Chapter 262: Wan Ming, Xia Lian, Pei Jiu
Chapter 262: Wan Ming, Xia Lian, Pei Jiu (Requesting Monthly Vote)
Three figures slowly entered through the villa's entrance.
Each wore a uniquely colored ceremonial robe.
Jiang Tao leaned toward Lin Qi and whispered, "Brother Qi, Guo Heng just told me each Ten Institute genius gets custom-tailored uniforms - these things start at 100,000 Xia Kingdom Currency."
Lin Qi shook his head. What extravagance - his own uniform had only cost a few hundred.
His gaze soon settled on one of the newcomers - a burly man with an honest round face dressed in a red ceremonial robe. This was Han Zhen, who had lost to Lin Qi in the national freshman competition finals, and was currently the weakest among the Ten Institute geniuses.
He arrived accompanied by a man and woman, both bearing gifts and chatting casually with Wan Ming.
Spotting the others inside, Han Zhen asked, "Hey Wan, who're these people?"
Wan Ming explained, "Fellow Cang Province natives I invited. More people, more fun."
Then Han Zhen noticed a familiar figure, his expression instantly freezing.
"Lin Qi!"
The pretty girl beside him caught sight of Lin Qi and her eyes lit up with excitement. She stepped forward with a smile.
"Hello! I watched your match against Han Zhen. You were amazing - mastering a Minor Divine Ability without even awakening a Special Ability first?"
Lin Qi observed the girl before him. She had phoenix eyes, delicate features, and an attractive figure. Her green ceremonial robe radiated vibrant life energy.
Another Ten Institute genius!
"Allow me to introduce myself", she said, smiling as she extended her delicate hand. "I'm Xia Lian."
Lin Qi shook her hand and turned to Han Zhen with a greeting, "Han Zhen, we meet again."
Han Zhen forced a laugh. "Indeed, what a coincidence."
The final young man approached. When Han Zhen and the girl saw him, they instinctively stepped aside.
With gentle features, a tall and slender build, and dressed in a cyan robe, he carried an air of authority. His sharp eyes sparkled with sincerity as he spoke.
"Lin Qi, I've long wanted to meet you", he said, extending his hand in greeting. "Let me introduce myself - I'm Pei Jiu from the Tenth Institute, originally from the Imperial Capital."
Lin Qi couldn't help but admit Pei Jiu exuded extraordinary charisma that immediately inspired goodwill. The Ten Institute geniuses all seemed genuinely approachable, without pretension.
Most notably, Pei Jiu radiated powerful spiritual fluctuations, even stronger than the previous Ten Institute genius Lin Qi had met - Shen Zhenzhen.
"Nice to meet you", Lin Qi said, shaking Pei Jiu's hand.
In just moments, Lin Qi had met four Ten Institute geniuses. Pei Jiu then greeted the others warmly, his friendliness making the Azure Firmament Six Colleges representatives feel unexpectedly honored. The group resumed chatting and eating.
Han Zhen approached Lin Qi, pretending to reach for a black chocolate from a nearby tray as he muttered, "Don't think defeating me in the national freshman competition was the end of it."
"If we fight again now, you definitely won't win." After chewing the chocolate forcefully, he strode away.
Shaking his head, Lin Qi noticed Jiang Tao quickly whispering, "Brother Qi, Guo Heng just told me - Pei Jiu is actually the second strongest among the Ten Institute geniuses. Next to the SS-Rank Genius, he's the most powerful."
"From the Imperial Capital, his family ranks him ninth, hence 'Pei Jiu'. His mother truly remarkable - she bore nine children! He was ordinary growing up, his innate talent inferior to his eight older siblings."
"But during senior year he awakened his Special Ability - Psychoflux Wielder - and suddenly surged ahead, surpassing countless geniuses."
"After entering Azure Firmament Martial Academy, he became the strongest besides the SS-Rank Genius."
"Who'd have thought he'd be so approachable!"
Lin Qi felt genuinely surprised by Pei Jiu's strength. Yesterday, he'd asked Dean Liu about the Ten Institute geniuses. He now understood that internal rankings existed among them through various competitions.
They had the Spiritual Cultivation Arena and Disaster Beast Trial Tower rankings, plus their own internal contests. Like the other nine academies, they competed in the Disaster Beast Hunting Competition and Individual Tournament to determine comprehensive rankings.
Han Zhen was publicly the weakest, ranking last. Wan Ming, who hosted this birthday banquet, ranked sixth among the Ten Institute geniuses.
Now Lin Qi learned about Pei Jiu, who ranked second.
"Wan Ming, happy birthday!"
Several other Ten Institute geniuses entered to offer blessings, but most just left their gifts before departing.
Lin Qi sharply noticed they left immediately upon seeing himself and the other Azure Firmament Six Colleges representatives, making Wan Ming visibly uncomfortable.
"Lin Qi, we meet again!"
A familiar figure entered - Shen Zhenzhen, the refined genius with awakened Special Ability.
"Hello!" Lin Qi greeted with a smile.
"Your mastery of the Minor Divine Ability was truly impressive. May I ask how you accomplished it?"
Lin Qi shook his head. "I just suddenly managed it."
Shen Zhenzhen: ...
"Well, I have matters to attend to. Don't want to disturb your gathering."
After a brief chat, Shen Zhenzhen smiled politely and departed. Only after entering her electric vehicle did her expression sour.
"That Lin Qi really has ridiculous luck, managing to master the Minor Divine Ability."
"But even without Psychoflux Wielder, he still wouldn't defeat me."
Back in the living room after Shen Zhenzhen left, Xia Lian whispered conspiratorially.
"Lin Qi, watch out for Shen Zhenzhen. She's scheming, always saying one thing while thinking another."
"I once overheard her speaking ill of you in class."
"You can ask Ninth Brother about it - this isn't just my slander."
Lin Qi frowned. This seemed plausible. With Pei Jiu as a witness, the likelihood of them conspiring together seemed low. Perhaps Shen Zhenzhen truly had this duplicitous nature, making Lin Qi wary.
Ten minutes later, twenty people sat at two tables for dinner.
Ten Institute geniuses brought birthday gifts, but only four remained - Han Zhen, Xia Lian, Pei Jiu, and a girl named Lan Yue.
Wan Ming stood to speak. "Today is my birthday, and I hosted this banquet primarily because Ten Institute feels too quiet - too few people."
"I enjoy lively company and making friends. In the future, if anyone needs help, feel free to approach me."
They proceeded to cut and eat the birthday cake, completing the traditional rituals.
"May everyone enjoy themselves!"
"Cheers!"
Clapping filled the air as everyone conversed happily, with Han Zhen and others blending seamlessly into the group.
The banquet continued until 10 PM before guests reluctantly departed.
Lin Qi exchanged contact information with several Ten Institute geniuses, their relationships noticeably warmer.
As Lin Qi prepared to leave the villa, Wan Ming suddenly approached...
(End of Chapter)
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