Chapter 136

"As a team with an average age of no more than sixteen, their hard work and dedication in getting this far are evident to all. Now, please welcome Commander-in-Chief Jing Hongyi to personally present the championship trophy to the Mask Squad."

All the spotlights around the arena shone on the ring.

At the same time, the satellite camera also turned towards the judges' panel.

Jing Hongyi stood up with a smile and bowed slightly to the camera and the surrounding audience.

He then stepped down from the judges' table and walked steadily onto the stage.

A staff member approached Jing Hongyi with a tray containing the trophy, bowed slightly, and handed it to him.

Jing Hongyi first nodded to Xu Jintang and the other four before turning around to take the trophy.

He held the trophy in both hands, walked up to Xu Jintang, and smiled.

The championship trophy is printed with the logo of the Ability User Competition, and the entire trophy and chair are golden in color, shimmering under the lights.

"Congratulations." Jing Hongyi handed over the trophy with both hands.

Xu Jintang stepped forward, bowed slightly to accept the gift, and then nodded to Jing Hongyi in thanks.

All eyes were on this.

Xu Jintang returned to the team with the trophy in his arms.

A few seconds later, the five of them raised the trophy high together.

The fans' shouts and cheers rang out again, "Mask Squad! Mask Squad!"

The golden spotlight shone on Xu Jintang and his four companions, and the trophy they held up together shimmered with a faint light.

Jiang Wenzhuo and Deputy Director Wang, who were on the judging panel, also stood up and applauded.

The five members of the Purple Rosy Clouds Pond Flower Team stood below the stage with complicated expressions. Although they were unwilling, they were still unconsciously moved by this scene and applauded together.

Not long after the tournament ended, news of the Mask Squad's victory spread rapidly across the internet.

This sparked a heated discussion online.

[Holy crap! This is the first time since the Ability User Competition started that such a young team has won the championship!]

[Isn't the important thing that the Foodie" possesses two superpowers?]

[Yeah, that Foodie's second superpower is way too outrageous.]

[A forced downgrade, and it's a group effect, with a duration of over ten minutes—that's terrifying.]

[The key point is that her ability is of the stellar attribute, and she's also an inscription master. Isn't that outrageous?]

This is beyond my understanding. Can any experts answer this?

Mask Squad's victory was certainly exciting, what sparked even more discussion was the fact that the Foodie possessed a second superpower.

Overnight, the phrase "the Foodie" spread throughout the entire Star Network.

A replay of her activating her second superpower in the final championship match was also edited together and posted on a forum.

Inside the villa dormitory.

"Class monitor! Your video is trending again!" Song Tianqi's loud voice came from downstairs.

Xu Jintang had just stepped out of the room, continued walking down the stairs without changing his expression.

Song Tianqi leaned closer, "Look, it's got over a million likes! Lots of people are discussing it in the comments."

Xu Jintang glanced at it, "Not bad."

She walked into the living room, clapped her hands, and said, "Everyone, gather in the meeting room in ten minutes. Teacher Zhuang will be coming to hold a debriefing meeting for us."

"Yes!" The group of people who were busy in the living room immediately looked up and answered.

Ten minutes passed quickly.

Zhuang Silin arrived at the villa on time.

She placed her hands on the edge of the conference table, a hint of a smile on her usually serious face. "You did a great job this time. The principal and the military academy leaders are very pleased with you, so they have unanimously decided that the funds they previously invested in you don't need to be repaid; consider it a reward for your victory."

"In addition, the military academy leadership has decided to increase investment in the experimental class. If you have any funding needs in the future, please feel free to contact me."

Song Tianqi and the others immediately exchanged excited glances, then raised their hands and cheered.

"Great! We've finally made it through!"

Yan Yuting stroked his chin and began to do the math, "The tournament champion's prize money, plus the bets we placed on the black market, how much money is that?"

Xue Zhongqi couldn't help but click his tongue in amazement, "It's even faster than how quickly I make money selling inscriptions."

Only Jiang Shiyi, the eldest daughter of the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion, remained calm.

After all, this amount of money is nothing to her.

"Also, after the debriefing meeting, Xu Jintang, you need to come to the school with me. The principal wants to talk to you about your second superpower." Zhuang Silin's meaningful gaze fell on Xu Jintang.

As soon as he said that, everyone else leaned over to look.

Actually, Yan Yuting and the others were also quite curious about the class monitor's second superpower, but none of them were too embarrassed to ask directly.

Xu Jintang nodded obediently, "Okay."

Forty minutes later, the debriefing of the entire Ability User Competition concluded.

Zhuang Silin turned off the light screen projector and reminded them, "Also, Xue Zhongqi and Xu Jintang, don't forget that the Inscription Master Competition isn't over yet."

"Yes!" Xue Zhongqi immediately straightened his back and answered.

After the meeting ended, Zhuang Silin glanced directly at Xu Jintang and said, "Let's go."

Xu Jintang quickly got up and obediently followed.

Inside the high-level meeting room of the Leikdasi Military Academy, Miao Mingzhi and several other leaders sat in a row.

Xu Jintang sat alone opposite him.

The atmosphere was a little silent. Xu Jintang coughed lightly and took the initiative to confess, "I've mentioned having two superpowers to Teacher Zhuang and Teacher Wu before."

Zhuang Silin nodded, "They did tell us, but the matter was quite serious, so I haven't had a chance to report it."

Miao Mingzhi's gaze lingered on Xu Jintang, a hint of interest in his eyes. "Just how many secrets are you hiding from us?"

Xu Jintang immediately shook his head, "No more."

Her only remaining secret is the existence of Brother Long, and this matter concerns her life; she will never reveal it to anyone under any circumstances.

Miao Mingzhi withdrew his gaze. "Alright. Then let's talk about your second superpower."

Xu Jintang did not hide anything and immediately explained the effects of the two skills that the Tilting Scales could currently use.

Upon hearing that this superpower actually had another skill effect, a look of astonishment flashed across Miao Mingzhi's eyes.

"It can even forcibly boost an ally's mental strength level. This ability is quite interesting."

After hearing this, Wen Ruide, a researcher, also raised his hand and stroked his stubble. "In all my years of researching superpowers, I've never heard of such an abnormal skill effect. And for a superpowered person to possess two superpowers at the same time is truly mind-blowing."

The other military academy leaders exchanged glances, a wry smile flashing across their faces.

Let alone Wen Ruide, they had never even heard of him.

Suddenly, Wen Ruide had an idea, and a glimmer of light flashed in his eyes. "If that's the case, is it possible that through artificial intervention, we could cultivate individuals with two superpowers in the future?"

Xu Jintang immediately sat up straight, alert. "Teacher, you're not going to dissect me for research, are you?"

"Of course not." Wen Ruide smiled, but the smile on his face looked like he wanted to devour Xu Jintang alive.

Miao Mingzhi spoke up, "Alright, stop scaring people."

She looked at Xu Jintang, "Don't worry, if he really dares to touch you, I'll slice him into pieces."

It was a rare opportunity for the military academy to encounter such a prodigious genius, so of course she cherished him.

Wen Ruide immediately raised his hands in surrender and said nothing more.

Soon, the leaders asked Xu Jintang some questions about his second supernatural ability.

Xu Jintang told her everything she could, but she consciously kept Jin Xiaobao's existence a secret.

An hour and a half later, Xu Jintang started to go numb from sitting so long.

She kept shifting her hips and rubbing her lower back.

Several leaders were still engaged in a heated debate about her second superpower.

Some people believe that a genius like Xu Jintang will need to be closely protected and monitored 24/7.

Some people believe that Leikedasi should not only cultivate hothouse flowers, but should also give Xu Jintang the opportunity to gain experience on his own.

Both sides stuck to their own versions of events and argued fiercely.

Knowing he had little influence, Xu Jintang simply lowered his head silently, trying to minimize his presence.

"Alright," Miao Mingzhi interrupted the argument, "You people only care about your own ideas, have you ever considered the child's own feelings?"

Chapter 136

These words finally silenced the meeting room.

The crowd, who had just been arguing fiercely, all fell silent and turned their gazes toward Xu Jintang.

Miao Mingzhi looked over as well, "What do you think?"

Xu Jintang cleared his throat and quietly withdrew his hand from rubbing his lower back. "I believe that experience is what makes a person grow."

After briefly stating his position, Xu Jintang resumed his obedient demeanor and sat up straight obediently.

Miao Mingzhi nodded in agreement, saying, "I know you all value talent, but overprotecting her isn't a good thing either. Let's continue as before, no one has any objections, right?"

Since the principal had already spoken, no one else dared to object and nodded in agreement.

The meeting finally ended, and Xu Jintang breathed a sigh of relief after all the leaders got up and left.

Zhuang Silin, who stayed until the very end, came over, gently patted her shoulder, and comforted her, "Don't be nervous. It's a good thing that your boss values you, but you don't need to feel too much pressure."

"I understand." Xu Jintang obediently scratched his head.

After leaving the meeting room, Xu Jintang walked alone out of the military academy.

At this time, all military academies had already begun their winter break.

There was hardly anyone on the campus of Leikedasi.

She crossed her arms and raised them high, stretching her body comfortably and relaxed.

After the Inscription Master Competition is over, she will be able to take a proper rest for a while.