Chapter 236: The Contestant List Is Announced! Xu Jingming Is Captain?

Just as Xu Jingming completed his winter break training and returned to Ma Da under Ling Shuang's guidance.

At the Tianming Sect's headquarters, they finally began discussing the matter of Xuesha's death.

"My lord, Xuesha has been killed by Ma Da's vice-principal, Ling Shuang."

However, according to the information we received, Ling Shuang also suffered severe injuries and cannot use her spatial ability.

Should we take further action against Xu Jingming?"

A grand bishop clad in Blood Moon robes stood at the bottom of the long staircase, reporting with respectful demeanor.

On either side of him, the eight red-robed grand bishops had now been reduced to five.

That means, besides Xuesha, two other red-robed grand bishops have perished during this period...

At the very top of the staircase, on the Wang Zuo, the sect's supreme leader sat hidden within gray mist, revealing only a pair of crimson eyes.

After a silence lasting a full quarter-hour, he finally spoke slowly:

"Since the Great Xia issued the execution order, the development of our Tianming Sect has suffered severe setbacks.

Our high-end combat strength has already suffered heavy losses; Xu Jingming is no longer suitable to be targeted.

Moreover, starting today, the Tianming Sect will halt all overt activities and fully enter hibernation.

Great Xia is currently not suitable for our continued expansion."

The supreme leader's crimson eyes held an inexplicable meaning.

The Tianming Sect does not exist only in Great Xia; other nations have it too, but resistance here is the strongest.

Even in hibernation, it will not affect the Tianming Sect's overall plan.

"Temporary hibernation is to prepare for the final climax; the Yuan Energy Tide will reach its peak in the coming years.

The Supreme Heavenly God, the Sovereign, will descend at the very peak of Yuan Energy.

At that time, humanity will face its final destruction, and our Tianming Sect shall attain eternity.

Hibernate! Accumulate strength! Prepare for the final arrival of the Supreme Heavenly God, the Sovereign!"

The supreme leader's hoarse voice echoed through the cathedral; the many ferocious beast sculptures embedded in the walls emitted eerie, menacing glows.

Below, the grand bishops and red-robed grand bishops gradually grew fanatical in expression:

"Blessed by Heaven's Mandate! The Heavenly God Endures! The Supreme Heavenly God, the Sovereign, Is Eternal and Indestructible!"

Madu Institute of Psychic Abilities, Combat Techniques Library, Vice-Principal's Office.

A spatial gate opened spontaneously; Xu Jingming and Ling Shuang stepped out side by side.

"Vice-principal, I'll head back to the dormitory first."

Having experienced several spatial transmissions, Xu Jingming had gradually grown accustomed to the brief mental fuzziness and showed no discomfort.

"Don't rush. Sit down first—I need to discuss something with you."

Ling Shuang sat behind the desk, casually crossing her long legs, highlighting their slender grace.

Seeing this, Xu Jingming could only sit down on the nearby sofa.

"The National University League will begin on February 25th. Ma Da will be led by me—you know that, right?"

Ling Shuang's beautiful eyes turned toward him.

"I know." Xu Jingming nodded slightly.

Ma Da follows a rotation system; each academic year, one vice-principal oversees all major affairs.

This year's freshman competition and study trips were both under Ling Shuang's responsibility.

So this year's National University League is no exception.

"Last year's university league, we lost to Jingda and took second place.

This year, we must avenge that humiliation.

Therefore, I want to appoint you as captain of Ma Da's representative team—do you agree?"

Ling Shuang's clear voice echoed in the office, melodious and pleasant.

There are performance evaluations among vice-principals; since she is responsible for Ma Da's affairs this year, she naturally wants to do her best.

"Me as captain?"

Xu Jingming paused slightly, hesitating:

"Wouldn't it be inappropriate for a first-year student like me to be captain?"

Aside from Xu Jingming, all other Ma Da participants in this league should be fourth-year seniors.

Being led by a first-year student might naturally cause resentment.

"At Ma Da, rules always prioritize strength, not seniority.

The league captain is always the strongest person at Ma Da—who else in the entire institute do you think is stronger than you?"

Ling Shuang raised a delicate eyebrow, "Or are you afraid you can't control them?"

"Not at all—I'm just worried that if I start fighting, I might injure them and disrupt the competition," Xu Jingming replied with a smile.

"Don't worry—as long as you don't kill them, do whatever you want," Ling Shuang waved her hand dismissively.

The dean of the Support College possesses a powerful healing ability; even if they're severely injured, they can still be saved.

"With your word, I'm at ease—I'll take the captain position."

Only now did Xu Jingming truly understand the situation.

If anyone later resents me as captain, no words needed—just hit them first!

Beat them until they submit!

With my current strength, nearing fifth tier, there's truly no one at Ma Da who can match me.

Only by breaking the rebels' resistance can the team's cooperative training proceed smoothly.

"Good."

Ling Shuang nodded in satisfaction. "I'll draft a roster of participating members tonight and submit it to the other two vice-principals for review.

If there are no issues, it'll be posted on the school's official website tomorrow for public notice, and submitted to the league officials the day after."

Unlike a normal public notice, the posting on the official website here is merely an announcement.

Even if someone has a problem with the roster, sorry — no appeals will be accepted.

In other words, as long as the other two vice-principals confirm tonight that the roster is fine,

the participating members are considered officially set, and unless something happens to a member on the list, there will be no further changes.

"This early?" Xu Jingming was a little surprised.

The second stage of the National Collegiate League that Magic Capital University participates in begins on March 10th, still 20 days from now.

"It's not early. Whether it's schools participating in the first stage or the second stage of the league,

they all must submit their participating member roster before February 25th,

to prevent anyone from arbitrarily swapping out participants during the league."

Ling Shuang shook her head lightly.

Today is February 20th. There are only 5 days left until league registration closes......

The pressure of an eighth-rank mid-tier Grandmaster is not something an ordinary third-rank esper can withstand.

Although Xu Jingming had grown accustomed to this oppressive pressure from Vice-Principal Ling Shuang, that didn't mean he enjoyed enduring such pressure all the time.

He didn't have masochistic tendencies.

So, after settling the matter of serving as captain, Xu Jingming took his leave of Vice-Principal Ling Shuang and left the Combat Techniques Library.

"Phew, finally back."

Outside the Combat Techniques Library, white clouds like cotton floated in the azure sky.

This lifted Xu Jingming's mood considerably, as he was used to the sky above the Lei Ting Secret Realm being forever covered in dense blue-white lightning.

"Speaking of which, the sky above the Lei Ting Secret Realm is covered in dense lightning — there must be some secret hidden there.

It's just a pity my level is still too low to explore it."

Shaking his head, Xu Jingming didn't dwell on it. After all, he now had a permanent pass to the Lei Ting Secret Realm.

Once he reached sixth rank later on, he could enter the core area to explore.

Pulling his gaze back, Xu Jingming took out his phone, checked the time, and headed toward the student dormitory.

Before the break, his roommate Liu Wentao said he would be attending the school's winter training camp.

It was just past 1 p. m. now — he should still be in the dorm.

Sure enough, just as Xu Jingming had predicted.

The moment he returned to the villa, he saw Liu Wentao with his eyes slightly closed, sitting on the first-floor sofa, seemingly practicing an esper training method.

"Ming-ge, you're back."

Liu Wentao also sensed Xu Jingming's presence, couldn't help but open his eyes, and called out with a smile.

"Yeah, just got back."

Xu Jingming sat down on the sofa, only then noticing that Liu Wentao's aura had changed quite a bit:

"You've reached second rank? Not bad — looks like the winter training camp wasn't for nothing."

"Of course. Although the gap between me and you, Ming-ge, is still huge, I still have to put in the effort, right?"

Liu Wentao grinned, then scooted over with a gossipy look:

"The school has already started designing the team uniform and battle suit for our Magic Capital University in this National Collegiate League.

I heard they're using a black-and-gold color scheme — supposedly looks really good.

Also, I heard through the grapevine that you're already a shoo-in for the representative team, Ming-ge. Is that true?"

"You'll see for yourself when you check the official website announcement tomorrow." Xu Jingming replied with a smile.

Although Vice-Principal Ling Shuang had already decided to let him participate in the league and appointed him captain,

this matter still needed the agreement of the other two vice-principals, and before the official roster was out, he didn't dare make any guarantees.

Magic Capital Esper University has a total of three vice-principals.

Besides Ling Shuang, the other two vice-principals are both male, named Kong Shuai and Chen Can respectively.

Nine o'clock in the evening, the Academic Affairs Building of Magic Capital University, the vice-principal's office.

Chen Can, who possessed an Enhancement-type A-rank esper ability, had a burly build, and radiated authority without anger, sat behind the office desk.

He was scanning the Magic Capital University participating member roster for the National Collegiate League that had just been submitted.

"Oh? You're actually making Xu Jingming the captain?"

Chen Can was somewhat surprised.

As vice-principal, he had also heard about the combat prowess Xu Jingming had demonstrated recently.

Letting Xu Jingming participate in the National Collegiate League was naturally no problem.

But directly appointing him captain — that was something he hadn't anticipated.

"Ding-ling-ling~~~"

At that moment, a call request came through, and Chen Can chose to accept it directly.

Buzz—

A holographic projection of a middle-aged man appeared before him — it was the other vice-principal of Magic Capital University.

Rank eight lower-tier, possessing an Elemental Wind-type A-rank esper ability — Kong Shuai.

"Old Chen, you've seen the roster, right? Any thoughts?" Kong Shuai asked in a deep voice.

"The participating members on the roster are fine. I just didn't expect the part about making Xu Jingming captain.

But among the three of us vice-principals, Principal Ling has had the most contact with Xu Jingming.

"She arranged it this way, so she must have her considerations. I have no objections on my end."

Chen Can said thoughtfully.

Ever since the Tianming Sect members caused trouble during the last study trip,

Xu Jingming, this rare SS-grade ability awakener, has always been under Hearing Ling Shuang's protection, and the two of them have not interfered.

After all, the two of them — one is an Enhancement-type, the other an Element-type.

Both are far inferior to Hearing Ling Shuang's Space-type ability in terms of safety factor and protective capability.

"I think so too. Then let's finalize this roster as is." Commander Kong nodded slightly as well.

In fact,

the vice-principals wielded enormous autonomy, and this academic year it was mainly Hearing Ling Shuang handling the affairs of Demon University.

As long as no major mistakes occurred, they would not interfere.

Let alone something as trivial as appointing Xu Jingming as captain.

Since both vice-principals had no objections to the roster of participating members,

at eight o'clock the next morning, a huge eye-catching announcement appeared on Demon University's official website and student forum:

"The National University League is about to begin. Our Demon University has also assembled its representative team. The roster of representative team members is hereby announced as follows.

Captain: Xu Jingming (Weapon Academy, Freshman Year Class 2)

Vice-Captain: Kong Shi (Weapon Academy, Senior Year Class 3)

Member: Yao Fang (Element Academy, Senior Year Class 1)

......"

The entire Demon University paid extremely close attention to the participating members of the National University League.

But when the participating members were announced, quite a few students were taken aback:

"Huh? Xu Jingming is actually the captain?"