Chapter 52: New Student Assembly! The Spotlight Figure: Xu Jingming!

The new student group was added by Xu Jingming shortly after Liu Wentao returned to the dormitory that afternoon from a teacher who approached him.

After joining the new student group, he spent the entire time chatting and gathered plenty of information.

First, every student who reports to campus receives a rank authorization level.

The higher the rank authorization, the more basic credits one can obtain.

For example, if he has A-level authorization, he receives 60 credits.

Through quiet polling in the new student group, he found most students had B-level or C-level authorization.

Only a few possessed A-level authorization, so he naturally assumed A-level was the highest possible rank for students.

Yet he never expected Xu Jingming to have the astonishing S-level authorization!

“Why is this so? I know other provincial top scorers all had only A-level authorization.”

Liu Wentao couldn’t fathom it.

On the other floor, Xu Jingming had also entered the training room.

He held in his hand a gray-white two-meter spear.

His original F-level obsidian spear had been nearly destroyed by the end of the Wu Ke college entrance exam.

Therefore, he hadn’t brought it to Magu City.

This gray spear was a training weapon stored in the room, its metal strength even below F-level.

Its weight was laughably light—only twenty kilograms.

But since he couldn’t find any alternative, he had to make do with it.

Fortunately, he was only testing combat techniques, not engaging in real combat.

“After training ends, I can check the school’s mall for a spear suited to me.”

“If there’s one, I’ll buy it as soon as possible.”

Since reporting to Magu City’s Psychic University, Xu Jingming had been extremely busy.

On his first day, he visited Yang Zhentian to become his disciple and received the Psychic Training Method and Body Strengthening Combat Art.

The next day, he went to Master Yang to forge his foundation—and that process consumed five full days, until today when he finally awoke.

Because of this, he still hadn’t purchased his combat suit or weapon.

“First, I’ll test the Chain Lightning Spear!”

Xu Jingming stood tall in the center of the training room, violet-purple Zixiao Divine Thunder quietly covering the gray-white spear in his right hand.

The next instant,

the spear transformed into countless illusions, lightning flashing as it thrust repeatedly!

Crackling...

Amidst thunderous explosions, the spear shadows lasted nearly two seconds, ending with an upward sweep.

Hum—

Even after the spear shaft stopped moving, the lightning-wrapped sharp tip continued vibrating violently at a small amplitude.

“The psychic energy cost was fine—only about one-eighth.”

Xu Jingming silently estimated.

As for power, without testing equipment, he couldn’t determine it precisely.

But judging from the aura released during the technique’s activation, it was more than enough to instantly kill a full-strength Tier-Two Bloodthirsty Bear.

“Next, the Thunder Prison...”

Thus, Xu Jingming tested all four newly acquired A-level combat techniques.

The offensive techniques—Chain Lightning Spear and Thunder Spear—consumed slightly more psychic energy.

Each release consumed roughly one-eighth of the Zixiao Divine Thunder.

Thunder Prison was slightly better, requiring only one-tenth of psychic energy.

As for the movement technique, Thunder Flash, the cost was even lower—only one-twentieth.

“So even if I fully unleash the entire set of techniques, the total energy cost won’t exceed two-fifths—within acceptable limits.”

Xu Jingming slowly exhaled a breath of stale air.

The training spear in his hand, due to prolonged channeling of Zixiao Divine Thunder,

had turned slightly red, as if placed over burning charcoal.

A normal person gripping it would have burned their flesh immediately.

Yet Xu Jingming showed no reaction, casually placing the spear on the weapon rack before heading to the kitchen fridge to grab a cold drink.

Yes, the villa had a kitchen—and one on each floor.

But most students didn’t choose to cook for themselves.

“Eva, open the school mall and search for spear-type weapons.”

“Understood.”

Xu Jingming sat on the sofa, sipping his cold drink as he browsed the mall interface projected by Eva:

“Spear Weapons:

F-level Meteor Spear: 0.45 credits/kg (minimum 10kg)

F-level Obsidian Spear: 0.49 credits/kg (minimum 10kg)

F-level Light Spirit Spear: 0.42 credits/kg (minimum 5kg)

E-level Meteor Spear: 1.11 credits/kg (minimum 10kg)

E-level Obsidian Spear: 1.13 credits/kg (minimum 10kg)

E-level Light Spirit Spear: 0.97 credits/kg (minimum 5kg)

D-level Meteor Spear: 2.45 credits/kg (minimum 10kg)

D-level Obsidian Spear: 2.58 credits/kg (minimum 10kg)

D-level Light Spirit Spear: 2.32 credits/kg (minimum 5kg)

......”

“Huh, the mall lets you freely choose weapon weight?”

Xu Jingming raised an eyebrow. “But the pricing is about the same as outside.”

His original obsidian spear weighed fifty kilograms and cost 270,000 credits.

Converted, the price matched the school mall’s exactly.

As for the ideal spear weight for himself, Xu Jingming had tested it specifically at Thunder Martial Hall that afternoon.

Two hundred ten kilograms was the optimal range for him.

It had enough weight to feel substantial when swung, yet still allowed for extremely fast spear thrusts.

“Then I’ll stick with the Obsidian Spear—this time, upgrade to E-level alloy and increase the weight.”

Xu Jingming quickly filled in the required weight on the holographic interface.

Purchasing a 210-kilogram spear would cost a staggering 237 credits!

Of course, this was because his physical strength was immense, requiring such heavy weaponry.

A normal Tier-One psychic would use a 60- to 70-kilogram weapon for only sixty to seventy credits.

After selecting his weapon, Xu Jingming chose an E-level combat suit worth 70 credits and E-level combat boots worth 10 credits.

Combined, these items totaled 317 credits. After he confirmed payment,

his student account balance instantly halved, leaving him with 382.6 credits.

“Purchase successful. Weapon and combat suit will be delivered to your dorm tomorrow. Please check for receipt.”

Eva’s drowsy reminder echoed in the living room.

“Gear is chosen. After a short rest, I’ll resume training.”

Xu Jingming picked up his cold drink and took another sip.

Though he had a system, he wouldn’t become lazy because of it.

And it was still early—only just past seven in the evening.

Besides training, he could also practice the Psychic Training Method.

The entire night was fully scheduled.

The next day, 8:20 a.m.

Having completed over an hour of training on the second floor and washed up, Xu Jingming descended in short sleeves and long pants.

He found Liu Wentao sitting on the first-floor sofa with two massive dark circles under his eyes.

“What? Stayed up all night chatting with girls?”

Xu Jingming sat on the sofa, laughing as he patted Liu Wentao’s shoulder.

“Big Brother Ming!”

Liu Wentao’s eyes lit up, then he asked hurriedly:

“Big Brother Ming, why do you have S-level authorization?

Last night I stayed up researching other provincial top scorers—I felt your actual performance in the college entrance exam wasn’t much different.”

He immediately added: “If it’s inconvenient, you don’t have to tell me.”

“Did you stay up all night because of this?”

Xu Jingming smiled, snapped his fingers, and a faint but terrifying energy fluctuation danced at his fingertip—Zixiao Divine Thunder:

“It’s nothing secret. The reason is simple—I have an S-level psychic ability.”

"S...S-rank ability?!"

Liu Wentao’s eyes widened in shock.

No wonder the school granted Xu Jingming alone S-rank access.

So it’s an S-rank ability!

Besides, he suddenly remembered: when Xu Jingming took the Wu Ke entrance exam, he was only an Awakened, yet that Thunder’s power was absurdly strong!

If it’s an S-rank ability, that explains everything.

But he felt puzzled and asked further:

"When we met yesterday, why didn’t you tell me?"

"You didn’t ask."

Xu Jingming spread his hands, looking innocent.

He had no intention of hiding his ability.

But because of those online articles, many still mistakenly believed he was only an E-rank ability user.

Even if an ability mutated, no one would assume it became an S-rank ability.

"Alright, the freshman assembly starts at nine. Time’s up—let’s go."

Xu Jingming didn’t tease Liu Wentao further; he stood and left the villa with him.

Magic City Ability University has four training grounds.

The freshman assembly is being held at Training Ground One.

When Xu Jingming and Liu Wentao entered the ground, many were already there.

But since they hadn’t been assigned to colleges or classes yet, none knew each other.

Most paired off, chatting quietly without disturbing one another.

Among the crowd, Xu Jingming spotted Song Qiuyun, whom he’d seen once outside his dorm yesterday.

She was standing with her roommate.

Song Qiuyun’s beauty was top-tier, and with her stunning figure, calling her a goddess wasn’t an exaggeration.

Many male students on the ground were drawn to her.

Some female students, meanwhile, glanced at her sensitive areas, secretly comparing themselves, then revealed looks of intense envy.

Just then, Song Qiuyun suddenly turned her head and locked eyes with Xu Jingming.

Such sharp perception!

Xu Jingming’s heart jumped—he felt no embarrassment, merely nodded slightly to her, then looked away.

"Xu Jingming..."

Song Qiuyun blinked, surprised.

Ordinary boys, caught staring at her, either blushed and lowered their heads.

Or quickly turned away, pretending to admire distant scenery.

Only Xu Jingming showed no reaction—and even held her gaze a moment longer, nodding to her.

"What a peculiar boy..." Song Qiuyun thought silently.

Beside her, her roommate Qi Dongxia noticed Xu Jingming’s arrival and her eyes lit up:

"It’s Xu Jingming! He’s even more handsome than in the photos!"

Xu Jingming’s looks were already good, and he stood nearly 1.89 meters tall.

Among the crowd, he stood out like a crane among chickens.

Added to that was the primal aura of Thunder bestowed by his S-rank ability, Purple Thunder Divine Lightning—making him radiate an aura of mystery.

He was unquestionably a man countless young women dreamed of.

Thus, beyond Qi Dongxia,

every other girl who saw Xu Jingming now gazed at him with sparkling eyes.

"Xu Jingming’s here."

"Is he the one who broke the school record yesterday?"

"Sure enough—he’s a freshman too!"

"Xu Jingming’s the provincial top scorer from Jiangnan Province—he’s incredibly strong."

"..."

Because news of his record-breaking feat yesterday had gone viral on the forum,

nearly every freshman here knew who Xu Jingming was.

So as soon as he appeared, dozens of eyes turned toward him.

These gazes carried a variety of emotions.

Young girls admired him with heat and longing; male classmates regarded him with solemn respect.

Of course, many also showed disdain and contempt.

Yet regardless of their feelings, Xu Jingming was now the absolute center of attention.

But just then, an out-of-place voice suddenly cut through the crowd:

"Xu Jingming! I, Lei Zhou, challenge you!"