Chapter 84: Double S-Rank Combat Techniques

“Xu Jingming, welcome to the library.”

Combat Technique Library.

For Xu Jingming, a holder of S-rank access, the female librarian at the front desk still spoke with gentle warmth.

Xu Jingming explained his purpose and, just as before, was immediately escorted by staff to a private reading room.

“Eva, filter out all S-rank lightning-based combat techniques.”

Xu Jingming sat on the sofa and poked the pale blue spherical object on the table.

Though it was a holographic projection with no physical form, Eva still reacted to external movements.

Instantly, a frustrated emoticon appeared on Eva’s round body, accompanied by a voice that was slightly adorable.

(*￣︿￣): “Keep poking, and Eva’s going to get mad!”

“This little thing’s emotions change fast.”

Xu Jingming couldn’t help but smile.

Sometimes he wondered whether the top-tier AI Eva, who managed every aspect of the Magic City Institute of Abilities, was secretly just a real person.

Otherwise, how could she display such authentic emotional responses?

“Come to think of it, Blue Star’s technological explosion happened not long after the appearance of ferocious beasts and humanity’s mastery of abilities, several centuries ago.”

I wonder if there’s any connection among these three events...”

“I can ask Professor Yang next time I visit.”

Xu Jingming didn’t dwell on it and turned his gaze to the holographic projection of Eva’s filtered list of S-rank lightning combat techniques.

“Thunder Judgment (S-rank): Condense lightning-based ability into a seal and launch it to inflict massive lightning damage.”

Note: This technique is restricted to lightning-based ability users of C-rank or higher, and at least Rank 2.”

Rushing Thunder Fist (S-rank): Fully unleash the user’s lightning-based ability, concentrating it into the fist for a devastating strike.”

Note: This technique is restricted to lightning-based ability users of B-rank or higher, and at least Rank 3.”

Thunder Prison Realm (S-rank): Form an unbreakable lightning barrier around the enemy, continuously summoning lightning strikes within the barrier!”

Note: This technique is restricted to lightning-based ability users of B-rank or higher, and at least Rank 3.”

“......”

S-rank combat techniques are extremely rare.

Even Magic City Institute of Abilities, as a top-tier academy, held only about twenty lightning-based S-rank techniques.

Of those twenty, nearly ten required Rank 3 or higher to learn.

Thus, Xu Jingming had only about a dozen S-rank techniques available to him.

Of course, that number was already substantial.

Other ordinary ability academies couldn’t even offer a single S-rank lightning technique...

“S-rank techniques directly affect my future combat power—I must choose carefully.”

Taking a deep breath, Xu Jingming carefully read the summaries on the technique list.

He occasionally asked staff to bring the original scrolls for detailed comparison and study.

For ordinary students, who must spend massive credits to purchase the next S-rank technique,

there would be no allowance to borrow other scrolls for comparison.

But Xu Jingming was different—he held S-rank access and could freely browse all techniques.

Thus, he could compare multiple technique scrolls at once...

An hour later,

Xu Jingming finally narrowed down two scrolls from the dozen lightning-based S-rank techniques.

The two were “Heavenly Thunder Art” and “Nether Hell Thunder Armor.”

【Heavenly Thunder Art (S-rank):】 Channel your own lightning-based ability, blending it with natural lightning, to summon thunder in a designated direction.

Note: Requires Rank 2 or higher and A-rank lightning ability to practice. Technique power increases during thunderstorms.

【Nether Hell Thunder Armor (S-rank):】 Weave your own lightning into armor according to a specific pattern, forming a defensive barrier around your body.

Note: Requires Rank 2 or higher and A-rank lightning ability to practice.

“These two techniques are among the finest S-rank options I can currently learn.”

“One favors ranged spellcasting, the other close-quarters combat.”

Enhancer-type ability users typically have only one path: close combat.

But elemental-type users, especially lightning or ice subtypes,

can choose either spellcasting or close combat.

These two paths correspond respectively to Magic City Institute of Abilities’ Elemental College and Weaponry College.

Most people stick to just one path.

Because learning techniques demands enormous time and mental investment.

If you don’t specialize, you risk becoming mediocre—too weak for high ranks, too strong for low ones.

Even the prodigies of Magic City Institute of Abilities faced this dilemma.

But Xu Jingming was different.

With enough ability points, he could master every technique instantly.

He had no time or mental cost to worry about.

Therefore, for both spellcasting and close combat paths,

Xu Jingming’s answer was—I want both!

Of course, for now, his primary focus remained close combat with the spear.

Additionally, choosing “Heavenly Thunder Art” as one of his S-rank techniques had another reason:

“Heavenly Thunder Art” is a prerequisite for the SSS-rank technique “Ten Thousand Prison Thunder Call!”

“Ten Thousand Prison Thunder Call” summons tens of thousands of “Heavenly Thunders” over a wide area continuously.

Without learning the S-rank “Heavenly Thunder Art,” mastering the SSS-rank “Ten Thousand Prison Thunder Call” would become exponentially harder!

As the only SSS-rank lightning technique in Magic City Institute of Abilities, Xu Jingming was determined to learn it.

Thus, learning the S-rank “Heavenly Thunder Art” first was clearly necessary.

To use the Deep Blue System for point allocation, you must first have a basic understanding of the technique.

Otherwise, knowing only the name won’t allow any point allocation.

Thinking this, Xu Jingming opened the “Heavenly Thunder Art” scroll and began reading carefully.

As an S-rank technique, “Heavenly Thunder Art” was profoundly complex—even more so than the S-rank body cultivation technique “Thunder Indestructible Body!”

It required coordination between spiritual force and one’s own lightning ability, plus the ability to draw upon natural thunder from the heavens!

Due to its extreme complexity, Xu Jingming spent over six hours,

rereading it two or three times, before gaining a preliminary understanding.

“Damn, this technique is so complicated.”

“If I relied only on myself, I’d need half a year just to learn it!”

He set down the scroll and rubbed his temples, eyes weary.

Reading this technique scroll was more grueling than his doctoral nights spent poring over foreign academic papers.

Fortunately, he now had a basic grasp.

Now, let the system handle the rest...

“Deep Blue! Allocate points!”

Ability points -1600, Heavenly Thunder Art → Heavenly Thunder Art (Beginner)

Instantly, Xu Jingming comprehended the release technique of the S-rank “Heavenly Thunder Art.”

“So this is how you cast Heavenly Thunder Art!”

Xu Jingming’s eyes glinted slightly, but the reading room was clearly not the place to test it.

“Once I leave the combat technique library, I’ll find a deserted spot to try it.”

“Still, learning an S-rank technique costs 1600 ability points!”

“Good thing I have plenty—I couldn’t have learned two S-rank techniques otherwise.”

Xu Jingming exhaled slowly.

At that moment, the holographic Eva beside him reminded him:

“Master, it’s currently 1:00 AM. Please manage your time wisely.”

“It’s already this late?”

Xu Jingming frowned. “Fine, I’ll learn the other S-rank technique tomorrow.”

He’d spent over six hours just on preliminary understanding of “Heavenly Thunder Art.”

In his current state of mental fatigue, learning “Nether Hell Thunder Armor” would likely take even longer.

Since he was already back at school, he didn’t need to pull an all-nighter.

After summoning staff to return the scrolls, Xu Jingming rose and left the combat technique library.

Outside the combat technique library,

the night sky sparkled with stars, a slender crescent moon hanging on the horizon.

The moon’s pure glow outshone the streetlights by several degrees.

Magic City Institute of Abilities’ combat technique library remained open all night for students.

Although it was past one in the morning, Xu Jingming still noticed several students who, like him, had just left the Combat Technique Library.

Additionally, a few scattered students were walking toward him, clearly heading out for an all-night study session.

“This is the academic atmosphere of a top-tier university.”

Xu Jingming nodded slightly and was about to walk away.

Suddenly, a piercing cry rang out from the sky.

“Ji—”

The cry was so sharp it made Xu Jingming’s eardrums ache slightly.

Several other students nearby cried out in alarm, clutching their ears in discomfort.

Xu Jingming instinctively looked up at the sky.

Beneath the bright moonlight, a beast with jet-black feathers and a ring of white feathers around its neck swiftly flew past.

Its talons were large and razor-sharp, like those of an eagle.

“It’s a flying beast—the White-Ring Black-Feathered Eagle,” Xu Jingming narrowed his eyes.

Such flying beasts dared not fly over the city during daylight, choosing instead to soar at night as a show of dominance.

On several nights at his villa, Xu Jingming had heard these flying beasts cry out before.

Judging by the White-Ring Black-Feathered Eagle’s flight speed, its rank was probably only around third-tier.

Xu Jingming suddenly had an idea: “Hmm, could this be the perfect chance to test my Thunder Art?”