Chapter 643

The person who entered the martial arts academy building was indeed Xu Jingming; after leaving the wasteland zone, he had originally planned to return to his villa first.

But he saw the message Ling Shuang had sent a day earlier, telling him to go to her office upon returning.

So Xu Jingming didn't even have time to change out of his bloodstained battle attire before rushing over.

"Good morning, Coach Xu."

"Chief Coach."

"Good morning, Teacher Xu."

"......"

Ling Shuang's office was on the seventh floor of the academy building.

Almost everyone working on this floor were senior or junior managers of the academy.

As Xu Jingming walked out of the elevator and down the corridor, people greeted him spontaneously.

This stood in stark contrast to his arrival in Mocheng two months ago, when no one paid him any attention.

It also indirectly showed that Ling Shuang had firmly established herself in the academy during this time.

Ling Shuang's office was the largest one at the end of the corridor.

Xu Jingming arrived at the door and was about to knock when Ling Shuang's clear, melodious voice came from inside:

"The door isn't locked—come right in."

Hearing this, Xu Jingming pushed the door open directly and his gaze swept across to see Ling Shuang behind the desk.

Today she wasn't wearing her uniform, only a long black dress.

Her black hair was tied into a low ponytail.

It fell softly like silk against her right chest, slightly parted by the full, rounded swell of her bust.

Paired with her mature, refined features, she exuded a gentle, elegant wife-like grace.

"Teacher, I'm back," Xu Jingming said respectfully.

"Mm, sit down."

Ling Shuang nodded, rose from behind her desk, and walked toward the sofa beside her.

As she moved, her pale, slender legs shimmered faintly beneath the dress.

Only then did Xu Jingming realize she wasn't wearing shoes.

Her crystal-clear, delicate feet were exposed freely to the air.

They hovered effortlessly about three or four centimeters above the ground, untouched by any dirt.

Like pure white ice cream, they invited quiet admiration.

"Hm?"

Sitting on the sofa, Xu Jingming frowned.

Damn this Divine Thunder Indestructible Body!

Since reaching the eighth level, the side effects have grown worse and worse!

"This guy..."

As an eighth-rank mid-level Grand Master, Ling Shuang naturally sensed Xu Jingming's gaze.

But bare feet were part of her spatial ability cultivation—she couldn't abandon them just for him.

Whatever.

She'd already been touched—looking won't hurt.

A faint flush of embarrassment flickered in her heart, but her face showed nothing.

She sat down on the sofa opposite Xu Jingming and said softly:

"How was your time in the wasteland zone? Did you encounter any danger?"

"I faced two eighth-rank ferocious beasts—once I used Teacher Su's protective talisman, and once I left before it spotted me."

Xu Jingming replied with a smile.

If you walk by the river often, you'll eventually get your shoes wet.

During his time in the wasteland zone, he had encountered eighth-rank ferocious beasts more than once.

Any other sixth-rank adept would have been dead long ago.

But with his Lei Long Wing's speed and the protective talisman, he always escaped unscathed.

But with his Lei Long Wing's extreme speed and his protective talisman, he always escaped unscathed.

Ling Shuang nodded slightly and continued: "I called you here just to warn you about Liu Shan.

Liu Shan found out that Sheng Ling Martial Arts Academy is bringing media tomorrow—they'll likely use that as an excuse to pressure you.

The academy's regular meeting is in less than ten minutes.

You don't have to attend; it'll avoid giving Liu Shan a chance to exploit this."

"No problem—I'm not afraid of Teacher Su's pressure, so why should I fear the aura of an eighth-rank upper-level Grand Master?"

Xu Jingming looked relaxed.

He wasn't Xia Lan; to scare him with aura alone, one would need at least ninth-rank peak, or even a Supreme.

He is not Xia Lan; to scare him off with mere aura alone, one would need at least Gao Jie peak, or even a Supreme Force.

"Also, George from Sheng Ling Martial Arts Academy is a racist—he holds hostility toward Great Xia."

"He didn't come just for sparring and exchange—he wants to challenge and humiliate us."

"If George challenges you tomorrow, don't hold back—crush him."

Ling Shuang's beautiful eyes glinted with faint coldness.

A racist centers himself, belittles, and even hates other nations.

Thanks to American propaganda and indoctrination, people like George aren't rare in America.

George just happens to possess an S-rank ability and has reached seventh rank.

"Is that so? I understand," Xu Jingming grinned, his smile bright.

He had no prejudice or disdain for foreigners.

But some people always treat others as enemies, constantly belittling them.

For such people, ideological correction is impossible—only physical correction works.

"Go take a shower and change clothes before the meeting."

Seeing Xu Jingming covered in blood and dust, Ling Shuang reminded him.

"Alright," Xu Jingming turned to leave.

But Ling Shuang paused, then said: "Never mind—it's less than ten minutes.

You won't make it back in time—just shower here."

Ling Shuang's office, though called an office, had a hidden room behind it.

The room was about forty square meters, with a bed and a shower.

It was meant for senior managers to sleep there after working late.

Xu Jingming had already detected this room through his passive Mind Net perception.

But he never expected Ling Shuang would let him use it.

Why not just teleport him back with her spatial ability?

Though puzzled, Xu Jingming said nothing, nodded, and entered the bedroom behind.

Ling Shuang had clearly stayed here more than once—the room carried a faint, delicate feminine fragrance...

Six minutes later, Xu Jingming, freshly showered and dressed in loose training gear, walked with Ling Shuang to the meeting room.

The meeting room was already filled with people.

Seeing Xu Jingming arrive, everyone was surprised.

After all, Xu Jingming hadn't appeared at Lei Ting Martial Arts Academy for over a month.

What surprised them even more was that his aura seemed significantly stronger.

A few minutes later, Director Liu Shan and the two deputy directors arrived, and the meeting officially began.

As Ling Shuang had predicted, Liu Shan immediately targeted Xu Jingming.

"Coach Xu, Sheng Ling Martial Arts Academy isn't just bringing George and his team—they've invited over a dozen media outlets.

This isn't sparring or exchange—it's pure provocation!

As Chief Coach, I expect you to lead by example and not lose to George. Is that clear?"

Liu Shan asked sternly.

In truth, he was also annoyed.

He invited George only to curb Xu Jingming's momentum—he never intended to make it public.

But George pulled this stunt!

Now, if Xu Jingming loses, Lei Ting Martial Arts Academy will lose face too.

As director, he'd be equally responsible.

"Understood," Xu Jingming replied, calm and firm.

Liu Shan nodded slightly, saying nothing more.

This situation was, in fact, an opportunity for him.

If George wins, Liu Shan will bear some blame—but he'll also have grounds to remove Xu Jingming as Chief Coach.

George won; although he would bear some responsibility, he also had grounds to remove Xu Jingming as head coach.

If Xu Jingming wins, it will also serve as a promotional boost for Lei Ting Martial Arts Gym in front of all major media outlets.

Overall, no matter how the final match turns out tomorrow, he will not suffer any loss.