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Chapter 109: Recognition and Rewards
Chapter 109: Recognition and Rewards (Requesting Monthly Votes)
Time passed gradually, and the fervor surrounding the Disaster Beast Tide began to wane as the public’s attention shifted to other matters.
Seven days after the Lunar New Year, nearing the end of February, schools across the country resumed their academic sessions one by one. Tianhai No. 2 High School was no exception.
In Room 301, Building 4 of Rongshan Residential District—Lin Qi’s home—a soft "Beep!" interrupted the quiet.
【Your Icbc card ending in xxx received 1,500,000 Crimson Heaven Points (Xia Kingdom Currency) on January 22 at 21:00. Balance: 1,561,400 Xia Kingdom Currency】
Lin Qi, lounging on the sofa, smiled as he read the message. The payment had finally arrived. Without it, he’d have been broke.
“Xiao Qi, I’m planning to return to Ten High as a martial arts instructor after school resumes,” Lin Zhen suddenly said.
“We discussed it with your dad,” Fang Huiyi chimed in. “I’ll join him as a teacher too. It’ll be convenient for us to support each other, and we can earn some extra income. Plus, I’ll have time to get back into martial arts.”
“Go for it—I’m all for this decision!” Lin Qi nodded. The family debt was cleared, his father’s vital energy was slowly recovering, and his martial arts skills—once stagnated at the Third Circle—now earned several ten-thousands of Xia Kingdom Currency monthly as an instructor. With his mother’s health improving, life was steadily getting better.
...
Late at night, Lin Qi lay on his bed scrolling through his phone when Wechat buzzed with a message from Zhang Cheng.
【Zhang Cheng: Lin Qi, there’s a commendation ceremony after tomorrow’s opening ceremony. Leaders from the Martial Arts Education Bureau and the Three Martial Arts Pavilions will attend to honor you, Li Zhou, and Jiang Tao.】
Lin Qi frowned. He disliked being paraded on stage for public recognition.
Before he could dwell, another message popped up.
【Zhang Cheng: Each of you will receive 500,000 Crimson Heaven Points.】
【Lin Qi: Fine!】
His furrowed brow relaxed. For that amount, I’ll play nice. Across the screen, Zhang Cheng exhaled in relief.
“That kid... he really won’t budge without cash,” Zhang Cheng muttered, smiling.
...
January 23 – the opening day of Tianhai No. 2 High School. The weather was clear, and the expansive playground was filled with students: cultural scholars and martial artists alike, standing in regimented class formations.
In previous years, the crowd would’ve looked bored. School openings were notoriously dull. But today, curious eyes fixated on the podium.
“What’s going on?”
“Am I hallucinating? That’s He Qidong, the Director of the Martial Arts Education Bureau! I saw him on a short video just days ago!” someone whispered.
“Wow! There’s Yue Feng, Deputy Master of the Crimson Vault Martial Arts Pavilion! I watched him kill that Ghostfang Colossal Shark—it was epic!” A student gaped.
“Even Abyssal Maw’s Black Radiance Martial Arts Gym’s Deputy Master is here! These are giants!” The crowd buzzed with excitement.
“Rumors said a senior from our school killed dozens of Disaster Beasts during the Tide. Could it be true?”
“Seriously? From our school?” The speculation swirled.
The playground erupted in murmurs, students gripping with anticipation as Vip seats were set up on the podium—clearly signaling a momentous occasion.
A bespectacled, middle-aged man with a round belly stood, adjusting the small black microphone on his lapel.
“On this bright day, Tianhai No. 2 High School officially resumes classes!”
His droning speech continued, but no one listened. All eyes were on the dignitaries. Ten minutes later, the opening formalities concluded.
Headmaster Jiang Zhiguang stepped forward, his voice booming like a drum.
“I won’t waste time. The opening ceremony is over! Now, we begin the Commendation Ceremony!”
The students leaned forward, curiosity piqued.
“Eight days ago, a minor Disaster Beast Tide erupted at Wanda Plaza. Scores of Disaster Beasts emerged, attacking innocent civilians—children, elders, women—with ruthless intent.”
“The plaza was filled with helpless civilians, facing certain doom. But three students from our school stepped forward!”
“They fearlessly confronted the beasts, slaying dozens and saving countless lives!”
“Who are they?”
“Senior Year Elite Class members: Lin Qi, Li Zhou, and Jiang Tao!”
“Recognizing their heroism, the Tianhai City Martial Arts Education Bureau and the Three Pavilions have jointly awarded them the title of ‘Outstanding Youth Martial Artists,’ along with 500,000 Crimson Heaven Points each!”
“Let’s welcome them to the stage with thunderous applause!”
Clapping erupted from the podium, then swelled into a roaring tide.
In the Senior Year Elite Class section, Zhang Cheng grinned. “Lin Qi, Li Zhou, Jiang Tao—go claim your glory!”
Lin Qi stepped forward, met with reverent stares. He led the trio onto the stage.
The crowd exploded.
“Never thought Lin Qi would rise this far!” Li Shaodong from former Class 3 muttered. Once, he’d outscored Lin Qi, but now Lin Qi was ranked second schoolwide, receiving a citywide commendation while he’d barely progressed. Many shared his sentiment.
Lowerclassmen buzzed with excitement.
“Turns out our senior really fought in the Disaster Beast Tide, and he’s top three in the year—so cool!”
“They say Lin Qi’s the most inspiring and powerful! I’ll brag about this to my friends!”
“No, Lin Qi’s the hottest senior!” A girl gushed.
“Even I—a guy—think Senior Lin Qi’s handsome. How can someone be this perfect?” A boy sighed dreamily.
Under deafening applause, the trio reached the podium.
The dignitaries stood. He Qidong extended his hand first.
“Lin Qi, your excellence is undeniable. Keep pushing forward!”
“Thank you, sir!” Lin Qi shook it firmly.
He Qidong studied him, astonishment in his eyes. Who could’ve imagined this ordinary student—once rejected as a Third-Class Genius—would become one of Tianhai’s brightest stars?
Yue Feng patted Lin Qi’s shoulder warmly.
“Consider Abyssal Maw anytime,” chimed Wang Zhenhai, deputy of the Black Radiance Gym.
Lin Qi smiled politely but didn’t commit.
The Pavilion leaders showered him with goodwill.
Jiang Tao stepped aside, leaving the center position. Li Zhou hesitated but stayed put. Lin Qi claimed the central spot without hesitation.
The Elite Class erupted in whispers.
“Strange! Isn’t Li Zhou first in the year? Why is Lin Qi center stage?”
“Dunno!” Confused murmurs spread.
Yu Jing glared from afar, his face darkening. Jealousy gnawed at his insides.
“Enjoy it while you can... Soon, I’ll take your spot as number one,” he vowed silently.
...
Lin Qi accepted the golden medal from Headmaster Jiang Zhiguang, its pure-gold surface gleaming in the sunlight. The photographer captured the moment—Lin Qi’s smile genuine and radiant.
Joy filled him, not just for the honor, but for the half-million Crimson Heaven Points.
The ceremony concluded as students and dignitaries dispersed.
Before the trio could descend, Jiang Zhiguang halted them.
“Come. Meet someone,” he said at the office door.
“Who?” Jiang Tao asked.
“Your senior—the previous year’s top scorer.”
Curiosity ignited among the three as they followed him inside.
(End of Chapter)
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