Chapter 579: Ling Shuang

"Professor Su called for me; I'll go see her first."

Because my aunt's family is sitting right next to me.

So Xu Jingming didn't act too familiar with Song Qiuyun and Jiang Chuxuan.

He lightly stroked their slender waists, making both women stiffen, then accepted the teleportation invitation.

"Championship of the Peak Match! Jingming, you've done well."

"After the Talent Match ends, I'll personally arrange for a Master Armorer to forge you an SS-class spear."

The teleportation destination was still Professor Su Qingli's villa living room.

As soon as Xu Jingming arrived, Su Qingli smiled and congratulated him.

"Thank you, Professor." Xu Jingming's face lit up as he quickly bowed in thanks.

An SS-class spear starts at thirty billion in price.

Professor Su's reward truly saves him a huge sum.

And this is being crafted by a Master Armorer.

The final SS-class spear will surely be even finer.

"Since Professor Su has given you a reward, it seems I can't leave you empty-handed."

Ling Shuang was also here; she gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and turned her beautiful eyes toward him:

"Didn't you tell me last time your space ring's capacity was too small?"

"After the Talent Match ends, I'll give you a space ring with a capacity of one thousand cubic meters."

"One thousand cubic meters?!" Xu Jingming sucked in a sharp breath.

Its capacity is ten times larger than his current space ring!

More importantly, space rings of this capacity simply can't be bought outside!

"Thank you, Professor Ling!"

"It's nothing; you deserve it.

Qingli and I have both gained plenty because of you today."

Ling Shuang waved her hand and handed him a cup of steaming tea:

"I heard from Professor Su that after the Talent Match, you want to go to Dayangzhou with me?"

"Yes, it's decided—I'll depart with you and Professor Ling."

Xu Jingming took the tea and took a small sip; instantly, his mouth filled with fragrance.

Though this world is virtual, every sensory experience is nearly identical to reality.

"Good. I'll remind you before we depart."

Ling Shuang nodded, a faint upward curve touching her rosy lips.

She didn't even notice the gesture—it seemed an unconscious expression of delight.

"In Dayangzhou, the two supercities—

Muben and Nixi—each have a branch of our Lei Ting Martial Arts Pavilion.

Both branches have long been tightly controlled by Deputy Pavilion Head Hu Jinyu.

This time, Professor Ling is going there partly to fulfill her annual task as an eighth-rank Grand Master.

And partly to bring these two branches under our direct control.

At that time, Professor Ling may need you to help with certain tasks."

Su Qingli said softly.

Previously, Xu Jingming's strength was too low to get involved in this level of conflict.

But now, having advanced to sixth-rank, Xu Jingming should be able to assist Ling Shuang.

"Understood. But please, Professor Su, specify exactly what tasks are needed." Xu Jingming bowed respectfully.

Since learning of the conflict between the Pavilion Head and Deputy Head, he had long anticipated this day, so he wasn't surprised.

Su Qingli was about to explain in detail when Ling Shuang stopped her:

"Jingming just finished a major battle; in five hours he must compete in the Defense-Offense Match.

I'll explain the details to him alone after the Talent Match ends—let him rest now."

"You're right; you always think more thoroughly, Ling Shuang."

Su Qingli realized it too and turned to Xu Jingming:

"Go back and rest well. The Defense-Offense Match isn't as important as the Peak Match; even if your rank is lower, it doesn't matter."

"Yes." Xu Jingming nodded.

Compared to the Peak Match, the Defense-Offense Match indeed drew less attention.

But the reward difference between second and first place is substantial—he wouldn't give up on fighting for first.

Besides, double victories are more auspicious.

"Welcome back, viewers, to the Global Talent Exchange Competition arena!

Next up is the five-day Defense-Offense Match!

In the Defense-Offense Match, each competitor will receive fifteen highly compressed energy rods, fifteen Nengyi Recovery Pills..."

Five hours later, the commentator appeared precisely at the center of the stadium, explaining the Defense-Offense Match rules.

Xu Jingming and the other 100,000 competitors who passed the preliminary round were all teleported to the preparation zone.

This area was extremely vast, easily accommodating 100,000 people without crowding.

Notably,

The teams were arranged according to their rankings from the Peak Match.

Xu Jingming stood at the very front, with Catherine, Su Yu, and Andrey lined up behind him in order.

As a sixth-rank mid-tier ability user, Su Yu naturally won his match against Andrey without any suspense, taking third place.

Andrey of Bear Country came in fourth.

Behind Xu Jingming, the tall and sacred Catherine had already returned to her usual cool, detached composure.

Only when her gaze fell upon the tall figure before her did she still bite lightly at her red lips.

"In the attack-and-defense match later, I must take first place.

I will trample you underfoot and let you feel the Lord's great glory!"

Catherine's emerald-green eyes fixed on the back before her as she thought viciously.

She was not a woman who gave up easily.

During the attack-and-defense match, contestants had to withstand wave after wave of beast tides.

Whoever held out the longest would be the final victor.

At this point, beyond combat power, the most crucial factor was stamina.

She was a sixth-rank mid-tier ability user, and her ability endurance was considerably longer than Xu Jingming's, a sixth-rank lower-tier.

That was why she was confident in herself.

"First place in the attack-and-defense match receives one SS+-grade cultivation resource.

Second place receives one ordinary SS-grade cultivation resource.

Third place receives one S+-grade cultivation resource. The lower the ranking, the fewer the rewards.

Very well, those are the rules of the attack-and-defense match. Contestants, prepare to enter the arena."

The moment the commentator finished speaking, a teleportation option appeared before all 100,000 contestants.

Xu Jingming did not hesitate in the slightest and clicked confirm directly.

Shwa-shwa-shwa—

One figure after another vanished on the spot, teleported into the dedicated attack-and-defense arena.

At the same time, in mid-air above the stadium, 100,000 windows densely packed the sky!

Each window corresponded to one contestant.

Viewers could freely choose which contestant they wished to follow and watch.

"The attack-and-defense match has begun!"

"Although the level of confrontation can't compare to the championship match, the slaughter against the fierce beasts is still very much worth watching."

"Lei Di will definitely be first!"

"Heh, that's not necessarily so. Xu Jingming got lucky in the championship match, but the attack-and-defense match will absolutely be Catherine's win!"

"......"

Compared to the championship match, the audience watching the attack-and-defense match was considerably smaller.

But there were still around seventy or eighty million of them, and while carefully watching the battles, they also cheered on the contestants they supported.

Especially the Western audience—each and every one of them was as if pumped full of adrenaline.

Losing the championship match was one thing, but in this attack-and-defense match, they would definitely get their pride back!