Chapter 394

At ten p. m., the sky was utterly dark.

Inside Xu Jingming's villa training room, however, a brilliant, radiant golden light filled the space.

Crackling—

A thick golden lightning barrier encircled Xu Jingming's body.

It vanished instantly, then flared back to life instantly.

"This is the power of a Perfect-level combat technique!" On Xu Jingming's resolute face, there was a hint of disbelief.

After upgrading the A+ level combat technique Lightning Barrier to Perfect-level proficiency, he had somehow achieved instant casting!

The entire casting process took less than 0.01 seconds!

Even more terrifying than the effect under Lei Shen Jiang Shi state!

"Not just that—I can freely control its size, and even apply the lightning barrier to others!"

With a thought, the lightning barrier rapidly expanded, engulfing most of the training room.

The next moment,

The lightning barrier suddenly split into over a dozen small lightning barriers, each large enough to envelop an adult.

And these capabilities were completely beyond him at the Basic-level proficiency.

Back then, he could only apply the lightning barrier to himself.

"With this lightning barrier, am I not at least a half-decent support-type ability user?"

A faint smile appeared on Xu Jingming's lips, and he spoke next:

"One, analyze the defensive strength of my lightning barrier!"

One was the AI attached to his villa, capable of basic analytical functions.

"One received. Beginning analysis..."

A pale blue light descended from the ceiling, scanning the lightning barrier surrounding Xu Jingming in detail.

"Analysis complete. Detected highly compressed lightning energy.

Maximum defense capability: withstands all attacks from a sixth-rank peak A-class elemental ability user."

The mechanical voice triggered a spark of excitement in Xu Jingming's eyes.

Sixth-rank peak defensive strength!!

That meant even his casual release of a lightning barrier could match the effect of a sixth-rank peak protective talisman!

"Perfect-level proficiency is incredible!" Xu Jingming's eyes gleamed.

He then recalled another question: the protective talismans produced from ancient civilization ruins.

Were they simply compressing energy shields like the lightning barrier into small objects?

"Unfortunately, humanity has yet to master such technology.

Otherwise, just this one Perfect-level lightning barrier could make me a fortune."

Despite his delight, Xu Jingming did not continue allocating points to combat technique proficiency.

Instead, he turned his gaze to the "Spirit Refinement" section on his system panel.

"The SS-level Spirit Refinement technique greatly enhances my mental strength—I should prioritize upgrading it."

Ability Points -60,000!

Shenhe Contemplation Method, First Stage → Shenhe Contemplation Method, Second Stage!

【Mental Strength】: 8,621 H → 9,830 H!

Boom!!

Xu Jingming's already formidable mental strength surged instantly.

His mental strength broke past the 9,000 threshold, reaching nearly 10,000 points!

【Name】: Xu Jingming

【Rank】: Fifth-Rank Lower Tier

【Ability】: Dou Tian Shenlei (SS)

【Physique】: 9,350 Qi Blood (+)

【Mental】: 9,830 H (+)

【Skills】: Gunplay (Master), Fistplay (Master), Lei Guan Mo Sha Gun (S+, Basic+), Lei Shen Zhi (S+, Basic+)......

【Body Cultivation】: Thunder Unextinguishable Body (S, Sixth Stage)

【Spirit Refinement】: Shenhe Contemplation Method (SS, Second Stage)

【Ability Points】:

The entire system panel refreshed—longtime leader Physique had finally been overtaken by Mental Strength!

"Compared to the SS-level Spirit Refinement technique, the S-level Body Cultivation technique is indeed weaker."

Back when he was at Mo University, the S-level Thunder Unextinguishable Body was sufficient.

But now that he's in the Heavenly Prodigy Training Camp, it seems inadequate.

His formidable physique was only possible because he had upgraded this Body Cultivation technique to a high level.

"S-level Body Cultivation is still too low. Fortunately, I still have the combat technique improvement direction Yang Teacher gave me earlier.

Later, I can try to refine this technique into an SS-level one..."

Although all the combat techniques Xu Jingming mastered were upgraded via the Deep Blue System,

the knowledge gained from upgrading was undeniably embedded in his mind.

These combat techniques were his martial foundation!

Even now, if he devoted one or two months, he could create an A-level lightning-based combat technique from scratch.

With Yang Laoshi's theoretical foundation, it's not impossible to improve the S-rank Lei Ting Indestructible Body into an SS-rank.

"If it truly can't be improved, then I'll have to switch to another body-strengthening combat technique."

Unlike the Divine Mind Cultivation Art, body-strengthening combat techniques involve an irreversible process of forging the flesh.

Once switching to another body-strengthening combat technique, Xu Jingming would have to forge his body anew according to the new method.

On this, he would likely have to spend even more ability points.

But for greater combat power and future development, no matter how troublesome, he must do it.

"I hope I can eventually improve it—that would be the optimal solution..."

Xu Jingming slowly exhaled a cloud of turbid air, then rose and left the training room.

He would deal with improving the technique later.

Right now, he simply wanted to sleep well, then go take the martial arts academy's assessment trial...

July 28th was the first day of the Tianjiao Training Camp's assessment trial at Lei Ting Martial Arts Academy.

On this day, all 62 first-year students in the training camp had to complete the assessment.

The competition arena was located in the largest No. 1 Gymnasium of the Tianjiao Training Camp.

In the center stood an 800-meter by 800-meter giant alloy fighting platform!

Surrounding it were seating areas capable of holding over ten thousand spectators.

Even before eight in the morning, nearly half the spectator seats were already filled.

These spectators included internal members of Lei Ting Martial Arts Academy who had gathered from across the nation.

They also included invited guests of Lei Ting Martial Arts Academy and official students of the Tianjiao Training Camp.

And those who had originally been stationed at the Lei Ting Secret Realm—Xu Jingming's senior brother Jiang Luo, and the Elite Training Camp's Lei Yaoyang—

had also come here with the branch director Wang Gu.

"So this is the headquarters' assessment trial? It's really lively."

Jiang Luo widened his eyes, curiously looking around.

He had joined Lei Ting Martial Arts Academy two years ago and had once been trained at headquarters.

But after training, he was assigned to the Lei Ting Secret Realm.

This was his first time witnessing the Tianjiao Training Camp's assessment trial.

"This isn't even anything yet. Once the key figures from major factions arrive, that's when it'll truly be lively."

Wang Gu beside him smiled.

He attended the Tianjiao Training Camp's annual assessment trial every year, but this year was especially different.

After all,

Xu Jingming, the SS-rank awakened ability user who had gained widespread fame months ago, had joined the training camp.

Many people were eager to see his performance in this assessment trial...