How Did the Reborn Empress Become My Bootlicker? - Chapter 2:

Chapter 2: SSS-Level Talent! The Shadow That Stands Up!

“Comparison system?” Xu Anyan was momentarily stunned.

Blue Star’s culture was nearly identical to Earth’s, and it included all kinds of fantasy literature—many of which mentioned the concept of ‘systems.’ She just never expected that such fantastical things would actually exist… and one day, be bound to her.

“The universe is vast and boundless. Even to this day, there are countless unexplored mysteries. Perhaps this is simply one form of some unknown power…” Thinking this, Xu Anyan quickly calmed herself and took the initiative to ask, “What functions do you have?”

[Ding! This system is the Comparison System. Its function is simple: it compares the strength of both parties at regular intervals.]
[If the host’s strength surpasses the bound individual, the host will receive a massive resource reward.]
[If the host’s strength is inferior to the bound individual, the host will trigger a “Bootlicker Adventure.”]
[If the adventure challenge fails, all strength will be stripped from the host, cultivation will be halted indefinitely, and the system will unbind!]
[Note: Disclosing any information about this system will be treated as a challenge failure!]
[Current comparison interval: 10 days!]

“Comparison function… So as long as I’m stronger than the other person during evaluation, I can receive huge resource rewards?” Xu Anyan’s heart stirred.

In this second life, her greatest advantage was her past experiences and memories. She lacked nothing in terms of cultivation methods and martial techniques—the only thing she was short on was cultivation resources.

Now, with this system, her growth rate could be accelerated dramatically.

As for the possibility of failure—honestly, she hadn’t even considered it. Because she wouldn’t lose.

With that, the system’s purpose became very simple. Every ten days, she would collect the resource reward and use it to grow faster.

“Right. Since it’s a comparison system, do I get to choose the comparison target, or…?”

[Ding! Selecting a suitable target within range… Target selected successfully!]
[Selected target: Su Yuan!]
[Note: After one successful comparison, the system will automatically match a stronger target, and the value of the next reward will be doubled!]
[Note: If you fail, the target remains unchanged.]

Winning once would not only change the comparison target to a stronger one but also double the next reward?

That was a delightful surprise.

Xu Anyan had full confidence in winning every single comparison. In that case, the system’s reward would multiply exponentially with each cycle!

“With this system, I can not only return to my peak faster, but perhaps… even surpass my previous life’s achievements!”

…

After breakfast, Su Yuan helped Xu Qingling clean up the dishes and rested for a short while. When it was almost time for school, he knocked on Xu Anyan’s room door, “Time to head out.”

Before long, the door opened and Xu Anyan walked out.

She glanced lightly at Su Yuan.

To her, Su Yuan left no particularly deep impression. Compared to her thrilling, unforgettable experiences in the starry sky, the memories from Blue Star were simply too dull—most had already faded, let alone minor details like this.

She vaguely remembered that Su Yuan had an ordinary talent and eventually got into a regular martial arts university, only to die in an accident during a training mission.

At the time, Xu Qingling had been heartbroken for a long time.

In her previous life, before she left Blue Star, she had already learned that she wasn’t Xu Qingling’s biological daughter. Xu Qingling, a firm believer in not marrying, had only adopted her from an orphanage.

But the debt of raising her was greater than anything.

She still recognized Xu Qingling’s role as her ‘mother.’

In this life, to prevent Xu Qingling from suffering again, she would save Su Yuan. But that was all.

She and Su Yuan were destined to live in different worlds.

After this first round of comparison, they would become parallel lines drifting further apart, never intersecting again.

…

Su Yuan noticed something strange in the way Xu Anyan looked at him today. But of course, he didn’t think much of it.

After all, Xu Anyan was always lost in her own little world. Who knew what she was thinking about?

At the doorway, Su Yuan waved at Xu Qingling, “Aunt Xu, we’re off.”

“Good luck~” Xu Qingling beamed with joy.

Xu Anyan, however, wore a completely calm expression, showing no emotion.

Seeing that, Su Yuan sighed inwardly.

This mother and daughter pair—one full of warmth, the other cold as ice. Such contrasting personalities… truly fascinating.

…

Lan City No.1 High School.

After arriving at school, Su Yuan and Xu Anyan went their separate ways. Though they attended the same school, they were in different classes.

Xu Anyan had excellent grades and had consistently ranked first in her year, so she studied in the elite Class 1.

Su Yuan’s grades were decent—above average—so he was placed in Class 3.

When he arrived in class, everyone’s face was lit up with excitement. One by one, they were all as giddy as monkeys.

And it wasn’t surprising.

After all, today was the awakening day.

Su Yuan’s own emotions were also running high. Sure, transmigrators often came with perks—but… who could really guarantee that?

Soon, the bell rang.

Their homeroom teacher, Old Wu, walked into the classroom and stepped onto the podium. The usually stern old man now wore a rare, cheerful expression.

“Students, starting today, you’ll all begin your path of cultivation.”

“I’ve told you this many times—talent is only the icing on the cake. What achievements you can make in the future will mainly depend on your own efforts.”

“Of course, different aptitudes affect the ceiling of your growth, but hard work will always take you further than those who give up completely…”

After the brief speech, the entire class was ready to go. Su Yuan was no exception.

Finally, when the second bell rang, the students rushed out and lined up outside the classroom, heading together to the field for the awakening ceremony.

…

On the school field, the awakening ceremony had already begun.

In the martial arts era, everyone could start absorbing Origin Energy and begin cultivation at the age of eighteen. But talent awakening was still a momentous occasion eagerly awaited by all.

After all, who hadn’t dreamed of awakening an SSS-level talent, soaring through the skies with lightning and fire, dazzling and unstoppable, marrying a rich, beautiful woman, stomping villains underfoot, and stepping into the peak of life?

Unfortunately…

If that dream was a voluptuous beauty, then reality was a skinny sack of bones that made your teeth chatter.

The truth was—very few people could awaken a talent.

Class 1 was the first to go.

So far, over forty students had been tested. Only one had awakened a B-level talent, and another a C-level. The rest were all no-shows.

Until…

Xu Anyan stepped forward!

The field instantly stirred with commotion.

As cliché as it sounded, Su Yuan had to admit—Xu Anyan was indeed the center of attention, a true goddess-level figure.

“If we’re really going all-in on the cliché, then she should be awakening an SSS-level talent right about now…” Su Yuan thought.

And sure enough, not long after, the awakening platform erupted with light!

BOOM!

A violent surge of energy exploded!

The stone used to detect talent level… shattered on the spot!

What the—!?

Everyone was stunned!

In today’s world, there were countless kinds of talents. The exact nature and effect of one’s talent could only be fully known by the person awakening it. The detection stone could only measure the strength of the Origin Energy fluctuations and assign a rating—from the lowest D-level to the highest SSS-level.

And beyond that—there was nothing else. Everything above was lumped under SSS-level.

But now…

The talent detection stone exploded?

Even among SSS-level talents, this was earth-shattering!

While the crowd stood in shock and the school leaders were dumbfounded, Su Yuan took a deep breath and muttered, “Cliché… ultimate cliché…”

…

On the awakening platform, Xu Anyan remained calm.

Her talent had finally returned.

On Blue Star, the highest rating was SSS-level. But in truth, her talent far exceeded even that.

At this moment, a figure leaped onto the stage from the leadership section—it was none other than Lan City No.1 High School’s principal, Xiao Jianguo.

He was flushed with excitement, “X-Xu Anyan, y-you… you awakened an SSS-level talent? What’s its effect?”

Xu Anyan thought for a moment, then raised her hand.

And then, a shadow slowly detached from behind her… and stood up like a real, living entity!