The moment her thoughts returned to normal.
Yun Ruoxi also relaxed her delicate Nianli control over the needles.
Clatter!
Hundreds of gleaming Metal Needles fell to the ground, scattering a sheet of silvery light at her feet.
A few even landed on her body.
But they were instantly bounced away by the ever-flowing Nianli Field.
With Yun Ruoxi’s self-suggestion, her Nianli would continuously repel anything her senses deemed harmful.
The reason she didn’t repel everything.
Was simply because, as a carbon-based lifeform, she couldn’t exclude essentials like oxygen and light.
If she were to block everything but precisely allow only oxygen and certain wavelengths of light to pass through—
It would be like running Antivirus Software in her background at all times, eating up about 40% of her processing power.
Even with Yun Ruoxi’s current S-rank brain capacity, such extravagant expenditure was unsustainable and would be an enormous burden.
So Yun Ruoxi chose a more flexible approach.
She only repelled what she “felt” was harmful.
Anyway, with her [Synesthesia Domain] developed to 80%, achieving this was as simple as breathing.
Yun Ruoxi beckoned to summon a towel from the side.
While wiping the sweat from her face, she turned to look at Aili, not far away, who was working hard to develop her ability, and couldn’t help but nod slightly.
The blonde girl was crouched on the ground, the Red Ring in her palm rapidly contracting and expanding.
Aili’s progress over the past year was quite decent.
Of course, that was also because Yun Ruoxi had specially asked the system to recommend a set of ability development experiences for her.
And whenever she had a break from instructor training, she’d give Aili extra lessons, pushing her progress forward.
Otherwise, the most one could say was that Aili had potential for the future.
“Huff, huff… almost, almost there…”
Aili panted, sweat constantly dripping from her hair onto the ground, her attention completely focused on the ring in her palm, utterly unaware of the approaching footsteps.
Until she caught a familiar scent.
“Wah!”
She snapped back to her senses, let out a cry.
The ring in her hand exploded with a bang, sending a powerful shockwave rippling outward in all directions.
Buzz!
Seeing this, Yun Ruoxi raised her right hand, Nianli surging out to instantly block the shockwave, preventing it from disturbing the other Squad Nine members who were also training nearby.
“Xiao Ai, every time I come over, you get distracted. That won’t do! No matter the situation, you have to stay focused!” she gently admonished, pressing another towel onto Aili’s head and softly rubbing it.
“Hehe…” Aili giggled, closing her eyes to enjoy Yun Ruoxi wiping her sweat. “I’ll pay attention next time.”
“You said that last time, and the time before that,” Yun Ruoxi replied helplessly. “Pack up, we’re leaving. Tomorrow is the end-of-year squad battle. Don’t wear yourself out like usual today.”
With that, she let go of her left hand and said, half-annoyed, “And dry your own hair. Every time you make me do it for you—when you’re already a head taller than me.”
“Even if I’m two heads taller, you’re still my sister.”
Aili wiped her hair, stood up, bent slightly so Yun Ruoxi could look her in the eyes, and grinned, “Sister, I’ve just got a feel for that Combat Skill you mentioned. I think I’ll master it soon! Then I can help you out!”
“Good, develop it quickly. That way, even when I’m not around, you’ll be able to protect yourself!”
Yun Ruoxi affectionately ruffled Aili’s golden hair, though a trace of worry flickered in her eyes.
This child’s ability was truly special.
Maybe it stemmed from her strong desire to protect Yun Ruoxi—her elder sister—and drive everyone else away from her.
So, even though Aili’s ability was related to Blood Ability, its offensive power was surprisingly weak, but it excelled at shock and dispersal.
If left to develop it herself, she’d probably grow into an outstanding Auxiliary-type Ability User.
But Yun Ruoxi wouldn’t always be at Aili’s side.
Without her protection.
If Aili followed the protagonist group in their escape from the battle camp, exiled among the stars, she would need power to protect herself.
That’s why Yun Ruoxi had been trying every way to help her develop offensive and defensive skills.
And now, it seemed this was yielding results.
By then, Yun Ruoxi could rest assured, and entrust Aili to Lin Zhen and the others.
Hearing the words “not around,” Aili seemed to trigger some deep code. She shot up, eyes blazing as she stared at Yun Ruoxi.
“Sis, don’t even think of leaving me behind!”
“I can’t be with you every moment, can I?” Yun Ruoxi replied helplessly.
“I don’t care! Even if I have to cling to you, I’ll stick by your side forever.” Aili shook her head furiously.
“So when I go to the bathroom or take a shower, you’re going to stick with me then too?” Yun Ruoxi pretended to be angry.
“Well…” Aili thought for a moment, then shamelessly declared, “Then I’ll stand guard outside the door to keep the other students from peeping!”
“Being clingy at your age isn’t good! People who are too clingy end up getting disliked!” Yun Ruoxi poked Aili’s nose, deliberately putting on a stern face.
“Parting is a lesson everyone must learn. Instead of fearing separation, why not look forward to the joy of reunion?”
“Then don’t hate me, Sis!”
Aili lowered her head, tears welling up and beginning to fall.
Yun Ruoxi’s smile instantly froze on her face, and she could only start comforting Aili helplessly.
Fortunately, Aili wasn’t the type to push boundaries or cry for treats.
She was just startled by Yun Ruoxi’s words.
After stopping her tears, she looked up with reddened eyes and said, “I’ll remember everything you said, Sis.”
“Even if we part, it’s only for a better reunion!”
“That’s more like it.”
***
Finally, Aili turned her thoughts around, and Yun Ruoxi quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
In the year to come, she’d still need to subtly nurture Aili’s independence. Otherwise, if the girl refused to leave with Lin Zhen when the time came, all her plans would be for nothing.
[“This big-brained little sister is too mature, wow.”]
[“Loli body in a tight suit, so lewd, the production team really knows what they’re doing.”]
[“There’s a copper-forging master here, requesting immediate execution.”]
[“Lao Xi keeps raising flags, but she’s strong enough to hold it together for now.”]
[“Ai-Xi shippers are rising fast lately, when will we Lin-Xi fans get our moment? (shakes)”]
[“Soon, soon. I bet during the squad battle, Lao Xi and Lao Lin will definitely face off.”]
[“Isn’t that obvious? Lao Xi is top of Squad Nine, Lao Lin is just a bit behind, but still top five in Squad Three.”]
[“Space battles are so romantic!”]
[“Progress bar warning, progress bar!”]
A flurry of dense bullet comments flew across the screen, as the camera panned to the twin suns outside the training room.
Time flowed swiftly between sun and moon.
Very soon.
The next day, the squad battle officially began!
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