Chapter 22: He's Only Worth Third Class
Chapter 22: He's Only Worth Third Class (Please Keep Reading)
Mom Fang Huiyi sat on the sofa, enjoying the cool breeze as it gently lifted her hair.
Dad Lin Zhen, unlike usual, was drenched in sweat, practically glued to the electric fan.
The air carried a serene, peaceful stillness.
Lin Qi felt quietly joyful watching this scene.
During his lunch break, he’d purchased two air conditioners online for 3,800 yuan.
Only a thousand yuan remained for food, but he had no regrets.
“Xiaoqi,” Mom Fang Huiyi scolded, shaking her head, “just because your scholarship came through doesn’t mean you should spend it all on air conditioners! You need money for your own resources too!”
Lin Qi sat down to explain:
“Mom, Dad, don’t worry about this.”
“I’ve already bought plenty of resources, and I’ve applied for the Third-Class Genius Loan.”
“The money will come through in a few days.”
“As for the air conditioners, the sooner we install them, the sooner you’ll enjoy the comfort.”
“Don’t feel guilty—it’s just the beginning. Our life will keep getting better.”
…
Minutes later, Lin Qi returned to his bedroom after convincing his parents. The cool air from the living room’s air conditioner had already spread into the room.
“Having air conditioning really is comfortable!”
He sighed, dropped his backpack, and swallowed a Physical Energy Capsule before resuming his stance training.
He’d come home an hour early today—time for extra practice.
“At least I’ve done something for the family.”
Solving this small hardship filled Lin Qi with motivation.
“Growing up, it’s always been Mom and Dad sacrificing for me. I’ve never done anything for them.”
“They’ve worked so hard, given me so much.”
“Finally, I can help.”
As a transmigrator, he knew his parents had hidden their struggles to avoid distracting him from his studies.
But he’d pieced it together from fragments of information.
The family owed his uncle a huge debt, and there was a massive loan Dad hadn’t mentioned—definitely no small amount.
Mom Fang Huiyi’s illness was worsening, requiring more money.
They were barely scraping by.
Thankfully, his Genius Loan approval was coming.
This was just the start. He’d earn far more in the future.
After working so hard for years, it was finally time to carry this family.
Though external pressures loomed, his drive burned stronger than ever.
“My short-term goals are clear. Once the Genius Loan comes through, I’ll focus on boosting my Vital Energy Stat and Spear Techniques.”
“In the Tianhai City Joint Monthly Exam, I’ll rank in the top thirty of Second High School’s senior year to secure an independent Martial Arts Training Hall.”
“My long-term goal? Keep climbing the ranks, showcase my talent, apply for higher Genius Loans, repay the family debts, and cure Mom’s illness.”
With his goals set, Lin Qi threw himself back into training.
…
Martial Arts Education Bureau
A massive blue-and-white rectangular building, its layered structure connected by sleek curves that exuded dynamic elegance.
Inside a modern office, walls displayed holographic projections of swords, spears, and martial arts techniques. Two figures stood in separate zones, swiping through floating data tables.
“Another senior year season—looks like overtime again. No surprises there.”
“The Genius Loan applications are piling up. Since this determines martial artists’ futures, we’ve got to work late to review them.”
A woman in her twenties, wearing flawless makeup, muttered while working:
“Tianhai No.2 High School—Chen Zichuan and Lin Qi applying for Second-Class Genius Loans? Dreaming too big.”
She suddenly spotted two applications and scoffed:
“Tianhai No.2 High School, ranked 40-something? They think they deserve Second Class? Jiang Zhiguang always overestimates. This is barely Third Class material.”
Nearby, a male colleague pulled up the files.
According to the Bureau’s rules, employees like them reviewed Third-to-Second Class applications in pairs for mutual oversight. Final approvals required leadership review—a mere formality.
First-class and Special-Class applications needed direct leadership approval.
The man studied the two files carefully.
“Chen Zichuan’s Third Class is fine, but Lin Qi shows real potential.”
“Rising to the top 50 in rankings is rare.”
The woman shook her head stubbornly:
“I disagree. Even climbing fast, he’s still only top 50.”
“And timing his rise just before applying? Probably hiding his strength.”
“By the rules, I’m rejecting him—Third Class only.”
Though her words held weight, her colleague instinctively felt Lin Qi’s talent was genuine.
But following protocol, approving Third Class wouldn’t be wrong. Better safe than sorry.
He said nothing more, finalizing the decision.
Moments later, in a private office, a burly, slightly overweight middle-aged leader sat buried in work. He glanced briefly at the approval results and stamped them.
…
Senior year flew by—another week vanished.
Joining the Elite Class, many felt intense pressure.
Especially in martial arts, where every student was a top performer, the fierce competition drove everyone to train harder.
At lunchtime, after eating,
Lin Qi arrived at Jiang Tao’s Martial Arts Training Hall—a spacious 200-square-meter room.
The floor had soft mats, walls lined with wardrobes, weapon chests, fold-out beds, water dispensers…
An independent bathroom and washing machine made it livable.
Afternoon naps were typical, but now some trained even during this time.
Lin Qi and Jiang Tao had planned the same—until they saw Chen Zichuan training in the Martial Arts Classroom at noon, joining him to turn three daily sessions into four.
“Haa~”
After ten minutes of stance training, Lin Qi stood, swallowed another Physical Energy Capsule, and lifted his spear.
“Technique: Mountain-Shattering Spear Method—Thunderous Momentum, Ten-Thousand-Ton Force, Unyielding Might.”
“The Mountain-Shattering Spear Method embodies thunderous power. Execute with relentless force.”
Feet rooted in horse stance, eyes sharp and determined, he swung the spear, whooshing through the air, its tip gleaming coldly.
A sudden thrust—blade slicing like lightning.
He repeated the Mountain-Shattering Spear Method, visualizing its core principles.
“Spiral Sunder, Leap Sky, Horizontal Guard, Swift Advance…”
He lost count of repetitions. Arms ached, trembling—but his spear techniques sharpened.
His body burned, vital energy surging, joints unlocking.
[Through relentless training, your Vital Energy Stat increases. Vital Energy Stat +0.1]
[Your proficiency in Mountain-Shattering Spear Method improves. Spear Techniques +2%]
[Your Body Techniques improve. Body Techniques +2%]
[Vital Energy Stat: 6.4→6.5]
[Spear Techniques: Tier 1 71%→77%]
[Body Techniques: Tier 1 60%→68%]
…
“Haa~”
Lin Qi ended his stance, staring at his status panel with mixed emotions.
In a week, he’d surged forward.
Vital Energy Stat rose 0.3.
Spear Techniques jumped from 60% to 77%.
Body Techniques climbed ~10%.
Progress terrifyingly fast.
“Teacher Zhang Cheng said learning Black Iron Rank techniques initially accelerates cultivation. Stronger foundations yield faster growth.”
“But this phase slows eventually—I’m riding the peak of rapid advancement now.”
He set down the spear, hands throbbing. Calloused palms bled from relentless training.
The cost of mastery—his skin had torn again.
He washed his hands, applied Healing Ointment.
“Hiss~”
The burning pain made his face twitch. After wrapping bandages, he waited for natural healing.
“Brother Qi, this week’s brutal—but the gains are huge.”
Jiang Tao finished training, sitting nearby, chugging energy brew. The room reeked of sweat.
“Teacher Zhang Cheng’s way better than ‘No Morals.’ Not only skilled in teaching, but actually guides us.”
Lin Qi nodded. A week had given them a glimpse of Zhang Cheng’s character.
No wonder they’d earned the Elite Class instructor role—truly a master educator.
“Time for class. Drink coffee—don’t want to doze off.”
Lin Qi reminded, dragging his exhausted body toward the washroom.
(End of Chapter)
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