Chapter 615: Cang Lei Ba Wang Qiang! Victory!

Unlike most competitors who speculated whether Xu Jingming had encountered some mishap.

Catherine, Su Yu, and others were utterly unconcerned; even Erin remained calm.

Leaving aside the protective talisman Xu Jingming himself possessed.

Just the one-time Rank Nine protective talisman awarded for the Genius Tournament would be enough to withstand a single lethal strike.

If even that one-time Rank Nine protective talisman was used up and he still met with misfortune, he'd truly be foolish.

Given their understanding of Xu Jingming, such a scenario was impossible.

"This guy is so secretive and cautious even when tracking people—would he deliberately provoke an eighth-rank ferocious beast?"

Erin crossed her arms, dismissing the surrounding speculation with disdain.

She had good luck—on the tenth day she met Xu Jingming, she found another plant life using her plant ability.

This one was also a rare plant, though less aggressive than Xu Jingming's Thorn Sword Grass.

But its defense was stronger, though its rank was only sixth.

Whoosh—

As everyone was discussing, a golden light shot across the horizon accompanied by thunderous roars.

"It's Lei Di! He's back!"

Whether in the Thunder Chaos or the solo competition, Xu Jingming's signature golden lightning was extremely conspicuous.

So when this golden lightning flashed past, one competitor immediately whispered.

No sooner had the words left his mouth than, within just a few breaths, the golden lightning landed on the ground, resolving into Xu Jingming's figure.

"Damn, you haven't come back even once in over a month."

"Is hunting ferocious beasts really that fun, you'd even neglect the Yuan Energy Pool?"

Su Yu's face was full of curiosity.

"For me, it truly is." Xu Jingming smiled, offering no further explanation.

He then walked over to the Elemental Pool to check on his two Elemental Essences.

Compared to when he left, the Water Elemental Essence was utterly saturated.

It floated in midair like a brilliant blue sphere.

As for the Light Elemental Essence on the other side, though slightly inferior, it was still fully saturated.

"Water Elemental Essence: 100% integrity. Light Elemental Essence: 89% integrity."

Eva's voice echoed in his mind.

"Enough."

Xu Jingming replied, then, amid the envious gazes of the competitors, stored both Elemental Essences in his space ring.

"Once I have time, I'll return to Great Xia and give these two Elemental Essences to Qiuyun and Jiang Chu Xuan."

Xu Jingming quietly looked forward to the transformations of their abilities after using the Elemental Essences.

As for Song Qiuyun, it was certain—she would awaken an upper-tier A-rank Light-element ability.

Jiang Chu Xuan's case was less certain.

Her Ice ability, though an extension of Water, could still evolve using a Water Elemental Essence.

But whether the final S-rank ability would be Water or Ice remained uncertain.

Still, regardless, an S-rank ability was entirely different in strength from an A-rank one.

Once both women's abilities successfully evolved, their future potential would diverge dramatically.

"Thank you both—next time you need my help, just say the word."

Gathering his thoughts, Xu Jingming thanked Catherine and Su Yu.

Catherine, seated in the Light Elemental Pool, had been listless until now.

Hearing this, she immediately perked up and asked: "Can you come with me to the United States?"

She turned her emerald eyes toward him, brimming with anticipation.

Paired with her breathtaking beauty, an ordinary young boy might lack the courage to refuse.

But Xu Jingming shook his head firmly: "That request is too much. Pick another."

A gentleman avoids standing beneath a crumbling wall—the United States was still far too dangerous for him.

"Alright."

Catherine was disappointed, but replied:

"Then I have no other requests—once we return to Dayangzhou, treat me to a meal."

"No problem—choose the place." Xu Jingming agreed quickly this time.

"My request is the same as hers—once I get to Dayangzhou, treat me to a meal."

Su Yu smiled.

He had known a month ago that Xu Jingming was heading to Dayangzhou.

"You're also going to Dayangzhou?" Xu Jingming was surprised.

"Domestic demon caves forbid sixth-rank ability users from freely hunting ferocious beasts."

"I don't like being constrained on the frontline battlefield, so I can only go to Dayangzhou."

Su Yu shrugged helplessly, "But I'll arrive in Dayangzhou a bit later—about a month from now."

"Fine, I'll throw you a welcome feast then." Xu Jingming smiled.

"Only fifteen minutes remain before the Qingfeng Secret Realm closes."

Norton, beside the Elemental Pool, turned his gaze toward him:

"Xu Jingming, you have three challenge opportunities—will you begin your challenge now?"

"Of course."

Swish—

With a虚空 grip of his right hand, the Melted Evil Obsidian Spear suddenly appeared.

Lightning flashed; Xu Jingming's towering form vanished from his spot and reappeared on Norton's dueling arena several hundred meters away.

"Catherine held out for over ten minutes, yet still couldn't defeat Norton. I wonder if Xu Jingming can manage it."

"I think it's doubtful. Catherine spent a full month in the Elemental Pool."

She trained nonstop; she looked like she was on the verge of breaking through to Sixth Rank Upper.

Even she couldn't defeat Lord Norton, let alone Xu Jingming, who spent the entire month running around in the forest."

"That's true—I still can't figure out why Lei Di gave up these two great opportunities."

"......"

The contestants murmured among themselves, their words filled with confusion.

The Elemental Pool and the Element Pool are the two great opportunities of the Qingfeng Secret Realm.

You could say every contestant came here for this reason alone.

The enhancements these two opportunities grant are immense.

Several directly broke from Sixth Rank Lower to Sixth Rank Middle; even some Sixth Rank Middle candidates touched the threshold of Sixth Rank Upper!

Xu Jingming, who hadn't appeared at the Elemental Pool all month, was naturally the odd one out.

Not only the contestants were confused—even Norton, a Ninth Rank Wu Sheng, was deeply puzzled.

But he said nothing; he would observe in battle whether Xu Jingming had improved over the past month.

"I'll count down three numbers. After three, the challenge officially begins."

Norton shouted to Xu Jingming, a hundred meters away.

The aura of a Ninth Rank Wu Sheng erupted violently, then quickly suppressed itself to resemble that of a Seventh Rank Lower.

"No problem." Golden lightning flickered; Xu Jingming revealed his own aura!

Boom!

Terrifying air currents surged outward; only then did the crowd realize in shock that Xu Jingming had already reached Sixth Rank Middle!

"Sixth Rank Middle? So fast?"

Norton was also surprised, but quickly recovered and smiled:

"Looks like you didn't waste your month in the forest."

"If so, then let the challenge begin: 3... 2... 1... 0!"

Boom!

As the final number fell, Xu Jingming instantly entered Thunder Extreme State.

"Thunder Flash!"

Golden lightning coiled around his entire body; Xu Jingming became a golden phantom, striking toward Norton!

"Oh? You're launching an offensive against me? So confident?"

Norton was taken aback.

Most previous contestants chose a defensive stance, waiting for him to strike first, only attacking after gauging his strength.

Xu Jingming was the first to charge head-on from the start.

"Confidence is good—but I'm no ordinary Seventh Rank Lower!"

Norton grunted, activating his ability; his muscles swelled and his blood boiled!

At that moment, Xu Jingming had already reached Norton's front.

Golden lightning coiled around his two-meter-two-long Melted Evil Obsidian Spear; a vast, powerful aura erupted!

Cang Lei Ba Wang Spear!

Unlike ordinary spear techniques, this art did not thrust—it wielded the spear like a polearm, swinging and chopping!

It was tyrannical! Unstoppable! That was its essence!

Whoosh!!

The sharp spearhead carved a golden arc through the air, slashing down at Norton with terrifying force!

"This aura?!" Norton's expression changed instantly, stunned by the aura carried by the spear.

Could this really be an attack from a Sixth Rank Middle cultivator?

Though startled, his movements were swift—he slashed out with his sharp battle blade!

Clang!!!

Amid the deafening clash of weapons, the blade forcibly blocked the spear's sharp tip.

The shockwave from the weapon collision rippled outward visibly!

"Incredibly powerful!"

Norton exhaled deeply, gave Xu Jingming a long look, then slowly withdrew his blade:

"I used Seventh Rank Middle strength. You've won this challenge."