Chapter 268: SINGLE ADVANCE! THE POWERFUL GOLDEN THUNDER!

Boom boom boom~~~

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

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

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

Just the C-grade alloy alone cost a astronomical sum—only an entity as colossal as the National Education Bureau could afford to build it.

Moreover, the arena incorporated cutting-edge technologies of the latest design.

Including energy shielding nets and instant protective barriers.

Under the control of top-tier artificial intelligence, it could form protective nets

at nanosecond response speeds when competitors faced life-threatening danger, maximizing safety.

Of course,

once the safety measures triggered, it meant elimination...

"Damn! First match is Mo Da—can't wait!"

"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-rank upper."

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

"......"

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

As a veteran powerhouse that frequently won league championships, Mo Da was always one of the teams fans most anticipated.

And this year, Mo Da's representative team included an S-rank awakened talent—undoubtedly adding even more excitement!

"Huh? First match is Bingshan? Looks like we got lucky."

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

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

The three reserve members, meanwhile, retreated with the other unscheduled teams to the spectator stands.

Aside from fellow elite universities Jincheng and Jingda, no other teams posed any real pressure on Mo Da.

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

"Damn! First match is Mo Da? What bad luck!"

"We're screwed—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 Bingshan 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, an elite university.

Add to that yesterday's conflict with Xu Jingming.

It was clear their defeat would be devastating.

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

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

The attention was terrifyingly high!

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

"Captain, can I apply to swap in a reserve?" Ko Liang begged, nearly in tears.

Thanks to the support-type psychic's healing, his injuries had mostly healed.

His face was still swollen, but it didn't affect his combat ability, 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 with a grave voice:

"We've rehearsed tactics against elite universities countless times."

Even if defeat is certain, we must show the name and pride of Bingshan 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 members regained a sliver of morale.

Except for vice-captain Ko Liang—he was genuinely terrified of Xu Jingming...

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

And the ground level beneath was astonishingly vast.

Yet the moment the 400m x 400m arena rose, it immediately occupied nearly half the floor space!

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-rank psychics, their burst speed could reach 60 meters per second!

Too small a field, and they couldn't even maneuver properly.

Now, on the wide arena,

the representative teams of Mo Du Institute of Psychic Abilities and Bingshan Institute of Psychic Abilities had taken their positions.

According to match rules, the two teams were spaced roughly 200 meters apart!

Their formations also differed.

On Mo Da's side,

Xu Jingming stood tall, gripping the dark-gold Flowing Cloud Jin Feng Spear.

To his right stood Kong Shi, left hand holding a shield, right hand wielding a blade.

Unlike ordinary sword-and-shield combos, his blade and shield were terrifyingly large—each as tall as a man!

This was because his enhanced beast-type A-rank psychic ability, "Iron Giant Bear," expanded his body to three meters tall when activated.

A one-meter-tall weapon was perfectly suited.

Xu Jingming and Kong Shi stood at the front of the formation; Shen Dongling, the assassin, gripped a dagger and stood slightly behind.

The support-type Gu Wan and the long-range spellcaster Yao Fang stood five to six meters farther back.

Though they carried weapons, their close-combat skills were weak—they'd rarely engage in melee.

The weapons were merely for defense against opponents with burst-advance abilities, buying precious seconds to avoid instant death.

Of course,

"weak in close combat" here meant relative to elite university competitors.

For Bingshan Institute of Psychic Abilities, even close combat might be manageable.

On Bingshan's side, the formation was similarly three-front, two-rear.

Before the match began, both sides unleashed their aura.

Notably, earlier, Yao Fang of Bingshan had advanced to fourth-rank middle.

Thus, on Mo Da's side,

besides Xu Jingming at third-rank upper, there were two fourth-rank middle and two fourth-rank lower!

Their combined aura burst forth, appearing terrifyingly like a final boss.

In stark contrast, Bingshan's team looked pitiful—four of their five members were only third-rank peak.

Only their captain, Ji Hui, reached the astonishing fourth-rank middle.

Spectators noticed this anomaly and began murmuring in confusion.

"Four third-rank peak, one fourth-rank middle—what's going on with Bingshan?"

"No wonder Bingshan made it to the second stage this year—looks like a one-god, nine-holes team."

"Reaching fourth-rank middle in a regular university—this Bingshan captain isn't ordinary."

"......"

Of the ten university teams in the National University League, nearly all members were fourth-rank lower!

Only then could they stand out from thousands of psychic universities.

But the first stage of the National University League featured only team matches.

For a team like Bingshan, relying solely on one powerful captain

to drag the entire squad into the second stage was rare—but not unheard of.

"Still, third-rank peak isn't that low—Mo Da's got a third-rank upper too."

Someone joked about Xu Jingming of Mo Da, instantly drawing rebuttals:

"Bingshan's third-rank peak have B-rank abilities; Xu Jingming's S-rank—how can you compare them?"

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

"Just in aura alone, Xu Jingming rivals even Kong Shi beside him!"

Indeed,

Xu Jingming was only third-rank upper, yet his aura matched Kong Shi's.

This was the most surprising thing to them!

And this powerful aura, resolute and handsome face, combined with a strong, upright posture.

Also caused many young girls in the audience seats to gaze with burning eyes.

Not to mention that such a young powerhouse possesses a certain probability of passing down an S-class ability to his descendants!

All these factors combined make Xu Jingming the most desirable partner in women's eyes.

"Xu Jingming from Mo University..."

In the inner audience area, on the mentor seats, the vice president leading Jing University's team wore a thoughtful expression.

Just like Mo University, Jing University and Jin University each assign a fixed vice president to handle their annual matters.

During the research trip, Jing University was led by Xu Ping; this university league tournament is also led by him.

Logically, Jing University has Wang Qi, who possesses a pseudo-S-class ability and is ranked at the upper level of the fourth tier.

He should be able to sweep away all obstacles and help Jing University win the championship; he shouldn't have any 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 aspect was the opponent's ability.

He still remembered that after last year's research trip ended, Deputy Minister Liu Yushan, a ninth-rank Martial Saint,

specifically met with Xu Jingming alone; the topic seemed related to "ability evolution."

After the matter concluded, the deputy minister left Cave No. 7.

Even if he hadn't left, an eighth-rank Grand Master like himself couldn't inquire into the details.

As for other witnesses...

Xu Ping unconsciously glanced at Ling Shuang, seated nearby, wearing Mo University's mentor robes that accentuated her slender figure, yet with a cold, expressionless face.

This powerhouse, merely 34 years old and already an eighth-rank mid-tier Grand Master, surely wouldn't reveal any insider details to him.

"Once the match begins, with our top-tier artificial intelligence, we should be able to analyze Xu Jingming's ability in detail.

Maybe it's just a boost in power..."

After pondering for a moment, Vice President Xu Ping of Jing University felt he was being overly anxious.

He shook his head and didn't dwell on it further.

It couldn't possibly be that Xu Jingming's S-class ability suddenly evolved into an SS-class, could it?

"Both teams are in position! Activate monitoring AI and deploy the energy shield!"

Hum~~~

With a dull rumble, the entire 400-meter by 400-meter arena was enveloped in a thick energy barrier.

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

It ensures maximum safety for the spectators in the stands.

Even if an attack were powerful enough to breach the energy defense net, the four sixth-rank ability users guarding the four corners of the arena would disperse it.

Additionally,

A seventh-rank Master-level support ability user waits nearby, ready to rescue any severely injured contestant at once.

In short, the entire competition venue has achieved maximum safety precautions!

As the energy shield rose, Xu Jingming and the others on the arena narrowed their eyes and prepared for battle.

"Final three-second countdown begins! 3... 2... 1... Start!"

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

Boom!!

At the moment the match started, both teams unleashed their abilities simultaneously!!

"Roar!!"

With a roar like a ferocious beast, Kong Shi's eyes instantly turned blood-red; his limbs swelled and his height surged to three meters!

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

Enhanced Beast-type A-class ability: "Iron Giant Bear" — making him appear like a bloodthirsty grizzly bear!

Not far behind, Shen Dongling's A-class ability "Demon Moon Blood Fox" was also activated.

Two furry fox ears sprouted from her head, and her eyes became alluring.

Shen Dongling was already attractive, and her curvaceous body was tightly wrapped in a combat suit.

Paired with this form, she radiated a soul-stealing allure.

Anyone distracted by it would face a sharp dagger!

Beside Kong Shi, Xu Jingming was wreathed in golden Heavenly Thunder, his body also draped in brilliant radiance!

Ten Thousand Transformed Spiritual Light!

Gu Wan's support-type A-class ability perfectly enveloped everyone.

Others didn't know, but Xu Jingming himself felt his strength and reaction speed had increased!

His overall combat power rose by approximately 20%!

This increase was already terrifying; if Gu Wan unleashed her S-class battle technique, the boost would reach a staggering 40%!

Even in his Thunder Form, the boost remained an astonishing 30%!

"Let the battle begin!"

Taking a deep breath, Xu Jingming gripped the Flowing Cloud Golden Blade Spear and charged forward first!

Crackling—

Golden lightning flashed; Xu Jingming's sprinting speed as a third-rank upper-tier ability user was faster than Kong Shi and Shen Dongling!

In the blink of an eye, he was less than thirty meters from the Bingshan team!

Meanwhile, Kong Shi and Shen Dongling were still over fifty meters behind!

"What's going on? Has Mo University's S-class broken formation? Has he always been this reckless?!"

"Oh no! Isn't this suicide?!"

Seeing this, the audience erupted in shocked cries.

Team matches require coordination among members; anyone who breaks formation

Will inevitably face the full firepower of the opposing team!

If it were Kong Shi or others, they wouldn't be this shocked — but Xu Jingming was different; he was only third-rank upper-tier!

Charging alone like this? Isn't this just handing over his head?

The Bingshan team had originally dared not initiate any attack against Mo University.

But when they saw Xu Jingming charging forward alone, their captain Ji Hui's face lit up with joy, and he decisively chose to meet him head-on:

"Xu Jingming is isolated! Perfect chance! Ke Liang, Ma Long, charge with me!

Old Li, Old Wang, provide ranged spell support and auxiliary boosts!"

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!...

The Bingshan team's ranged output was an ability user wielding wind-based ability.

A barrage of wind blades, trailing afterimages, sliced through the air toward Xu Jingming, sealing off every possible evasion route!

Among them came a single blue wind blade over ten meters long, radiating terrifying energy fluctuations!

"That's the Elemental Wind S-class technique 'Dimensional Wind Blade' — Bingshan is going all out from the start!"

"Obviously! Xu Jingming broke formation — who else should they target?"

The wind blade, as if slicing through the air itself, made nearby spectators hold their breath.

More critically, the wind blades locked every possible escape path — Xu Jingming had no way to dodge.

Some timid female spectators even instinctively covered their eyes!

Yet in the next instant, spectators who had been worried all let out incredulous shouts!

"Holy shit! He blocked it!"

"What?!"

"Is this what an Electric-type S-class ability can do? How incredibly powerful?!"

On the arena, Xu Jingming's golden thunder erupted, rapidly forming a dense lightning net around his body.

It blocked every single wind blade — including the S-class technique "Dimensional Blade"!