Chapter 288: Earn Thirty Million
Chapter 288: Earn Thirty Million (Monthly Vote Request)
[Your mastery of Mountain-Shaking Force has significantly improved during this intense spar with Ding Danshuan. Spear Techniques progressed—Spear Techniques +2%]
[Spear Techniques: Third Stage 43% → 45%]
...
Lin Qi exhaled slowly, nodding to himself.
Sparring with Ding Danshuan had been enlightening. Experiencing their unrestrained Vital Force and clashing directly against it...
This brief match alone had elevated his understanding of Vital Force to a new level.
It had already been a month since Azure Firmament Martial Academy reopened after the Lunar New Year.
His Spear Techniques had now reached Third Stage 45%.
He could feel that after entering the Third Stage, each 1% improvement was becoming increasingly difficult.
Without recent breakthroughs in Vital Force Projection, he might not have surpassed Third Stage 40% at all.
This was evident from observing Ding Danshuan as well. As the Academy Head of the Sophomore Sixth Institute, they ranked fifth from last among the twelve S-Rank Geniuses in their year.
Though stronger than himself, their advantage was limited—roughly equivalent to Third Stage 60% mastery.
Lin Qi sensed he could surpass them completely within another two or three months.
"Now for tomorrow's Disaster Beast Hunting Competition..."
"For me, this is a golden opportunity to make money."
Lin Qi slowly rose to his feet.
"Master, Dean Liu is calling!" Xiaochan's voice chimed in as he was lost in thought.
"Connect it."
"Understood, Master!"
The blue-robed Xiaochan suddenly spoke, projecting a large green screen.
Dean Liu's face materialized on the display—pale-skinned with prominent earlobes.
"Lin Qi, tomorrow's Disaster Beast Hunting Competition is critical for you."
Lin Qi frowned in confusion.
Seeing this, Dean Liu elaborated, "After the competition, you'll need to prepare for your Primordial Energy Martial Arts training in the Otherworld."
"There are three major expenses: Mid-Tier Primordial Energy Martial Art tuition, Grade-9 Disaster Beast blood, and observation rights for Grade-9 Disaster Beasts."
"Each is exorbitant—one cannot be omitted. Together, they'll cost at least 40 million Xia Kingdom credits."
"Do you have enough funds currently?"
Lin Qi's heart sank. Forty million? That was astronomical!
He'd already spent heavily these past two weeks—Energy Brews, Nutritional Meals, cultivation resources... His remaining balance was less than 30 million credits.
Definitely insufficient.
Dean Liu chuckled, "Therefore, tomorrow's hunt requires your absolute maximum effort. Kill as many as possible, and survive until the final whistle."
Understanding dawned on Lin Qi. Nodding firmly, he replied, "I'll handle it."
After disconnecting, Lin Qi sat in deep contemplation.
If the Otherworld training required at least 40 million credits, plus additional costs for subsequent cultivation resources...
He would need to earn 30-40 million credits at minimum.
Compared to last semester's earnings from hunting Disaster Beasts, this meant tripling his output.
An immense challenge—but not impossible.
"I'll have to go all-out for the next three days."
Lin Qi inhaled deeply, feeling the weight of pressure settle on his shoulders.
Approaching the Punch Force Analyzer, he wanted to test his current strength.
"Beep!"
The machine's electronic screen illuminated.
"Crack!"
He twisted his body, joints popping as Vital Energy surged through his limbs.
His relaxed muscles tensed instantly, like untamed stallions galloping.
Without activating his Vital Force, he focused purely on physical strength—muscles working with mechanical precision, his vertebrae coiling like powerful springs.
Finally, his fist compressed the air like an artillery shell, slamming onto the impact plate.
"Boom!!"
The punching target shook violently, seemingly on the verge of shattering—but remained intact.
"Beep!"
The screen displayed a number—7531.6 kg!
Lin Qi's lips curved upward.
Clutching his fist, he recalled his previous semester's final test: 6000 kg of fist strength. Now a 1500 kg increase!
"Breaking into the Fourth Realm has boosted my strength beyond 7000 kg—surpassing the 5000 kg minimum requirement easily."
With his evolving Innate Talent, this gap would only widen further. Especially after learning Mid-Tier Primordial Energy Martial Arts, the disparity would become terrifying.
"Now for speed testing!"
Lin Qi activated the Speed Tester.
He exploded from the starting line, leaving only black afterimages—a lightning strike in a rainstorm.
"Beep!"
"Speed: 65 m/s!"
Nodding at the result, he noted that Bone Tempering at the Fourth Realm had enhanced his physical form comprehensively. At full speed, he could cover 100 meters in under two seconds.
"Now I'll focus on tonight's Primordial Energy cultivation before tomorrow's competition."
Cross-legged in meditation, Azure Firmament's martial arts hall echoed with his steady breaths.
...
Martial Dao Calendar, March 16, 2047
Inside Azure Firmament Six Colleges' Villa 01.
In the martial arts training hall, Lin Qi suddenly opened his eyes—legs crossed in lotus position, hands forming the Five Hearts to Sky Posture.
“Haaah~”
Golden light flickered in his pupils as a terrifying surge of energy erupted from his body.
His entire frame burned with heat. Vital Energy surged wildly through his veins, rippling his streamlined muscles.
On his golden Status Panel, martial arts data scrolled upward.
[You completed a Primordial Energy cultivation session. Body tempered. Vital Energy Stat +0.5]
[Vital Energy Stat: 128 → 128.5]
...
Lin Qi stood, shaking his head at his 128.5 Vital Energy Stat.
In half a month, he'd consumed four bottles of Bone Tempering Elixirs to raise his Vital Energy from 112 to 128—a 16-point increase.
That alone had cost over ten million Xia Kingdom Currency.
Still far from 150. Reaching 200 seemed even more daunting.
He reviewed his current stats.
[Name: Lin Qi]
[Template: Erlang Shen Yang Jian]
[Fusion Rate: 23.1%]
[Spiritual Power: 135 (Fourth Realm)]
[Vital Energy Stat: 128.5 (Fourth Realm)]
[Fist Techniques: Tier 3, 60%]
[Spear Techniques: Tier 3, 45%]
[Body Techniques: Tier 3, 28%]
...
His stats had skyrocketed in these two weeks.
Compared to his numbers one month after enrollment last August, the progress was earth-shattering.
“This time at the Disaster Beast Hunting Competition, I’ll make at least thirty million,” Lin Qi declared, setting his competition goal. He changed into battle gear and prepared to leave.
...
Minutes later, the door of Unit 01 villa opened. Lin Qi stepped out wearing black combat attire, gripping his Tier 3 black Taiyue Great Spear. He surveyed the dozens of electric vehicles waiting outside.
“Move out!” he commanded, mounting his own black vehicle.
“Rumble!”
He surged forward as the lead vehicle, followed by the rest in a grand procession toward their destination.
...
Half an hour later — Azure Firmament Base, Sector 6
The fortress loomed: pitch-black steel walls and towering metal ramparts radiating a grim aura.
“Rumble!!”
On the massive plaza, nearly 9,000 freshmen arrived by tour bus or electric vehicle. As 10:00 AM approached, all students assembled by academy.
Vice Principal Xu Wenji’s hologram materialized above them.
“Students!” boomed Xu Wenji’s voice. “A new round of inter-academy competition begins today!”
“The rules remain unchanged. Rankings will be determined by total Points from each academy’s top 100 students.”
“When the Disaster Beast Hunting Competition concludes in three days, the Points leaderboard will determine the final academy rankings.”
The competitive atmosphere thickened across the nine academies.
Xu Wenji continued:
“Hunting Level 1 Disaster Beasts earns 1 Point and 1,000 Xia Kingdom Currency.”
“Level 2: 10 Points and 10,000 Currency.”
“Level 3: 100 Points and 50,000 Currency.”
Nods of understanding spread. These hunts were prime earning opportunities for everyone.
“But this year adds a new twist.”
“Level 4 Disaster Beasts: 1,000 Points and 250,000 Currency.”
“Head to Sector 2’s deepest zone for the Spatial Gate entrance. There you’ll find Level 4 beasts.”
“The Spatial Gate will release Level 4 beasts precisely at 1 PM three days from now.”
Gasps erupted from the crowd.
“Level 4 beasts already?!”
“Has someone broken through to the Fourth Realm?”
Eyes turned toward Huo Wanyang and Lin Qi’s directions — only they possessed the strength to challenge Level 4 beasts.
“I now declare the Freshman Second Disaster Beast Hunting Competition officially begun! We meet again in three days!”
As Xu Wenji’s projection dissolved, thunderous roars shook the plaza.
The colossal steel gates groaned open before the students.
“Charge!!”
Nine thousand martial artist prodigies burst through the gates, flooding into the forested expanse. Elite competitors from each academy shot forward like arrows, vanishing into the green.
Among them burned Huo Wanyang — crimson battle suit clinging to his broad frame, gripping a red great axe. Crimson runes flared across his skin as flames wreathed his body like a living inferno.
His eyes burned with determination. Yesterday, after devouring countless resources, he’d finally awakened to the Fourth Realm — Bone Tempering.
“I may suffer a 0.9 multiplier against beasts as a newly awakened, but First Academy will claim victory.”
“No matter how strong Lin Qi is, physical prowess belongs to our academy.”
“As a Fourth-Circle Martial Artist, I’ll hunt Level 4 beasts.”
Huo Wanyang wasn’t alone. Other top-tier prodigies aimed for Level 4 kills — three-realm experts capable of slaying fourth-level beasts.
All raced toward Sector 2.
The hunt had begun.
As did Lin Qi, whose mind fixated on the 250,000 Currency bounty per Level 4 beast.
Three days. He’d make his fortune here.
This time, he wouldn’t stop until he’d earned at least thirty million.
(End of Chapter)
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