Chapter 268: Solo Advance! The Mighty Golden Thunder!

Boom~~~

As soon as the host finished speaking, a low rumble echoed, and the ground trembled slightly.

In the center of the stadium, a square giant arena measuring 400 meters by 400 meters slowly rose upward.

This is the dedicated arena for team matches, forged from C-grade alloy mixed with memory metal!

Just the cost of these C-grade alloys is astronomical—only a behemoth like the National Education Bureau could afford to build it.

Moreover, the arena incorporates various cutting-edge technologies.

Including energy shielding nets and instant protective barriers.

Under the control of top-tier artificial intelligence, it can

form protective nets at nanosecond response speeds when competitors face life-threatening danger, maximizing life safety.

Of course,

once the safety measures are triggered, it means elimination...

"Fuck! First match is Mo Da—this is gonna be awesome!"

"This year's Mo Da has an S-rank Awakened—wonder how strong he is."

"I bet he's not that strong; after all, he's only third-tier upper."

"True, but getting to see one of Great Xia's S-rank Awakened is still worth the trip."

"......"

As the arena rose, excited murmurs gradually spread through the surrounding spectator seats.

As a veteran powerhouse that frequently wins league championships, Mo Da has always been one of the teams fans most look forward to seeing.

And this year, Mo Da's team includes an S-rank Awakened—undoubtedly adding even more excitement!

"Huh? First match is Bai Shan? Looks like we've got good luck."

"Let's go—up on the arena, to face our first battle."

Xu Jingming's sword-like eyebrows lifted slightly, a faint smile playing at his lips, as he led Kong Shi and the others toward the arena.

The three substitute members, meanwhile, retreated with the other unscheduled teams toward the spectator seats.

Aside from the other top-tier universities, Jin Da and Jing Da, none of the other teams could truly pressure Mo Da.

Thus, as they walked toward the arena, Yao Fang and the others behind Xu Jingming chatted and joked with interest.

"Fuck! First match is Mo Da? What terrible luck!"

"We're done—this is gonna be a total humiliation."

"Hope Xu Jingming doesn't hold a grudge and goes easy on us."

"......"

In stark contrast to Mo Da's relaxed demeanor, the Bai Shan team's faces turned green upon hearing the match schedule.

As a team entering the second stage of the league for the first time, their strength was nearly the lowest among all ten universities.

They had virtually no chance of defeating Mo Du Institute of Psychic Abilities, a top-tier university.

Add to that yesterday's conflict with Xu Jingming.

It was foreseeable that this battle would end in a devastating defeat.

If the match against Mo Da had been scheduled a few days later, it might have drawn less attention.

But this was the first team match after the opening ceremony!

The attention level was terrifying!

Being publicly beaten senseless in front of so many spectators—anyone would find that unbearable.

"Captain, can I apply to swap in as a substitute?" Ke Liang nearly wept.

Thanks to the recovery abilities of their support-type Awakened, his injuries had mostly healed.

His face was still swollen, but it didn't affect his combat performance, so he hadn't been replaced.

Who could've guessed their first match would be against Mo Da!

"No."

Captain Ji Hui flatly refused, scanning his teammates and speaking in a grave tone:

"We've rehearsed tactics against top-tier universities countless times."

Even if defeat is certain, we must showcase the reputation and pride of Bai Shan Institute of Psychic Abilities!!"

"Go! To the arena!!"

"Yes! Even if we lose, we'll show our spirit!"

After all, they were a team that had fought their way out of thousands of psychic universities.

Inspired by their captain's words, the previously dejected team members regained a sliver of morale.

Except Deputy Captain Ke Liang—he was genuinely terrified of Xu Jingming...

The entire stadium, capable of holding over sixty thousand people, was enormous—its entrances and exits alone numbered 180!

And the ground level beneath the stadium was astonishingly vast.

Yet as soon as the 400-meter-by-400-meter arena rose, it immediately occupied nearly half the area below!

First-time viewers of the National University League might think the arena was huge.

In reality, to the university teams, it was just average.

After all, as fourth-tier Awakened, their instantaneous speed bursts reached 60 meters per second!

A smaller arena would be far too cramped to fight properly.

At this moment, on the wide arena,

the representative teams of Mo Du Institute of Psychic Abilities and Bai Shan Institute of Psychic Abilities had already taken their positions.

According to the competition rules, the two teams are spaced about 200 meters apart!

The positioning of team members also differs between both sides.

On the side of Magic University,

Xu Jingming stands tall, gripping the dark golden Flowing Cloud Golden Spike Spear.

To his right is Kong Shi, holding a shield in his left hand and a blade in his right.

Unlike ordinary swords and shields, his greatsword and shield are terrifyingly large—each as tall as a person!

This is because his Enhanced Beast-Type A-Rank Ability, "Iron Giant Bear," increases his height to three meters when activated.

Weapons of human height are perfectly suited for him.

Xu Jingming and Kong Shi stand at the front of the team; Shen Dongling, the assassin-type, grips her dagger and positions herself slightly behind them.

As for the support-type Gu Wan and the long-range spellcaster Yao Fang, they stand five to six meters farther back.

Although they carry weapons, their close-combat capabilities are weak and they rarely participate in melee fighting.

These weapons are merely for defense against opponents with dash abilities, buying them precious time to avoid being instantly killed.

Of course,

"Weak in close combat" here is relative to top-tier university competitors.

For Bai Shan Ability University, even their close combat might still be decent.

On the side of the Bai Shan representative team, the formation is also three in front and two in back.

Before the battle even begins, both sides unleash their respective auras.

Notably, earlier this period, Bingshan Yao Fang also reached Fourth Stage Mid-Level.

Thus, on Magic University's side,

Aside from Xu Jingming at Third Stage Upper-Level, there are two Fourth Stage Mid-Level and two Fourth Stage Lower-Level members!

Simultaneously releasing their auras, they appear as terrifying as a final boss!

In contrast, the Bai Shan representative team looks pitiful—four of their five members are merely Third Stage Peak!

Only their captain, Ji Hui, has reached the astonishing Fourth Stage Mid-Level!

The audience also noticed this unusual situation and began murmuring in confusion.

"Four Third Stage Peaks and one Fourth Stage Mid-Level—what's going on with Bai Shan Ability University?"

"No wonder Bai Shan Ability University made it to the second stage of the league this year—it's clearly one god leading five pits."

"To reach Fourth Stage Mid-Level at a regular university, this Bai Shan captain is no ordinary person."

"......"

In the National University League's ten representative teams, nearly all members are Fourth Stage Lower-Level!

Only then can they stand out among thousands of ability universities.

However, the first stage of the National University League features only team matches.

Cases like Bai Shan's—relying solely on one powerful captain to drag the entire team into the second stage—are rare, but not unheard of.

"Still, Third Stage Peak isn't that low—Magic University has a Third Stage Upper-Level too."

Someone joked by mentioning Xu Jingming of Magic University, instantly drawing a barrage of rebuttals:

"Bai Shan's Third Stage Peaks have B-Rank Abilities; Xu Jingming of Magic University has an S-Rank Ability—how can you compare them?"

"Exactly! Don't tell me you didn't notice the difference!"

"Just from their auras alone, Xu Jingming's is on par with Kong Shi's beside him!"

"Judging by aura alone, Xu Jingming is actually evenly matched with Kong Shi beside him!"

Xu Jingming is only Third Stage Upper-Level, yet his aura rivals Kong Shi's!

This is what surprises them the most!

And this powerful aura, combined with his ruggedly handsome face and strong, upright posture,

has ignited fiery gazes among many young girls in the audience seats.

Not to mention that this young powerhouse possesses an S-Rank Ability with a certain probability of being inherited by his descendants!

All these factors combined make Xu Jingming the ideal mate in women's eyes.

"Magic University's Xu Jingming..."

In the front section of the audience seats, on the coach's bench, Jing University's deputy team leader wore a thoughtful expression.

Like Magic University, Jing University and Jin University each assign a fixed deputy university president annually to handle related matters.

During the study trip, Jing University was led by Xu Ping; this university league is also under his leadership.

Logically, Jing University has Wang Qi, who possesses a pseudo-S-Rank Ability and has reached Fourth Stage Upper-Level.

He should be able to sweep away all obstacles and secure the championship for Jing University—he ought to have no worries.

Indeed, for everyone else, Xu Ping had no doubt Wang Qi could defeat them.

But for Xu Jingming, this prodigy who rose like a comet, he still felt uncertain.

The most uncertain point was the nature of the opponent's ability.

He still remembered that after last year's study trip ended, Ninth-Rank Martial Saint Councilor Liu Yushan, besides interrogating the Tianming Sect's Grand Preceptor,

also met Xu Jingming alone—the topic seemingly related to "Ability Evolution."

After the matter concluded, the councilor left the No. 7 Demon Cave.

Even if he hadn't left, an Eighth-Rank Master Zongshi like him wouldn't dare inquire into the specifics.

Even if he hadn't left, as an eighth-rank Master Zongshi, it wouldn't be appropriate for him to inquire about the specific situation.

Xu Ping unconsciously glanced at Ling Shuang, seated nearby, clad in Magic University's instructor robes that outlined her slender figure, yet with a cold, expressionless face.

Xu Ping instinctively glanced at Ling Shuang, who was sitting not far away, wearing a Demon University mentor's robe that accentuated her slender figure, yet wore a cold, detached expression.

This fierce man, only 34 years old yet already a mid-tier eighth-rank Grandmaster, probably wouldn't tell him the inside story either.

"Once the match starts, with the help of our top-tier artificial intelligence, we should be able to analyze the specifics of Xu Jingming's ability.

Maybe it's just that the power has gotten some kind of boost..."

After thinking for a moment, Capital University's Vice President Xu Ping felt he was being overly worried over nothing.

He shook his head and didn't think about it further.

There's no way Xu Jingming's S-rank ability suddenly mutated to SS-rank, right?

"Both teams are in position! Activate monitoring AI, raise the energy shield!"

Hmmm~~~

Accompanied by a muffled sound, the entire 400-meter by 400-meter arena was enveloped by a thick layer of energy shield.

This energy shield can withstand attacks from a fifth-rank ability user!

Enough to protect the audience in the stands to the greatest extent possible.

Even if an attack is terrifying enough to break through the energy defense net, the four sixth-rank ability users guarding the four directions of the arena will be responsible for dispersing it.

Additionally,

there is also a seventh-rank master-level support-type ability user waiting nearby, ready to rescue heavily injured contestants at any time.

It can be said that the entire competition venue has achieved the greatest possible safety guarantees!

As the energy shield rose, Xu Jingming and the others on the arena also slightly narrowed their gazes, readying themselves for battle.

"Final three-second countdown begins! Three... two... one... Begin!"

Under the expectant gazes of sixty thousand spectators, the match officially began!

Boom!!

The instant the match began, both teams unleashed their abilities!!

"Roar!!"

Accompanied by a roar like that of a fierce beast, Kong Shi's eyes suddenly turned crimson, his limbs swelled, and his body shot up to a full three meters tall!

His exposed skin shimmered with a metallic luster like steel alloy!

The enhancement-type beast-series A-rank ability 'Iron Bear'! It made him look like a bloodthirsty raging bear!

Not far behind, Blood Hand Shen Dongling's A-rank ability 'Demonic Moon Blood Fox' had likewise been activated.

Two fluffy fox ears sprouted from her head, and her eyes became bewitching.

Shen Dongling was already quite good-looking to begin with, and her slender figure wrapped in a tight combat suit was curvy in all the right places.

Paired with this form, she seemed to exude a soul-stealing allure.

Once anyone was distracted by it, what awaited them would be a sharp dagger!

Beside Kong Shi, Xu Jingming was also wrapped in golden Doushen Shenlei all over his body, and at the same time a layer of dazzling light cloaked him!

Ten Thousand Revolving Spirit Light!

Gu Wan's support-type A-rank ability perfectly covered every person.

The others didn't know, and Xu Jingming wasn't sure, but his own strength and reaction speed had both improved!

Overall combat power had increased by roughly 20%!

This boost value was already extremely terrifying. If Gu Wan unleashed her S-rank combat technique, the boost would reach a horrifying 40%!

Even in the Lei Guang form, there was still an astonishing 30% boost!

"Begin the battle!"

Taking a deep breath, Xu Jingming gripped his Flowing Liu Yun Liuyun Jin Feng Qiang and took the lead in charging!

Crackle-crackle—

Golden Lei Guang flickered, and Xu Jingming, a third-rank upper-tier ability user, actually charged faster than both Kong Shi and Shen Dongling!

In the blink of an eye, the distance to the Bai Shan representative team was less than 30 meters!

While Kong Shi and Shen Dongling were still fifty meters behind!

"What's going on? Magic University's S-rank broke away from the formation? Has he always been this bold?!"

"He's done for! Isn't this just suicide?"

Seeing this scene, exclamations immediately erupted throughout the audience stands.

Team matches require coordination between teammates. If anyone dares to break away from the formation,

they will inevitably face the terrifying firepower of every member of the opposing side!!

If it were Kong Shi and the others, they wouldn't be this surprised, but Xu Jingming was different—he was only a third-rank upper-tier!

Charging in alone like this—wasn't that just handing his head over for free?

Facing Magic University, the members of the Bai Shan representative team had originally not dared to take the offensive first.

But when they saw Xu Jingming actually daring to charge forward alone, team captain Ji Hui's face immediately lit up with joy, and he decisively chose to meet the charge head-on:

"Xu Jingming has broken off! Perfect chance! Ke Liang, Ma Long, charge with me!

Old Li, Old Wang, provide long-range spell combat technique support and enhancement buffs!"

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!......

The long-range damage dealer of the Bai Shan representative team was an ability user who wielded wind-type abilities.

Blades of wind streaked toward Xu Jingming with trailing afterimages, nearly sealing off every direction he could dodge!

There was even a green wind blade over ten meters long, radiating terrifying energy fluctuations, coming in alongside the other wind blades!

"It's the elemental wind-type S-rank combat technique 'Dimensional Wind Blade'—the Bai Shan representative team is going for the kill right from the start!"

"Obviously! Xu Jingming broke away from his team on his own—if they don't go all out on him, who should they go all out on?"

Those wind blades that seemed about to tear the air itself apart made some of the closer audience members break out in a cold sweat for him.

More critically, the wind blades locked down every evasive direction—Xu Jingming had no way to dodge at all.

Some of the more timid female spectators even instinctively covered their eyes!

Yet in the very next instant, the audience members who had been worried all let out cries of disbelief!

"Holy shit! He blocked it!"

"Oh—!"

"This is what an S-rank lightning-type ability is? How can it be this powerful?!"

It turned out that on the arena, golden Lei Ting erupted from Xu Jingming, rapidly forming a dense web of lightning around his body.

It actually blocked every single wind blade outside—including the S-rank combat technique 'Dimensional Blade'!!