Chapter 231: Eighth-Rank Bracelet! Jiang Luo

I've already instructed Wang Gu to spread the word that I was severely injured in this battle and can no longer use my teleportation ability.

You need to be extra careful in the coming period—the Sect of Destiny might strike at you again.

After giving instructions to Wang Gu, Ling Shuang came before Xu Jingming and sternly warned him.

"Aren't you just treating me as bait?"

Xu Jingming blinked slightly, then grinned and asked with a bold smile:

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

Damn!

Is little brother always this bold?

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

Jiang Luo beside them was utterly stunned.

Keep in mind,

The process of an adept advancing is essentially a leap in the level of life.

A low-rank adept encountering a high-rank adept is like a white rabbit facing a tiger.

Their body naturally generates feelings of fear and panic.

They instinctively wish to flee—that is the gap in life's hierarchy.

Jiang Luo, as a mid-tier fourth-rank adept, was already of considerable rank.

Yet before this mid-tier eighth-rank Vice Principal Ling Shuang, he could only tremble, unable to speak more than a few sentences without stumbling.

That little brother could speak normally with Vice Principal Ling Shuang was already astonishing enough.

And yet—he dared to ask for a reward!

He truly doesn't understand the temperament of a Grand Master!

Just as Jiang Luo admired Xu Jingming's courage, Ling Shuang's reply made him question reality itself.

Ling Shuang showed no sign of anger; instead, she raised a delicate eyebrow and asked:

"Reward? What reward do you want?"

Holy shit!

So she really is going to give one!

Jiang Luo's mind filled with giant question marks—could an eighth-rank Grand Master really be this easygoing?

"No no, I was just joking," Xu Jingming coughed and quickly waved his hand.

He had already received a Spatial Talisman Tablet—he wouldn't be greedy.

He'd only meant to tease a little, never expecting Vice Principal Ling Shuang to take him seriously.

"Joking?" Ling Shuang's expression flickered slightly.

Since entering the seventh-rank Master realm seven years ago, no one had ever joked with her before.

Especially not someone as insignificant as a third-rank upper-level adept like Xu Jingming.

Yet she felt no offense—instead, she experienced an odd sensation.

"Still, I do have something to give you."

Ling Shuang swiftly removed a silver-white bracelet from her pristine wrist:

"This is a one-time eighth-rank protective talisman, capable of withstanding a single attack from a mid-tier eighth-rank Grand Master.

It cannot be activated manually—it triggers automatically only when your life is in mortal danger.

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

Upon hearing this, Xu Jingming's eyes widened sharply.

This was an absolute lifesaving artifact—and she was giving it to him?

Principal Ling, you're truly a kind soul!

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

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

If Ling Shuang's protection of him came from orders from the nation's highest leadership,

then this bracelet was unquestionably a personal gift from her.

A drop of kindness deserves a spring in return.

This single favor alone was enough to make him vow to repay her with all his strength in the future.

"It's still too early for you to need me. Your current task is to cultivate diligently and become an eighth-rank Grand Master as soon as possible.

Only then will Great Xia gain another national-level powerhouse."

Ling Shuang nodded slightly at this.

His attitude proved she hadn't misjudged him.

As for the goal of becoming an eighth-rank Grand Master—

ordinary adepts rarely reached this realm, but for Xu Jingming, she felt no concern whatsoever.

After all, it had been less than a year since he'd awakened, and now he was already a third-rank upper-level adept.

Becoming an eighth-rank Grand Master was merely a matter of time.

Even the ninth-rank Martial Saint, the pinnacle of Blue Star, was within his grasp.

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

The bracelet was entirely silver-white, radiating heavy energy fluctuations, still warm from Ling Shuang's body, carrying a faint, lingering fragrance.

His right wrist already bore the bracelet given by Teacher Yang, so he wore this one on his left wrist.

Though it was somewhat odd for a man to wear a woman's bracelet,

if more such bracelets were available, he wouldn't mind wearing several.

Seeing this, Jiang Luo, the senior brother beside him, drooled with envy.

Even Wang Gu, the branch director of Thunder Martial Arts, nearby, blinked in surprise.

Such a one-time protective talisman was something even many seventh-rank Masters couldn't obtain.

And yet it had been given to a third-rank upper-level adept!

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

Wang Gu thought silently.

Someone like this must be cultivated and befriended as much as possible.

Even if he couldn't win Principal Ling's favor, gaining Xu Jingming's goodwill toward Thunder Martial Arts would be excellent.

"Have you finished your business here? Magic University opens soon—I'll take you back together."

After completing this, Ling Shuang asked again.

Today was February 17th; only six days remained until Magic University's opening on February 23rd.

As the designated representative of Magic University in the National University League,

returning to campus early would allow him to train with the other competitors.

The National University League included not only individual matches but also team events.

Team combat required time to develop synergy.

"I still have some matters to attend to. Principal, you go ahead."

Xu Jingming shook his head.

His primary goal in coming to Thunder Secret Realm this winter break was to improve his mastery of Thunder-element abilities.

He was just short of breaking through to the Condensed Liquid stage—he couldn't abandon it now.

"How long?" Ling Shuang asked.

"Probably another two days," Xu Jingming replied.

It was currently 10 a. ., and he still had 55 hours until the deadline of 7 p. . on February 19th to leave Thunder Secret Realm.

"Fine. I'll wait here for you. Once your training ends, I'll take you back together."

After a moment's thought, fearing the Sect of Destiny might return, Ling Shuang decided to stay near Xu Jingming a while longer.

"Thank you, Principal," Xu Jingming's eyes lit up, and he quickly bowed in gratitude.

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

Envy! Still envy!

Eighth-rank Grand Master Ling Shuang treated Xu Jingming better than a nanny!

If he didn't know the little brother's background, he'd suspect Xu Jingming was Ling Shuang's illegitimate son!

"Is this what it's like to be a genius? So enviable," Jiang Luo couldn't help thinking.

If he himself had dared ask a ninth-rank Grand Master for a reward, he'd be lucky not to be slapped into the next kingdom!

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