https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-243-One-Force-Subdues-Ten-Techniques/13507301/
Chapter 244: A Bit of Hardship
Chapter 244: A Bit of Hardship (Requesting Monthly Vote)
At Shanyu Martial Academy's spectator stands.
Liang Yuxin reappeared in her seat after being teleported away. She lowered her head, letting her silver hair shield her face from her fellow academy companions who couldn't see her expression.
She gripped her hair tightly, the sharp pain from her scalp grounding her in reality.
She had lost!
Lin Qi's strength overwhelmed her Speed ability. Her technique for dissipating force had completely failed against his overwhelming power.
Suddenly, she remembered her teacher's recent words:
"Yuxin, dissipation is just one combat technique. Practice it, but don't rely on it. Swordsmanship is what truly matters."
"When facing top experts with terrifying strength and unmatched destructive power, your dissipation techniques become meaningless against them."
At the time, she dismissed his advice, believing her skills were unmatched at her level.
Now she realized her teacher was right. She had been shortsighted.
...
【Second Match: Lin Qi (Azure Firmament) Victorious!】
Above the arena, the emotionless AI announcer declared the result.
"Congratulations to Lin Qi from Azure Firmament Martial Academy for defeating Liang Yuxin from Shanyu Martial Academy and advancing to Round Ten! He becomes the second contestant to enter the Top Nine!"
"This long-awaited battle between two top institutions has finally concluded."
"Let's give Lin Qi another round of applause!"
Deputy Principal Xu Wenji's voice echoed across the stands.
"Clap! Clap!"
The audience erupted into thunderous applause and cheers.
"Lin Qi still dominates terrifyingly. I almost thought he'd lose, but once he exerted real strength, Liang Yuxin couldn't withstand it."
"Bet on Lin Qi without hesitation. Only he carries an aura of invincibility, except for those two Special Ability awakeners, he's the strongest!"
"Lin Qi is incredible!"
The spectators marveled at his strength, their admiration more visceral. If they faced him, they'd be instantly defeated.
This was the power of Xia Kingdom's top genius!
...
At Minghai Martial Institute's stands, Wei Peng, built like a hulking bear, clapped his hands with a grin.
Now, both Huo Wanyang and Liang Yuxin, along with himself as the top three scorers in the National College Entrance Exam, had fallen to Lin Qi.
His mood improved. Now that everyone had lost, there was no shame in it.
From the start, he knew Liang Yuxin couldn't win.
Lin Qi's strength surpassed his own. How could dissipation techniques possibly counter that?
He glanced toward Li Hanjiang in the distance. If Li Hanjiang lost too, he'd feel even better.
...
At the Vip stands, Huang Yi's expression darkened the moment Liang Yuxin lost.
"So the so-called strongest from Shanyu was eliminated in the ninth round", the Azure Firmament Nine Courtyards' purple-robed woman remarked with a smile.
"You were right. Liang Yuxin's dissipation technique isn't flawed. The Flowing Stream Sword Method remains powerful", Dean Liu chuckled. "But when facing Lin Qi, even though it counters his style, insufficient strength becomes a weakness."
Those around could hear the smugness in his tone.
Shanyu Martial Academy's representatives remained silent. This National Freshman Competition might become their worst performance ever.
Their strongest, Liang Yuxin, fell in the 18-to-9 round. Only Zhong Xinyan and Tan Peier remained.
If Tan Peier won the championship, they'd save face. Otherwise, the disgrace would be unimaginable.
...
In a corner of Shanyu's stands, Tan Peier with pink hair sneered.
"Truly shameful for Shanyu."
"If I fought, I could defeat Lin Qi in a few moves."
"Liang Yuxin was simply too weak."
...
In another stand corner, the Three Geniuses of Ten Institute watched the entire battle.
Round-faced Han Zhen smiled, "Lin Qi possesses immense strength and devastating techniques. That's his advantage."
"But against me, those advantages will vanish."
The other two didn't object. They shared the same belief.
Lin Qi was just an ordinary genius.
Without a Special Ability, he couldn't possibly understand.
...
At Azure Firmament's Sixth College stands, Lin Qi reappeared after teleportation. Jiang Tao and others immediately surrounded him.
"Brother Qi, you actually exchanged 40+ moves with Liang Yuxin. I'm so disappointed!" Jiang Tao shook his head, upset about losing 100 Xia Kingdom Currency.
Lin Qi smiled, "Liang Yuxin isn't weak. I lost control during our clash."
The real reason was adapting to his Minor Divine Ability cost him time.
Besides, Liang Yuxin gave him significant trouble. Her body techniques and swordsmanship had advanced to the third stage.
The Flowing Stream Sword Method excelled at dissipation with alternating speeds, making her difficult to defeat.
Only he could easily overcome her.
Others facing Liang Yuxin would lose, except possibly Li Hanjiang.
Lin Qi clenched his fist. Entering Round Ten meant fewer opponents remained.
Li Hanjiang, Tan Peier, and Han Zhen would soon face him.
...
The ninth round continued at a rapid pace. Nine matches concluded swiftly.
Both Tan Peier and Han Zhen, the Ten Institute geniuses, displayed overwhelming superiority again, crushing opponents and advancing effortlessly.
Half an hour later, Xu Wenji appeared, projecting a screen with the final nine names:
【Lin Qi, Han Zhen, Tan Peier, Li Hanjiang, Huo Wanyang, Ao Feng, Zhong Xinyan, Yi Shaojie, Duan Chuchu.】
Azure Firmament students erupted in excitement—five of the Top Nine belonged to them.
Minghai Institute had only Li Hanjiang remaining. Shanyu retained two, while Xia Yu Martial Academy had one.
Minghai, second among the top three academies, stood alone with just Li Hanjiang.
Discussions spread among spectators.
"Azure Firmament truly deserves being Xia Kingdom's top martial academy. Their overall strength is undeniable."
"Minghai had bad luck. Wei Peng was eliminated early without awakening a Special Ability."
...
At Minghai's stands, Li Hanjiang remained calm watching the Top Nine list.
"One alone? Let me crush everyone and take the championship. Minghai will still be the greatest winner."
"Current circumstances are just a bit of hardship."
...
"We now announce Round Ten. Advancing contestants receive 8,000,000 Xia Kingdom Currency."
"Due to having nine contestants, one will rest and directly advance to Round Eleven."
"Remember, luck is part of strength."
Xu Wenji announced as nine names transformed into virtual figures, pairing on a projected chessboard. One figure landed in his hand, clearly showing:
【Round Ten: Lin Qi (Azure Firmament) Rests!】
...
"Congratulations to Lin Qi for resting in Round Ten!" Xu Wenji announced.
"Brother Qi, you got a rest!" Azure Firmament's Sixth College cheered.
Each advancement earned Lin Qi more points, boosting their institute's ranking. Perhaps even first place.
Though confident in his strength, facing Tan Peier or Han Zhen likely meant defeat. The probability of matching them increased in upcoming rounds.
Lin Qi calmly observed the new matchups, determined to reach the end no matter who faced him.
【First Match: Li Hanjiang (Minghai) VS Duan Chuchu (Azure Firmament)】
【Second Match: Han Zhen (Azure Firmament) VS Yi Shaojie (Xia Kingdom)】
【Third Match: Tan Peier (Shanyu) VS Ao Feng (Azure Firmament)】
【Fourth Match: Huo Wanyang (Azure Firmament) VS Zhong Xinyan (Shanyu)】
...
Ao Feng and Yi Shaojie's expressions immediately darkened upon seeing their matchups.
Facing Tan Peier or Han Zhen meant near-certain elimination before Round Eleven.
But reaching this stage was already beyond their limits. Defeating the remaining contestants was impossible.
...
Fifteen minutes later, Round Ten concluded!
Tan Peier and Han Zhen decisively defeated Ao Feng and Yi Shaojie, advancing.
Ao Feng's face darkened as he muttered to others:
"This championship is destined for Han Zhen. He's too strong. Even Lin Qi can't defeat him."
...
"Everyone, we now reach Round Eleven."
"These five contestants will compete for the final championship."
"The competition becomes increasingly exciting."
Xu Wenji projected five virtual figures:
【Lin Qi, Han Zhen, Tan Peier, Li Hanjiang, Huo Wanyang.】
"In Round Eleven, two contestants will be eliminated. Only three will reach the semifinals."
"One contestant advances directly to the semifinals."
Xu Wenji spun the figures. One landed in his palm:
【Semifinalist: Tan Peier (Shanyu)】
The remaining four formed two matches:
【First Match: Han Zhen (Azure Firmament) VS Huo Wanyang (Azure Firmament)】
【Second Match: Lin Qi (Azure Firmament) VS Li Hanjiang (Minghai)】
...
"Congratulations to Tan Peier of Shanyu Martial Academy for advancing directly to the semifinal."
Xu Wenji announced, receiving minimal reaction. Tan Peier shook his head, smirking:
"Boring. If I matched Han Zhen directly in Round Eleven, eliminating him before the semifinal would've been more interesting."
...
The stands buzzed with excitement as Xu Wenji summoned the first two contestants.
"Next, please welcome two contestants from Azure Firmament Martial Academy: Huo Wanyang and Han Zhen!"
Huo Wanyang's expression hardened. His physical constitution reached ordinary genius limits, but against awakened Special Ability geniuses, he remained inferior.
His gaze sharpened. He'd test Han Zhen's true strength.
(End of Chapter)
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