Chapter 898: The Hottest Xu Jingming! Departure!

The entrance to the Firebrand World is located in the coldest region of Antarctica; if we depart now, we'll arrive around three in the afternoon.

In the villa's living room, Xu Jingming and several women, including Su Qingli, discussed their next course of action.

The promotional materials for the virtual world had already marked the entrance to the Firebrand World, located over twenty thousand kilometers straight from Magic City.

Accounting for detours around dangerous zones en route, even at the Black Obsidian-class fighter's maximum speed of seven times the speed of sound, it would take nearly three hours to reach.

"Qiuyun, Chuxuan, you two stay in Magic City. I'll go with Shuang-jie and Teacher Su to scout the situation first."

Xu Jingming looked at Song Qiuyun and Jiang Chuxuan.

Three days ago, after learning of the Breakthrough Tower from Meng Yu, Ling Shuang and Su Qingli had already decided to go.

Song Qiuyun and Jiang Chuxuan's strength is too low—only fourth-rank—and even with the ninth-rank Thorn Sword Grass, safety isn't guaranteed.

So he had no intention of bringing them along this time.

"Alright." Both women nodded in unison.

They knew that with their current strength, accompanying him would only slow him down; it was better to stay in Magic City and strengthen themselves.

"Teacher Su, have you arranged everything at the Thunder Martial Arts Gym?"

Xu Jingming turned to look at Su Qingli.

They would likely stay in the Firebrand World for two or three months.

Without the three of them, Hu Jinyu might cause trouble at the Thunder Martial Arts Gym.

"Yes, with Master Gu overseeing things, nothing will go wrong."

Su Qingli nodded slightly and spoke softly.

Since Xu Jingming defeated Liu Shan and became Magic City's Inspector, and since Ling Shuang revealed her eighth-rank upper-level strength,

the entire Thunder Martial Arts Gym had aligned itself with her side; Vice Director Hu Jinyu was merely clinging to life.

"Good."

Xu Jingming smiled.

If nothing unexpected happens, once they leave the Firebrand World,

it will be the moment to finally kick that old dog Hu Jinyu out of the Thunder Martial Arts Gym.

"S-class: A call request from Blood Sword."

At that moment, Eva's voice chimed.

Why is Lord Blood Sword calling me now?

Xu Jingming hesitated, then accepted the call.

With a soft hum, a holographic projection appeared before him—there stood Blood Sword himself.

Blood Sword's expression was as cold and unreadable as ever; even through video call, his chilling aura was palpable.

"Xu Jingming."

Blood Sword glanced over, a faint smile touching his icy face:

"Your performance on the eighth-rank challenge leaderboard the other day was excellent—you gave Great Xia a much-needed victory.

Now that the Firebrand World has opened, what are your plans?"

"I'm just about to depart and take a look," Xu Jingming replied.

"Oh? Want to join me?"

Blood Sword smiled. "I have two ninth-rank friends who are also heading to the Firebrand World."

After a moment's thought, Xu Jingming shook his head. "No thanks—I'll go with Teacher Su and the others."

Traveling with ninth-rank upper-level Blood Sword would certainly be safer.

But he only invited him—didn't mention Teacher Su or Teacher Ling.

Even if he asked, Blood Sword would likely bring them along, but Xu Jingming didn't want to impose.

Besides,

his purpose in entering the Firebrand World wasn't just to seek possible opportunities.

More importantly, it was to hunt beasts and gain Ability Points.

Traveling with Blood Sword and his group offered far less freedom than going with his two teachers.

"Fair enough."

Blood Sword nodded, not pressing further. "Also, Chairman Zhou has issued a notice:

The Firebrand Temple is a friendly faction; adepts may join voluntarily, and Great Xia will not impose restrictions.

This notice will be disseminated nationwide shortly."

Thank you, Lord Blood Sword," Xu Jingming's eyes sparkled.

He was genuinely interested in the Firebrand Temple.

Mostly because of the SSR-grade combat techniques they preserved.

"No need to thank me—you'd find out soon enough anyway."

Blood Sword nodded. "Then let's meet inside the Breakthrough Tower."

"Breakthrough Tower it is."

Xu Jingming ended the call.

Several days ago, he, Su Qingli, and Ling Shuang had already prepared all the pills and gear needed for entering the Firebrand World.

Now that the entrance coordinates were public, he didn't bother preparing more.

He left the ninth-rank Thorn Sword Grass with Song Qiuyun and Jiang Chuxuan to ensure their safety.

He took with him the two top-tier plant lives in the midst of evolving into ninth-rank: Ironwire Lotus and Purple Blood Vine.

Then, with Su Qingli and Ling Shuang, they boarded a fighter and flew toward Antarctica.

The Firebrand Temple's Green had defeated five ninth-rank adepts in succession.

After being defeated by Xu Jingming, another ninth-rank challenger stepped forward to face Green.

The outcome was the same—crushing defeat—once again proving Xu Jingming's strength!

Though his rank was only eighth-rank lower-tier, his true combat power had reached the upper-mid range of ninth-rank lower-tier.

This level of strength was no weakling on the international stage.

Thus, aboard the fighter en route to Antarctica,

people kept calling him, inviting him to enter the Firebrand World together.

Most were ninth-rank adepts he'd met at the Magic City Inspector welcome banquet.

A few were eighth-rank peak grandmasters.

Xu Jingming naturally declined them all.

Catherine, Su Yu, and other opponents from the Talent Competition also called.

They weren't asking to form teams—just wondering if he was going.

After all, they knew Xu Jingming was no longer on their level.

The Leng Yuexi sisters called too, saying they were entering the Firebrand World.

Notably,

after Leng Yuexi's father consumed the pill made from the SS+ grade rare herb Xu Jingming had given him,

his injuries improved significantly—he was no longer in immediate danger for the next four to five years.

"You know, Jingming, your reputation as Inspector now outshines mine as Gym Director."

Inside the cockpit, Su Qingli smiled teasingly as Xu Jingming hung up another call.

It was true.

She herself had received only four or five calls, while Xu Jingming had already answered over ten.

In short, Xu Jingming was now one of the most sought-after experts in all of Great Xia.

"I'd rather not have this kind of fame," Xu Jingming said helplessly, shrugging.

All these callers were experts; hanging up directly would be impolite, so he had to decline them over the phone.

Just in Great Xia, at least a third of the ninth-rank experts will head there.

Other nations likely feel the same—lower-rank seventh- and eighth-rank adepts will be even more numerous."

Ling Shuang's pale, beautiful face turned to Xu Jingming, concerned:

The Celestial Mandate Cult will likely act too—sending ninth-rank experts.

You killed their Divine Son in the secret realm last time; you must be extra careful this time."

"We already have three ninth-rank combatants.

In a month, when the two plant lives break through, we'll have five.

Three of them are S-class ninth-rank—I'd like to see what the Celestial Mandate Cult can do about it."

Xu Jingming's gaze turned cold, his voice thick with lethal intent:

"They'd better not provoke me. If they push me too far, I'll cleanse them all."

Killing Bloodline Envoys and Celestial Mandate Envoys also granted Ability Points—he wouldn't mind if they moved first.

Even if the Celestial Mandate Cult deployed high-tier combatants into the Firebrand World,

with Ling Shuang present, they could always flee if they lost.

Beside him, Ling Shuang suddenly snapped back to awareness.

That's right!

They already had three ninth-rank—and soon, five!

Even for the Heavenly Mandate Sect, this is an extremely tough bone to chew.

And all of this change has been brought about by Xu Jingming.

"Two years ago, Jingming, you were still carrying out missions for the Heavenly Mandate Sect at Devil's University.

Now, two years later, you already possess the strength to challenge the Heavenly Mandate Sect..."

Ling Shuang looked at Xu Jingming, her beautiful eyes brimming with boundless admiration.

Xu Jingming's progress was simply too rapid; she hadn't yet processed it.

After all, she had spent three years at Devil's University and had only just advanced from Lower Eighth Rank to Middle Eighth Rank.

Yet, in less than a year with Xu Jingming, her strength had already reached Eighth Rank Peak.

Beside them, Su Qingli watched Ling Shuang's gaze, almost visibly tethered, and felt strangely superfluous.

If she'd known, she never should have boarded the same warcraft with them...