Chapter 408

High-rank energy users inherently exert a suffocating pressure over low-rank ones.

This stems from a difference in life tiers.

When the colossal illusory figure appeared above Xu Jingming's head, every spectator present felt as tiny as ants.

It seemed as if that thunderous figure was the true deity controlling all.

"This pressure—no SS-rank combat technique could ever achieve it. Could it be… an SSS-rank combat technique?!"

"And it's a lightning-based SSS-rank technique never seen before!"

The instructors of Lei Ting Martial Arts all stared in shock at the slender silhouette seated at the very front of the spectator seats:

"Could the director have created an entirely new SSS-rank combat technique?"

The combat technique Xu Jingming wielded was naturally assumed to have been created by Su Qingli.

SSS-rank combat techniques are as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns across the entire Blue Planet.

Most existing SSS-rank combat technique manuals were unearthed from ancient civilization ruins.

Only peak ninth-rank experts have ever created entirely new SSS-rank combat techniques.

Yet Director Su Qingli is merely a low-tier ninth-rank—how could anyone not be stunned by such talent?

"Director Su is truly a prodigy of Lei Ting Martial Arts; her talent is astonishing indeed."

Vice Director Hu Jinyu, though startled, couldn't help voicing his congratulations.

Though he clashed with this young director, they hadn't broken ties outright—he still had to maintain appearances.

Besides, creating an entirely new SSS-rank combat technique is an extraordinary achievement.

If this news spread, the entire Great Xia would tremble.

Facing the stunned or reverent gazes of the crowd, Su Qingli merely shook her head and denied:

"This technique wasn't created by me. It's likely a boon Xu Jingming obtained himself."

"Obtained it himself? I remember! Didn't Xu Jingming go to Civilization Site No. 9 recently? That must be when he got it!"

"Yes, I recall now—he supposedly received a Legendary rating and a First-Sequence inheritance."

"So that's it. Will his technique be added to the library?"

At the mention of this, many martial arts instructors' eyes lit up with anticipation.

Know that, 【46】 know that, under the same rank, a technique is far more valuable than a cultivation resource!

Nearly one-tenth of all energy users in Lei Ting Martial Arts are lightning-based!

That's an absolutely terrifying ratio.

Although Lei Ting Martial Arts' library does hold a few lightning-based SSS-rank techniques,

their numbers are extremely scarce, and all are rated only SSS-.

Truly powerful lightning-based SSS-rank techniques are never shared in the library.

But Xu Jingming's technique is different—just from its aura, it's certain to be a top-tier SSS-rank technique!

And it's not any instructor's exclusive inheritance, so there aren't so many taboos.

If it could be shared in the library, these lightning-based instructors would have a chance to learn it and boost their combat power.

Vice Director Hu Jinyu keenly sensed the instructors' anticipation and smiled:

"Director Su, since this isn't your created technique,

you might as well tell Xu Jingming to share it.

Our martial arts school can compensate him with an SSS-rank cultivation resource."

Upon hearing this, all lightning-based instructors turned hopeful gazes toward Su Qingli.

But to their surprise, Su Qingli merely replied coolly:

"This is Xu Jingming's own boon. I have no authority to handle it. Vice Director Hu, don't entertain such thoughts."

Her voice was clear and melodious, yet the surrounding lightning-based instructors couldn't help feeling disappointed.

"I see. Well then." Hu Jinyu's gaze flickered slightly, and he said no more.

On the other side, Ling Shuang saw this and silently sneered inwardly.

To trade an SSS-rank cultivation resource for an SSS-rank technique? How bold!

Yaozhidao, under the same rank, a technique is far more valuable than a cultivation resource!

After all, techniques can be used repeatedly, while cultivation resources vanish after a single use.

Vice Director Hu Jinyu's suggestion carried not a shred of sincerity.

Of course, she understood Hu Jinyu didn't truly want this technique.

He was merely siding with the lightning-based instructors, using this gesture to win their favor.

Whether or not he could obtain the technique didn't matter.

After all, Vice Director Hu Jinyu is a fire-element energy user—he has little interest in lightning-based techniques.

Xu Jingming on the arena, of course, knew nothing of Su Qingli's exchange with the vice director.

At this moment, he felt his entire body brimming with power—the activity level of the SSS-rank Heavenly Thunder had surged more than several times over from before!

"End this quickly—Thunder Spear! Thunder Prison!"

The tip of the Yao Lei Staff erupted in brilliant golden light.

To Cao Ren's stunned gaze, seven thunderous spears radiating terrifying energy fluctuations coalesced around Xu Jingming.

Simultaneously, several thunder prisons slowly emerged around Cao Ren, closing in on him.

"How is his casting speed so fast?!"

Cao Ren's face darkened; he flew to escape, but thunder prisons surrounded him on all sides.

Even with all his energy pushed to its limit, he couldn't break free—he was ultimately sealed inside one thunder prison.

"No—I must break this seal immediately!"

As a wind-element energy user, Cao Ren's greatest advantage was mobility; lose that, and he'd be helpless prey.

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!...

Yet as he prepared to charge through his Gale Barrier, the seven thunder spears arrived with terrifying roars!

Cao Ren abandoned escape and shifted to defense:

"Wind Spirit Barrier!"

Wind Spirit Barrier, an S-rank wind-element combat technique, grants the caster an extremely resilient elemental defense!

Normal elemental attacks cannot penetrate it!

As he spoke, a barrier several times thicker than the Gale Barrier instantly enveloped him with a resonant hum.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!...

The seven thunder spears, breaking the sound barrier, struck the exact same spot on the Wind Spirit Barrier with pinpoint precision, unleashing deafening impacts!

In an instant, the entire Wind Spirit Barrier shattered like broken glass!

Crackling—

The remaining wild golden lightning splashed outward, striking Cao Ren's unprotected body, numbing and searing him.

"Even the residual lightning waves are this terrifying?" Cao Ren's face twisted in horror.

He was wearing an S-rank combat suit!

Crafted from the hide of a seventh-rank beast, reinforced with other powerful materials.

It offered formidable resistance to extreme heat, absolute cold, and lightning—its material was incredibly durable.

Yet against this lightning, it seemed to offer zero reduction.

Rumble—rumble—

At this moment, a muffled thunderous roar echoed faintly in the sky—as if a terrifying lightning storm was brewing.

Seeing this, Cao Ren's eyelid twitched; he immediately raised both hands and shouted:

"Enough! I give up! I surrender!"