Chapter 879

Dayangzhou, the supercity Mocheng.

The United Nations has stationed a ninth-rank peak expert here, and over twenty ninth-rank experts from various nations are also garrisoned here.

Xu Jingming's teleportation destination was right inside Mocheng.

He originally planned to leave immediately via Mocheng's aviation port and return to Daxia.

Unexpectedly, he encountered Catherine, so after teleporting in, he found a quiet café and decided to sit for a while before leaving.

"It's only been a few months since we last met, yet you've already broken through to the eighth rank."

In a quiet private room of the café.

Catherine gazed at the young man before her, her fair, delicate face filled with profound astonishment.

She couldn't understand why Xu Jingming's breakthrough speed was so fast.

Even celestial treasures that accelerate cultivation have side effects and cannot be consumed indefinitely.

"It's just that I'm naturally gifted," Xu Jingming smiled.

The System was something he was born with—it was essentially a talent.

Catherine choked at his words.

She had expected Xu Jingming to show a bit of modesty, but he was this blunt.

After her moment of awe, she fell silent.

As the descendant of an ultimate powerhouse and the Holy Church's Divine Maiden, an SS-rank psychic awakened, she had never doubted her own talent.

Yet now, after successive blows from the Firebrand Temple and Xu Jingming, she had grown somewhat lost.

"Divine Maiden, don't doubt yourself."

Sensing her mood, Monica's mental voice echoed in Catherine's heart:

"As I said before, the Firebrand Temple originates from the Second Civilization Era, with deep roots. Under equal conditions, it's normal you can't defeat them.

As for Xu Jingming..."

Monica paused, then continued: "He's a pure prodigy—impossible to analyze or predict by ordinary logic.

I firmly believe that if you continue cultivating, you will one day surpass them."

Surpass them?

Surpassing the Firebrand Temple's members might still be possible.

Surpassing Xu Jingming, already at the eighth rank? There was not the slightest chance.

Though she thought this in her heart, Catherine's willpower was extremely strong; she quickly shook off her brief confusion and looked at Xu Jingming with curiosity:

"If you're this strong, why didn't you accept Meng Ke's challenge?"

"Meng Ke? Who's that?" Xu Jingming looked puzzled.

"Of course—you had no idea this even happened."

Catherine gave a look of "I knew it," then softly said:

"About half a month ago, three men claiming to be from the Firebrand Temple appeared—they all possessed SS-rank psychic abilities..."

Catherine briefly recounted the events, then took a sip of tea before continuing:

"The Firebrand Temple is extremely mysterious; each SS-rank is followed by a ninth-rank peak expert.

So far, no country on Blue Planet knows their origins.

But if you want to know, I'll tell you for free—just decide whether you're interested."

As she finished, a faint mischievous glint appeared on Catherine's fair face.

Since meeting Xu Jingming, except for that time with the Light Essence, he seemed capable of anything.

Now, finally, she could see Xu Jingming stumped again.

"The Second Civilization Era's Fireseed Project," Xu Jingming said calmly.

"How do you know?" Catherine's eyes widened in utter disbelief.

This information was top secret—even among America's ninth-rank experts, only a handful knew.

She only learned it after being defeated by the Firebrand Temple's prodigies, when her mother told her to comfort her.

Xu Jingming smiled and offered no further explanation.

Any nation with even one ninth-rank peak expert holds some international influence.

No nation would hide having a ninth-rank peak expert, let alone three appearing at once.

Aside from the Second Civilization Era, he couldn't think of any other possibility.

"Since you know, I won't explain further."

After her shock, Catherine shook her head:

"The Second Civilization Era has reemerged after two thousand years—and their first move is to challenge us. I wonder what they're planning."

"Just to draw attention."

Xu Jingming's eyes flickered. "I suspect their true intentions will reveal themselves after some time."

"True," Catherine nodded slightly.

Next, Xu Jingming gathered more intelligence on the Firebrand Temple from Catherine.

After about half an hour, he took his leave.

"Aunt Monica, do you think Xu Jingming will accept Meng Ke's challenge?"

After Xu Jingming left, Catherine asked curiously.

"He probably will. All nations on Blue Planet are furious with them.

If Xu Jingming steps forward, it will greatly boost Daxia's prestige."

Monica mused.

Meng Ke is a seventh-rank peak SS-rank, but Xu Jingming has already broken through to the eighth rank.

Defeating him would be ridiculously easy.

"Meng Ke is guaranteed to win—unless he dares challenge Green," Monica added.

"Green..." Catherine's gaze sharpened.

He is the Firebrand Temple's eighth-rank middle-tier SS-rank psychic awakened, having already defeated several ninth-rank psychics.

His strength is formidable—even Xu Jingming at his current level might not be able to guarantee victory.

"Aunt Monica, let's not go to the Wildlands for now."

After a moment's thought, Catherine spoke softly.

She had a feeling that with Xu Jingming's return, the arrogant bunch from the Firebrand Temple might soon start suffering...

The Black Obsidian-class fighter jet was fast.

Less than an hour later, Xu Jingming arrived in Modu and returned to his villa.

In the villa's living room, Su Qingli sat quietly on the sofa, wearing a green long dress, eyes half-closed.

Green lightning swirled around her, her breathing steady—she appeared to be practicing her psychic cultivation method.

Sunlight streamed through the window onto her, enhancing her fair, exquisite features, making her seem like an otherworldly immortal.

"You're back?"

Sensing movement, Su Qingli slowly opened her eyes.

"Teacher."

Xu Jingming bowed respectfully, then glanced around in confusion: "Where are Teacher Ling and the others?"

"They're training in the Wildlands; they'll probably return tonight."

Su Qingli replied first, then immediately sensed something off about Xu Jingming's aura.

Her spiritual force surged out, lingered briefly over him, then exclaimed in delight: "You've broken through to the eighth rank?"

"Earlier in the Yer Secret Realm, I consumed an SSS-rank rare herb, combined with the Purple Cloud Pill afterward, and successfully broke through."

Xu Jingming explained with a smile.

"That makes sense—two major cultivation resources combined, it's hard not to break through."

Su Qingli nodded slightly.

But the next moment, a faint fire of anger flickered across her fair face:

"You're back just in time—Teacher has something for you to handle."

"What is it?" Xu Jingming was surprised.

Teacher Su Qingli was always cold and detached—who could have made her this angry?

"While you were gone, the Firebrand Temple appeared.

These bastards are too arrogant—I need you to teach them a lesson."

Su Qingli said coldly.

"The Firebrand Temple?"

Xu Jingming hadn't expected to hear that name again so soon.

Before he could ask further, Su Qingli pulled a virtual headset from her space ring:

"Enter the virtual world—once you're inside, everything will be clear."