Chapter 33: S-Rank Ability! The Battle for Recruitment!

"Xu Jingming, let me introduce you—this is Professor Su Yun from Qingjing Ability University, and this is from Mudou Ability University..."

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

"Hello, professors."

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 ability users!

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

Your practical combat ability is strong and truly impressive.

But I have a question—your ability doesn't seem to be the E-rank ability 【Weak Electricity】 you registered at awakening.

Can you tell us why?"

"If it's inconvenient to 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 Gaokao..."

Prepared for this, Xu Jingming repeated the same explanation he'd given his aunt.

"Struck by natural Lei Ting, causing ability mutation? That's certainly possible."

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

They knew Xu Jingming had been directly struck by Lei Ting the day before the Gaokao.

So they nodded, accepting this explanation.

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

Like a magic trick, a sleek, futuristic black device appeared in his palm.

The other two teachers showed no surprise.

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

Luckily, I brought a portable ability detector from school—come try it."

Hearing this, Xu Jingming nodded and stepped forward.

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

That one, used during the awakening ceremony, was huge—about the size of a double-door refrigerator.

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

"Just activate your ability."

Zhang Zhaoyang reminded him.

Hearing this, Xu Jingming nodded, took a deep breath, and immediately summoned Doushen Shenlei!

Crackling—!

Instantly, wild, dazzling purple lightning swirled around him.

"Such ferocious lightning!"

The teachers were instantly startled.

They could sense the violent power contained within the lightning!

Even as fifth-rank ability users, this power made them feel a faint unease!

At that moment, the ability detector before Xu Jingming activated, projecting a blue beam from within.

It scanned the lightning and Xu Jingming from head to toe.

Then, under the expectant gazes of the three recruitment teachers and Principal Zhao Yao,

a mechanical electronic voice rang out from the device: "Ability detection complete. This ability is Doushen Shenlei. Rating: S-rank!"

"It's an S-rank ability!"

Principal Zhao Yao's eyes widened.

He'd guessed Xu Jingming's ability had mutated—but never imagined it jumped directly from E-rank to S-rank!!

Though the other three teachers had anticipated this, seeing Xu Jingming's S-rank ability still made their breath quicken.

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

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

And throughout your four years at university, any ability training method or combat technique you need—we'll provide it free of charge!"

Four million in scholarships!

Nearby, 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 ability users, training methods and combat techniques were priceless treasures—unobtainable even with money!

'Indeed, geniuses are priceless.'

Zhao Yao thought to himself.

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

Now, they were being offered to him for free!

"Heh. Is that all you're offering?"

Su Yun from Qingjing University raised a delicate eyebrow, staring directly at Xu Jingming:

"Student Xu, if you come to Qingjing Ability University, you'll not only receive ability training methods and combat techniques."

In addition, we will give you six million yuan as an enrollment bonus, plus all the equipment you'll need for all four years of university!

Qingjing Psychic University, located in the capital of Daya Nation, is clearly far wealthier—it immediately threw down a massive sum!

Finally, Zhang Zhaoyang, after a moment of thought, stated his school's offer:

"We don't need to mention psychic cultivation methods or combat techniques—our school has everything theirs does.

But we don't provide scholarships or equipment; instead, each academic year we grant you one S-class cultivation resource."

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

Xu Jingming looked puzzled.

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

Xu Jingming didn't know—but didn't they know?

S-class cultivation resources are treasures whose value cannot be measured.

Even for us fifth-rank psychics, S-class cultivation resources are immensely useful!

And now, the Shanghai Psychic University is promising one every year!

How bold is that?!

"You know about Dragon-class ferocious beasts, right?"

In response to Zhang Zhaoyang's question, Xu Jingming nodded.

Ferocious beast clans vary by species—some are weak, some are strong.

Certain inherently powerful clans resembling Dragon-type physiques are given the title "Dragon-class!"

They're born at fourth or fifth rank, and by adulthood, they reach seventh or eighth rank!

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

Taken from the heart's blood of an eighth-rank Dragon-class ferocious beast. After consuming Dragon Blood,

your physical body will be greatly strengthened—even rivaling Dragon-class ferocious beasts!

Every one of our S-class resources is of the Dragon Blood caliber. Now you understand, right?"

Zhang Zhaoyang smiled warmly.

Only because Xu Jingming's special recruitment rating was S+ did he offer such lavish terms.

"Dragon Blood! S-class cultivation resource!"

Principal Zhao Yao had always thought himself well-traveled.

But after seeing the conditions the three top universities offered to recruit Xu Jingming,

he suddenly realized how narrow his horizons had been!

Hearing this, Xu Jingming too was stunned.

S-class cultivation resources were indeed tempting.

"Alright, it's time for you to decide. Of these three elite universities, which one will you choose?"

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