Chapter 889: Take Suzhou-Hangzhou Province! Su Qingli

With Li Gang gone, taking over the Suzhou-Hangzhou province would be as easy as reaching into a pocket—Xu Jingming didn't need to stay on-site.

So Xu Jingming left Fu Xingye and others behind to wrap up affairs at the martial arts academy, while he and Ling Shuang boarded a warplane and returned to Demon Capital.

"Li Gang is out. Who do you plan to appoint as the new regional head of Suzhou-Hangzhou province?"

Inside the aircraft 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 academy during the previous inauguration ceremony,

appointments to such important positions must go to trusted allies.

This point needed confirmation from Su Qingli.

"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 the Lei Ting Martial Arts Academy; removing this one would make the rest insignificant.

"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 pale, delicate face turned toward him, her tone intrigued:

"What if Li Gang had reported the theft himself?"

"According to our academy's rules, voluntarily reporting losses doesn't warrant dismissal."

"Rules are rigid, but people are flexible. Just this one mistake 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 role of Demon Capital Inspector, Li Gang's fate was 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'd simply order anyone I dislike to leave."

Hu Jinyu was an A-rank Ninth-Stage Mid-Level Grand Master. Xu Jingming had heard from Su Qingli that Hu Jinyu's strength slightly surpassed hers.

That meant, once he could defeat Su Qingli, he'd be close to defeating Hu Jinyu.

At that time, he wouldn't let that disgusting man remain in the Lei Ting Martial Arts Academy.

"Really?"

Ling Shuang blinked her clear, large eyes.

Given Xu Jingming's current breakthrough pace, 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 advice, he appointed a Ninth-Stage Grand Master named Han Bing as the new regional head of Suzhou-Hangzhou province.

This Ninth-Stage Grand Master was a loyal subordinate of Su Tianrui, Su Qingli's father; after Su Tianrui's disappearance, he took orders from Su Qingli and was utterly trustworthy.

From the dismissal announcement to the new appointment, the entire process took less than an hour, sparking major unrest throughout the Lei Ting Martial Arts Academy.

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

"Who knows if it was truly stolen or embezzled? But no surprise—the Emperor of Thunder strikes hard with his first three fires, immediately rooting out a rotten apple."

"A rotten apple? I feel this whole thing seems too convenient."

"..."

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

Thus, for the vast majority of Lei Ting Martial Arts Academy members, this was merely Xu Jingming carrying out his duties—nothing more, nothing less.

But high-rank 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, in record time.

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

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

But none of this concerned Xu Jingming—he had already returned to his villa in Demon Capital and was consulting Su Qingli on cultivation matters.

"Elementalization is an ability exclusive to Ninth-Stage Law Saints, rendering 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 aura cold and ethereal.

Ling Shuang had taken Song Qiuyun and Jiang Chu to the wilderness zone.

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

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

In normal form, no matter how skilled we are, 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 stronger than in physical form.

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

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

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

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

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

There were too many demands for ability points, so even now, his Lightning Realm remained stuck at the First Level.

"Realms are crucial, especially after reaching the Ninth Stage."

Su Qingli warned, "Hu Jinyu's Realm has reached the Third Level; mine is only the Second.

Otherwise, his strength wouldn't surpass mine."

"Understood," Xu Jingming nodded.

He realized he should allocate more ability points toward his Realm going forward.

"Also, Realm comprehension is tied to your level—the higher your level, the easier it becomes to attain higher-level elemental Realms."

Su Qingli added, "Ninth-Stage Lower-Level psychics usually reach Realms of First or Second Level; Mid-Level reach Third or Fourth; Upper-Level reach Fifth or Sixth.

Of course, this applies to relatively outstanding Ninth-Stage psychics.

Some who forcibly ascend through pills or rare treasures never even comprehend a Realm."

"Oh? So what's the maximum number of Realm levels?"

Xu Jingming asked curiously.

"I don't know. No one seems to have reached the Realm's limit yet."

Su Qingli shook her head. "I've lost the chance to explore that limit—you might still have a shot, Jingming."

As she spoke, her gaze dimmed slightly.

Though she, too, had ascended through rare treasures, she had still personally attained the Second Level of Lightning Realm.

But that was as far as she could go.

With her level locked, her ultimate achievement was capped at the Second Level—she could advance no further.

"Not necessarily."

Xu Jingming sensed Su Qingli's emotional shift and smiled.

"With the Second Civilization emerging, the Red Cloud Fruit that can cure your side effects might still exist.

When that time comes, all your bottlenecks will shatter—you'll be able to move forward again."

After defeating Greene and securing their mission's objective, Xu Jingming planned to inquire about the Red Cloud Fruit tree.

Hearing this, Su Qingli's heart stirred with a faint ripple.

Since her father's disappearance and her ascension as director of the Lei Ting Martial Arts Academy, few had shown her such genuine concern.

"Alright then—I'll wait for your good news tonight, after you defeat Greene."

Su Qingli smiled, revealing a breathtakingly beautiful expression.

"No problem," Xu Jingming replied, his voice firm and resolute.