Chapter 33: S-Rank Energy! The Great Recruitment Battle!

"Xu Jingming, let me introduce you: this is Professor Su Yun from Qingjing Energy University, and this is from Mudao Energy University..."

Under Principal Zhao Yao's introduction, Xu Jingming quickly learned the identities of the three teachers.

"Hello, teachers."

Xu Jingming's expression was respectful.

He could faintly sense the dangerous aura emanating from these three teachers.

Without saying it, they were at least fourth-rank energy users!

"Student Xu, we've all watched your Wu Ke college entrance combat video."

Your practical combat ability is very strong and quite impressive."

But I have a question: your energy doesn't seem to be the E-rank energy you registered at awakening—[Weak Electricity]."

Can you tell us why?"

If you'd rather not say, that's fine—we're just curious."

Zhang Zhaoyang spoke first, his tone very gentle.

Nearby, Principal Zhao Yao couldn't help but look curious.

"Of course. The day before the college entrance exam..."

Prepared in advance, Xu Jingming repeated the same explanation he'd given his aunt.

"Struck by natural lightning, causing energy mutation? That's certainly possible."

Before arriving, the three teachers had already done their homework.

They knew Xu Jingming had been directly struck by lightning the day before the exam.

So they nodded, accepting this explanation.

Then, Zhang Zhaoyang, seated in the center, opened his right hand.

As if performing magic, a sleek black device filled with sci-fi design appeared in his palm.

The other two teachers showed no surprise.

"Student Xu, you probably don't yet know what your mutated energy is, right?"

"Luckily, I brought an energy detector from school—come try it."

Hearing this, Xu Jingming nodded and stepped forward.

He had only seen an energy detector once, when he awakened at sixteen.

That device at the awakening ceremony was huge, about the size of a double-door refrigerator.

He'd never used a small detector like this and didn't know how to operate it.

"Just activate your energy."

Zhang Zhaoyang reminded him.

Xu Jingming nodded, took a deep breath, and immediately summoned Purple Thunder Divine Lightning!

Crackling—!

Instantly, wild and dazzling purple lightning swirled around him.

"Such ferocious lightning!"

The teachers were all startled.

They could sense the violent power contained within the lightning!

This power even made them, as fifth-rank energy users, feel a faint unease!

At that moment, the energy detector before Xu Jingming began to operate; a blue light shot out from within.

It scanned him and the lightning from head to toe.

Then, under the expectant gazes of the three recruitment teachers and the principal,

a mechanical electronic voice sounded from the device: "Energy detection complete. This energy is Purple Thunder Divine Lightning, rated S-rank!"

"It's an S-rank energy!"

Principal Zhao Yao's eyes widened.

He had guessed Xu Jingming's energy had mutated, but he never imagined it had jumped directly from E-rank to S-rank!

Although the other three teachers had anticipated this, seeing Xu Jingming's S-rank energy still made them breathe faster.

Wu Yuan, the recruitment teacher from Jincheng University, his eyes gleaming green, spoke first:

"Student Xu, if you join Jincheng Energy University, we'll award you four million in scholarships and a set of C-rank equipment!"

"Also, throughout your four years at university, we'll provide any energy cultivation method or combat technique you need—for free!"

Four million in scholarships!

Zhao Yao's heart jolted—just hours ago, the city had awarded him two million, and now another four million!

Do they think money grows on trees?

And that C-rank equipment alone was worth tens of millions!

Of course, for energy users, cultivation methods and combat techniques were priceless treasures—unobtainable even with money!

'Indeed, geniuses are priceless.'

Zhao Yao thought to himself.

When he was in energy university, he'd risked his life hunting monstrous beasts just to afford one combat technique.

Now, they were giving them away for free!

"Heh, is that all you're offering?"

Su Yun of Qingjing University raised a delicate eyebrow, staring straight at Xu Jingming:

"Student Xu, if you join Qingjing Energy University, you'll not only receive cultivation methods and combat techniques,"

"but also a six-million entry bonus and all the equipment you'll need throughout your four years!"

Qingjing Energy University, located in the capital of Great Xia, clearly had deeper pockets—its offer was a massive financial strike!

After a moment's thought, Zhang Zhaoyang also stated his school's offer:

"As for cultivation methods and combat techniques, we have everything they offer."

"But we don't provide scholarships or equipment—instead, each academic year, we'll give you one S-rank cultivation resource."

"S-rank cultivation resource? What's that?"

Xu Jingming looked puzzled.

Beside him, Su Yun and Wu Yuan exchanged glances, both seeing shock in each other's eyes.

Xu Jingming didn't know—but they did.

S-rank cultivation resources were priceless treasures beyond valuation.

Even for them, fifth-rank energy users, S-rank resources were immensely useful!

And now, Mudao Energy University was promising one every year!

How bold was that?!

"You know about dragon-class monstrous beasts, right?"

Xu Jingming nodded.

Monstrous beast clans varied in strength—some weak, some strong.

Certain naturally powerful clans, resembling dragons in form, were called dragon-class.

Born at fourth or fifth rank, they reached seventh or eighth rank upon maturity.

"Good. Among our S-rank resources is one called Dragon Blood."

Taken from the heart-blood of an eighth-rank dragon-class monstrous beast, consuming it"

"greatly strengthens the body, even rivaling dragon-class beasts!"

"Every one of our S-rank resources is of this Dragon Blood caliber. Now you understand."

Zhang Zhaoyang smiled warmly.

Only because Xu Jingming's recruitment rating was S+ would he have made such a lavish offer.

'Dragon Blood! S-rank cultivation resource!'

Principal Zhao Yao had always thought himself well-traveled.

But seeing the offers these three top universities made to recruit Xu Jingming,

he suddenly realized how narrow his horizons had been!

Xu Jingming, too, was stunned.

S-rank cultivation resources were indeed tempting.

"Alright, it's time for you to decide. Which of these three elite universities will you choose?"

All three teachers fixed their gazes on Xu Jingming, waiting for his choice.