Chapter 58: Practical Training! Unbeatable at Second Rank!

Life at the Demon City Institute of Psychic Abilities was leisurely and comfortable.

Aside from various rankings and training rooms, it looked no different from the university of his past life.

Yet Xu Jingming still pushed himself relentlessly to strengthen his power.

As for the reason, it was simple enough.

From the moment he crossed over, he had always felt a sense of crisis.

He feared that one day, when ferocious beasts invaded the city, he would lack the strength to resist!

Although psychic warriors were assigned to protect citizens’ safety,

Xu Jingming was not accustomed to entrusting his own life to others.

His fate must be decided by himself!

Just as in his past life, no one had ever taken notice of him, an orphanage child.

They assumed that after completing compulsory junior high, he would drop out like the other orphans.

But facts spoke louder than words—he not only finished high school, but also got into university, earned his master’s degree, and ultimately became a doctoral candidate!

All of this, Xu Jingming had achieved step by step, with solid effort.

Even after crossing over to Blue Star, he would never change.

My heart remains steadfast, unshakable.

This was the driving force behind his daily grueling training.

The next day, at 7:30 a.m.

Xu Jingming, having trained for over an hour in the training room, put on his battle suit, grabbed the Black Radiance Rifle, and descended to the second floor.

Today was his sparring session with Senior Brother Liu Ming—he had to be fully armed.

“Morning, Ming-ge.”

In the first-floor living room, Liu Wentao, just stepping out of his bedroom and still half-asleep, was already used to this.

To him, Xu Jingming was nothing short of a wandering ascetic.

Day after day, nothing but training.

No, he couldn’t even be called an ascetic anymore.

He was practically like a robot programmed with fixed routines!

Of course, Liu Wentao deeply admired him for it.

Eight hours of training per day was already his limit.

If he had to train from dawn to dusk like Xu Jingming, he’d surely collapse.

For these new students, the period before official classes began,

there was no one to supervise them—they could do whatever they wanted.

In a university from his past life, most would sleep until naturally awake, then only begin thinking about what to do.

But at the Demon City Institute of Psychic Abilities, it was different.

Though early, the paths outside the dormitories already had many new students walking them.

Some, like Xu Jingming, were fully armed.

No one knew whether they were heading to the wilderness zone or for sparring practice.

Xu Jingming walked toward the dormitory exit.

As he passed Villa No. 12, he spotted the familiar slender figure of Song Qiuyun stepping out.

After their previous trip together to Demon City’s center, they had exchanged contact information.

Occasionally they chatted on their mobile apps.

Sometimes they met like this, by chance, at the dorm entrance in the morning.

After all, Xu Jingming’s villa was No. 32; to reach the exit, he had to pass Song Qiuyun’s No. 12 villa.

“Morning.”

Xu Jingming gave a simple greeting, then, noticing her attire, asked curiously: “Are you doing sparring practice today too?”

Since the new student assembly, when everyone learned about the mentor system,

they had all become eager, rushing to seek out mentors.

Most had failed.

But a few had succeeded and gained their own personal mentors.

Song Qiuyun was one of them.

As the top scorer from Sichuan Province, her strength and potential were unquestionable.

Her personal mentor was the dean of the Element College—a seventh-rank upper female instructor who wielded an A-class nature-based light psychic ability.

Because of this, Song Qiuyun, like Xu Jingming, went daily to the instructors’ villas for training guidance.

But previously, Song Qiuyun always wore loose training clothes; today, like Xu Jingming,

she wore a battle suit and carried a longsword.

Unlike men’s battle suits, women’s were tailored for agility—fitted closely to the body.

Under this sleek, silvery-white battle suit, Song Qiuyun’s full, graceful curves were unmistakably revealed.

“Morning.”

Seeing Xu Jingming, Song Qiuyun smiled sweetly and nodded: “Today, an older sister is coming over, so I thought I’d try sparring practice.

But I’m not very confident myself...”

The instructors’ villas were all in the same direction.

So as she spoke, Song Qiuyun walked alongside Xu Jingming toward the exit.

One tall and ruggedly handsome, the other petite and delicately beautiful,

their walk together drew frequent glances from passersby.

“By the way, Xu Jingming, how about we try sparring together sometime when we’re free?”

On the way, Song Qiuyun suddenly said.

In truth, she had always been curious about why he emitted an aura similar to that of ferocious beasts.

But she assumed it might involve his private matters, so she never asked.

Yet if they fought directly, perhaps she could find some clues.

“Sure.” Xu Jingming didn’t mind either way.

But when he finally had free time, it would likely be after returning from the wilderness zone.

After walking together to the instructors’ villa district, they parted ways toward their respective villas.

“Senior brother, I’m here.”

Xu Jingming entered the villa and found, besides Senior Brother Liu Ming, his instructor Yang Zhentian was also inside.

Instructor Yang Zhentian wore a loose training robe and sat comfortably on the sofa.

“Instructor.” Xu Jingming bowed respectfully.

As a seventh-rank upper psychic, Yang Zhentian had his own daily training schedule.

Usually, he trained alone in the morning and taught Xu Jingming gun techniques and psychic application in the afternoon.

He hadn’t expected Yang Zhentian to appear here so early.

“Hmm.”

Yang Zhentian nodded slightly and smiled: “I heard yesterday that you two were sparring today, so I came to take a look.”

In Yang Zhentian’s gaze toward Xu Jingming, there was unmistakable satisfaction.

He had observed Xu Jingming’s performance throughout this period.

Every day, he arrived punctually for training, never late or early, and even after returning to his dorm, he trained extra.

Even when he and Liu Ming weren’t present, he never slackened.

“With an S-class psychic ability and such relentless training, how could he fail?”

Yang Zhentian felt a flood of emotion.

Even in his youth, he hadn’t been this diligent.

Moreover, Xu Jingming’s cultivation progress deeply satisfied him.

Keep in mind,

When Xu Jingming first arrived, he was merely an Awakened.

Yet now, after a month, he had advanced to First-Rank Mid-level Psychic.

This rate of advancement was nothing short of astonishing.

As he thought this, he suddenly noticed something unusual.

Hm?

Xu Jingming’s aura had grown stronger!

After carefully sensing it, Yang Zhentian exclaimed in surprise: “You’ve broken through to First-Rank Upper-level?!”

“I was just about to tell you, Instructor—I broke through to First-Rank Upper-level last night.”

Xu Jingming nodded. “Also, my Thunder Indestructible Body has reached its Second Layer.”

These two pieces of news dropped like twin bombs.

Even Yang Zhentian, known as “Yang the Tyrant” for his calm demeanor, was left stunned.

Advancing in rank and breakthrough in body cultivation—each was harder than the last.

But coming from Xu Jingming’s mouth, it felt as simple as drinking water.

“I knew it—Little Brother is a complete prodigy.”

Liu Ming, the senior beside Teacher Yang, chuckled bitterly.

Back then, it took him more than half a year to break from First Rank Mid to First Rank Upper.

After becoming Yang Zhentian’s disciple and forging the foundation of the Indestructible Body, it took him a full year to reach the second layer of Thunder Indestructible Body.

Yet now, Xu Jingming—only a month into his apprenticeship—has accomplished it all...

“Good. Very good!”

Yang Zhentian finally realized it too, and happily clapped Xu Jingming on the shoulder.

Of course he was delighted—his disciple’s strength was rising so fast.

“Good thing I planned a combat drill today—let your teacher see just how strong you are after your breakthrough!”

Yang Zhentian brought Xu Jingming and Liu Ming to the backyard of the villa.

Here was an open-air combat training ground.

The area was vast, roughly five hundred square meters.

The ground appeared forged from alloy, gleaming with a cold metallic sheen under the morning sun.

“This open-air training ground was crafted by me using A-grade alloy—here, fight however you like!”

“Jingming, don’t hold back—unleash your full strength.”

“Your teacher is here. You won’t get hurt.”

Yang Zhentian said with a smile.

“Understood.” Xu Jingming nodded.

This was his first battle against Senior Liu Ming—he would give everything.

Of course, since this was a combat drill, Liu Ming would also suppress his own strength.

Otherwise, with his Third Rank Peak power, if he unleashed his Thunder ability at full force—

Xu Jingming wouldn’t even touch him before being obliterated.

“Little Brother, I’ll suppress my power to Second Rank Lower to fight you.”

Liu Ming spoke loudly from across the field.

In truth, as a fourth-year senior,

he had three more years of combat and training experience than Xu Jingming.

Logically, in such a drill, he should suppress his power to match Xu Jingming’s First Rank Upper.

But Liu Ming knew perfectly well—if he suppressed to First Rank Upper, he’d lose.

And it wouldn’t serve the purpose of combat training, so he simply declared he’d suppress to Second Rank Lower.

Yang Zhentian clearly understood this too, and said nothing to stop him.

Thus, Xu Jingming and Liu Ming each gripped a long spear and stood at the center of the training ground.

“Ready!”

“Three... two... one... begin!”

The instant Yang Zhentian finished speaking, a flash of lightning—both vanished from their spots.

Thunder Flash!

The A-grade Thunder technique was used simultaneously by the two seniors.

The next moment—a loud clang!

In the center of the training ground, a black spear and a blue-green spear collided, locked in perfect balance!

“Incredible strength!”

Though he’d expected it, Liu Ming was still stunned by Xu Jingming’s power.

The other’s strength was equal to his own—even slightly stronger!

While Liu Ming was shocked, Xu Jingming’s battle spirit ignited with excitement!

Since forging the Thunder Indestructible Body, he’d never found an opponent whose strength matched his own.

Even Lei Zhou, after taking the Blood-Boosting Pill, dared not clash with him directly—but now, finally, he had an opponent who could make him give his all!

“Chain Thunder Spear!”

Xu Jingming switched tactics instantly—his spear, wreathed in blue-purple lightning, became a black phantom as it thrust forward rapidly!

Liu Ming knew the power of this A-grade technique and dared not meet it head-on—he dodged swiftly to the side.

Yet the next instant, another voice rang out:

“Thunder Prison!”

Blue-purple lightning formed a prison, engulfing Liu Ming.

Immediately, another lightning spear flew toward him!

“Damn, no breathing room at all.”

“But I’m not that rookie Lei Zhou—Jade Pivot True Thunder!”

Crackling—

Endless, majestic white lightning erupted from Liu Ming’s body, enveloping him entirely, bursting free from the Thunder Prison while dodging the spear.

“Now it’s my turn!”

Liu Ming gripped his spear, wrapped in the A-grade Thunder ability, Jade Pivot True Thunder,

and charged forward with a wild grin, battling Xu Jingming...

Over twenty minutes later, after continuous use of techniques, Xu Jingming’s Purple Sky Divine Thunder was completely depleted.

Clang!

After another spear clash, Xu Jingming halted at a distance.

Nearly at his limit, he felt utterly exhausted, gasping as he said:

“S...Senior, I lost.”

Zzzt—

Liu Ming used Thunder Flash to appear before Xu Jingming, retracting all the Jade Pivot True Thunder into his body.

He shook his head and said: “I only won because of my ability’s depth—not because you lost.”

Though he’d suppressed his power to Second Rank Lower, he was still a Third Rank Peak adept.

The depth of his ability far surpassed Xu Jingming’s First Rank Upper.

“Excellent! Brilliant battle!”

Yang Zhentian clapped and walked over.

To be honest, Xu Jingming’s performance had exceeded his expectations.

He’d assumed Liu Ming would win—never expected a draw.

Liu Ming sheathed his spear, patted Xu Jingming’s shoulder, and asked with a smile:

“Do you know what level your strength just reached?”

“What level?”

Xu Jingming, slightly recovered, asked curiously.

“Second Rank Invincible!”

Liu Ming’s gaze sharpened.

Remember,

to be taken as a disciple by Yang Zhentian, he himself was a formidable prodigy!

Even suppressed to Second Rank Lower, with his vast combat experience and technique,

he was confident he could sweep aside any adept below Third Rank.

Yet Xu Jingming fought him to a standstill!

What else could this be but Second Rank Invincible?

“Second Rank Invincible...”

Xu Jingming nodded thoughtfully.

Finally, he had an accurate sense of his overall strength.

As for Third Rank and above—that was an entirely different world.

He was only First Rank Upper; failing to reach that level was perfectly normal.

“Alright, combat drill’s over—go inside and rest.”

Yang Zhentian called everyone back to the living room. No sooner had they sat down than Fu Bo arrived with a tray of sliced fruit.

“These are the Clear Spirit Strange Fruits I acquired recently—they dispel fatigue, perfect to eat after training.”

Strange fruits, like rare flowers and herbs, are fruits imbued with special effects.

Hearing this, Xu Jingming casually picked up a piece.

The Clear Spirit Strange Fruit resembled a honeydew melon; the moment he bit into it, a fresh, fruity aroma spread.

After eating one piece, Xu Jingming indeed felt his post-battle fatigue significantly reduced.

“At Teacher’s place, I always get to enjoy some great stuff—guess I’ll have to come here every day.”

Xu Jingming joked with a smile.

“Fine by me! As long as you come, I’ll prepare strange fruits for you every day!” Yang Zhentian laughed heartily.

For him, a seventh-rank upper-level psychic, these exotic fruits weren’t much at all.

Next, Xu Jingming chatted a while longer with his teacher and senior brother, then finally got to the point:

“Teacher, for the next while I’ll be leaving the school and won’t be able to come here to train at the villa anymore.”

“What’s wrong? Did something happen at home?” Yang Zhentian asked quickly.

“No, no, nothing’s happened at home.”

Xu Jingming shook his head hastily, then said solemnly: “Teacher, I’m planning to go to the Wild Zone.”