Chapter 348: Left Wanting More
Chapter 348: Left Wanting More (Requesting Monthly Vote)
“What a shame!”
“Havel’s already incredibly strong!”
“He’s the most outstanding SS-Rank Genius I’ve seen in recent years.”
“In any previous competition, I guarantee he would’ve taken the crown.”
“Unfortunately… he had to face Xia Kingdom’s Lin Qi in this tournament.”
Golden-haired Luode clenched his fist so tightly his knuckles turned white, his powerful aura erupting the moment the final concluded.
The more he dwelled on it, the angrier he became. The championship had been within his grasp, and now it was gone.
“Hmph!”
After a moment, he exhaled sharply, regaining his composure.
His gaze shifted to Lin Qi, standing cold-faced in the arena, and the more he looked, the more he admired the young genius. Why couldn’t someone like this be from the White Eagle Federation?
He envied the Xia Kingdom bitterly. Why did they always produce top-tier prodigies?
……
In the audience stands, leaders from various nations watched Lin Qi with equal envy.
“If only this genius were ours,” they thought, “the championship would belong to our country.”
At the Xia Kingdom’s Vip section, however, the atmosphere was jubilant.
“We won!”
Many leaders sighed in relief, their faces breaking into smiles.
“Thankfully, the champion belongs to us!” one laughed.
“Who could’ve predicted Lin Qi would take first place?”
“To think his speed actually surpassed Havel’s!”
“His innate talent is insane!” Wu Yueze chimed in.
Even the Dean of the Nine Pavilions, who’d initially doubted Lin Qi, remarked:
“Who knew Lin Qi was an unawakened genius? Imagine what he’d be like after awakening!”
A mild-mannered man spoke up: “I think we should prepare an Awakening Fruit for Lin Qi.”
Dean Liu nodded enthusiastically: “Excellent suggestion!”
“I agree too!”
“While Awakening Fruits only have a ten percent chance of triggering awakening, Lin Qi’s innate talent makes it worth the gamble. Even if it fails, we lose nothing. But if it succeeds, we gain a massive advantage.”
“However, Awakening Fruits are extremely rare. Countless people are vying for them.”
“Huo Wanyang supposedly got his hands on one recently.”
Others nodded. Awakening Fruits were scarce—every year, among thirty S-Rank Geniuses, many from wealthy families, all waited desperately for a chance to obtain one. Awakening could elevate an S-Rank to SS-Rank, unlocking boundless potential.
Mu Hong added, “I’ll contact my contacts in the Otherworld to keep an eye out.”
Dean Liu nodded. With the Azure Firmament Martial Academy’s full support, they could secure one within two years at most.
……
At the Xia Kingdom Ten Institute’s section, Yu Zhuoran exhaled in relief seeing Lin Qi victorious.
“Close call, but we won!” Wan Ming exclaimed.
“No close call at all,” Xia Lian countered. “Lin Qi dominated Havel. His victory was inevitable.”
Some of you doubted him!” Xia Lian teased, glancing at Shen Zhenzhen.
Shen turned crimson, speechless.
The crowd laughed. The air was thick with joy.
Xiang Long looked at Lin Qi, any desire to challenge him vanishing. The gap was too vast—no longer peers, but different tiers of genius.
……
Above the arena, Lin Qi’s avatar ascended the golden pyramid, merging with its peak.
The figure solidified into a radiant trophy, descending gently into Lin Qi’s hands.
“Lin Qi, congratulations on your victory!” Xu Wenji’s form shrank, landing beside him.
Same place, same trophy. Lin Qi held his third cup—larger and heavier than before.
“Address the millions watching worldwide!” Xu Wenji offered a microphone.
Applause thundered across the stands.
Lin Qi faced the crowd, recalling every opponent he’d faced, then spoke:
“Thank you to my homeland, for providing a fair environment to grow.”
“Thank you to my country, Azure Firmament Martial Academy, Dean Liu, my parents…”
Xia Kingdom’s delegation smiled at his words.
After thanking his mentors, he added calmly: “Only a pity none of the contestants gave me much pressure.”
The thought echoed across nations:
“Arrogant!”
“Too arrogant!”
The unspoken message was clear: You’re all trash.
Sakura Kingdom’s Miyamoto Kyonichiro shook his head. The monster won, then threw shade. They’d have to work harder now!
Across the stands, every SS-Rank Genius felt the sting.
Viktor and Havel chuckled bitterly. They’d failed to challenge him—back to training.
In Xia Kingdom’s stands, Kong Ruoxuan of Minghai Martial Institute sighed: “We’re still not strong enough.”
Wang Mingxi of Shanyu Martial Academy grimaced: “Lin Qi’s words shame me.”
……
In a quiet corner of the White Eagle Federation, Macron, a broad-shouldered man, asked curiously:
“You’re their age. Why didn’t you join the Global Freshman Competition?”
Beside him stood a statuesque woman with golden hair, blue eyes, and sharp features. She watched Lin Qi, smirking.
“Xia Kingdom’s Lin Qi certainly has the gall!”
“But he’s earned it. An unawakened genius defeating SS-Ranks? He’s entitled.”
“Macron, you ask why I didn’t compete?”
“It’s because Sss-Ranks are in a different league.”
“I’ve already reached the Fifth Realm Organ Cultivation Stage, with Fourth-Circle mastery in swordsmanship and body techniques.”
“Competing against Fourth Realm fighters with Third Stage martial arts would be bullying.”
She tilted her head proudly. Macron nodded—Sss-Ranks were simply another tier.
For all his skill, Lin Qi was still an SS-Rank.
The two logged out after a brief chat.
……
Back at the Azure Firmament Six Colleges section, Jiang Tao rushed Lin Qi the moment he reappeared.
“Brother Qi, you rock!” he shouted, gripping Lin Qi’s hand. “Champion! He’s really our champion!”
Others echoed in awe, still stunned.
Nearby, Yu Jing watched the attention, jealousy gnawing at him. If only his innate talent were better—he could’ve had it all.
(End of Chapter)
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