Counting up the abilities she now had at her disposal.
Both her fire and water affinity had reached the master level, and the fusion magic [Illusive Flamewater Break] possessed astonishing power.
After advancing, the [Lingyuan Flame Barrier] was even more formidable, providing both offense and defense.
Combined with the [Holy Knight Physique] that brought her a robust body, she could cast this magic directly on herself as she charged into battle.
One could imagine just how powerful she was now.
On top of that, with the newly acquired Light Healing Magic, she could heal herself even if wounded.
On paper, her strength was already enough to go head-to-head with that bastard, Chu Tian.
Calculating things, she should be able to take on Chu Tian.
Even if that bastard used the [Lover’s Prison Collar] to suppress her, she could counteract it with her own magic power, then engage in close combat with him.
Su Nian silently evaluated her situation.
Her fingertips unconsciously twirled a lock of her golden hair.
But—
Things weren’t nearly that simple.
There were still two major issues.
First.
The battlefield.
The painful lessons of her recent defeats were still fresh.
Once, deep within the Monster Forest, was Chu Tian’s territory—he had the advantage of the environment.
Another time at Shadowmoon Manor, which was his stronghold.
Who knew how many hidden traps and magic arrays he had set up there?
This time, the final battle location absolutely could not repeat the same mistake.
She must choose a place favorable to her, or at the very least, a fair one.
Ideally, she could even set up some traps beforehand.
Even if not, under no circumstances could she act in a place like Shadowmoon Manor.
Second.
Chu Tian’s new subordinate—
That terrifying knight known as “Da Hei.”
She could sense the presence of the terrifying knight; he was no ordinary opponent.
And that knight had tangled with Chu Tian for quite some time.
She could still clearly recall the scene in Bai Shui Town, when Da Hei easily defeated the Morsen Family Knights.
If she had to face both Chu Tian and that terrifying knight at once… one against two…
Su Nian analyzed calmly.
Her chances of victory were likely not high.
Her brows knit ever so slightly.
Even though right now she was desperate for revenge, longing to trample Chu Tian beneath her feet at once—
But acting rashly would be disastrous.
She was in a hurry, but she could not afford to act recklessly.
Fortunately… she had a trump card.
Void Beast Pact.
The SSS-level Eye of Temporal Reversal had bestowed upon her a powerful ability.
When activated, her right eye awakened with a starry vortex pattern, and she could tear open a rift to the “Void Beast Lair.”
The space in her right eye could store three Contract Beasts.
Su Nian’s consciousness sank into the System interface, checking the countdown timer.
Time remaining until the Contract Beast descends: 1 day, 23 hours…
There were nearly two days left before her first Void Beast would descend.
The System had prompted her: she could expend Humiliation Value to speed up the process.
(Can consume 100,000 Humiliation Value to accelerate arrival by 24 hours.)
In other words, each day accelerated required 100,000 Humiliation Value.
According to the System, to have all three Void Beasts descend “instantly” would require a total of 1.6 million Humiliation Value.
With less than two days left for the first, accelerating would cost about 200,000.
The remaining 1.4 million would be used to speed up the second and third Contract Beast arrivals.
The System’s daily cap for acquiring Humiliation Value was one million.
Gathering 1.6 million in a single day was obviously impossible.
But in two days… theoretically doable.
Counting the natural passage of time for the first, she’d need to gather about 1.4 million Humiliation Value more.
On top of that, she still needed to set aside 100,000 Humiliation Value as insurance to activate [Destiny Reversal].
Two days, 1.5 million Humiliation Value…
The plan was feasible!
‘Hmm…’ Su Nian’s cheeks warmed slightly.
She knew very well what it would mean to obtain such an enormous amount of Humiliation Value in just two days.
Aside from that bastard Chu Tian… there was no other way.
Moreover… ordinary daily missions would absolutely never be enough.
It had to be… the kind of thing that shamed her the most, that was hardest to endure.
Just like last night… or even… something even more extreme…
The thought that she’d once again be conquered and possessed by that bastard Chu Tian made her body tremble uncontrollably.
Her fingers twisted her hair even tighter.
‘Enough!’
Su Nian suddenly bit her lower lip, a decisive gleam flashing in her eyes.
If she kept dragging things out—
She was truly afraid that one day she’d lose the courage for revenge, and sink into the sweet temptations Chu Tian offered…
In the end, she’d still be bullied by that bastard.
Better a short pain than a long one.
She had to make up her mind!
As long as she could summon all three powerful Void Beasts—
She, together with the three mysterious Void Beasts, would take on Chu Tian and that terrifying knight Da Hei.
At that time, it would be four against two… and she’d have the advantage!
Chu Tian watched the girl’s reactions with unhurried interest.
She hung her head, silky golden hair slipping across her cheek, concealing most of her expression.
Sunlight streamed through the tavern window, casting a warm halo upon her.
Her faintly flushed face held a difficult-to-describe shyness.
Her pale fingers absentmindedly toyed with her hair tips, as if pondering something important.
Had his performance before Baroque just now been up to par?
That unchallengeable dominance, that aura that could make the underground emperor flee in terror at a wave of his hand.
It ought to have impressed this little wildcat.
Was Su Nian’s quiet, thoughtful look now a sign she’d changed her opinion of him?
Could it be… she was starting to like him a little?
After all, what woman doesn’t want her man to be strong, imposing, able to shield her from the storm?
Chu Tian was in an ever-better mood.
Yet—
He had no idea.
Beneath Su Nian’s lowered lashes, what surged was not gentle affection, but icy killing intent and the fire of vengeance.
What she was pondering was how, within two days, she could endure humiliation to amass 1.5 million Humiliation Value, then find a suitable place to finish him off for good.
“It’s nothing.”
Chu Tian gazed at her, deliberately lowering his voice to sound deep and gentle, soothing.
He reached out, wanting to pat her head like before.
“With me here, no one dares touch you.”
This protective line, paired with his current gentle gaze and the bonus from [S-Grade Male Charisma (Passive Skill)], was lethally effective.
But in Su Nian’s ears, it was only boundless shame.
No one dares touch her with him around?
What a joke!
Wasn’t the one who touched her most this very scoundrel?!
Did he really think of her as his personal belonging?
Su Nian suddenly looked up, about to retort…
But the words stuck in her throat, and she forced them down.
She suppressed her anger and humiliation, forcing a shy, girlish expression onto her face, and replied to the man before her in a voice soft as a mosquito.
After sipping a tasteless fruit wine, the atmosphere in the bar, thanks to Baroque’s earlier appearance, became rather oppressive and stifling.
The few remaining patrons all kept their heads down, drinking quietly, afraid to speak.
A subtle silence settled between the two.
Chu Tian picked up his wine glass, gently swirling the amber liquid inside.
He glanced at the girl across from him, her expression showing a mix of lingering interest and a hint of boredom.
His heart stirred.
Today was their first real “date.”
Though there had been a minor hiccup, overall, the mood was still… amicable?
Su Nian had even taken the initiative to hold his hand.
He couldn’t just let things end like this.
He ought to take her somewhere more fitting for a “date.”
He set down his glass, paused, and turned to Su Nian.
A smile slowly spread across his face.
With the boost of [S-Grade Male Charisma], that smile blended confidence, warmth, and just the right touch of mischief.
Enough to make any woman’s heart skip a beat and breath catch.
His voice carried a magnetic timbre, as if imbued with a certain magic.
“Shall we go somewhere else?”
“It’s not often we get to come out. It’s still early.”
“How about I show you some of Academy City’s famous sights?” He leaned in slightly, his voice laced with that magnetic allure.
“Alright.” Su Nian replied.
Since she was already preparing to earn 1.5 million Humiliation Value within two days, she naturally didn’t mind whatever kind of “date” this bastard Chu Tian proposed.
“Academy City has four main attractions.”
“Red Maple Magic Academy, Academy City’s Magic Workshop, the Floating Fortress, and the Magical Beast Duel Arena.”
Chu Tian began to introduce them.
“You’re already far too familiar with Red Maple Magic Academy, so we can skip that.”
“The Magic Workshop has all sorts of Gnome and Dwarf masterpieces, and all manner of curious alchemy products. Maybe we’ll find some interesting trinkets.”
“The Floating Fortress is Academy City’s ultimate defense structure. Normally it’s closed, only rising during major military exercises, special celebrations, or city attacks. It’s quite the sight.”
He paused, seeming to observe Su Nian’s reaction, then mentioned the last spot.
“There’s one more, rather unique place: the Magical Beast Duel Arena.”
‘Magical Beast Duel Arena!’
The moment those five words reached her ears, Su Nian’s heart skipped a beat, and her eyes instantly lit up.
Her Void Beast Pact would soon allow her to summon her first Contract Beast!
She knew little about magical beasts in this world, and needed an opportunity to learn.
Especially since Void Beasts came from another dimension—were they rare in this world?
How powerful would they be compared to local magical beasts?
All this information was crucial.
To avoid exposing her soon-to-be Contract Beast, Su Nian forced down her excitement, feigning curiosity.
“Magical Beast Duel Arena? That sounds interesting.”
“Are the duels there… very bloody?”
Chu Tian shook his head, explaining: “Unlike some places where people fight to the death, Academy City’s Magical Beast Duel Arena features tamed beasts raised by trainers.”
“There’s winning and losing, but the focus is on the magical beasts’ skill, the trainer’s commands, and their teamwork.”
“There, you’ll see all sorts of rare and strange Contract Beasts, each with their unique ways of fighting.”
“Of course, a venue that size has to make money. There’s an entry fee, and betting with variable odds.”
Skill, teamwork, all kinds of magical beasts?
This place… was practically tailor-made for intelligence gathering.
‘Perfect!’
“Let’s go! To the Magical Beast Duel Arena!” She blurted out, almost losing her composure.
She quickly recovered, cleared her throat, and tried to act nonchalant.
“It does sound interesting. I really am curious about those Contract Beasts.”
Chu Tian’s gaze paused on her face.
This little wildcat—her eyes were shining with more than just curiosity.
He didn’t expose her, but instead curled his lips into a smile and said, “Alright, let’s go check it out.”
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