Chapter 289: Individual Championship Final! The Whole Nation Waits!

In fact,

Before the match began, not only the spectators but also many coaches in the inner seating area thought Xu Jingming's use of fist techniques against Zou Taizhi was arrogant and reckless.

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

Master-level fist technique?!

From the team round's eight wins to the individual semifinals, more than half of the entire National University League has already passed.

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

You're an adept who's always used a spear—now you're telling me you also have master-level fist techniques?

"More importantly, if Zou Taizhi hadn't insisted on fighting with fist techniques,

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

Amid their astonishment, some coaches couldn't help feeling sorry for Zou Taizhi.

He was doing fine in the semifinals—why did he have to pull such a stunt?

Now, crushed in his own most proud discipline, this must hurt more than losing the semifinal itself...

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

One coach suddenly asked.

The moment he asked, every coach fell silent.

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

There was hardly ever a balanced fight; even giving him a third spear strike was rare.

How the hell could you tell his proficiency level?

"At least Advanced proficiency," a coach finally muttered after a long pause.

He was met with a chorus of disgusted glares:

"Of course it's Advanced! I can see that too—the point is, is it Master-level?!"

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

If Xu Jingming's fist and spear techniques are both Master-level, his insight can only be described as terrifying...

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

"It seems we'll only know the answer at the finals," said a mentor helplessly.

"Lei Di is invincible!"

"The Individual Championship belongs to Lei Di!"

"The single-competitor champion must be Lei Di!"

Unlike the coaches analyzing from every angle, the spectators only knew Xu Jingming had won!

And he won with total domination.

Instantly, the entire stadium erupted in deafening cheers!

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

In the inner seating area, Yang Zhentian, still stinging from Jindaxue's earlier mockery, fired back without restraint.

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

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

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

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

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

Through the wound, internal organs could be seen writhing.

Yet Liu An's expression softened slightly:

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

"Wang Qi, in the finals, if you can defeat him, avoid damaging his foundation."

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

The "foundation" referred to vital internal organs.

Unlike muscles, these organs are fragile yet critical.

Damage to one or two is manageable; damage to many—even a healing adept would struggle to restore 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, Jindaxue graduates every year.

But an SS-grade energy awakener appears only once every decade or even longer.

Who's more valuable? Even a fool knows...

Although the arena's AI can generate an energy net to protect a contestant's life at critical moments,

it only ensures survival...

Xu Jingming's Lei Long 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 protection.

But doing so would be meaningless.

Like Wang Qi, he knew this was just a match.

They were all prodigies of Daya Nation, destined to fight together against beast invasions.

Damaging Zou Taizhi's foundation, forcing him to spend months recovering, would benefit Xu Jingming nothing.

So his Lei Long Fist ultimately struck only Zou Taizhi's right shoulder...

"The first round of the semifinals is over. Next is the second round—please welcome Kong Shi from Mocheng University..."

"The first round of the semifinals has ended; next is the second round. Let us welcome... Tsingda's..."

The second semifinal round pitted Kong Shi from Mocheng University against Wang Qi from Jindaxue.

A fourth-rank mid-level adept with an A-grade enhancement-type ability, Kong Shi was already formidable.

But unfortunately, Wang Qi was even stronger.

Thus, less than five minutes after the match began, it ended with Wang Qi's victory...

"The individual semifinals are over! The finalists are Xu Jingming from Mocheng University and Wang Qi from Qingjing University!"

"After such intense battles, both competitors have surely expended considerable energy.

We will now take a short break. One hour from now, the Individual Championship Final will begin!"

A one-hour break before the finals was a long-standing tradition of the National University League.

The spectators, unsurprised, chatted among themselves, speculating who would win, yet none left their seats.

"Finally, the finals are near..."

In the inner seating area, Xu Jingming's cold, clear eyes held a faint burning battle lust.

Of all competitors in the National University League, only Wang Qi made him feel threatened.

He had been eager for this fight for a long time.

"Wang Qi, don't let me down..."

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

His teammates and coaches, knowing this was the decisive battle, did not disturb him...

The hour served both as rest time for the competitors and as promotional time for the league.

As soon as the semifinal results were announced, articles and reports flooded the internet.

"Third-rank upper-level vs. Fourth-rank upper-level—who will win the Individual Championship?"

"Two top universities: Mocheng and Jindaxue! Will Mocheng reclaim glory, or will Jindaxue crush them again?"

"Two top universities—Mo University and Tsingda! Will Mo University reclaim its glory, or will Tsingda crush them once again?"

A 19-year-old third-rank upper-level, an SS-grade energy awakener—rare in Daya Nation!

Xu Jingming carried his own heat.

Last year, Mocheng lost the Individual Championship to Jindaxue.

Now, these two elite universities clashed again—another instant hotspot!

Consequently, comments under every article and report about the Individual Final surged rapidly.

"WTF?! Third-rank mid-level at 19? Unreal!"

"And an SS-grade energy awakener? Now I have to watch."

"True. Count me in!"

"..."

They couldn't get into the stadium, but they could still squeeze into the live stream.

As a result, the league's live stream channel, already at over ten million viewers, surged even higher!

"One hour until Ming's match—get online fast! Don't let Mocheng's reputation fall!"

"Yes! Mocheng is the strongest!"

"Finals reached! Lei Di is invincible! Take the championship!"

"They've reached the finals of the singles competition! Lei Di is mighty! Win the championship!"

「......

At the Demon Capital Institute of Esoteric Abilities, many students had not gone to watch the matches in person for various reasons.

But now, as the individual competition finals were about to begin, they all flooded onto the live-streaming channels.

On the official university student forum of Mada, a temporary Lei Di fan club had even been formed.

They waited for the match to start, ready to cheer for Xu Jingming with a flood of live comments on the stream.

「Senior has made it to the finals...

In a room filled with the scent of medicinal herbs, even though the examination for the Grade Three Alchemist certification was only three days away.

The white-haired young woman Jiang Chu still planned to set aside some time to watch the live stream.

She did not believe that Wang Qi from Jing University would defeat Xu Jingming.

She simply did not want to miss the most glorious, most brilliant moment of her man on this national stage...