https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-266-The-SS-Rank-Genius-Claiming-First-Place/13507336/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-268-A-New-Year-Happy-New-Year-to-Everyone-/13507345/
Chapter 267: Impressing the Ten Institute Geniuses
Chapter 267: Impressing the Ten Institute Geniuses (Requesting Monthly Votes)
The second spot went to Pei Jiu, who had awakened as a Psychoflux Wielder—a result no one found surprising, just as Wan Ming had remarked.
At Ten Institute, Pei Jiu had always been the perpetual runner-up.
Psychoflux Wielders possessed Spiritual Power far beyond ordinary limits upon awakening. Their power was deeply tied to consciousness and the mind. Compared to physical enhancements, their greatest leap lay in their Innate Talent.
In martial cultivation, this meant unparalleled advantages—whether refining weapon techniques, mastering body mechanics, or manipulating Vital Force. Their Martial Spirit Techniques were naturally formidable.
During the National Freshman Competition, Tan Peier’s swordsmanship had reached a higher Stage than Han Zhen’s, yet she still ranked last among Ten Institute’s martial artists. Lin Qi had noticed this discrepancy immediately. Tan Peier’s current strength didn’t match her Psychoflux Wielder potential—either she was complacent or simply outclassed.
Lin Qi shifted focus to the third-place contender: Xiang Long, a prodigy in spear techniques. This was the target he aimed to surpass in the coming months.
Scrolling further down:
Rank #6: Wan Ming, Level 5
Rank #7: Xia Lian, Level 5
Rank #8: Shen Zhenzhen, Level 5
...
Rank #10: Lin Qi, Level 5
...
Rank #13: Han Zhen, Level 5
Wan Ming stood at sixth place. Seeing Shen Zhenzhen’s name so close to Tan Peier’s, Lin Qi couldn’t help but lump them together—both seemed equally stagnant.
He hadn’t expected to leapfrog two geniuses so soon. Even Han Zhen, still lingering at fourteenth, remained dead last.
Lin Qi exhaled slowly, steadying his breath. This ranking gave him clear benchmarks. His goal was now to climb the list, overtaking each so-called genius until he reclaimed the pinnacle.
For a moment, he wondered about Huo Wanyang’s position.
---
Elsewhere, on a trial battlefield:
"Screech~"
"Crash!"
Huo Wanyang swung his Great Axe wildly, crimson Vital Force blazing like wildfire as he slashed through charging Ironthorn Boars.
The next instant, talons pierced his collarbone, lifting him skyward as a swarm of Ironscale Hawks devoured him, reducing him to nothingness.
Seconds later, he respawned at the starting point, clutching his head in frustration.
"The fifth layer’s too tough. I still need more training", he muttered.
His eyes lit up as a new interface appeared: Ten Institute Rankings.
Seeing Yu Zhuoran’s level, he gritted his teeth. "I’m an SS-Rank Genius too. I’ll catch up sooner or later!"
He scrolled down, spotting Lin Qi at tenth and himself at fourteenth. A pause, then a relieved sigh.
"It’s not that I’m weak—it’s Lin Qi who’s absurd. Even Ten Institute’s top talents can’t keep up with his rise."
A grin spread. "Who knows what’ll happen if he awakens a Special Ability?"
Huo Wanyang felt fire reignite in his chest. The drive to surpass others had always been his greatest motivator.
---
In Ten Azure Colleges’ luxury villa district, the New Year brought a rare day off. Ten Institute’s geniuses lounged, Wan Ming among them. Draped in a loose robe, he let a service robot massage him while scrolling through the school forum.
"Master, the Disaster Beast Trial Tower rankings have updated", chimed a sleek blue orb, projecting a glowing green screen.
Wan Ming leaned forward. As always, he was first to check.
"Who broke through this time?"
His eyes locked onto a new name—Lin Qi—at rank #10. Huo Wanyang followed at #14.
Blinking in disbelief, he snapped a screenshot, firing it into Ten Institute’s private chat group and tagging Han Zhen and another genius.
Within minutes, other villa-dwelling prodigies received the alert.
Xiang Long: "Lin Qi? A regular genius? Why’s he even eligible for our ranking?"
Teacher Wang: "Lin Qi is an exception. The school approved his inclusion. Consider it… healthy competition."
Wan Ming: "He’s climbing fast without our resources. Some of you should be sweating bullets."
Pei Jiu: "Agreed. It’s refreshing."
Xia Lian: "Guess I’d better step up. Don’t want to fall behind."
---
In another villa, Han Zhen wiped sweat, staring at his screen.
"A month ago, he barely matched me at the National Freshman Competition. I bested him using my Minor Divine Ability. I’ve trained since, yet he’s overtaken me!"
His face darkened. Pressure mounted—Huo Wanyang, another SS-Rank Genius, was closing in too.
Had he truly tried since entering Azure Firmament Martial Academy? After awakening his Special Ability last year, he’d slackened. That complacency had brought him here.
---
Across Ten Institute’s villas, unease rippled.
These elites enjoyed the finest resources. Letting an unawakened outsider like Lin Qi surpass them? Unforgivable.
The top three reacted differently.
Pei Jiu frowned, his gentle demeanor sharpening. "Lin Qi’s no ordinary talent. He feels… different. If he awakens a Special Ability, even I’ll struggle to keep up. I must push harder."
---
In a lavish villa, a broad-shouldered brute scoffed. "Only Han Zhen’s weaklings need panic. A common genius like him won’t catch me." He dialed friends, planning a New Year’s party by his infinity pool.
---
In a martial hall, a white-uniformed figure opened eyes like chiseled jade. He said nothing, merely channeling golden-blue lightning through his skin before resuming cultivation.
---
Atop Azure Whale Mansion’s tower, Dean Liu—a robed figure—smiled at the rankings.
"Lin Qi… remarkable. Barely approved, already toppling elites. Truly one-of-a-kind."
His gaze turned distant. "I can’t wait to see how many Ten Institute geniuses he’ll overtake next semester."
(End of Chapter)
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