Chapter 809: The Might of the Ninth-Tier Energy User! Bear Martial Arts Gym!

The gap between high-level energy users is already enormous; the difference between eighth and ninth tier is almost a transformation of life itself.

You're only a high seventh tier; even with an SS-class ability, it's normal you can't beat a ninth tier.

At that moment, Ling Shuang walked up with a graceful sway and softly comforted him.

In fact,

Xu Jingming is already monstrous; a normal SS-class ability awakener absolutely cannot reach his current strength.

Powerful reaction speed and an invincible physique are merely two of the most trivial basic abilities of a ninth-tier Martial Saint.

The most monstrous trait of a Martial Saint is regeneration; no matter which part of your body you shatter, it can heal within one or two seconds.

To defeat a ninth-tier Martial Saint with an S-class ability, you'd likely need to wait until at least eighth tier."

Eva, in her sprite form, floated in midair and giggled.

"Even the head can regenerate?" Xu Jingming asked curiously.

"Of course."

Eva shook her head and said, "Thus, for a ninth-tier Martial Saint, the head is no longer a fatal wound."

"That monstrous?" Xu Jingming was stunned.

He knew ninth-tier Martial Saints had immense regeneration, but he hadn't expected even the head could regenerate.

"Exactly that monstrous."

Ling Shuang chuckled in agreement, "A ninth-tier Martial Saint with an enhancement-type A-class ability has at least five hundred thousand units of blood qi.

His body is like a furnace, having transcended the ordinary concept of 'human'—it's almost another species.

But if we're talking about monstrous traits, elemental ability users are the most monstrous.

Once they break through to ninth tier, they gain the ability to elementalize their bodies, rendering ordinary physical attacks completely ineffective."

Hearing this, Xu Jingming couldn't help but smile.

Elementalization is indeed a terrifying ability only ninth-tier Law Saints can master.

And this is precisely why ninth-tier energy users tower above all others.

Because low-tier energy users simply cannot threaten them at all.

Of course, elementalization doesn't mean invincibility; ninth-tier Martial Saints can still injure elementalized Law Saints by burning their blood qi.

"S-level, Blood Sword has sent a teleportation invitation; they probably want to discuss the Yer Secret Realm."

Eva suddenly spoke up to remind him.

"Alright, teleport us there directly."

Xu Jingming nodded.

The next instant, he and Ling Shuang vanished from their spot.

When the teleportation ended, Xu Jingming and Ling Shuang appeared on a vast square.

Above their heads stretched an endless, boundless starry night sky.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh...

On the square, figures kept teleporting in one after another.

"Good evening, Director Ling."

"Director Xu."

Thunder Martial Arts Gym had six members entering the Yer Secret Realm; besides Xu Jingming and Ling Shuang, there were four others.

After being teleported in, these four approached with smiles and warmly greeted them.

Xu Jingming nodded in response, yet felt puzzled.

At the last Thunder Martial Arts Gym meeting, he had met most of the gym's eighth-tier Grand Masters.

That included the top-tier eighth-tier peak and eighth-tier high Grand Masters.

Yet among these four, apart from one eighth-tier peak and one eighth-tier high, the other two were merely eighth-tier mid.

Recall that in the last gym exchange competition, Thunder Martial Arts Gym's lineup consisted of one eighth-tier peak, four eighth-tier high, and only five eighth-tier mid.

Why, now that only six are going, is the lineup weaker?

Shouldn't it be all eighth-tier high?

As if sensing Xu Jingming's confusion, Ling Shuang transmitted a mental message:

"It's Hu Jinyu's doing. Our Thunder Martial Arts Gym only has five eighth-tier high Grand Masters.

Four of them are from Hu Jinyu's faction. Last time, Hu Jinyu at least only kept Liu Shan from joining the exchange competition.

This time, he's lost all pretense—he's pulled every single eighth-tier high Grand Master away."

Ling Shuang's tone carried a hint of helplessness.

Su Qingli is the gym's director, but she truly has few usable people.

Even the sole eighth-tier peak Grand Master was originally under Deputy Director Gu Ming.

"Again, Hu Jinyu."

Xu Jingming frowned, then quickly relaxed, "Forget it, let it be.

Losing two eighth-tier high doesn't matter—Hu Jinyu probably has no idea my combat power is already on par with an eighth-tier peak."

"True," Ling Shuang smiled too.

This time, their team has three combat powers equivalent to eighth-tier peak; though the ranking system for the Yer Secret Realm hasn't been announced yet,

Just these three alone are enough to handle most situations.

"Director Ling, long time no see. Since last time, your Thunder Martial Arts Gym's lineup has seemed pretty weak."

At that moment, a mocking voice rang out as a group of six approached from afar.

These six wore uniform attire, each with a badge on the left chest: a bear's head with jaws wide open, as if brimming with fury.

The speaker was the lead man—a burly, bald man.

"No matter how weak our lineup is, our results have always crushed yours. You don't need to worry about that."

Seeing the lead man, Ling Shuang's gaze turned cold as she shot back without hesitation.

Chen Yang, core figure of the Bear Martial Arts Gym, possesses an enhancement-type S-class ability and is ranked eighth-tier mid.

His true combat power is even stronger than that of an A-class eighth-tier peak Grand Master!

In recent editions of the gym exchange competition, Chen Yang has always led the team.

"Haha, past is past, present is present. This time, our Bear Martial Arts Gym won't be weaker than yours!"

Mentioned of past results, Chen Yang showed no retreat.

After confidently dropping those words, he led his group toward the other side of the square.

"It's Bear Martial Arts Gym and Thunder Martial Arts Gym."

"Tsk tsk, the tension between them is thick."

"Obviously. For the past few years, Bear Martial Arts Gym has been crushed by Thunder Martial Arts Gym.

Now that Bear Martial Arts Gym has added an eighth-tier peak Grand Master, and Thunder Martial Arts Gym is in internal strife, they naturally want to reclaim their dignity."

"..."

All thirty eighth-tier Grand Masters entering the Yer Secret Realm had been teleported in.

These people were either high-ranking officials or clan heads of powerful energy-user families.

They knew the situation of both Bear Martial Arts Gym and Thunder Martial Arts Gym well.

In fact, in terms of lineup, this year's Bear Martial Arts Gym was indeed superior.

Chen Yang, an eighth-tier mid with an S-class ability, could be counted as an eighth-tier peak combat power.

In addition, there was another eighth-tier peak.

The remaining four were all eighth-tier high Grand Masters.

But Thunder Martial Arts Gym had two eighth-tier mids—and even Xu Jingming, a seventh-tier, tagging along—making them look unreliable.

"Ling Shuang, long time no see."

At that moment, a tall, beautiful woman walked up from the other side.

She greeted Ling Shuang first, then turned to Xu Jingming with a smile:

"Xu Jingming, we meet again. You did a great job on the last mission—we found plenty of useful items on Lü Wenliang's corpse."

"Director Zhou?" Xu Jingming was surprised.

The woman was Zhou Yu, director of the Shanghai Public Security Bureau.

So this was the "soon" she meant when she said they'd meet again.

While Xu Jingming was taken aback, Ling Shuang looked delighted:

"Sister Yu, you're going to the Yer Secret Realm too?"

"Yes, staying in Shanghai all the time is boring. I might as well go see the secret realm."

Zhou Yu smiled in reply, then began chatting and laughing with Ling Shuang.

This left Xu Jingming puzzled.

Were Zhou Yu and Ling Shuang close?

But upon reflection, it made sense.

Ling Shuang had been principal of Shanghai University for three years; it'd be strange if she didn't know the Shanghai Public Security Bureau's director.

Besides, they looked roughly the same age—it was natural they'd have common topics.

"By the way, Sister Yu, do you know how the gym exchange competition will be ranked this time?"

Ling Shuang asked softly.

The Public Security Bureau is an official organization of Great Xia, so its intelligence is naturally more timely than that of our Thunder Martial Arts Academy.

"It's most likely ranked based on the quantity and quality of rare herbs and plants collected."

Zhou Yu replied.

"Oh? So is it only based on what our martial arts academy collects, or on what everyone in Great Xia collects?"

Xu Jingming was curious.

"All high-level warriors from Great Xia who enter the Ye Er Nexus."

"Although this trip to the Ye Er Nexus is officially framed as a martial arts academy exchange competition."

"In reality, it's a display of strength and depth among all nations on Blue Planet."

Zhou Yu lowered her voice, speaking with solemn gravity: "I heard our Great Xia's team leader this time is Lord Blood Sword."

"Lord Blood Sword? It seems the state truly takes this Ye Er Nexus expedition seriously." Xu Jingming nodded slightly.

Lord Blood Sword is a ninth-rank warrior who rose to prominence only in the past decade.

He is known for his ruthless, merciless strikes and has slain numerous foreign warriors.

He is never assigned to ordinary diplomatic missions.

But now he's leading the team—this indicates they anticipate possible conflicts with other nations.

"The threat from ferocious beasts hasn't been resolved, yet nations on Blue Planet are already showing signs of internal strife."

Xu Jingming silently shook his head.

Since humanity signed a ceasefire agreement with ferocious beasts decades ago,

human population has exploded, and friction and conflicts between nations have grown increasingly severe.

Of course,

with ferocious beasts as a common enemy, nations on Blue Planet would never truly go to war.

Places like the Ye Er Nexus, where warriors from all nations enter, have become the perfect stage for nations to show off their strength.

"Everyone!"

Just as Xu Jingming was lost in thought, a voice like a great bronze bell rang out.

At the front of the square, a slender man suddenly appeared, radiating an aura of endless mountains of corpses and seas of blood.

Seeing this man, those who had been murmuring fell silent at once and bowed respectfully:

"Lord Blood Sword."

"I heard Lord Blood Sword recently broke through to upper ninth rank. Now that I see him, it's clearly no lie."

Xu Jingming was inwardly startled.

The aura emanating from Lord Blood Sword was dozens of times stronger than Su Qingli's!

"The Ye Er Nexus is about to open. You thirty will represent Great Xia and enter the Nexus to collect rare herbs and plants."

Lord Blood Sword cut straight to the point without preamble: "The last time the Nexus opened was five years ago.

That time, Great Xia collected 1, 32 tons of rare herbs and plants below B-grade.

A-grade and above exceeded thirteen tons, even including one SSR-grade rare herb.

Our total collection ranked first among all nations, surpassing even America by over a hundred tons!

All these rare herbs, heavenly treasures, have been used for the people of Great Xia.

It was precisely because of this harvest that so many warriors have emerged in Great Xia in recent years.

This time, you will stay in the Ye Er Nexus for one month. I expect you to maintain our previous advantage."

Lord Blood Sword's voice was deep and powerful; Xu Jingming listened, inwardly stunned.

Holy hell—he'd never heard rare herbs measured in tons before.

"After leaving the Ye Er Nexus, you must hand over all rare herbs you collected to me.

Of course, you won't be working for free—your collected herbs will be converted into corresponding contribution points."

As he finished speaking, Xu Jingming turned to Ling Shuang in confusion: "What are these contribution points?"

"Contribution points measure your service to Great Xia. The higher your points, the more potential benefits you can earn.

More importantly, you can exchange them for resources from Great Xia's resource depot!"

Ling Shuang's fair face glowed with excitement.

Five years ago, she had just broken through to eighth rank and didn't go to the Ye Er Nexus.

She never expected the reward would be Great Xia contribution points!

"Great Xia's resource depot?" Xu Jingming's interest stirred.

After all, the Spirit Fox Guild was only a peak eighth-rank faction.

Even their warehouse held many valuable items.

What kind of depth could a depot gathering all of Great Xia's resources possibly possess?

"Also, this year's martial arts academy exchange competition will be held within the Ye Er Nexus.

But unlike before, the final ranking will be determined solely by the total quantity of rare herbs collected."

Lord Blood Sword looked at Ling Shuang and Chen Yang. "Thunder Martial Arts Academy and Furious Bear Martial Arts Academy—you two are Great Xia's strongest academies.

This time, whichever academy collects the greater total quantity of rare herbs

will receive our entire nation's herb collection statistics to compete for the global ranking against foreign academies."

As soon as he finished, Ling Shuang and Chen Yang both flickered with sudden focus.

Lord Blood Sword's meaning was clear.

The stronger academy will represent Great Xia in the global ranking battle against other academies!

Although the martial arts academy exchange competition isn't as famous as the Global Talent Exchange,

it still draws considerable attention.

If you can represent Great Xia, it's the best possible publicity.

"This time, Thunder Martial Arts Academy must win!"

Ling Shuang resolved inwardly, yet kept her expression calm and bowed respectfully:

"Understood, Lord Blood Sword."

"Hmm."

Lord Blood Sword nodded slightly, then warned: "Also, don't try to hide any rare herbs you collect from the Nexus.

After leaving, we have specialized methods to detect them in space rings.

If you're caught concealing herbs instead of turning them in, your contribution points will be revoked."

This seemed unfair—why should the herbs you collect yourself be surrendered to the state?

But in truth, the Ye Er Nexus was seized by the supreme powerhouse of Great Xia; you're merely laborers.

Without the supreme powerhouse of Great Xia, you wouldn't even be allowed to enter the Ye Er Nexus.

The only thing puzzling Xu Jingming was: if you can't hide the herbs, why not just consume them inside the Nexus and not bring them out at all?