Chapter 135: Quota Gone
Chapter 135: Quota Gone (Requesting Monthly Vote)
Afternoon, atop the Crimson Vault Martial Arts Pavilion.
"Boom!!"
A deep crimson peregrine-shaped Skybreaker Craft hummed as it lifted into the air, then tore through the sky toward the Imperial Capital, whipping up fierce gusts of wind.
Yue Feng’s coat flapped in the breeze as he watched the shrinking silhouette vanish into the distance. He asked, "Old Sun, do you think Lin Qi can actually make it to S-Rank Contract?"
Sun Manager, standing behind him, nodded. "Deputy Group Leader Wen Rui has been vocal about his admiration for Lin Qi’s innate talent. Even Deputy Group Leader Zou Wan checks in on him regularly. They’re both confident. Unless something goes wrong, S-Rank should be secure."
Yue Feng frowned. "It’s all too smooth. It’s giving me a bad feeling."
"Let’s hope it’s just paranoia."
...
The Imperial Capital—heart of the Xia Kingdom, revered as the sacred land of martial arts.
The Crimson Vault Martial Arts Pavilion’s headquarters loomed in the city’s core sector, its crimson-white structure forged from a specially crafted alloy that gleamed with a cold, metallic sheen. Towering lines of rigid, angular architecture pierced the heavens, making the building resemble a slumbering beast of steel.
Inside a central conference room:
A massive elliptical table dominated the space, its surface carved from obsidian-black stone. A holographic projector floated above, displaying streams of data. Ten high-ranking martial artists—men and women of mid-stage cultivation—sat around the table. Zhang Tai chatted casually with his peers.
"Cutting to the chase", boomed a broad-shouldered man in a crimson-and-white uniform, his face framed by a thick beard. "Our ten evaluation teams have assessed provincial prodigies. Now we’ll vote to determine S-Rank Contract promotions."
He gestured, and holograms of dossiers appeared before each member.
"Huo Wanyang!" a voice called. "Top of the national rankings—automatic approval."
"Seconded. Let’s vote."
Names flickered in the air.
"Ten votes—Huo Wanyang promoted to S-Rank Contract."
"Tao Xue—ten approved."
"Li Zehao", Zhang Tai interjected. "The Imperial Capital’s two quotas are already filled. By protocol, he’ll be postponed to the reserve list unless we fall short of ten total promotions."
"Correct", affirmed a matron in a violet robe.
The meeting continued as provinces were reviewed.
"Zhou Xi Yin—ten rejected."
One by one, candidates fell until only Lin Qi remained. Zhang Tai projected Lin Qi’s dossier.
Eyes brightened. Even Old Qin nodded appreciatively.
"Vote begins."
"Nine approved—passed!"
"Wait!" A bald man beside Zhang Tai raised his hand. "We should consider postponing others for the reserve list."
Zhang Tai agreed. "This year’s talent pool is exceptional. Ten S-Rank slots might not suffice."
"Li Zehao and Lin Qi stand out", another remarked.
The Brawny Man of the Qin Clan declared, "Final slot: Lin Qi versus Li Zehao. Majority rules."
The holograms split:
Lin Qi: 5 votes
Li Zehao: 5 votes
A tie. Zhang Tai’s vote tipped the scale.
Azure Robe Deputy Principal frowned. "Lin Qi’s innate talent is superior!"
"The boy ranks 108th nationally", countered the bald man. "Li Zehao is 28th. His martial arts stats are sturdier. Isn’t he worthy?"
Purple Robed Matron snapped, "Zhang Tai, aren’t you sacrificing potential for stability?"
Zhang Tai sighed. "Lin Qi’s rise was meteoric, but meteors fade. Remember Li Xiao from Shu Province? Two years ago, he rocketed from last place in his school to top ten. Promoted to S-Rank—only to crash back to mediocrity."
Ke Lan, the Purple Robed Matron, scowled. "Li Xiao’s setback was an accident!"
"Was it?" Zhang Tai spread his hands. "The matter’s classified, but his decline is real."
The Brawny Man sighed. "Another round. I abstain."
The final tally:
Li Zehao: 6 votes
Lin Qi: 4 votes
"Li Zehao secures S-Rank Contract!"
As the meeting adjourned, Ke Lan spat, "Zhang Tai, your ‘fairness’ is a joke. Everyone knows Li Zehao’s your nephew." She stormed out, others exchanging knowing glances.
Back in his office, Zhang Tai slumped into his leather chair. Bald Middle-Aged Man followed.
"Who’d have guessed Lin Qi would challenge Li Zehao’s certainty?" the bald man mused.
Zhang Tai sighed. "Years of reputation, gone. But Lin Qi’s talent… it’s a waste."
"You did what you had to."
...
(End of Chapter)
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