Chapter 122: The Rise of Hidden Tiger
Chapter 122: The Rise of Hidden Tiger (Seeking Monthly Votes)
The moment the results appeared, expressions in the classroom varied wildly.
"How could this happen?"
Li Zhou clenched his fist, his brow furrowed. His Vital Energy Stat and martial arts skills had been improving steadily, yet his rankings—both citywide and provincial—had dropped. No progress, only regression.
An unprecedented pressure weighed on him, suffocating and unfamiliar. He’d never felt this way before.
Yu Jing compared his own rankings with Lin Qi’s, feeling a crushing sense of helplessness. The gap was too vast. He abandoned all thoughts of competing further.
The rest of the class erupted in murmurs.
"First place is finally Lin Qi’s. No surprise—he truly is Hidden Tiger. Unbelievable!"
"Citywide third, provincial fifth? This is a result our Second High School could only dream of!" Qiu Jie exclaimed, drawing nods of agreement.
Those seated at the back now looked at Lin Qi with open admiration. The same feeling hung in the air: Tianhai No.2 High School had officially entered the age of Lin Qi.
On the podium, Yan Hong and Zhang Cheng exchanged glances, their smiles betraying quiet triumph. Lin Qi’s absurdly high scores had not only defeated the top students from First High School and No.3 Academy but also promised generous rewards for their faculty.
---
Meanwhile, in the principal’s office…
A smartphone on the desk chimed, "Ding! Results are out!"
Jiang Zhiguang, buried in paperwork, shot up, snatching his phone to project its screen. A green-tinted hologram flickered to life, and his eyes lit up at Lin Qi’s rankings.
"Haha! Lin Qi, you incredible genius! You’re my lucky charm!"
He sprang to his feet, laughing heartily. "Tianhai No.2 is rising!"
Excited, he imagined the budget approvals awaiting him. With Lin Qi leading the way, the school’s reputation—and funding—would skyrocket. After watering a young sapling with a nearby watering can, he mused aloud, "Who’d have thought No.2 could soar so high? Top ten citywide, three of them ours. Provincial top ten, two. I can’t wait to rub this in old Guo’s face." A grin stretched across his face.
---
At 10 a.m., in the 503 Martial Arts Training Hall…
Lin Qi, Chen Zichuan, and Jiang Tao feasted on Kfc—burgers and fried chicken scenting the air. Treats were on Lin Qi this time, celebrating his ascension to class vanguard.
"Brother Qi, you’ve got a new nickname now—Hidden Tiger!" Jiang Tao stuffed a burger into his mouth, wolfing it down.
"Hidden Tiger carries multiple meanings", Chen Zichuan nodded. "It refers to a genius who hides their strength."
"Spot-on for Brother Qi", Jiang Tao chimed in, sipping cola. "Who’d have guessed you’d become this unstoppable? Every assessment shocks everyone."
Lin Qi crumpled his burger wrapper, nodding. "Hidden Tiger" was tolerable. Past nicknames like "Mountain-Crusher Tiger" or "Tiger Form Spear" had never fit. This one, understated yet fitting, he’d accept.
"We’ve all improved, but we can’t slack", Lin Qi said. "Harder work awaits."
Jiang Tao and Chen Zichuan nodded. Jiang Tao resolved to order his own Gravity Ring the next day, determined to emulate his senior.
---
At the Martial Arts Education Bureau…
Director He, a broad-shouldered man, ended a call. Rubbing his temples, he sighed to Officer Li, "Several prodigies have complained about the martial arts assessments. Even full scores don’t satisfy them."
"Todays geniuses are stronger than ever", Officer Li replied. "Never before have so many reached perfection this early. Their caliber forces us to reform."
"Draft an official statement for me", He ordered.
As Officer Li exited, He pulled up the provincial rankings. His eyes lingered on Lin Qi’s name—provincial fifth, a meteoric rise.
"Lin Qi’s growth rate astounds me", He mused. "I knew he was special. The more talents like him, the brighter humanity’s future."
---
When the monthly assessments released, rankings across the province ignited debates. Chen Li showed no reaction. Wang Qiufeng stiffened, anxiety creeping in. Zhou Xi Yin silently added Lin Qi to her list of rivals.
---
At noon, in the Crimson Vault Martial Arts Pavilion’s owner’s office…
"Welcome, Province Fifth—our genius!" Yue Feng, tall and broad in a black suit, turned from his desk, smirking.
Lin Qi shook his head. "Uncle Yue, don’t tease."
They settled by a tea table, a new set of teaware glinting. Lin Qi noticed the air thick with Primordial Energy particles, denser than his private training hall. Training here could boost his Vital Energy Stat further.
"Lin Qi", Yue Feng poured tea, "I promised a reward when you cracked provincial top ten. You’ve surpassed even that."
Lin Qi leaned forward, intrigued.
"Your Spear Techniques have hit a plateau", Yue Feng continued. "Black Iron Rank manuals are maxed out. Their utility is fading."
"You need advanced manuals—and to train Body Techniques. On battlefields, you’ll face not one, but hundreds of Disaster Beasts. Survival demands evasion. In Wanda Plaza, Body Techniques could’ve saved you."
Lin Qi nodded. His Body Techniques lagged behind his Spear Techniques. Time to balance them.
"Bronze-level manuals aren’t free", Yue Feng warned. "Top-tier ones drain resources. Even with your A-Rank contract, funds are tight."
"High-cost, high-demand", Lin Qi agreed.
"Here’s your reward", Yue Feng slid a holographic interface toward him. "5,000,000 Xia Kingdom currency, for anything purchased at Crimson Heaven Residence. Just select the ‘Shared Payment’ option and tag me."
Lin Qi’s heart raced. A half-million gift? Equivalent to an A-Rank contract’s signing bonus!
---
(End of Chapter)
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