Chapter 134

Unlike ordinary B-grade and A-grade combat techniques.

S-grade combat techniques are immensely powerful and often require meeting a series of thresholds before they can be learned.

Moreover, even with a teacher's instruction,

the learning cycle for an S-grade combat technique can last a full one to two years!

Therefore, even Kiran himself had mastered only one S-grade combat technique.

Yet he never imagined that Xu Jingming, two years younger than him, had also mastered an S-grade combat technique!

And it was a ranged spell-type one!

"Isn't he a spear user? How did he learn a spell-type combat technique?"

Kiran's dark-yellow face wore an expression of utter astonishment.

His own ability was an enhancement-type S-grade ability, and the S-grade combat technique he mastered was likewise a close-combat fighting style.

Even with all his strength, he could only kill lower-tier fourth-rank ferocious beasts like the Source Water Giant Crocodile.

But fourth-rank ferocious beasts were usually the leaders of their packs!

After using an S-grade combat technique to kill a fourth-rank ferocious beast leader,

he would be left with exhausted abilities and utterly unable to deal with the remaining third-rank peak ferocious beasts.

Thus, although he had slain several fourth-rank ferocious beasts, he had only targeted isolated ones.

But Xu Jingming's ranged spell-type S-grade combat technique was different—he didn't need to risk his own life at all!

After releasing the technique, he could simply withdraw.

"Is this... 'Heavenly Thunder Art'? Did I see that right?"

In the instructor zone,

a Ma Da instructor from the Element Academy recognized Xu Jingming's S-grade combat technique.

He was momentarily stunned.

Even within the entire Element Academy, few students had mastered this S-grade combat technique.

How had Xu Jingming, a first-year student from the Weaponry Academy, already learned it?

Ling Shuang, Ma Da's vice principal, was also surprised, but quickly recovered.

A faint smile on her face, she turned to Jingda's vice principal, Xu Ping:

"Vice Xu Xiaozhang, do you still wish to keep watching?"

Xu Ping shook his head and sighed: "That's enough. No need to watch further."

As soon as this lightning-based S-grade spell technique appeared,

he knew Xu Jingming truly had the ability to earn over 400,000 points.

"Only a first-year student, yet already mastered an S-grade combat technique.

Xu Jingming, you've done well. The S-grade cultivation resources will be delivered shortly."

Although Jingda and Ma Da were rivals,

Xu Ping couldn't help but admire Xu Jingming, a national S-grade talent from Daxia.

He just hadn't expected that after all his preparations, Jingda would still lose to Ma Da.

As he sighed, he felt a pang of regret.

If he'd known Xu Jingming was this extraordinary, he should have spared no cost to recruit him into Jingda during the special admission process...

"Thank you, Vice Xu Xiaozhang, for your praise."

Xu Jingming was in high spirits, smiling broadly.

"Vice Principal Ling, congratulations. You've taken first place, completing a five-peat."

Though defeated, Xu Ping still offered generous congratulations.

"Congratulations, congratulations."

Jingda's vice principal also chimed in.

He felt no regret at all.

After all, their school had not a single S-grade talent.

They'd long since given up...

"That heavenly thunder is terrifying—this must be an S-grade combat technique."

"Of course it is! Show me an A-grade technique with this kind of power!"

"An S-grade ability plus an S-grade combat technique—its power is truly terrifying!"

"That Kiran guy was accusing others of cheating—now look, he's been slapped right in the face!"

"......"

Hearing the new students' admiration for Xu Jingming and their mockery of himself, Kiran still felt a lingering resentment.

But the evidence was right before his eyes—he could only fall silent.

Thus, time quickly reached nine o'clock, and most new students' scores had been tallied.

Of course,

there were inevitably some uncounted.

Those uncounted new students either hadn't returned in time or had met with accidents inside the Demon Caves.

These individuals would be assessed in the coming days.

If any accidents had truly occurred, the major universities would handle them appropriately.

Xu Ping, Jingda's vice principal, stood from his seat and summarized:

"The competition during this study trip has ended. Based on the score rankings."

The first place is the Demon Capital Institute of Psychic Abilities, with a 41% resource allocation quota and priority distribution rights!

The second place is the Qingjing Institute of Psychic Abilities, with a 31.5% resource allocation quota.

The third place is the Jincheng Institute of Psychic Abilities, with a 27.5% resource allocation quota.

The instant Vice Xu Xiaozhang Ping finished speaking, a roar of cheers erupted from the first-year students of Mo Da!

"We won! Mo Da is number one!"

"Turned the tide! Mingge is so cool!"

"Five straight championships—we did it!"

"This is what a Class-S of Great Xia looks like!"

"......"

Dozens of gazes turned simultaneously toward Xu Jingming.

There was the pride of fellow first-years, and the admiration from rivals like Jing Da and Jin Da.

Even Li Chengzhi and Lei Zhou, those who had truly fought Xu Jingming, wore expressions of deep reflection.

They were all first-years too, yet Xu Jingming's rate of progress was simply too fast...

"Additionally, the resources allocated to our three universities this time are rare exotic flowers and herbs planted outside the Demon Cave.

Tomorrow, all first-years, under the guidance of their respective instructors, will enter the cultivation grounds to harvest.

After collection, each university..."

The study trip will last a total of one and a half months.

The first month will be a competition to slay ferocious beasts; the second half-month will feature separate lectures by each university's instructors.

After all, the Demon Cave is an excellent venue for practical combat training—we cannot waste it.

Vice Xu Xiaozhang Ping of Jing Da continued outlining the subsequent procedures.

Kiran, Class-S of India, quietly approached his instructor, Sharman Khan, and asked in Hindi:

"Teacher, are we just going to make this trip for nothing?"

"The Great Xia Class-S is too strong. We can do nothing."

Sharman was also helpless.

He had originally thought Jing Da's mission would be easy, so he readily agreed to pay the reward only after securing first place.

But he never imagined the Great Xia Class-S could be this monstrous.

"Instructor, could you speak with Xu Xiaozhang and arrange for me to fight Xu Jingming directly?

If I lose, we hand over the resources; if I win, the previously promised resources remain ours as agreed."

Kiran mused.

"Oh? You have confidence?" Sharman's eyes lit up.

If so, Jing Da and Mo Da might still have a chance to compete again.

And we could profit from the situation.

"Xu Jingming's spell-based Class-S technique requires one or two seconds to cast—in a one-on-one fight, I will definitely win."

Kiran nodded.

As a Class-S Enhancement psychic, he had full confidence in close-quarters combat.

"Fine, I'll speak to the principal right after."

After a moment of thought, Sharman ultimately agreed.

On one hand, as Kiran's instructor, he knew Kiran's prowess in close combat.

On the other hand, the resources Jing Da had promised were simply too tempting to abandon lightly.