Chapter 154: Resource Exchange! Permit to the Thunderous Secret Realm!

"Senior sister, it's been a long time."

Seeing Jiang Chuxuan walking gracefully from afar, Xu Jingming smiled and waved his hand among the crowd.

"Senior sister Jiang."

Song Qiuyun beside him also wore a smile.

"I'm glad you're both safe."

Seeing both were unharmed, not a single wound on their bodies, Jiang Chuxuan finally let out a breath.

"It's thanks entirely to your pills, Senior Sister—otherwise, we'd have been in real trouble back in the Demon Cavern."

Xu Jingming chuckled.

Jiang Chuxuan's Grade-Two pills were indeed far more potent than those sold in outside shops.

Without those pills, the severe injuries we suffered after encountering that fifth-rank beast in the Demon Cavern—

would never have healed completely in just two days.

"Of course—they're mine, after all."

The white-clad girl Jiang Chuxuan proudly puffed out her chest.

She then walked over to Song Qiuyun, taking her small hand:

"I've reserved seats at Qingya Residence—let's go together."

"Are you treating us?"

"Treating you? Fine. By the way, did you bring back the rare flowers and herbs I asked for?"

"Of course I did—and in large quantities. I just don't know if you can handle it."

"Hehe, as alchemists, we're not afraid of large quantities—only of too little!"

"Senior sister Jiang, I've also gathered some rare flowers and herbs."

"..."

To others, Jiang Chuxuan appeared aloof and cold—but before Xu Jingming, she was unusually lively.

The three laughed and chatted as they walked together toward the courtyard exit.

"The airship will depart in five minutes. All new students, disembark promptly."

On Field No. 1, Vice Principal Ling Shuang, clad in pale black ancient attire and floating midair, shouted loudly.

Her peripheral vision swept across and noticed Xu Jingming and the other two leaving together.

"Huh? Why is there one extra?"

Ling Shuang's delicate eyebrows lifted slightly.

After noticing Jiang Chuxuan's breathtaking beauty and slender, alluring figure, she shook her head slightly:

"That little Xu Jingming sure has good luck with girls."

According to genetic theory, the stronger the innate ability of a cultivator, the higher the chance their offspring will awaken a rare ability.

Thus, whether in Great Xia or other nations,

both men and women are permitted to have multiple spouses if they awaken an A-rank or higher ability.

The state even encourages high-rank ability users to mate with each other, producing offspring with even stronger abilities.

That's why master and grandmaster families can grow enormously within just a few decades—this reason is also hidden within.

But this requires mutual consent and acceptance of each other's presence.

Additionally, for those who awaken rare abilities but truly cannot find a partner,

the state itself may intervene to arrange one...

Of course,

for someone like Xu Jingming—who possesses an SS-rank ability, has an excellent appearance and demeanor,

and whose strength and future are limitless—such problems will never trouble him.

It's perfectly normal for multiple girls to admire him; Ling Shuang understands.

If she herself had still been a girl when she met a boy like Xu Jingming, she likely would have been smitten too.

Unfortunately, as a Space-rank S-level ability user,

during her years at university, no peer—male or female—could match her.

Otherwise, she wouldn't still be single at over thirty...

After lunch, Xu Jingming brought out all the rare flowers and herbs he had collected.

I have to say, the ecological environment of the Demon Cave is far better than that of an ordinary wilderness area.

In ordinary wastelands, E-rank and D-rank rare flowers and herbs were hard to find—but in the Demon Cavern, they were everywhere.

Thus, during the month spent in the Demon Cavern's center,

Xu Jingming gathered over two hundred D-rank and C-rank rare flowers and herbs, plus over a dozen B-rank ones.

"Did you empty the entire Demon Cavern of its rare flowers and herbs?"

In the room, Jiang Chuxuan stared at the pile of rare flora piled like a small mountain, her rosy lips slightly parted.

She had been on study trips before—but she'd only gathered fewer than ten.

This heap on the ground, if not for its herbal scent, would look like nothing but weeds at first glance!

Compared to Xu Jingming, Song Qiuyun's dozen or so rare flowers and herbs seemed modest by comparison.

"This is nothing. Few ability users can even reach the center of the Demon Cavern.

If I'd stayed longer inside, I could've gathered even more!"

Xu Jingming grinned. "Senior sister, I'm leaving all these rare flowers and herbs to you."

"I really don't want to agree—but who asked you to collect them for me in the first place?"

It seems I'll be busy for a while ahead.

Jiang Chuxuan sighed and shook her head, then collected all the rare flowers and herbs into her space ring.

Perhaps this is what they call pain mixed with joy...

The new student courses will resume on the third day after the study trip, which is December 15th.

Jiang Chuxuan had already finished her classes today.

After lunch, Song Qiuyun proposed watching Jiang Chuxuan brew pills and invited Xu Jingming along.

Xu Jingming had little interest in this, so he parted ways with the two girls and headed alone to the Magic University's Resource Department.

He planned to exchange the S-class cultivation resource granted by Jing University.

Unlike the grand standalone buildings of the Pill Department and Equipment Department,

the Magic University's Resource Department consisted of only a small building, barely over ten meters tall.

It was less like a building and more like a slightly taller warehouse.

Xu Jingming stepped into the first-floor lobby of the Resource Department.

Since most students ordered resources directly online,

the first-floor lobby was quiet, with few students present.

Of course, Magic University always provided excellent supporting services across all departments.

Even with so few students in the lobby, staff still offered enthusiastic service.

Xu Jingming received immediate attention from the staff upon entering.

Xu Jingming had expected he'd need to call Vice Principal Ling Shuang on the spot to verify eligibility for resource exchange.

But to his surprise, as soon as he stated his purpose, the young female staff member smiled and said:

"Esteemed S-class student, Vice Principal Ling has already given specific instructions. Once your identity is confirmed, resource exchange may proceed."

"Vice Principal Ling is considerate—she notified you so quickly."

Xu Jingming nodded slightly and handed over his student ID.

Shortly after confirming Xu Jingming's identity was valid,

the staff member led him with great respect to Room 204 on the second floor of the Resource Department.

The room resembled the reading hall of the Combat Technique Library—simple sofas and a small round table.

On the table, Eva's holographic projection emitted a faint glow.

"You may use Eva to query available S-class cultivation resources. Once decided, call me."

The staff member bowed respectfully and closed the door, leaving Xu Jingming to sit at the table.

He extended his right hand and smiled as he pinched the holographic projection on the small round table:

"Little Eva, we meet again."

"Hmph, pinching my face again—I'm going to be mad!"

Eva let out a soft huff and wriggled her tiny sphere in protest, though it was utterly useless.

Her comical posture only made Xu Jingming smile.

"Eva, what S-class resources can I exchange for a Grade Seven Breakthrough Pill?"

After teasing Eva for a moment, Xu Jingming remembered his purpose.

Hum—

Eva's entire form flickered slightly, then a list appeared in projection.

It listed countless S-class resources, leaving Xu Jingming momentarily dazzled.

"Wow, no wonder it's a top-tier university—this kind of depth is incredible."

Xu Jingming marveled inwardly.

With so many S-class resources, how long would it take to examine them one by one?

So he asked directly: "Eva, among these S-class cultivation resources, which one most greatly enhances control over Lightning-element abilities?"

Hum—

The virtual list flickered, leaving only one item:

'Lei Ting Secret Realm Access Pass (S-class): This pass grants entry to the Lei Ting Secret Realm located in Hedong City, Jiangnan Province, for training.'