Chapter 288: Master-Level Fist Technique! Stunning the Entire Arena!

"Holy crap! What's that behind Lei Di's body?"

"A shadow made of lightning! It can actually move together with the main body!"

It wasn't just Zou Taizhi who was dumbfounded — the audience watching the holographic projection were also somewhat at a loss.

Fortunately, at this moment, on the host's platform, Wu Yuan, the Deputy Director of the National Education Bureau who was in charge of commentary, said in time:

"This is the lightning system's A-rank combat technique 'Lei Ying Body', formed by gathering lightning-type abilities. It can strike together with the main body.

Judging from the outline of the Lei Ying, Xu Jingming should have only just grasped it at beginner proficiency.

Each punch deals roughly 30% of the main body's damage..."

While providing commentary, Wu Yuan was also somewhat astonished.

Lei Ying Body is considered a fairly rare combat technique.

He had only learned of it from the National Education Bureau's internal combat technique library — this was the first time he had ever seen it in real life.

As for the reason, it's also very simple.

Lei Ying Body is too weak — it can only unleash a fraction of the main body's strength.

Most of the time it's only used to disrupt the opponent's attacking rhythm.

It can't amplify damage by several times like ordinary A-rank combat techniques, directly deciding the outcome.

And learning an A-rank combat technique takes far too long, so very few ability users bother to learn this technique."

This explanation would have been fine, but once it was given, waves of incredulous exclamations immediately rose from the audience:

"Only 30% damage and he still made the Fist King cough up blood? Lei Di's physique is actually that fearsome?"

"Indeed, this really doesn't make any sense..."

In the previous matches, although Xu Jingming had likewise displayed a respectable physique, it wasn't especially fearsome.

But now, with only 30% of the main body's attack intensity,

he could still make a fourth-tier mid-rank ability user who had activated a strengthening-system A-rank ability cough up blood — this was enough to prove something.

"Xu Jingming must have practiced body-tempering combat techniques, which is why his physique is somewhat stronger."

Wu Yuan's voice rang out once more.

Although his eye wasn't as sharp as Su Qingli's, he had still managed to see a thing or two from Xu Jingming.

At the same time, he couldn't help but sigh in secret admiration.

A 19-year-old third-tier upper-rank, powerful body-tempering combat techniques, mastery of multiple A-rank combat techniques, an S-rank combat technique...

An ordinary ability user would already be doing well to achieve any one of these.

But now, they were all concentrated in a single person.

More crucially, Xu Jingming's fist technique proficiency also seemed extraordinarily remarkable!

As the saying goes, an expert's first move reveals everything.

Judging from Xu Jingming's punching stance and explosive power, his fist technique proficiency had at least reached advanced!

'Spear technique, fist technique — both are formidable, and on top of that he has an SS-rank ability. This is an all-rounder!

No, I can't let the Lei Ting Martial Hall snatch him away. I have to keep him at the National Education Bureau.

Have him share his experience of getting stronger — who knows, it might produce even more prodigies!'

Wu Yuan thought silently.

He decided that as soon as the grand finals ended, he would immediately meet with Xu Jingming alone and, no matter what, secure him for the National Education Bureau first!

Wu Yuan's voice could be heard throughout the entire stadium, which naturally included Zou Taizhi on the arena.

"A-rank combat technique, Lei Ying Body? So that's how it is..." Zou Taizhi suddenly understood.

"So what if you understand? You think you can defend against it?"

Xu Jingming's pair of brilliant golden dragon pupils looked over.

Immediately, Lei Guang flickered, and his tall, sturdy figure once again closed in.

"I just suffered from a lack of intel earlier. One-on-one, I'm not afraid of you!"

Although that punch had indeed made Zou Taizhi cough up blood,

for him as a fourth-tier mid-rank, it was merely a minor wound and didn't affect his movement at all.

Still swinging both fists, full of vigor, he charged at Xu Jingming and engaged in close-quarters combat.

Whoosh whoosh whoosh!......

Both men threw punches as fast as lightning, but Xu Jingming, with Lei Ying Body attached, threw punches at an even more outrageous frequency!

He was almost completely suppressing Zou Taizhi!

Zou Taizhi spent most of his time on defense, only occasionally getting a chance to counter with a single punch.

And after throwing even one punch, he would immediately be pressed back down by Xu Jingming's thunder-like fists.

And this scene was something none of the audience present had anticipated.

"Good lord! Why do I feel like Lei Di's fist technique is even stronger than the Fist King's?"

"Indeed, there's a peculiar attacking rhythm."

Before the match began, almost everyone had thought that Xu Jingming giving up his spear for fist technique was overreaching.

But now they discovered that Xu Jingming's fist technique was equally exquisite!

Even a notch better than Zou Taizhi, who specialized in fist techniques!

"Impossible?! Your fist technique is also at advanced proficiency?"

On the arena, Zou Taizhi, who had been suppressed the entire time and was already struggling to cope, also sensed something was off.

His face suddenly changed as if he thought of something:

"No... that's not right. It's not just advanced proficiency! It's master-level?!"

At first, he thought Xu Jingming could suppress him in fist techniques because of Lei Ying Body.

But just now he realized, even without Lei Ying Body,

Xu Jingming could still suppress him—just not as strongly.

And to achieve this level, aside from a formidable physique, his fist technique proficiency must be far more than merely Advanced!

"Congratulations—you're right!"

Xu Jingming, wreathed in golden lightning, smirked slightly:

"Then I'll reward you by eliminating you directly—Lei Long Fist!"

Crackling—

Brilliant, dazzling golden lightning gathered on Xu Jingming's right fist.

The audience felt as if a small sun had risen from the arena.

Then, accompanied by a terrifying roar like that of a draconic beast, the small sun slammed into Zou Taizhi!

Pfft~~~

With just one punch, Xu Jingming shattered Zou Taizhi's crossed arms—and his entire right scapula—clean through!

Hss—

Powerful lightning energy currents rippled outward, visibly visible.

They struck the energy barrier surrounding the entire arena, causing it to shake violently.

"Such immense energy fluctuation!"

"Could one punch really be this terrifying?!"

"If not for the energy barrier, wouldn't even the residual shockwave of this fist technique obliterate us?"

"......"

Some ordinary spectators seated closer up swallowed hard.

On the arena, Zou Taizhi, struck by this devastating blow, crashed to the ground with a thud.

"Zou Taizhi has lost consciousness! Let's congratulate Xu Jingming—he has won the first match of the singles semifinals!!"

Host Feng Le's voice rang out without pause!

Actually, he feared that if he announced too slowly, Zou Taizhi might die right there on the spot...

PS: Thank you, Bigshot 'lzy鯨落', for your cumulative 300-yuan gift—extra chapter added!

I wanted to add an extra chapter earlier, but never had time—thank you, thank you.

Of course, thanks also to all other reader bigshots for your support and tips~~