Chapter 557: Genius Tournament Top 32! Wang Dong, Holding His Breath!

The Spirit Refining Art can increase the Spirit attribute and boost combat skill damage.

Therefore, the first thing Xu Jingming invested points in was the SSS-grade "Lei Hai Visualization Method."

Ability Points −130,000!

【Spirit Refining】 Lei Hai Visualization Method, 2nd Layer → 3rd Layer!

【Spirit】He → He!

Boom!

Xu Jingming's spiritual power surged violently!

But it wasn't over yet!

Ability Points −200,000!

【Spirit Refining】 Lei Hai Visualization Method, 3rd Layer → 4th Layer!

【Spirit】He → He!

In his Sea of Consciousness, his spiritual power churned ceaselessly like thunder.

Just like a restless thunderstorm zone!

"Can't keep investing points."

Xu Jingming opened his eyes, and a flash of essence light shot forth like a thunderbolt!

Raising the Lei Hai Visualization Method to the 4th Layer had boosted his spiritual power by a full 5,000 points.

He could feel that his spiritual power was now several times stronger than before!

Even the passive perception of his Heart Net had become clearer!

"Spirit Refining Art point allocation complete. Next up, ordinary combat skills."

With 80,000 Ability Points remaining on the system panel, Xu Jingming poured them all into raising the proficiency of his A-grade combat skills.

First was Lei Yu, a binding-type combat skill.

It would be of great use in his upcoming fight against Katherine, who possessed the Holy Angel ability!

So he spent 30,000 Ability Points in one go, raising it to Perfection-grade proficiency.

Just like Thunder Barrier, once Lei Yu reached Perfection-grade proficiency, it could almost be cast instantly!

And the binding effect it produced was far stronger as well!

As for the remaining 50,000 Ability Points, Xu Jingming split them between the two S-grade combat skills, Sky Thunder Art and Thunder-Piercing Demon-Slaying Spear.

Raising each to Master-grade proficiency.

And so, all the Ability Points obtained from the front-line battlefield were completely spent.

"410,000 Ability Points, gone just like that."

"But the upcoming Genius Tournament should be no problem."

Feeling the truly tremendous power within him, a confident smile spread across Xu Jingming's face.

Next, all that was left was to wait for the Genius Tournament to resume......

Great Xia time, November 21st, 8:54 PM.

Virtual World, Genius Tournament Stadium.

There was still some time before the Genius Tournament began, but the entire stadium was already packed with spectators.

Every face was flushed with excitement, and people chattered among themselves.

Xu Jingming sat in the stands with Song Qiuyun, Jiang Chuxuan, and his aunt's family.

"Welcome, everyone, to the battles of the Global Exchange Tournament's Peak Tournament once again!"

"After nearly a month of fierce competition, the Genius Tournament has selected its final Top 32 contestants!"

When the clock struck 9:00 sharp, a host stepped onto the stage and announced in a booming voice:

"Next, I will introduce our Top 32 contestants one by one!"

"First, from the United States — Katherine! She possesses the SS-grade Enhancement-type Divine Spirit ability 'Holy Angel,' at the mid-stage of Tier 6!"

Swoosh—

On the holographic projection at the very center of the stadium, a tall girl appeared.

The girl wore a pale-gold battle dress, held a holy longsword in her hand, and behind her, pure-white wings radiated a faint, sacred glow!

The moment this projection appeared, the entire stands erupted in cheers like ocean waves!

"Katherine! Katherine!"

"Saint! Saint!"

"......"

Katherine is a saint of the United States' Holy Church, which worships the Goddess of Light.

Across the entire Blue Star, apart from Great Xia, quite a number of countries have established churches.

The believers of the Holy Church can almost be said to span the entire world!

So once those cheers rose up, it felt as if the whole stadium was trembling along with them.

"This is the power of religion — truly terrifying," Xu Jingming in the stands couldn't help muttering.

Due to the existence of fierce beasts and abilities, religions like the Holy Church—

were extremely prevalent on Blue Star. Of the more than one hundred countries worldwide, only Great Xia might have fewer believers.

"Second, from Great Xia Nation — Su Yu! He possesses......"

The host introduced them one by one.

And Xu Jingming's name was called in the fourth position.

"Fourth, from Great Xia Nation — Xu Jingming!

He possesses a lightning-element S-class ability, 'Doushen Shenlei,' at the upper tier of fifth rank!"

As the host's words fell, the entire spectator stands erupted into frenzied cheers!

"Xu Jingming! Xu Jingming!"

"Lei Di! Lei Di!"

"..."

Among the cheers were not only spectators from Daxia, but also quite a few from abroad!

The contestants from those countries had already been eliminated, so now they could only cheer for other contestants they liked.

And Xu Jingming's popularity was even higher than Su Yu's, whose rank was a bit higher!

Of course, that was perfectly normal.

After all, Xu Jingming was only 20 years old, while Su Yu was already 26.

In terms of talent, the two simply weren't on the same level.

"They still don't know that Jingming, you've already reached sixth rank."

In the spectator stands, Song Qiuyun blinked her clear, big eyes.

"No worries. Once the match starts, I'll give them a surprise," Xu Jingming said with a smile.

The contestant information on the Genius Tournament was recorded by the system based on each contestant's previous performances in the arena.

After entering sixth rank, this was his first time entering the virtual world,

so naturally the information on the Genius Tournament system hadn't been updated yet.

Among the contestants who made it into the Genius Tournament's top 32, five were from Daxia.

They were Su Yu, Xu Jingming, Wang Dong, Lv Liang, and Liu Ran.

The latter three were all S-class ability awakeners, at the lower tier of sixth rank.

"Next, the top-32 to top-16 matches are about to begin. All contestants, please teleport to the preparation area!"

After all the top-32 contestants had been introduced, a teleport-confirmation option appeared before Xu Jingming's eyes as well.

"Aunt, Qiuyun, Jiang Chu Xuan, I'm heading over first."

"Mm, go for it! Beat them flat and take the championship!"

Song Qiuyun and Jiang Chuxuan and the others all cheered Xu Jingming on, and Xu Jingming gave a slight smile.

He then clicked confirm, and his figure abruptly vanished from the spectator stands.

Hum—

His vision went black, and when it returned, he was already in the arena's preparation area.

Some contestants who had clicked confirm earlier had already arrived in the preparation area.

Among them was Wang Dong from the Lei Ting Martial Hall's Prodigy Training Camp.

"Xu Jingming..."

Wang Dong also noticed Xu Jingming, and a faint, burning fighting spirit bloomed in his eyes.

Xu Jingming's popularity during this period had been terrifyingly immense!

Even within the Prodigy Training Camp, quite a few people believed Xu Jingming's strength surpassed his own.

He admitted Xu Jingming's talent was astonishing, but when it came to actual strength, he wasn't quite convinced.

"My goal is to make the top eight. Xu Jingming may have astonishing talent,

but he's only at the upper tier of fifth rank after all—the top 16 should be his limit.

When that time comes, people will naturally know which of us is stronger."

Wang Dong had been holding it in, wanting to prove he was stronger than Xu Jingming!

And now, the moment to prove it had arrived.