[There is a highly precise suppression layer in her genetic sequence,] Xiao Yi's tone became serious, [like an artificially set genetic lock. According to the scan data analysis, the original owner's true genetic and mental power levels are both S-rank!]
Jiang Lijin was completely wide awake now. She sat up abruptly from the bed: "Say that again?"
[The original owner, Jiang Lijin, inherently possessed S-rank genes and an S-rank mental power level.] Xiao Yi repeated. [The C-rank she displayed was hidden by some means, possibly external suppression or a genetic seal. In short, an S-rank potential has always been hidden in this body.]
"Holy shit!"
But before the words could even settle, another thought closely followed. Since the original owner was originally an S-rank, why hide it?
"Xiao Yi," her voice tightened, "can you find out who set up the suppression layer? Or when it was set? Why was it set?"
[Sorry, Host. This information is also blank in the database. This system can only detect the existence of the suppression layer, but cannot trace its origin and the reason for its setting. It might involve the original owner's personal privacy, or it might be an information blockade from a higher authority.]
Jiang Lijin fell silent. Great, she had a system, but it was almost like not having one. It didn't know any of the crucial information.
But what she cared more about right now was: why hide it? Was it malicious, simply not wanting the original owner to have a good life? Or was it to protect her? But that wasn't right. In this world, you could only get better protection if you were an S-rank!
[Host,] Xiao Yi's voice interrupted her thoughts, [This system can help you remove the genetic suppression layer and activate your S-rank mental power, but it will cost 500 points.]
It can be activated?
Jiang Lijin became interested. According to what the system said, giving 0.01 points per minute meant 14.4 points a day. Then in about a month, she could redeem it...
She smiled and couldn't help but ask, "Can I get an advance?"
She thought she would be rejected like before, but to her surprise, Xiao Yi answered readily: [Yes, Host. You have an advance quota of 5000, and currently have 4500 left. Shall I activate it for you now?]
Jiang Lijin froze for a moment, but quickly realized that this was no longer the original system.
She lay back down and said, "Since I've been given a second chance, and since I have free will this time, I'm going to live a life where I can hold my head high, do whatever I want, and slap whoever's face I want to slap. Let's risk it! Come on!"
"Host, have you thought this through? The removal process might be accompanied by some pain, and the activation is not one hundred percent guaranteed to succeed."
She just frowned slightly: "Life is already like this, and living as a C-rank isn't great anyway. If I succeed, I'll be an S-rank; if I fail, I'll just continue being a C-rank piece of trash. How much worse could it get? I've thought it through, activate it for me!"
[Ding! Command received. Initiating the genetic suppression layer removal program. Estimated time is three minutes. Mild to moderate pain may accompany the process. Please maintain steady breathing, Host.]
Jiang Lijin took a deep breath and adjusted her lying posture: "Bring it on!"
The first second, she felt nothing.
The tenth second, a warm current surged up from the depths of her spine.
The thirtieth second, that warm current seemed to turn into boiling magma, spreading along every nerve and burning through her limbs and bones.
[Two minutes left.] Xiao Yi's voice sounded in her mind, carrying a strange hint of worry.
At this moment, she suddenly remembered something and grinned: "Xiao Yi, do you think those three bastard men will regret it once I'm activated?"
[Host, you still have the mind to think about this right now?]
"Of course." She was in so much pain that her speech was intermittent, but her eyes carried a smile. "The C-rank trash they despised for three years suddenly becomes an S-rank... Hahaha... Damn, just thinking about it feels so good."
[You really aren't afraid of pain...]
Pain?
Jiang Lijin laughed out loud.
Does it hurt? It certainly does. But compared to the days she lived through before, what is this? Gu Chenyuan would have her legs broken over a trivial matter, like delivering baby supplies to her and Su Wanwan a few minutes late. This bit of pain really is nothing.
[One last minute remaining!]
Being in extreme pain actually made her somewhat numb. She propped herself up and leaned against the headboard, panting, sweat soaking the clothes on her back. Yet, a smile hung on the corners of her mouth, because she felt that unfamiliar power surging up from deep within her body, warm and comforting. Wherever that warmth flowed, the pain gradually faded, replaced by a lightness she had never experienced before.
[Ten, nine, eight, seven...]
In the last few seconds, she seemed to see something, not with her eyes, but with her mental power. A ball of light rose from the depths of her body, illuminating every corner.
[Three, two, one. Genetic suppression layer removed. S-rank mental power and S-rank genes officially activated.]
Jiang Lijin leaned against the headboard, panting heavily. Sweat drenched her clothes and the bedsheets, as if she had just been fished out of the water. But her eyes were astonishingly bright.
An unfamiliar power flowed through her body. She could feel her hearing, vision, and sense of smell all becoming exceptionally keen.
"Is this S-rank?" she murmured.
[Yes, Host! We succeeded! Congratulations on officially becoming an S-rank mental power user!] Xiao Yi cheered in her mind.
Jiang Lijin grinned and was about to speak—
She heard the people downstairs moving.
Someone stood up, followed by a few hushed exchanges, which she couldn't hear clearly through the floorboards. But she felt that the atmosphere wasn't quite right. Immediately after, footsteps came from the staircase, the sound of several people.
[Host!] Xiao Yi shouted in her mind, [Your mental power has just been activated and you haven't learned to conceal it yet. They sensed the anomaly! Hurry!]
Jiang Lijin bounced up from the bed abruptly, "Conceal? How do I conceal it?"
She had just activated it for less than a minute and hadn't even figured out what this thing was.
[Calm down, Host. Take a deep breath! Imagine your mental power as a ball of light, try to press it deep into your body, and imagine it shrinking.]
The footsteps had already reached the second-floor corridor.
Jiang Lijin closed her eyes and desperately did as Xiao Yi said. She imagined a ball of light in her chest. Gritting her teeth, she used her consciousness to push and press it. The ball of light flickered and began to slowly shrink.
Arden's voice came from outside the door, carrying a hint of confusion: "Is it this room?"
Immediately followed by Kieran's calm response: "The source of the fluctuation should be here."
Then came a knock on the door.
"Jiang Lijin." Rex's voice was cold, hard, and brief, "Open the door."
Jiang Lijin opened her eyes, her sweat-drenched hair sticking to her face, her clothes wrinkled. She took a deep breath. That ball of light had already been suppressed deep into her body, leaving only a faint trace of aura. They shouldn't be able to detect it anymore, right?
[It is done, Host. They can no longer sense it now, but... they cannot even sense the original C-grade either.]
Jiang Lijin twitched the corners of her lips and replied to Xiao Yi in her mind: [It cannot be helped.]
She walked barefoot to the door and yanked it open.
"It is the middle of the night, what is with all the knocking?" She leaned against the doorframe, not even bothering to lift her eyelids. "Spit it out if you have something to say, or get lost if you do not."
