Chapter 74: Unexpected Joy! S-Rank Earth Spirit Spring!

“Ding~! Slain one third-rank lower-tier Burrowing Earth Dragon. Energy Points +36.”

Hearing the system notification in his mind, Xu Jingming raised an eyebrow.

No wonder creatures with the word “Dragon” in their name yield more Energy Points than ordinary third-rank lower-tier beasts.

“Hello, thank you for saving me just now.”

At that moment, accompanied by a clear, melodious voice, Jiang ChuXuan appeared before Xu Jingming.

She truly deserved to be called a goddess.

Her figure was exquisitely proportioned, her chest full enough to outshine most women.

Beneath her, her long, rounded legs, hugged by a black combat suit, appeared subtly voluptuous.

Her delicate oval face bore a faint pallor from barely escaping death, yet it maximally stirred a man’s protective instinct.

“It was nothing. Anyone else would have helped you too,” Xu Jingming waved his hand.

He’d only realized it was Jiang ChuXuan who’d sent the distress signal after arriving nearby.

Of course,

if it had been anyone else, he’d have lent a hand too.

“Not necessarily.”

Jiang ChuXuan shook her head, then extended her slender right hand, a beautiful smile appearing on her face:

“I’m Jiang ChuXuan. I can never repay your life-saving deed—just tell me if you ever need anything.”

She made no promise of material reward.

Because she knew such a debt could never be repaid by any material thing.

Of course,

if Xu Jingming wanted it, she’d sell everything she owned to fulfill it.

“Xu Jingming.”

Xu Jingming reached out and lightly shook her hand, then an idea struck him:

“No need for orders—but if you could give me an autographed photo, that’d be perfect.”

He might as well take this chance to get the autograph Zhang Hao had been begging for, saving him from having to bring it up every time they contacted each other.

“My autographed photo?” Jiang ChuXuan blinked in surprise.

She hadn’t expected his request to be so simple—she’d thought he’d ask for something outrageous...

Unfortunately, she didn’t have the habit of carrying photos on her person.

So she apologized: “I don’t have any photos on me—can I give you one when I get back to the supply base?”

Jiang ChuXuan felt a pang of regret.

She should’ve kept a few photos in her space ring—after all, they took up almost no space.

“Fine.”

Xu Jingming wasn’t in a hurry.

Besides, Zhang Hao hadn’t been able to reach him lately anyway.

“Wait, you’re from Metropolis Energy University too?”

At that moment, Jiang ChuXuan noticed the school insignia on Xu Jingming’s spear and her eyes lit up.

Xu Jingming nodded in response, offering no denial.

“I knew it! No ordinary second-rank upper-tier adept could be this strong—you’re my senior from the same school!”

“Senior, hello! I’m Jiang ChuXuan, second-year, Class 3, Elemental College, Metropolis Energy University.”

Jiang ChuXuan had already felt some fondness for the man who’d saved her.

Now learning he was from the same school, her eyes brightened further, her tone growing even warmer.

“Senior?”

Xu Jingming paused, then realized she’d mistaken him for an upperclassman due to his power level.

Of course—

ordinary students at Metropolis Energy University only reached second-rank upper-tier in their second or third year.

Xu Jingming had intended to explain he was a freshman.

But the blazing admiration in Jiang ChuXuan’s eyes was too intense to shatter.

So he didn’t have the heart to correct her and simply nodded: “Hello, junior.”

Jiang ChuXuan smiled brightly, praising:

“By the way, Senior, your strength is incredible.”

This Burrowing Earth Dragon is only third-rank lower-tier, but its actual combat power rivals third-rank upper-tier beasts.”

Yet you killed it outright—I don’t even know how you did it...”

Her tone dripped with reverence and awe.

Of course, that was only natural.

Though she was a student at Metropolis Energy University, she was just an ordinary one.

To kill a second-rank upper-tier beast across a rank was already nearly her limit.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have brought a bodyguard team into the Wildlands.

So she’d always admired those prodigies in school who could slay beasts across ranks.

Especially this senior—who’d saved her life.

On the other side, listening to this nonstop stream of words,

Xu Jingming realized Jiang ChuXuan was the type who appeared cold but was warm-hearted with those she trusted.

Though her exterior was icy and elegant, she talked endlessly around those she knew.

In her chatter, he also learned she’d been separated from her bodyguard team and hunted by the Burrowing Earth Dragon.

“By the way, Senior, where are you headed next?”

After talking for a while, Jiang ChuXuan asked again.

“I’ll keep hunting beasts here,” Xu Jingming replied.

“Then... can I temporarily join you?”

Jiang ChuXuan blinked her clear, large eyes, asking.

“Join me?”

Xu Jingming frowned slightly, paused, then nodded:

“Fine. I’ll take you to the city ruins—you can make your way back from there.”

With seven or eight days left before school started, he planned to stay in this mountain forest area.

He certainly wouldn’t drag along a liability—but escorting her out of the forest was no problem.

It’d only take an hour or two.

They were fellow students—he could spare that much.

“Thank you so much, Senior!”

Jiang ChuXuan smiled brightly, like a thousand flowers blooming.

“By the way, Senior, want to check out the Burrowing Earth Dragon’s den?”

“There might be something valuable inside—otherwise, why would it have rushed out to chase me right after I passed by?”

Jiang ChuXuan suggested.

To gather video footage, this wasn’t her first time entering the Wildlands.

But she’d never encountered this situation before—if the den had nothing unusual, she wouldn’t believe it.

“Oh?”

Xu Jingming’s eyebrows lifted, and he grew interested: “Alright, let’s go take a look.”

Indeed, powerful beasts’ lairs often held rare herbs and plants.

Since entering the mountain forest, he’d found several such rare plants in the dens of powerful beasts.

This Burrowing Earth Dragon wasn’t an ordinary beast—its den might hold something valuable.

So Xu Jingming first used a B-grade alloy dagger to cut off the valuable parts of the Burrowing Earth Dragon’s corpse.

Then he followed Jiang ChuXuan toward the beast’s lair.

“By the way, Senior, which college are you from?”

“Weapons College.”

“Weapons College—I know. Your dean, Yang Zhentian, has the nickname ‘Yang the Helllord,’ right? Super scary.”

“That’s my teacher.”

“Oh? Sorry, sorry—I messed up...”

“...”

On online videos, Jiang ChuXuan’s style focused on swift, lethal strikes.

Paired with her silver-white hair and ice-element energy, she truly was an icy goddess of the “senior” type.

But now, Jiang ChuXuan acted exactly like an adorable junior, chattering nonstop beside Xu Jingming.

Xu Jingming could tolerate Liu Wentao’s loquacious roommate—he had no objection to Jiang ChuXuan’s behavior.

After all, compared to the rough-and-tumble Liu Wentao, this was a near-perfect, visually stunning beauty.

The two walked through the forest for four or five minutes.

Soon, a cave about three to four stories tall appeared before their eyes.

The cave was hidden behind thick grass and shrubs; without careful observation, it was truly hard to spot.

“Senior, this is the place.”

Jiang Chu’s beautiful eyes sparkled as she exclaimed eagerly.

Too bad the photographer isn’t here—otherwise, we could change up the style and make an expedition video.

“Alright.”

Xu Jingming nodded, gripping his two-meter-long Dark Cloud Gale Spear in hand.

At the same time, accompanied by a piercing thunderclap, blue-purple Zixiao Divine Lightning surged forth.

Although the Earth-Digging Dragon had already been slain, no one knew if another one lurked inside.

It’s best to be cautious.

Thus, after forming a lightning barrier around them with Zixiao Divine Lightning, they stepped into the cave.

‘Such formidable lightning!’

Gazing at the terrifying lightning mere feet away, Jiang Chu’s delicate face betrayed a hint of surprise.

She had already noticed that Xu Jingming’s lightning ability was unusual.

Only now, up close, did she realize the energy fluctuations radiating from the lightning were even more terrifying than she’d imagined!

‘Just a single strand of this lightning could probably kill me instantly.’

‘But this senior is also incredibly low-key—I never heard his name at school.’

Jiang Chu silently marveled, deciding that once they returned, she’d look up Xu Jingming’s records and find out just who this person really was.

As they ventured deeper into the cave, the surrounding light grew dimmer.

Fortunately, Xu Jingming’s Zixiao Divine Lightning illuminated their surroundings.

“Tap, tap, tap...”

In the silent cave, apart from the thunder’s rumble, only their footsteps echoed.

After passing through a stretch reeking of animal odor, a sudden, fragrant scent drifted into their nostrils.

“This is... the aroma of rare flowers and herbs!”

Xu Jingming’s eyes lit up, and he quickened his pace.

After walking another ten meters, the narrow passage suddenly opened into a vast space.

This was a spacious underground cavern, its walls littered with the cleaned skeletons of slain ferocious beasts.

At the far end, animal hides had been laid out as a simple nest—but no beast dwelled there.

In the very center of the cavern lay a small pool of clear spring water.

Around the pool grew numerous oddly shaped grasses and flowers.

Some emitted icy cold, others burned with searing heat.

The faint, fragrant scent Xu Jingming had smelled originated from here.

“B-grade Qingling Grass, A-grade Lieyan Flower, C-grade Sleep-inducing Grass...”

Before entering the Wild Zone, Xu Jingming had thoroughly studied the knowledge of rare flowers and herbs.

Now, bathed in the glow of Zixiao Divine Lightning, he easily identified the names of these dozen or so rare plants.

He also realized they were all C-grade or higher!

“So many rare flowers and herbs—why did they all grow here?”

Overcome with joy, Xu Jingming naturally turned his attention to the central spring:

“Could this spring water be special?”

As he pondered, Jiang Chu beside him gasped:

“Could this be... an S-grade Earth Spirit Spring?!”