Chapter 1524: Choosing Combat Techniques and Equipment! The News Spreads!

Xu Jingming returned to his villa on the Eternal Day Archipelago, his mind still echoing with the parting words of Teacher Shuangmian and Senior Sister Yeli.

"Iceheart Crown, Invisible Divine Inner Armor..."

He felt the ice-blue crown floating in his consciousness sea and the light, thin inner armor in his space ring, a warm current rising in his heart.

With the sect's protection, one certainly avoids far too many detours compared to wandering alone.

Yet no matter how good the equipment, it is still external; true standing in the Outlands battlefield depends on one's own strength.

"One."

"Master."

A gentle female voice echoed through the living room.

A holographic projection appeared—his virtual assistant, dressed in the blue-and-white academy uniform.

"Display all T3-level and higher spiritual combat techniques in the Academy Shangcheng."

"Understood, filtering for you now..."

Shhh—

A massive light screen unfolded in the living room.

A dense list of combat techniques appeared, each annotated with detailed information and exchange points.

Xu Jingming scanned the list, rapidly reviewing.

Spiritual combat techniques were numerous and varied in function.

Some specialized in reconnaissance, others carried illusionary attacks, and some could directly lock onto the soul's origin.

As an elemental master, Xu Jingming was also proficient in spiritual techniques.

Soon, he found a spiritual technique suited to himself.

【Soul's Eye (T2-level): Upon activation, channel spiritual energy along a specific trajectory to concentrate it in the eyes, greatly enhancing perception, discerning souls, and revealing essence. Exchange cost: 200,000 points.】

"Soul's Eye—this is a spiritual ocular technique."

Xu Jingming recalled the Ziwei Eye he had learned from Emers on Blue Star.

Though as his strength grew, the Ziwei Eye's utility diminished.

But it was still the first spiritual ocular technique he had encountered; he was already familiar with its operational principles.

Most importantly, this technique had no demanding spiritual energy requirements.

It could be practiced at Cosmic Stage One, with relatively simple entry.

"I'll take this one."

Xu Jingming confirmed the exchange; 200,000 points were instantly deducted.

"The T2-level combat technique 'Soul's Eye' will be delivered in one cosmic hour."

One replied respectfully.

"Mm." Xu Jingming nodded.

One cosmic hour was roughly equivalent to one hour on Blue Star.

"Entering the Cosmic Stage,

besides spiritual combat techniques, I need to learn others as well.

My footwork is Heavenly Thunder Wings—sufficient for now, no need to replace it."

Xu Jingming pondered, "Guns are fundamental—I must acquire a powerful offensive technique.

I also need a long-range killing method; it could prove decisive in critical moments."

He spoke again:

"One, filter for T3 and T2-level lightning and destruction-style gun techniques, and same-element long-range attack techniques."

"Filtering now..."

The light screen refreshed, the list now streamlined.

Xu Jingming swiftly scanned, his gaze finally settling on two techniques.

【Lightning Extreme Thrust (T3-level): Compress lightning and destruction essence into the spear, then thrust instantly! Possesses extreme speed and piercing power! Requires first-rank lightning and destruction essence. Exchange cost: 100,000 points.】

【Heavenly Thunder Break (T3-level): Channel lightning and destruction essence to summon lightning strikes—effective against single or multiple targets. Requires first-rank lightning and destruction essence. Exchange cost: 100,000 points.】

"My essence ranks are low; currently, I can only master T3-level techniques.

But with the soul-core secret art 'Shattered Star Lei Mao' to complement it, I needn't worry about insufficient power.

These two techniques are sufficient for me."

Xu Jingming quickly confirmed the exchange.

Combat techniques selected; next came equipment.

Xu Jingming opened his personal account to check his remaining points.

3 million points from the Beast Hunting Competition rewards.

He had spent 500,000 points buying resources for Ling Shuang and the others.

Adding his previous balance and the 400,000 points just spent on techniques, he now had 2.76 million points total.

"My spear is S1-level—sufficient until the Immortal Stage.

The spear doesn't need replacing, but my battle armor does.

A good battle armor greatly enhances survivability.

Previously, with insufficient points, an S1-level armor was acceptable.

Now that I have ample points, it's time to upgrade to a new set."

He opened the equipment category and filtered for SS-level battle armor.

The list unfolded, various styles of battle armor appearing one by one.

From light armor to heavy armor, from close-combat types to element-boosting types, a dazzling array.

Xu Jingming carefully compared performance and price, ultimately selecting a set of SS5-grade armor called the "Azure Thunder Armor."

The armor was entirely black, its surface flowing with blue-and-white lightning patterns.

Woven from the hide of an Immortal-rank beast and rare silkworm silk.

It reduces cosmic low-rank law damage and impact by 90%.

Reduces cosmic-rank damage by 70%, and Immortal-rank damage by 40%.

The price was also extremely high—exactly 2 million credits!

"Armor, the inner armor Sister gave me."

"Plus my own Star-Core Lei Gang Body and the Ever-Flowing Life-Core Technique."

"With these three layers of defense, only a cosmic peak expert could harm me."

Xu Jingming was very satisfied.

As for the armor's claim of reducing Immortal-rank damage by 40%—

In his view, it was essentially useless.

After all, an Immortal-rank expert needed only a one-in-ten-thousand fraction of damage to kill a cosmic peak.

"Exchange."

Xu Jingming confirmed payment; his account balance plummeted.

He paused for a moment, then opened the pill category.

The extraterrestrial battlefield was fraught with danger; healing, recovery, and burst pills must be stockpiled.

"S1-grade 'Life Revival Serum,' five vials, each rapidly restores injuries."

"S1-grade 'Energy Source Pill,' ten pills, each quickly replenishes depleted Yuan energy."

"S1-grade 'Rage Serum,' three vials; after consumption, strength, speed, and reaction increase dramatically for three minutes."

Side effect: after the effect fades, one falls into weakness lasting one hour."

After careful selection, another 400,000 credits were spent.

By the time all supplies were confirmed, half an hour had passed.

And his once-ample account balance now held only 360,000 credits.

"360,000 credits..."

"One hour in the Heavenly Punishment Thunder Realm costs only 150 credits."

"These remaining credits are enough for me to stay in the Heavenly Punishment Thunder Realm for over three months!"

"Before leaving, I can return to the Heavenly Punishment Thunder Realm and harvest another wave of Source Points."

Xu Jingming's gaze flickered slightly.

Once his chosen equipment and combat techniques arrived—

He would don the Invisible God Inner Armor, put on the Azure Thunder Armor, and immediately depart for the Heavenly Punishment Thunder Realm.

The Heavenly Punishment Thunder Realm!

It was an excellent place to comprehend Thunder Law!

But for Xu Jingming, who had already entered the Origin Realm, its utility was minimal.

His sole purpose for coming here was to kill Thunder Beasts and harvest Source Points.

The most numerous creatures in the entire Heavenly Punishment Thunder Realm were Starlight-rank and Star-rank Thunder Beasts.

Cosmic-rank ones were exceedingly rare, and even if present, they were only cosmic low-rank.

Xu Jingming, whose true combat power reached cosmic eighth rank, entered the realm.

Naturally, he swept through it, slaughtering wildly.

And as he resumed activity after six months of silence—

The news that he had broken through to the Cosmic Rank spread like a whirlwind throughout the Star Dome Academy, instantly causing a major stir.