Chapter 705: Domain? Ling Shuang

Ling Shuang, usually cold and stern, seemed uniquely awkward and stiff in matters of romance.

Even though she wanted to go shopping, she acted as if afraid of being rejected, cautiously and timidly.

"Teacher Ling, that's not like you at all—I prefer you more forceful."

Xu Jingming couldn't help but tease.

"What? Do you have a masochistic streak?"

After this banter, Ling Shuang's tension eased slightly; she pursed her red lips and replied with a huff.

"That's more like it."

Xu Jingming smiled, "It's just shopping—I obviously agree."

"But both our villas were destroyed in the earlier battle. Where do we go to rest now?"

"Let's return to the villa in Donghu Community. With me around, it's convenient anywhere."

Ling Shuang waved her jade hand, and spatial power spread out.

Xu Jingming's consciousness blurred; when he regained awareness, he was already in the second-floor living room of Villa 102 in Donghu Community.

"This villa has three floors; the layout of the first and second floors is identical to your room at Lei Ting Martial Arts Gym."

"The third floor is a training room, and the rooftop has an open-air balcony—you can enjoy the night view."

"Outside the villa is a constant-temperature outdoor pool—you can swim if you like."

After a brief introduction, Ling Shuang softly called, "Smart Brain, add a new access permission for him."

"Smart Brain received."

A pale blue virtual light projected down, scanning Xu Jingming from head to toe, including his iris.

"External features and iris data collected. Please select identity role."

"Available options: guest, relative, male master—each grants different permissions."

The Smart Brain controlling the villa asked.

"This Smart Brain is pretty intelligent," Xu Jingming chuckled.

Though a faint blush tinged Ling Shuang's cheeks, she confirmed:

"Male master."

"Confirmed. Identity verified. Permission granted."

"Male master holds the same permissions as you—highest level."

The Smart Brain fell silent; the virtual light faded slowly.

"You can now enter and exit this villa freely without triggering alarms."

Ling Shuang exhaled softly, brushing a strand of hair aside.

She sat beside Xu Jingming on the sofa, her curvy hips pressing against him, and continued:

"In three days, Lei Ting Martial Arts Gym will hold a Director Meeting. Will you return to Da Xia with me?"

"Director Meeting? What's that?" Xu Jingming asked, puzzled.

"The Director Meeting is held once a year, attended by all branch directors and deputy directors of Lei Ting Martial Arts Gym."

"Its purpose is to exchange management experience and get to know one another."

"Relevant appointments are also discussed during the meeting."

Ling Shuang explained.

Beneath her red dress, her pale legs rested casually crossed.

One jade foot tilted slightly upward, revealing warm, glistening toes.

"I see."

After a moment's thought, Xu Jingming nodded. "Alright, let's go back."

He hadn't returned to Da Xia in nearly five months—it wouldn't hurt to visit.

He hesitated slightly, then asked:

"What about Liu Shan? Are you just letting him off the hook?"

"What? Do you have another plan?" Ling Shuang raised an elegant brow, intrigued.

"I do. We should press our advantage."

Xu Jingming smiled, his voice calm and steady:

"Feng Kuan's failure is clearly Liu Shan's negligence."

"But reporting it would only be a minor or major issue, depending on the higher-ups' decision."

"And the higher-ups are Teacher Su—so the punishment is ultimately her word alone."

"Since our ultimate goal is to take over Mo Ben Branch, why not use this chance to remove him outright?"

"Put you in as director—then our purpose in Dayangzhou is fully achieved."

Strike while the iron is hot.

They came here to seize power and weaken Hu Jinyu's control.

Liu Shan's misstep now gives them the perfect excuse to act.

"You're ruthless—you want to crush Liu Shan completely."

Ling Shuang chuckled lightly.

She straightened her slender waist, making her full curves sway slightly, a hint of pride in her expression:

"Of course I thought of it too."

"But Liu Shan has Deputy Director Hu Jinyu as his backer—this alone may not be enough to bring him down."

"It depends on Director Su's judgment, but she's still in the Wildlands and hasn't returned—I dare not act unilaterally."

"Today's concession is partly to reassure Liu Shan, to make him lower his guard."

"If he knew we wanted his director position, he'd resist fiercely."

"And if, after consulting Director Su, we decide removing Liu Shan outright is too risky,"

"We can still secure a deputy director position and a senior manager role."

"I see."

Xu Jingming finally understood, raising his thumb. "No wonder you're Teacher Ling—you're truly meticulous."

"Just basic maneuvering," Ling Shuang said coolly.

Yet the slight upward curve of her red lips betrayed her quiet pride.

"By the way, in your last two battles, I noticed a roughly five-meter radius of lightning surrounding you."

"Afterward, your Dou Tian Divine Thunder's power surged dramatically. What is that? A new technique?"

Ling Shuang asked curiously.

She'd noticed it back in the Wildlands.

But back then, she was focused on escaping and forgot to ask.

Only after seeing his battle with Feng Kuan did she remember.

"It's a new ability I gained after reaching the ninth level of my Divine Thunder Indestructible Body—Thunder Domain," Xu Jingming explained with a smile.

"Thunder... Domain?"

Ling Shuang froze, her rosy lips parting in shock.

"Your Thunder Domain… isn't it the one I'm thinking of?"

"Yes. Exactly that one."

Xu Jingming grinned and unleashed his Thunder Domain!

Crackling—

Thunder roared, golden lightning flashed; he restrained its power to the bare minimum.

Otherwise, the entire living room would have been destroyed.

"Ding-ding-ding! High-risk energy source detected. Evacuate immediately."

"Ding-ding-ding! High-risk energy source detected. Evacuate immediately."

Shrill alarms blared through the living room.

Ling Shuang felt the intense repulsion within the Thunder Domain, and the suppression of her spatial power.

She finally understood—this was truly Domain power!

"Domain… you've already reached this level?"

Ling Shuang swallowed hard, her beautiful face filled with astonishment.

Domain was the exclusive privilege of eighth-level peak Grand Masters—or even ninth-level Martial Saints!

Even she had only just brushed the edge of Domain.

Yet she never imagined Xu Jingming, who had only just entered the seventh level, had already mastered his own Domain.