Chapter 201: Do People from Top-Tier Universities Really This Cowardly?

The next day, Xu Jingming planned to go to the Thunderstorm Zone alone.

But unexpectedly, his senior Jiang Luo drove over first thing in the morning, insisting on giving him a ride.

This left Xu Jingming somewhat embarrassed:

"Senior Jiang, you're too kind."

"Kind? You've got no one else you know in the Thunder Secret Realm—I've got to look out for you."

"Come on, get in the car. I'll take you there."

Jiang Luo remained as warmly enthusiastic as ever, saying nothing more and immediately dragging Xu Jingming into the car.

In just five or six minutes, they arrived at the entrance to the Thunderstorm Zone.

At the entrance, several vehicles bearing lightning emblems from the Thunder Martial Arts Academy were parked.

Beside the cars stood not only a man in the academy's uniform, resembling an instructor, but also over a dozen young men and women.

"Instructor Wu, you're here in the Thunderstorm Zone too?"

As Xu Jingming stepped out with him, Jiang Luo greeted the man in the academy uniform.

"Can't help it—I'm in charge of the new recruits' evaluation."

Instructor Wu smiled, then noticed Xu Jingming's tall figure beside Jiang Luo and asked curiously:

"He looks unfamiliar—who's this?"

"Xu Jingming, my junior from Magic University. He's planning to train here in the Thunder Secret Realm over winter break."

Jiang Luo introduced him: "Jingming, this is Instructor Wu Chuang from the Thunder Martial Arts Academy."

"Instructor Wu," Xu Jingming nodded and greeted.

This instructor's aura was similar to Magic University's lecturers—he was likely a sixth-rank adept.

"So you're Magic University's prodigy. No wonder your aura is so sharp," Instructor Wu's eyes lit up.

Hearing this, the dozen or so youths behind him couldn't help but glance over curiously.

"It's someone from a top-tier university!"

"His aura feels the same as ours—just mid-third rank, maybe."

"Say, who's stronger—Magic University or us?"

"Obviously us—we're from the Elite Training Camp. Of course we're stronger."

"I don't know about strength, but his looks suit me just fine."

"..."

This group, like Cai Ju and others before them, were recruited without taking the Wu Ke exam.

They were absolute core members of the Thunder Martial Arts Academy, and those from the Elite Training Camp were prodigies in their own right.

Xu Jingming came from a top-tier university and his rank was roughly the same as theirs.

Naturally, they felt compelled to compare.

Each of them stared at him, as if trying to gauge his combat power with their eyes alone.

Xu Jingming naturally heard their murmurs, but he didn't care.

After saying goodbye to Senior Jiang Luo, he walked alone into the Thunderstorm Zone.

"You all go in. Remember, this evaluation lasts six days.

If you can't kill even one third-rank peak thunder beast, don't bother coming back to see me."

Instructor Wu ordered.

"Got it."

"Don't worry—third-rank peak? We'll take down fourth-rank too!"

The dozen youths laughed and entered the Thunderstorm Zone.

"One third-rank peak thunder beast each? That's a high bar," Jiang Luo said in surprise.

These youths were all around mid-third rank, with the highest only reaching third-rank peak.

The beasts in the Thunderstorm Zone were far stronger than those in ordinary wastelands—even within the same rank, victory wasn't guaranteed.

Never mind defeating a higher-ranked foe.

"They're all from the Elite Training Camp. This requirement is nothing for them."

Instructor Wu smiled and pointed to the man leading the group:

"See that guy walking at the front? His name is Lei Yaoyang. He possesses an A-rank lightning ability.

He's at third-rank peak—he can handle fourth-rank thunder beasts without trouble."

Lei Yaoyang was the top student of this year's Elite Training Camp at the Thunder Martial Arts Academy.

Whenever he was mentioned, Instructor Wu's face lit up with pride.

"By the way, your third-rank mid-level junior—his aura feels exceptional. Isn't his real combat power at least third-rank peak?"

Instructor Wu asked curiously.

"Third-rank peak?"

Jiang Luo recalled Liu Ming's assessment of Xu Jingming's fourth-rank peak combat power and nodded:

"He's got it."

"No wonder—Magic University's prodigies truly live up to their reputation."

This matched Instructor Wu's expectations. "By the way, in a few days I'm heading deep into the Thunderstorm Zone. Want to come with me?"

"No thanks—the lightning there's too violent. I can't even hold my ground," Jiang Luo quickly waved him off.

"Alright then. Guess I'll have to go alone."

Instructor Wu sighed and shook his head.

BOOM! BOOM!

CRACK! CRACK!

On the other side, the moment Xu Jingming stepped into the Thunderstorm Zone, a tidal wave of deafening thunder roared toward him.

Even the beasts' roars were drowned out by the thunder.

"This is the true Thunder Secret Realm!"

Looking up at the lightning constantly striking from the sky, Xu Jingming looked utterly satisfied.

As a lightning ability user, the active lightning energy in the air didn't unsettle him at all.

Instead, it stirred every cell in his body.

"First, kill some beasts. Then find a place with intense lightning to observe natural thunder."

Xu Jingming hadn't forgotten his purpose for coming to the Thunder Secret Realm: to improve his control over lightning abilities.

Of course,

it would be best if he could also harvest some ability points while doing so.

"Hey, brother from Magic University, wait up."

Just as Xu Jingming was planning his next move, a group of youths caught up from behind.

They were the same group who had been following Instructor Wu.

"What is it?" Xu Jingming turned to them.

There were eleven of them—men and women, all fairly young.

"We're just curious about the strength of prodigies from top-tier universities.

If you're willing, how about a little contest to see who kills more thunder beasts over the next few days?

We mean no harm—it's just friendly sparring."

A young man in white casual wear stepped forward from the group, eager to ask.

"A contest?"

Xu Jingming frowned.

This was the brand effect of a top-tier university.

Wherever he went, someone always wanted to prove they were stronger than someone from a top-tier school.

These people were from the Thunder Martial Arts Academy and hadn't even taken the Wu Ke exam—they likely felt this even more strongly.

But for a group he could crush effortlessly with Thunder Finger, Xu Jingming had zero interest in fighting:

"Sorry, I'm not interested."

Without hesitation, he turned and walked deeper into the Thunderstorm Zone.

"Rejected so bluntly?"

Everyone froze slightly. The white-clad youth tried to chase after him, but someone in the group shouted:

"If he doesn't want to, don't force him."

"Tch. Are top-tier university people really this cowardly? Afraid to even accept a challenge?"

Though frustrated, the white-clad youth stopped and walked over with a grin to the one who had spoken:

"Our Lei brother's got such a good temper. If it were me, I'd have fought him anyway."

"Refusing doesn't mean cowardice—it might just mean he finds it annoying."

Lei Yaoyang shook his head. "Enough. Don't overthink it. We've got our own evaluations—don't waste time here."