling her completely!

Just moments ago, she was mocking those three for counting money for her after she had sold them out, but now, where was her money?

Where had it been counted to?

At this moment, her system interface displayed another line:

[You've lost an S-level potential backup, backup value -1]

[You've lost an N-level potential backup, backup value -1]

Liu Qianrou's gaze immediately turned stormy upon seeing her system interface!

The two potential backups she lost undoubtedly had to be Kong Xiuwen and Xiang Beifei!

These two actually no longer admired her and had left the backup category!

"Wait! Why are such strange things happening today? First, the system reward wasn't properly distributed, and now I've lost two backups?"

Liu Qianrou was a shrewd girl. She quickly calmed down and pondered over the situation.

She was aware that she wasn't the only one with a system in this world; others had them too!

What the systems of others were capable of, she didn't know. Everyone had been taught since childhood to keep their systems a secret, making it difficult to pry secrets out of someone.

But the capabilities of systems are always surprising.

If someone used a system to steal her system reward, it wasn't impossible!

Then the prime suspect would most likely be one of those three!

Liu Qianrou began to analyze the situation from the beginning to the end.

Having been smart since she was young, more mature in thinking than her peers, adept at reading people's expressions and languages, she always considered everything when thinking through a problem, able to spot any clue to unravel bizarre occurrences.

Any experienced mystery-solving expert should learn to use the process of elimination skillfully when addressing a problem.

So—

Xiang Beifei, the first to be ruled out!

An N-level System Awakener, she wouldn't believe for a second that he could claim a reward from her S-level system!

System levels have a hierarchy, and it's a law that an S-level cannot be plundered by an N-level.

Kong Xiuwen might be suspicious since he's also S-level.

But both Kong Xiuwen and Xiang Beifei had left her backup range, meaning they no longer held admiration for her in their hearts.

So Kong Xiuwen could be ruled out too.

An answer closest to the truth was on the verge of bursting forth in Liu Qianrou's mind—

"Qi Bin!"

Liu Qianrou glowered at the figure of Qi Bin!

She didn't know what Qi Bin's system was but his being an S-level System Awakener was common knowledge!

To stealthily steal her S-level system reward, only another S-level System Awakener could manage such a feat!

The course of events must have been as follows—

Qi Bin, spurred by her, went to find Kong Xiuwen and Xiang Beifei, but turned the tables instead. In order to gain her trust, he acted swiftly, revealing his methods and, with his powerful aura, he managed to intimidate both Kong Xiuwen and Xiang Beifei!

Kong Xiuwen and Xiang Beifei, knowing their limits, no longer dared to harbor improper thoughts about her.

Thus, she lost two potential backups!

Qi Bin had agreed so readily just now, seemingly recklessly seeking out Kong Xiuwen and Xiang Beifei, but in reality, it was very likely a mission assigned by Qi Bin's own system!

If she could plunder others' abilities, then others could plunder hers as well!

Perhaps it was a "Switching the Beams with Pillars" system? Maybe a "Deceiving Heaven and Crossing the Sea" system?

Liu Qianrou couldn't be certain, but what she could affirm was—

Qi Bin was definitely undertaking a mission involving her!

Liu Qianrou reviewed the situation once more.

Such meticulous logical analysis, without any flaws!

It must be Qi Bin!

"Damn it, I always thought Qi Bin was simple-minded; I never expected him to be so cunning!"

Liu Qianrou clenched her fists.

She had been too careless!

Originally, she just wanted to make the three backups argue among themselves, and harvest a wave of personal charm, but she had inadvertently fallen into a trap!

What to do now?

I have already given him the hotel room card for tonight!

But having been played by this scheming man, can I still go tonight?

Liu Qianrou was extremely annoyed in her heart.

Her system could plunder the backup's abilities even with a minor contact like a "handshake"!

Let alone other methods of more extensive contact.

Originally, she had planned to go to the hotel tonight, first with Qi Bin... then with Qi Bin... and finally with Qi Bin...

But she had not expected this Qi Bin to be such a tough nut to crack!

Was he possibly waiting to deal with her tonight?

This was bad.

Liu Qianrou's mind was in chaos for a moment!

—

"My eyes will always be on you two!"

Qi Bin looked down at Xiang Beifei and Kong Xiuwen with supreme arrogance.

"Oh? Is that so?"

Kong Xiuwen was not one to back down, ready to throw back some harsh words, but Xiang Beifei shook his head, pulling him away.

"What are you afraid of! He's clearly bullying you! I'm also S-level; am I supposed to be afraid of him too? I've said it, I have your back. Why are you being so timid?"

Kong Xiuwen, while being pulled away, was visibly resentful.

"The college entrance exam is nearing, avoiding trouble is better than seeking it."

Xiang Beifei discreetly pocketed the secret book on body technique cultivation.

"You can't go on like this, being fearful of everything. If we end up at different universities, who will stand up for you then?"

Kong Xiuwen shook his head with resignation, "I'm already worried about you. Without me to cover for you, I don't know how much you'll be bullied in university!"

Will I be bullied?

Xiang Beifei shrugged.

"I'm just an N-level Awakener, being cautious is not a bad thing."

Xiang Beifei walked to the railing of the second-floor staircase and looked down.

From this angle, he could see Liu Qianrou very well. He squinted at Liu Qianrou's system panel and, noting that Kong Xiuwen was no longer her backup, he felt somewhat relieved.

When Xiang Beifei saw Qi Bin coming over, he had felt something was off, so he quickly disengaged from being a backup, just going with the flow.

Luckily, he knew about other people's systems and could choose whether or not to participate in their system tasks.

Kong Xiuwen, for the sake of his childhood friend, had indeed cut off his thoughts of Liu Qianrou, which was crucial.

Otherwise, who knows what trouble this guy might end up in one day.

As for the personal charm that Kong Xiuwen lost, he was going to be bald in the future anyway, and as he would lose hair, his charm would keep dropping, so he might as well give it to Liu Qianrou.