Chapter 423: Cao Ren

Wang Mang being defeated was already surprising enough—how could someone dare clap and cheer?

Instantly, all eyes in the banquet hall turned toward the tall, slender young man with long hair.

Soon, someone recognized his identity and exclaimed in surprise:

"It's Cao Ren of the Black Dragon Legion! He actually came too?"

Many present knew this young master of the Black Dragon Legion's commander.

But though the Song family is an eighth-rank Grand Master clan, their influence hardly reaches the point of warranting his personal attendance.

"Cao Ren's Black Dragon Legion has official backing; it's perfectly normal for him to attend as an official representative to Elder Song's birthday banquet."

"True enough—after all, Elder Song lived through the dark chaos era of Great Xia."

"But from Cao Ren's tone, it sounds like Xu Jingming defeated him not long ago?"

Some, in their sudden realization, seized on the key point.

"Heh, you're behind on the news—this happened during the recent internal trial at the Thunder Martial Arts Academy's prodigy training camp."

Cao Ren himself fought Xu Jingming, and Xu Jingming won."

"No way! Seriously?"

The prodigy camp matches, after all, don't draw the massive attention of the national university league.

The results mostly spread only within Thunder Martial Arts Academy.

Thus, many here didn't know about Xu Jingming's victory.

Hearing this now, they were stunned.

Who could have imagined that Xu Jingming, having just joined Thunder Martial Arts Academy, was already this strong?

"Is this the teaching power of a ninth-rank Law Saint? Truly terrifying!"

One guest marveled, then glanced at the unconscious Wang Mang and shook his head:

"If Wang Mang had known about this record, he'd never have dared provoke Xu Jingming—even if beaten to death."

Wang Mang's family background was indeed decent, but compared to someone like Cao Ren—a true heavenly prodigy—it paled utterly!

The unconscious Wang Mang was soon carried off for treatment; as host,

and as the current head of the Song clan, Song Feng, after learning the full story,

naturally offered no criticism of Xu Jingming, merely saying simply, "Next time, go easier."

In fact,

as an eighth-rank Grand Master, he had noticed the moment Xu Jingming slapped Wang Mang—and could have stopped what followed.

But based on his interactions with Xu Jingming over the past two days, he knew the man wasn't impulsive, so he let it unfold.

And indeed, Wang Mang's injuries looked severe.

But with a Grand Master-level healing ability user, recovery would come quickly.

Throughout the entire incident, what surprised him most was Xu Jingming's lightning ability.

When it first erupted, even he sensed a sacred yet violent, high-tier energy aura.

This made him silently marvel: truly, no wonder it's an SS-rank ability.

Its power is mysterious and unfathomable—nothing a common A-rank ability could match...

"Didn't expect to run into you here."

After Wang Mang's minor incident, the banquet resumed.

Xu Jingming, Song Qiuyun, and Cao Ren sat together on a sofa in the banquet hall.

"I didn't expect you had ties to the Song family," Cao Ren replied with a smile.

Yet inwardly, he was puzzled—wasn't Xu Jingming an orphan with an ordinary background?

How did he end up here?

"I came with her."

Seeing his confusion, Xu Jingming smiled and pulled Song Qiuyun over: "Let me introduce you—this is my girlfriend, Song Qiuyun."

"Song Qiuyun?"

Cao Ren had already noticed the beautiful girl in the black gown earlier.

He just hadn't realized she was the Song family's beloved daughter.

"Commander Cao, hello."

Song Qiuyun, having learned Cao Ren's identity from the surrounding whispers, extended her hand confidently.

"Hello, hello."

Cao Ren reached out and lightly shook her hand, nodding in praise:

"I've heard the Song family has a genius beauty.

Now I see, she's even more stunning than the rumors—Jingming, you've got incredible luck."

It was praise, yet Cao Ren's tone was completely devoid of Wang Mang's lewdness—it was perfectly normal.

"Commander Cao flatters me," Song Qiuyun replied with a faint smile.

"I recall Song Qiuyun only entered university last year, right?

And now she's with you—Xu Jingming, you're an old ox eating tender grass!"

Cao Ren picked up an apple from the table, taking a bite as he teased.

"How am I an old ox eating tender grass? I'm not that old, am I?"

Xu Jingming raised an eyebrow.

Song Qiuyun's birthday is in November; his is in December.

In fact, she's nearly a month older than him.

At this, Cao Ren was momentarily stunned, then slapped his forehead in realization:

"I always assumed you graduated from Mo University and were only two or three years younger than me.

I forgot you graduated early—you only spent one year at Mo University."

As he spoke, he couldn't help shaking his head:

"Sometimes I don't know how you train—your advancement speed is insane!"

In truth, Song Qiuyun, who was the same age as Xu Jingming, represented the normal pace of prodigies.

"By the way, I've been stationed at the No. 4 Demon Cave lately.

When you have time, let's spar again.

Our Black Dragon Legion's training arena may not match yours at Thunder Martial Arts Academy, but it's more than enough for practice."

Cao Ren said eagerly.

The Global Prodigy Exchange Tournament begins in just over three months; he needed more training.

Fighting beasts wouldn't give him the same effect—Xu Jingming was an excellent sparring partner.

"I'm heading to Myanmar on a mission soon—I probably won't have time for a while," Xu Jingming shook his head.

Beside him, Song Qiuyun, hearing this, gently squeezed his hand in concern.

"A mission will take up so much time—the exchange tournament's almost here, and you're still going?"

Cao Ren frowned. "Did your vice-director assign it to you?"

He'd heard rumors about the power struggles within Thunder Martial Arts Academy.

"I volunteered for it."

Xu Jingming shook his head. "The mission is secondary—my real goal is to train in Myanmar's vast wilderness."

In truth, he wouldn't spend much time on the mission itself.

At most, one week.

If the mission wasn't completed after a week, he'd abandon it and let Lin Hui and the others return first.

After all, mission rewards meant nothing compared to ability points.

"I get it now—you're a born beast-slaying demon!"

Cao Ren chuckled in amazement. "I bet you'd love frontline battlefields like the White Forest Gorge."

"Actually, I've been thinking about visiting a frontline battlefield myself—might need your help then," Xu Jingming smiled.

On the frontline, only seventh-rank Masters were granted free movement.

But for someone like Cao Ren, that restriction wouldn't be hard to bypass.

"Sure, no problem—just contact me when you're ready."

Cao Ren nodded without hesitation.

He wasn't some arrogant fool like Wang Mang.

He knew well: befriending Xu Jingming brought nothing but benefits.

More importantly, Xu Jingming's personality suited him.

Otherwise, no matter how great your background or talent, he wouldn't bother.