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Chapter 224: Why Would I Care About Their Expressions?
Chapter 224: Why Would I Care About Their Expressions? (Monthly Vote Request)
"Guan Shan recently broke through to the upper Second Stage of Blade Techniques!"
"With his strength increasing even further, none of us can match him now. He might last a bit longer against Brother Qi." The crowd began discussing in hushed voices.
"Whoosh~"
Guan Shan's expression turned grave. Though his perception detected countless openings in Lin Qi's stance, his instincts screamed that this opponent was immensely dangerous.
Finally, he moved. Swinging his saber, his figure vanished from sight as dazzling blades of light slashed through the air.
Within ten meters of Lin Qi, he closed the distance in a single breath. The saber's arc sliced like frigid winter gales, biting cold and concealing deadly intent.
Lin Qi calmly raised his training spear, eyes locked on Guan Shan. With a flick of his wrist, the weapon pierced the air like an arrow—swift and precise, targeting the weakest points in the blade's defense.
"Meteoric Spear Art—Stellara Strike (Starlight Piercer)!"
"Boom! Boom!!!"
For an instant, Guan Shan felt Lin Qi's spear become a meteor streaking through the night sky.
The saber and spear clashed, releasing surging energy.
The onlookers froze, staring at Lin Qi's spear technique.
"Is that Brother Qi using the Meteoric Spear Art?"
"Didn't he train in the Split Mountain Spear Techniques?" Li Zhou asked, puzzled.
"It seems Brother Qi has learned a new spear technique."
Jiang Tao spoke calmly, already accustomed to such surprises.
In the midst of battle, Guan Shan frowned. Lin Qi's sudden shift in technique threw him off completely.
His Frostwind Blade Technique emphasized speed, allowing instant kills against ordinary martial artists. Yet against Lin Qi, every cut felt transparent—as if his every move had been exposed.
Each spear thrust shattered his attacks while counterattacking like a storm of arrows. The experience felt nothing like their previous duel during the Genius Battle Tournament. Lin Qi now seemed unfathomable, his depth immeasurable.
"Boom! Boom!!"
Lin Qi's training spear became a blur, striking with relentless precision. Guan Shan stumbled backward, frantically parrying until his retreat ended. Lin Qi's spear tip struck the saber's flat, unleashing a surge of energy.
"Crack!"
Guan Shan gritted his teeth, his right arm going numb as his saber clattered to the ground. In an instant, the spearpoint pressed against his throat.
"Guan Shan, you've lost." Lin Qi lowered his weapon, voice steady.
Guan Shan massaged his paralyzed arm, sighing. "I admit defeat."
Lin Qi helped him up as he muttered, "Brother Qi, you're far too strong—completely unstoppable!"
The observers marveled at the vast gap between them. Wang Qiufeng, however, saw more: during the match, Lin Qi could have killed Guan Shan within two or three moves. Their skill levels belonged to entirely different realms.
"Brother Qi", Jiang Tao asked curiously, "how long have you practiced the Meteoric Spear Art?"
"Less than twenty days." Lin Qi replied, setting down his training spear.
"Less than twenty days, yet this skilled?" The crowd exchanged shocked glances. His mastery seemed like it should take months.
Lin Qi himself felt surprised. This spear technique felt unnaturally easy—progressing smoothly through Vital Force circulation, technique stages, and even mastering its first two ultimate moves without hindrance.
...
An hour later
Back in his villa, Lin Qi effortlessly entered the expansive martial arts training hall.
"Master, you have a message!" Xiaochan's projection appeared.
With a wave of her hand, a green holographic screen materialized.
[Message: Lin Qi, for your 1st place ranking in the September Disaster Beast Trial Tower among Azure Firmament Six Colleges, you receive 1,000,000 Xia Kingdom Coins!]
[As the top-ranked freshman, you also receive 2,500,000 Crimson Heaven Points and two Skin Tempering Balms for being the first freshman to clear the Trial Tower's second layer.]
Satisfied with the rewards, Lin Qi calculated mentally: 3,500,000 Crimson Heaven Points in just one month. Maintaining this pace for a year would yield over 42 million Xia Kingdom Yuan—an astronomical sum.
The Azure Firmament Martial Academy's support for geniuses was truly limitless, showering him with resources. The two Skin Tempering Balms alone—worth two million each—further pleased him. Last month's Trial Tower rewards had already totaled 5,500,000 Crimson Heaven Points.
Sighing, Lin Qi steadied his mind and resumed his evening Primordial Energy cultivation.
Cross-legged, he assumed the Five Hearts to Sky Posture. Visualizing the 8th-tier Disaster Beast Golden Vajra Tiger, 360,000 brushstrokes formed its towering, blazing-eyed figure.
The beast roared, drinking in the training hall's dense Primordial Energy. Rivers of energy surged into Lin Qi's body, where his cells devoured them, some lingering to be digested later.
Guiding the energy into his skin cells, he began transmuting his epidermis. His muscles, tendons, and even his genetic code continued evolving, pushing his physicality toward the extraordinary.
Lin Qi savored the process of cultivation, feeling his body grow stronger with each passing moment. This sense of fulfillment was addictive.
Two hours later
[You've completed a Primordial Energy training session. Vitality stat increased. Vitality +0.5]
[Vitality: 49.5→50]
...
Lin Qi opened his eyes, golden light flashing within their depths as an overbearing aura radiated outward. He slowly stood, watching his vitality stat rise to fifty.
"Vitality finally broke through to fifty", he murmured.
Feeling his recent rapid progress—every day bringing new improvements—Lin Qi still noticed he'd only just reached half the target. Fifty points remained between him and the coveted 100 vitality mark. The road ahead stretched long.
He turned his attention to his status panel:
[Name: Lin Qi]
[Technique Template: Erlang Shen Yang Jian]
[Fusion Rate: 17.5%]
[Spiritual Power: 62]
[Vitality: 50]
[Barehanded Combat: Second Stage 99%]
[Spear Techniques: Second Stage 95%]
[Body Cultivation: Second Stage 83%]
...
Lin Qi exhaled slowly. This was his current strength—over a month since the freshman competition ended, yet his power had transformed completely. Staring at his spear and hand-to-hand techniques stalled at second stage, he set his new goal: advancing all martial arts to third stage. Only then would he feel confident claiming victory in the upcoming national freshman tournament.
"The Meteoric Spear Art works incredibly well", he thought. "Senior Wang Zhi Xuan said 'trying to learn too much at once leads to failure,' but that doesn't apply to me. Adding another spear technique actually strengthens my path toward breakthroughs."
"Like in high school, I'll learn a defensive spear technique too. Eliminating weaknesses means I'll have more options against powerful opponents."
He recalled how multiple spear techniques had overwhelmed his classmates. Now, he'd follow that same strategy.
...
Time passed quickly at Azure Firmament Martial Academy.
Early November arrived.
Autumn settled over the Imperial Capital, bringing cooler temperatures and refreshing breezes. Less than two weeks remained until the late November national competition.
The competitive atmosphere remained thick across the Six Colleges of Azure Firmament.
In the top-floor office, Dean Liu—who always maintained composure—poured hot tea for Lin Qi seated opposite him. Glancing at the black metal cylinder nearby, he asked, "Heading to the gravity chamber afterward?"
Lin Qi sipped his tea. "Yes."
The dean continued, "I called you here to remind you—the national freshman competition begins November 25th."
"Today's November 10th. Half a month until the tournament. Are you ready?"
Lin Qi frowned. Time had indeed flown—unconsciously, the competition was nearly here.
"I should also share something else", Dean Liu added. "Besides the S-rank geniuses, those Ten Institute prodigies who awakened special abilities might participate too."
"They're joining too?" Lin Qi's hand paused mid-gesture, startled inwardly.
If those with special abilities entered, who could possibly defeat them?
"That's unfair", Lin Qi questioned. "With special abilities, no one could beat them—not even me."
The dean remained calm. "There are restrictions—they're prohibited from using special abilities."
Lin Qi relaxed. That made things reasonable.
"Even without their special abilities, these awakened S-rank geniuses still surpass ordinary competitors."
"Every year, if any Ten Institute participant joins, they claim victory effortlessly."
"You know awakening special abilities depends purely on chance. Once awakened, they receive dramatic innate talent enhancements—both physical and genetic. With abundant resources and guaranteed admission to the three top academies, they have ample time for cultivation."
"Even without special abilities, they remain supreme geniuses. For them, participating in this competition is like fighting ants with a sledgehammer."
"Almost forgot—they've all already broken through to third-stage martial arts."
Dean Liu took another sip of tea. Lin Qi's expression turned grave. Third-stage mastery already?
"We can only hope they choose not to participate, though they technically qualify as freshmen. We can't forbid it", the dean explained.
"To maintain competitiveness, each academy only claims one tournament slot. Some years they join, sometimes not—entirely their choice."
"If they don't participate, you'll have a real chance at victory."
Lin Qi shook his head. "Does my championship hope depend on those Ten Institute geniuses' whims?"
Dean Liu answered calmly, "That's reality—you must accept it."
"But if you refuse to accept limits, train harder."
Lin Qi finished his tea. "I understand."
...
Ten minutes later
The 306 gravity chamber door slid open as Lin Qi entered with his backpack and black metal cylinder. He silently changed into training attire, applying white skin-hardening balm across his body.
Dean Liu's words echoed in his mind.
"Hoping those special-ability holders choose not to join? That's not my style."
Shaking off hesitation, determination burned in his eyes. "Without their special abilities, they're just ordinary geniuses. There's nothing to fear."
"I won't know victory's possibility until I face them."
"Xiaochan, activate sixfold gravity!" he commanded.
"Understood, master!" The AI responded as the wall monitor's gravity multiplier instantly jumped to "6."
Breaking through third-stage spear techniques—would happen today!
(End of Chapter)
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