After another tiring day at work, Qin Yu collapsed onto her bed, exhausted. She thought about how she had to wake up early the next morning to go with Shenhe to her former residence.
It was supposed to be a rare day off.
But since Shenhe said it was important to her, well... she had no choice but to accept.
Qin Yu sighed, resigning herself. "Might as well adjust my mood."
She opened the System Panel and switched to the Skill Tree interface.
Her current Points balance was 360,000—another massive sum. It was time to enhance her combat capabilities.
She couldn't forget her original ambition.
Even though her relationships with Keqing and Shenhe had changed, she couldn't rely on anyone else to protect her.
Qin Yu's target was the newly unlocked row of Skills.
Each Skill required a substantial investment of Points, but their effects were correspondingly powerful.
Time Stop, Telekinesis... these skills represented a qualitative leap in power!
But precisely because of this, careful selection was crucial.
Time Stop was potent, but its energy consumption needed continuous upgrades to allow for multiple uses.
Telekinesis was excellent, but its extensive skill tree made it a bottomless point sink.
Ideally, Qin Yu wanted a versatile skill that could be used in any situation and provided strong support.
Even better if it could enhance her mobility.
After browsing for a short time, Qin Yu noticed one skill:
[Celestial System 1]—When activated, summons four [Satellite Components ] and one [ Planetary Component ] to the user's side. The [Satellite Components] can fire lethal/non-lethal beams and deploy a [Force Field Shield] around a designated target for protection. The [Planetary Component]'s [Standard Mode] grants the user omnidirectional propulsion, while [Flight Mode] grants the ability to fly. These effects require [Human Transformation 2] to use, and any action consumes [Energy]. Re-activating the skill replenishes [Energy].
This is amazing!
In fact, it's almost too good to be true.
If it didn't drain energy, this skill would be utterly broken. Even as it is, it's still ridiculously overpowered.
The offensive capabilities might not be particularly strong, but its support effects are unparalleled.
Force Field Shield, omnidirectional propulsion, and most importantly—the ability to fly! Even if I need to travel far someday, this will save me so much time and money.
A perfect skill.
"You're the one!"
Activating this skill cost 350,000 points. The moment it lit up, my points plummeted to a pitiful 10,000.
But Qin Yu felt only exhilaration.
She leaped out of bed and activated the "Celestial System" skill. In an instant, four prism-shaped cones resembling floating gun turrets materialized around her.
Behind her, a finely crafted mechanical disk appeared—the "Planetary Component."
With a gentle wave of her hand, the four "Satellite Components" moved according to her will, gliding slowly past her like graceful fish.
"Force Field Shield."
Responding to Qin Yu's mental command, the Satellite Components swiftly flew to the four corners above her, spiraling downward in a protective weave around her. The Force Field Shield materialized for a fleeting moment before vanishing into invisibility.
Qin Yu was thrilled, thinking, This is so cool and practical!
Unable to test the attack capabilities within the Jade Chamber, Qin Yu instead experimented with the propulsion ability.
The sudden, powerful thrust from behind startled her so much that she slammed headfirst into the door.
Ouch!
The navigation mode, resembling a jet engine, lacked the omnidirectional maneuverability of the full-propulsion mode.
Qin Yu nearly turned into a human mop, wiping the room's walls and ceiling clean.
The crashing and banging drew attention.
"Qin Yu, what are you doing in there?" Baiwen called out, knocking on the door as he passed by.
Clutching her nose, tears welling in her eyes, Qin Yu stammered, "N-nothing! Just dropped something! I'm fine."
"Really? Good to hear. Stay safe."
"Thank you!"
After Baiwen's footsteps faded into the distance, Qin Yu gasped for breath.
Ugh, my nose is bleeding, and I've made a complete mess of the room... I really shouldn't have tried this in my room. What an idiot I am.
"I should take a shower first..." Qin Yu fired the Medical Pistol at herself, healing her injuries before heading to the bathroom.
But she quickly rushed back out.
No, no, I need to clean up first. Otherwise, I'll just get all sweaty again after showering.
After a rushed evening, Qin Yu welcomed the next day.
Even though it was a day off, Qin Yu quickly prepared breakfast and went to wake Ningguang.
"Judging by your outfit, are you heading out?" Ningguang asked.
Qin Yu smiled. "Yes, I'm going out with Shenhe today."
"Shenhe? I see..."
Ningguang hesitated, wanting to find time to see a play with Qin Yu that day, but Shenhe had already made plans with her first.
"Lady Ningguang?" Qin Yu asked, her tone laced with confusion.
Ningguang snapped out of her reverie, realizing she had been absentmindedly twirling strands of Qin Yu's hair.
However, she paid no mind to her unconscious gesture, likely out of habit.
"When will you be back?"
"When will you be back?" Although the journey to and from the Jade Chamber could be completed in a single day, Qin Yu had no intention of spending her two-day break at the Jade Chamber. Instead, she planned to stay at her rented apartment and spend her two days of rest there.
I can't just leave the place unused forever, right?
So, when Ningguang asked, Qin Yu could only reply, "I'll be back the day after tomorrow!"
The day after tomorrow. Two whole days. Does she really need to spend that much time with Shenhe? Ningguang wondered, her fingers tracing down Qin Yu's nose to brush lightly across her kissable lips.
Evaluation: D
"I understand. Get some rest," Ningguang said with a faint smile.
Unaware of Ningguang's thoughts, Qin Yu returned a radiant smile. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to call me back! After all, I'm Lady Ningguang's maid."
Gotta grind some points before I leave.
"What if I need you right now?" Ningguang whispered, leaning close to Qin Yu's ear.
Evaluation: C-
Ha? Right now? Qin Yu stammered, flustered. "Th-this..."
"Startled? I was just teasing. Don't mind me," Ningguang said, pulling back and revealing a childlike grin.
Don't just throw out jokes like that, Qin Yu grumbled inwardly.
"So it was just a joke."
"Or perhaps it wasn't."
Which is it?
Ningguang nodded contentedly. "Alright, you should go. Don't keep your friend waiting."
"Ah, okay."
Qin Yu figured it was about time anyway. She bid farewell to Ningguang and hurried out of the Jade Chamber. As soon as she reached Yujing Terrace, she spotted the conspicuously tall figure of Shenhe.
"I'm sorry, did I keep you waiting long?" Qin Yu jogged over to Shenhe, sounding anxious.
Shenhe gently shook her head. "Not long."
"Really?"
"Mm-hmm."
Good. Qin Yu sighed in relief. She had been worried Shenhe might have come too early and waited for her. Doing so once was fine, but if it became a habit, Qin Yu would find it hard to accept.
I'd rather Shenhe be late than arrive too early.
Qin Yu didn't mind waiting herself, but she hated being kept waiting too long. She wanted to be the one doing the waiting, not Shenhe.
"Have you had breakfast yet?"
"No, I wanted to eat with you. What about you?"
Oh, what a coincidence, me neither! Though that was just because I didn't have time.
"I haven't eaten either," Qin Yu replied. "Let's go browse the morning market and grab something to eat?"
"Okay."
Qin Yu naturally took Shenhe's hand and smiled. "Let's go, then."
"...Mm." Shenhe nodded slightly.
Evaluation: D