"Twelve years of hard study… all for this very moment!"
"With the college entrance exam approaching, remember to keep your mindset steady!"
"Students taking the academic exam, please check your stationery tonight to ensure everything is ready and usable."
"Students taking the martial exam should also prepare your combat uniforms and weapons…"
Homeroom teacher Chen Fan's voice echoed throughout the classroom.
Xu Jingming sat quietly in his seat, doing his best to recall the details related to the college entrance exam.
In the Great Xia Empire, universities were divided into two major categories.
The first type was Liberal Arts Universities, dedicated to teaching academic and cultural knowledge.
The second type was Awakener Universities, focused on cultivating extraordinary combat strength for humanity.
Correspondingly, the college entrance exam was also divided into two types:
Academic Exam
and
Martial Exam.
The Academic Exam was straightforward—students simply sat in classrooms and answered written questions.
But the Martial Exam…
Was completely different.
Participants were required to wear combat gear, carry weapons, and enter designated combat zones—
Where they would fight ferocious beasts in life-and-death battles.
Their final scores were determined by:
The number of beasts killed
The types of beasts slain
These two exam paths were chosen freely by students themselves.
If someone lacked confidence in their strength—or had awakened a weak ability—
They could choose the Academic Exam, live as an ordinary civilian, and pursue a peaceful career.
Although the original Xu Jingming had awakened only an E-Class ability, he had still chosen the Martial Exam.
Xu Jingming fully agreed with that decision.
Because participating in the Martial Exam—
Still gave him a chance.
But if someone didn't even dare attempt it…
They would remain ordinary forever.
"I'll emphasize this one last time."
Chen Fan's voice turned stern.
"The Martial Exam carries a risk of death."
"If your awakened ability is below D-Class, I do not recommend choosing the Martial Exam."
"You still have until 9 PM tonight to change your decision. If anyone wants to reconsider, come see me."
"Alright, that's all for today. Class dismissed."
Before leaving, Chen Fan deliberately swept his gaze across the classroom—
Lingering briefly on Xu Jingming.
That caused Xu Jingming to subconsciously rub his nose.
Of course, he understood what the teacher meant.
Among all the students in Class 5 who had chosen the Martial Exam…
Xu Jingming was the only one with an E-Class ability.
According to past statistics, most students who died during the exam were those with abilities below D-Class.
"I know the teacher is worried about me…"
Xu Jingming thought quietly.
"But in a world like this, surviving without strength just isn't possible."
To prevent beast invasions, every city in Great Xia had implemented strict defensive systems.
High-voltage defense grids.
Armed military forces.
Awakener combat squads.
But even these weren't foolproof.
From time to time, cities were breached by beast tides—
Resulting in catastrophic casualties.
Xu Jingming refused to stand helpless if that day ever came.
Even if he only had an E-Class ability, he would still choose the Martial Exam.
And now—
He was about to gain a rare S-Class ability.
Xu Jingming packed his books into his bag, his eyes growing sharp with determination.
"Jingming… you really don't plan to change your choice?"
A boy with a bowl haircut turned around from the desk in front of him and asked.
"No."
Xu Jingming shook his head.
The bowl-cut boy was his close friend—
Zhang Hao.
Zhang Hao had also awakened an E-Class ability.
The two shared similar circumstances, but after awakening two years ago, Zhang Hao had devoted himself entirely to academics.
He had always planned to take the Academic Exam.
"You're seriously fearless," Zhang Hao said, giving a thumbs-up.
"Out of the six or seven E-Class Awakeners in Class 5, you're the only one bold enough to choose the Martial Exam."
"What? Want to join me?" Xu Jingming raised an eyebrow.
"Heh. This friend of yours plans to attend a Liberal Arts University, spend four relaxing years surrounded by girls, and enjoy life."
"As for heroic deeds like defending the nation… I'll leave those to great Awakener lords like you."
Zhang Hao grinned.
"Get lost."
Xu Jingming rolled his eyes and ignored him as he walked out of the classroom.
When Xu Jingming was ten years old…
His parents had both died during a beast tide.
They left behind:
A house
Over one million dollars in compensation
But nothing else.
So when Xu Jingming returned home—
He was alone.
However, since he had also been an orphan in his previous life, he was already used to such solitude.
Besides—
He now had something far more important to do.
"Starter Pack… here I come!"
Staring at the blue virtual box floating in his mind—
Xu Jingming decisively pressed the Claim button.
"Starter Pack distributed."
"200 Ability Points acquired."
"S-Class Ability: Purple Heavenly Divine Lightning — Initiating Integration."
"Progress: 10%… 20%… 30%…"
BOOM—!!
A deep, thunderous rumble echoed.
It felt as if boundless power had erupted from within Xu Jingming's body.
Countless blue-purple arcs of lightning flickered and danced across his skin.
He seemed to transform into a living mass of lightning itself.
Crackle— Crackle—
With piercing electrical sounds, bolts of lightning burst outward—
Instantly engulfing the entire living room.
The sofa.
The television.
The coffee table.
Everything touched by lightning—
Exploded instantly.
Lightning intertwined with flames, shattering the windows as blazing energy surged outward into the street.
"Mom! The house across the street is on fire!"
"Quick! Call the fire department!"
"That's the Xu family's house, isn't it?!"
"..."
The explosions drew the attention of nearby neighbors.
Many quickly called emergency services.
But Xu Jingming remained completely unaware.
All he felt—
Was warmth.
And overwhelming strength filling his body.
"50%… 60%… 70%…"
The transformation continued.
And it began affecting the surrounding environment.
Outside—
The bright afternoon sky suddenly darkened.
Thick storm clouds rolled in, swallowing the sunlight as if night had fallen.
No rain fell.
But deep thunder echoed across the heavens.
Within the clouds—
Purple lightning flashed repeatedly, twisting like ancient thunder dragons.
"What's happening? Why did the sky suddenly turn dark?!"
"That lightning is terrifying… I feel an incredible pressure!"
"Jiangcheng Third Legion—enter alert status and stand by!"
"..."
The strange weather filled the city with fear.
Many suspected that a lightning-controlling beast had invaded.
The military units stationed in Jiangcheng mobilized immediately—
Entering full combat readiness.
"80%… 90%… 95%… 98%… 99%…"
Inside the ruined house—
The transformation reached its final stage.
CRACK—!!
A blinding flash tore through the sky.
A bolt of purple lightning descended from above—
Striking directly through the broken window—
And slamming into Xu Jingming's body.
As if its mission had been fulfilled—
The moment the lightning struck—
The storm clouds dispersed.
The sky cleared.
"Integration Complete: 100%."
The blue-purple lightning surrounding Xu Jingming retreated like receding tides—
Flowing back into his body.
Moments later—
He slowly opened his eyes.
A streak of violet lightning flashed through his pupils.
"Ability integration successful."
Xu Jingming felt a surge of power rising within him.
He raised his right hand.
With a single thought—
A swirling arc of purple lightning burst forth.
Unlike the faint blue-white sparks from before—
This lightning radiated an ancient, terrifying aura.
"This…"
Xu Jingming's eyes shone brightly.
"This is the S-Class ability—"
Purple Heavenly Divine Lightning!
He could already sense its overwhelming destructive power.
If this struck a human body—
They wouldn't merely be shocked.
They would likely be—
Blown into pieces.