Chapter 283: Top Eight Advancement Match! Instant Kill!

"Principal, what is this...?" Xu Jingming asked in confusion.

"I just made a bet with Jin University using an SS-class resource, wagering on who would win between you and them."

"Now you've helped me win the bet—this is your reward."

After Ling Shuang explained, Xu Jingming finally understood and instinctively glanced toward Jin University's spectator section.

Sure enough, he spotted Vice Principal Jiang Mo looking pained.

Tsk tsk, an SS-class resource just lost like that.

Do eighth-rank Grand Masters really gamble this big?

Amid silent awe, Xu Jingming smiled and took the small porcelain bottle from Vice Principal Ling Shuang:

"Thank you, Principal Ling."

The Sixth-Rank Guiyuan Pill is among the better S-class cultivation resources.

One bottle contains ten pills; swallowing one and combining it with your ability training can boost cultivation efficiency by nearly twentyfold.

He had confirmed this himself last time.

"S-class cultivation resource!"

"Principal really treats the captain well—getting an S-class resource like this."

"Who wouldn't want one...?"

"..."

Yao Fang and the others watched this scene, filled with envy and astonishment at Principal Ling's generosity.

Indeed,

this SS-class resource was originally the bet between Principal Ling and Principal Jiang.

Principal Ling didn't have to give any to Xu Jingming—but she chose to anyway.

"By the way, if there are more bets like this later, Principal Ling, please place one for me too."

"No need for anything too rare—just an S-class cultivation resource will do."

After a pause, Xu Jingming added.

Even though he had the Deep Blue System to directly allocate points, no one ever turned down more resources.

If there's a sure win, why not join in?

"No way! You can get the principal to place bets for you? Is the captain that bold?"

Yao Fang and the others nearby were nearly stunned.

This was an eighth-rank Grand Master with an S-class ability!

One of the most formidable ability users in all of Daya Nation.

And you're asking her to do you a favor?

Aren't you tired of living?

Yet, none of the expected anger or refusal came.

Ling Shuang merely nodded lightly, agreeing.

"Thanks, Principal Ling," Xu Jingming grinned and turned away.

Back with his team, he was met with worshipful gazes.

Ice Mountain Yao Fang raised her thumb: "No wonder you're captain! So badass!"

There were five team matches in the morning; after the Mo University and Jin University match ended, the team competition continued.

In the afternoon came the individual competition's quarterfinals.

In previous matches, besides Xu Jingming, Mo University's Yao Fang and Kong Shi also advanced to the top eight.

Jing University also had two in the top eight: fourth-rank upper-tier Wang Qi and fourth-rank mid-tier Zou Taizhi.

Jin University fared slightly worse, with only one in the top eight.

The other two top-eight competitors came from other top-ten universities.

Notably, Baishan Ability University's captain, Ji Hui, a fourth-rank mid-tier, had qualified for the top eight.

Unfortunately, in the round of sixteen, he faced Wang Qi and was eliminated outright...

"Next, the second round of the top-eight advancement match! Please welcome Xu Jingming from Mo University and Sun Jie from Suzhou Ability University!"

At 2: 0 p. ., after the first round of individual matches ended, it was Xu Jingming's turn.

"Go, Captain!"

"Advance to the semifinals!"

Amid his teammates' cheers, Xu Jingming stepped onto the arena, gripping the Flowing Cloud Golden Edge Spear.

His opponent, Sun Jie, was none other than the captain of Suzhou University who, during the team match,

had been driven back by Xu Jingming's single spear thrust while three teammates attacked him together.

"Xu Jingming... I never expected it to be you," Sun Jie said, his expression complex as he stepped onto the arena.

Suzhou Ability University has consistently ranked among the nation's top five university league teams—a true top-five school!

Many spectators supported them in this league.

But because he dodged Xu Jingming's spear thrust during the team match,

Suzhou University was misunderstood by the crowd, and Sun Jie himself became a meme target...

Topics like "Three vs. One Got Counterattacked—Can You Even Play?" or "Replace Sun Jie with My Grandma—She'd still fight Xu Jingming" still lingered on the league's trending searches.

"Xu Jingming! Meeting you is both my fortune and my misfortune!"

Sun Jie's eyes burned with fierce battle intent, his sharp greatsword already in hand.

He lifted it slightly, the blade's icy gleam pointing directly at Xu Jingming: "This time, I won't dodge!"

"Oh? Your fighting spirit is impressive."

Xu Jingming raised an eyebrow, spinning the Flowing Cloud Golden Edge Spear into a graceful spear flourish:

"I hope you can keep it up after the match begins..."

"It seems Captain Sun of Suzhou wants to prove himself in this individual match."

Let's see which of these two captains—Mo University's and Suzhou University's—is stronger!"

"Countdown begins: 3... ... ... Begin!"

During the morning team match, Xu Jingming had revealed his Thunder Extreme Form.

There was no need to conceal it in the afternoon's individual match.

As soon as the host announced the match had begun, Xu Jingming immediately activated his enhanced form, towering over two meters twenty tall.

"Thunder Flash!"

Golden lightning flashed; Xu Jingming's towering figure wielding the spear vanished from his spot!

"So fast!"

Sun Jie's pupils contracted—he activated his enhancement-type A-class ability, "Saber-Toothed Tiger," greatly boosting his physique.

Even so, he couldn't track Xu Jingming's movement!

As he desperately searched for Xu Jingming's position,

goosebumps erupted on his right arm, every cell screaming a death warning.

Adrenaline surged, amplifying every organ in his body.

Under the pressure of mortal danger, he finally saw it:

Xu Jingming's figure, wreathed in golden thunder, had appeared at his right side.

His brilliant golden dragon eyes held a cold, disdainful gaze.

The dark-gold spear, entwined with lightning, had become a golden blur sweeping toward him!

Spear Sweep!

Again, this move?!

This time, I won't dodge!

"Tiger Explode Slash!"

Aaoo—

Tiger Explode Slash, an S-class combat technique!

As Sun Jie unleashed it, a tiger-like roar echoed, brilliant blade-light flared, and his greatsword slashed down hard onto the spear!

CLANG!!

A deafening metallic clash rang out; in Sun Jie's stunned gaze,

the spear's sweep struck the greatsword, and his hardened A-class alloy blade instantly twisted and deformed!

Intense pain shot through his hands, and the spear shaft near the blade struck his waist with unstoppable force!

Boom!!

A crushing force slammed into his waist.

He felt his A-class battle suit and his enhanced physique offered zero defense.

Internal organs near his abdomen shattered instantly.

His entire body flew upward.

Like a skipping stone, he bounced several times across the alloy ground before finally stopping.

"Xu Jingming's attack... really can't be blocked head-on... but this time... I didn't dodge..."

With that thought, bloodied and broken, Sun Jie's lips curled slightly, his head tilted, and he lost consciousness.

Instant kill! An instant kill has occurred in the quarterfinals!!

Let us congratulate Xu Jingming from Magic University! Congratulations on advancing to the top four!

The host, who had just announced the start of the match, froze for a moment.

Once he realized what had happened, a shrill voice erupted instantly throughout the stadium!!