Chapter 921: Li Hao

As if noticing Xu Jingming's gaze, Alan also turned his head toward him.

His handsome face broke into an even more arrogant smile as he declared loudly:

"Xu Jingming, I know you—the newly rated Aurora-class."

Among all these Blue Star people, you're the only one worth my attention."

This time, with the Void-Shattering Tower opening, I hope you can give me a pleasant surprise."

After all, it's been a long time since anyone challenged my position."

At these words, the surrounding Blue Star elites immediately frowned.

Though Alan's remarks seemed to praise Xu Jingming, they subtly belittled all the other Blue Star people.

As if, compared to Xu Jingming, they were all trash by the roadside, unworthy of even a glance.

Xu Jingming's eyes narrowed slightly.

From Alan's words, he sensed a familiar tone.

Flame Lord Lei Ding!

The domineering, all-conquering aura this Aurora-class Alan displayed was identical to that of the supreme powerhouse.

Of course, as an SSS-grade ability awakener, Alan truly had grounds for pride.

Xu Jingming said nothing.

Compared to Alan, what truly concerned him was the woman trailing behind Alan.

The woman was petite, her height even under one meter sixty.

Yet the aura she emitted was piercingly sharp, her eyes glinting faintly with brilliant light.

Qiao Lin, one of Alan's followers.

Possessing an Enhancement-type SS-grade ability, at peak eighth-rank.

In these past few days, Xu Jingming had searched the Flame Temple's internal network for ways to resolve Su Qingli's side effects.

There were many solutions, but all came with other restrictions.

Either the side effects would be resolved, followed by a decades-long period of weakness.

Or they would bring even stronger side effects.

The only method with no side effects was the SSS+ grade heavenly treasure, Red Cloud Fruit.

And Red Cloud Fruit had once been seen in Qiao Lin's possession.

"If I get the chance, I might try exchanging other heavenly treasures for the Red Cloud Fruit—if not..."

Xu Jingming mused inwardly.

An SS-grade at peak eighth-rank—he couldn't defeat her yet.

But his strength wouldn't remain at its current level forever.

Once he raised his power sufficiently inside the Void-Shattering Tower, seeking out Qiao Lin wouldn't be too late.

If Qiao Lin agreed to the exchange, fine; if not, he'd have to convince her with reason.

He wasn't a rigid man—Su Qingli had treated him well.

To cure her side effects, a little maneuvering wouldn't hurt.

With this thought, Xu Jingming withdrew his gaze and stopped looking toward Alan's side.

"Hmph, this Blue Star man is arrogant—he's ignoring Lord Alan."

Xu Jingming's behavior instantly drew ire from Alan's entourage, with Qiao Lin letting out a cold snort.

As an Aurora-class, Alan had many followers.

Lady Xina, who once clashed with Meng Yu in the Rating Hall, was one of them.

Qiao Lin was the same—indeed, the strongest among all his followers.

Far stronger than the eighth-rank mid-level Green.

"Don't rush—once we enter the Void-Shattering Tower, find a chance to test his mettle."

A carefree smirk appeared on Alan's face.

He belonged to the Lei Ding family; previously, the supreme powerhouse Lei Ding had personally invited Xu Jingming, only to be refused.

As a member of the Lei Ding family, he naturally disliked Xu Jingming.

Had their strengths been equal, he might not have felt this way.

But Xu Jingming was merely eighth-rank low-tier, while he himself was already at peak eighth-rank.

With overwhelming power, he naturally possessed absolute confidence...

"Tsk tsk, Lord Alan remains as domineering as ever."

"He's two minor ranks above Xu Jingming—his arrogance is only natural."

"Lord Lei Ding invited Xu Jingming last time and was refused; Lord Alan will surely retaliate inside the Void-Shattering Tower."

"True, but I heard the High Priest holds Xu Jingming in high regard—Lord Alan probably won't go too far."

"..."

People murmured among themselves, as if they'd already seen the two Aurora-class clashing inside the Void-Shattering Tower.

In a corner of the crowd, a youth shrouded in a long robe stared fixedly at Xu Jingming's direction.

His eyes burned with boundless rage, his suppressed voice roaring:

"Xu Jingming! Ling Shuang!"

This man was Li Hao—the new Divine Son of the Tianming Sect, who had come to the Flame World with the sect.

"Control your emotions—don't let others sense your aura."

The beautiful woman beside Li Hao frowned and whispered a warning.

Dayangzhou Tianming Sect's vice sect master, Tianyao!

She also came along to the Xinhuo World this time.

Moreover, her strength has improved since before; she has now reached the Mid-Grade Ninth Tier.

"I understand."

After taking a deep breath, Li Hao calmed his emotions.

Yet his gaze remained locked on Xu Jingming as he asked in a low voice:

"Sister Yao, how many people did the Mind-Controlled Heavenly God give us this time?"

"Four."

Tianyao replied, "Two A-Rank Mid-Grade Ninth Tier, and two Low-Grade Ninth Tier—one S-Rank and one A-Rank."

The appearance of the Xinhuo World was major news not only for all nations of Blue Star, but for the ferocious beasts as well.

As the ferocious beasts' extension of power in the human world, the Tianming Sect deployed many personnel into the Xinhuo World.

Among them were even four Ninth-Tier experts who had been brainwashed by the Mind-Controlled Beast God and controlled for decades.

"Once we enter the Po Xu Tower, we'll find a place to regroup," Tianyao added.

"Good!"

Li Hao's expression brightened.

After being purified by the Holy Lord's divine blood, he, at Peak Eighth Tier, believed his strength far surpassed Xu Jingming's.

But Xu Jingming had Su Qingli, an S-Rank Low-Grade Ninth Tier, and Ling Shuang, an S-Rank Upper-Grade Eighth Tier Space System expert.

Even with Tianyao added, he still couldn't do anything to Xu Jingming and his group.

But if these four Ninth-Tier experts joined them, it would be different.

"Xu Jingming! I will completely wash away the shame from last time!

And you, Ling Shuang! You bitch!

I've pursued you for so many years, and you never responded—yet now you've turned and become his lover!"

Having pursued Ling Shuang for so long, Li Hao had long regarded her as his possession.

The thought of Ling Shuang yielding sweetly beneath Xu Jingming filled him with burning rage.

"Xu Jingming, Ling Shuang..."

Tianyao also stared at the two figures.

Last time, in the Dayangzhou wilderness, she let Ling Shuang escape and took a lot of criticism for it.

This time, she must complete her mission and kill both of them!

"Including the Divine Son and me, we have six Ninth-Tier combatants!

Xu Jingming, you're doomed this time!"

Tianyao's eyes gleamed with cold light.