Chapter 394: Incredible Performance! The Assessment Is About to Begin!

At ten p. m., the sky was pitch black.

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!" Xu Jingming's resolute face bore a hint of disbelief.

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

The entire casting process took less than 0.01 seconds!

Even more terrifying than the effect granted by the Thunder God Descends state!

"Not just that—I can control its size at will, and even apply it to others!"

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

The next moment,

the lightning barrier split apart, transforming into over a dozen smaller barriers, each large enough to cover an adult.

These capabilities were completely beyond him at the Basic proficiency level.

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

"With this Lightning Barrier, am I now half a support-type ability user?"

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

"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!!

In other words, any Lightning Barrier he casually released could match the effect of a sixth-rank peak protective talisman!

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

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

Were they simply compressed energy shields, like the Lightning Barrier, shrunk into small objects?

"Too bad humanity still hasn't mastered such technology.

Otherwise, just this one Perfect-level Lightning Barrier could make me a fortune."

Despite his delight, Xu Jingming did not continue spending ability points on 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!

Divine River Contemplation Technique, First Stage → Divine River Contemplation Technique, Second Stage!

【Mental Strength】: 8,621 Hz → 9,830 Hz!

BOOM!!

Xu Jingming's already formidable mental strength surged instantly.

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

【Name】: Xu Jingming

【Rank】: Fifth-Rank Lower Tier

【Ability】: Dou Tian Divine Thunder (SS)

【Physique】: 9,350 Qi (+)

【Mental】: 9,830 Hz (+)

【Skills】: Spear Technique (Master), Fist Technique (Master), Lei Guan Demon-Slaying Spear (S+, Basic+), Thunder God Finger (S+, Basic+)......

【Physique Training】: Thunder Indestructible Body (S-level, Sixth Stage)

【Spirit Refinement】: Divine River Contemplation Technique (SS-level, Second Stage)

【Ability Points】:

The entire system panel refreshed—his physique stat, which had long led the way, was finally surpassed by his mental strength!

"Compared to the SS-level Spirit Refinement Technique, the S-level Physique Training is indeed weaker."

Back when he was at Magic University, the S-level Thunder Indestructible Body was sufficient.

But now, in the Prodigy Training Camp, it seems inadequate.

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

"The S-level Physique Training is still too low. Fortunately, I still have the combat technique improvement direction given to me by Teacher Yang.

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

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

the knowledge gained from those upgrades was undeniably embedded in his mind.

These combat techniques formed his martial foundation.

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

With Teacher Yang's theoretical foundation, upgrading the S-level Thunder Indestructible Body to SS-level was not impossible.

"If I truly can't improve it, I'll have to switch to another Physique Training technique."

Unlike Spirit Refinement, Physique Training techniques involve irreversible physical conditioning.

Once he switched to a new Physique Training technique, Xu Jingming would have to reshape his body according to the new method.

That would likely cost him many more ability points.

But for greater combat power and future development, even if it was troublesome, he had to do it.

"I hope I can succeed in refining it—that's the optimal solution..."

Xu Jingming slowly exhaled a breath of stale air and rose to leave the training room.

He would deal with technique refinement later.

Right now, he simply wanted a good night's sleep, then to attend the martial arts academy's assessment trial...

July 28th marked the first day of the Thunder Martial Arts Academy's Prodigy Training Camp assessment trial.

On this day, all 62 first-year trainees in the camp were required to complete the trial.

The competition arena was located in the camp's largest Arena No. 1.

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

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

Before eight a. m., nearly half the spectator seats were already filled.

These spectators included internal members of the Thunder Martial Arts Academy from across the nation,

special guests invited by the academy, and official trainees of the Prodigy Training Camp.

Even Jiang Luo, Xu Jingming's senior from the Thunder Secret Realm, and Lei Yaoyang from the Elite Training Camp, among others,

had come here with Division Director Wang Gu.

"This is the headquarters' assessment trial? It's quite lively."

Jiang Luo widened his eyes, gazing curiously around.

He had joined the Thunder Martial Arts Academy two years ago and had once trained at headquarters.

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

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

"This isn't even the real thing yet. Wait until key figures from major factions arrive—that's when it'll get truly lively."

Wang Gu smiled beside him.

He attended the annual assessment trial every year, but this year was different.

After all,

Xu Jingming, the SS-level ability awakener who had gained widespread fame months ago, had joined the training camp.

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