Chapter 582

After the finals award ceremony came the offense-defense competition's award ceremony.

First and second place remained Xu Jingming and Catherine, though third place went to Andre.

In the offense-defense competition, the numerous ferocious beasts favored Andre, the elemental ice user, over Su Yu, the enhancement-type cultivator.

Thus, Andre secured third place, while Su Yu took fourth.

"The Finals! The Offense-Defense Competition! The award ceremonies are complete!"

The 21st Global Talent Exchange Competition, lasting 28 days, has officially ended!

As we originally promised, the virtual world will not shut down after the Talent Competition!"

It will remain permanently open to all residents of Blue Star!"

In the future, we will launch personal arenas and hunting grounds similar to the offense-defense competition!"

Please all viewers, stay tuned!!"

Boom! Boom! Boom!...

Countless fireworks burst above the stadium, and this year's Global Talent Exchange Competition officially ended amid the audience's cheers and shouts.

"Xu Jingming, what's your virtual world communication number? Let me add you as a friend."

On the award stage, the tall Catherine asked softly.

"What? You still haven't given up on getting me to join your Holy Church?"

Xu Jingming's sword-like eyebrows lifted slightly, surprised.

He had assumed that after being crushed twice, this eccentric woman would have given up—but she was unexpectedly persistent.

"I won't give up until you feel the glory of my Lord."

In Catherine's emerald eyes shone an unprecedented determination.

"Then I'm afraid you'll never get that chance in this lifetime."

Though he said that, Xu Jingming still exchanged communication numbers with Catherine.

Catherine was an SS-rank psychic awakening user and showed no signs of becoming an enemy.

Even if she was a bit eccentric.

But more friends mean more paths—giving her contact info was no problem.

"Catherine, I..."

Seeing Xu Jingming obtain Catherine's contact, Andre also wanted to speak.

But before he could finish, Catherine's slender figure vanished from the arena—clearly returning to the real world.

Damn it!

Won't you even give me your contact number? Am I really that much worse than Xu Jingming?

Catherine's actions left Andre feeling frustrated.

"Xu Jingming, before the semifinals I spoke out of turn, but that was just a tactic—can you forgive me?"

Andre looked at Xu Jingming.

"It's nothing. I didn't care." Xu Jingming said casually.

He wasn't a petty man—he'd already killed Andre once in the semifinals.

Dying was unpleasant enough; that counted as his punishment.

"Great!"

Andre cheerfully clapped Xu Jingming on the shoulder:

"When you come to our Bear Nation, be sure to let me know ahead of time—I'll personally host you."

"I will."

Smiling and nodding, Xu Jingming exchanged contact details with Andre, then exited the Talent Competition arena.

"Finally over."

Xu Jingming's consciousness returned to reality; he removed the virtual helmet, now in the living room of his villa at the Lei Ting Martial Arts Academy headquarters.

The Talent Competition trophies and all rewards would be delivered collectively to real-world addresses after the competition ended.

He'd receive his rewards within at most one or two days.

"The Talent Competition rewards were decent—quite generous."

Though it was a one-time reward, the ninth-rank Guardian Talisman undoubtedly added another layer of protection for him.

He'd also now collected all SS-rank equipment.

The SS-rank battle suit was the Finals champion's reward; the SS-rank spear was the reward from his teacher, Su Qingli.

"Besides that, there are two SS+ level cultivation resources—I wonder what form they'll take when delivered."

Xu Jingming thought silently.

Compared to the Finals, the offense-defense competition's champion reward was weaker—only one SS+ level cultivation resource.

But for him right now, it was sufficient.

After all, his advancement relied on the system, not cultivation resources.

"Before entering the Talent Competition, I'd already spent nearly all the psychic points on my system panel."

When I go to Dayangzhou, I must harvest thoroughly.

Also, I need to ask Teacher Su for several SS and SSS-level battle techniques."

With his rank now upgraded to sixth tier, Xu Jingming met the entry threshold for most SSS-level battle techniques.

Moreover, through this Talent Competition, he'd identified many of his own shortcomings.

First, his spear technique.

The strongest spear technique he currently possessed was only S+ rank: Thunder-Piercing Demon-Slaying Spear.

This is sufficient to deal with ordinary King-level ferocious beasts or S-class psychic awakeners.

But against Catherine, who is also an SS-class psychic awakener, its power appears insufficient.

If he could master an SS-class gunnery combat technique by the final match, he might not have won so hard-fought a victory.

Second is movement technique.

The only movement combat technique Xu Jingming possesses is an A-class Thunder Flash.

Although it has been leveled up to high proficiency, it is still inadequate.

He must learn at least one S-class movement combat technique.

In addition, he must also learn a powerful SSS-class lightning-based combat technique.

"There are many combat techniques I want to learn—I need a huge amount of psychic points. It seems I'll be busy once I get to Dayangzhou."

From this battle, Xu Jingming clearly has many shortcomings.

But this is normal—his advancement speed is simply too fast.

Moreover, he is developing along both the martial artist and elemental master paths, and he is still young.

He is only twenty years old; to have reached this level is already extremely difficult.

"Jingming, you're back?"

At that moment, Song Qiuyun and Jiang Chuxuan, who had returned earlier from the virtual world, walked out from the kitchen.

In Jiang Chuxuan's hands was a tray holding three steaming cups of tea.

"Tired? This contains rare herbs that restore spirit—drink it quickly."

Jiang Chuxuan handed him the teacup.

"Just now, I and Sister Jiang Chu were discussing what reward to give you for winning the championship."

Song Qiuyun sat down beside Xu Jingming and smiled.

"Oh? Any results yet?" Xu Jingming took a sip of tea and became interested.

"We do have something, but I can't tell you yet—wait until after dinner."

Thinking of something, Song Qiuyun's cheeks flushed slightly, and she whispered softly.