https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-173-Over-the-Top-Cultivation-Environment/13507175/
Chapter 174: A Gathering of Geniuses
Chapter 174: A Gathering of Geniuses (Requesting Monthly Vote)
Lin Qi clenched his fists, muscles tensing as waves of power surged through his body.
"Is this the training environment of Azure Firmament Martial Academy? It’s incredible!"
Eyes closed, he could still feel the constant influx of primordial energy particles replenishing him. Though the accumulated energy he’d absorbed earlier had been depleted, fresh currents quickly replaced it—far denser than what he’d experienced at Crimson Vault Martial Arts Pavilion.
The primordial energy concentration here in his villa was over three times that of Crimson Vault. His cultivation efficiency, which had recently declined, was now accelerating again.
"With my Vital Energy Stat at 31, this training environment could let me breakthrough to the Third Circle within months—the same stage as my father."
Lin Qi sighed inwardly. The gap between people could be wider than that between humans and dogs. His father had spent over two decades striving, yet only reached the peak of a Third-Circle Martial Artist. Now, at eighteen, Lin Qi was about to surpass him.
Glancing at the Template Fusion Rate on his status panel, he noted it had reached 14.8%—nearly 15%.
"Fusion Rate’s been increasing slower and slower. It’s taken nearly half a year to gain less than 5%."
"But the harder it is to improve, the better the innate talent we might gain."
He studied the flickering template, curious about the upcoming talent. Though Fusion Rate was under 20%, every innate talent revealed so far had proven invaluable. While ordinary cultivators might consider a single innate talent a stroke of luck, Lin Qi’s situation was different.
After a moment’s reflection, he resumed his stance, launching into fist techniques.
—
At 7 p.m., a beep echoed through the living room. A cylindrical white robot extended its mechanical arm, placing a steaming nutrition meal on the table. Lin Qi opened the container—a plastic-made bento box holding twice the portion of a standard second-tier nutrition meal.
As he lifted the lid, fragrant steam billowed out. Though the dishes looked home-cooked, the meat was from a Level-3 Disaster Beast, and the vegetables far superior in quality.
Without hesitation, he devoured the meal. Moments later, the box was empty. Letting out a breath, he felt warmth spread through his body, sweat beading on his forehead as his stomach began digesting the primordial energy.
"The effects of a third-tier nutrition meal are undeniable. At this rate, my Vital Energy Stat will keep rising steadily."
A smile tugged at his lips. Since entering Azure Firmament Martial Academy, his growth had been staggering. As online forums claimed, the Three Great Martial Academies were truly the holy lands of cultivation. Four years here could turn even a pig into the strongest boar. Graduates, even ordinary ones, became the elite martial artists of cities.
His phone buzzed in his pocket. Unlocking it via face scan, he saw a message from Teacher Lu Wei on Weixun. He’d been added to a group chat with over a thousand members.
Lu Wei: "This will be the official group for the Six Colleges of Azure Firmament. All announcements will be posted here."
Qiu Jie: "Azure Firmament’s training hall has primordial energy so dense it’s terrifying!"
Lü Xiang: "Training here feels like flying!"
Lin Qi scrolled through the flood of messages.
Lu Wei: "Reminder: Attend the opening ceremony at Crimson Vault Building tomorrow at 8 a.m. Uniforms required. No excuses for lateness."
Lu Wei: "Follow the queue instructions in the attached images."
Lin Qi examined the photos. The Crimson Vault Building—the largest structure in Azure Firmament, housing the Ten Colleges—was marked on the map. The ceremony would be held in its grand hall, with the Sixth College standing in formation by rank. The higher the rank, the closer to the front. As the Sixth College’s top senior disciple, Lin Qi would naturally lead the line.
"Tomorrow, I’ll finally meet my future rivals", he mused.
Meanwhile, the group chat buzzed with excitement, not just from the Sixth College. Other colleges were equally thrilled.
—
July 10, 2046, Martial Dao Calendar—Opening Day for Xia Kingdom’s martial academies.
The Crimson Vault Building stood at Azure Firmament’s core. Sleek and streamlined, it resembled a massive warship docked within the campus. Its exterior, made of high-strength transparent alloy, shifted colors dynamically with ambient light.
Groups of students in red-and-white uniforms gathered at the entrance, flanked by two twenty-meter-tall mechanical guardians modeled after the War God form of high-stage martial artists.
Jiang Tao waited at the gates, eyes scanning the crowd. Suddenly, a figure approached.
"Brother Qi!" Jiang Tao grinned, throwing a fist forward.
"Taozi!" Lin Qi punched back, then strode ahead with Jiang Tao at his right. Guo Heng joined from the left, and the trio entered the hall.
Inside, the ceiling soared a hundred meters, its dome a starry expanse of metallic inlays and special effects. Brilliant lights illuminated thousands of red-and-white-clad geniuses, each radiating formidable auras. They stood in half-circle formations around the central stage, with the Sixth College positioned at the front.
As Lin Qi advanced, the crowd parted to let him pass. Guo Heng quickly found his place, while Jiang Tao and Lin Qi took the front. Behind them, five disciples formed a line—Guo and Jiang in the second row, with Wang Qiufeng and Zhou Xi Yin, ranked 38th nationally, in the front.
A figure approached, flanked by several others. The leader, around 185 cm tall, had a sharp, cold face and an aura of frost.
"Lin Qi, we meet again", he said.
Lin Qi smiled. "Indeed."
This was Guan Shan, the "Lone Wolf" he’d faced in the Genius Battle Tournament from Bei Jiang Province. His Frostwind Blade Techniques had pressured Lin Qi into learning Split Mountain Spear Techniques.
"Call me Guan Shan. Ranked 34th nationally. I joined Azure Firmament just for you."
Lin Qi extended his hand. "Welcome. You won’t regret this choice."
Their hands clasped firmly. Lin Qi noted Guan Shan’s impressive ranking—outside the S-Rank Geniuses, he was among the very top.
Guan Shan introduced his Bei Jiang Province peers, each with unique auras and formidable rankings around 500th nationally.
Lin Qi surveyed the Sixth College—Wang Qiufeng, Zhou Xi Yin, Guo Heng, Jiang Tao, Li Zhou—all top-100 students. Of the 70 non-S-Rank geniuses in the top 100, six were here.
He nodded. The Sixth College’s strength rivaled any other.
—
As time passed, more students arrived. The nine colleges’ senior disciples gathered at the forefront, each wearing their college’s emblem—like Lin Qi’s, a Deep-Sea Leviathan, a ninth-tier Disaster Beast.
Jiang Tao leaned in. "Brother Qi, Guo Heng and I did some digging. Five of the nation’s top ten joined Azure Firmament."
"Besides Li Lei, who you surpassed, there are three others."
He pointed to a tall, black-haired girl with a cold demeanor. "Duan Chuchu, the 'Golden Serpent Blade' from Shu Province, ranked 7th nationally."
Then to the Nine Pavilions group: "Ao Feng, the 'Soul Severer,' ranked 4th."
Lin Qi observed Ao Feng—a pretty-faced boy with glowing skin and an incongruous, muscular build.
"He excels in speed, yet his fist strength ranks second. His Vital Energy Stat must be monstrous", Guo Heng added.
Jiang Tao gestured toward a broad-shouldered man at the First College’s front. "Huo Wanyang, once the top-ranked 'Warm Marquis.' He loves Lu Bu from the Three Kingdoms. Uses a great axe—Innate Divine Strength. Broke the fist strength record on arrival."
Lin Qi chuckled. "He’s a marquis? I’m still the Overlord!"
—
(End of Chapter)
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