Even Nana, who wasn't part of the soul engineering division, was dumbfounded.
She was from the control division, only required to master the usage of soul tools rather than their construction. Initially, she'd considered learning soul engineering, but after realizing how intricate and challenging the field was, she'd opted for the control division instead. She knew all too well how vast and complex soul engineering knowledge truly was.
"You're incredible," Ke Ke admitted begrudgingly, no longer able to claim superiority over Qian Ran.
With Qian Ran's learning ability, couldn't he theoretically study 60×24 books a day? The mere thought sent chills down her spine. It was terrifying.
And frankly, she wasn't wrong.
Qian Ran's brain functioned like an advanced artificial intelligence. Learning these materials was essentially like inputting data—he could glance at a page and instantly store it.
When he needed to design or craft a soul tool, his mind could rapidly process this vast repository of information, selecting the most suitable plans and even generating countless variations.
However, Qian Ran wasn't particularly interested in the academy's textbooks. Many of the theories and foundational knowledge they contained were flawed. Thanks to the system's rewards, he had access to a complete repository of soul engineering knowledge, covering levels one through nine in exhaustive detail.
"Honestly, it might end up being me who has to tutor you," Qian Ran quipped with a smirk.
"Fine," Ke Ke muttered, clearly shaken. Her usual confidence was thoroughly deflated.
Seeing Ke Ke so visibly affected highlighted just how much of an impact Qian Ran's abilities had on her.
Qian Ran even briefly considered whether he could help Ke Ke and the others build computational enhancements for their brains. But after a moment's thought, he dismissed the idea—it would require an immense amount of mental power, and if something went wrong, they'd risk becoming brain-dead or vegetative.
"You all keep studying. I'm heading to the lab," Qian Ran said casually as he glanced at the group of young women in the room before sauntering out. Though they were undeniably beautiful, Qian Ran had tasted the finest life had to offer—he wasn't about to lose his composure over a few pretty faces.
"Nana, if you're free, just focus on your cultivation or do whatever you want. You don't need to follow me around all the time," Qian Ran said with a rare note of seriousness as he noticed Nana trailing after him.
Nana was undeniably sweet and obedient, but her constant presence was starting to feel suffocating.
"Yes, Master," Nana replied softly, turning back toward her room to resume her cultivation.
Though her lifelong wish had been fulfilled, Nana refused to let her guard down. Following such an extraordinary man, she couldn't allow herself to fall behind.
"I'm going to the lab, too," Ke Ke announced as she hugged her textbook and hurried after Qian Ran.
"Why are you following me? Don't tell me you've fallen for me," Qian Ran teased, eyeing her from head to toe.
Ke Ke's fair skin was noticeably softer than Nana's, her petite frame lending her a cute, dainty charm. While her figure wasn't particularly curvy, her small size gave her a youthful, campus-goddess vibe in her school uniform.
"The lab isn't your private property. Besides, I'm Teacher Xuan Ziwen's prized disciple. Why would I like you? And what's with that tone—are you saying I'm not good enough?" Ke Ke shot back, clearly irritated.
Qian Ran was undeniably a flirt. He'd barely arrived at their academy, and he'd already "claimed" Nana.
She refused to believe he had no interest in her.
Surely, she wasn't much worse than Nana, was she?
"You're… average," Qian Ran said after giving her a once-over.
"What does that mean? Are you saying I'm uglier than Nana?" Ke Ke huffed, her confidence visibly shaken. To be fair, Nana did have a slight edge over her.
"Do you have legs as long as Nana's?" Qian Ran asked pointedly, glancing at her height.
At 160 cm, Ke Ke was considerably shorter than Nana's impressive 180 cm. The difference was glaring.
"So, you really are into long legs! Then why were you staring at me back then?" Ke Ke pouted unhappily. Nana's height was certainly unusual among girls, and the disparity made Ke Ke's face sour.
That was one thing she couldn't change.
Even if she started taking growth supplements now, it was probably too late.
Damn it!
"When did I stare at you?" Qian Ran retorted.
"You know…!" Ke Ke paused, recalling how Qian Ran had once ogled her backside. While she wasn't tall, her rear was notably perky. Her modest chest also suited her petite frame, creating a surprisingly appealing overall effect.
"Ugh, forget it! I don't want to talk to you," Ke Ke snapped, stomping off ahead of him. The thought of Qian Ran preferring long legs made her inexplicably bitter.
"Hey…" Qian Ran sighed, feeling a little helpless.
He had only been teasing her.
In truth, his preference wasn't so specific—he liked beauty, period. Beauty was a composite of countless traits: height, build, aura, facial features, and more.
What drew Qian Ran to Nana wasn't just her stunning legs and athletic physique but also her unwavering obedience.
Even when embarrassed or hesitant, Nana never resisted his requests and quickly complied. Often, she anticipated his needs without him saying a word.
Her blend of submissiveness and superior looks made her irresistible to Qian Ran.
Huo Yun'er was equally obedient, but her demeanor leaned too heavily into the traditional maid archetype. Her subservience felt routine and lacked the spark to truly move him—except in particularly provocative moments.
Nana, on the other hand, resembled not a maid but a dutiful wife.
Between a perfect maid and a perfect wife, which would most men prefer? For Qian Ran, it was the latter.
A man's tastes were undeniably complex, especially for someone who had experienced life's finest pleasures. Winning over someone like him required not only beauty but also a deep understanding of his preferences.
This was why even socialites needed formal training to perfect their charm. Without it, they couldn't hope to succeed.
Of course, Ke Ke and her peers would never grasp this nuance.
For Qian Ran, Ke Ke and the others carried another unique allure: his desire to conquer characters from the original story.
Without this factor, the Sun and Moon Academy had plenty of women who could rival Nana in beauty and talent. For instance, the other girls who had joined Ke Ke and Nana in his dorm to study were all top-tier in looks and ability. Yet Qian Ran hadn't even bothered to learn their names.
This was the difference.
To Qian Ran, his drive to conquer canon characters now outweighed their physical attractiveness.
(End of Chapter)