Chapter 289

In fact,

Before the match began, not only the audience but also many coaches in the inner seating area thought Xu Jingming's decision to fight Zou Taizhi with fist techniques was arrogant and reckless.

Even the coaches seated in the inner audience area held the same view.

But after this match ended, all the coaches were stunned.

Master-level fist technique?!

From the team match's eight wins to the individual match semifinals, more than half of the entire national university league has already passed.

You're an ability user who's always used a long spear—now you're telling me you also have a master-level fist technique?

This is just insane...

"More importantly, if Zou Taizhi hadn't suggested they fight with fist techniques,

we might never have known Xu Jingming possessed a master-level fist technique!"

Amid their astonishment, some coaches couldn't help but feel pity for Zou Taizhi.

A perfectly good semifinal, and he had to pull such a stupid stunt.

Now, crushed in his own most cherished fist technique—this must hurt more than losing the semifinal itself...

"By the way, did anyone figure out what proficiency level Xu Jingming's spear technique is?"

One coach suddenly asked.

The moment he asked, every coach froze.

Think back—the moment Xu Jingming moved his spear in previous matches, it was either overwhelming dominance or instant kill.

You hardly ever saw evenly matched scenes, let alone a chance for him to draw his third spear strike.

How the hell are you supposed to tell what proficiency level that is?

"At least high proficiency," a coach finally muttered after a long silence.

He was met with a chorus of disgusted glares:

"Obviously! I can tell it's at least high proficiency too—the point is, is it master-level?!"

Although high proficiency and master-level proficiency differ by only one rank, their implications are entirely different.

If Xu Jingming's fist technique and spear technique are both master-level, his comprehension can only be described as terrifying...

"Looks like we'll only find out the answer in the finals," one coach sighed.

"He won!"

"Lei Di is invincible!"

"The individual match champion can only be Lei Di!"

"..."

Unlike the coaches who analyzed every angle, the audience only knew that Xu Jingming had won!

And he won with total domination throughout.

Instantly, the entire stadium erupted in thunderous cheers!

"Dean Liu, it seems Xu Jingming wasn't arrogant—he actually defeated your Zou Taizhi."

In the inner audience section, Yang Zhentian, still stinging from Jingshi University's earlier mockery, shot back without mercy.

"Don't celebrate too soon—it's only the semifinals. There's still the finals ahead.

With Wang Qi in the picture, you won't get the final championship."

Liu An replied with a blank expression, then without waiting for Yang Zhentian's response, walked straight to Zou Taizhi, who was being carried back on a stretcher.

Having taken Xu Jingming's Thunder Dragon Fist directly to the chest, his injuries were severe.

His right scapula was completely shattered, still blackened and charred by lingering lightning.

Through the wound, even the writhing internal organs could be seen.

Yet when Liu An saw this, his expression softened slightly:

"The injuries aren't too serious—his foundation hasn't been damaged. It seems Xu Jingming still has some limits."

"Wang Qi, in the upcoming finals, if you can defeat him, try not to damage his foundation."

Liu An warned.

The "foundation" referred to key internal organs and similar vital areas.

Unlike muscles, these areas are extremely fragile yet critically important.

Damage to one or two internal organs is manageable, but if too many are harmed, even healing ability users would struggle to treat them.

"Understood. I won't be that cruel," Wang Qi grinned.

It's just a match, not a life-or-death feud—he had no reason to go that far.

Besides, with so many big shots watching, if he dared pull any tricks,

no faction would dare take him in.

After all, Jingshi University graduates every year.

But an SS-rank ability awakening occurs only once every decade or even longer.

Which is more important? Even a fool knows...

Although the arena has AI to judge and can generate energy nets to protect contestants' lives at critical moments,

it only ensures survival...

Xu Jingming's Thunder Dragon Fist, if aimed at Zou Taizhi's right abdomen instead of the heart,

could shatter most of his internal organs without triggering the arena's protective measures.

But doing so would serve no purpose.

Like Wang Qi's thinking, it's just a match.

Everyone was a prodigy of the Great Xia Nation, and in the future they would still have to resist the invasion of fierce beasts together.

Injuring Zou Taizhi's foundation and forcing him to spend a month or two recovering would bring Xu Jingming no benefit at all.

So, his Thunder Dragon Fist ultimately only struck Zou Taizhi's right shoulder......

"The first round of the semifinals has ended. Next up is the second round. Let us welcome Capital University's......"

The competition continued.

The second round of the semifinals was Magic University's Kong Shi versus Capital University's Wang Qi.

A mid-tier fourth-rank grade, plus an A-rank enhancement-type ability—Kong Shi's own strength was already formidable enough.

But unfortunately, Wang Qi was even stronger!

Thus, less than five minutes after this second match began, it drew to a close with Wang Qi claiming the final victory......

"The singles semifinals have concluded. Advancing to the finals are Xu Jingming of Magic City Ability University, and Wang Qi of Qingjing Ability University!

After a series of fierce battles, I believe both contestants have expended a certain amount of energy.

Then, after a brief rest, in one hour we will officially begin the singles event finals!"

The match would only continue after one hour—this was an old tradition of the National Collegiate League.

The audience wasn't surprised either. While discussing among themselves and guessing who would ultimately take the championship, none of them got up to leave.

"The finals are finally almost here......"

In the inner spectator area, a pair of cold, sharply contrasting black-and-white eyes flickered with a faint burning fighting spirit.

Across the entire National Collegiate League, the only one who could make him feel threatened was Wang Qi alone.

For a battle like this, he had long been unable to wait.

"Wang Qi, I hope you won't disappoint me......"

Slowly closing his eyes, Xu Jingming began to conserve his energy.

The surrounding teammates and mentors also knew that the next battle would be the most crucial, and no one disturbed him......

The one hour was both time for the contestants to rest, and time left for the league's official promotional efforts.

Once the semifinal results came out, articles and reports immediately appeared online.

"Mid-tier third-rank versus upper-tier fourth-rank! Who will be the singles champion?"

"Two top universities, Magic University and Capital University! Will Magic University reclaim its glory, or will Capital University suppress it once again?"

"......"

A 19-year-old upper-tier third-rank, a rare SS-rank ability awakener in the Great Xia Nation!

Xu Jingming could be said to carry his own buzz.

And in last year's National Collegiate League, Magic University painfully lost first place in the singles event, with Capital University taking the championship.

Now that the two top universities were facing off again, it was undoubtedly another viral moment!

Thus, beneath every article and report related to the singles finals, comments were skyrocketing.

"Holy crap! A 19-year-old mid-tier third-rank? That's insane!"

"And he's also an SS-rank ability awakener—now we absolutely have to watch."

"Indeed, count me in!"

"......"

They couldn't make it to the stadium in person, but they could still squeeze into the online livestream channel.

Thus, in the league's official livestream channel, the already tens of millions of viewers online once again began climbing rapidly!

"There's still one hour until Ming-ge's match begins, everyone hurry and get online—we can't let Magic University's reputation down!"

"Right! Magic University is the strongest!"

"He's in the singles finals! Lei Di is mighty! Take the championship!"

"......"

At Magic City Ability University, quite a few students had missed the live event for various reasons.

But now that the singles finals were about to begin, they all swarmed into the online livestream channel.

On Magic University's official student forum, a temporary Lei Di fan club was even established.

Just waiting for the match to start, to cheer Xu Jingming on through the barrage of comments in the livestream channel.

"Senior has made it to the finals......"

In a room filled with the scent of medicinal herbs, even though the third-rank alchemist certification exam is only three days away.

The white-haired girl Jiang Chuxuan still planned to set aside some time to watch the livestream.

She didn't think that Capital University's Wang Qi would defeat Xu Jingming.

She simply didn't want to miss the most glorious, most dazzling moment of her man on this national stage......