49: Something feels off about this mission.

Putting aside that familiar reward for a moment.

The information provided by this mission allowed Shen Pan to confirm a few things:

[sorrow of no light] is the powerhouse who went on a killing spree in the Desolate God Realm!

After unifying the Desolate God Realm, they even established a Pan-Human United Empire!

Moreover, it seems Ruan Qingshu isn't a human traitor?

Is the one who actually has a problem himself?

"Oh no!

I've become the Villain!"

Shen Pan's indifferent expression instantly froze, and the corner of his mouth twitched.

He, a high-quality youth who had undergone two rounds of compulsory education.

How could he, how could he possibly betray Blue Star?

How could he commit such a human traitor act as instigating a powerhouse to defect?

But [Arcane Master]...

And the Librarian of the Imperial Capital Academy.

This is all correct!

The plot was developing exactly according to his original template!

"Maybe it's not my fault, but rather the future me suffered unfair treatment.

Driven to a dead end, my perspective changed!"

Besides.

What does the future Shen Pan have to do with him?

To be even more conspiratorial.

Maybe that protagonist isn't even him at all?

"Cut ties!"

"I must cut ties completely!"

Reject internal friction and shift the blame to others!

This is the survival skill that contemporary young people should master!

Shen Pan looked at the petite Ruan Qingshu.

His originally slightly hostile gaze gradually dissipated.

"But how do I handle this mission to instigate her to leave and make her abandon her responsibilities?"

Shen Pan was at a loss, not knowing how to complete this tricky mission.

Now that she's here to pick up her best friend, they obviously have a lot to talk about.

He couldn't possibly just tell her to go home, could he?

Seeing Shen Pan suddenly become somewhat silent.

And then his pupils trembled continuously, as if he were angry.

Jiang Ruolai blinked, thinking he was dissatisfied with Qingshu's judgment.

So she tentatively spoke up to smooth things over:

"Those lucky ones are just benefiting from the era's dividends.

And Qingshu, don't look down on Classmate Shen Pan, he..."

Jiang Ruolai was just about to recount.

How Shen Pan had single-handedly slaughtered a thousand low-to-mid-tier Exotic Beasts.

And how her aunt had determined his combat power was at least at the Peak of the Fifth Rank.

Even that Yang Jian isn't worth a single hair of Shen Pan's!

But at the critical moment, she realized.

If she really said it all.

How would that be any different from indirectly admitting that Shen Pan possesses a Mythical Rank Profession?

"Anyway, when the Prodigy Tournament or the Freshman Tournament comes around..."

"Those people will show their true colors!"

Jiang Ruolai said confidently.

"...I see."

Ruan Qingshu gave her tall and well-endowed best friend a meaningful look.

She hadn't even said anything yet.

So why was the other party getting anxious first?

Besides, she didn't think she was wrong.

The new system... is indeed very strong!

She guessed that these abilities might all be legacies left behind...

...by great figures of the past!

Even a Mythical Rank Profession would be nothing more than a foil in the future.

Your ceiling is merely the floor for those great figures!

If nothing else.

That Yang Jian has only been Awakened for a single day.

Yet he already has such strength.

How can a normal person compare?

"Ruolai has become quite a bit stupider after going to Tianhai City."

It seems being too big really isn't good; it affects the brain!

Ruan Qingshu was absolutely certain of this!

"Are you going home for the banquet tonight? I also received an invitation.

But I tore it up."

Her words were clearly articulated, yet there was no variation in stress or tone.

Even her expression remained the same as at the beginning.

"As expected of Eldest Miss Ruan, well done!"

Jiang Ruolai patted her best friend's shoulder with satisfaction:

"No need to give those old fogies any Face.

A bunch of trash who can't even scrape together two Epic-rank Professions!"

Just then, her System suddenly began to bubble up.

[You have finally made it through the hardest days and returned to the Imperial Capital you once abandoned!]

[Although you haven't known Shen Pan for long, your relationship has improved rapidly.

And now, your best friend, who has hidden some important matters from you, has appeared.]

[She has successfully attracted Shen Pan's attention and curiosity.]

[To prevent your best friend's behavior from causing Shen Pan to feel aversion or excessive interest...

...you must find a way to send her away and take Shen Pan sightseeing by yourself!]

[Mission: Find an excuse to make Ruan Qingshu leave for now!]

[Reward: One upgrade point, one skill point, and one random Legendary-rank Talent!]

"Hmm?"

"Why does this mission feel a bit strange?"

A simple mission...

...actually gives a Legendary-rank Talent!

It's as if she's supposed to do something with Shen Pan behind her best friend's back!

"This System... it really doesn't know how to word things!"

Jiang Ruolai's eyelid twitched; she was somewhat speechless.

"But what is Qingshu hiding from me?

Has she also made new friends?"

Jiang Ruolai began to suspect.

Whether this crappy System was trying to sabotage her relationship with her best friend.

Even if it wanted to sabotage it...

...isn't a Legendary-rank Talent a bit too shoddy?"

That's her dearest relative and friend, her once inseparable best friend!

And so, all three of them stood there in silence.

Each waiting for someone else to speak first.

Ruan Qingshu found it inconvenient to say certain things because Shen Pan was present.

So she waited quietly for him to leave.

She had already guessed that Shen Pan was a new friend Ruolai had made during her three years in Tianhai City.

But that was all.

She believed that based on her and Ruolai's years of friendship...

...it wouldn't be affected at all!

"What's going on?"

Shen Pan looked at the two of them strangely.

Why isn't anyone moving?

Are we going to tour the Imperial Capital or not!

"Wonderful, truly magnificent, what a juicy piece of Big Gossip!"

Dragging two suitcases, she had quietly slipped into a corner.

Jiang Lin, wearing a delighted smile, looked excitedly at the three people...

...who looked like they were about to come to blows.

"Even if I get a Death Stare from Big Brother when I go back, or get nagged by a bunch of annoying people...

...seeing a scene like this is worth it!"

"Still, Shen Pan is at a bit of a disadvantage in front of these loathsome Direct Descendants of the Imperial Capital Clans."

Jiang Lin thought worriedly.

Jiang Ruolai, the first to find the strange atmosphere unbearable, spoke up:

"Um, Qingshu.

I'm planning to take Classmate Shen Pan for a walk in a bit. How about we meet tomorrow?"

Given her relationship with Qingshu, there was no need for formalities or pretenses.

On the other hand, if she left a restless powerhouse like Shen Pan here...

...she was worried he would stir up trouble everywhere and then go on a killing spree.

"???"

Ruan Qingshu looked up in silence.

The shock and bewilderment in her eyes were very apparent.

What happened?

Had Ruolai been hypnotized by Shen Pan?

Otherwise, how could she cruelly ask her to leave!

She still wanted to talk to her...

...about that dream of hers!

Ruan Qingshu tried her best to remain calm.

As expected of a Prodigy suspected of having a Mythical Rank Profession.

In just three years...

...he's already got Ruolai wrapped around his finger!

"Dammit!

Saving her best friend is her inescapable duty!"

Burdened with responsibility, Ruan Qingshu immediately said:

"It's fine, I can accompany you guys on your tour."

She didn't know if it was just an illusion.

Shen Pan felt that her voice was trembling slightly.

She no longer had that puppet-like, inorganic sense of wonder from when they first met.

She even pursed her lips, looking quite unwilling.

As if she were afraid of losing something.

A somewhat impolite thought surfaced in his mind.

"Classmate.

You don't... only have Little Jiang as your only acquaintance and friend, do you?"