Chapter 1229: Give Me Back My Battle Slot! Yuri Apologizes!

Inside the cultivation chamber, the lighting was soft.

It illuminated the stunned expressions of Emily, Ling Shuang, and Su Qingli.

The jade boxes and space rings in their hands felt as heavy as a thousand catties.

Especially when they heard Xu Jingming casually mention "sixty billion Noah coins," they couldn't help but draw in a sharp breath.

"Jingming, you… where did you get so much money?"

Emily's pale golden eyes widened fully, her red lips slightly parted.

Though she was Star Radiance Stage Two, within the Imperial Academy,

even Star Stage instructors would need years to accumulate such wealth.

Yet Xu Jingming had only been in the Noah Sanctuary for half a year.

"Earned it by hunting beasts on Blackstone Star."

Xu Jingming smiled faintly, his tone casual, "I got lucky this time—big haul."

"But this is still too much…"

Ling Shuang stepped forward, her sultry face, marked by a tear-shaped mole, filled with concern, "You must have suffered a lot, right?"

"Not bad—wasn't it the same when I walked this path on Blue Star?"

Xu Jingming smiled warmly, "Besides, I'm now the true disciple of the Immortal God—no need to worry about resources."

"That's true—we couldn't help you with resources even if we wanted to."

"If that's the case, then we can only serve you well…"

Su Qingli's eyes once again shimmered with desire.

She lowered her head and leaned down.

This former director of the Thunder Temple was now thoroughly practiced.

"Jingming, don't move—let us handle it."

Ling Shuang and Emily pressed in too; the cultivation chamber instantly grew lush with springtime warmth…

For the next two days, Xu Jingming remained at the Imperial Academy.

By day, he accompanied Emily and the others, doted on Xu Xinghe and Xu Xinglan, enjoying rare moments of leisure.

By night, Xu Xinghe and Xu Xinglan were cared for by Eva's robotic assistants.

Xu Jingming spent time alone with Emily and the others.

Notably, they seemed to have realized they could no longer bear it alone.

They even proactively suggested bringing in more sisters.

This made him silently marvel at their gentle thoughtfulness.

When the time came two days later to gather and depart for the Lingshu Empire,

Xu Jingming left his haven of tenderness and headed for the Noah Sanctuary.

Noah Sanctuary, Central Plaza.

Morning sunlight pierced through the clouds, spilling onto the plaza's special alloy ground, reflecting a faint silver glow.

More than a dozen powerful young people had already gathered, standing in small groups, whispering among themselves.

These were the elite prodigies meticulously selected by the Noah Sanctuary to compete in the upcoming Sanctuary Exchange Competition.

"I heard the Lingshu Empire sent 'Ice Queen' Elena—her domain has reached the Eighteenth Layer!"

"Hmph, so what? We Noah Sanctuary aren't weaklings—Lord Jiao's domain is also perfected, enough to match her."

"Other empires' competitors shouldn't be underestimated—wonder if we can climb a few ranks this time."

"..."

Though the Sanctuary Exchange Competition hadn't begun yet,

some here had already learned details about other empires' competitors through special channels.

At that moment, a black streak of light flew in from afar and landed on the plaza, instantly drawing every eye.

It was a young man, 1.95 meters tall, his face resolute.

Broad-shouldered, straight-backed, he stood like a drawn sword—sharpness contained, yet impossible to ignore.

At his forehead, a faint blue lightning emblem glowed.

"It's Xu Jingming!"

"Sure enough, he's reached Star Radiance Stage Seven."

"This breakthrough speed is too fast."

"..."

Everyone present immediately recognized him; even Star Stage experts sensed his aura.

Yet all, upon seeing the mark on his forehead, involuntarily showed envy.

Merely that lightning law seed alone was beyond their reach.

Xu Jingming scanned the crowd—Lei Ting hadn't arrived yet; only Lu Yunji was familiar to him.

"Xu Jingming, over here."

Lu Yunji waved.

Today she wore a crimson battle suit, her figure slender and alluring.

Especially her rounded hips—made one yearn to feel their astonishing softness firsthand.

Xu Jingming turned toward her, but halfway there, a young man stepped in front of him.

"You're Xu Jingming?" The youth stared at him.

"Who are you?" Xu Jingming frowned—he didn't recognize this man.

"You don't recognize me?"

The young man's face instantly darkened, but he still spoke:

"I'm Zak, reserve combatant of Starlight Seventh Rank."

At these words, Xu Jingming immediately understood this was the man whose combat slot he had taken.

And judging by his demeanor, he seemed hostile, so Xu Jingming gave him no friendly look, replying coolly: "What do you want?"

"Nothing much, just came to remind you.

This Sacred Site Exchange Tournament is important. When the official matches begin,

I hope you won't overextend yourself—let me take your place if you can."

Zak spoke with self-righteous conviction, as if he truly cared about the Sacred Site Exchange Tournament.

His voice wasn't loud, but who in the crowd couldn't hear?

Instantly, murmurs spread across the square.

"Zak wants Xu Jingming to voluntarily give up his combat slot."

"Obviously—combat slot starts with a 400-million credit reward, and you earn more with each win; reserve slot only gets the base 100-million."

"True—he was originally on the combat slot, then got bumped down. Of course he's resentful."

"......"

The prodigies present watched the unfolding scene with keen interest.

All of them were Level One geniuses, each with their own pride.

To Zak, Xu Jingming's status as Eternal Spirit Divine Disciple meant nothing to him.

For the substantial credit reward, he was determined to try.

But Xu Jingming hadn't spoken yet.

Lu Yunji, who had been simmering with anger since the first doubts about Xu Jingming, narrowed her eyes and snapped sharply:

"Zak, what do you mean? What's this about 'not overextending yourself'?"

Zak clearly hadn't expected Lu Yunji to intervene.

He paused, then said:

"This has nothing to do with you, Senior Sister Lu. I just want Xu Jingming to return the combat slot to me."

If it were anyone else, he wouldn't even acknowledge them.

But Lu Yunji, Starlight Eighth Rank, was powerful—he couldn't ignore her.

"Return it to you?"

Xu Jingming narrowed his eyes and deliberately spread his hands:

"The combat slot was assigned by Lady Niki.

If you can get Lady Niki to swap you in, I won't object."

"You—!"

Zak fell speechless at once.

He, a mere Starlight Seventh Rank, dared not approach an Eternal Spirit over this?

"Oh? Isn't this Junior Brother Xu?"

Suddenly, a tinkling laugh shattered the standoff.

Yuli strolled over, her silver chain belt jingling with each sway of her hips.

She wore a form-fitting female combat suit that accentuated her curvaceous figure.

She ignored Zak entirely, stepping forward with long, rounded legs to stand before Xu Jingming.

Without caring who else was watching, she affectionately wrapped her arm around his.

Her large, glistening eyes sparkled with effortless charm as she said:

"Thanks to you, Junior Brother Xu, for letting me off last time on Blackrock Star—I wouldn't have made it to this Sacred Site Exchange Tournament otherwise.

Have you got time lately? Let me treat you to a proper meal, and apologize properly for what happened before."

At these words, those around them turned expressions of surprise.

Let her off last time?

What did Yuli mean by that?