Chapter 562

"If he hadn't suddenly advanced and made it into the top four, we might not have been so eager yet."

The man on the other end of the phone chuckled.

Xu Jingming may have great talent, but he hasn't fully grown yet.

But once he reaches sixth rank, it's entirely different.

In less than two years, he broke through from an Awakened to a sixth-rank Ability User.

This means Xu Jingming's potential has risen another level—he's very likely to break into ninth rank within the next four or five years.

To become a highly sought-after national legislator!

And at that time, Xu Jingming would only be twenty-four or twenty-five years old!

For such a star with limitless potential, it's natural to cultivate ties early.

Directly giving gifts to Xu Jingming, he'd surely refuse, and might even suspect you have ill intentions.

We can only approach through those close to Xu Jingming.

But Xu Jingming is an orphan with no family of his own; there's no way to assist him through business.

And every one of Xu Jingming's teachers are big shots.

So they recalled the incident not long ago, when Xu Jingming, enraged over Song Qiuyun and Jiang Chuxuan, killed the son of a ninth-rank Ability User.

This clearly shows the closeness among the four.

Jiang Chuxuan is an orphan too, so there's no way to draw closer.

But Song Qiuyun is different—she stands behind the entire Song Clan!

And the Song Clan is currently in crisis.

They wouldn't mind doing a favor by going with the flow and helping the Song Clan along the way.

"Old Wang, thank you. If not for you, I'd still be in the dark."

"When you have time, I'll treat you to a meal."

Song Feng let out a long breath, finally understanding.

"No problem, no problem. If your Song Clan truly becomes family with Xu Jingming, don't forget our Guild."

"Don't worry, we won't."

Song Feng nodded and hung up the phone.

"Xu Jingming has this much influence? Even a major force like the Black Dragon Legion is placing orders with our Song Clan because of him?"

Song Hai, who had listened the whole time, still couldn't believe it.

In his mind, wasn't Xu Jingming still just a rising prodigy?

"I didn't expect it either."

Song Feng's face was filled with the same awe.

If this had happened earlier, the Elders' Council probably wouldn't have approved my split from my elder brother Song Zhan.

"But this is better—now that we've split, my brother can't interfere with me anymore."

"He won't be able to come and take a share like he used to!"

Song Feng's eyes gleamed; he paused, then continued: "This time, we've benefited from Xu Jingming's light."

He may not even know it himself, but we can't ignore it."

"I'll send Qiuyun a message right away and ask her to arrange a meeting with Xu Jingming."

Though his daughter is Xu Jingming's girlfriend, he didn't take it for granted.

On the contrary, he felt this profit should be shared with Xu Jingming...

"Catherine! Catherine!"

"Saint! Saint!"

"..."

In the virtual world, the stadium's cheers rose like a tidal wave.

The top-eight advancement match required only four battles.

Xu Jingming was the first to step onto the stage, crushing the EU's top contender, Erin.

In the following three matches, Andre, Su Yu, and Catherine all won decisively.

"The top-eight advancement match is over. The top four are: Xu Jingming and Su Yu from Great Xia, Andre from Bear Nation, and Catherine from the United States! Congratulations to them!"

After Catherine was teleported off the arena, the host's voice rose again:

"Unlike previous tournaments, this year's top four are all SS-rank Ability Awakeners!"

"The semifinals and finals will officially begin on November 23rd, at 9 PM, national time!"

"I guarantee these will be the most intense two battles since the Talent Tournament began!"

"All viewers, please be sure to attend!"

With that, the holographic projection in the center of the stadium dimmed, and the audience cheered, preparing to teleport away.

Song Qiuyun, who had also wanted to pull Xu Jingming away, suddenly received a message from her father, Song Feng.

"Huh? My dad says he wants to meet you—he's asking when you're free."

Song Qiuyun relayed the message after reading it.

"Mr. Song wants to meet me? What for? Can we meet in the virtual world?" Xu Jingming asked, puzzled.

"He didn't specify, just said he wants to meet in person—at your Lei Ting Martial Arts Headquarters."

Song Qiuyun shook her head, her beautiful eyes filled with curiosity.

It felt like her father was hiding something from her.

It felt as if Father was hiding something from her.

"Then tell Uncle that I'm free 24 hours a day lately — he can just come straight over."

After a moment's thought, Xu Jingming said slowly.

The semifinals begin at 9 PM on November 23rd, Universal Time, which corresponds to 9 AM on the 23rd, Great Xia Time.

It's just past 10 AM on November 22nd now. Uncle Song coming over from Sichuan Province won't take more than a few hours — there's plenty of time.

"Alright."

Song Qiuyun nodded, her eyes darting, then suddenly suggested:

"Since Magic City's courses aren't too heavy these two days, how about Zhou Xiaoman and I come to Lei Ting Martial Hall to find you together?"

"Sure. After the Peak Tournament ends, there are two days of rest before the offensive and defensive rounds begin.

When the time comes, I can take you both around the area too."

Xu Jingming said with a smile.

"Qiuyun, your dad will be coming too, and I'll go along with you — wouldn't that be a bit awkward?" Jiang Chuxuan said with a hesitant look.

"It's fine, my dad doesn't really care about that stuff." Song Qiuyun threw her arms around the white-haired girl Jiang Chuxuan.

"That's good then." Jiang Chuxuan also breathed a sigh of relief, completely at ease.

She unconsciously gripped Xu Jingming's big hand, looking forward to the upcoming meeting.

Although the virtual world is a hundred-percent tactile simulation, she always felt something was missing.

Meeting in person still put her more at ease......

Sichuan Province is over 1,200 kilometers from Lei Ting Martial Hall, located in Ningnan City, Guangxi Province.

But Magic City Ability University is a full 2,000-plus kilometers from Lei Ting Martial Hall.

Song Feng should have arrived first, but he seemed to have been held up by something.

Instead, Song Qiuyun and Jiang Chuxuan arrived first at 2 PM on the 22nd, taking a fighter craft to Ningnan City, Guangxi Province.

After receiving word that the two women had landed, Xu Jingming also went to wait at the main entrance of Lei Ting Martial Hall headquarters.

"Look! It's Lei Di!"

"I can't believe I saw Lei Di on my first visit to Lei Ting Martial Hall! That's amazing!"

"Ah, I'd love to get an autograph, but I don't dare to."

"......"

Thanks to his brilliant performance at the Genius Tournament.

The moment Xu Jingming appeared at the entrance of Lei Ting Martial Hall headquarters, he drew the attention of many passersby.

If Xu Jingming hadn't deliberately released some of his pressure, the area would long since have been packed tight as a drum.

"Huh? Is that Xu Jingming?"

At that moment, Xia Lan, who was walking out of the martial hall's main gate with Zhou Xiaoman, also noticed Xu Jingming's presence.

Her beautiful big eyes immediately lit up.

Ever since coming back from Myanmar last time, Xu Jingming seemed to have been busy with other things.

This was her first time running into Xu Jingming outside the Genius Tournament.

"Come on, let's go say hi."

A bright, sunny smile spread across Xia Lan's pretty face. With her long, slender legs, she pulled Zhou Xiaoman along as they walked over.