Chapter 248: First Training Session! Ming Ge, Hello!

"Wait until you actually clear Level 30 as an S-rank before you talk about it."

Eva with twin pigtails chuckled in reply, then added:

"The top-ranked fighter on the battle power list receives a fixed reward of 2, 00 credits per quarter."

"That reward has already been deposited into your student account—make sure to check it when you get back."

"Also, the virtual trial has ended, and my computational resources need to be reallocated elsewhere."

"S-rank, we'll meet again next time~~"

"Goodbye, Eva."

Xu Jingming gave a slight nod, and his awareness blurred.

When he opened his eyes again, he was back inside the dimly lit virtual immersion pod.

"Aside from the death sensation feeling unreal, this virtual space is almost identical to the real world."

"Also, I wonder what it would feel like to eat inside there."

As Xu Jingming pondered, a soft 'hiss' sounded, and the pod door slowly opened before him.

The scene that met his eyes made him pause in surprise.

Before Xu Jingming entered the virtual immersion pod, the fourth-floor lobby hadn't been crowded—no more than thirty or forty people at most.

Now, the fourth-floor lobby was nearly packed with figures; there were at least a hundred people.

As the pod door opened, dozens of eyes snapped toward him, followed by an eruption of enthusiastic cheers.

"One million battle power! Number one on the battle power list! Lei Di is awesome!"

"Lei Di! This year's National University League—I'm going to the live event to cheer for you!"

"Lei Di! Can I get your autograph?"

"......"

Last semester, Xu Jingming had gained some fame through his assignments for the Mandate Church.

But the Mandate Church assignments weren't as authoritative as the battle power list.

So until now, Mageda students acknowledged Xu Jingming as a top-tier fighter, but weren't certain he was the strongest.

Now it was different: Xu Jingming had claimed the top spot on the battle power list with a score over 500, 00 higher than second place.

This clearly proved he possessed overwhelming strength—the absolute number one at Mageda right now!

More importantly, Xu Jingming was only nineteen years old!

No one could predict the limits of such a prodigy.

So beyond the cheers, some students with long-term vision immediately asked for autographs.

This granted Xu Jingming, as he stepped out of the virtual immersion pod, a celebrity-level reception.

After a while, he managed to push his way out of the crowd using his sturdy frame.

"These guys are really enthusiastic," Xu Jingming sighed as he stepped into the elevator.

In the Great Xia Nation, martial culture runs strong, leading some to treat powerful adepts like celebrities.

That was exactly what had just happened.

Of course, those who got into Mageda weren't mindless fans—just curious onlookers.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have squeezed out so easily.

"Ding dong~~, first floor arrived."

Soon, the elevator reached the first floor.

Xu Jingming stepped out of the elevator and exited the training building.

There he saw Song Qiuyun's tall figure standing by the roadside, as if she had already been waiting for a while.

Seeing Xu Jingming, Song Qiuyun's eyes lit up.

Then her lovely face broke into a bright smile as she walked over with long, graceful strides:

"Jingming, congratulations on taking first place on the battle power list."

February in Magu had already passed winter; most people had shed their heavy winter coats for lighter spring attire.

Song Qiuyun was no exception: she wore a thin knit sweater on top and snug light-blue jeans below.

Such a simple outfit wouldn't draw attention on any other girl.

But on her, it perfectly accentuated her graceful, curvaceous figure.

"Just routine stuff—don't be so surprised."

In response to Song Qiuyun's congratulations, Xu Jingming didn't humble himself; he smiled and replied.

"True enough."

Song Qiuyun nodded in agreement, leaning slightly closer to Xu Jingming as she blinked her clear, large eyes:

"Didn't you say back in the Thunder Secret Realm that you'd challenge me after you returned?"

"How about it? Free this afternoon? Want to spar a few rounds?"

"You haven't been beaten enough yet?" Xu Jingming exclaimed in surprise.

He hadn't realized this daughter of the Song family from Sichuan seemed to have a masochistic streak.

"Exactly—then beat me into submission."

Song Qiuyun didn't deny it; she openly admitted it with ease.

In her gaze toward Xu Jingming, a faint spark of something unusual flickered.

"Beat you into submission? Hmph. It's only been half a month."

"Have you already forgotten how you and Teacher Jiang were both humiliated by me in the Thunder Secret Realm?"

Xu Jingming chuckled, not refusing:

"Sparring's fine, but I'm busy this afternoon—I'll have to wait until tonight."

At two p. ., all members representing Mageda in the National University League must attend the training session hosted by Teacher Yang Zhentian.

This was the first training session; Xu Jingming naturally wouldn't miss it.

"Alright, I'll come find you tonight then."

Song Qiuyun nodded slightly, a faint, barely noticeable mischief flashing across her fair, delicate oval face...

Since the training required entering the virtual space, the venue wasn't the sports field.

Instead, it was a large conference hall on the second floor of the teaching building, capable of holding over a hundred people—though this hall had no podium or seats.

Instead, there were nine virtual immersion pods, their exteriors brimming with high-tech design.

Before two p. ., besides Kong Shi, Tao Guan, and Yao Fang, several others had already arrived beside the pods.

They gathered together, inevitably chatting and exchanging words.

Naturally, the topic revolved around Xu Jingming, who had just claimed first place on the battle power list that morning.

"Last semester, I already sensed Xu Jingming would become Mageda's strongest."

"But I never expected it would happen so fast, so abruptly."

Ice Mountain Yao Fang shook her head in awe, then turned curiously to the burly Kong Shi:

"Iron Bear, you lost your battle power list number one spot—what do you think?"

If anyone among the top ten on the battle power list was the most low-key, it was undoubtedly Kong Shi, the former number one.

Yet despite his low profile, as the former champion, Kong Shi had his own pride.

Now crushed by Xu Jingming's double the battle power, he must surely feel bitter.

Yet,

To Yao Fang's surprise, Kong Shi merely replied calmly:

"No thoughts. Xu Jingming is strong. This number one spot truly belongs to him."

"No wonder you're Brother Xiong—such a great mindset!" Yao Fang gave a thumbs-up.

"Every era produces a prodigy who rises like a comet."

"It's futile to compete with such a prodigy—just focus on walking your own path well."

As Yao Fang said, Kong Shi's mindset was exceptional.

Of course,

Only those with a clear vision of their own life path could ever reach the peak.

"Whoosh—"

At that moment, the conference hall door opened, and Xu Jingming's tall, slender figure appeared in everyone's view.

The faint beastly aura of his fifth-layer Thunder Unbroken Body, combined with the unique presence of his SS-class Daitian Thunder ability,

made the aura radiating from Xu Jingming, a third-rank upper-tier adept, subtly stronger than that of the fourth-rank adepts present!

Under this aura, the chatter among the group instantly fell silent.

Tao Guan, who had once boasted in Kong Shi's villa that he'd challenge Xu Jingming, shuddered involuntarily and blurted out:

"Ming Ge, hello."