https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-272-Breakthroughs-and-Hidden-Currents/13507351/
Chapter 271: A Fortune in Scholarships
Chapter 271: A Fortune in Scholarships (Requesting Monthly Votes)
[Congratulations, Lin Qi! For securing first place in the Sixth Institute’s Final Exam at Azure Firmament Martial Arts University’s 2046 semester, you will receive a 5-million Xia Kingdom Currency scholarship.]
[For achieving Newcomer Supremacy in the First Semester’s Final Exam, you are awarded an 8-million Xia Kingdom Currency scholarship.]
[For ranking ninth in the Tenth Institute’s First Semester Final Exam, you receive 25 million Xia Kingdom Currency!]
…
As Lin Qi read the three notifications, his eyes lit up.
His heartbeat accelerated uncontrollably.
“The Final Exam scholarships are even more generous than I imagined—ridiculously so! First place in the institute gets 5 million, and Newcomer Supremacy gives a staggering 8 million.”
“In total, the First Semester alone earned me 13 million Xia Kingdom Currency.”
Lin Qi exhaled sharply. This sum rivaled the rewards from the Disaster Beast Trial Tower.
And with January barely halfway through, the Trial Tower’s payout would arrive on schedule.
That meant another few million in income.
His gaze lingered on the Tenth Institute’s scholarship message. Staring at the 25-million figure, he muttered, “The Tenth Institute’s rewards are truly absurd.”
“Thankfully I joined the Tenth Institute rankings. If I hadn’t, this fortune would’ve slipped away.”
Internally, he marveled. If ninth place earned 25 million, the first-place reward must be astronomical.
He could now benefit from both the Sixth and Tenth Institutes. Next semester promised even greater scholarships.
This single Final Exam had netted him 38 million—far surpassing his earnings from the National Freshman Competition.
His current balance exceeded 50 million Xia Kingdom Currency.
“This is more than enough to buy vast cultivation resources. When school resumes, my Vital Energy stat will skyrocket again.”
With this thought, Lin Qi began packing, ready to return home tomorrow.
…
In a hidden Xia Kingdom base,
Inside a vast martial arts training hall, a bulky man wearing a mask and hat to conceal his face stared at a holographic screen. Across from him stood another similarly cloaked figure.
“We’ve just received new intel. Our stance on Azure Firmament’s Lin Qi may need reevaluation.”
“During Azure Firmament’s Final Exam, Lin Qi entered the Tenth Institute rankings, securing ninth place among fourteen elites.”
“Even excluding special abilities, he’s surpassed five awakened prodigies.”
“This is unprecedented.”
The figure opposite remained silent briefly before replying, his voice rasping, “The elders only target awakened geniuses. Lin Qi isn’t on their list.”
“But our organization has decided to act. We’ll eliminate him early.”
“I’ll assign someone to handle it.”
The muscular man clenched his fists. “Pity the Xia Kingdom hunts us relentlessly—we’ve lost too many operatives there.”
“Our [Vermin God Cult] presence in Xia is minimal. Operations are highest-risk, with few opportunities. Every strike must count.”
“Lin Qi hasn’t awakened—merely a Third-Circle Martial Artist. I’ve already chosen the right candidate.”
“Enough to kill him decisively.”
…
Martial Dao Calendar Year 2047, January 15th
Cang Province, Tianhai City, Crimson Vault Martial Arts Pavilion.
Approaching the Lunar New Year, the weather remained bright and clear.
At the pavilion’s entrance plaza, a group of middle-aged men and women waited eagerly.
At the front stood Yue Feng, tall and broad-shouldered in a black suit.
“Rumble!!”
A roaring wind swept across the crowd as shadows darkened the sky.
“He’s here!” someone shouted.
A crimson-and-white giant hawk transport aircraft descended slowly, landing before them.
“Whirr!”
The massive cargo bay door opened, and figures began exiting.
“Dad!”
“Mom!”
Families reunited briefly before dispersing.
Finally, Lin Qi emerged.
Yue Feng gazed at the young man before him—towering, imposing, his aura surging with vitality.
Lin Qi carried a backpack, a peculiar black metal cylinder strapped to his waist.
“Lin Qi!”
“Uncle Yue!”
Lin Qi smiled warmly as he approached.
Yue Feng clapped his shoulder, chuckling. “You’ve grown even stronger in just months! Your reputation’s reached Tianhai City.”
“By now, Abyssal Maw and Black Radiance Pavilion must be regretting their poor decisions.”
Lin Qi grinned. Last year, Yue Feng alone had the vision to offer him a superior contract, enduring heavy criticism. Now, that bold move had earned admiration. Rumor said Yue Feng even received commendation from the Imperial Capital Headquarters.
“Xiao Qi!”
A muscular, stern-faced figure approached—his father, Lin Zhen.
“Uncle Yue, I’ll take my leave.”
“Go ahead!” Yue Feng nodded.
After they departed, Yue Feng returned to his office, instructing the AI, “Alpha, activate Skyeye System to track Lin Qi’s movements. Notify me immediately if anything happens.”
“As you command, Master!” the metallic sphere responded.
…
On Tianhai City’s bustling streets, a sleek blue sedan sped by.
Lin Qi watched the vibrant scenery outside the window, feeling a sense of surrealism. At Azure Firmament, he’d focused solely on cultivation, isolated from the outside world. Such lively scenes felt distant.
Beside him, his father Lin Zhen radiated vigor, his Vital Energy restored to Third-Circle levels. His left arm, now a lifelike synthetic limb, moved flawlessly.
“Son, when we heard you’d won the National Freshman Competition, your mother and I were speechless with shock.”
Lin Zhen, who’d competed in the same competition decades ago but failed in the first round, understood the competition’s brutality.
Yet his son had defeated every rival, even awakened prodigies. He was awestruck.
“Dad, you’ll need to get used to it. There’ll be more surprises ahead,” Lin Qi said, laughing.
“Your mother and I know we must adapt!” Lin Zhen chortled.
Soon, the car entered Yujing Haoting Residential Complex, stopping before a standalone villa.
Inside, the aroma of home-cooked meals greeted them.
Fang Huiyi, Lin Qi’s mother, carried dishes from the kitchen as the family gathered around the dining table.
“Back home! Time for dinner!” Fang Huiyi beamed.
The trio ate heartily. Though Azure Firmament’s nutritional meals were excellent, they paled compared to homemade dishes.
“How are you two doing lately?” Lin Qi asked.
…
(End of Chapter)
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