Chapter 698: Teacher Xu, Hello! The Contrasting Ling Shuang!

Ling Shuang Villa, second-floor training room.

Ling Shuang floated barefoot in midair, faint spatial forces swirling around her; her breathing steady, she silently absorbed primal energy.

A red long dress clung to her slender, curvaceous figure; beneath the hem, her legs were fair and elegantly long.

On the ground, Xu Jingming was bare-chested, enveloped in brilliant Divine Thunder, practicing the Body Strengthening Art: Divine Thunder Indestructible Body.

"Ding ling ling~~~"

The phone rang; Xu Jingming and Ling Shuang opened their eyes simultaneously.

"It's Liu Shan calling."

Seeing the caller ID, Xu Jingming answered.

"Coach Xu, I've found the eighth-rank Grand Master you wanted!"

Liu Shan's voice came through the phone, "But he's currently treating a ninth-rank Martial Saint—he won't be free for two days."

"Two days? Does it really take that long?" Xu Jingming couldn't help but pause.

Though Ling Shuang's severe injury was a fabricated rumor, it was still absurd that finding an eighth-rank healing adept would take two days.

"Yes, you know how popular healing adepts are—his schedule is impossible to book."

Liu Shan sighed first, then reassured him:

"But don't worry—I've used some connections, and he'll arrive to treat Director Ling in just one day!"

"Really? That's wonderful."

Xu Jingming replied with feigned excitement and gratitude, "After this is settled, I'll make sure Director Ling and I thank you properly."

"No need, no need—we're all from the Martial Hall, it's just a small favor."

"I'll let you know the moment the Grand Master is available."

Liu Shan chuckled and hung up.

"It takes a full day just to find a healing Grand Master—if I were truly mortally wounded,

I'd be dead long before he even arrived!"

A cold expression flickered across Ling Shuang's fair face.

She hadn't expected Liu Shan to be this cold—he could literally let someone die.

"Our arrival threatens Liu Shan's interests; it's natural he doesn't want you well."

Xu Jingming wasn't surprised, "But this alone doesn't prove Liu Shan is a mole.

After all, this behavior fits his personality."

Men die for wealth; birds die for food.

Liu Shan is already a peak eighth-rank Grand Master; if he has even a shred of ambition to reach ninth-rank Martial Saint,

he'll spare no effort to gather resources.

The position of Martial Hall Director gives him immense advantages.

Naturally, he won't treat anyone eyeing that position kindly.

"That's true."

Ling Shuang nodded slightly, "But this also creates an opportunity for the mole.

Without an eighth-rank healing adept arriving, it's easier for him to strike."

"Exactly. All we need to do now is wait quietly.

The longer we wait, the worse it becomes for the mole—he or they should show up soon."

Xu Jingming smiled, then said to Ling Shuang:

"By the way, Director Ling, I've reached the fourth level of my SSS-rank Mental Cultivation Art."

"You can start practicing it now—here's the original scripture."

Xu Jingming retrieved the scripture: Divine Thunder Contemplation Method from his space ring and handed it to Ling Shuang.

"SSS-rank Mental Cultivation Art?" Ling Shuang blinked in surprise.

As a spatial adept, she naturally followed the Elementalist path.

She had practiced Mental Cultivation too, but only an S-rank technique.

She never expected Xu Jingming to hand her the original SSS-rank scripture.

Keep in mind,

On today's Blue Star, no SSS-rank Mental Cultivation Art exists publicly—the highest is only SS-rank.

"Aren't you afraid I'll keep this scripture for myself?" Ling Shuang asked, blinking curiously as she accepted it.

"This SSS-rank Divine Thunder Contemplation Method was meant for you and Teacher Su all along.

But Teacher Su's SS-rank Mental Cultivation Art is already at an extremely advanced stage—switching abruptly might weaken her.

You practice an S-rank technique; with my experience at the fourth level of Divine Thunder Contemplation, I can still guide you.

As for the original scripture, take it—you can keep it."

Xu Jingming smiled.

SSS-rank Mental Cultivation Art is extremely difficult; even with his direct guidance,

and even with Ling Shuang's existing foundation, she'd likely need over half a year to reach the fourth level.

By then, he'd surely advance to a higher level himself and could continue guiding her.

But Teacher Su was different—the fourth level of Divine Thunder Contemplation wouldn't even be enough for her.

Xu Jingming estimated he'd need to reach the sixth level before he could properly guide Teacher Su.

"You're generous."

Ling Shuang stretched lazily; the red dress tightened against her figure, accentuating her alluring curves.

"Generosity is one thing—but since I'm teaching you Mental Cultivation, shouldn't you call me Teacher?"

Xu Jingming cleared his throat, speaking seriously.

"So you've been waiting for this moment."

Ling Shuang shot him a playful glare but didn't refuse.

She descended from midair, her translucent bare feet touching the floor, walking with long strides to stand before Xu Jingming.

Her eyes—dark, tear-dotted, and luminous—looked up at him as she softly called, "Teacher Xu, hello~~"

The sudden, affectionate posture from the usually composed and elegant Ling Shuang left Xu Jingming momentarily stunned.

Especially that soft, sweet voice—it clashed sharply with her usual cold demeanor.

It filled Xu Jingming with deep satisfaction.

Indeed, Director Ling's contrast points weren't just one...

"By the way, when the mole arrives, there may be a battle.

Xia Lan is in the neighboring villa—go notify her to stay in the Martial Hall building and not come over."

Ling Shuang quickly regained her composure and ordered.

Xia Lan was only a fifth-rank adept; though she had spatial abilities,

when an eighth-rank Grand Master fought, movements were lightning-fast—even battle shockwaves

might kill her. If she got hurt or died, that would be pointless.

"Tsk, just now you were 'Teacher Xu,' now you're ordering me around."

Xu Jingming sighed, shaking his head.

"What? You really want to be my teacher forever?"

Ling Shuang raised a delicate eyebrow, "Wait until your strength surpasses mine."

Xu Jingming's current strength was astonishing, but still far behind hers.

She estimated—even with his incredible talent—it would take nearly a year for him to reach her level.