Ye Qiu sat back at his desk, looking at the back of the school beauty Luo Bing in front of him, and he couldn't help but smile when he thought about the ambiguous situation that just happened with this goddess-like straight-A student, a renowned beauty of the school.
This might be Ye Qiu's happiest moment since he lost his genius halo in the United States, faced numerous criticisms, and finally returned to Huaxia a year ago. The long-lost smile finally appeared on his face.
Although Ye Qiu was delighted, it's only human nature, especially for a 17-year-old boy to feel excited when facing a beautiful girl. Even during his fame, he was often surrounded by beautiful models, and even some female celebrities from the entertainment industry sought connections with him.
Moreover, the girl who admired him, Lin Xirou, was also an absolute beauty, but Luo Bing was really stunning. The crucial thing was the noble aura about her that made Ye Qiu feel her identity was extraordinary.
However, Ye Qiu did not have any delusions like an infatuated admirer that she would fall in love with him just because of that.
Even if Ye Qiu was blessed by the goddess of luck and Luo Bing were to love him dramatically because of recent events, there would still only be one person in Ye Qiu's heart.
"Xirou, wait for me. I will become the strongest racer, not for glory, just for you..."
Thinking of the gap between Lin Xirou and himself now, Ye Qiu's desire to become stronger grew even stronger. At the same time, recalling his best brother Aik, a trace of hostility appeared on Ye Qiu's delicate face.
"Aik, maybe you've become even stronger over this year!"
Although Ye Qiu hadn't paid attention to professional racing things since returning to Huaxia from the United States over the past year, professional racing, as one of the top three global events, even surpassing the NBA in audience numbers, had countless news reports daily.
So Ye Qiu occasionally saw some news on Weibo or forums.
The United States, as the world's center for professional racing, had the Highway Hero Team, which was among the top teams in the country's 30-team Professional Racing Alliance. Hence, every action of the racers in the team would be widely reported by the media.
The level of reporting was no less than that of some celebrities now, and some famous racers, when attending events, often overshadowed even some stars with their Popularity Points.
Ye Qiu used to be like that...
Ye Qiu learned from the internet that Aik was now stronger, having surpassed SSS-level racers, and the same was true for Lin Xirou.
During this year, under Aik's leadership, the Highway Hero Team also won the championship of the United States' professional racing and the continental championship. They are set to compete for the world racing championship, with Aik achieving multiple honors.
Currently, according to the information Ye Qiu has, Aik has become the hero of the Highway Hero Team and also the hero of the United States. People frequently compared Aik with Ye Qiu.
While some of Ye Qiu's die-hard fans still spoke for him, as Aik grew stronger and the news spread that Ye Qiu could no longer drive due to becoming a "waste," more and more people despised Ye Qiu, believing that even if he could still race, he couldn't be compared to Aik anymore.
After seeing all this, Ye Qiu felt no emotional disturbance in his heart. Since the night Aik spoke those words, Ye Qiu had seen through this brother who had fought alongside him for years.
Moreover, Ye Qiu knew that Aik's father was the boss of the Highway Hero Team. As for why Aik was close to him when he still had his genius halo, Ye Qiu had long understood.
The other party probably saw his talent in the racing Domain, which could bring more honors to the Highway Hero Team.
Honors equal money. The more honors, the more famous the racer becomes, which means Ye Qiu could earn more money for the club, and the club would receive various commercial activities.
"Aik, you'll be shocked the next time we meet."
Ye Qiu shook his head, not wanting to think about these things that made him feel blocked inside. Then he glanced around, observing the classmates around him all focused on studying, and picked up the book in front of him to block his face, internally conversing with the system, "Fle?"
"I'm here..."
Not keeping Ye Qiu waiting long, Fle's slightly low and electronically synthesized voice sounded in his mind.
Upon hearing Fle's voice, Ye Qiu asked, "Can you explain your origins?"
Ye Qiu was really filled with doubts about this high-tech system that had appeared out of nowhere in his mind.
Previously, it didn't matter as much, but now that he needed to cooperate with this mysterious system, he couldn't help but feel puzzled about this being that claimed to be human.
"You will know this later on; knowing too much now won't help you."
Fle's voice echoed in Ye Qiu's mind just as Ye Qiu wanted to ask more questions, prompting Fle to say, "What I can tell you is, just like you, I am a living biological entity, also known as a person where we come from."
"Can you let me see what you look like?"
Hearing Fle's response, Ye Qiu nodded. Though still curious, since the other party refused to explain further, he didn't press on. However, after hearing this electronically synthesized yet human-like voice, he couldn't help but be curious about Fle's appearance.
Is the other party male or female?
"Not for now."
Fle's voice sounded again, perhaps sensing Ye Qiu's confusion and disappointment, explained, "But later is possible!"
"Later?"
"Yes!" Fle's voice rang out, and suddenly the system interface appeared in Ye Qiu's mind.
Car God System: Attributes Level 1 (Upgradeable, Super Driving Level 1)
"Do you see this attribute?"
While Ye Qiu was still a bit puzzled, Fle asked.
"This?" Ye Qiu was puzzled.
Fle said, "Due to some reason, I temporarily reside in this technology I developed, but the consequence is that I lost my body, leaving only a soul."
Noticing Ye Qiu's surprise and puzzlements, Fle continued, "I can be upgraded. In other words, the system can be upgraded."
"It can be upgraded? How does it upgrade, using Popularity or Experience Points?"
Ye Qiu asked, feeling a bit anxious. On one hand, he wanted to see what Fle was really like, and on the other hand, he felt sorry for Fle upon hearing that he was left only with his soul.
"No..."
Fle interrupted Ye Qiu's thoughts, saying, "These things are not enough to let me upgrade. What allows me to upgrade is finding the Energy Crystal Chips scattered on this planet."
"Energy Crystal Chip? What's that?" Ye Qiu asked.
"The system I developed was originally one entity, but when I escaped to Earth, the energy was too huge, and fearing discovery, I split it into nine pieces scattered across various locations on Earth."
"You're not from Earth?"
Ye Qiu keenly caught onto what Fle said, but immediately, before Fle could reply, he shook his head. Wasn't the question he asked nonsense?
Although there are many things on Earth now that he doesn't know, Earth's current level of technology is not enough to develop something as high-tech as Fle.
Fle also realized he had spoken carelessly and fell silent for a while. Ye Qiu anxiously asked, "Since you said that the chips were split into nine parts scattered across the Earth, do you know where they are?"
"If they are close by, I can sense them."
Upon hearing Fle's words, Ye Qiu was delighted and immediately thought of how powerful the system was even at Level 1, changing him so greatly. What would it be like if it upgraded to Level 9?
"You don't need to think too much. For now, focus on strengthening yourself. The more Popularity Points and Experience Points you gain, the stronger you will become."
Fle interrupted Ye Qiu's daydreaming. Hearing Fle's words, Ye Qiu felt a bit embarrassed but soon nodded.
Then, with a thought, he opened the Attribute Panel.
Car God System.
Host: Ye Qiu: D-level Racer (System evaluation calculation result, cannot be directly compared to real-world racer levels)
Popularity Points: 23000 (can be exchanged for vehicle parts in the System Mall)
Experience Points: 2403 (obtained through races, vehicle modification, and system rewards, used to enhance the five major racer attributes)
Spiritual Value: 10 (racer confidence level)
Luck Value: 60 (racer's degree of luck, e.g., early perception and judgment of disasters, track accidents, and racing incidents)
Physical Ability LV3 (2000~6000): (no physical fatigue after long driving)
Strength LV3 (2000~6000): (high control over driving, braking, drifting, tail-whipping, steering, etc., the higher the value, the greater the control)
Agility LV2 (1735~2000): judgment ability on everything.
Spirit LV3 (2397~6000): (can remain highly focused during long driving, the higher the value, the less fatigue)
Intelligence LV3 (2079~6000): (sharp control and judgment on tracks, opponents, accidents, etc., the higher the value, the stronger the judgment)
"Only 2403 Experience Points left!" Seeing the dwindling Experience Points after strengthening the Strength and Physical Ability attributes, Ye Qiu felt a bit helpless, but he clenched his fist to feel his strengthened body and felt relieved.
"Experience Points can be obtained by participating in races and defeating opponents, right?"
Ye Qiu asked.
"That's right, defeating racers of different levels yields different experience, and during the process of defeating racers, showcasing outstanding driving skills and tackling challenges of different difficulty also earns corresponding rewards. Additionally, by participating in major races, securing good positions, and breaking track records, you also earn experience and popularity rewards."
Hearing Fle's words, Ye Qiu nodded, pondering silently, "What racing teams are there in H City?"
"H City Professional Racing League is about to start!"
Just as Ye Qiu was thinking about which racing teams were in H City and where he should go to compete and earn experience, a weak voice suddenly came to his ears.
Putting down the book in front of him, he raised his head and followed the sound, furrowing his brows when he saw it was Wang Jie speaking.
"Is this guy a racer too?"
Ye Qiu stared at Wang Jie's back, his ears twitching. After strengthening his Physical Ability and Strength, his hearing became quite keen.
Wang Jie was now speaking very quietly with the person next to him, so much so that the classmates reviewing nearby didn't notice, but Ye Qiu could hear clearly at that moment.
Yet this detail went unnoticed by Ye Qiu, as he was astonished by what Wang Jie said next:
"I heard Situ Yang will also participate this time, which is really unfavorable for our team…"
"In that case, we can only follow the captain's plan… go after his girl, Luo Bing… kidnap Luo Bing to threaten Situ Yang and see how he competes then."
"At that time, victory will belong to our team, and our team will be H City's strongest…"
Ye Qiu listened to Wang Jie's words intermittently, his surprise slowly turning into anger,
"How shameless are these guys?"
Ye Qiu didn't know who Situ Yang was, nor did he know who the captain Wang Jie mentioned was, but he knew they planned to kidnap Luo Bing to threaten Situ Yang, attempting to use such shameless means to win the competition.
"No way, I can't just stand by and watch!"
Although Ye Qiu didn't want to meddle in others' business, after seeing Luo Bing sitting in front of him and recalling how Luo Bing spoke up for him earlier, he hesitated for a moment, then lowered his head to write a note, reaching out to poke Luo Bing's back afterward.