Chapter 36: When Did I Say I

The straight-line distance between Jiangcheng and the Magic Capital is about six hundred kilometers, and even by high-speed rail it takes over three hours.

Before boarding the high-speed train, Xu Jingming called Zhang Zhaoyang, intending to notify him of his arrival that day.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Zhaoyang was unusually enthusiastic, saying he would drive ahead to wait for him at the Magic Capital high-speed rail station.

Xu Jingming couldn’t refuse him, so he let him have his way.

After getting on the train, Xu Jingming put away his luggage and found his seat.

He closed his eyes and rested lightly against the window.

At the same time, he recalled the content of the Ability Training Method.

Besides the two million yuan bonus and a villa, the most important thing Jiangcheng gave him was this Ability Training Method.

It was called the “Deep Sea Training Method.”

Like Abilities, Ability Training Methods also have different rankings.

They are divided into four levels: Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, and Top-tier.

The higher the level, the faster the cultivation speed.

This “Deep Sea Training Method” was an Intermediate-level Ability Training Method.

The original copy of the Ability Training Method was held by the Jiangcheng government; what was given to Xu Jingming was merely a duplicate.

But the content was identical, and cultivation made no difference.

The content of the Ability Training Method wasn’t extensive.

With his high 180-Hu mental strength, Xu Jingming memorized all of it in just over two days.

“According to the Ability Training Method, a special energy floats throughout heaven and earth.

Only by absorbing this energy can one enhance the power of one’s Ability...”

On the very first day he received the Ability Training Method, Xu Jingming sensed this special energy as described.

At the same time, a “+” symbol appeared after his level on the system panel.

But he didn’t immediately choose to spend Ability Points to level up.

Because, according to the “Deep Sea Training Method,” when an Awakened evolves into an Ability User,

the greater the level of the Ability Training Method used to break through, the greater the gains afterward.

And once he entered the Magic Capital Ability University, he would be able to access Top-tier Ability Training Methods.

Naturally, he wouldn’t use an Intermediate-level method to break through.

“The first thing I’ll do after enrollment is go to the library and look up Ability Training Methods.”

Xu Jingming thought silently.

Since the journey was unbearably dull and he couldn’t train,

he had only intended to rest with his eyes closed, but leaning against the window, he felt sleepiness creep in and simply fell asleep face-down on the table...

The high-speed train from Jiangcheng to the Magic Capital made several stops along the way.

One of them was Ning’an City, the provincial capital of Jiangnan Province.

The seats around Xu Jingming had been empty, but after Ning’an, they were all filled.

The newcomers seemed to be several young people; one of the boys sat down and wouldn’t stop talking.

Soon, his chatter completely dispelled Xu Jingming’s already fading drowsiness, forcing him to stop napping and open his eyes.

His seat was a four-person arrangement with a table in the middle.

Now, the seats opposite him, previously empty, were occupied by a young man and a young woman.

Beside him sat another girl wearing glasses.

The one who had been talking nonstop since boarding was the boy directly across from Xu Jingming.

“...Huangpu Ability University is a decent school in the Magic Capital; last year’s minimum admission score was 406.

My score this time was 421—not much higher, but I’m basically guaranteed admission.

Plus, my brother goes to Huangpu Ability University; when we get to the Magic Capital, I can take you guys for a tour inside.

Huangpu Ability University usually doesn’t allow outsiders in, so with my brother’s connections, you’re lucky this time.”

The boy dressed well and spent most of his speech boasting about his Wu Ke exam score and his connections at Huangpu Ability University.

The girl beside Xu Jingming occasionally murmured in agreement.

But the quieter girl beside the boy seemed subtly impatient, barely responding at all.

In fact,

Liu Qian’s patience with Zhang Qiang had nearly reached its limit.

After the Wu Ke exam ended, she and her best friend both wanted to apply to universities in the Magic Capital.

So they bought today’s high-speed train tickets to visit in person.

But they hadn’t expected to meet Zhang Qiang on board; after learning their purpose, he began incessantly bragging.

At first, she was patient and even smiled in agreement.

But as time passed and he repeated these two things over a dozen times, she grew increasingly annoyed.

Still, out of politeness, she couldn’t just tell him to shut up.

Now, even the quiet person across from her had been woken up!

Liu Qian was about to apologize when she saw the boy’s face—and her eyes lit up.

So handsome!

The boy across from her had sharp eyebrows, a high nose bridge, and strikingly handsome features.

His looks were on par with male movie stars.

Though she wasn’t a fangirl, seeing such a handsome guy naturally stirred her interest.

Especially with that annoying chatterbox beside her.

“Sorry, I disturbed you.”

Liu Qian said apologetically.

Xu Jingming waved his hand, indicating he didn’t mind.

“Hi, I’m Sun Rui. Are you also going to the Magic Capital?”

Compared to Liu Qian’s quietness, the girl beside Xu Jingming was clearly much more outgoing.

Seeing that he was around her age, she greeted him warmly.

“Xu Jingming. I’m also going to the Magic Capital.”

Xu Jingming nodded politely in response to Sun Rui’s question.

“We’re all going to the Magic Capital—we must be destined to meet.”

Liu Qian smiled sweetly and added warmly: “I’m Liu Qian. I’m heading to the Magic Capital to check out the Ability Universities there.”

“I’m just traveling, and I’ll visit my brother at Huangpu Ability University.”

The boy beside Liu Qian chimed in: “I’m Zhang Qiang. Are you also going to the Magic Capital to check out schools?”

“Sort of,” Xu Jingming replied without elaborating.

“That’s perfect—I’ll take you all to Huangpu Ability University,”

Zhang Qiang grinned, his tone tinged with quiet superiority. “I’m not exaggerating—among all the universities in the Magic Capital, Huangpu Ability University ranks highly!

After I submit my applications, I’ll be attending Huangpu Ability University too.”

Xu Jingming found this slightly ridiculous.

The Magic Capital, as an international metropolis, did have several decent Ability universities besides the top-tier Magic Capital Ability University.

But among them, Huangpu Ability University—with an admission score of only around four hundred—was certainly not considered excellent.

Of course, for ordinary applicants, it was still a prestigious school.

Xu Jingming had little desire to talk to strangers.

Liu Qian was also a quiet girl, and Sun Rui was slightly more lively.

But even she seemed to prefer listening over speaking.

Thus, in the ensuing conversation, Zhang Qiang naturally took the lead.

He enthusiastically boasted about his Wu Ke score and his connections at Huangpu Ability University, trying to attract Liu Qian’s attention.

But his tactics were too crude; even Xu Jingming couldn’t help shaking his head inwardly.

Not to mention Liu Qian—she was barely hiding her disgust.

Still, compared to when they first boarded, her patience had improved greatly.

After all, there was now a handsome guy to look at, wasn’t there?

So, for the rest of the journey, Liu Qian’s gaze drifted almost entirely toward Xu Jingming...

Time flew by; by noon, the train finally arrived at the Magic Capital high-speed rail station.

Xu Jingming’s group followed the crowd toward the exit.

Along the way, Zhang Qiang tried to get Liu Qian’s contact information, but was met with a cold shoulder.

Soon, the group stepped out of the station.

Outside, taxis and private cars lined up waiting for passengers.

Zhang Qiang spotted one of the cars and his eyes lit up; he hurried over to Liu Qian, fawning:

“My brother’s car is here—come with me, we can tour Huangpu Ability University together.”

Then he feigned apology toward Xu Jingming: “But my brother’s car doesn’t have enough seats—if you want to come along, you’ll have to take a taxi yourself.

Don’t worry—we’ll wait for you at the school gate.”

Most sedans have five seats; four of us fit easily.

He said this on purpose, hoping to drive Xu Jingming away.

After all, he wasn’t blind—just a moment ago in the car, the beautiful Liu Qian’s attention was almost entirely on Xu Jingming.

Even a fool could see Liu Qian had feelings for Xu Jingming.

But if he could drive the other away, he might still have a chance.

Yet his antics didn’t produce the result he wanted.

Instead, he drew Xu Jingming’s look of utter disbelief:

“When did I ever say I was coming along?”