Chapter 1231: Imperial Prodigies! Niki

Inside the silver starship, Niki hovered midair, her slender figure wrapped in a red gown, elegant and captivating.

Her gaze swept over the 36 competitors in the cabin, and her crimson lips parted.

"First, the rules and guidelines for the Sacred Ground Exchange Competition."

As she spoke, the cabin's holographic projection system activated, unfolding a massive image of the competition rules before them.

"The first point concerns equipment restrictions."

Niki's slender finger tapped the air, and instantly, two 3D models of battle suits appeared in the projection.

"To ensure fairness, the exchange competition enforces a unified maximum tier for battle suits.

Starlight-class competitors will all use Class-D suits; Star-class competitors will all use Class-C suits."

The surface of the battle suits in the projection shimmered with faint energy halos, and a designated slot for the Empire's emblem was embedded on the chest.

"The Empire has prepared your battle suits—specially refined premium Class-D1 and Class-C1 suits."

As Niki spoke, she swept her right hand.

Thirty-six silver metal cases materialized in midair, landing precisely before each competitor.

Xu Jingming took his metal case; its surface was engraved with the exquisite emblem of the Noah Empire.

When he opened it, a neatly folded Class-D1 battle suit lay inside, cool and supple to the touch.

"A Class-D1 battle suit costs at least two billion Noah credits on the market."

Lu Yunji whispered beside him, "The Sacred Ground is really going all out."

Xu Jingming nodded slightly.

Class-D battle suits were indeed expensive.

Especially these custom-made versions for prodigies—their performance far surpassed ordinary Class-D suits.

He noticed his name embroidered on the collar—clearly tailored to him.

Of course, compared to his own Class-B1 battle suit, this Class-D1 was nothing special.

"The battle suit is the Empire's reward to you; you may keep it after the competition.

If you perform well in the exchange competition, this suit can later be sold as a commemorative item.

Its value will far exceed its original worth."

Niki's voice continued, "As for weapons..."

The projection shifted, displaying images of various weapons.

"There are no special tier requirements for weapons—use your own." Niki said.

Xu Jingming nodded slightly.

The battle suit activates upon being worn; weapons are different.

The higher the tier of a Law weapon, the greater the Law comprehension required from its user.

Being able to wield a high-tier Law weapon itself signifies strength.

For example, my Abyss Spear—if your Lightning Domain's layer count is insufficient,

you cannot even activate its internal Lightning Secret Patterns, cannot gain Lightning enhancement, and can only use it as a mere alloy weapon.

"The exchange competition consists of two phases."

Niki switched the projection, revealing the schedule: "Phase one is same-tier matches—each competitor faces opponents of the same tier.

Phase two is the challenge phase—competitors may freely challenge any opponent, even across tiers."

The projection detailed the match format and scoring rules.

Xu Jingming noted that winning a same-tier match granted base points.

Winning a challenge match awarded bonus points; final rankings would be determined by total points.

"The higher your rank, the better the Empire's final reward—you don't need me to elaborate on that.

Next, I need to draw your special attention to certain competitors, starting with the Starlight class."

Niki waved lightly, and the projection shifted to images and profiles of several prodigies.

First appeared a silver-haired girl.

In the image, she was surrounded by ice crystals, as if the surrounding space had been frozen.

"Elena of the Spirit Hub Empire, 'Ice Queen,' Starlight Ninth Layer."

Her Ice Domain has reached the Eighteenth Layer, perfected; her Manifestation is a T7-level 'Absolute Frost Ice Phoenix Manifestation,' already at peak mastery."

As the image switched to Elena activating her Manifestation, many Starlight-class competitors in the cabin gasped, and even some Star-class competitors wore serious expressions.

The ice phoenix, with a wingspan exceeding a kilometer, sent torrents of ice crystals flying with every beat of its wings, its power astonishing.

Next appeared a golden-haired youth, wielding a massive sword, surrounded by blazing golden flames.

"Apollo of the Spirit Hub Empire, 'Son of the Sun,' Starlight Eighth Layer."

His Light and Fire Domains both reach the Seventeenth Layer; his Manifestation is a T7-level 'Blazing Sun Golden Crow Manifestation.'"

One by one, Niki detailed the profiles of these formidable rivals—most of them from the Spirit Hub Empire.

The reason was simple: the Spirit Hub Empire was a mid-tier civilization cosmic state.

Its sovereign was a Dominator-level powerhouse, with deep reserves far surpassing the Noah Empire, a low-tier civilization cosmic state.

The Spirit Hub Empire had always been the top-ranked team in the exchange competition.

In fact, the Spirit Hub Empire's participation in a low-tier civilization cosmic state exchange competition was inherently unequal.

But since the Spirit Hub Empire was the host, they could make anyone participate if they wished.

"In short, if you face a Spirit Hub Empire competitor, your first priority is to preserve your strength."

Niki spoke softly.

The Sacred Ground Exchange Competition, besides the Spirit Hub Empire, included thirty other low-tier civilization cosmic states.

Among these 30 empires, the Noah Empire was merely mid-to-lower tier.

They couldn't even claim the top spot, let alone dream of challenging the Sol Hub Empire's team.

"Understood."

Everyone present nodded in unison.

Are you kidding?

Even among prodigies, there are differences—they knew very well they couldn't match the geniuses of Sol Hub Sacred Ground.

"Xu Jingming."

At that moment, Niki's clear, large eyes suddenly turned toward Xu Jingming:

"This battle of Starlight Seventh Rank, I entrust to you."

Except for those from the Sol Hub Empire, I don't want to see you lose to anyone."

As soon as she finished speaking, a small stir rippled through the cabin.

Did Niki my lord personally confirm that Xu Jingming's strength far surpasses his peers?

If that's true, then Yuli's earlier words were indeed not false!

Zack, the substitute for Starlight Seventh Rank, wore an expression of disbelief.

How is that possible?!

Xu Jingming broke through to Starlight Seventh Rank in just four months.

How could he possibly keep pace with a Law Form and Domain too?

"No problem."

Unconcerned with others' gazes, Xu Jingming nodded calmly, his voice quiet yet brimming with confidence.

Not just Starlight Seventh Rank—even Starlight Eighth Rank and Starlight Ninth Rank, he wanted to test himself against them.

"Excellent. If you fulfill this promise, I will apply for a reward of three billion credit points for you."

Niki nodded in satisfaction.

"Thank you, teacher!"

Xu Jingming's eyes lit up, and he quickly expressed his gratitude.

Three billion credit points was already a huge sum!

Next, after introducing several more contestants,

Niki sent all contestants' profiles to everyone's smart bracers, then went to the quiet room.

She was the team's mentor, not a nanny.

After completing the necessary introductions, she naturally wouldn't linger here nagging.