Chapter 247: Advancing to the Finals
Chapter 247: Advancing to the Finals (Requesting Monthly Votes)
Back on Minghai Martial Institute's Audience Stand, Li Hanjiang slumped into his smart seat, dazed and uncharacteristically subdued. The ice-cold demeanor that once defined him had vanished.
"Brother Hanjiang!" a girl beside him whispered hesitantly.
The surrounding students watched with a mix of shock and concern. To them, Li Hanjiang had been invincible - the pride of North Jiang Province, the legendary "North River Cold Spear." Now he'd lost to Lin Qi, the "Hidden Tiger" from Azure Firmament Martial Academy - the first official defeat since his meteoric rise.
Li Hanjiang exhaled slowly, listening to the thunderous applause echoing through the stands.
"There's always someone stronger", he murmured. "I've seen true mastery today. This loss isn't bitter - Lin Qi's strength surpasses mine. He held back all along."
A muscular guy nearby gaped. "He held back even after eleven rounds? But you're our institute's strongest!"
Li Hanjiang gripped the blue seat's armrest. "His power exceeded my expectations. Once serious, his full force overwhelmed me completely. For a moment, I questioned everything I knew about martial arts."
His eyes darkened. "Now I wonder - how would he compare to Tan Peier and Han Zhen, those who can't use Special Abilities?"
...
"The eleventh round's second match: Lin Qi (Azure Firmament) wins!" the automated voice announced.
Xu Wenji's voice boomed across the arena: "Congratulations to Azure Firmament's Lin Qi for defeating Minghai's Li Hanjiang and securing his semifinal victory! Lin Qi will now challenge Tan Peier and Han Zhen for the ultimate championship!"
A ripple of pleasure colored Xu Wenji's tone. As Azure Firmament's deputy principal, he delighted in his student's triumph - though the presence of those two Special Ability wielders slightly soured the perfection.
The stands erupted. Azure Firmament's section cheered loudest of all.
"Lin Qi actually won!"
"That final clash was incredible - the best match of this entire Freshman Competition!"
"With this, Lin Qi becomes this year's undisputed king!"
...
Even rivals like Shanyu Martial Academy's Liang Yuxin and Zhong Xinyan clapped appreciatively.
Minghai's Wei Peng smirked inwardly. Finally, Li Hanjiang's comeuppance.
In the Vip section, Minghai's blue-clad middle-aged instructor shook his head. "Never expected Lin Qi to surpass Hanjiang so thoroughly. This defeat feels... deserved. If Hanjiang represents peak talent, Lin Qi's in another dimension entirely."
...
In a quiet corner of Azure Firmament's stands, Li Qing let out a breath. "Little junior truly became our generation's strongest without anyone noticing."
Wang Zhi Xuan nodded. "I barely reached the Top 64. He's leagues beyond us." He hurried offline. "I must inform Master Mu about these final matches."
...
Azure Firmament's leadership section applauded enthusiastically. Wu Yueze and the violet-robed woman eyed Dean Liu with envy - who'd have guessed Lin Qi, the National College Entrance Exam's tenth-place finisher, would defeat the top three contenders?
Dean Liu clapped happily but sighed inwardly. Pity the championship remains out of reach.
...
Back in Azure Firmament's Sixth Institute section, Jiang Tao whooped as Lin Qi materialized. Their cheers shook the arena.
"Brother Qi, you're the man!"
Li Zhou grinned. "With this, we secure first place in the institute rankings!"
"True", Jiang Tao quieted the crowd. "But Lin Qi's not done yet. Let's not get complacent."
Guo Heng asked cautiously, "You're really aiming for the championship?"
Silence fell. Lin Qi turned, eyes steady. "Why not? Stranger things have happened."
...
Xu Wenji raised his hand, summoning three holographic figures. "Now for our semifinals - three competitors remain. One will receive an automatic finals berth, while the other two duel for the final spot."
A six-sided dice materialized, each third bearing a name.
"Lin Qi!" voices roared from the stands.
The dice spun, landed, and revealed...
"Lin Qi (Azure Firmament Martial Academy) receives a bye to the final!" Xu Wenji announced.
Applause erupted. Jiang Tao crushed Lin Qi in a bear hug. "Told you - destiny wants you in that final!"
Tan Peier scowled in Shanyu's section. "Typical. Should've been me and Han Zhen - now I'll have to eliminate him early."
...
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
