Chapter 759

"I'll explain it."

Xu Jingming organized his words and briefly recounted the entire sequence of events.

"What? The spirit seal left by Liu Yushan has a backdoor? You suspect he might have manipulated your mental energy?"

After hearing the account, Cao Jun furrowed his brows, thought for a moment, then continued:

"Jingming, it's not that I don't believe you."

"But isn't it possible that Zachary deceived you, and the spirit seal actually has no backdoor?"

"Based on our understanding of Councilor Liu Yushan, he wouldn't do something like this."

Damn it!

Upon hearing this, Xu Jingming's heart sank.

Cao Jun didn't believe him at all!

Of course—he was a Rank 9 Mid-level Councilor; one couldn't simply dismiss him based on a single claim.

As for Zachary deceiving him—that was utterly impossible!

After studying the Soul-Subduing Tower, he himself had discovered the hidden backdoor in the spirit seal.

"It's possible Zachary deceived me."

"But better to believe it exists than to ignore it—I think we should investigate this thoroughly."

To Cao Jun, Xu Jingming was an Electrokinetic, easily deceived by a Rank 9 Peak Mentalist—completely normal.

No matter how much he argued, the other wouldn't believe him; he'd only grow annoyed.

So Xu Jingming didn't press further—only made the suggestion.

"That's true."

Cao Jun nodded slightly. "I've noted this. I'll assign someone to investigate."

"Thank you, Grandpa Cao," Xu Jingming quickly bowed in thanks.

He didn't expect to bring down Liu Yushan all at once—just getting the investigation started was enough.

If Liu Yushan revealed even the slightest trace of guilt, he'd be doomed.

"By the way, isn't the Martial Arts Academy Exchange Tournament coming up soon?"

"Shuang, have your Thunder Martial Arts Academy prepared your team yet?"

With official business concluded, Cao Jun shifted to casual chatter.

"It won't start for another three months," Ling Shuang replied with a smile. "We're still finalizing our team lineup."

"Martial Arts Academy Exchange Tournament? What's that?" Xu Jingming asked, puzzled.

"It's a competition among major martial arts academies worldwide—each shows off their strength to see who's the best."

Cao Jun chuckled. "The better a nation's academies perform, the higher its international influence. Our Great Xia's two top academies—your Thunder Martial Arts Academy and the Furious Bear Martial Arts Academy—will both compete."

"Oh? So it's the academy students who fight?" Xu Jingming asked, still confused.

He'd never heard of such a tournament before.

"Of course not."

Ling Shuang shook her head and smiled. "Since it's about showing off strength, each academy sends its strongest. The competitors are almost all Rank 8 Grand Masters."

The tournament occurs every two years; she'd participated once before going to Mo University.

"I see," Xu Jingming suddenly understood.

"Our Great Xia placed only third in the last tournament."

Cao Jun urged, "I hope your Thunder Martial Arts Academy will shoulder this responsibility and raise our ranking."

He paused, then turned to Xu Jingming with a smile:

"Jingming, though you're only Rank 7, your actual combat strength reaches Rank 8 Mid-level."

"You should join this tournament to gain experience."

"The Heavenly Prodigy Tournament is merely a contest among prodigies."

"The Martial Arts Academy Exchange Tournament is true combat among the powerful."

Fighting stronger opponents will help you break through to Rank 8—and even Rank 9.

"Alright," Xu Jingming bowed respectfully.

He hadn't been interested in the tournament before.

But since Councilor Cao had spoken, he wouldn't oppose it.

After some more casual talk, Xu Jingming and Ling Shuang respectfully took their leave and returned to the real world.

"Grandpa Cao has no plans to launch a large-scale investigation into Liu Yushan."

"Jingming, you must be careful—you're only Rank 7 Low-level."

Ling Shuang sat on the sofa, her delicate brows slightly furrowed, her beautiful eyes filled with concern.

"Don't worry. With the Soul-Subduing Tower, he can't touch me."

"As long as the higher-ups begin investigating Liu Yushan, he'll eventually slip up."

Xu Jingming grinned. "Also, Shuang-jie, you're wrong about one thing."

"Oh? What did I get wrong?" Ling Shuang blinked, puzzled.

"I'm not Rank 7 Low-level—I've already broken through to Rank 7 Mid-level," Xu Jingming replied with a smile.

"Rank 7 Mid-level?! No way?!" Ling Shuang hadn't processed it yet.

Then—zzzt! a golden thunder flashed around Xu Jingming's body.

His aura subtly surged, instantly filling the office with powerful energy.

"This… it really is Rank 7 Mid-level!!"

Sensing the difference from before, Ling Shuang's pupils contracted sharply, her face filled with shock.

Though she was used to Xu Jingming's absurd talent, she never imagined he could be this absurd!

"This... is truly a Seventh-Rank Mid-Level!!"

Xu Jingming had broken from Rank 6 High-level to Rank 7 in less than half a month!

How had he broken through again so soon?

"Jingming, are you taking some pill or rare treasure to accelerate your breakthrough?" Ling Shuang asked, serious.

"Don't worry—I won't ruin my own future."

Xu Jingming smiled. "In Sakura Nation, besides Zachary's legacy, I gained other opportunities."

"That's how I broke from Rank 7 Low-level to Mid-level."

"Other opportunities?" Ling Shuang's alluring face now looked adorably stunned.

A Rank 9 Peak legacy was already top-tier—yet Xu Jingming had gained even more!

"How is your luck so good? I'm starting to wish I'd go out with you next time."

Ling Shuang sighed wistfully.

"Sure," Xu Jingming had no objection. "By the way, Shuang-jie, are you still busy?"

"Today's been packed—I might need to work through the night. Why?"

Ling Shuang tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, puzzled.

"Nothing much—just wanted you, Teacher Ling, to help me deal with something."

Xu Jingming's hand had already caressed a soft, rounded curve.

Xu Jingming had no objection to this, "By the way, Sister Shuang, are you still busy?"

Though she'd felt that hand countless times before, Ling Shuang still instinctively let out a soft sigh.

She instantly understood what he meant by "deal with something."

Thinking of it, her alluring face—marked by a tear-shaped mole—flushed red, her slender waist writhing restlessly.

But then Xu Jingming withdrew his right hand, grinning mischievously:

"But since Teacher Ling is still busy, we'll do it another time."

"You're such a bad guy!"

Ling Shuang shot him a sultry glare, then declared firmly:

"I just remembered—I'm not busy anymore."

"Really? Teacher Ling, don't lie to me," Xu Jingming still grinned.

"I said I'm not busy—I wouldn't lie to you."

Ling Shuang glared at him, then seized his hand.

Spatial energy swirled—they were about to teleport away—but Xu Jingming stopped her.

"Teacher Ling, let's do it right here. I prefer the scholarly atmosphere."

Ling Shuang: "????"

Prefer the office's scholarly atmosphere? I'd believe that when pigs fly!

PS: Third update done. Still owe one chapter for the Spring Festival. Begging for free gifts!

Spatial energy spread, about to teleport away, but was stopped by Xu Jingming.

"Teacher Ling, let's stay here—I prefer the scholarly atmosphere."

Ling Shuang: "????"

Prefer the scholarly atmosphere of the office? I'd believe you if pigs could fly!

PS: Three chapters done; still owe one for the Spring Festival. Kneeling, begging for free gifts!