Chapter 535: Advancement! Top 32!

Boom boom boom!......

On the arena stage, the clash of weapons was deafening.

Xu Jingming and Du Lang—one gold, one black—two phantoms collided without pause.

In raw strength, Du Lang had a slight edge, yet no matter how he attacked,

Xu Jingming could dissolve it as easily as the sea, and counterattack.

"In terms of abilities, I'm an Enhancement-type S-class ability user!"

"In terms of rank, I'm a sixth-tier lower ability user!"

"In terms of body-tempering arts, I practice an SS-class body-tempering art!"

"Abilities, rank, body-tempering art—I'm not lacking in any of them. How can I fail to suppress Xu Jingming in close combat?"

Du Lang let out a silent roar in his heart, the crimson in his eyes growing ever more violent.

His teacher Borg lost to Su Qingli because warriors are naturally disadvantaged against elementalists.

Yet Xu Jingming had actually fought him to a draw in close combat.

To him, this was nothing less than a disgrace!

He would rather Xu Jingming defeat him with an elementalist's methods than endure such humiliation!

"Greater strength doesn't necessarily mean you'll win."

Xu Jingming, radiant golden thunder coiling around him, said in a low voice, the spear in his hand never resting for a moment.

The mastery granted by his Master-level spear art was enough to offset the physical gap brought by Du Lang's Enhancement-type ability.

Moreover,

Although his Doushen Shenlei couldn't kill Du Lang the way it could one-shot ordinary sixth-tier ability users,

this thunder was eroding Du Lang's body every single moment.

Given enough time, no matter how strong Du Lang's physique, it too would be affected—and he would ultimately lose.

Du Lang clearly understood this as well, and his attacks grew ever more frenzied.

Bang!

After yet another exchange, Du Lang stood far away, his face dark as he spat out a few words:

"Master-level spear art!"

"Your strength may be lacking, but your eye is passable," Xu Jingming's indifferent voice rang out.

"Xu Jingming, your talent is truly terrifying. If I let you grow another year, I would absolutely not be your match."

After drawing a deep breath, Du Lang's features grew even more savage:

"But what a pity—in this year's Genius Tournament, you won't get that chance. Off to the resurrection bracket with you! Zhen Shan Gun!"

Boom!!

Du Lang pushed off violently with his feet, shooting forth like a cannonball!

His entire aura gathered on the alloy staff in his hands; still mid-air, he brought the staff down in a strike!

The staff carried terrifying energy ripples, and the very space seemed to tremble from that one blow!

Zhen Shan Gun!

An offensive SS-class combat technique—when used, all the qi, blood, and strength of the body converge into the staff in hand!

One strike unleashed, enough to erupt with incomparably terrifying killing power.

Du Lang clearly understood that if this dragged on, the loser would surely be himself—so he brought out his ultimate killing move!

"An SS-class combat technique? But what a pity—I've already seen through you long ago."

Xu Jingming's tall figure swayed slightly; under the formidable perception of his Heart Net, he dodged the strike by a hair's breadth, grazing the staff's shadow!

Seizing the moment when Du Lang had just unleashed his mighty technique and his qi and blood were weakened,

when his reaction speed had dropped, the spear in his hands shot forth like a golden flood dragon!

"Lei Guan Mo Sha Qiang!"

Du Lang had cultivated an SS-class body-tempering art and activated its amplified form.

Combined with his own S-class Enhancement-type ability, his body's hardness rivaled B-class alloy!

Yet under the strike of this spear, he was fragile as paper!

Crackle-crackle—

A heaven-piercing bolt of Lei Guang flared, and half of Du Lang's body vanished beneath that spear!

The terrifying shockwave slammed into the energy shield at the arena's edge, making even it shake violently!

"I... I lost?"

Though he had lost half his body, Du Lang—still possessing his head—had not yet died.

Instead, his entire face was filled with an expression of incredulous shock.

"That's right. You lost."

Whoosh—

The spear shot out once more, blasting his skull apart with a single thrust!

Boom!

Du Lang's mangled body crashed to the ground, and the voice of the pretty commentator rang out in timely fashion.

"This match's winner is Da Xia's Xu Jingming! Congratulations on his successful advancement to the top 32!"

As the words fell, the entire spectator stands immediately erupted in cheers and shouts!

"He won! Lei Di won!"

"Close combat on par with a sixth-tier S-class Enhancement-type ability user! Lei Di is an all-around fighter!"

"Too strong! Who else could possibly stop Lei Di?!"

"......"

In the arena, countless spectators who supported Xu Jingming all went into a frenzy.

They had expected Xu Jingming to win, but never imagined he would do so in such a manner!

"Master-level spear technique, combined with the Heart Network's powerful perception ability—Du Lang's loss is no injustice."

"Indeed, but all of this is built on the foundation that his physique is not much weaker than Du Lang's."

"Only 20 years old, yet not only is his long-range bombardment as an Elementalist extremely proficient, even his close-quarters combat as a martial artist is this strong—truly a monster."

"......"

In the VIP hall, many powerful experts were also murmuring in admiration.

Xu Jingming was truly too well-rounded.

Before this, they had never seen such a monstrous Esper!

As Xu Jingming's teacher, Su Qingli also drew a stream of envious gazes.

Having a student like this was probably something every powerful expert present desired but had no way of obtaining.

As for Boge, who had previously made bold threats, after Du Lang's defeat—

He logged off with a dark expression, clearly his mindset already somewhat shattered.

The ninth round of the competition ended, and Xu Jingming successfully became one of the top 32 in the Peak Tournament.

After saying a word to Song Qiuyun, Jiang Chuxuan, and his aunt's family,

He exited the Genius Tournament arena and returned to his villa in the virtual world.

The noisy cheers at his ears instantly vanished, replaced by a blanket of tranquility.

"The ninth round of the competition is over, I will get 5 days of rest.

During this time, it's perfect to go to the Senbai Canyon with Su Laoshi.

I'll contact Su Laoshi now to see when we can depart."

Xu Jingming pondered as he opened his friends interface and sent an inquiry message to Su Laoshi Qingli.

Just as he was about to close the friends interface, Eva's crisp voice suddenly rang out:

"S-rank, friend Sakuragi Rin requests to teleport to your location. Do you accept the request?"

"Sakuragi Rin?"

Xu Jingming also recalled the words he had spoken to her during the match, so he nodded and said:

"Accept."

"Understood, S-rank."

As the words fell, with a hum, Sakuragi Rin's graceful figure was immediately teleported over.

Although she had mentally prepared herself beforehand, when Sakuragi Rin saw Xu Jingming again,

A complex emotion inevitably surfaced on her delicate pretty face.

But this emotion quickly vanished, and after letting out a long breath,

Sakuragi Rin slowly knelt before Xu Jingming, her proud head that had radiated endless glory in the Genius Tournament nearly touching the ground.

A crisp and pleasant voice rang out in the villa: "Master......"

Sakuragi Rin was still wearing the tight combat suit from the Genius Tournament.

As she bent down to kneel, her perky buttocks immediately outlined an alluring curve like a ripe peach.

If this enticing scene were exposed to the public eye, who knows what kind of sensation it would cause......