Chapter 113: Speculations on Abilities! Research Trip!

“What are you all muttering about? You’re lucky if you reach Xu Jingming’s level before sophomore year! How dare you complain!”

With the instructor’s roar, the classroom instantly fell silent.

Then, the instructor’s expression softened as he spoke to Xu Jingming:

“Student Xu, your demonstration is over. Return to your seat.”

“Alright, let’s continue. Just now, Student Xu demonstrated for us...”

The instructor resumed his lecture; Xu Jingming paid no mind to the stares from the new students and walked straight back to his seat.

“Two months—finally, I’ve mastered the Purple Thunder Divine Lightning to the point of complete control.”

Xu Jingming thought silently as he returned to his seat.

He had originally thought his control over his ability was already precise enough.

But after taking the Element Academy’s course on Elemental Ability Manipulation,

he realized he still had a long way to go before achieving true finesse.

So for these two months, he practiced according to what was taught in class and occasionally sought advice from the instructor.

Hard work paid off—his command of the Purple Thunder Divine Lightning had finally reached a high level.

“Funny—the system still can’t add points to ability manipulation proficiency.”

This was something Xu Jingming hadn’t expected.

Unconsciously, he opened his system panel:

【Name】: Xu Jingming

【Level】: Second-Rank Upper (++)

【Ability】: Purple Thunder Divine Lightning (S)

【Physique】: 1452 Qi (++)

【Spirit】: 1107 He (++)

【Skills】: Spear Technique (Master), Heavenly Thunder Art (Beginner++), Mingyuleikai (Beginner++), Fist Technique (Intermediate++), Thunder Spear (Advanced++), Chain Lightning Spear (Intermediate++), Thunder Flash (Advanced++), Thunder Prison (Intermediate++), Lightning Gale Break (Master++)

【Body Training】: Thunder Indestructible Body (Third Stage++)

【Ability Points】:

Compared to two months ago, Xu Jingming’s system panel hadn’t changed much.

His physique and spirit had each increased by about a hundred points.

Most importantly, his ability points had surged to a staggering thirteen thousand plus!

“But there’s still no plus sign after the ability entry—did I guess wrong? Or are the ability points still insufficient?”

Xu Jingming frowned slightly.

A month ago, when his ability points reached 6,000, he could have chosen to advance to third rank.

But just as he was about to click the plus sign, he suddenly thought:

If level and combat techniques could both be upgraded using ability points,

then why shouldn’t the ability itself be upgradeable?

After all, S-rank wasn’t the limit—there were even higher SS and SSS-rank abilities!

Once this thought took root, it grew uncontrollably.

So Xu Jingming suppressed his urge to advance, hoarding his ability points to see if a plus sign would appear after his ability.

But even now, nothing had changed.

“One more month of hoarding—if no plus sign appears, I’ll abandon this attempt and use the points to raise my level.”

Xu Jingming thought to himself.

Although he hadn’t spent a single one of these accumulated ability points,

his strength had still more than doubled compared to two months ago.

This was clearly evident when fighting beasts in the Yangcheng Wilderness Zone.

His strength increased partly because he trained relentlessly.

He also spent large sums of Daxia currency and academic credits to buy cultivation resources, boosting his Qi and spiritual energy.

On the other hand, the school’s courses had greatly benefited him.

He learned how to use his ability with precision, reduce waste, and strike fatal blows at beasts’ weak points.

“Ding ding ding~~~”

The lesson continued for a few more minutes.

The bell rang, and the instructor announced:

“That’s all for today’s class. Dismissed.”

Students rose and filed out; Xu Jingming followed the crowd toward the door.

Right after class,

a tall, graceful girl with a delicate, alluring face and a voluptuous figure stood waiting outside the classroom.

Passing new students understood who she was waiting for.

Those who knew they were far inferior to this second-ranked newcomer naturally avoided approaching her.

“Jingming, your control over lightning abilities has improved even more.”

Seeing Xu Jingming step out, Song Qiuyun smiled warmly and walked over.

She had been there for a while and had clearly seen his demonstration on stage.

“I’ve made some progress lately.”

“Some progress? That’s equal to a month of my training.”

Song Qiuyun instinctively grumbled.

But she was already used to Xu Jingming’s absurd talent; she quickly recovered and smiled brightly:

“By the way, the annual new-student research trip starts in a week—notice should be posted soon.

As our top-ranked newcomer, you definitely can’t skip it.”

The research trip was essentially a school-organized activity to take students out of classrooms and campuses,

immerse them in real-world environments, and let them experience regional cultures and social conditions firsthand.

Of course,

ordinary universities typically chose historically rich cities as destinations.

But Magic Capital Ability University was different—the destination was the wilderness zone...

Moreover, it wasn’t just Magic Capital Ability University.

Qingjing Ability University and Jincheng Ability University also sent their new students to the same location.

With all three top-tier schools’ new students gathered together, it was more than just a research trip.

Competitions were often held to test the newcomers’ standards across institutions.

“The research trip is voluntary, but most new students won’t refuse.

Given your nature, you’ll definitely join.”

Song Qiuyun declared confidently, as if she knew Xu Jingming inside out.

Hearing this, Xu Jingming felt a flicker of anticipation.

The destination being the wilderness zone meant a prime chance to harvest ability points—he wouldn’t refuse.

Besides, he was eager to see what kind of prodigies the other two top schools had recruited.

As Song Qiuyun predicted, that afternoon the school officially released the notice about the research trip.

The research trip would depart on November 10, one week from now.

It would last one and a half months, based on voluntary participation—students could choose to join or not.

However, every participating new student would receive a base reward of 20 academic credits.

Those who performed well during the trip would earn additional credits.

At the same time the notice was posted,

Xu Jingming, Song Qiuyun, and the other top fifty newcomers received a school meeting notice.