57: Chapter 57 Jiang Ruowei's Purpose

The only chance was to also take on three-star missions and complete them even earlier than Jiang Ruowei.

However, three-star missions were unique; completing one a step too late meant not only missing out on points but also having points deducted.

Hmm?

They weren't saying that on purpose for him to hear, were they?

Qin Ce narrowed his eyes and glanced at those few people.

They were digging a pit for him!

But was there any other way?

Qin Ce immersed his spirit into the squad badge once more.

He looked at those missions and began calculating again.

If Jiang Ruowei started sprinting for three-star missions now, with the Starlight Squad's strength and efficiency, they could likely complete three three-star missions within a month.

And what about himself?

Qingluan was still at Black Iron Peak; although only a thin line away from Bronze, that line might require an opportunity, life-and-death experience, or perhaps... it simply couldn't be crossed.

More critically, he was alone.

Among the three-star missions, "Horde Dispersal" required routing three Bronze beast hordes. This was something he couldn't achieve alone; routing didn't just mean killing the leader, it also required inflicting widespread damage to the group to make it collapse in a short time. This was impossible; wind-element energy couldn't do it.

"Leapfrog Hunt" required a team to kill a Silver fierce beast—these weren't things he could complete solo right now either.

Furthermore, for missions like beast hordes, other teams wouldn't take them without great certainty, so Qin Ce couldn't use their hands to complete the task either.

Consequently, at this stage, the only ones Qin Ce could potentially attempt solo were "proof of the lone wolf" and "Unknown Exploration." The former required killing ten Bronze fierce beasts, while the latter required exploring three areas extremely dangerous to them; both had very high difficulty and time consumption.

But those were only two three-star missions.

To meet the requirement of completing three three-star missions...

This required Qin Ce to advance to Bronze Rank while completing these two three-star missions. Only then would it be possible to complete "Beast Egg Refining" and make up the three three-star missions.

But was that possible?

And would Jiang Ruowei wait for him?

Time was on Jiang Ruowei's side.

...

Just as Qin Ce was thinking about Jiang Ruowei in his heart...

A commotion suddenly broke out at the entrance of the training ground.

Then, the entire field fell silent for a brief moment before erupting into an even more fervent clamor!

"Wow, it's Jiang Ruowei!"

"Senior Jiang!"

"Senior Jiang, have you really reached Bronze Rank?"

"Congratulations, congratulations, congratulations on your breakthrough, Senior Jiang!"

"Bronze Rank, that's just too amazing!"

"Senior Jiang, you're my idol!"

Students from the ordinary classes greeted Jiang Ruowei one after another as she walked in.

Then, members of various squads, upon hearing the noise, also crowded around to greet her, their tones carrying sincere congratulations and a hint of sycophancy.

This wasn't just because Jiang Ruowei was the City Lord's daughter, but also due to her own personal charisma and way of handling people.

Jiang Ruowei nodded in response to each one, her face wearing her usual polite yet cool smile.

"Thank you all for taking care of me over the past four years." Her voice was clear, reaching everyone's ears distinctly. "Ruowei's achievements today are all thanks to everyone's help. Thank you."

"With graduation approaching, Ruowei also wishes that everyone's desires will be fulfilled."

"In the future, even after we leave school, Ruowei hopes we can continue to help and rely on each other just as we do today."

Proper pleasantries, perfect etiquette, and an impeccable posture.

This was Jiang Ruowei—the undisputed top figure of Fengling First Battle Academy, the City Lord's daughter, and a future VIP.

Afterward, she exchanged a few brief words with the various squad captains to learn about their plans for the upcoming three-star missions. Then she turned and, under everyone's watchful eyes, walked straight toward the edge of the training ground.

Toward Qin Ce.

The crowd's gaze followed her figure like a spotlight.

Seeing this, everyone was extremely surprised.

Jiang Ruowei stopped three paces in front of Qin Ce.

She didn't speak immediately but sized Qin Ce up, starting from those calm, rippleless eyes to his upright posture, and then to the purple squad badge on his wrist.

Then, she smiled.

It wasn't a polite smile, but a more genuine one, carrying a hint of playfulness.

"Over these past three months, I've seen your nearly sleepless efforts."

"Everyone thinks your results grew because you snatched their fierce beasts."

"But in reality, aside from that initial targeting, after they started avoiding you, weren't all the points earned by your own kills?"

"Working so hard, do you want to take first place?"

A cool female voice drifted over.

Hearing Jiang Ruowei's words, Qin Ce felt a stir in his heart.

From the first time after the school's self-reflection meeting, when she condescendingly tried to recruit him...

To the indifference and spectator-like attitude later on, followed by the alliance formed out of self-interest after he obtained the squad badge...

And the subsequent information alerts.

Jiang Ruowei's attitude had become better each time, and her treatment of others more peaceful.

Now, she was actually standing in his shoes, speaking up against injustice.

This was a huge change; for an ordinary person, they would probably be bursting with pride right now.

However, in Qin Ce's eyes, Jiang Ruowei's essence had never changed; it was always interest first.

In the terms of his past life, it was called a capitalist mindset!

Therefore, Qin Ce nodded calmly and admitted it bluntly.

"Yes! I want to take first place!"

With Qin Ce's clear admission, the surrounding crowd instantly fell silent.

All eyes were focused on these two.

First and second!

Genius and dark horse!

Noble and commoner!

"The rules of the graduation season," Jiang Ruowei glanced at the squad members around the training ground, her tone suggestive, "you should know them by now, right?"

Qin Ce nodded: "I just found out."

"Then you should also understand," Jiang Ruowei turned her head, her gaze falling on his face, "your only chance to win now is to take on three-star missions at the same time as me, complete them faster than me, and have your points exceed mine."

She paused and added, "And that's while I have a Bronze Rank Pet Beast and full squad coordination, while you only have a Black Iron Peak one and are alone."

These words were very blunt, even a bit cruel.

Muffled gasps sounded from the surroundings.

"Is Senior Jiang... declaring war?"

"No, she's stating facts."

"Qin Ce really has no chance left..."

"It's a bit of a pity; actually, I quite liked Qin Ce's prospects."

The crowd's whispers were varied yet clearly audible.

"So what?" Qin Ce replied as calmly as ever, not moved in the slightest.

Jiang Ruowei was slightly stunned; she was a bit surprised by Qin Ce's calmness and composure. She couldn't quite gauge his attitude.

To be honest, Jiang Ruowei didn't want to pressure this true genius who often took unconventional paths.

But she had her own difficulties.

She needed Qin Ce.

Qin Ce was her best choice right now!

Immediately, a complex look flashed through Jiang Ruowei's eyes.

...