Chapter 739

"Smartbrain, how many energy modules are in the warehouse?"

In the treasure vault, Ling Shuang's lips moved slightly, her voice clear and melodious.

A pale blue virtual light projected from the ceiling, forming a spherical hologram resembling a slime, which replied:

"Zero intact energy modules, eleven damaged energy modules."

"Eleven? Perfect—one more than required to open the Sakura Nation civilization relic."

Xu Jingming nodded slightly and said directly: "Bring out all the damaged energy modules."

"Understood."

As the words ended, a small drone flew out from deep within the treasure vault.

On its gripping claws hung a silver-white password box.

Relative to the drone's size, the password box was much larger.

Yet it was still easily lifted by the drone—this was core technology from ancient civilization.

"Eva, count these energy modules."

Xu Jingming opened the password box and softly called out; Eva's holographic projection emerged from his smart bracer.

"You promised I could rest after returning to Dayangzhou, yet here I am still working."

The green-haired, twin-tailed little girl Eva muttered discontentedly, yet carefully examined the energy modules.

After roughly ten seconds, she replied crisply:

"Eleven energy modules: one is severely damaged and irreparable. The remaining ten can be repaired. Combined with the energy modules you already hold at S-class, you'll just meet the relic's activation requirement."

"Good. You'll have to work hard for a while longer."

Nodding, Xu Jingming stored all the energy modules in his space ring, then turned to Ling Shuang and said:

"Shuang-jie, we need to set up a lab in the villa at Donghu Community for Eva."

Eva couldn't repair energy modules out of thin air—she'd need numerous large electronic instruments.

In Mudu, it took half a day just to set up the lab in Jiang Chuxuan's remote villa.

In Mudu, it took half a day just to set up the laboratory in Jiang Chu's remote villa.

Ling Shuang shook her head. "Several villas in the martial arts academy compound are vacant and already come with labs. We can pick any one."

Ling Shuang shook her head, "There are several vacant villas with laboratories in the martial arts academy villa district—we can pick any one."

Xu Jingming grinned, eagerly asking: "So, Teacher Ling, we'll all be living together from now on?"

"Since everyone who needs to know already knows, living together doesn't matter." Ling Shuang's expression was calm.

Xu Jingming's elders and the other two women had accepted her presence—why not live openly together?

The only thing troubling her was her student, Xia Lan.

How should she address Jingming from now on...?

How should she address Jingming from now on...

Xu Jingming nodded, paused thoughtfully, then continued:

"Shuang-jie, do you know anything about Lü Zheng and Han Li from earlier?"

"I only know they've been suppressed by Liu Shan and never received proper recognition in the academy. Why are you asking about them?" Ling Shuang asked, puzzled.

"I want to promote one of them as deputy director to help manage daily academy affairs," Xu Jingming explained.

Though merely a branch, the Mocheng Thunder Martial Arts Academy had over a million members.

The branch director and deputy director handled countless tasks daily.

He needed to hunt beasts in the wilderness, harvest ability points—couldn't stay at the academy long-term.

But if all duties fell solely on Ling Shuang, she'd have no time for cultivation.

"Don't worry—Qingli has already planned ahead for us."

Ling Shuang smiled. "In ten days, an eighth-rank middle-grade Grand Master will arrive to serve as deputy director. He excels at administrative work—you can focus on cultivation and trials."

Xu Jingming had broken through to seventh-rank Grand Master at age twenty; Su Qingli would never delay him.

"Good. Still, I suggest promoting one of these two. They've been here for years—they know far more than we do."

Xu Jingming proposed.

"I've thought the same."

Ling Shuang nodded slightly. "I'll observe them for a month. After that, I'll promote one to head supervisor."

"As long as you have a plan, Teacher Ling."

Xu Jingming exhaled in relief, then addressed the hovering smartbrain:

"Smartbrain, I need to view the list of SSS-class battle suits and SSS-class weapons in the vault."

Ling Shuang nodded slightly, "I'll observe for a month, then promote one of them to head supervisor."

"As long as Teacher Ling has a plan, that's fine."

With a soft hum, a holographic list appeared before them.

'Rapid Suit (SSS-class): 6. 3 million points

Stoneguard Suit (SSS-class): 6. 6 million points

Black Soul Suit (SSS-class): 6. 7 million points

Solar Blade (SSS-class): 5. 0 million points

Black Stone Rifle (SSS-class): 5. 2 million points

Autumn Water Sword (SSS-class): 5. 0 million points

Black Soul Battle Suit (SSS-rank): 6. 7 million points

The list held few items.

Only five SSS-class battle suits, priced around 6. million points—13 billion Star Blue credits.

Only six SSS-class weapons, priced around 5 million points—10 billion Star Blue credits.

Only energy users at seventh-rank peak or higher could afford SSS-class gear.

In the entire Mocheng branch, fewer than ten users met that threshold—rarity was normal.

"Jingming, are you planning to upgrade your gear?" Ling Shuang asked, noticing his gaze.

"Made a good profit recently—perfect time to update." Xu Jingming grinned.

While gathering divine blood in the wilderness, he'd slain multiple seventh-rank Grand Masters.

After meeting Ling Shuang, he killed two eighth-rank Grand Masters and two seventh-rank peak Grand Masters.

Total loot: 21. billion Star Blue credits.

"These are all standard-issue suits—slightly weaker in defense than custom ones. Still, they're sufficient for you now."

Ling Shuang mused. "For your primary weapon, you're better off commissioning a master armorer."

"I thought the same."

Xu Jingming nodded, then carefully compared the parameters of different suits before selecting the SSS-class Black Soul Suit.

This suit reduced damage from below-eighth-rank energy users by roughly 70%, and from eighth-rank users by 50%.

Its reduction against ninth-rank users was negligible—barely 10%.

There was no need to worry about the suit tearing apart during Lei Jitai activation.

S-class and above suits possessed exceptional elasticity.

"Combined with the plant armor from the Thorned Sword Grass, my defense will reach an astonishing level. Ordinary eighth-rank Grand Masters won't even break through."

Xu Jingming felt a quiet thrill.

He planned to enter the virtual arena later, set the suit's parameters, and test its defense.

There was no need to consider whether activating Thunder Extreme State would tear the battle suit apart.

Battle suits above SS rank possess extremely strong elasticity.

"With the thorned sword grass armor covering me, my defense will rise to a terrifying level."

Even an ordinary eighth-rank Grand Master couldn't break through.

Xu Jingming secretly rejoiced.

He planned to enter the virtual arena later and test his defense by setting the battle suit parameters.