Chapter 1243

"Who will win the championship? Who will claim S-class resources? Find out in the upcoming thrilling matches!"

"Now, let's begin the random pairing for the first stage!"

The host's soaring voice echoed across the arena, stirring wave after wave of cheers from the audience seats.

In the center of the massive holographic projection screen, two enormous spinning wheels appeared.

The wheels displayed the names of all competitors in the Star Rank and Starlight Rank.

The wheels spun at high speed, gradually slowing under the gaze of tens of millions of viewers, finally stopping to match the competitors.

After dozens of pairings, a massive battle chart appeared on the holographic projection screen.

"The match schedule is confirmed! Thirty rounds per day!"

"Each competitor will fight two matches daily, with the first-stage same-rank ranking tournament expected to conclude within fifteen days!"

As the host spoke, Xu Jingming scanned the screen and quickly found his own match schedule.

His battle against the Starlight Rank 7 competitor from Lingshu Sacred Ground will be the second match on Day 8.

"Only two matches per day? Such a waste of time."

Xu Jingming frowned slightly.

For the live audience, the nonstop intense battles over the next half-month would make the ticket price worthwhile.

But for him, he could crush opponents in same-rank matches without even summoning his Law Form.

The two daily matches would take at most half an hour to complete.

He couldn't possibly just return to rest during the remaining time.

He'd better find a place to hunt demons and harvest Ability Points.

Of course, it couldn't be too far away, or he'd miss his matches.

"Noah Sacred Ground has demon training zones—Lingshu Sacred Ground surely must have one too."

"But I probably don't have access rights. Maybe I should ask Teacher Nikki—see if she can help."

As Xu Jingming silently pondered, Yu Li smiled and reminded him:

"Xu junior, your first opponent is Roy."

"He's a Starlight Rank 7 from Baiyang Sacred Ground—his strength isn't to be underestimated."

"No problem—he won't last a minute against me."

Xu Jingming's expression was relaxed.

Baiyang Sacred Ground ranked fifth overall in last year's Sacred Ground Exchange Tournament.

Far surpassing Noah Sacred Ground, which ranked fifteenth.

But for him, there was naturally no pressure.

"Now, let's begin the first round of the same-rank ranking tournament! Competitors, to your arenas!"

Amid the host's impassioned voice, the entire competition zone split into ten separate areas.

The entire same-rank ranking tournament requires thousands of matches, averaging over a hundred per day.

Naturally, they couldn't be held one by one—ten matches would be opened simultaneously each round, ten rounds per day.

Today's matches: Lu Yunji was in Round 3; Xu Jingming was in Round 1.

As a substitute, Yu Li had no chance to compete unless Lu Yunji was injured.

That's why Zack, stripped of his starting slot and made a substitute, was so furious.

'Please report to Arena 3: Xu Jingming of Noah Sacred Ground, Roy of Baiyang Sacred Ground!'

A message popped up on his smart armband. As the first-round competitor, Xu Jingming greeted Ye Lan and Lu Yunji before heading to the arena.

When he stepped onto the platform, Roy had already arrived.

He was a towering giant, nearly two meters tall, his muscles bulging and knotted.

His skin had an unnatural earthy-yellow hue—the mark of having perfected the Earth Domain to an extreme level.

"Xu Jingming of Noah Sacred Ground?"

Seeing Xu Jingming ascend, Roy gave a bitter smile. "Looks like my luck's terrible for this first fight."

As a main competitor of Baiyang Sacred Ground, ranked fifth last year, Roy had naturally studied intelligence on other sacred grounds.

He'd watched yesterday's apology statement and battle footage multiple times—he deeply knew the terror of this young man before him.

But the AI referee didn't care—he confirmed both competitors were ready and immediately declared the match begun.

Boom—!!

Across the arena spanning nearly one hundred thousand square kilometers.

Almost the instant the referee spoke, Roy unleashed his full Earth Domain!

Thick earth-yellow light radiated from him, forming a heavy rock armor over his body!

Simultaneously, his colossal Law Form erupted from the ground!

"T7 Technique: Earth's Protection!"

Combined with sixteen layers of Earth and Metal Domains and his Law Form!

Roy will win this match!"

Spectators following Roy cheered excitedly.

Yet—

Crackling! Crackling! Crackling!!

Vast torrents of black Lei Guang surged forth—the T7-level Devouring Sun Shenlei exploded into being!

Xu Jingming didn't even use a single technique—he merely unleashed his domain, instantly obliterating Roy's Law Form!

Where the black Lei Hai passed, it was as if a black hole had ravaged through—seemingly even the air was annihilated!

"I surrender! I surrender!"

Roy, who had originally wanted to give it a try, shrank his pupils and hurriedly shouted his surrender.

There was no choice.

This was reality, not the virtual world.

Once seriously injured, it would be very troublesome.

"What's going on? Last term's Roy was the top four of Stellar Radiance Seventh Rank! He actually conceded this time?"

"Noah Sanctuary only ranked 15th in last term's exchange tournament, and they still can't win — total trash."

"Xu Jingming? Never heard that name, but he looks a bit fierce."

"......"

Discussion rose one after another, and many spectators began frantically looking up Xu Jingming's information.

Yet Xu Jingming, who had won, had long since left the arena.

"Truly worthy of Brother Ming! That was too fast!"

"Too strong! That was Roy!"

"Obviously — Brother Ming is a being who sweeps through his own rank!"

"......"

Xu Jingming, returning to the team, was immediately greeted by a grand cheer.

Invincible among his peers, even able to clash head-on with Stellar Radiance Seventh Rank from Spirit Pivot Sanctuary — this was the consensus of everyone present.

"Your next match probably won't be until the afternoon. Want to go watch the others' matches?"

Lu Yunji came up to meet him, his crimson eyes full of a smile as he spoke.

"No need. You all watch first, I'll go find Instructor Nicky."

Shaking his head, after a brief farewell, Xu Jingming left the contestant area.

For the Eternal Gods, battles at Stellar Radiance Rank or Star Rank naturally held not the slightest entertainment value.

They mostly only served the role of leading the team and holding the fort.

After arriving at Spirit Pivot Sanctuary and tossing all matters to Sol, Nicky had not bothered with Noah Sanctuary's team any further.

When Xu Jingming found Nicky based on the information, the other party was on a beach.

The distant sea surged with waves, while she, wearing sunglasses, lay lazily on a floating lounge chair.

A pure black swimsuit bandeau wrapped her proud, full figure, and below her slender waist were swim trunks barely covering the line of her hips.

The most breathtaking feature was her crossed, long jade-like legs, their snow-white skin especially dazzling under the sunlight.

Such a stunningly beautiful scene made even Xu Jingming's breathing pause slightly.

Nicky_Image