Chapter 43: ADVANCE! FIRST-RANK ENERGY USER!

"The Energy Cultivation Method doesn't need explanation—it's one of the school's only three top-tier Energy Cultivation Methods."

"As for the body-cultivation combat technique, 'Thunder Indestructible Body,' it embodies my lifetime of dedication."

It has been jointly rated S-class by the Thunder Martial Hall and the Ferocious Bear Martial Hall.

Yang Zhentian spoke slowly, but Xu Jingming’s heart jolted at the words.

S-class combat technique?!

A seventh-rank energy user is also called a Grandmaster.

Because at this rank, an energy user’s understanding of energy and martial arts reaches an extremely profound level.

They are qualified to create their own energy cultivation methods or combat techniques.

Combat techniques also have rankings, identical to energy rankings: F, E, D, C, B, A, S, SS, SSS—nine levels total.

The higher the rank, the stronger the combat technique’s power!

Naturally, the higher the rank, the harder it is to cultivate!

Most seventh-rank Grandmasters are lucky to create even an A-class technique.

S-class and above—SS and SSS-class techniques—are created only by eighth-rank Grand Sages or ninth-rank Martial Saints!

And Yang Zhentian, merely a seventh-rank, created an S-class combat technique.

Worse still, it’s a body-cultivation technique—the most complex category, touching the deepest secrets of the human body!

One must admit, Yang Zhentian’s martial talent is terrifyingly high!

"The Thunder Indestructible Body is suitable only for Thunder-affinity energy users and has thirteen levels."

Each advancement brings a corresponding transformation of the body.

Even I, at present, have only reached the tenth level."

The final three levels have yet to be verified."

"But based on my estimation, if fully cultivated, the body can truly achieve eternal indestructibility!"

Yang Zhentian’s eyes gleamed.

The Thunder Indestructible Body embodies his complete understanding of martial arts and Thunder-affinity energy.

If he never ascends to the peak of the Martial Saint realm, Xu Jingming will be his greatest hope to validate this technique!

"Also, the Thunder Indestructible Body requires a certain energy rank to cultivate. For now, use the 'Extreme Energy Cultivation Method' to advance."

"After you advance, I’ll help you establish the foundational base for the Thunder Indestructible Body."

Yang Zhentian paused, then added, "Also, you must train in fist techniques."

"Train in fist techniques?" This was unexpected by Xu Jingming.

"Of course. Once you cultivate the Thunder Indestructible Body, your physique will greatly strengthen."

Combined with close-combat skills and Thunder-affinity energy, your combat power will surge dramatically.

Also, weapons are merely one of your combat tools—you mustn’t rely on them excessively."

"What if, one day, your weapon is destroyed during a battle with a ferocious beast? Without it, will you just turn and flee?"

Yang Zhentian spoke at length, giving a real-life example:

"Years ago, I fought an eighth-rank ferocious beast, the Tremor Demon Serpent, into the second day."

My spear, forged from SSS-class alloy, shattered outright from prolonged extreme stress."

Even my Thunder-affinity energy was nearly drained. On the final day, I killed it using only my body and fist techniques."

Yang Zhentian’s tone was calm, but Xu Jingming could imagine the brutality of that battle.

He nodded thoughtfully.

Indeed, learning more combat methods can never hurt.

"Of course, I’ll also teach you spear techniques simultaneously."

"Once your fist and spear skills reach a certain level of proficiency, I’ll teach you battle-axe and longsword usage," Yang Zhentian added.

"Teacher, may I ask what level of proficiency you’ve reached in these skills?" Xu Jingming asked curiously.

"Fist and spear techniques are both Grandmaster level. The others—sword and axe—are slightly lower, just Master level."

Yang Zhentian’s tone was utterly calm, but Xu Jingming’s heart leapt at the words.

Skill proficiency is divided into six levels: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Master, Grandmaster, and Perfect.

For ordinary energy users, raising even one weapon skill to Advanced takes decades!

Reaching Master level may be impossible in a lifetime.

Grandmaster and Perfect levels are even more elusive, almost mythical.

And Yang Zhentian has reached Grandmaster level in both fist and spear techniques—and Master level in all other weapons...

"I only turned to other weapons because I couldn’t advance further in fists and spears. You’re still far from that point."

Seeing Xu Jingming seemed stunned, Yang Zhentian laughed: "During university, you only need to focus on fists and spears."

"Combat technique study should center on these two. Don’t overreach—you’ll choke on too much."

"I understand, Teacher."

Xu Jingming nodded.

Though he had the System’s Body, raising weapon skill proficiency only required spending Energy Points.

But weapons aren’t about quantity—they’re about mastery.

With limited Energy Points, specializing in one weapon is clearly better.

'I’ll follow the Teacher’s advice—focus on fists and spears first.'

Xu Jingming thought silently.

Then Yang Zhentian handed him a list, detailing the combat techniques he needed to learn next.

He only needed to find the technique scrolls in the library and study them.

This made Xu Jingming silently marvel.

Indeed, having a mentor’s guidance was far superior.

Without one, he could never have crafted such a detailed learning path on his own.

More than ten minutes later, Xu Jingming stepped out of the villa, fully satisfied.

But at the entrance, he encountered Tan Mingyang, who had just left the villa too.

His face no longer held its earlier smile—only bitterness remained.

Clearly, his attempt to become a disciple had failed.

Xu Jingming, sensing this, didn’t ask about the outcome—just gave a simple greeting and prepared to leave:

"Senior Tan, I’m off."

"Wait—what about your master application? Did you succeed?"

Tan Mingyang asked, as if grasping a lifeline.

But Xu Jingming didn’t give the answer he hoped for—he simply nodded.

"You really succeeded?!"

Tan Mingyang nearly popped his eyes out.

Department-head mentors never take disciples before the Freshman Competition.

What’s going on here?

"Could he really be the Principal’s son? But he doesn’t even look like it."

Watching the retreating figure, Tan Mingyang, after multiple failures, sank into endless self-doubt...

Meanwhile, Xu Jingming returned to the villa and went straight to the second-floor training room.

The student villa’s upper and lower floors had identical room layouts.

Besides the training room and bedroom, there was a shower, a media room, a study, and his favorite open-air balcony.

Compared to Teacher Yang’s training room, this one was slightly smaller—only about eighty square meters.

But it was perfectly fine for regular training.

Xu Jingming sat cross-legged on the floor, opened the 'Extreme Energy Cultivation Method,' and began reading.

Compared to the Intermediate 'Abyss Sea Energy Cultivation Method,' this top-tier technique was vastly more profound.

Xu Jingming spent over four hours to fully comprehend the entire book.

Then he closed his eyes and began sensing the special energy in the universe, as the 'Extreme Energy Cultivation Method' instructed.

Soon, countless white dots appeared within his perception.

Dense as stars, vast as an ocean.

These were the special energy known as 'Yuan Energy'—only by absorbing it into his body could his energy evolve.

"No wonder it’s a top-tier Energy Cultivation Method—this Yuan Energy is far more abundant than the Intermediate method!"

Xu Jingming’s face lit up; he opened his eyes.

Since the top-tier method could sense Yuan Energy, his cultivation was correct.

He no longer needed to follow the slow, step-by-step process—he could just spend points to advance.

"Deep Blue!"

He silently called out, and a pale blue system panel instantly appeared in his mind:

【Name】: Xu Jingming

【Rank】: Awakened (+)

【Energy】: Purple Thunder Divine Lightning (S)

【PHYSIQUE】: 186 Qi (++)

【SPIRIT】: 187 He (++)

【SKILLS】: Spear Technique (Advanced+), Lightning Wind Break (Advanced+)

【ABILITY POINTS】: 2534

“Allocate points!”

Xu Jingming immediately tapped the plus sign beside his level.

The next moment,

the ambient Yuan energy surged into Xu Jingming’s body at an astonishing rate.

It automatically circulated according to the cultivation method recorded in the Extreme Ability Training Scripture, continuously strengthening his ability, physique, and spirit!

Only when it reached a certain threshold did it slowly cease.

【LEVEL】: Awakened → First-Rank Lower-Grade Ability User

“Phew, broke through.”

Xu Jingming clenched his fist slightly, feeling the power within him had multiplied several times over!

More importantly, his ability had also strengthened!

“Purple Thunder Divine Lightning!”

With a low cry, accompanied by the shrill crackling of arcs, blue-purple lightning appeared around Xu Jingming.

Compared to before his advancement, the Purple Thunder Divine Lightning was noticeably thicker and darker in hue.

“If I encounter that Second-Rank Bloodthirsty Rampage Bear again, I won’t even need to draw my spear—my lightning alone could kill it.”

Gazing at the blue-purple lightning dancing at his fingertips, Xu Jingming nodded in satisfaction.

Having successfully advanced, he had finally taken the first step toward the peak of Ability Users...