Chapter 231: Eighth-Grade Bracelet! The Envious Jiang Luo!

"I've already had Wang Gu spread the word that I was seriously injured in this battle and can't use my teleportation ability.

For the time being, you'll need to be extra careful — people from the Tianming Sect might come after you again."

After giving Wang Gu his instructions, Ling Shuang came over to Xu Jingming and earnestly reminded him.

"Isn't this just using me as bait?"

Xu Jingming was briefly stunned, then let out a sheepish grin and shamelessly asked:

"Principal, for such a grueling mission as being bait, is there any reward?"

Holy crap!

Is Junior Brother always this bold?

He even dares to ask an eighth-rank Master Zongshi for a reward?

Jiang Luo, standing off to the side, was completely dumbfounded.

You have to understand,

the process of an Esper advancing is, in essence, a leap in the level of life itself.

When a low-rank Esper meets a high-rank Esper, it's like a little white rabbit running into a fierce tiger.

The body instinctively produces feelings of fear and panic.

The natural urge is to get away — this is the gap in the level of life.

As a fourth-rank mid-tier Esper, Jiang Luo was by no means low-ranked.

But in front of this eighth-rank mid-tier Vice Principal Ling Shuang, he could only tremble, unable to get more than a couple of words out before his voice would seize up.

The fact that Junior Brother could hold a normal conversation with Vice Principal Ling Shuang had already been surprising enough for him.

He never expected him to actually dare ask for a reward!

He really doesn't know the temper of a Master Zongshi!

Just as Jiang Luo was admiring Xu Jingming's courage, Vice Principal Ling Shuang's reply made him question his entire life.

Ling Shuang showed no sign of anger at all — she merely arched a delicate brow and asked:

"A reward? What kind of reward do you want?"

Holy shit!

Looks like she's actually going to give him one!

Huge question marks popped up in Jiang Luo's mind — an eighth-rank Master Zongshi, this easy to talk to?

"No, no, I was just kidding." Xu Jingming gave a dry cough and hurriedly waved his hands.

He had already received a spatial talisman token, so naturally he wouldn't be greedy.

He'd only meant to mess around a little — he hadn't expected Vice Principal Ling Shuang to take it seriously.

"Just kidding?" Ling Shuang's expression flickered briefly.

Ever since she had entered the seventh-rank Master realm seven years ago, it seemed no one had dared to joke around in front of her anymore.

Let alone a mere third-rank upper-tier like Xu Jingming.

Yet she didn't feel the slightest bit offended — instead, a strange feeling welled up inside her.

"But I do actually have something to give you."

Ling Shuang quickly tucked that strange feeling away and unfastened a silver-white bracelet from her fair wrist:

"This is a single-use eighth-grade protective talisman. At maximum, it can withstand a single attack from an eighth-rank mid-tier Master Zongshi.

It can't be activated manually — it will only trigger automatically when you face a life-threatening danger.

Now that I've entered eighth-rank mid-tier, this bracelet is useless to me anyway, so consider it your reward."

Xu Jingming's eyes went wide at her words.

This was an absolute life-saving treasure! And she was just giving it to him like that?

Principal Ling, you're truly a wonderful person!

After his excitement, Xu Jingming's gaze sharpened and he said seriously:

"Thank you for your concern, Principal Ling. If there's ever anything you need from me in the future, just say the word — I, Xu Jingming, will never refuse."

If Vice Principal Ling Shuang protecting him was on orders from the upper echelons of the state,

then this bracelet she gifted was absolutely Ling Shuang's own personal wish.

A drop of grace should be repaid with a gushing spring.

Just this one act of kindness alone was enough to earn his wholehearted dedication in return in the future.

"It's still far too early for you to be of any use to me. Your task at this stage is to cultivate well and become an eighth-rank Master Zongshi as soon as possible.

When that day comes, our Great Xia will have one more nation-defending powerhouse."

Ling Shuang gave a slight nod at this.

Having this attitude did indeed prove she hadn't misjudged him.

As for the goal of eighth-rank Master Zongshi —

ordinary Espers could hardly ever reach this realm, but when it came to Xu Jingming, she wasn't worried in the slightest.

After all, in just half a year, he had gone from an Awakener to a third-rank upper-tier Esper.

Reaching eighth-rank Master Zongshi was only a matter of time.

Even the ninth-rank Martial Saint, standing at the very pinnacle of Blue Star, was within his easy reach.

"Understood." Xu Jingming nodded seriously and took the bracelet from Ling Shuang's hand.

The bracelet was silver-white all over, emanating a heavy ripple of energy, and still carried Ling Shuang's warm body heat along with a faint, subtle fragrance.

His right wrist already had the bracelet Teacher Yang had given him, so Xu Jingming wore it on his left wrist instead.

Although a grown man wearing a ladies' bracelet did look a little odd.

But if such ladies' bracelets were more plentiful, he wouldn't mind wearing several.

At this sight, not only did the senior brother Jiang Luo drool with envy.

Even Wang Gu, the branch director of Lei Ting Martial Arts, twitched his eyelid slightly.

Such a one-time protective talisman is something even many seventh-rank Grand Masters still cannot obtain.

Yet it was given to a third-rank upper-level energy user!

"It seems Xu Jingming holds extremely high importance in Headmaster Ling's eyes."

Wang Gu silently thought to himself.

Someone like this must be actively courted and befriended.

Even if we cannot gain Headmaster Ling's favor, having Xu Jingming himself form a good impression of Lei Ting Martial Arts would be excellent.

"Have you finished your business here? Magician University opens soon—I'll take you back with me."

After finishing all this, Ling Shuang asked again.

Today is February 17th; only six days remain until Magician University's opening on February 23rd.

Xu Jingming is the preselected participant representing Magician University in the National University League.

Returning to school earlier would allow him to train with the other participants.

Know that the National University League includes not only individual matches but also team events.

Team combat requires time to develop synergy.

"I still have some matters to finish—Headmaster, you go back first."

Xu Jingming shook his head.

The primary goal of this winter break in the Lei Ting Secret Realm was to improve his mastery over lightning-based energy.

He is now just a step away from breaking through to the Condensed Liquid realm; he naturally could not abandon it now.

"How long will it take?" Ling Shuang asked.

"Probably another two days," Xu Jingming replied.

It is currently 10 a. m., and there are still fifty-five hours left until the deadline of 7 p. m. on February 19th to leave the Lei Ting Secret Realm.

"Alright, I'll wait here for you—I'll take you back after your training ends."

After a moment's thought, fearing Tianming Sect might launch a surprise return, Ling Shuang decided to stay by Xu Jingming's side for a while longer.

"Then I'm in your debt, Headmaster," Xu Jingming's eyes lit up, and he quickly nodded in thanks.

Nearby, Senior Brother Jiang Luo, who had overheard every word of their conversation, was left speechless.

Envy! Still envy!

Headmaster Ling Shuang, an eighth-rank Master Zongshi, treats Xu Jingming far too well—it's practically nanny-level care!

If he didn't know this junior brother's background, he'd suspect Xu Jingming might be Ling Shuang's illegitimate son!

"Is this what the treatment of a genius looks like? Truly enviable," Jiang Luo couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

If it were him trying to beg a reward from an eighth-rank Master Zongshi, he'd be lucky not to be slapped flying!

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