https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-350-A-Fortune-of-Two-Hundred-Million/13507513/
Chapter 351: A Grand Gift
Chapter 351: A Grand Gift
The Global Freshman Competition had concluded!
Yet its impact continued to ripple outward, with Lin Qi’s name now known to freshmen across the world.
The Xia Kingdom had produced another top-tier genius who shattered records. While ordinary citizens might not recognize Lin Qi’s name, every freshman at martial arts universities nationwide knew it. His reputation had skyrocketed, reaching sophomores, juniors, and even graduating seniors.
But it didn’t stop there. News of his feats spread like wildfire to the battlefield. Soldiers and civilian martial artists alike felt their blood boil with pride. During their battles against Disaster Beasts, they found unexpected strength surging within them.
…
Inside the Crimson Vault Martial Arts Pavilion’s headquarters in the Imperial Capital, a meeting room buzzed with tension. A bullet had been flying for over a year, but today’s emergency session demanded immediate attention.
Meng Wu, the Southern Inspector with a sharp, resolute face and a muscular frame, presided over the gathering as an 8th-Stage Martial Artist. Around the circular table sat the headquarters’ top brass. A hologram of a tall, icy-eyed woman flickered above the obsidian surface.
“Who could’ve predicted that an S-Rank Genius would one day surpass all our expectations?” she said coolly.
“Defeating an awakened genius at the National Freshman Competition… Then at the Global stage, taking down SS-Rank Geniuses who’d mastered Minor Divine Abilities!”
“Remember when we compared him to Li Zehao? Hah… hindsight’s a cruel teacher,” someone muttered, their tone dripping with sarcasm.
A few leaders fell silent, their expressions souring. Meng Wu shifted uncomfortably—he bore some blame for that misjudgment. Now, with Lin Qi crowned champion, his position felt precarious.
“Zhang Tai deserved his fate,” a voice growled.
“Too late to curse him now,” another replied. “He was smashed into paste by an 8th-Level Disaster Beast, the Golden Vajra Tiger, on the Northern Jiang battlefield last month.”
The room grew uneasy. That was the truth—Zhang Tai was beyond dead.
The holographic woman spoke again. “Azure Firmament Martial Academy and the Tianhai Crimson Heaven Branch have already submitted contracts requesting Lin Qi’s promotion to SS-Rank. I’ve forwarded these to the Deputy Pavilion Master for approval.”
“Today, I’m announcing personnel changes: Qi Yao has been removed as Field Division Director and replaced by Jiang Weifeng.” She rattled off several dismissals and demotions.
The air chilled. Faces paled—even these high-stage martial artists dared not challenge her words. Many realized this was retaliation. Lin Qi’s earlier incident had only implicated a few when he was still an S-Rank Genius. Now, as a proven SS-Rank contender, his status had transformed entirely. As a potential Nine Realms prodigy, the kingdom’s elite were settling old scores.
Meng Wu exhaled quietly when his name wasn’t mentioned. The woman caught his relief, smirking inwardly. Just the beginning…
“Any objections?” she asked.
“None, Special Envoy Qin,” Meng Wu replied, forcing a smile.
As her hologram dissolved, the room relaxed. Lin Qi’s meteoric rise had rewritten headquarters’ power dynamics—a shift unseen in a decade.
…
Martial Dao Calendar, May 2nd, 2047
Azure Firmament Martial Academy, Sixth Institute
The day after the Global Freshman Competition, life resumed its rhythm. Lin Qi rode his electric bike toward Azure Whale Mansion, students greeting him enthusiastically along the way.
He nodded politely. At the Six Colleges, his status was untouchable—admiration, not envy, colored every glance.
His bike halted at the entrance. Before him stood a building resembling a blue leviathan breaching the sea. He strode in, reached the top floor, and stepped into Dean Liu’s aquarium-themed office.
“Come in, Lin Qi. Give me a moment,” Dean Liu said, buried in paperwork.
Lin Qi’s gaze landed on two metallic cases on the floor—one cubic, the other rectangular. Rewards? he mused.
Moments later, Dean Liu brewed tea, apologizing, “Sorry for the wait.”
“Not a problem.”
“You outdid expectations at the Global Competition,” Liu said, smiling. “Those who doubted you? Slapped silly.”
Lin Qi grinned. As an “unawakened” genius, skepticism was inevitable.
“You’ve surpassed S-Rank awakened talents. Even SS-Rank Geniuses fall short,” Liu continued. “Principal Xu and I agree—we’re securing an Awakening Fruit for you.”
Lin Qi stiffened. Awakening Fruit? Every martial artist coveted its 20% awakening chance—a mythical treasure.
“Recorded finds total under a hundred in decades,” Liu explained. “With our network, we’ll guarantee one within two years. Free of charge.”
Lin Qi inhaled sharply. A fruit worth 500 million Xia Kingdom Currency (XK$)—soaring to 800 million or even a billion due to scarcity.
“But first,” Liu gestured to the cases, “your Global Competition reward.”
Lin Qi leaned forward eagerly.
“For semifinalists, rewards trump cash,” Liu said, opening the cubic case. Inside lay a sleek black suit.
“A complete Sixth-Grade Combat Suit,” Liu announced. “Includes jacket, boots, undergarments, and an S-Rank Defense Vest.”
Lin Qi calculated: his current Third-Grade Suit with A-Rank Vest cost XK$20 million. This set? XK$130 million—six times pricier.
“The vest resists Seventh-Level Disaster Beasts,” Liu added. “And this…” He opened the second case, revealing a two-and-a-half-meter spear. Its black shaft bore white-gold tiger-head patterns, forged from 60% Delta Alloy.
“Savage Tiger Pike,” Liu said, spinning it. The blade hissed, slicing air like silk. “Five hundred kilograms of pure lethality.”
Lin Qi’s eyes gleamed. A weapon to match his rise—a true treasure.
…
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
