Chapter 156: Practical Training? Isn

As the fundamental source of an Adept's power, their ability grows stronger gradually with their rank advancement.

But it never undergoes drastic changes.

Take Yang Zhentian's own Rank-A lightning ability, "Wind-Fire True Thunder," for example.

When he awakened, it was crimson; even by Rank-7 Master, its appearance changed little beyond becoming deeper in hue.

But Xu Jingming's ability is different—blue-purple and gold-yellow—two entirely distinct color spectrums!

"No! It's not just the color that changed! The very essence of the ability is completely different!"

As a Rank-7 Master, Yang Zhentian immediately sensed something was wrong.

The essence of this golden thunder was even stronger than Xu Jingming's original S-rank Zi Xiao Shenlei!

"Didn't Deputy Head Ling tell you?"

Surprised but smiling, Xu Jingming, surrounded by dazzling golden Dou Tian Shen Lei, explained:

"My ability evolved—from S-rank Zi Xiao Shenlei to SS-rank Dou Tian Shen Lei."

"Ability evolution?! From S-rank to SS-rank?"

Yang Zhentian's eyes widened, his face filled with disbelief.

Ability mutation and evolution were already extremely rare.

Even when they occurred, they only happened to D-rank, E-rank, or F-rank Awakened.

He had never heard of an S-rank ability evolving into an SS-rank one!

Yet the golden thunder swirling around Xu Jingming now was utterly unlike what it had been before.

It forced him to accept the truth of it.

"No wonder Deputy Head Ling called me yesterday and said you'd give me a surprise," Yang Zhentian finally realized.

He had assumed the surprise meant Xu Jingming had reached Rank-3.

But he never imagined it meant an S-rank ability had evolved into an SS-rank one!

"Your ability evolved twice—from E-rank to S-rank, then S-rank to SS-rank. If I hadn't witnessed it, I wouldn't have believed it."

Xu Jingming had brought Yang Zhentian too many impossibilities.

So after his shock, Yang Zhentian actually found this not entirely unbelievable.

"Ability evolution is good, but controlling an SS-rank ability is nothing like controlling an S-rank one.

After this, you must train extensively in this area."

Yang Zhentian, still processing the news, gave serious advice.

To wear the crown, one must bear its weight.

With his ability evolved from S-rank to SS-rank, Xu Jingming will find controlling his ability and learning combat arts far more difficult than ordinary Adepts.

are far more difficult than for ordinary ability users.

with Xu Jingming's terrifying comprehension, learning combat arts shouldn't be much of an issue.

The main challenge remains his control over the ability.

"I understand, Master. I've already exchanged for a pass to the Thunder Secret Realm from the resource library and plan to train there during winter break."

Xu Jingming smiled, "I was just about to ask you what preparations I should make before going."

"The Thunder Secret Realm is indeed a suitable place for our lightning-ability Adepts to train and refine."

Yang Zhentian nodded slightly, "As for precautions, I'll tell you after verifying your physical condition post-absorption of the Divine Blood.

I was so focused on observing your ability that I didn't notice your bodily changes.

First, suppress your ability and activate it again."

First rein in your ability, then try again from the start."

Xu Jingming first retracted his Dou Tian Shen Lei, then unleashed it once more.

This time, after carefully observing for a while, Yang Zhentian continued:

"Jingming, activate your Thunder Extreme State."

"Jingming, activate your Lei Jitai."

Zzzzzz~~~~

Amid the crackling of lightning arcs, Xu Jingming entered his enhanced form, over two meters tall.

A pair of cold golden dragon pupils radiated a faint golden glow within the training room.

Mysterious, yet noble...

The overwhelming aura made Yang Zhentian's eyes gleam:

"Excellent! Very excellent!"

"Jingming, your Undying Body foundation has strengthened!"

"Your Undying Body foundation has now reached Rank-8 Upper Level!"

"And it's not merely Thunder Tyrant Dragon blood—it's mixed with the aura of a Beast Emperor-level dragon beast!"

Yang Zhentian's excitement was unmistakable.

For the S-rank body cultivation combat art, Thunder Undying Body,

the foundation of the First Layer is like the most critical cornerstone of a building.

If shaped well, the subsequent strength of the Undying Body and the Thunder Extreme State's amplification will both benefit.

If shaped poorly, the gains will be far less.

More crucially, once the Undying Body foundation is formed, it cannot be altered.

Even Yang Zhentian, its creator, could not change it—he had originally used only a Rank-7 Lower Level thunder beast to shape his own foundation.

Even Yang Zhentian, its creator, was no exception—he had originally used only a seventh-rank lower-tier Lei Ting beast to forge his foundation.

After becoming powerful, one cannot reshape one's foundation again.

But Xu Jingming's unique case of absorbing divine blood showed him a new possibility.

"Has my Indestructible Body foundation improved? No wonder I can match S-class Kiran in physical strength alone."

Upon hearing this, Xu Jingming suddenly understood.

In fact, this is the trick of elemental ability users.

As long as one also cultivates body-strengthening combat techniques, their physical strength can rival that of enhancement-type ability users!

Yet the abilities possessed by elemental ability users are something enhancement-type users can never acquire through combat techniques.

Of course,

An elemental ability user like Xu Jingming, who matches S-class enhancement-type users purely through physical strength, is truly rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns.

"I heard from other teachers about your battle with the S-class student from Jing University. Very impressive."

"Pity I wasn't there—if I had been, I could have observed your bodily state more closely."

"But it's not too late now. Rest for a bit—I'll send you an opponent."

Yang Zhentian merely gave a cursory glance at Xu Jingming's physical condition.

To fully understand how Xu Jingming's physical strength had been enhanced after absorbing divine blood, observation in actual combat was necessary.

But when Yang Zhentian pulled out his phone and prepared to call someone,

he suddenly realized a problem—he couldn't find a suitable opponent!

His other three students: Tong Yue, a second-year, was only Upper Second Rank.

Xu Wei, a third-year, was only Lower Third Rank—he certainly wasn't a match for Xu Jingming.

The only one who could fight Xu Jingming, Liu Ming at Peak Third Rank, was still in recovery and couldn't unleash full power.

Even Liu Ming at his peak might not be able to defeat Xu Jingming...

"Without realizing it, little brother Jingming seems stronger than your other senior brothers and sisters on campus."

Yang Zhentian shook his head, pondering, then dialed a number.

Since his students wouldn't do, he'd have to turn to someone from his Weaponry Academy.

More than ten minutes later, a young man entered the villa's training room under the guidance of the butler, Fu Bo.

The young man was Gao Da, wearing a white casual suit.

His chest muscles bulged prominently, his aura fierce, roughly at Peak Third Rank.

Yet before Dean Yang Zhentian, he was as meek as a quail, tentatively asking:

"Dean, I haven't done anything wrong lately, have I...?"

Yang Zhentian, Dean of the Weaponry Academy, known as "Yang the Tyrant," didn't earn his nickname for nothing.

Students who broke school rules or fell behind in cultivation were assigned solitary training.

And that training intensity was nothing short of demonic.

Every student punished by the dean took at least a week to recover after finishing.

Coincidentally, he had been punished—more than once.

Just as he was feeling uneasy, Yang Zhentian waved his hand:

"Don't worry—it's nothing serious. I just want you to spar with my disciple Xu Jingming in a pure physical combat training session."

"Pure physical combat training?"

The young man glanced at Xu Jingming, whose aura was barely Lower Third Rank, and instinctively scratched his head:

"Dean, wouldn't that be too much of a beating for him?"