Ji Xinghuo shook his head calmly, a smile lifting at the corners of his mouth.
He had intended to tell her his identity didn’t matter and they could simply be friends, as he was no mysterious big shot.
However, teasing her seemed quite amusing.
"What if I do find you?" Zhao Manying seemed to find the hunt amusing and treated it like a game.
Ji Xinghuo smiled and replied, "Then we become friends."
"Aren’t we friends already?" Zhao Manying’s voice suddenly changed. Ji Xinghuo could immediately tell it was her natural voice, which was highly distinguishable, clear, and sweet, but her tone was completely different from usual, coquettish with a hint of seduction, obviously putting on a voice.
Ji Xinghuo nearly laughed out loud, but seriously said, "Of course not, we’re only online friends."
"Hahaha..." Zhao Manying couldn’t help laughing herself, then returned to her normal voice and asked, "You’re the Mutant from the rankings, aren’t you?"
"Is one strong just because they’re on the rankings?" Ji Xinghuo intentionally misled.
There were ten thousand people on the rankings, including himself and Zhao Manying. About thirty people aged 24 were on it, all of them top-tier geniuses.
If she confirmed his presence on the rankings, her search would narrow down to just a few dozen people, and then filtering by gender and recalling he had mentioned living in Chang’an, she would be very close to the truth.
Plus, he was the last on the rankings.
This ranking was actually quite conspicuous as a bit of news research could clarify things.
"Possible..." Zhao Manying didn’t know what Ji Xinghuo was thinking and nodded, "I have seen some strong Mutants who, for various reasons, don’t appear on the rankings."
"Stronger than you?" Ji Xinghuo asked curiously.
"How could that be possible!" Zhao Manying snorted lightly, her invincible confidence clearly overflowing, "My position at the top of the rankings was fought for, under the Legendary level, there’s no one on Earth who could be my match," she looked at Ji Xinghuo, "including you."
Ji Xinghuo smiled noncommittally but did not rebut.
It was apparent that being defeated earlier in Martial Arts had not affected her confidence at all; either she hadn’t exerted her full strength or she felt Martial Arts was only a part of her capabilities.
Ji Xinghuo issued a challenge directly, as victory was the best counterattack.
Moreover, an opponent like Zhao Manying was too rare, and the benefits of a single match against her could equal a hundred against others.
Zhao Manying readily agreed.
She shared the same thought as Ji Xinghuo and wanted to defeat Ji Xinghuo to prove herself.
Ji Xinghuo left the stage to create a private room, with the environment no longer being the stage but a quaint Martial Arts Arena situated at the peak of a mountain, surrounded with an open view that allowed enjoyment of the surrounding rugged mountains, where the clouds rolled and the scenery was pleasing.
This kind of space, used specifically for private matches and practice, did not count points, and people called it the "Martial Arts Room."
And it was not limited to a number of people; friends could be invited to join.
Ji Xinghuo invited Zhao Manying.
She entered the Martial Arts Room, glanced around, and said, "Let’s start."
The two immediately began fighting.
Without an audience or friends, they immersed into an evenly matched, intense battle, time unknowingly passing by.
Suddenly, a night had passed.
Ji Xinghuo slashed Zhao Manying’s longsword apart, threw a punch with his left hand, which struck her throat like lightning, Inch Force bursting forth, and thus the match was decided.
Flashing lights appeared, and both were restored to their original state.
Zhao Manying, expressionless, stood and closed her eyes to reflect, mentally replaying the gains and losses of the recent match. After a few minutes, she opened her eyes and said, "Again."
"Let’s stop for today," Ji Xinghuo shook his head, "I need to start my cultivation for today."
"Trying to run after winning?"
Zhao Manying was clearly still eager and finally showed her true emotions, feeling both reluctant and unconvinced. She had faced Ji Xinghuo in many matches, and had lost every single one!
Originally thinking they were evenly matched opponents, it turned out to be one-sided.
Every time, just when she thought she had a chance to win, she was always just that bit short. In Martial Arts, even a slight gap seemed small but was actually like a chasm that was difficult to cross. If you’re one move short every time, it then becomes a gap in ranks.
She was a Martial Arts Grandmaster, and the only higher rank was that of a Martial Saint.
Moreover, being named a Martial Saint was more an honor, recognizing one’s achievements in Martial Arts, and not every Martial Saint could overwhelm a Martial Arts Grandmaster.
Zhao Manying couldn’t imagine there was a 24-year-old Martial Saint on Earth!
Her once indestructible confidence was shaken.
But the improvement she made this night was real and exhilarating, more substantial than what she had achieved in the past six months, giving her thoughts of continuing.
"It’s not that I want to leave; it’s just that it’s seven in the morning," Ji Xinghuo said helplessly.
Zhao Manying, immersed in the fight, hadn’t noticed the time and felt somewhat embarrassed, "Then you go. I also have a busy day, with two interviews. Shall we meet in the evening?"
"What time?" Ji Xinghuo asked.
"I’ll try to be online before eight," Zhao Manying suddenly laughed, "Or give me your contact. If there’s any change, I can let you know."
Ji Xinghuo dropped two words and exited the Martial Arts Room, going offline directly.
He emerged from the virtual login pod and took a deep breath, having fought Zhao Manying all night, he was actually quite spent.
The mental pressure had greatly drained his spirits.