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Chapter 228: Genius Showdown
Chapter 228: Genius Showdown (Requesting Monthly Vote)
The crowd nodded in agreement after listening to the announcement.
The words felt satisfying—after all, they already belonged to a higher echelon of genius.
Teacher Wang projected a massive green screen over 100 inches wide, displaying various image files.
"In the National Freshman Competition, the three major academies' geniuses possess the strongest capabilities", they began. "According to the competition rules, each academy's nine colleges will have their Academy Heads and S-Rank Geniuses seeded directly into the tournament."
"There are thirty seeded competitors who will advance directly to the Round of 512", Teacher Wang declared.
Lin Qi, Huo Wanyang, Ao Feng, and other Academy Heads exchanged smiles. They wouldn't need to fight through preliminary rounds like ordinary participants. Other contestants wore expressions of envy—the special privilege of S-Rank Geniuses allowed them to conserve energy for later battles while others struggled through elimination rounds.
Teacher Wang continued, "The Azure Firmament Martial Academy requires every one of you to at least reach the Round of 512. More than seventy percent of you should advance to the Round of 256." With a wave of their hand, they replaced the screen with multiple projections showing dozens of portraits.
"These are promising geniuses identified after our academy's analysis. Their complete profiles are available here, but I'll highlight several key competitors!" As Teacher Wang finished speaking, Lin Qi and Huo Wanyang straightened their postures, anticipating this critical information.
"Shanyu University, one of the three premier institutions, enrolled two of this year's national top ten students, including seven S-Rank Geniuses", Teacher Wang explained. "Liang Yuxin placed third nationally—Shanyu's Freshman Competition Individual Tournament champion using a longsword... Zhong Xinyan ranked eighth—Shanyu's vice-champion wielding a Battle Saber... Gong Hui placed eleventh..."
Lin Qi fixed his gaze on Liang Yuxin's portrait, the national third-place holder in the National College Entrance Exam. She would be one of his primary competitors.
Switching screens, Teacher Wang displayed Minghai Martial Institute's data. "Abyssal Sea University recruited three of the national top ten and total ten S-Rank Geniuses. Li Hanjiang from Northern Jiang Province ranked seventh nationally. He created history by defeating national champion Wei Peng in Minghai's Freshman Competition, claiming victory with his Long Spear... Wei Peng, the former national champion, was defeated by Li Hanjiang..."
Murmurs erupted among the audience. "Didn't expect the same phenomenon occurring at Minghai too!" someone exclaimed. "Li Hanjiang must be formidable—Lin Qi finally has a serious rival!" Huo Wanyang frowned, surprised that Wei Peng—who shared his own bitter experience of losing top honors—had been defeated. This meant both his personal goal to reclaim supremacy from Wei Peng had vanished while another threat emerged. Alongside Lin Qi, this new competitor Li Hanjiang had unexpectedly increased the tournament's pressure. Yet, this challenge excited him—he'd undergone three months of rigorous training, abstaining from alcohol and women, pushing his potential to remarkable levels. Had it not been for exhausting the Trial Tower's resources, he would've become the first to conquer its third level.
Nearby, Duan Chuchu and Ao Feng also furrowed their brows. With another genius emerging, their paths to higher rankings grew more difficult.
"Brother Qi, looks like you've got company!" Jiang Tao remarked seriously.
Lin Qi replied calmly, "A formidable rival is exactly what I need. Weaklings won't test my abilities."
Jiang Tao gave him a thumbs-up. "That's the Brother Qi I admire! I've total confidence you'll become champion!"
"Everyone, quiet!" Teacher Wang waited for silence before continuing. "Besides the three top academies, the Ten Prestigious Universities and military academies have also nurtured talents that shouldn't be underestimated. Though their National College Entrance Exam scores might lag behind yours, their institutions relentlessly invest overwhelming resources—some even receive rare enhancements for physical Innate Talents. Their rapid progression will make them dangerous opponents."
After half an hour, the meeting concluded. Participants logged off. Lin Qi exited his Neural Pod. Nearby, Xiaochan's blue projection displayed a file from Lu Wei. Opening it, he found detailed profiles of key competitors across various colleges. With his exceptional memory, Lin Qi quickly absorbed the information before summarizing mentally: "This National Freshman Competition gathers geniuses surpassing our Individual Tournament's quality. Among them, Liang Yuxin, Wei Peng, and Li Hanjiang require particular attention. They'll be my primary challenges."
After brief reflection, he sat cross-legged to practice Primordial Energy Martial Art. Regardless of opponents, every strength increment mattered. After all, his potential for growth remained vast.
...
In Imperial Capital's Demon District, Shanyu Martial Arts University and Abyssal Sea University shared the same city. At Shanyu's Third College—last year's lowest-ranking faculty but now hosting national third-place holder Liang Yuxin—a Western-style villa's living room displayed multiple green holographic screens.
On a light green sofa sat a slender figure with silky silver-white hair subtly streaked with black. A white service robot meticulously arranged her tresses. Her ordinary features combined into an elegant cold beauty.
"Yuxin, this National Freshman Competition represents your opportunity", stated a middle-aged woman in yellow robes pointing at the screens. "Your main rivals will be Azure Firmament's Lin Qi and Huo Wanyang, plus Minghai's Li Hanjiang and Wei Peng."
Liang Yuxin regarded the four portraits before speaking. "I've been too reserved previously—nobody expects me to claim victory. Placing third nationally dissatisfied me, but four months of intense cultivation have propelled my strength beyond expectations. This time, I'll fight for the championship."
The yellow-robed woman smiled confidently. "Yuxin, you're Shanyu's rare top-tier genius. Among competitors outside the Ten Institutes, you're unrivaled. This championship belongs to you."
...
At Abyssal Sea University's prestigious Minghai Nine Pavilions, a luxurious dean's office fragrant with tea and incense housed a blue-clad man sipping tea. "Hanjiang, this competition offers our chance to surpass Azure Firmament", he said. Across from him, a tall, handsome young man raised his cup with a smile. "I won't underestimate my rivals—Liang Yuxin, Lin Qi, and Huo Wanyang all possess formidable strength."
He sipped again, exuding confidence. "Unless awakened Special Ability geniuses intervene, this championship is mine."
"Excellent! A true martial artist embraces the mindset—'I stand above all heavens, with only earth beneath my feet!'" the older man laughed approvingly.
...
That evening, November 24th, Special Ability-awakened geniuses among the three top academies' Tenth Colleges received tournament invitations.
"National Freshman Competition? Pointless!" most dismissed. "Defeating ordinary geniuses would only invite ridicule. Do we look like bullies wasting time on weaklings? I'd rather practice with firearms!" Most declined, though a few hesitated, pondering whether to participate.
...
November 25th, 2046, Martial Dao Calendar. Clear skies over Imperial Capital—the tournament's opening day.
At Azure Firmament's Six Colleges, a traditional Chinese villa housed a 500-square-meter training hall erupting with explosive sounds. Air currents surged, rustling gray curtains as sweat dripped from Lin Qi's brow, scattering into mist when his tiger-claw technique released vital force through fingertips.
"Whoosh! Bang!"
Each punch unleashed audible air blasts as he immersed himself completely in martial techniques, refining his bodily strength coordination.
An hour later, Xiaochan's blue projection appeared. "Master, twenty minutes remain until the competition begins!"
Lin Qi halted mid-punch, checking his status panel:
[Training in Five Elements Boxing has improved your Fist Techniques proficiency. Fist Techniques +2%]
[Fist Techniques: Third Stage 18% → Third Stage 20%]
Since reaching the third stage, progress had accelerated alongside enhanced physical control. Ten minutes later, showered and dressed in clean black martial arts robes, he entered his Neural Pod. Logging into Scarlet Realm, he accessed Azure Firmament's official website, clicked the National Freshman Competition link, and entered the virtual battlefield.
(End of Chapter)
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