Chapter 238

Xu Jingming naturally saw the forum discussions about whether he should be appointed team captain.

But he paid no attention to it; at just after ten in the morning, he went to see his teacher Yang Zhentian.

"Your senior Jiang told me a few days ago about what happened to you in the Lei Ting Secret Realm."

"You did well—when you encounter such people, you must strike hard; if you always try to leave a margin, you'll only invite greater trouble."

In the villa's living room,

Xu Jingming and his teacher Yang Zhentian sat facing each other.

On the coffee table between them were two cups of tea steaming gently.

A faint, pure fragrance drifted slowly from the tea.

This was no ordinary tea—it was a Grade-S heavenly treasure hoarded by Teacher Yang Zhentian.

Drinking it not only dispels mental fatigue but also fills the body with rich tea aroma.

Even Xu Jingming, who often visits, doesn't get to drink it every time.

"I only dared do it because I had the protective talisman you gave me, and Teacher Ling Shuang's spatial token."

Xu Jingming smiled, lifted the tea, and took a small sip.

He spoke the truth,

had he not possessed these two items, he would still have killed Li Wanying.

But afterward, he would have had to flee immediately.

Don't assume six-rank adepts are cheap just because Magus University has many of them.

In reality, outside, a six-rank adept family's influence is terrifyingly powerful.

From this alone, it's clear that being backed by Magus University gives you real confidence.

"The protective talisman I gave you is meant to be used—that's fine."

Yang Zhentian waved his hand indifferently, "but you must properly repay Principal Ling Shuang.

That eighth-rank Grand Master went to great lengths to protect you.

It was only because of her that the Tianming Sect's eighth-rank Red Robe Archbishop didn't cause disaster—if not, the consequences would've been unimaginable."

"I understand," Xu Jingming nodded slightly.

"By the way, how strong are you now?" Yang Zhentian asked curiously.

He could tell Xu Jingming's rank had reached third-rank upper, but his true combat power was certainly higher.

"In normal form, I'm at fourth-rank peak; in Thunder Extreme State, I can handle fifth-rank lower adepts without much trouble."

Xu Jingming replied with a smile.

Note: the fourth-rank peak and fifth-rank he mentioned here refer specifically to A-rank adepts.

If facing B-rank adepts, his suppression would be even stronger.

"So high?"

Yang Zhentian, aware of this unspoken condition, widened his eyes in shock.

You must know that adepts entering the fourth rank undergo earth-shattering changes with every minor tier!

Even Magus University's prodigies, with identical rank abilities, consider crossing one minor tier their limit.

Yet Xu Jingming is only third-rank upper.

He already possesses the ability to fight across two major tiers against fifth-rank adepts—this is simply unbelievable!

"I wasn't this strong before, but I got lucky.

In the Lei Ting Secret Realm, I advanced the Thunder Indestructible Body to the fifth level," Xu Jingming explained with a smile.

"No wonder your vital energy is so vigorous—I thought it was from leveling up, but it's because your Indestructible Body advanced."

Yang Zhentian nodded in admiration: "It seems this body cultivation technique suits you perfectly.

But then, your combat power should completely crush Kong Shi—there shouldn't be so much debate on the school forum."

"They don't know my true strength; their objections are normal. When the competition starts, I'll silence them."

Xu Jingming naturally wasn't affected by these discussions.

Facts will prove to them that Principal Ling Shuang's choice was correct.

"There's still more than half a month until the league begins—these discussions won't affect you, but they might affect Principal Ling Shuang.

She's only been at our school three years, and this is her first time handling school affairs.

If you get the chance, reveal your strength early so others know Principal Ling Shuang's choice was right."

Yang Zhentian mused.

Given Xu Jingming and Ling Shuang's personalities, neither would react to such public opinion.

But sometimes, public opinion shapes how others perceive you.

Especially for a new deputy principal like Ling Shuang, who's only been here three years, reputation matters.

"It affects Principal Ling Shuang? Then how should I reveal my strength?" Xu Jingming frowned slightly.

The Tianming Sect's tasks still remain, but completing task counts alone can't fully prove I'm stronger than Kong Shi.

And with the league approaching, Kong Shi probably won't take on any tasks.

If I alone take on tasks, it's just me performing solo.

The most direct way is to find Kong Shi and fight him—but he may not agree.

"It's simple—we have a Combat Power Ranking at our school.

Kong Shi is currently number one on the entire school's Combat Power Ranking; just replace him as number one.

Yang Zhentian smiled, then added with some confusion:

"I see your Combat Power Ranking is below four thousandth place—how could it be so low?"

The combat power ranking uses a virtual trial mode, compiling the combat abilities of over four thousand students across the campus.

The so-called virtual trial requires a holographic immersion pod, somewhat similar to an immersive online game.

However, students are not playing games inside—it's about slaying ferocious beasts and clearing stages within the virtual trial.

The higher the stage cleared, the higher the rank on the combat power list.

Across the entire Magic Capital Institute of Esoteric Abilities, Kong Shi holds the highest rank—number one.

Xu Jingming ranks at the very bottom, having never participated in the virtual trial.

This is also one reason why many believe Kong Shi is stronger.

"Combat power ranking? I'd forgotten about this thing."

Xu Jingming then remembered, and shook his head:

"I've always thought slaying ferocious beasts in a virtual world is a waste of time—better to head straight into the wilderness."

"No wonder your combat power score is zero—it's because of this."

Yang Zhentian suddenly understood. "Still, you really should try the virtual trial—it's far more useful than you imagine."

"Also, I'm your head coach for this league."

"The subsequent team competition training will also take place in the virtual trial—you need to adapt in advance."

Of the three events in the National University League, the solo and survival competitions test individual strength and require no separate training.

Only the team competition tests coordination and cooperation among esoteric ability users—it requires an experienced mentor to lead training.

Additionally,

The virtual trial stores the member data of nearly a hundred past Magic Capital Institute teams that competed in the university league.

He looked forward to the Magic Capital Institute team with Xu Jingming on it.

Whether it could defeat that team, hailed throughout Magic Capital Institute's history as the "Divine Team," its strongest ever.

"Prove my strength through the virtual trial? I understand—I'll try it right away."

Hearing his teacher say this, Xu Jingming suddenly became interested.

Moreover, Deputy Principal Ling Shuang had helped him so many times—he naturally didn't want public opinion to affect her.

Once he claimed the top spot on the combat power ranking and crushed Kong Shi beneath him, all the current forum discussions would vanish on their own.