Chapter 135: Ji Lan

Alright, that's enough for today.

Tomorrow at nine a. m., all new students gather at the square in front of the main building to enter the Demon Cavern and collect rare flowers and herbs.

After speaking for over ten minutes about the special precautions needed for the next half-month, the vice president of Jing University immediately announced the dismissal of the teams.

This research trip competition ended with Mo University claiming first place, achieving the honor of a five-peat.

Xu Jingming's brilliant performance inside the Demon Cavern was still being eagerly discussed by everyone even after the teams disbanded.

How do you plan to arrange your mentor's teaching time for the next half-month?

In the mentor zone,

Vice President Ling Shuang of Mo University, her beautiful eyes fixed on Xu Jingming, asked with interest.

Enter the Demon Cavern and continue hunting ferocious beasts.

Xu Jingming did not conceal his answer; he replied honestly.

You've been fighting continuously for nearly a month—aren't you tired?

As an eighth-rank Master Zongshi, Ling Shuang had seen plenty of geniuses who awakened S-rank abilities,

but she had never encountered an S-rank like Xu Jingming who worked so hard, even to the point of risking his life.

Thus, a trace of curiosity appeared on her fair, delicate face.

Tired.

Xu Jingming did not deny it.

His roommate Liu Wentao often said he seemed like a robot with preprogrammed routines.

He attends classes and training on schedule, then enters the wilderness zone.

But he is not actually a robot—he is a living human being!

He gets hungry, he gets tired...

Especially inside the Demon Cavern, where he must remain mentally tense at all times, ready for any possible sudden situation.

To say he isn't tired is impossible.

After a pause, Xu Jingming added: "But only by doing this can my strength continue to rise rapidly."

He spoke the truth, since the Deep Blue System requires ability points to allocate stats.

If he didn't hunt ferocious beasts, his strength would increase far more slowly.

Crisis in life and death truly hones a person.

Ling Shuang didn't overthink it, "But a balance of tension and relaxation is necessary for longevity—you must understand this principle."

Every entry into the Demon Cavern carries great risk.

In the era when ferocious beasts were most rampant, such behavior wouldn't have been an issue.

But now, ferocious beasts and humans are roughly evenly matched.

Human geniuses have ample time to develop—they don't need to gamble their lives.

"I understand, I'll rest after the research trip ends and we return to school," Xu Jingming said seriously.

Good, that's understood.

Ling Shuang nodded, then smiled faintly:

"You did well in this competition; the school will reward you according to your performance.

Don't worry—you won't be shortchanged.

Also, once Jing University delivers the S-rank cultivation resources they promised, I'll notify you."

"Thank you, Vice President. Also, while I was in the Demon Cavern, I encountered..."

Xu Jingming briefly described to Ling Shuang what he had seen beside the pond.

Divine Blood is indeed the essence of a ninth-rank Beast Emperor, classified as SSS-rank cultivation resource.

Of course, the portion you absorbed was likely diluted.

Otherwise, a full vial of Beast Emperor essence would be impossible for you to absorb.

Ling Shuang first confirmed the origin of the Divine Blood: "As for why you could directly absorb the Beast Emperor essence, it's likely related to the body-strengthening combat technique you've learned—you'll need to ask your teacher."

"I have no strong impression of the Xueyue Sect; it's probably not a major religion, no need to pay special attention to it."

"Understood," Xu Jingming nodded slightly.

If it had been a regular religion, he might not have given it a second thought.

But the man's expression before he died was too bizarre to ignore.

"Alright, go rest—you're tired."

Seeing Vice President Ling Shuang and the mentors rise to leave, Song Qiuyun, who had been waiting nearby, hurried forward.

Nearby, her aunt Zhou Ying shook her head and followed along.

"400,000 points—congratulations, Jingming, you came in first," Song Qiuyun said with a bright smile.

"It's fine, the difficulty wasn't that high."

In truth, compared to this first-place finish, what truly pleased Xu Jingming was the S-rank cultivation resource he'd acquired for free from Jing University.

"If 400,000 points is 'not that hard,' then my 12,000 points must be kindergarten level?"

Song Qiuyun clucked in amazement and dropped the topic, introducing her aunt instead:

"By the way, let me introduce you—this is my aunt Zhou Ying, chief supervisor of Shun'an Supply Base."

Xu Jingming had already noticed the beautiful woman beside her, whose figure was just as shapely as Song Qiuyun's, but he hadn't realized she was Song Qiuyun's aunt.

"Hello, Supervisor Zhou," Xu Jingming greeted politely.

"You're Xiao Yun's friend, no need to be so formal—just call me Zhou Yi," Zhou Ying nodded slightly.

The Song family, though not so desperate as to use their own kin for political marriages to secure support,

But Song Qiuyun, as the clan leader's daughter, must marry someone exceptionally outstanding.

Whether in physique, appearance, or strength, Xu Jingming could be said to dominate his peers.

Especially that last bolt of heavenly lightning, which let her witness the immense potential hidden within Xu Jingming.

"By the way, this is for you."

A faint shimmer from Zhou Ying's space ring caused a black card to materialize in midair, which she handed over:

"This is the Song family's Black Gold Card. With it, you'll receive a twenty percent discount on all purchases from Song family enterprises."

The Song family's Black Gold Card?

Xu Jingming's eyebrows lifted slightly, but he did not immediately accept it.

Families like the Sichuan-based Song clan, with their long histories, are great master lineages.

Their family enterprises cover nearly every sector: battle armor, rare flowers and herbs, pills and elixirs, and more.

It's easy to imagine the value of a Black Gold Card granting such a discount.

Yet he understood the principle that one should not accept gifts without earning them, so he said calmly:

"If Aunt Zhou has any task requiring my help, just say it outright."

Xu Jingming's response, without doubt, won Zhou Ying's favor once again.

She smiled lightly:

"I don't need you to help with anything. A month ago, I made a bet with Xiao Yun on whether you could secure first place."

Now I've lost—and this Black Gold Card is the wager."

You made a bet… and the prize is given to me?

And this is allowed?

Xu Jingming paused in surprise, before he could speak.

Song Qiuyun immediately snatched the Black Gold Card from her aunt's hand and forcibly pressed it into his:

"I don't even use this card. You should have it—you upgrade your gear so fast anyway."

"?????"

Xu Jingming's head instantly filled with question marks.

Why did Song Qiuyun's action suddenly make him feel like he was being kept by a wealthy woman?

But since she'd said so, he couldn't refuse further.

After politely thanking her, he accepted the Black Gold Card.

"Alright, I'll head up first. Xiao Yun, if you need anything here, just contact me."

After Aunt Zhou Ying departed with a swaying gait, Liu Wentao and Qi Dongxia appeared as if from nowhere.

"Holy shit! Ming-ge, you're forever the god!"

"Incredible—you surpassed Jingda's S-rank."

Liu Wentao gave a thumbs-up; Qi Dongxia's face flushed with excitement.

Xu Jingming's last-minute rescue with 400,000 points had truly been thrilling to witness.

"Perfect timing—let's go eat." Xu Jingming smiled.

By tradition, after returning to the supply base, everyone feasts—so now's the perfect chance.

After the meal, Xu Jingming planned to return to his dorm.

But unexpectedly, he received a message from Vice Principal Ling Shuang, instructing him to go to the supply base's temporary office.

"Has Jingda's S-rank cultivation resource arrived so quickly?"

After informing Song Qiuyun and the others, Xu Jingming hurried to the supply base.

As he neared Ling Shuang's temporary office, he saw Jingda's S-rank, Jilan, and her mentor stepping out.

Seeing Xu Jingming, Jilan narrowed her eyes and said gravely:

"Xu Jingming, in hunting ferocious beasts, I truly am inferior to you. But in the upcoming challenge, I hope you won't refuse."