Chapter 889: Take Suzhou-Hangzhou Province! Su Qingli

When Li Gang fell, taking over Suzhou-Hangzhou Province became as easy as reaching into a pouch—Xu Jingming didn't need to stay on-site.

So Xu Jingming left Fu Xingye and others behind to wrap things up at the martial arts hall, while he and Ling Shuang flew back to Metropolis on a combat aircraft.

"Li Gang is gone—who do you plan to appoint as the new regional head of Suzhou-Hangzhou Province?"

Inside the cabin, Ling Shuang asked curiously.

"Let's ask the teacher's opinion when we get back."

Although Xu Jingming had already met many key figures at the martial arts hall during the previous inauguration ceremony,

appointments to such important positions must go to trusted allies.

This point must be confirmed with Su Qingli.

"That's true—this really should be discussed with Qingli."

Ling Shuang smiled faintly, "Hu Jinyu probably never imagined you'd remove Li Gang so quickly."

Suzhou-Hangzhou Province was the largest Li family stronghold within Lei Ting Martial Arts Hall; removing this one meant the remaining pockets were no longer a threat.

"But I didn't expect you'd use this method to oust Li Gang.

I thought you'd keep gathering evidence until he slipped up."

Ling Shuang's fair, delicate face turned toward him, asking with interest:

"What if Li Gang had reported the theft himself?

According to our hall's rules, voluntarily reporting losses doesn't lead to dismissal."

"Rules are rigid, but people are flexible—this single mistake alone is enough to suspend him."

Xu Jingming smiled calmly, "Once suspended, it'll be hard for him to return.

And if one attempt fails, try again—repeat it several times, and you can still bring him down."

In truth, from the moment he assumed the post of Metropolis Inspector, Li Gang's fate had already been sealed.

"You're truly impressive, Jingming—Qingli never thought of this strategy," Ling Shuang said with a smile.

"It's not that I'm impressive—it's just a roundabout tactic born of insufficient strength.

If I were stronger, I wouldn't need these tricks—I could simply make anyone I dislike leave."

Hu Jinyu is a Level-A, Rank-9 Zhongweida Master Zongshi; Xu Jingming had heard from Su Qingli's teacher that Hu Jinyu's strength was slightly greater than hers.

That means, once he can defeat Su Qingli, he'll be close to defeating Hu Jinyu.

At that time, he won't let this disgusting man remain in Lei Ting Martial Arts Hall.

"Really?"

Ling Shuang blinked her clear, large eyes.

Given Xu Jingming's current breakthrough speed, she felt that day couldn't be far off...

Since the incident was truly his doing, Fu Xingye quickly located the warehouse where the stolen supplies had been stored.

After confirming the facts, Xu Jingming immediately removed Li Gang from his position.

Following Su Qingli's teacher's advice, he appointed a Rank-8 Master Zongshi named Han Bing as the new regional head of Suzhou-Hangzhou Province.

This Rank-8 Master Zongshi was a loyal subordinate of Su Qingli's father, Su Tianrui; after Su Tianrui vanished, he followed Su Qingli's orders and was utterly trustworthy.

From the dismissal announcement to the new appointment, the entire process took less than an hour, causing a major stir throughout Lei Ting Martial Arts Hall.

"Concealing the theft of the resource depot? Li Gang dared to be this bold?"

"Who knows if it was truly stolen or embezzled? But no wonder—the Lei Di has just taken office and already struck down a corrupt element."

"A corrupt element? I feel this whole thing seems too convenient."

"......"

The power struggle between Director Su Qingli and Deputy Director Hu Jinyu was inaccessible to those below a certain rank.

Thus, for the vast majority of Lei Ting members, this was merely Xu Jingming carrying out his duties—no one thought too deeply about it.

Meanwhile, high-level psychics who understood the power struggle between the two factions marveled at Xu Jingming's swift action—he had seized Suzhou-Hangzhou Province, long controlled by the Li family, so quickly.

Since Xu Jingming's powerful rise, Hu Jinyu had lost considerable influence.

After this incident, many core branch directors and senior managers within the martial arts hall began reconsidering their allegiances.

But all of this had nothing to do with Xu Jingming—he had already returned to his villa in Metropolis, seeking guidance from Su Qingli on cultivation matters.

"Elementalization is an ability exclusive to Rank-9 Law Saints—it renders ordinary physical attacks ineffective.

But why did the Law Saint I simulated in the arena experience a significant power surge after elementalization?"

In the villa's living room, Xu Jingming asked, puzzled.

Across the sofa, Su Qingli wore a green robe, her demeanor cold, refined, and otherworldly.

Ling Shuang had taken Song Qiuyun and Jiang Chuxuan to the Wilderness Zone.

With spatial abilities, training in the Wilderness Zone was far more convenient.

"As elemental psychics, when we activate our abilities, we essentially resonate with elements present in the air.

In normal form, even if our proficiency is high, we still retain our physical bodies.

But elementalization is different—you transform directly into your own ability.

At that point, whether using your ability or combat techniques, your resonance with the elements is far greater than in physical form.

That's why you notice a certain increase in power after elementalization."

Su Qingli's red lips moved slightly as she explained, "Actually, the boost from elementalization also depends on your ability proficiency.

The higher your proficiency, the greater the enhancement you gain from elementalization.

Jingming, isn't your Lightning ability proficiency already at the First Realm level?"

"Yes, this is actually an added ability from the Ninth Level of my Body Strengthening Art—my ability proficiency hasn't yet reached the Realm level," Xu Jingming nodded.

There are simply too many places requiring ability points, so even now, his Lightning Realm remains stuck at the First Level.

"Domain is extremely important, especially after entering the Ninth Tier."

Su Qingli advised, "Hu Jinyu's domain has already reached the third layer; I'm only at the second layer.

If not for that, his strength wouldn't surpass mine."

"Understood." Xu Jingming nodded.

It seemed that subsequent ability points should also be allocated more toward the domain.

"Additionally, the comprehension of a domain is also related to tier — the higher the tier, the easier it is to comprehend higher-level elemental domains."

Su Qingli added, "For Ninth Tier lower-seat ability users, the domain is generally at the first or second layer; middle-seat is the third or fourth layer; upper-seat is the fifth or sixth layer.

Of course, this is relative to the more outstanding Ninth Tier ability users.

Some Ninth Tier ability users who forcibly advanced through pills and natural treasures won't even comprehend a domain at all."

"Oh? Then how many layers does the domain have at most?"

Xu Jingming was somewhat curious.

"I'm not sure either; at present it seems no one has reached the domain's limit."

Su Qingli shook her head, "I have no chance to explore this limit, but Jingming, you could give it a try."

As she spoke toward the end, a faint dimness flickered in her gaze.

Although she too was a Ninth Tier Law Saint who had risen through natural treasures, she had still comprehended the second layer of the Lightning Domain on her own.

But that was the extent of it.

With no way to raise her tier, her ultimate achievement was locked at the second layer, unable to advance further.

"That may not be the case."

Xu Jingming noticed the shift in Su Qingli's mood and said with a smile:

"With the emergence of the Second Civilization, the Crimson Cloud Fruit that can cure your teacher's side effects might still exist.

When that time comes, all bottlenecks will be broken, and you, Teacher, will be able to keep moving forward."

Once he defeated Green and obtained the objective of their trip, Xu Jingming planned to ask about the Crimson Cloud Fruit tree.

At these words, a faint ripple stirred in Su Qingli's heart.

Ever since her father had gone missing and she had become the head of Lei Ting Wu Guan, few people had shown her such care.

"Alright then, I'll be waiting for your good news of defeating Green tonight."

Su Qingli broke into a charming smile, revealing a breathtakingly beautiful one.

"No problem." Xu Jingming smiled faintly, his voice firm and strong.