Chapter 777: I

After entering the villa, a faint blush still lingered on Bai Xi's mixed-race, fair face.

She leaned lightly against the sofa, her full chest rising and falling slightly with nervous tension, her curves elegant.

After a brief pause, her moist red lips parted, and a melodious voice sounded:

"According to our latest intelligence, Brother Bing's side may add one more eighth-rank Master Zongshi."

"The number of eighth-rank Grand Masters on his side could rise from six to seven."

"An eighth-rank Master Zongshi? Who?" Xu Jingming was surprised.

Eighth-rank Grand Masters aren't common vegetables—they're not easy to find.

"It's Wu Xuan. He's the strongest member of our Spirit Fox Guild, aside from my father."

"He possesses an A-rank Elemental Wind ability, at the upper tier of eighth rank."

Bai Xi sighed as she explained:

"I originally thought he wouldn't join the succession struggle, but I never expected him to step in."

"And he's siding with Brother Bing—I have no idea what conditions Brother Bing offered him."

"An upper-tier eighth-rank Master Zongshi?"

Xu Jingming frowned and asked: "How are the five matches tomorrow's lineup decided?

Do you submit names in advance, then fight in order?"

"No."

Bai Xi shook her head. "A draw determines who goes first. The first side must assign a fighter for the first match.

Then in the second match, the other side goes first, and they alternate until all five matches are done."

"In this kind of match, going first is a disadvantage," Xu Jingming said, shaking his head.

Everyone knows the story of Tian Ji's horse racing—the side that sends fighters first lets the other side tailor their response.

For example, if Bai Xi's side sends an eighth-rank mid-tier Master Zongshi.

The other side only needs to send an eighth-rank lower-tier fighter to eliminate a strong opponent, saving their own stronger fighters for later.

"By the way, you know the details of Brother Bing's eighth-rank Grand Masters, right?"

Xu Jingming pressed.

"Yes."

Bai Xi nodded slightly. "Aside from Wu Xuan, Brother Bing has two other eighth-rank mid-tier Grand Masters.

One is himself, the other is Army Commander Chen Xiu.

The other four are merely eighth-rank lower-tier."

"You know my lineup: one eighth-rank mid-tier Master Zongshi, plus two eighth-rank lower-tier Grand Masters."

"I'll be fighting at 9 p. m. —count me as an eighth-rank lower-tier combatant."

"It looks like we have zero advantage," Xu Jingming muttered, shaking his head.

"Correct. Even if we draw the advantage of going second, our chance of winning is extremely low."

Bai Xi sighed.

The reason she'd wanted to give up the succession claim earlier

was partly because she truly feared for Xu Jingming's safety.

And partly because her chance of victory was simply too slim.

"Then let me handle Wu Xuan," Xu Jingming said thoughtfully.

"You handle him?"

Bai Xi froze, then shook her head. "You can't beat him."

"If you take him, there's still a chance. If anyone else does, you have zero chance."

Xu Jingming's voice was steady and firm.

His strength already far surpassed ordinary A-rank eighth-rank mid-tier Grand Masters.

Now that his Shen Nourishment Technique has broken through to the fifth level, it should be enough to handle an upper-tier eighth-rank Master Zongshi.

"True. We can only gamble on this."

Bai Xi couldn't think of a better option, so she reluctantly nodded in agreement.

"Alright, then let's leave it at that. I'll go rest in my room. Wake me when we're ready to leave."

Xu Jingming nodded and said.

In the Wild Zone, though he couldn't move at night, he always studied Body Strengthening Technique scrolls in caves—never rested.

For half a month straight, he hadn't closed his eyes.

Though it didn't greatly affect his formidable physique, he had to be well-rested before facing an upper-tier eighth-rank Master Zongshi.

"I'll take you there."

Bai Xi rose quickly and led Xu Jingming to the room already prepared for him.

"Sister, you were bold just now."

As soon as she returned to the living room, Bai Xi Chan sidled up, teasing with a smile.

Thinking of that broad, firm chest just now, a faint flush crept onto Bai Xi's fair face.

She then glared and spoke seriously:

"What do you know, little girl? I was just worried Xu Jingming might get into danger and draw the attention of domestic elites."

"You can fool others, but don't fool yourself."

Bai Xi Chan wore an expression that said she'd seen right through her.

Then she blinked, imitating Bai Xi's serious tone:

"Speaking of which, wasn't it revealed some time ago that Hearing Ling Shuang from Lei Ting Martial Hall, the one with the S-rank spatial ability, is Xu Jingming's woman?

"She seems to be a few years older than you, Sister. If she's fine with it, why can't you be?

"I think you could be a little more proactive — you might just take down this junior of ours, Jingming."

"Hm?"

Leng Yuexi froze for a moment, then immediately reacted. Blazing high-temperature flames swirled around her body as she said, embarrassed and annoyed:

"Xiao Chan, are you itching for a beating?"

"Well, it's getting late, I'm heading back to my room to rest. Good night!"

Seeing her sister fly into a rage, Leng Yuechan kicked off with her long slender legs, hurriedly stood up from the sofa, and dashed back to her own bedroom in a flash.

"Lucky you ran fast."

Leng Yuexi snorted coldly and only then withdrew her ability.

But the next moment,

those beautiful big eyes subconsciously glanced toward Xu Jingming's room, and she murmured to herself:

"Should I be a little more proactive..."

After quite a while, she finally pulled her gaze back and walked on her long legs back to her own bedroom.

The competition was to begin at 9 a. m., and the venue was the headquarters building right at the center of the Spirit Fox Guild compound.

From the villa, it only took a few minutes to get there.

So Leng Yuexi waited until just past eight before waking Xu Jingming up.

After they finished washing up, it was exactly half past eight when they headed out.

"Jingming, I saw the news some time ago.

It said Hall Master Hearing Ling Shuang publicly acknowledged you as her partner — is that true or false?"

On the way to the headquarters building, Leng Yuexi lightly tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and asked, pretending to be casual.

"It's true."

Xu Jingming nodded and asked, puzzled: "Why, is there something going on?"

"Nothing."

Leng Yuexi shook her head and said with a light smile: "Hearing Ling Shuang is also a big sister I rather admire.

I first heard her name from Su Qingli back then, but I never had the chance to meet her.

Next time there's an opportunity, I'll have to trouble you to introduce us."

"Sure, no problem. Whenever you come over to Moben, I'll introduce you two."

Xu Jingming didn't sense anything off and said casually.

"That's good then."

Leng Yuexi nodded, and a hint of slyness briefly flashed across her fair, pretty face.