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Chapter 172: The Ever-Present Gap
Chapter 172: The Ever-Present Gap (Requesting Monthly Votes)
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Lin Qi calmly withdrew his fist, nodding inwardly.
His fist strength had exceeded expectations.
Once he broke through his current limits, his strength would likely approach 3,500 kilograms.
Turning around, he returned to the group and slung his black backpack over his shoulders, reclaiming it from Jiang Tao.
"Brother Qi, you're the man!" Jiang Tao exclaimed, giving him a thumbs-up.
Others nodded in agreement, Guo Heng now completely convinced.
Lin Qi shook his head. "Nothing to brag about. I'm not even first place."
The others merely exchanged glances, interpreting his humility as classic modesty.
Lin Qi's gaze shifted to the leaderboard on his left.
Fist Strength Rankings (Freshmen)
1st: Huo Wanyang (First Academy) – 2,758.2 kg
2nd: Ao Feng (Nine Pavilions) – 2,621 kg
3rd: Lin Qi (Sixth Institute) – 2,599.9 kg
...
Two names remained above his own – Huo Wanyang and Ao Feng.
Even the historical rankings showed Huo Wanyang surpassing all past prodigies to claim the top spot.
This was a rival of immense strength, a genius with extraordinary innate talent – a future adversary.
Lin Qi exhaled sharply, the weight of competition settling on him. Whether Huo and Ao’s superiority stemmed from higher vital energy stats or other factors, they outclassed him at this moment.
But he had no doubt he would surpass them all, just as he had overtaken Wang Qiufeng and Chen Li before.
...
Minutes later, the Cang Province group finished their tests and proceeded deeper into the campus.
They arrived at a vast plaza with a projected title: Sixth Institute.
Lu Wei appeared before them – a curvaceous woman in a white uniform, her face retaining traces of youthful roundness. As the Sixth Institute’s freshman intern counselor, she would guide them to their dormitories.
"Students of the Sixth Institute", she greeted them, "I’ll be your guide to the dorms today."
Spotting Lin Qi, her eyes lit up. "Lin Qi, long time no see!"
"Teacher Lu", he replied with a nod.
A line of sleek white sightseeing vehicles approached with a soft hum.
"Everyone aboard! I’ll take you there."
As the group boarded, the vehicles rumbled forward into the campus.
Sitting at the front, Lu Wei turned to address them. "Let me explain our layout while we travel."
A 3D map materialized above her. "The university’s architecture forms a perfect circle. From the main gate, a straight path leads into this circular campus."
"The nine academies’ dormitories lie at the outermost ring. Moving inward are the academic buildings, followed by shared cultivation facilities."
Lin Qi studied the map, noticing it divided the circle into ten equal segments. Public resources clustered centrally, ensuring equal distance from all academies.
"Guo Heng!"
A sharp voice rang out.
As Lu Wei prepared to continue, all heads turned toward a sleek red car pulling alongside their vehicle.
Inside sat a striking woman with short hair and a signature teardrop mole near her eye. Her presence radiated an intense heat, like embers stirring in a breeze.
"Big sis!" Guo Heng called back.
Lin Qi recognized her immediately – Guo Yi, Guo Heng’s elder sister. A senior who’d awakened her flame-based special ability and signed with the Crimson Vault Martial Arts Pavilion as an S-Rank Genius.
The heat from her aura pressed down, making even Lin Qi’s skin prickle.
How powerful is she? he wondered. Third realm? Fourth? Or even fifth?
Guo Yi addressed Lu Wei directly. "Teacher Lu, I’m taking my brother."
"Go ahead", Lu Wei smiled politely.
Guo Heng waved to Lin Qi. "I’ll see you later!"
As the car roared away, Guo Yi gave Lin Qi a brief nod, which he returned.
The sightseeing vehicle resumed its journey.
"Who was that?" someone asked. "She drives a car?"
"Guo Yi – Ten Institute’s S-Rank Genius and Guo Heng’s sister", came the reply.
Whispers of awe spread. This is the aura of a true prodigy?
Lu Wei continued, "There’s no absolute fairness at Azure Firmament Academy."
"Disparities exist everywhere."
"Take Guo Yi’s car – only the top ten students per academy are allowed personal vehicles. Autonomous, always ready to drive. Everyone else rides these shuttles. Want your own ride? Buy one – just a few million yuan."
Silence fell as students absorbed this reality.
"Accommodation differs too", Lu Wei added.
"Lower-ranked students share dormitory doubles. Top 500 receive private apartments. Top 50 get standalone villas – with living rooms, personal martial arts halls, service robots, and smart electric vehicles. Even the primordial energy density varies by status."
Eyes gleamed with longing.
Lu Wei smirked. "Envious? Push yourselves harder! Improve your rankings, and these luxuries will be yours."
Her words ignited competitive fire. The message was clear – here, strength dictated privilege.
...
Half an hour later, the shuttle pulled up at a row of traditional Chinese villas.
"Lin Qi", Lu Wei announced, "this is the Sixth Institute’s finest villa – reserved only for the senior disciple."
"Three floors, private garden, balcony, and a martial arts hall over 500 square meters..."
The villa matched Lin Qi’s new home in Yujing Haoting. The air shimmered with dense primordial energy.
"Quick – there’s a gift waiting inside."
The smart gate slid open. Lu Wei entered first, Lin Qi following.
Inside, minimalist black-and-white decor contrasted against a starry ceiling. A massive black screen adorned the living room wall.
At the center stood a sleek table holding a silver metal case the size of a shoebox.
Beeping softly, the case opened at Lu Wei’s command. Inside, a black sphere rested in a recessed tray.
Lin Qi examined its intricate engravings. "What is this?"
"A sentient AI core", Lu Wei explained. "You’ll recognize it – like Pavilion Master Yue Feng’s crimson sphere at Crimson Vault. This one’s yours – well, for four years. Return it upon graduation unless you buy it."
Lin Qi nodded, understanding. Multi-billion yuan Ais weren’t just given away.
"Bring out your AI core module", Lu Wei instructed.
From his backpack, Lin Qi produced a ring-box containing a chip half the size of a memory card.
Lu Wei pressed a circular engraving on the black sphere. A compartment opened. As the core slotted in, the sphere erupted in a blinding glow.
Levitating, its engravings flared blue light. Particles of light reassembled, transforming into a blue-haired, black-eyed girl with delicate features.
"Xiaochan!" Lin Qi exclaimed.
"Master!" she grinned playfully, her expression suddenly animated.
"This is..." Lin Qi blinked, astonished.
"The projection mode", Lu Wei clarified. "You can switch between sphere form and your preferred appearance. Fully charged, it lasts three months. Link it to the university website for smart home instructions."
Nodding, Lin Qi watched Xiaochan flit through the air like a living being.
"Explore on your own now", Lu Wei said. "Your belongings have been delivered to the martial arts hall."
As she departed, Xiaochan hovered closer. "Master", she winked, "let me show you around."
Her eyes shimmered with data streams. Screens materialized, displaying details of every appliance – brands, prices, functions.
Lin Qi marveled. The upgraded processor felt significantly more responsive.
...
(End of Chapter)
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