Chapter 357: Academy Shocked
Chapter 357: Academy Shocked (Requesting Monthly Vote)
*
Boom!!
In an instant, Lin Qi—previously relaxed—narrowed his eyes sharply. A terrifying aura erupted from his body.
Vital Energy surged wildly. His arms tensed as muscles coiled like twisting serpents, veins bulging like steel cables. Power exploded from his frame in relentless waves.
Roarrr!!
A bloodthirsty aura spiraled around him, his skin glowing like a forge. It felt as though a colossal Level 9 Disaster Beast—the Platinum Malevolence Tiger—had reared into the sky, its roar shaking the heavens.
Whoooosh!!
A gale blasted outward, whipping students’ hair and clothes.
“What insane pressure!”
Everyone recoiled, their minds reeling. The invisible oppressive force triggered primal instincts to kneel and submit.
Crackle!!
Beep!!
The Vital Energy Analyzer activated, scanning Lin Qi with infrared light. Data scrolled rapidly across its screen:
[Candidate: Lin Qi, Vital Energy Stat: 310]
The automated voice announced the result, carrying clearly to the hundreds gathered.
The air froze solid.
Lu Wei, one of the proctoring teachers, stared wide-eyed at the figure on the screen.
For one heartbeat… two… the crowd inhaled sharply, collective shock crashing over them.
“Did I hear that right?”
“310 Vital Energy?!”
“This is still a freshman’s stat?!” someone blurted.
“Mine’s only 80—this is nearly four times higher!”
“He’s already in the Fourth Realm’s late stage. This is absurd!”
“Pinch me—tell me I’m dreaming!”
“Brother Qi, you’re unreal!”
Guan Shan, Guo Heng, Wang Qiufeng, Zhou Xi Yin, and others sucked in breaths. They’d expected Lin Qi’s strength, even guessing he’d reached the Fourth Realm’s mid-stage.
But they’d underestimated him.
He’d quietly ascended to the Fourth Realm’s late stage!
How long had it been? A year?
“Holy—!”
Jiang Tao’s curse escaped before he could stop it. His own stat stood at 140—a lofty number until now. Lin Qi had doubled him.
Doubled.
As the crowd gawked, Lin Qi calmly dissipated his aura and stepped from the Analyzer.
“Brother Qi, you’re insane!” Jiang Tao snapped out of his trance, face alight with awe.
“You’ll catch up someday,” Lin Qi chuckled.
“Easy for you to say!” Jiang Tao groaned.
Phones erupted across the hall as stunned students snapped photos, texting furiously. News spread like wildfire—hundreds became thousands, then tens of thousands. Sophomores and juniors felt the ripple.
“Did you hear? The Sixth Institute’s head has a 310 Vital Energy stat!”
“No way! Is that real?”
“Photos exist! Look!”
Ao Feng, Duan Chuchu, and other Institute Heads froze mid-step at the news.
“A freshman has 310?!”
“Lin Qi again?!”
“I’m about to graduate as a junior, and mine’s barely cracked 250. His is 60 higher? Are freshmen gods now?!”
Even Lin Qi’s senior, Li Qing, gawked.
“Little junior’s gone too far this time…”
“He’s already outpaced me?!”
“I haven’t even reached the Fourth Realm’s late stage yet!”
*
At the Ten Azure Colleges, final exams were underway. The Vital Energy Analyzer beeped.
[Candidate: Yu Zhuoran, Vital Energy Stat: 296]
The announcement rang through Crimson Vault Building’s second floor.
“No surprise for an SS-Rank Genius—his stat’s rising fast!”
“He’s nearly reached the Fourth Realm’s late stage!”
“This is top-tier even among SS-Ranks!”
“Yet he lost to Lin Qi. How?!”
Dozens of awakened prodigies murmured among themselves. Guo Yi stood among them, eyes locked on Yu Zhuoran’s stat. At 296, it edged close to her own. In weeks, he’d surpass her.
This was an SS-Rank’s might—one she, a mere average genius, could never rival.
Yu Zhuoran stepped out of the Analyzer, smugness tugging his lips. With this stat, he’d surely overtaken Lin Qi—
“Boom!!”
Wan Ming’s curse shattered the air. All heads snapped to him.
“I just heard—Lin Qi’s Vital Energy Stat is 310.”
“Excuse me?!” Xia Lian blurted.
The crowd erupted. Pei Jiu’s calm shattered.
Yu Zhuoran’s face locked in place.
310. Fourteen higher.
And the gap wasn’t just numbers—the Fourth Realm’s late stage bottleneck separated them. The difference was wider than it appeared.
Seniors across the Ten Azure Colleges overheard.
“Did he say 310?!”
“For an unawakened freshman—Lin Qi?!”
“This is insane! I didn’t hit late Fourth Realm until sophomore year’s halfway mark!”
“If this keeps up, he’ll outpace us all!”
Guo Yi’s mind reeled. Lin Qi’s Global Freshman Championship win had stunned her. Now this? She recalled her own freshman year—201 Vital Energy. A century behind.
“What kind of monster did Guo Heng befriend?!”
Even the awakened elites of Ten Azure Colleges—rarely impressed—stood shaken by an unawakened genius.
*
At 2 PM, freshman exams ended. Summer break began.
Lin Qi walked from classroom to cafeteria, every student’s gaze trailing him—shock etched into their faces.
He reached Azure Whale Mansion by electric scooter, riding the elevator to the top floor.
The office door chimed open. Dean Liu stood by the window, his back to Lin Qi, overlooking the campus.
“You’re here,” Dean Liu turned, settling onto the sofa. A white-green Obsidian Steel Case rested on the table.
“I’ve seen the data. Fourth Realm late stage in under a year? Even Sss-Rank Geniuses didn’t break that record.”
Lin Qi smiled. “You flatter me, Dean.”
“Yu Zhuoran’s at 296. You’ve surpassed him.”
Lin Qi blinked. Already?
“Enough said,” Dean Liu slid a teacup forward. “Though the Vermin God Cult in Tianhai’s cleared out, stay vigilant. Your S-Rank Defense Vest, Liquid Weapon, and AI defense mode boost your survival chances. Train safely—Crimson Vault’s protection holds as long as you stay within the district.”
Lin Qi nodded. That aligned with his plan—train, await his Special Ability’s awakening.
“Oh, one more thing.” Dean Liu pushed the Obsidian Steel Case forward. “The Elixir of Regeneration. One vial—enough to regrow a severed limb.”
Lin Qi’s eyes lit. He snatched the case.
“I’ll wire you payment.”
“Acceptable.” Dean Liu chuckled, accepting the transfer.
Though 50 million Xia Kingdom Credits emptied his account, Lin Qi felt light-hearted.
“Tomorrow, I’ll accompany you to Cang Province.” Dean Liu sipped tea. “National College Entrance Exams begin soon. Our recruitment drive starts too. Your presence vaulted Six Colleges to the top nine—our pickings are prime. Jiang Tao’s sister, Jiang Miaoyin, an S-Rank Genius, reached Top 32 in Scarlet Realm’s Genius Tournament. Your thoughts?”
Lin Qi paused. “Recruit her. Her innate talent rivals SS-Ranks. She’ll eclipse even them. Best place? Sixth Institute.”
Dean Liu grinned. “As you say. I’ll ensure her offer’s unbeatable.”
Lin Qi nodded. Jiang Miaoyin’s potential could mature into a Nine Realm Titleholder.
*
June 4th.
Outside Tianhai City’s Crimson Vault Martial Arts Pavilion, crowds gathered.
“He’s here!”
“They say Lin Qi’s returning too.”
“Old Lin, that kid’s unstoppable. Beat an SS-Rank Genius!”
“He’ll be a Nine Realm Titleholder someday. Need anything—just ask!”
“Count on me! Partner your business—guarantee you ten million a year!”
“One million? I’ve got a hundred million deals!”
Lin Zhen stood surrounded by fawning faces, their warmth unnerving.
*
(End of Chapter)
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