Chapter 1388: Did You Break Through? Surprised Yue Ying!

Dark golden lightning split the sky of the Heaven's Punishment Thunder Realm.

Xu Jingming walked through empty air, his body entwined with wild, annihilating Divine Thunder.

"Never thought someone like Tim would exist in Star穹 Academy."

Xu Jingming snorted coldly.

His black short hair whipped in the gale, revealing a sharp-featured, handsome face.

Recalling the young man who had claimed to be from the Carlos family, a trace of disdain surfaced on his face.

Even in Star穹 Academy, which gathered the universe's most elite human prodigies.

Such individuals who flaunt their family influence still exist.

But upon reflection, it was only natural.

Star穹 Academy selects students solely by talent, as long as their character isn't inhuman.

As for personality flaws, the academy doesn't care at all.

"The bigger the forest, the more kinds of birds."

Xu Jingming murmured softly, his gaze sweeping over the blackened earth of the Thunder Beast Zone below.

After breaking through to the Star Stage, his eyesight and spiritual perception had greatly improved.

Even from a thousand meters above, he could clearly see Thunder Beasts hidden within the mountains.

Just as he prepared to accelerate, a pale blue holographic projection suddenly appeared beside him.

It was a short-haired girl dressed in the academy's blue uniform.

She had delicate Lei Wu Guan — it was his AI Assistant No. 1.

"Master, according to the timer.

You have only two hours left of your free 30-day stay in the Heaven's Punishment Thunder Realm."

No. 1's voice was crisp and melodious, "After two hours, the academy will automatically deduct 150 points per hour from your remaining balance."

"What? Only two hours left?"

Xu Jingming frowned, a flicker of surprise crossing his stern face.

During this time, he had been immersed in the thrill of hunting Thunder Beasts for Source Points, nearly forgetting time's passage.

'Deep Blue.'

He silently thought the name, and a pale blue virtual panel appeared in his mind:

【Name】: Xu Jingming

【Level】: Star Stage I (+)

【Source Points】: 18.923 million

Looking at the numbers on the system panel, Xu Jingming's eyes glowed with satisfaction.

In just eighteen days, he had gathered nearly 19 million Source Points!

This efficiency far exceeded his expectations.

He could even add another point to his level.

"Too bad time is running out..."

Xu Jingming's gaze flickered.

The Heaven's Punishment Thunder Realm had helped him immensely.

It not only provided massive Source Points but also deepened his understanding of Lightning Dao.

If possible, he wished to stay longer.

But on one hand, his points were limited.

On the other, a month had passed — it was time for Sister Yeli's lesson again.

Thinking of that cold, powerful senior sister, Xu Jingming felt a flicker of anticipation.

Her last guidance had benefited him greatly, especially her explanation of the Source Core Secret Scripture.

After a few more sessions, he could reach preliminary comprehension and directly use the system to add points.

"The Source Core Secret Scripture is core — it determines whether I can become Master Shuangmian's direct disciple. It must be top priority."

"So I cannot miss Sister Yeli's instruction."

"Moreover, now that I've broken through to the Star Stage, it's time to learn new combat techniques."

Xu Jingming silently thought to himself.

After breaking through to the Star Stage, his power had surged.

The T6 and T7 combat techniques he once mastered were already falling behind his needs.

And the T4 Lei Guang Annihilation Cannon was too singular.

He needed to update his skill set.

"Use the remaining two hours to hunt as many Thunder Beasts as possible, then return."

Having made his decision, Xu Jingming no longer hesitated; he turned and flew back the way he came.

Along the way, he casually slew several lone Thunder Beasts, gathering the final Source Points.

When the two-hour limit neared, he stood at the exit of the Heaven's Punishment Thunder Realm.

He glanced back at this realm of rampant lightning, drew a deep breath, and stepped into the teleportation light gate.

He would return once he had accumulated more points.

Eternal Day Archipelago, Island F-003.

The elf girl Yue Ying sat cross-legged in the center of the training chamber, her body encircled by emerald-green life energy.

This energy flowed around her like living things.

It finally converged at her brow, forming an intricate leaf pattern, then vanished without a trace.

"It succeeded!"

Yue Ying opened her emerald-green eyes, a joyful smile blooming across her exquisite face.

A month ago, when she learned Xu Jingming had passed the Star Abyss Dead Zone.

She tried it too.

The final result, of course, was self-imposed closure.

The Star Abyss Dead Zone is designed for peak cultivators of every realm.

She, a mere Star Stage One, was instantly slain upon entering the first layer, let alone completing it.

Fortunately, she quickly adjusted her mindset and devoted all her focus to cultivation.

And now, at last, she had learned her first T4-level combat technique: "Life Tree Mark."

This technique belongs to the enhancement category, greatly boosting her combat power.

Though only at beginner proficiency, it meant she had finally caught up to Xu Jingming's pace.

At least they both now possessed a T4-level combat technique.

"I'm at a higher level and have already mastered a T4-level technique—now let's see how Xu Jingming still dares to boast."

Yue Ying let out a light huff, her long legs flicking lightly as she leapt from the ground.

She walked to the mirror and examined herself closely.

Silver hair cascaded like a waterfall, her skin whiter than snow, her figure slender and graceful.

Especially those round, elongated, perfect legs.

As a princess of the Elf Clan, Yue Ying had always been confident in her physique and appearance.

But every time she faced Xu Jingming, his cold indifference always infuriated her.

"Ding—"

At that moment, her smart armband suddenly emitted a notification tone.

Yue Ying looked down and saw a message from the island's AI: Student Xu Jingming has returned to Island F-001.

"He's back?"

Yue Ying's beautiful eyes lit up.

After successfully becoming the disciple of Frost Crown Dominator, Xu Jingming had vanished again for this period.

So she had simply ordered the island's AI to monitor activity on Island F-001.

After all, the distance wasn't far—once Xu Jingming returned, she'd get the alert.

Just like now.

"Perfect—I'll go tell him this news!"

She quickly changed into a form-fitting green combat suit.

Tied her silver hair into a simple knot, then shot off as a streak of green light toward Xu Jingming's island.

Due to repeated past failures, whenever she got the chance, she wanted to outdo Xu Jingming.

Island F-001, terrace of the central villa.

Xu Jingming had just finished bathing and changed into casual attire; he sat on a reclining chair, reviewing combat technique data on a virtual screen.

Suddenly, he sensed a familiar aura approaching.

He looked up and saw a green streak slicing through the sky, finally landing at the edge of the terrace.

"Xu Jingming, I've mastered a T4-level combat technique!"

Yue Ying announced the moment she landed.

Her delicate chin tilted up slightly, like a child awaiting praise.

But Xu Jingming's reaction completely surprised her—he merely nodded calmly: "Oh? Congratulations."

Yue Ying froze.

This reaction was wrong—shouldn't he feel more urgency?

Suddenly, she noticed Xu Jingming's aura had become distinctly different.

"You… broke through to Star Stage?"

Yue Ying's eyes widened, her voice rising involuntarily.