Chapter 713

Just as Xu Jingming and Ling Shuang were enjoying boundless springtime bliss.

Meanwhile, Liu Shan also met the deputy director of the headquarters, Hu Jinyu, in the virtual world.

"What's so urgent that you sent me several messages?"

Hu Jinyu asked coolly.

As a Rank 9 Mid-Level Law Saint, he spent considerable time daily on cultivation.

Only during moments like this did he spare a little time to handle trivial matters.

"Director, something's happened on my end," Liu Shan said with a bitter smile, recounting the events of the morning.

"What? Xu Jingming has already reached Rank 7? So fast?"

Hu Jinyu frowned.

Xu Jingming only ascended to Rank 6 during the Talent Competition.

Less than five months have passed since then.

Yet he's broken straight through to Rank 7!

This pace is monstrous!

"Yes."

Liu Shan nodded slightly; despite Xu Jingming being a rival, he couldn't help but marvel:

"They say the higher an adept's rank, the slower their advancement.

But this rule seems to have no effect on Xu Jingming.

His teacher, Su Qingli, reached Rank 9 Martial Saint from Rank 9 Peak in just two and a half years.

I suspect Xu Jingming will break even her record and shorten the time to reach Rank 9 further."

"Not necessarily. The difficulty multiplies from Rank 7 to 8 to 9.

Unless Xu Jingming uses external aids like Su Qingli did, it's nearly impossible to reach Rank 9 within two and a half years."

Hu Jinyu shook his head.

Take himself for example—he'd been stuck at Rank 8 Peak for nearly five or six years.

Still unable to take that final step; he might never reach Rank 9 at all, which speaks volumes.

"External aids?" Liu Shan blinked—he'd never heard this term before.

"An extremely rare SSR-grade cultivation resource.

It propelled her to Rank 9 Low, but left massive side effects."

Hu Jinyu didn't elaborate, offering only a brief explanation.

In truth, the side effects were far greater than imagined.

If Su Qingli wished to advance further to Rank 9 Mid, the difficulty would exceed that of ascending from Rank 9 Peak to Supreme.

Of course,

Even so, Su Qingli, with her S-Rank Lightning affinity, was no ordinary Rank 9 Law Saint to provoke.

"So that's why her advancement was so fast," Liu Shan suddenly understood.

He knew Su Qingli had reached Rank 9 at only twenty-nine years old.

Back then, the entire Blue Planet had been shaken—but no one knew it was due to external aid.

"Don't let word of Su Qingli's secret spread—it would damage the Thunder Martial Academy's prestige."

Do not spread word of Su Qingli's affairs, or it will damage our Thunder Martial Arts Gym's prestige.

First, Su Qingli remains the academy's top combatant; if she falters, the entire academy suffers.

On one hand, Su Qingli is still the Thunder Martial Arts Gym's top combatant; if she runs into trouble, the entire gym will suffer.

Reveal it someday, and it might be the final straw that topples Su Qingli completely.

"Don't worry, I understand," Liu Shan replied with a smile.

"Relax, I understand," Liu Shan replied with a smile.

Hu Jinyu nodded. "Also, the fact that Feng Kuan is a spy for the Destiny Cult must be sealed tightly—no leaks."

"Right after the battle ended, I ordered all witnesses to keep silent about it.

Otherwise, the video would've spread everywhere by now."

Liu Shan replied with a grin.

To minimize fallout, he'd acted immediately.

"Good," Hu Jinyu nodded approvingly.

Liu Shan was strong and reliable—his most promising subordinate.

And once Liu Shan broke through to Rank 9, he'd become a powerful ally.

"But Ling Shuang—did she really only ask for the positions of Deputy Director and Head Administrator?"

Hu Jinyu asked, puzzled.

If he were in her place, he'd seize the opportunity to destroy Liu Shan completely.

"That's why they say long hair means short vision. Even as a Rank 8 Mid-Level Grand Master, she's incapable of real achievement."

Liu Shan replied with disdain, then shifted his expression, smiling ingratiatingly:

"Besides, you're still at headquarters. Even if Ling Shuang wanted to oust me, she couldn't."

"True," Hu Jinyu nodded, finally dropping all lingering doubts and suspicions.

April 13, 10: 0 AM.

The day was clear, sunlight pouring from the sky.

The artificial lake in Donghu Community shimmered, rippling gently in the breeze, serene and peaceful.

Villa 102, second-floor bedroom.

Xu Jingming awoke on a three-meter-wide bed.

Beside him, Ling Shuang lay naked, her fair, alluring face still flushed with a faint blush.

Recalling last night's events, Xu Jingming couldn't help but smile with satisfaction.

The first time, he'd been in his Bloodline's negative state—the experience was present but unsatisfying.

The second time, in the bathroom, it was merely a taste.

Only last night's third time gave him the true, optimal experience.

Only last night, during the third time, did he truly gain the ultimate experience.

At that moment, Ling Shuang let out a soft sigh and awoke, her face still tinged with lingering flush.

She sat up, leaning her soft body against Xu Jingming's chest.

"How are you feeling? Any discomfort?" Xu Jingming asked instinctively.

"Fine," Ling Shuang shook her head gently.

In truth, even she hadn't expected her body's tolerance to be so high.

"Good," Xu Jingming smiled.

If it had been Song Qiuyun or Jiang Chu, they'd need half a day just to recover.

"It's all your fault—my feet are still sore."

Ling Shuang pouted.

"I'll wash them for you later," Xu Jingming replied with a grin.

Food safety must be personally overseen.

"You're so thoughtful,"

Ling Shuang gave him a sultry glance, then paused, sounding confused:

"Jingming, I think I dreamed last night—a beautiful woman appeared.

She called herself Kong Shen, said I'd triggered her legacy and was a qualified candidate.

She told me to find a treasure called the Divine Kite Pearl, claiming all her legacy is stored within it."

"Send me to find a treasure called the 'Divine Kite Pearl,' and said all her inheritances are stored inside it."