Chapter 286: Semi-Finals! Using Fist Techniques? I

The National University League, as a nationwide grand event.

Many factions will send personnel to watch the matches and recruit promising competitors.

But at most, they only send a second-in-command of Master Zongshi level.

For a master of the Ninth Stage, the very head of Thunderbolt Martial Arts, to appear in person is extremely rare.

But upon closer thought, they knew who Su Qingli had come for.

Xu Jingming!

This SS-rank Lightning-element Awakened, so rare in Great Xia, is truly suited to join Thunderbolt Martial Arts.

"What is honoring the virtuous? This is honoring the virtuous! The Ninth-Stage Wu Sheng himself came in person to watch—what sincerity!"

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

They too intended to recruit Xu Jingming.

Compared to Thunderbolt Martial Arts, their factions seemed to lack such sincerity.

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

Once he graduates from Magic University, the first thing he'll likely remember is this very scene: the head of Thunderbolt Martial Arts coming here in person.

"Director Su."

"Director, good day."

"Director."

"......"

As a Ninth-Stage Wu Sheng and head of Thunderbolt Martial Arts, Su Qingli's influence goes without saying.

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

Amid a chorus of respectful greetings, Su Qingli arrived at the front row of Thunderbolt Martial Arts' spectator seats, the first empty seat.

Her firm buttocks settled onto the center chair, her straight, slender legs crossed.

Her rosy lips parted slightly, her voice cold and ethereal:

"Director Sun, have you contacted Magic University? Have you spoken to 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 factions, including our Thunderbolt Martial Arts."

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

It's just a simple meeting.

Merely by the name of a Ninth-Stage Wu Sheng, Magic University couldn't possibly refuse this courtesy.

"No, wait until 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 all Awakened in Great Xia!

Merely releasing her aura can crush a whole crowd of Fourth-Stage Awakened!

Now, for a Third-Stage Upper, she's come all the way from Thunderbolt Martial Arts' global headquarters.

She doesn't ask Xu Jingming to come to her—she goes to him!

She shows not a trace of the arrogance befitting a Ninth-Stage Wu Sheng!

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

Just from this one point, this newly appointed head, who's held office only a few years, clearly possesses great breadth of vision.

As he marveled, Director Sun nodded slightly: "Understood."

At this moment, Su Qingli's gaze had already settled on the opposite side of the arena: Magic University's spectator seats.

"His physical body is extraordinarily robust, far surpassing ordinary Third-Stage Upper Awakened, even faintly carrying the aura of a ferocious beast."

"It seems he uses the common method of refining ferocious beast blood, combined with Lightning-element Awakened power, to forge his body."

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

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

"He is indeed a promising seed, but the true details can only be known after we meet."

The strange light in her eyes gradually faded; her gaze did not linger on Xu Jingming.

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

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

Seeing that familiar figure, Su Qingli's pale, ethereal face faintly bloomed with a subtle smile, like a celestial fairy.

"No way! Even the head of Thunderbolt Martial Arts came!"

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

On Magic University's spectator side,

Gu Wan and the others were excited, even the usually reclusive Kong Shi looked unusually exhilarated.

Though they were Magic University's prodigies, whether they'd ever reach Master Zongshi level was uncertain.

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

In fact, it wasn't just Magic University's side.

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

"Isn't the head of Thunderbolt Martial Arts supposed to be a middle-aged man?" Xu Jingming frowned.

How did he suddenly turn into a beautiful, refined woman?

"Captain, you didn't know?"

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

"Su Qiang, the former head of Lei Ting Martial Arts Gym, vanished four years ago—there was even news coverage about it."

"This Lady Su Qingli took over as head the following year."

Although Su Qingli rarely appears in public since taking office, many psychics know of her existence.

"Alright, I was still in ninth grade back then, didn't pay attention to the news," Xu Jingming finally understood.

Middle school was demanding—between training and textbook studies, there was no time to follow online news.

His impression of the Lei Ting Martial Arts Gym head still dated back to four or five years ago...

"Ninth grade?"

Gu Wan and the others exchanged glances, unable to resist complaining: "Is this what they call a generation gap?"

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

Welcome everyone, tuning in punctually to Day Eight of the National University League!

"Today's afternoon matches will feature the semifinals and finals of the individual events!"

"To enhance your viewing experience,"

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

At exactly 2:00 p. m., amid a soaring voice, host Feng Le stepped out 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."

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

Especially this Deputy Director, Wu Yuan, ranked Eighth-Lower Tier, who spent decades on the front lines before retiring!

With his commentary, no crucial moment would be missed—many viewers grew eager because of it.

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

As host Feng Le spoke,

Above the center of the gymnasium, a holographic projection displayed two rotating cylinders, each engraved with four names.

Whoosh~~~

The cylinders spun rapidly.

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

The two rotating cylinders slowed and came to a halt.

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

"The lineup for the first semifinal match is confirmed!"

"Let's welcome Xu Jingming from Modu Psychic University and Zou Taizhi from Qingjing Psychic University to the arena!"

Amid the host's operatic voice,

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

The semifinals have begun! Lei Di, go for it!

"The Fist Emperor is strongest! Defeat Lei Di!"

"Lei Di! Strongest!"

"......"

As both men stepped onto the stage, cheers and shouts surged like a tidal wave.

Zou Taizhi, Xu Jingming's opponent, was ranked Fourth-Mid Tier.

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

The crowd's roar was deafening; live-stream chat flooded the screen like a waterfall.

"Holy crap? He's Lei Di? That SS-rank psychic? He looks kind of familiar—haven't I seen him somewhere before?"

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

"Holy shit! It's him?! Jiang Chu Xuan's boyfriend is this kind of powerhouse? My apologies, my apologies."

"......"

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

Fans who had previously online declared they'd challenge the man in the photo to a duel.

Upon discovering Xu Jingming was the captain of Modu's team and an SS-rank powerhouse, all of them fell silent...

After stepping onto the stage, there were still thirty seconds of preparation time.

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

The individual event semifinals used a 400m x 400m arena, same as team matches.

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

He was a burly man, wearing alloyed boxing gloves.

His muscles, tightly wrapped in battle gear, subtly bulged—clearly possessing immense explosive power.

Xu Jingming stood silently in place; Zou Taizhi spoke first:

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

"Why not today, in this semifinal, use your fists against me?"

"With your SS-rank psychic power, your fists must be devastating—I'm sure I couldn't beat you."

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

The arena had dedicated audio capture equipment—Zou Taizhi's words instantly echoed throughout the entire gymnasium.

Some of the audience and fans supporting Xu Jingming immediately showed expressions of mockery and contempt:

"Fist techniques? What is this Zou Taizhi thinking? How could Lei Di possibly agree?"

"Indeed, this flattery tactic is too clumsy, really far too low-class."

"Use fist techniques?"

On the arena stage, Xu Jingming heard this yet merely raised his sword-shaped brows a fraction.

After pondering for a few seconds, he then grinned broadly and said: "Alright, I'll satisfy you."

Immediately after, under the stunned gazes of the audience, he retracted the Flowing Cloud Golden Edge Spear back into his spatial ring.

PS: The image in the previous chapter has been replaced; those who haven't seen it can go take a look.