Chapter 55: Perfect Technique Chain! Defeated!

Originally, everyone thought Lei Zhou was slightly stronger than Xu Jingming.

Even if not much stronger, they should at least be evenly matched.

But what is this situation?

The battle had barely begun, only a few seconds in, and Lei Zhou’s technique was shattered, then he was directly blasted away.

This could already be called overwhelming!

And it was a one-sided crushing defeat! Lei Zhou had almost no chance to counterattack!

Was Lei Zhou weak?

He was not weak—he possessed an A-grade Senran Yehuo ability, plus skilled technique chaining.

Most of the new students here couldn’t handle this combo!

And they were certain Lei Zhou possessed even stronger techniques as well.

But was it useful?

It was not useful.

As his opponent, Xu Jingming merely unleashed his Lightning ability, then landed two shots for an instant kill.

He hadn’t even used any technique!

Instantly, every new student in the audience silently thought of one word—unfathomable!

In the audience seats, provincial champions from other provinces stared at the tall figure on the arena.

All of them wore grim, wary expressions.

Because they realized that even if they stepped onto the arena, the outcome would likely be the same as Lei Zhou’s.

“This is too boring—he didn’t even force my junior brother to use one-tenth of his strength.”

Liu Wentao, sitting in the back rows of the audience, felt deeply disappointed.

With this level of strength, how dare he challenge Xu Jingming? He’s asking for death.

On the arena, the referee, Teacher Zhou Yun, also stared at the scene with surprise.

She hadn’t expected Xu Jingming’s strength to be so far superior to Lei Zhou’s!

“The winner of this match is...”

Just as she was about to announce Xu Jingming’s victory, Lei Zhou, lying at the arena’s edge, weakly spoke:

“T...Teacher, I...haven’t surrendered—the match isn’t over.”

Then he pulled out a blood-red pill from his chest.

“Blood-Explosion Pill?! Are you trying to kill yourself?!”

Zhou Yun’s face changed instantly, and she shouted urgently: “This is just a match—it’s not a fight to the death!”

The Wildlands have rare flowers and herbs, and from these heavenly treasures, various pills can be forged.

The Blood-Explosion Pill is one such pill used by energy users when fighting to the death.

After ingestion, one’s strength increases several-fold.

Of course, the side effects are severe—afterward, one cannot get out of bed for one or two months.

“It’s...it’s fine—I’ll bear the consequences myself.”

The Blood-Explosion Pill was Lei Zhou’s secret weapon prepared specifically for Xu Jingming.

He would never use it unless absolutely desperate.

But Xu Jingming’s strength far exceeded expectations—he had no choice.

“I’ll risk it! If I lose, I accept it!”

With a low roar, Lei Zhou swallowed the Blood-Explosion Pill whole.

Though winning this way was somewhat dishonorable,

at least it was a win!

Better than losing!

The next moment,

under the pill’s effect, an immensely powerful aura erupted from him!

The Senran Yehuo blazed forth again, now several times stronger than before.

It engulfed the six-meter radius around him in a sea of pale-white flames.

“Hey, hey, hey—can you even take pills during a match? That’s clearly cheating!”

Seeing Lei Zhou’s resurgence, his roommate Liu Wentao in the audience couldn’t sit still and immediately stood up to protest.

His outburst prompted many new students to join in.

“Yeah, pills aren’t allowed in matches, right?”

“Using external force—is that still a fair match?”

“Lei Zhou cheated—he should be disqualified immediately!”

“...”

Though the new students hoped for a more exciting battle, they strongly opposed pill usage.

Of course, those defending Xu Jingming were mostly girls.

Among them was Qi Dongxia, Song Qiuyun’s roommate.

“This isn’t an official match—no rules were set beforehand regarding pill use, so taking one is permitted.”

Zhou Yun on the arena shook her head. “If Xu Jingming had a pill, he could take one too.”

In real combat, there are never too many restrictions.

Who could have expected Lei Zhou would carry a Blood-Explosion Pill—only used by energy users when fighting to the death?

“Looks like it’s a high-grade Blood-Explosion Pill—it’s temporarily boosted Lei Zhou’s strength to a Second-Rank Lower-Level energy user. Xu Jingming is in trouble now.”

After carefully sensing Lei Zhou’s aura, Zhou Yun silently shook her head.

As a First-Rank Upper-Level energy user, Lei Zhou’s actual combat power was already equivalent to Second-Rank.

Now, with the Blood-Explosion Pill’s aid, he forcibly entered Second-Rank—his overall strength likely surged to Second-Rank Upper-Level!

With this power, even Xu Jingming, who had just shown such ferocity, would struggle to withstand it.

Yet, what she didn’t expect was—

On the arena, Xu Jingming showed no panic; instead, he gripped his spear, his battle intent blazing.

“Huh? His battle intent has grown even stronger—this mindset is quite impressive.” Zhou Yun nodded inwardly.

But she didn’t realize that Xu Jingming’s mindset wasn’t just impressive—it was downright delighted.

“Finally—not an adult beating up a child anymore.”

Xu Jingming’s lips curled slightly upward.

As if sensing his master’s mood, the Purple Thunder surrounding him grew lively.

A series of crackling electric arcs echoed.

Then, in a flash of lightning, his figure vanished from his spot!

He reappeared less than a meter in front of Lei Zhou!

Lightning Flash!

An A-grade movement technique, allowing a sudden dash in any direction.

With Xu Jingming’s current First-Rank Mid-Level strength, his dash distance reaches twenty meters!

Dashing to Lei Zhou’s position, over ten meters away, was effortless.

“Incredible speed!”

Lei Zhou’s pupils shrank—he instinctively swung his blade, and Xu Jingming countered with his spear.

This time, Lei Zhou finally saw Xu Jingming’s movement clearly!

But seeing it wasn’t enough—he couldn’t change his technique anymore.

He could only watch helplessly as Xu Jingming’s spear slammed into him!

“I don’t believe it—I’ve taken the Blood-Explosion Pill and still can’t outmatch you!”

Lei Zhou gritted his teeth and poured even more force into his strike.

But he immediately regretted it.

Spear met blade, and a metallic clash, several times louder than before, rang out.

A massive impact surged through his blade, shattering his palms and sending blood gushing!

He himself was blasted backward three or four steps!

“What kind of monster are you?!”

Standing firm, Lei Zhou stared at Xu Jingming with terrified eyes.

This was his strength after taking the Blood-Explosion Pill—tripled or quadrupled!

Yet in raw power, he still couldn’t surpass Xu Jingming!

Even more despairing—he found his enhanced Senran Yehuo still couldn’t pierce Xu Jingming’s lightning defense.

From this point on, whether in physical strength or energy, Lei Zhou was utterly defeated.

“No—can’t fight head-on!”

Lei Zhou’s eyes flashed—he decisively retreated, putting over ten meters between himself and Xu Jingming.

Then came his ranged energy attack:

“Flame Volley!”

Around Lei Zhou, the grim karmic flames coalesced into basketball-sized fireballs, relentlessly hurling toward Xu Jingming.

As a B-rank offensive fire technique, Flame Chain Bullets produce fireballs that explode upon striking the enemy.

At best, severe burns; at worst, instant incineration!!

Yet for Xu Jingming, protected by Purple Thunder Divine Lightning, the explosions inflicted not a single scratch.

Instead, the shockwaves from the explosions slowed his movement.

“Damn! The shockwaves from Flame Chain Bullets are keeping Xu Jingming from closing in on Lei Zhou!”

“No wonder he took the Blood Rage Pill—this fire ability’s power is absurdly strong.”

“But it’s fine; Xu Jingming just needs to endure this assault until Lei Zhou’s drug effect fades.”

“......”

The freshmen in the audience watched this scene with rapt attention.

The bad news: Xu Jingming, this short-legged warrior, was being kited by the mage.

The good news: the mage deals no damage and can’t sustain this indefinitely.

Once the drug’s effect wears off, it will be Xu Jingming’s chance to counterattack.

On the arena, Lei Zhou clearly knew this too, frantically controlling the grim karmic flames.

He sought to generate more fireballs to pierce Xu Jingming’s thunder defense.

Yet the opponent stood firm like a boulder in a raging current.

“Damn it! What rank is Xu Jingming’s lightning ability? This is insane!”

Lei Zhou cursed inwardly.

Logically,

Under the Blood Rage Pill’s effect, his rank had temporarily risen from Upper First Rank to Lower Second Rank.

The A-rank grim karmic flames gained massive power!

How could he fail to break through the defense of a mere Middle First Rank energy user?

“But good—I still have over ten minutes before the drug wears off. I still have a chance!”

Lei Zhou wasn’t the type to quit easily; he steadied his mind and prepared to devise another strategy.

At that moment, Xu Jingming’s low voice suddenly rang out:

“Lei Mao!”

Before him, Xu Jingming, pinned down by Flame Chain Bullets, clenched his left hand in midair.

With a piercing thunderclap, a blue-purple thunder spear instantly formed!

Then, he hurled it violently toward Lei Zhou!

The Lei Mao moved at blinding speed, closing the distance to within five meters of Lei Zhou in an instant!

“No! He has ranged attacks too!”

Lei Zhou hastily dodged sideways.

Pssshhh~~~

The Lei Mao grazed his side abdomen, tearing his battle suit.

It left a charred wound, blood gushing freely!

The Purple Thunder Divine Lightning from the Lei Mao spread through the wound.

As an S-rank ability, even a trace could inflict massive damage.

The sensation—like ten thousand ants gnawing—nearly made Lei Zhou faint.

But it wasn’t over. The low voice spoke again:

“Lei Yu!”

Zzzzzt!!!

Opposite him, Xu Jingming pointed his spear. With a thunderclap like a thousand birds shrieking, endless blue-purple lightning cascaded down from above Lei Zhou.

It formed a thunder prison, engulfing Lei Zhou entirely!

“A restriction technique!”

Lei Zhou’s face darkened.

Restriction techniques were notoriously hard to break; even if forced through, the cost was enormous.

Gazing at the terrifying aura of the surrounding lightning, Lei Zhou knew if he tried to break out, he’d be the one who suffered.

So he did as Xu Jingming had done—retracted all his grim karmic flames.

He formed a solid, white flame barrier around himself.

“Hmph, let’s see how long your Thunder Prison lasts!”

Lei Zhou sneered, certain Xu Jingming couldn’t shatter his flame barrier.

Yet at that moment, Xu Jingming moved.

A Thunder Flash—crossing over ten meters in an instant—he appeared before Lei Zhou.

“Your flame barrier looks sturdy, but I wonder if it can withstand my attack.”

Xu Jingming narrowed his eyes; his two-meter-one black obsidian spear was now wrapped in blue-purple lightning:

“Chain Lightning Spear!”

The dark spear became a blur, striking repeatedly—lightning flickering!

And the flame barrier Lei Zhou had placed all his hope in shattered in an instant!

“How is this possible?!”

Amid Lei Zhou’s terrified cry, the sharp spearhead, wreathed in terrifying lightning, rapidly expanded in his pupils.

He’d die!

If struck, he’d be dead for sure!

In that moment, Lei Zhou’s survival instinct reached its peak:

“I yield! I yield!”

Cht—

The sharp spearhead, wrapped in blue-purple lightning and glowing red-hot like a branding iron,

halted one centimeter from Lei Zhou’s forehead.

Just as he thought he’d escaped, the spear suddenly shifted, stabbing straight into his right shoulder!

Pssshh!!

A gaping hole tore through his shoulder; his scapula shattered outright!

The searing pain nearly sent Lei Zhou into unconsciousness.

Yet Xu Jingming withdrew his spear, his stern, rugged face still calm and composed.

The entire battle seemed long.

But from Xu Jingming’s counterattack with Lei Mao to final suppression, it had taken only four or five seconds.

By the time the crowd realized what had happened, Lei Zhou had already surrendered.

“The winner of this match is Xu Jingming!”

Zhou Yun noticed Xu Jingming’s movements but said nothing; she promptly declared the victor.

Meanwhile, in the audience seats,

The freshmen, snapping back to awareness, erupted in excited chatter about Xu Jingming’s nearly flawless technique chain.