Chapter 397: Defend the Arena! Xu Jingming

Under the host Liu Wei's introduction, Xu Jingming quickly understood that this assessment would be conducted as a tournament-style challenge.

From fourth to sixth rank, each rank had two arenas, totaling six arenas.

Each arena required a student to defend it; the last one standing would win.

The final winner of each arena would receive a reward of five thousand points.

These six final winners could also challenge one another to steal each other's points.

Of course, the opponent had to agree first.

Each student's performance in the arena battles would be judged by the Thunder Martial Arts Academy instructors on-site to determine whether they passed the assessment.

If their performance was truly abysmal, they risked being expelled from the Elite Training Camp.

"Rules explained. The arena grounds are now unfolding!"

With Liu Wei's crisp voice, the vast, expansive arena.

Was instantly split into six 300x300-meter mini-arenas by energy shields!

"Arena 1 and 2 are for fourth-rank students; Arena 3 and 4 for fifth-rank students; Arena 5 and 6 for sixth-rank students.

Now, please students of the corresponding ranks, take your positions to defend your arenas!"

The first defender in an arena battle often faces the pressure of a wheeling assault.

But the Thunder Martial Arts Academy Elite Training Camp never lacked students confident in their own strength.

As soon as Liu Wei finished speaking, several fully armed students laughed and walked toward their respective arenas.

Of the training camp's sixty-two students, thirty-seven were fourth-rank, twenty-four were fifth-rank.

The only one who had reached sixth rank was Chen Hai.

In previous years' first-year assessments, no sixth-rank arena had been set up—this sixth-rank arena was clearly created solely for him.

"Brother Wang, I'm off."

Saying this to Wang Dong beside him, Chen Hai rose to his feet.

"Go get 'em, Brother Chen!"

"Teach that arrogant bastard Xu Jingming a lesson—give him a taste of his own medicine!"

The students seated around Wang Dong all shouted encouragement.

"Don't worry, I'll definitely fight him—but not yet. I'll wait a while."

With a cold smile on his lips, Chen Hai strode toward Arena 5.

He was the only sixth-rank student.

Therefore, he had to wait until the fourth- and fifth-rank students finished defending before he could challenge.

But he'd only need to wait a little over half a day—patience like that he still had.

As for wheeling assaults, Xu Jingming was not afraid.

So as soon as Liu Wei finished her explanation, he rose from his seat and walked toward Arena 3.

His action, however, left other students and spectators momentarily stunned.

"What's going on? Why is Xu Jingming heading to Arena 3? Isn't he just a high fourth-rank?"

"High fourth-rank? Look closer—do you think a high fourth-rank could emit this kind of aura?"

"This aura… has he already entered fifth rank?"

"Holy shit! He really has!"

"......"

When he first entered, Xu Jingming had not deliberately revealed his aura.

Other students sensed he had grown stronger, but assumed his breakthrough was in some other area.

Now, as battle was about to begin, Xu Jingming unleashed his aura.

The students were stunned to realize he had quietly broken through to fifth rank!

"Already reached fifth rank? So fast?" Chen Hai, ascending Arena 5, frowned.

Even at high fourth rank, Xu Jingming had killed a Sakura Nation sixth-rank.

Now that he'd broken through a whole rank, his power had surged—he might not be able to beat him after all!

But he'd already thrown down the gauntlet; avoiding a clash with Xu Jingming was now impossible.

Add to that the deputy director's orders—he'd have to grit his teeth and go through with it...

"Director Su, your student is quite formidable—he reached fifth rank so quickly.

Won't he become a full Elemental Master before long?"

In the VIP seats, Deputy Director Hu Jinyu smiled in praise.

Deep in his eyes, however, flickered a hint of surprise.

Could this SS-rank awakened talent really advance so fast?

"Deputy Director Hu flatters me,"

Su Qingli, like a cold mountain beauty, replied coolly.

Yet deep inside, she felt a quiet satisfaction.

Elemental Master? Xu Jingming had already been one!

"Fifth rank? Xu Jingming, you really are impressive!"

As Xu Jingming stepped onto Arena 3, a tall, slender youth nearby on Arena 4 raised his thumb and praised aloud.

Xu Jingming didn't know him, but from his aura, he was a fifth-rank peak Awakened.

His combat strength ranked among the highest in the first-year class—otherwise he wouldn't dare be the first to defend.

The Elite Training Camp didn't divide grades by strength or age, only by time of entry.

Xu Jingming wasn't surprised that a first-year had produced such a strong student.

He nodded slightly, then withdrew his weapon from his spatial ring—the Flowing Cloud Golden Blade Spear!

"After using the Radiant Thunder Staff for so long, switching back to a spear really stirs the blood."

Gripping the spear, he gave it a slight shake—the dark golden shaft immediately emitted a low metallic clang.

The Radiant Thunder Staff was more efficient for slaying beasts, but in terms of impact, it paled next to a spear.

Now that he was fighting Awakened, efficiency in gathering energy points didn't matter.

A few close-quarters, fist-to-fist battles would be fine.

"Five defenders are in place. Begin the assault!"

Amid the audience's eager gazes, the assessment officially began!

The most lively were Arenas 1 and 2 for fourth-rank Awakened, with students constantly challenging.

Next was Arena 4 for fifth-rank.

But Arena 3, where Xu Jingming stood, remained completely untouched.

Of course—

Even at high fourth rank, Xu Jingming had possessed sixth-rank combat strength.

Now that he'd reached fifth rank, who knew how strong he'd become?

No one wanted to be the first fool to try.

Thus, over an hour passed.

When Xu Jingming, bored from waiting, had begun meditating on the ground to train his aura, someone finally leapt onto Arena 3.

It was a burly youth, nearly two meters tall, clad in a gray-blue battle suit.

In his right hand, he carried a massive alloy shield over three meters tall!

"It's Wei Chang! He's fighting!"

"With him, he might actually hold his own against Xu Jingming."

"True—even if the odds are low, there's still a chance."

"......"

Wei Chang, the strongest student in the first-year class after Chen Hai!

He possessed an A-rank Enhancement Awakened ability—Body Rockification!

Though only at fifth-rank peak, he had previously slain a sixth-rank Awakened.

His Body Rockification ability also granted him maximum immunity to lightning.

"Xu Jingming, I've heard you've slain sixth-rank Awakened.

Now, let me see just how strong you really are!"

Wei Chang was not aligned with the deputy director, but he had a near-fanatical passion for combat.

He was, quite literally, a battle maniac.

That's precisely why he dared challenge Xu Jingming.

"Finally, someone shows up. I thought no one would dare challenge me."

Xu Jingming leapt to his feet, raising his two-meter-long, fearsome spear.

The sharp blade, faintly wreathed in golden lightning, pointed at Wei Chang as he grinned broadly:

"As my first opponent, you should feel honored!

Because soon, you'll witness my full strength!"

PS: Reviews are getting stricter—two months ago, a chapter was banned because of an illustration, so I had to delete it. Enjoy it while you can...