Chapter 272: Is Flying That Amazing? Thunderstorm!

"The captain's SS-rank ability has been exposed."

"With so many major factions present today, it's only natural it would be exposed."

"True, but now the people from Jingda are going to panic."

"......"

Magic University's morning team matches consisted of only one match, and after it ended.

Everyone, including Kong Shi, sat in Magic University's spectator seating area watching.

They naturally saw the online leaks about Xu Jingming's SS-rank ability.

But they didn't pay it much mind, since they had long anticipated this moment.

Xu Jingming was their own Magic University student, and they felt proud of it.

Those who should be panicking are the other university representative teams.

Although there were five team matches in total this morning, they ended just after 11 a. m.

Under normal circumstances, five matches shouldn't end this quickly.

Even matches between evenly matched teams often lasted two or three hours.

However, the team matches had a special mechanism: once a match exceeded twenty minutes,

the energy shield surrounding the entire arena would begin contracting inward at a rate of one meter per second.

Any contestant touching the energy barrier would be eliminated.

With the arena's 400-meter length, the energy shield would fully contract in under seven minutes.

That meant a team match would end in at most half an hour.

Of course,

matches like Xu Jingming's, which ended in just half a minute after annihilating the opponent, were exceptional cases.

After the morning matches ended, spectators excitedly discussed the battles and the online leaks before leaving to eat and rest.

Given Xu Jingming's current level of popularity, if he appeared in a crowd, he would immediately be surrounded by curious spectators.

So he directly took Song Qiuyun and his aunt's family with the team to the gym's internal cafeteria for lunch.

I don't know if it was because they saw the many comments under online news articles,

but Song Qiuyun had tightly held Xu Jingming's hand the entire time without letting go.

As for his aunt's family, including cousin Tang Qi, they were equally stunned after seeing the online leaks.

Who could have imagined that Xu Jingming's original E-rank weak electricity ability had evolved all the way into SS-rank Dou Tian Shen Lei?

Uncle Tang Daolin believed this was an accidental breakthrough during a life-or-death crisis.

He said Xu Jingming had great fortune—maybe he should try buying lottery tickets.

Aunt Xu Qingwan believed it was the protection of Xu family ancestors, their ancestral tomb emitting auspicious smoke.

She even said that as soon as the league ended, they would immediately return to Jiangcheng to burn incense for all the Xu ancestors.

Xu Jingming offered no further explanation.

After all, who could know he had a miraculous system that could directly add points?

Even if he told them, no one would believe him...

After lunch, the spectators outside the gym dispersed, and only then did Song Qiuyun take his aunt's family back to the villa to rest.

Xu Jingming, meanwhile, led the Magic University representative team to Professor Yang Zhentian's villa.

Since the individual matches were scheduled for the afternoon, Yang Zhentian analyzed not only the strengths of each competitor from Suzhou-Hangzhou Institute of Abilities,

but also the top competitors from other universities, including their abilities and mastered combat techniques.

In fact, not just Magic University, but Jingda, Jindag, and seven other universities were all doing the same work.

Analyzing the strengths of each university's representative team members.

Xu Jingming, who had just been exposed as possessing an SS-rank ability, was naturally a key focus of analysis for all universities.

Kong Shi, Yao Fang, and others were all fourth-year seniors at Magic University, with well-documented growth trajectories.

Everyone generally knew what abilities they possessed and which combat techniques they mastered.

But Xu Jingming was only a first-year student, had spent long periods in the Wildlands, and had his information deliberately concealed by Vice Principal Ling Shuang.

So when they analyzed him, they were stunned.

Aside from knowing that Xu Jingming had previously mastered some A-rank combat techniques like 'Lei Mao' and 'Lei Yu',

and had learned Professor Yang Zhentian's special S-rank body-training technique, they knew nothing else.

Jingda did know Xu Jingming had also mastered an S-rank technique called 'Lei Shen Zhi', since their own instructor had taught it to him.

But beyond that, they were completely in the dark about any other combat techniques Xu Jingming possessed...

"The Bai Shan representative team is too weak—they couldn't even probe Xu Jingming's deeper abilities!"

Some university team coaches secretly fumed.

Thus, the few members of the Bai Shan team who had been annihilated by Xu Jingming that morning were unfairly blamed.

"There's nothing we can do—only observe Xu Jingming's performances in upcoming matches and adjust tactics accordingly."

Under these circumstances, many universities decided to closely monitor every single one of Xu Jingming's matches.

They must not miss even the tiniest useful piece of information...

"Magic University has an SS-rank ability awakener! So awesome!"

"Who says not! Magic University really knew how to keep quiet—they never said a word."

"Today's afternoon match features Lei Di's individual competition—I'm so excited."

"Lei Di? You mean Xu Jingming?"

"Yeah, you didn't know? That's what they call him inside Magic University."

"Don't say it, this title actually does have a bit of flavor to it."

"......"

It wasn't yet two in the afternoon, yet the enormous stadium was once again packed to the brim.

As the audience discussed among themselves, the topic almost entirely revolved around Xu Jingming.

Even Xu Jingming's nickname back at Mo Da had been dug up and was spreading among their lips.

If it were an ordinary lightning-type ability user with a nickname like 'Lei Di,' they would absolutely have dismissed it with contempt.

But placed on Xu Jingming, this title was extremely fitting......

"Welcome everyone back to the scene of our National Collegiate League.

In this morning's registration, a total of 64 people from 10 universities signed up for our singles event.

This afternoon, we will be arranging 32 matches, selecting the top 32 contestants from these 64 people!"

At exactly two o'clock, the host Feng Le appeared on the host stand right on time.

His high-pitched yet magnetic voice echoed throughout the entire venue.

All 10 universities, including official team members and substitutes, totaled 80 people.

However, not every team had prepared two support-type ability users like Mo Da had.

Therefore, only these 64 people were participating in the singles event.

"Now, let's have our artificial intelligence randomly pair up the matchups for these 32 matches!"

Under the expectant gazes of the audience, the host waved his hand grandly.

64 names appeared in the holographic projection in midair, then were randomly paired off two by two.

Quickly, the matchups for all 32 matches were arranged.

"I'm in the 6th match, my opponent is from Suhang Ability University — perfect for scouting tomorrow's team event."

"I'm in the 12th match, haha, my opponent is a substitute from Bai Da — I bet I can defeat him in under a minute."

"My match is pretty late, it's the 28th......"

In the Mo Da spectator section, everyone including Xu Jingming saw their own match numbers and opponents.

Xu Jingming's own match was the 3rd, his opponent was from Jincheng Ability University, a fourth-tier lower-rank wind-type ability user named 'Zhou Chao.'

"This artificial intelligence is indeed intelligent enough — those with strong abilities didn't get matched up in the first round."

After a glance at the enormous matchup list in midair, Xu Jingming immediately noticed this issue.

Of course, this was also quite normal.

The National Collegiate League also had to guarantee viewership ratings, to keep the audience in suspense.

If it were truly randomly assigned, and the two strongest were paired in the first round of the top-32 elimination, then what would there be to watch in the finals?

Additionally, this matching mechanism also ensured as much as possible that contestants from the same school wouldn't clash in the first round.

"For the singles event, every 4 matches make up one round! Now we begin the first round of matches — please welcome the 8 contestants from matches 1 through 4 of the singles event to the stage!"

32 matches couldn't possibly be fought one by one if they wanted to finish in a single afternoon.

Accompanied by a rumbling sound, a cross-shaped crack split open in the middle of the 400m x 400m arena that had been used for the team event that morning.

Then the entire stage was evenly divided into 4 battle platforms of 200m x 200m each.

From No. 1 to No. 4, above each battle platform, holographic projections displayed different match numbers.

"I'm actually going up in the first round......"

Xu Jingming's sword-shaped brows raised slightly. He said a word to his teacher and teammates before heading toward Battle Platform No. 3.

"Xu Jingming is in the first round!"

"Awesome! Go Lei Di!"

"Go Mo Da! Go Lei Di!"

"......"

After Xu Jingming stepped onto the stage, enthusiastic cheers immediately erupted from the spectator stands!

Not only Xu Jingming — all the contestants standing on the stage had people cheering them on!

It's just that the voices cheering for Xu Jingming were the most! The loudest!

Looking closely, one could also discover that quite a few of them were young girls.

As for the inner spectator section, the various universities and factions also mostly had their attention focused on Xu Jingming.

"Mo Da's Xu Jingming — I really am this unlucky......"

On Battle Platform No. 3,

Xu Jingming and Zhou Chao of Jincheng Ability University stood facing each other, separated by a full 100 meters.

Xu Jingming's expression was calm, but Zhou Chao wore a bitter face.

Running into Xu Jingming had already sealed it that his singles event would end in a single round.

"But it's not certain either — what if I can win?

Defeating an SS-class ability awakener — that would be quite an honor!"

After secretly encouraging himself with a thought, Zhou Chao finally rekindled a bit of fighting spirit.

His gaze condensed slightly, quietly waiting for the match to begin.

"Please, the eight contestants on the stage, get ready — the match is about to begin!"

Before long, as the host's words fell, transparent energy shields rose up on each of the four stages.

Immediately after, holographic projection numbers appeared on them.

The mechanical electronic countdown voice of the artificial intelligence also simultaneously sounded in the ears of the eight contestants.

"3!"

"Two!"

"One!"

"Begin!"

Crackle-crackle—

The moment the match began, Xu Jingming instantly activated his Doushen Shenlei.

Golden Lei Ting swirled around his entire body, a Flowing Cloud Golden Spear in hand, just as he was about to charge forward.

Yet, across from him, Zhou Chao had likewise activated his own A-rank elemental wind-type ability.

Swift gales wrapped around him, and the man actually rose straight up into midair!

"Oh? He's already gained the ability to fly?"

Xu Jingming's steps faltered for a beat; his eyes narrowed slightly as he looked toward that figure in midair.

"As expected, you can't underestimate any ability user..."

Generally speaking, an ability user with an A-rank elemental wind-type ability—

—only at the Fourth Order Upper Rank would their ability be sufficient to let them hover and fly.

Yet this Zhou Chao, at Fourth Order Lower Rank, could already master this ability—clearly a heaven-defying talent.

"Xu Jingming! Didn't expect that, did you? I can fly!"

Zhou Chao's smug voice came from the sky: "Before my ability runs out, don't even think about touching me!"

Zhou Chao was extremely wary of Xu Jingming; even while soaring in midair, he kept constantly shifting his position.

As though terrified that Xu Jingming's Lei Ting might blast him.

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

Gale winds swirled around him, and one after another cyan wind blades shot toward Xu Jingming at speeds exceeding the speed of sound!

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Xu Jingming moved like a lithe, agile leopard, and the wind blades were dodged with ease.

They struck the C-grade alloy ground, producing enormous sounds, and smashed crater after crater into the hard alloy surface!

For the wind blades he truly couldn't dodge, a single sweep of Xu Jingming's long spear scattered them just the same.

While charging and dodging, he was also thinking to himself.

"My maximum jump height is 32 meters; his flight altitude is at least 70 meters and up—even if I leap, I can't reach him.

The Lei Mao's attack range is enough, but he keeps moving, so it's hard for me to aim."

As a wind-type ability user, Zhou Chao's movement speed was undeniably fast.

Visually estimated to reach at least 60 meters per second!

Under such circumstances, even though the Lei Mao traveled several times the speed of sound, Zhou Chao only needed to watch Xu Jingming's opening move to dodge easily.

"Entering Lei Ji state would let me take him down directly.

But this is only a mere Fourth Order Lower Rank—do I have to go all-out?"

Xu Jingming's brow furrowed slightly.

It had to be said, the flight ability of a wind-type ability user was truly troublesome.

"If only there were some kind of suction to slow down his movement.

Suction? Got it!"

Xu Jingming's eyes lit up; with a slight shift of intent, his SS-rank ability Doushen Shenlei erupted in full!

Crackle-crackle—

Dense golden Lei Ting filled the 40-meter radius around him.

Roughly a quarter of the entire arena's area became a sea of golden Lei Hai!

The terrifying energy aura radiating from that Lei Ting made Zhou Chao, hovering in midair, twitch his eyelids.

His build was nothing like an enhancement-type ability user's; if he so much as brushed a single strand of it, wouldn't he be grievously wounded on the spot?

"Xu Jingming! It's useless! My flight altitude is a full 75 meters! Your Lei Ting can't reach me!" he shouted instinctively.

"Oh? Being able to fly is something impressive?"

A smile curled at the corner of Xu Jingming's mouth. "In the face of a Lei Ting storm, even a fighter jet I'd drag down all the same!"

BOOM!!

Under the control of his will, the entire golden Lei Hai erupted with a thunderous roar!

Under Zhou Chao's shocked gaze, it formed a colossal golden Lei Ting storm over thirty meters tall!