Chapter 286: Semifinals! Using Fist Techniques? I

The National University League, as a nationwide grand event.

Many factions will send personnel to observe the matches and recruit promising contestants.

But at most, they only assign a second-in-command of Grand Master rank.

It is extremely rare for a master himself, like Lei Ting of Lei Ting Martial Arts Hall, a ninth-rank Wu Sheng, to appear in person.

But upon closer thought, they knew exactly why Su Qingli had come.

Xu Jingming!

This SS-rank Lightning-affinity awakened talent from Great Xia is truly suited to join Lei Ting Martial Arts Hall.

"What is true respect for talent? This is true respect for talent! The ninth-rank Wu Sheng master himself has come in person to watch—what sincerity!"

Many second-in-command leaders from other factions silently marveled.

They too were seeking to recruit Xu Jingming.

Compared to Lei Ting Martial Arts Hall, their sincerity seemed lacking.

Even if Xu Jingming is only a freshman and has no intention of joining any faction yet,

when he graduates from Mo Da, the first thing he'll likely remember is this very scene: the master of Lei Ting Martial Arts Hall coming here in person.

"Director Su."

"Director, good day."

"Director."

"......"

As a ninth-rank Wu Sheng and the master of Lei Ting Martial Arts Hall, Su Qingli's influence speaks for itself.

Seeing Su Qingli approach, many rose instinctively from their seats.

Amid a chorus of respectful greetings, Su Qingli arrived at the front row of Lei Ting Martial Arts Hall's spectator section, where the first seat was empty.

She sat gracefully, her firm hips settling into the center seat, her long, straight legs crossed.

Her lips, rosy and full, parted slightly, her voice cool and ethereal:

"Director Sun, have you contacted Mo Da? Have you spoken with Xu Jingming alone?"

"I've contacted them, but Xu Jingming's teacher, Yang Zhentian, said he currently has no intention of joining any faction."

"He declined meeting invitations from all parties, including our Lei Ting Martial Arts Hall."

Director Sun bowed respectfully, "I'll contact them again shortly. With you here in person, this time we should be able to speak with Xu Jingming alone."

It's just a simple meeting.

Simply by invoking the name of a ninth-rank Wu Sheng, Mo Da would never dare refuse.

"No need. After the individual competition ends, I'll go find him myself." Su Qingli shook her head.

"You'll go yourself?" Director Sun blinked in surprise.

Remember,

Su Qingli stands among the very peak of Great Xia's awakened talents!

Merely releasing her aura could crush a vast number of fourth-rank awakened beings!

Now, for a mere third-rank upper-level talent, she has traveled all the way from Lei Ting Martial Arts Hall's global headquarters.

Instead of summoning Xu Jingming to meet her, she's going to seek him out herself!

She shows not a trace of the arrogance befitting a ninth-rank Wu Sheng!

Truly, those destined for greatness do not cling to trivial formalities.

From this alone, this newly appointed master—who has held office for only a few years—clearly possesses vast ambition.

With a sigh of admiration, Director Sun nodded slightly: "Understood."

At this moment, Su Qingli's gaze had already settled on the opposite side of the arena: Mo Da's spectator section.

"His physical body is extraordinarily robust, far surpassing ordinary third-rank upper-level awakened beings, even faintly carrying the aura of a ferocious beast."

"It seems he has trained his body using the common method of refining ferocious beast blood, combined with his Lightning-affinity awakened power."

"His aura is dense and profound, with no signs of artificial enhancement from excessive pill consumption..."

Su Qingli gazed at the tall, upright figure, and in her clear eyes, a faint, strange light seemed to swirl.

"He is indeed a promising seed. But the full truth will only be known after we meet."

The strange light in her eyes gradually faded, and her gaze no longer lingered on Xu Jingming.

It finally settled on the slender figure at the very front of Mo Da's instructor section.

"Ling Shuang... it's been a long time."

Seeing that familiar figure, Su Qingli's pale, ethereal face faintly curved into a gentle smile.

"No way! Even the master of Lei Ting Martial Arts Hall has come!"

"Yeah! We've got no chance, but Captain and Kong Ge, you've got to perform well!"

On Mo Da's spectator side,

Gu Wan and the others were excited, even the usually aloof Kong Shi looked unusually animated.

Though they were Mo Da's prodigies, none could say for certain whether they'd ever reach Grand Master rank.

Yet now, a ninth-rank Wu Sheng had come to watch—how could they not be thrilled?

In fact, it wasn't just Mo Da's side.

On Jing Da's side, Wang Qi and Zou Taizhi, who were about to compete, also looked slightly excited.

"Isn't the master of Lei Ting Martial Arts Hall an older man?" Xu Jingming asked, puzzled.

How had he suddenly become a graceful, beautiful woman?

"You didn't know?"

Gu Wan and the others stared at Xu Jingming as if he were a monster:

"The former master of Lei Ting Martial Arts Hall, Su Qiang, vanished four years ago—it was even on the news."

This Su Qingli took over as master the following year."

Although Su Qingli rarely appears in public, many awakened beings know of her existence.

"Ah, I see. Back then I was still in junior high—I didn't pay attention to the news." Xu Jingming finally understood.

Junior high was demanding: he had to train and study textbooks—there was no time to follow online news.

His impression of the Lei Ting Martial Arts Hall master had remained unchanged since five years ago...

"Junior high?"

Gu Wan and the others exchanged glances and muttered: "Is this what they call a generation gap?"

"It feels like we're not even from the same era as you, Captain..."

"Welcome, everyone, to the eighth day of the National University League!"

"This afternoon, we'll witness the semifinals and finals of the individual competition!"

"To enhance your viewing experience,"

"We've specially invited Deputy Director Wu Yuan of the National Education Bureau to provide live commentary!"

At precisely 2: 0 p. ., amid a soaring voice, the host Feng Le emerged from backstage.

Beside him walked a burly, aura-strong middle-aged man.

"It's the Deputy Director of the Education Bureau doing commentary!"

"Perfect! Now we won't miss a single detail of the battle!"

Awakened beings who serve in the National Education Bureau are all seasoned veterans.

Especially this Deputy Director, Wu Yuan, an eighth-rank lower-level powerhouse who spent decades on the front lines before retiring!

With his commentary, viewers won't miss a single highlight—many spectators now felt genuine anticipation.

"Now, let's begin the draw for the first semifinal match of the individual competition!"

As host Feng Le spoke,

Two rotating cylinders, each engraved with four names, appeared in midair above the arena's center via hologram.

Whirrr~~~

The cylinders spun rapidly.

"Stop!" After several seconds, Feng Le called out.

The two cylinders slowed and halted.

On the left, Xu Jingming's name appeared; on the right, Zou Taizhi of Jing Da.

"The first semifinal match is confirmed!"

"Let's welcome Xu Jingming from Mo Du Institute of Awakened Abilities, and Zou Taizhi from Qing Jing Institute of Awakened Abilities to the arena!"

Amid the host's high-pitched voice,

Xu Jingming, gripping the Flowing Cloud Golden Peak Spear, and Zou Taizhi stepped onto the stage simultaneously.

"Semifinals have begun! Lei Di, win!"

"Fist Emperor, strongest! Defeat Lei Di!"

"Lei Di, strongest!"

"......"

As soon as they appeared, cheers and shouts surged like a tidal wave.

Zou Taizhi, Xu Jingming's opponent, was a fourth-rank mid-level awakened being.

His fist techniques were masterful, earning him the nickname "Fist Emperor."

The cheers from the crowd shook the heavens, and the live chat on the streaming platforms surged like a waterfall.

"WTF? Is he Lei Di? That SS-rank psychic awakening specialist? Why does he look so familiar? Have I seen him somewhere before?"

"Obviously—he's that guy who was exposed a while back as Jiang Chu's boyfriend. Of course he looks familiar."

"WOW! So it's him?! Jiang Chu's boyfriend is actually this kind of powerhouse? My apologies, my apologies."

"......"

The live stream had over ten million concurrent viewers, including some of Jiang Chu's fans.

Fans who had recently been shouting online about challenging the man in the photo to a duel.

Upon discovering that Xu Jingming was not only the captain of the Magic University team but also a top-tier SS-rank psychic, not one of them dared speak up again...

After stepping onto the arena, there were still thirty seconds left before the match began.

At this moment, Xu Jingming stood quietly, gripping the Flowing Cloud Golden Edge Spear, awaiting the start of the match.

The singles semifinal used a team competition arena measuring 400 meters by 400 meters.

About two hundred meters across from Xu Jingming, Zou Taizhi of Jing University stood waiting.

He was a massive man, wearing alloyed gauntlets on his hands.

His entire body, wrapped in battle armor, showed faintly bulging muscles—clearly possessing immense explosive power.

Xu Jingming stood silently in place, but Zou Taizhi spoke first:

"Xu Jingming, I've reviewed your file. Aside from your spear technique, your fist skills seem decent too."

"How about this semifinal? Let's fight with fists only today?"

"With your SS-rank psychic power, your fist techniques must be incredibly fierce—I'm sure I couldn't beat you."

A faint smile lingered on his face as he made the suggestion, friendly and amicable.

The arena had specialized audio capture equipment; as soon as Zou Taizhi spoke, his words echoed throughout the entire stadium.

Some of Xu Jingming's fan supporters immediately wore expressions of mockery and disdain:

"Fists? What's Zou Taizhi thinking? Would Lei Di ever agree to that?"

"True—this flattery is too crude, utterly lowbrow."

"Fists?"

On the arena, Xu Jingming raised his eyebrows slightly at the words.

After a few seconds of thought, he grinned and said, "Fine. I'll accommodate you."

Then, before the audience's stunned eyes, he retracted the Flowing Cloud Golden Edge Spear into his space ring.

PS: The image from the previous chapter has been replaced. Those who haven't seen it can check it out.