Chapter 695

"Hmm, Sister Shuang, this mission of yours does have many suspicious points."

Xu Jingming nodded, exited Thunderstorm State, and sat beside Ling Shuang on the sofa, asking:

"Was the task for the eighth-rank Grand Master issued by the headquarters where Teacher Su is stationed?"

"No."

Ling Shuang shook her head. "It was assigned directly by the branch director—Liu Shan."

"Liu Shan? Could he be from the Sect of Heavenly Fate?" Xu Jingming frowned; this was truly troublesome.

After adepts enter the high-rank stage, the gap caused by ability levels is no longer as vast as it is in the lower ranks.

Liu Shan is an eighth-rank peak adept, though his ability is only Class A.

Yet in direct combat, Ling Shuang, an eighth-rank mid-level adept, could defeat him but could not kill or capture him.

"We can't confirm it yet, but we can't rule it out either."

Ling Shuang pursed her lips and continued:

"Not just Liu Shan—the other two deputy directors can also assign missions."

"So currently, there are three suspects?"

Xu Jingming mused.

"Yes. It could be one of the three, or all three."

"Or even others we haven't considered but are actually involved."

Ling Shuang's expression turned grave.

"All three could be? Is the Sect of Heavenly Fate really that powerful?"

"They'd abandon being director or deputy director to join a cult?"

Xu Jingming found this hard to understand.

Thunderbolt Martial Hall was infinitely better than the trash of the Sect of Heavenly Fate, who could only operate in the shadows.

Such places usually only attracted adepts who had committed capital crimes.

"It's not about which side is better."

Ling Shuang shook her head gently. "It's about mental-type adepts—or even ferocious beasts skilled in mental manipulation—forcibly brainwashing them."

After brainwashing, adepts still retain their own thoughts and normal behavior."

But deep down, they unconsciously see themselves as members of the Sect of Heavenly Fate."

That's also why, during the study trip, Councilor Liu directly implanted the Soul Seal on you upon learning you possessed an SS-rank ability."

In fact, both I and your Teacher Su have trained in mental defense techniques."

"I see."

Xu Jingming suddenly understood, then asked curiously:

"But aren't these techniques only learnable by mental-type adepts? How can a space-type adept learn them?"

"Mental-type adepts simply have a specific enhancement or trait in their mental energy compared to ordinary adepts."

"Once adepts reach the high-rank stage, their mental energy grows strong enough to learn techniques related to mental control."

Ling Shuang explained, "By the time you reach seventh rank, your mental energy should be sufficient to learn such techniques."

"Then you can check the headquarters for suitable mental-type techniques."

"Alright."

Xu Jingming nodded and returned to the topic: "Should we call Teacher Su for this operation to catch the infiltrators?"

"There's no time."

Ling Shuang shook her head. "Your Teacher Su and several ninth-rank councilors went to the Wildlands—they won't return for ten days."

It's only the seventh day now; we can't even contact her."

But even if she doesn't come, it doesn't matter—we don't need to kill the infiltrators, just expose them."

With my space ability, I can escape easily. Once I identify who among them is from the Sect of Heavenly Fate, the rest will be easy."

"But they know you have a space ability to escape."

"They wouldn't be so foolish as to come forward and attack just to expose themselves, would they?"

Xu Jingming asked, puzzled.

"That depends on your performance."

Ling Shuang turned her beautiful eyes toward him and smiled lightly:

"To the Sect of Heavenly Fate, my injuries are likely still unrecovered, and I can't use my space ability."

You can pretend to know nothing and leak this information to the director and others."

They've invested so much effort—even deploying a ninth-rank Beast Emperor who controls space—and still failed to kill me."

They must be furious. Once they learn I'm severely wounded and can't use my space ability, they'll strike again."

"I get it—like last time at Devil's University, spreading false information to lure them in."

Xu Jingming immediately understood.

"Clever."

Ling Shuang smiled brightly. "Last time in Great Xia, no Red Archbishop of the Sect of Heavenly Fate took the bait."

Let's see if this works. But even if it fails, we lose nothing."

More importantly, once we confirm one of the director or deputy directors is from the Sect of Heavenly Fate,

We can use that as a breakthrough to charge Liu Shan with mismanagement and remove him from his position."

Then, her goal in coming to Dayangzhou will be half accomplished."

"Alright. When we get back, Sister Shuang, just watch me perform."

As for acting, Xu Jingming had full confidence in himself.

"By the way, aren't you going to break through to seventh rank?"

"Break through here—it's perfect. No one knows this villa belongs to me."

Ling Shuang said with a radiant smile, her beautiful eyes flickering with subtle brilliance.

Before breaking through, Xu Jingming could already kill eighth-rank Grand Masters head-on.

Once he reaches seventh rank, he'll be able to assist in the upcoming luring operation.

"Alright."

Xu Jingming nodded, sat cross-legged on the sofa, and opened his system panel.

【Name】: Xu Jingming

【Level】: Sixth Rank Upper (+)

【Ability】: Dou Tian Shen Lei (SS)

【Physique】: Qi Blood (+)

【Mental】: He (+)

【Skills】: Spear Technique (Master), Fist Technique (Grandmaster+), Wan Leitianlao Yin (SSS, Beginner+), Lei Shen Jiang Shi (SSS, Beginner+)...

【Body Training】: Shen Lei Bu Mie Shen (SS, Ninth Layer)

【Spirit Cultivation】: Lei Hai Guan Xiang Fa (SSS, Fourth Layer+)

【Domain】: Thunder Domain (First Layer+)

【Ability Points】: 943, 00

After killing the two seventh-rank peak Divine Blood Envoys, Xu Jingming gained 30, 00 ability points.

But the eighth-rank Grand Master didn't appear to be a Divine Blood Envoy—he didn't use Divine Blood Secret Arts—and killing him yielded no ability points.

"Already 940, 00 ability points, yet no plus sign after the ability rank."

"It seems evolving from SS to SSS requires far more points than I thought."

Taking a deep breath, Xu Jingming no longer hesitated—he mentally clicked the plus sign next to his level on the system panel.

Ability Points -850, 00!

【Level】: Sixth Rank Upper → Seventh Rank Lower!

The nine ranks from first to ninth undergo a qualitative change starting at seventh rank!

The gap between ranks grows wider the higher one ascends!

That's why seventh-rank adepts are called Master-level Qiangzhe.

Because seventh-rank adepts are powerful enough to found schools, establish sects, and sustain mighty adept clans!

At this very moment, as Xu Jingming began his breakthrough, the ambient Yuan Energy surged wildly into his body!

Simultaneously, boundless power surged within him—his physique and ability underwent a cataclysmic transformation!

Above the entire villa, a colossal Yuan Energy vortex formed!

The terrifying aura radiated outward, instantly causing all adepts within a ten-mile radius to turn their heads, their expressions filled with shock and alarm.