Chapter 1263: Talent May Be Strong, But Perception Is Limited!

"Lan-jie! You're too strong!"

"Succubus bloodline! This is an extremely rare special bloodline!"

"Tsk tsk, I never expected Senior Sister to have hidden such a trump card."

"......"

When Ye Lan returned to the Noa Sacred Site contestant area, she was greeted by envious and admiring congratulations from the crowd.

Her purple eyes swept over them, and upon noticing they showed no unusual expressions,

she quietly sighed in relief—apparently, the exposure of her succubus bloodline wasn't as terrifying as she'd feared.

"No wonder you're Senior Sister—your succubus form was breathtaking. I was completely stunned."

Yuli's eyes shimmered with awe.

Unlike her forced seduction, Ye Lan's succubus form was naturally alluring.

Every frown and smile carried boundless charm.

"But the real terror is the combat boost—just now, that Thousand Blades Slash was insane!"

Lu Yunji chimed in, her fair, delicate face filled with envy.

"Congratulations, Senior Sister, on completing a cross-rank challenge. What are your plans next? Continue challenging the Star Level Four of the Lingshu Sacred Site?"

Xu Jingming walked up and asked with a smile.

As soon as he spoke, the entire contestant area fell silent—all eyes fixed on Ye Lan.

Was Ye Lan going to do the same as Xu Jingming—take on three at once?

"The Star Level Four of the Lingshu Sacred Site is too strong—even with bloodline power, victory isn't guaranteed. Next, I'll challenge Star Level Four from weaker Sacred Sites."

Ye Lan shook her head gently, her long purple hair swaying slightly with the motion.

"That's still incredibly strong!"

Yuli couldn't help exclaiming, "Challenging Star Level Four from Star Level Two—I never even dreamed of such a thing before!"

In past Sacred Site exchange competitions, Noa Sacred Site had performed poorly in the cross-rank challenge phase.

Not to mention Ye Lan's feat of consecutively challenging Star Level Four from other Sacred Sites.

"That's indeed more prudent. Then let me wish you early victory and the final reward."

Xu Jingming nodded, when suddenly Ye Lan's mental voice echoed in his mind:

"Xu Xuedi, come to my villa after you're done—I still need your help dealing with the demonic energy."

As she spoke, he saw Ye Lan give him an almost imperceptible wink.

"Has your demonic energy lost control again?"

A flicker of surprise passed through Xu Jingming's eyes.

But he quickly calmed, responding with mental energy.

"Mm..."

Ye Lan's voice carried a rare hint of embarrassment: "I overused it in this real combat—the side effects are worse than expected."

She could already feel the familiar heat spreading through her body.

"Alright, I'll come around seven tonight."

Xu Jingming replied after a moment's thought.

Having watched Ye Lan's match, he should return to the trial zone to keep harvesting source points.

Seven tonight is roughly when he plans to leave the trial zone.

"Fine, I'll wait for you at the villa."

Hearing this, Ye Lan finally relaxed completely.

This was the first time she'd used her succubus bloodline in real combat.

It made the side effects far more pronounced.

If Xu Jingming had refused, dealing with the side effects alone would've been a nightmare...

Afterward, Ye Lan stayed in the contestant area to watch the remaining matches.

Xu Jingming, meanwhile, flew alone toward the Lingshu Sacred Site's beast trial zone.

But he had barely taken flight when someone blocked his path.

The man wore a gray robe, his face gentle, a flame law mark on his forehead—he radiated no threat whatsoever.

Yet when he appeared, Xu Jingming felt as if the surrounding space had been completely sealed off.

And the man himself was the sole deity within this space!

"Lord Mik."

Xu Jingming immediately bowed respectfully.

This man was none other than the Immortal Spirit who had greeted them upon their arrival at the Lingshu Sacred Site.

"Xu Jingming, your performance in this exchange competition has been exceptional."

Mik regarded Xu Jingming, his admiration unmistakable:

"On behalf of the Lingshu Sacred Site, I formally invite you to join us.

If you agree, we will cultivate you as one of our top prodigies, with resource allocation far exceeding that of Noa Sacred Site.

Know this—only a handful of individuals in the entire Lingshu Sacred Site, such as Elinna, currently enjoy this status."

Here it comes!

The Lingshu Sacred Site's recruitment!

Xu Jingming, prepared for this all along, showed no change in expression—only shook his head and said:

"Thank you, Master Mik, for your recognition, but I come from a native planet."

Without the Noah Sanctuary, I wouldn't be where I am today, so I have no intention of leaving.

He spoke the truth.

Without the Noah Sanctuary leaving behind the Trial Tower's reward of a lightspeed spaceship in the Ember World,

he might still be drifting through the vast cosmos, let alone coming here to cultivate within this sanctuary.

"The Noah Sanctuary truly showed you great favor."

Mik, who had reviewed Xu Jingming's dossier in advance, nodded slightly:

"But people seek higher ground, water flows to lower places—you understand this principle.

If you're willing to join our Lingshu Sanctuary, we will offer compensation to the Noah Sanctuary on your behalf.

Moreover, you should know that two years from now is the Universe Talent War hosted by the Eternal Star Alliance.

During this time, you ought to have better preparation conditions."

"Thank you, my lord Mik, for your concern. I have my own plans for the Talent War."

Xu Jingming still shook his head.

For him, as long as he could hunt demonic beasts and obtain Source Points,

it made no difference where he was.

"Oh?"

This answer truly exceeded Mik's expectations.

He stared at Xu Jingming for several seconds, then suddenly smiled: "Very well, if that's your choice, I won't press you."

Saying this, he took a crystal-clear card from his space ring and handed it to Xu Jingming:

"It contains my contact information. If you change your mind, feel free to reach out anytime."

"Thank you, my lord Mik. I'll take my leave then."

Xu Jingming accepted the card and bowed politely in thanks.

He then flew toward the demonic beast trial zone, his figure vanishing swiftly into the horizon.

"Knowing full well the Talent War is two years away, yet still staying at the Noah Sanctuary out of sentiment.

This Xu Jingming—though gifted—is lacking in vision..."

Shaking his head, Mik's form vanished instantly from where he stood.

The universe's human prodigies are as countless as stars.

In the Lingshu Empire, Xu Jingming's talent is indeed monstrous.

But among all human prodigies across the entire race, he amounts to nothing.

Know this: true prodigies can match Star-level combat power while still at Starlight stage!

Xu Jingming is still far from reaching that level.

After the Universe Talent War, Xu Jingming will most likely regret not accepting the offer to join the Lingshu Sanctuary now.

Of course,

should Xu Jingming later choose to join the Lingshu Sanctuary, he would still warmly welcome him.

After all, Xu Jingming's talent is undeniably genuine.

As for Xu Jingming's claim just now that he had his own plans, he never took it seriously.

He's merely a Starlight-stage cultivator from a backwater planet, with no background to support him—what plans could he possibly have?