Chapter 250: Huh? That Was Just a Warm-Up?

Anyway, once the National Collegiate League begins, Xu Jingming's SS-rank ability will be exposed anyway.

So Yang Zhentian didn't hide it and announced the news directly.

For Kong Shi and the others, this was no different from tossing a boulder into a calm lake, instantly raising a great uproar!

"SS-rank ability? No wonder he's so fierce!"

"I was wondering before—Captain's Lei Ting was originally blue-purple, so why did it turn golden-yellow later? So that's the reason."

"Speaking of which, an S-rank ability evolving into an SS-rank ability—how on earth is that done?"

"......"

Gaze after gaze—some shocked, some puzzled—turned toward Xu Jingming.

Of course,

most of them were simply curious.

After all, ability evolution is a low-probability event, and it usually only happens to F-rank and E-rank ability awakeners.

For those low-rank ability users, evolving from F-rank to B-rank doesn't make much of a difference.

But Xu Jingming is different—evolving from S-rank to SS-rank!

Before this, they had never even heard of such a case!

Facing those gazes, Xu Jingming's expression remained natural; he didn't speak up to explain.

He couldn't exactly tell them he had a system that could one-click upgrade abilities, could he?

And even if he said it, they'd most likely not take it seriously.

"You don't need to worry about how the ability evolved. You just need to know that Xu Jingming has an SS-rank ability."

Yang Zhentian up ahead cut off the discussion, then waved his hand grandly.

Instantly, battle suits and weapons of various colors and styles appeared, floating around everyone.

"To ensure fairness, in the National Collegiate League,

the battle suit used by each participant cannot exceed A-rank, and the weapon used cannot exceed S-rank.

These are all A-rank battle suits and S-rank weapons—pick whichever model you like.

If you feel uncomfortable using them, just input the data of your usual weapon before the next training camp."

The importance of battle suits and weapons to ability users goes without saying—at the same rank,

an ability user wearing an SSS-rank battle suit has an overwhelming advantage over one wearing an S-rank battle suit!

It was precisely for fairness that the National Collegiate League set this rule.

Of course,

this was also to look after the other ability academies.

After all, the three top academies with deep foundations—Mo Da, Jing Da, and Jin Da—

could easily custom-make a full set of SSS-rank battle suits and weapons for their students.

But for other academies with shallower resources, scraping together a full set of A-rank battle suits would already be considered good.

"Understood." Xu Jingming, Kong Shi, and the others all nodded and began selecting their weapons.

In the end, Xu Jingming chose a battle suit model he commonly used.

For his weapon, he chose an S-rank spear somewhat similar to the Black Yao Spear.

"Next training camp, I can have the data of my Flowing Liu Yun Jin Feng Spear input."

Xu Jingming murmured to himself.

That way, he could also practice the strange moves of Flowing Liu Yun Jin Feng where the weight suddenly increases.

"Before we begin coordinated training, each of you needs to demonstrate the abilities and combat techniques you've mastered.

Jingming, as captain, you go first."

Once everyone had put on their gear, Yang Zhentian turned his gaze toward Xu Jingming.

"Do I need to show every attack method?" Xu Jingming blinked.

"That's right."

Yang Zhentian nodded. "This way, not only will your teammates get a comprehensive understanding of you, it'll also make it easier for me to formulate tactics and strategy."

As the Dean of the Weapon Academy and a peak seventh-tier Grandmaster, Yang Zhentian knew the strength of those few disciples under him almost like the back of his hand.

But Xu Jingming was an exception.

Every time they met, Yang Zhentian would find that Xu Jingming's strength had improved by a huge margin compared to before.

He simply had no way to grasp his strength accurately.

For example, right now, although he knew Xu Jingming possessed fifth-tier combat power, he had no idea what his specific offensive methods were.

This demonstration, besides giving Kong Shi and the others a rough understanding,

was also so Yang Zhentian could see where his student's true current level actually stood.

"Understood."

Xu Jingming nodded, gripped the Black Yao Spear, and walked to the very front.

"I'm proficient in a fair number of offensive methods—I have some involvement with spears, fist arts, as well as long-range spell-type combat techniques.

Next, I'll demonstrate them one by one for everyone."

As he spoke, accompanied by a piercing rumble of thunder, the resplendent SS-rank ability Doushen Shenlei swirled around Xu Jingming.

It had to be said, the virtual space's simulation level was indeed very high.

It had almost perfectly simulated Doushen Shenlei, an extremely rare lightning-type SS-rank ability.

Ferocious! Sacred! And dangerous!

were everyone's first impressions of this ability. The constantly leaping golden arcs of electricity even gave people a vague sense of heart palpitations.

"This is an SS-grade ability? Truly terrifying!"

"What beautiful Lei Ting, renowned yet dangerous."

"You could tell from the video that this Lei Ting was extraordinary, and now seeing it in person, it really is exceptional."

"......"

Xu Jingming only rose to fame last semester during the final exams, during a Tianming Sect mission, when he entered the sights of senior teachers like Yao Fang.

But they had only ever seen Xu Jingming's ability and combat style through the promotional video on the school's official website.

Moreover, because Vice Principal Hearing Ling Shuang had deliberately erased some of his attack methods.

Apart from knowing that Xu Jingming's ability was very flashy, they didn't feel much about it.

Now seeing it with their own eyes, they discovered that Xu Jingming's ability was far more formidable than they had imagined!

"No wonder Vice Principal Ling internally decided early on to make him a member of the league team.

This kind of power is indeed beyond what ordinary ability users can achieve."

Staring at that tall figure wreathed in lightning, Kong Shi in the crowd could not help but sigh inwardly.

Even if Xu Jingming hadn't taken first place on the combat power rankings this morning.

Just this simple eruption of ability alone could conquer everyone, himself included!

This is the charm of an SS-grade ability!

It comes from a higher-quality energy form, and at a glance one can see its extraordinary nature.

At this moment, Xu Jingming on the open ground ahead also began his demonstration.

The so-called demonstration was actually much the same as his usual training.

Everyone present was one of their own, and Xu Jingming had no intention of holding back.

As Lei Guang flickered, master-level spear techniques along with various A-grade combat skills like Lei Prison, Lei Mao, and Chain Lightning Spear came as easily as flicking the wrist.

Unlike ordinary ability users, long years of fighting fierce beasts in the wilderness had also forged Xu Jingming's fierce combat style.

On this point, everyone present was an expert and could naturally see it.

Even Kong Shi, Yao Fang, and others automatically put themselves in the place of Xu Jingming's enemies, running mock battles in their minds.

The result was that, faced with such fierce combat methods, they seemed to have not the slightest chance of victory.

"Worthy of being the captain! So strong!"

"I feel like we've got this league locked up!"

"I wonder how much amplification my support-type ability can give the captain."

"......"

As an enemy, Xu Jingming would absolutely be a terrifying opponent.

But as a teammate, and even the captain who would lead them in the National Collegiate League.

Xu Jingming's performance undoubtedly gave people an immense sense of security.

Even Tao Guan and the others had already locked in the league championship in advance.

At this moment, Xu Jingming, who had just finished demonstrating a string of combat skills and spear techniques ahead, stood holding his spear and said in a deep voice:

"That set of spear techniques and combat skills just now was a warm-up. Next, I will demonstrate for you all the S-grade combat skills I have mastered."

His steady, forceful voice echoed across this vast expanse of space, and a look of anticipation crossed Yang Zhentian's face.

Meanwhile, the remaining Kong Shi and the others exchanged glances, each seeing the confusion and puzzlement on the others' faces.

Huh? That was still just a warm-up?