Chapter 146: Who’s the Top Student? (1/2)

The Lockbreaker Society had divided lockbreakers into several different levels, which were broad yet clearly defined. In ascending order, these levels were: Junior, Intermediate, Senior, and any higher levels were classified. The Junior level corresponded to Melders and Limiteers, the Intermediate level to Explorers and Cruisers, and the Senior level to Hunters. There were very few people who could surpass these classifications and become a high leveled lockbreaker at a low realm.

Wusheng was an Intermediate lockbreaker, but his knowledge of lockbreaking was actually at the Senior level. Once he became a Hunter, he would immediately be promoted to Senior Lockbreaker. There weren’t many Senior Lockbreakers in the entire universe, and they were people who most major forces sought after.

Furthermore, as a general rule, Lockbreakers were strong for their level and extremely powerful. Every lockbreaker had terrifying control over their star energy and could easily battle against people above their realms. Wusheng’s Lockbreaker level combined with his terrifying battle power meant that his status was exceeded even that of a Hunter realm cultivator. This was also why Liu Ji was so surprised by Wusheng’s respectful attitude towards this academy mentor. Astral-10 was just a driven out academy, and apart from the Headmaster who had gone crazy, there shouldn’t be anyone here that merited Master Wusheng’s deferential attitude.

The Trialmaster slowly opened his eyes. “Oh, it’s Wusheng. You’ve grown older.”

This sentence almost caused Liu Ji to faint.

Wusheng, however, still remained respectful. “It’s been too long. It’s wonderful that Elder Tan is still as healthy as ever.”

The Trialmaster laughed in response. “You still speak as glibly as ever. Take a look, that’s the young man I was telling you about. Give him a test and see if he’ll be able to join the society.”

Wusheng solemnly said, “There’s no need to test him. Since you have officially requested the society to assess him, there’s no way that you would be wrong about his abilities. I trust your judgement.” He then turned to Xia Luo and seriously said, “Xia Luo, let me ask you this. Are you willing to join the Lockbreaker Society and formally become a Junior Lockbreaker?”

Xia Luo took a deep breath, walked towards Wusheng, and respectfully answered, “I’m willing to dedicate the rest of my life to the Lockbreaker Society.”

Wusheng nodded and passed a badge to Xia Luo. “I have added your name into the society’s member list. From now onwards, you are a member of the Lockbreaker Society.”

“Thank you, Master Wusheng,” Xia Luo answered respectfully.

Wusheng nodded in a satisfied manner. He looked at the Realm Tutor and asked, “Elder Tan, are you satisfied?”

Wusheng continued, saying, “Actually, I was planning on asking Elder Tan some questions on this trip here. May I?”

The Trialmaster nodded and sighed. “I’ve enjoyed the benefits given by the society for so many years, but I’ve never contributed anything. That’s my fault. Since you’ve come to visit me, then stay a while before you leave.”

Wusheng was elated. “Thank you Elder Tan.” He then turned around and told Liu Ji , “Go and take a look around Astral-10.”

“Master Wusheng, I’ll show her around,” Xia Luo offered.

Wusheng nodded. “Sure.” He then sat next to the Realm Tutor and immediately started quietly discussing with him.

Xia Luo politely gestured at Liu Ji . “Please.”

Liu Ji nodded, but she felt slightly uncomfortable. She had been born into the Lockbreaker Society, but even then, she had to spend a great deal of time studying and preparing herself before she had qualified to join the society. However, this person had joined without even taking an assessment. If not for the fact that she didn’t dare to refute Master Wusheng, then she would have definitely objected. Nevertheless, although there was nothing she could officially do now since Master Wusheng had already agreed, she had still resolved herself to not be nice to Xia Luo. Despite her attitude, Xia Luo was very gentle and hadn’t minded the fact that Liu Ji didn’t bother introducing herself.

He brought her to the Rain Observatory.

The rain in the Rain Observatory never ceased pouring, and the entire area was covered with a dull green sky filled with green branches. Most people couldn’t tell that these branches all came from the same gigantic tree unless someone told them.

Liu Ji wasn’t very interested in the Rain Observatory since Lockbreakers already had a very high level of control over their star energy. Their standard of control over star energy was different from the standards that Lu Yin and the others followed. They had a unique understanding and knowledge of star energy that only Lockbreakers possessed; if not for this heightened sensibility, then any cultivator who had a slightly above average control over their star energy could become a Lockbreaker.

Liu Ji wanted to increase her battle experience and lockbreaking skills, which were things that couldn’t be obtained from looking at rain. So, she prepared to leave as soon as she entered.

At this moment, a black dot rapidly flew over, his dark black hair absorbing all of the light around him. He leapt past Liu Ji and stepped into the teleportation device. It was Darkvoid.

Liu Ji became furious at Darkvoid’s actions. “Stop, what’s wrong with you? Didn’t you see that I was about to leave? You’re so rude!”

Darkvoid glanced at Liu Ji, but he merely ignored her and continued to leave.

Liu Ji snorted. She then lifted her hand and disturbed the surrounding star energy with her palm in an attempt to suppress Darkvoid. She was a Lockbreaker and had a high battle power even if she didn’t use battle techniques. None of that mattered; Lockbreakers represented power.

Darkvoid lifted his hand up as well, and his fingers twitched slightly, causing the space in front of Liu Ji to erupt. Her face paled and she immediately retreated. The air distorted and a wave of energy washed over her, pushing the rain apart and causing the star energy that had been dispersed by Liu Ji to recover. By the time Liu Ji recovered from her shock, Darkvoid was already gone.

Liu Ji was stunned. “Did he just shatter space?! How is that possible? He’s just a Melder! How is he so strong?”

“It’s his innate gift,” Xia Luo said with a smile.

Liu Ji was astonished. “Innate gift? So he has a space-related innate gift. Was that guy just now the top student of Astral-10?” In her mind, someone with this unique of an ability would naturally be the top student.

Xia Luo shrugged as he replied, “No.”

Liu Ji was surprised. “He’s not the top student?”

Xia Luo smiled but didn’t bother explaining any further. The outside world looked down upon Astral-10, but they didn’t know that this academy was actually very powerful. The battle power that the new students had shown during the New Student Competition was already enough to astonish the other academies. And now, after they had received personal guidance from the mentors, no one really knew how far their fellow students had progressed.

Liu Ji was astounded and looked at Xia Luo. “Take me to meet your top student. Rumor has it that most of the old students from Astral-10 have left, so there should only be Melders here. I want to see the innate gift of the top student that can defeat a Melder who can shatter space.”

Xia Luo helplessly answered, “I’m sorry, but I don’t know where he currently is. Do you mind if we search for him?”