https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-124-Yesterday-s-Foe-Today-s-Pushover/13506997/
Chapter 123: A 5,000,000 Credit Reward
Chapter 123: A 5,000,000 Credit Reward (Requesting Monthly Votes)
Yue Feng slowly sipped his hot tea, smiling as he asked, “Do you think it’s too generous?”
Lin Qi nodded. “This is way too much!”
Yue Feng stood, strolling to the window and gazing at the sky. “Five million Xia Kingdom Credits? That’s not excessive at all.”
“For me, it’s just loose change. It doesn’t even matter to me anymore.”
“The cultivation resources I randomly purchase are worth more than five million.”
“I earned nearly a hundred million Credits from hunting that Seventh Realm disaster beast, Ghostfang Colossal Shark.”
“Hiss~”
Lin Qi couldn’t help but inhale sharply. A small fortune—he’s absurdly rich.
Money’s practically just numbers to him now.
“But five million Credits are vital for you right now.”
“As I said before, I believe you’ll become an S-Rank Genius. This is just a minor investment.”
“It’ll help close the gap between you and the top talents.”
Lin Qi’s expression softened, standing upright. “Thank you, Uncle Yue!”
Yue Feng waved him off. “You’ll need to work even harder now.”
“I’ve already reported your progress to Crimson Heaven’s headquarters. They’ll send an examiner to assess you alongside the Pavilion Master.”
“Whether you qualify for the S-Rank Contract isn’t my decision—it’s theirs. I don’t have that authority,” Yue Feng explained.
“This upcoming month is critical. Ranking fifth in the province is impressive, but for an S-Rank Genius, it’s not enough. You’ll need to break into the top two—at least first place.”
“The gap between geniuses will only widen.”
“You can’t be complacent.”
“You still have room to grow!” Yue Feng emphasized.
Lin Qi nodded, feeling the pressure crash over him.
...
Minutes later, Lin Qi left.
Only Yue Feng and Manager Sun remained in the office.
“Old Sun, do you think Lin Qi can convince the Pavilion Master and the examiners?” Yue Feng asked, sipping tea.
Manager Sun replied, “I believe he can.”
“Wang Qiufeng from Abyssal Maw Martial Arts Gym, Chen Li from Black Radiance Martial Arts Gym—we currently have Zhou Xi Yin and Lin Qi as Crimson Heaven’s top prospects.”
“Zhou Xi Yin’s always been overshadowed by Wang Qiufeng, but Lin Qi’s growth has been accelerating.”
“Compared to them, he’s more likely to surpass Chen Li and become an S-Rank Genius.”
“Well-reasoned. That’s exactly what I think,” Yue Feng nodded.
...
After leaving the Martial Arts Pavilion, Lin Qi returned to his private B123 Martial Arts Training Hall.
He changed into his training uniform, consumed Stamina Elixirs, applied Crimson Blood Healing Balm, and began training.
Swirling his black Thunderhorn Longspear, he processed the news from Yue Feng.
First, the five million credit allowance—enough to purchase the highest-tier Bronze Secret Techniques, including five-star Spear and Body Arts, ensuring his future combat strength.
Then there was the S-Rank Contract.
He was determined to secure it.
“I didn’t expect Uncle Yue to lack authority over the S-Rank Contract.”
“The competition for it is fiercer than I imagined!”
“Uncle Yue didn’t reveal the exact criteria. I’ll just have to aim for the highest possible ranking.”
“Fifth in the province isn’t enough—I need to be number one.”
Lin Qi resolved to become the strongest in Cang Province and upgrade to the S-Rank Contract.
“But first, I need to prepare thoroughly for tonight’s Genius Battle Tournament—Rounds Four and Five.”
...
Sunday, 7 PM
The Crimson Vault Martial Arts Pavilion was bustling again as crowds gathered to spectate.
“Brother Qi!”
As Lin Qi entered the virtual lobby, whispers erupted around him.
“Look! It’s Hidden Tiger Lin Qi!”
“Never thought he’d show up here so often. Who’d have guessed he’s now third in Tianhai City?”
“Does anyone know his Scarlet Realm ID?”
“He’s so strong—he should rank highly in the Scarlet Realm!”
“No idea!”
Onlookers murmured, watching him.
Lü Xiang and Wu Feng stared with admiration. Who’d have thought that casually calling him “Brother Qi” would become literal?
Guo Heng’s emotions were the most turbulent. Seeing Lin Qi ranked fifth province-wide had shocked him.
“Lin Qi, no wonder they call you Hidden Tiger. You’ve been hiding your strength!”
“You’ve even surpassed me now.”
“Looks like I’ll have to start calling you Brother Qi too.”
Lin Qi joked, “Then try saying it, Brother Qi!”
After some casual banter, the group turned serious.
Jiang Tao spoke first. “Tonight’s fourth round will eliminate half of the 194 remaining competitors, who’ll then enter revival matches against over a thousand others.”
“The survivors will form the final 128, battling in Round Five for the 64-strong finals.”
They nodded—they’d already studied the rules.
Lin Qi checked his watch. “Time to enter the Neural Pod.”
“Agreed!” they replied.
“Lin Qi, what’s your in-game name?” Guo Heng suddenly asked before leaving.
Lin Qi’s lips curled. “You’ll all know soon enough, Ah Heng. Don’t rush me!”
He turned and walked away, stepping into the Neural Pod.
Guo Heng pondered the possible names in his mind. As he said, after tonight’s tournament, the only one advancing will be Lin Qi.
Could it be Yang Jian?
...
The Genius Battle Tournament’s fourth round commenced across Xia Kingdom, with 194 registered geniuses logging into the Scarlet Realm.
By tonight, only 64 would remain.
A fiercely competitive night awaited.
...
【Yang Jian, welcome to the Scarlet Realm!】
【Do you wish to enter Round Four of the Genius Battle Tournament? Completion grants a reward of 800,000 Xia Kingdom Credits.】
Lin Qi smirked at the reward.
Those 800,000 Credits wouldn’t come easily. If he drew an opponent ranked in the top thirty, he might be eliminated.
Still, no matter the difficulty, he needed that reward. He’d been burning resources too quickly lately.
Yes.
He clicked “Yes,” officially starting the fourth round.
Simultaneously, the Scarlet Realm activated, and the space around Lin Qi shifted, as if an invisible force had teleported him to a new dimension.
Boom!!
A vast arena materialized, with two crimson light pillars descending from the sky.
Clack! Clack!
Heavy footsteps echoed.
Two towering figures emerged, holding longspears as they stepped forward from the light.
【Nickname: Li Ke (Cang Province)】
【Scarlet List Rank: 90】
...
【Nickname: Yang Jian (Cang Province)】
【Scarlet List Rank: 104】
...
Their eyes met, and identical smirks formed.
Li Ke felt confident. “A provincial comrade—ranked lower than me. This round is already mine.”
Lin Qi stared at the name, momentarily lost in memories.
Li Ke’s name transported him back months ago, to when the Scarlet List expanded across Tianhai City.
Li Ke had been the second-highest back then.
Jiang Tao had urged them to surpass the top two.
Now, fate had paired them.
Lin Qi gripped his Black Longspear, his aura slowly rising. Beneath his mask, his smirk widened.
“Looks like my luck’s holding.”
“Even Heaven wants me to advance!”
...
(End of Chapter)
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