Chapter 368: Gaining Without Effort
Chapter 368: Gaining Without Effort (Requesting Monthly Vote)
“But Lin Qi’s different—he hasn’t Awakened yet!”
“Without an Awakened Special Ability, his future path remains uncertain.”
“What if he takes the wrong route? That’s an enormous risk.”
“He might waste massive amounts of time.”
“His current physical Innate Talent is exceptionally strong, but he might eventually be surpassed by others.”
“For decades now, one of the key requirements to becoming an SS-Rank Genius has been possessing an Awakened Special Ability.”
“There’s no need to set a precedent for him.”
“We must prevent others from thinking they can exploit loopholes.”
“Awakened Special Ability is the most critical benchmark for identifying top-tier geniuses.”
After Meng Wu finished speaking, over twenty people in the room nodded or shook their heads in response.
Wu Lingyun merely wore a disdainful smile.
All this talk about “future paths” was nonsense. Anyone with clear eyes could see how superior Lin Qi’s Innate Talent was.
Meng Wu simply didn’t want Lin Qi promoted to SS-Rank Genius.
After all, despite his strength, Lin Qi was still officially recognized only as an S-Rank Genius. The gap between unofficial strength and official certification was vast.
Meng Wu scanned the room, feeling pleased when those close to him nodded in agreement.
Truthfully, he disliked Lin Qi.
In his heart, he’d always considered Lin Qi unworthy—yet that “inferior” had caused him to be reprimanded by the Imperial Envoy. His authority had been challenged.
This alone was enough to justify his opposition to Lin Qi’s promotion. But there was another, deeper reason he refused to admit to himself.
A sense of foreboding had begun creeping in.
Subconsciously, he wanted to suppress Lin Qi.
“Since there’s disagreement, let’s vote!”
“One vote per person—minority submits to majority!”
Principal Li calmly interjected. As his voice faded, a voting button materialized before each person.
Beep! Beep!!
Two large screens projected from the center of the conference table.
Meng Wu exchanged glances with several allies, silently reaching a consensus.
He nodded inwardly. Among the twenty-odd people present, there were those who disliked Lin Qi. With his faction’s support, he might actually win.
Ding!
“Voting complete!”
An electronic voice echoed. The screens refreshed, displaying the results:
[Agree: 19 votes]
[Disagree: 3 votes]
…
The moment the results appeared, Meng Wu’s face froze.
Only three dissenting votes?!
He glanced at several “old friends,” but they either ignored him or avoided his gaze.
Wu Lingyun burst into laughter:
“Looks like everyone shares the same view!”
Principal Li rarely smiled as he announced:
“With 19 votes in favor and 3 against, I hereby declare Lin Qi officially promoted to SS-Rank Genius starting today!”
With that pronouncement, the matter was settled.
The attendees nodded—they weren’t fools.
Li Qifeng was Principal of Azure Firmament Martial Academy. If he’d personally proposed this, it meant he’d already decided on Lin Qi’s promotion.
Otherwise, with Lin Qi’s status, an SS-Rank upgrade would’ve been a simple written notice, not a group vote.
Meng Wu’s face darkened as realization struck. He’d been outmaneuvered.
“I have an announcement to make!”
The cold-voiced Qin Envoy spoke up abruptly.
All heads turned. Whenever she announced something, it was never trivial.
Her gaze locked onto Meng Wu beside Principal Li as she declared:
“Following high-level discussions, Meng Wu is hereby removed from his position as Southern Patrol Envoy and reassigned as Director of Gangling Branch Pavilion in Bei Jiang Province.”
“Wu Lingyun will succeed as Southern Patrol Envoy and concurrently assume the role of Pavilion Master of Tianhai City Branch!”
The room erupted in collective gasps.
All eyes fell on Meng Wu under the weight of the announcement.
His expression turned icy under the scrutiny.
“Why?!” he snapped.
“You question headquarters’ decision?” Qin Envoy retorted.
Meng Wu flinched as a terrifying pressure descended. Principal Li turned his gaze toward him.
A chill ran down his spine. He bowed his head, swallowing his pride:
“No! I accept the arrangement!”
Qin Envoy nodded: “Good. Don’t question headquarters’ decisions again!”
Others remained silent. They were already HQ’s upper echelon—above them were only the Nine Realms’ supreme martial artists.
“That’s all. Dismissed!”
Principal Li stood and left first.
Meng Wu followed, eager to escape.
Qin Envoy’s projection vanished instantly. The remaining members began chatting casually.
“Congrats, Wu! Southern Patrol Envoy now!” someone offered.
“Absolutely—a celebration’s in order!”
Wu Lingyun’s face lit with genuine joy:
“Just lucky—pure luck!”
“But I suppose I owe my rise to Lin Qi.”
He understood clearly—though he’d reached the Eighth Stage peak, he’d lacked any advantage over Meng Wu.
The Four Patrol Envoys held supreme authority over all martial pavilions, deeply entrenched in power. With his moderate background and average strength, climbing this high had seemed impossible.
Yet Lin Qi’s arrival had propelled him forward like a tidal wave.
“Truly, I must thank that kid Lin Qi!”
“By the way, I heard Azure Firmament Martial Academy is already negotiating for Awakening Fruits.”
“Lin Qi’s likely to receive one!”
“Once he Awakens, his potential will be boundless!” a woman added.
Nods of agreement. Awakening would elevate Lin Qi’s future onto an entirely different trajectory.
…
The next day, Tianhai City.
Inside Villa 66’s Martial Arts Training Hall, Lin Qi—dressed in a black martial robe—watched a projection screen.
Dean Liu, his large earlobes prominent, appeared across from him.
“I’ve got two good news items for you. Which first?” Dean Liu grinned.
Lin Qi smiled: “Either’s fine. Let’s hear one!”
“First—your promotion to SS-Rank Genius has been approved!”
“Your Tianhai Pavilion will contact you today to formalize the contract.”
Lin Qi’s heart lifted. Finally!
He’d graduated from S-Rank to SS-Rank Genius—a completely different status within the Martial Arts Pavilion, bringing entirely new benefits.
He’d only begun experiencing these new privileges—fully upgraded, his strength would skyrocket.
Dean Liu continued:
“Second, your Awakening Fruit is secured!”
“Dean Xue’s expedition to the Otherworld Wilderness yielded many Heavenly Treasures.”
“Among them—two Awakening Fruits!”
“One Awakened Fruit has been secured by our Azure Firmament Martial Academy.”
“I’ll confirm—this Awakening Fruit now belongs to you.”
“It’ll be transported back from the Otherworld soon. You can consume it after school resumes!”
Lin Qi felt thrilled—the Awakening Fruit had arrived far faster than expected.
He’d been about to reveal his Awakened status when he suddenly asked:
“Dean, you’re saying this fruit is mine?”
Dean Liu nodded:
“Yes—fully yours.”
“Using it to Awaken will benefit both you and the academy.”
Lin Qi nodded, then added:
“But… I might not need it anymore.”
Dean Liu frowned:
“What do you mean—‘not need it’? Did you… Awaken already?”
Lin Qi nodded. A dazzling golden light erupted from his body, golden patterns surging across his skin.
His eyes blazed with Golden Radiance as a violent wind spiraled around him, sharp as a divine blade.
Golden liquid flowed across his body like ripples in molten metal.
Dean Liu gaped, his Seventh Realm martial artist eyes widening as he studied Lin Qi’s transformation.
He watched Lin Qi extend his hand, slicing the air with a golden blade—confirmation enough.
“Enough demonstration. I see you’ve Awakened,” Dean Liu exhaled finally.
Lin Qi retracted the Golden Edge:
“Dean, now that I’ve Awakened—does the Awakening Fruit remain mine? No need to reclaim it?”
Dean Liu pondered. The fruit was useless now. His mind raced before he replied:
“Since it’s already yours, Azure Firmament won’t reclaim it. Consuming it now would be wasteful.”
“These fruits primarily awaken dormant human power or slightly boost Vital Energy stats. For you, the effect would be negligible.”
Lin Qi nodded—he’d guessed as much.
Dean Liu paced the room, thinking aloud:
“Awakening Fruits are scarce—dozens of S-Rank Geniuses vie for them yearly. A single fruit can create an SS-Rank Genius.”
“I’ll use this fruit to negotiate deals—resources or wealth. It’ll be a windfall for you.”
Lin Qi agreed:
“Leave it to you, Dean.”
Dean Liu nodded: “Rest assured—I won’t disappoint.”
After the call ended, Dean Liu exhaled, smiling:
“That kid Lin Qi—always full of surprises!”
“His Innate Talent already surpassed SS-Rank. Now Awakened—who knows how close he is to Sss-Rank?”
His mind raced with Lin Qi’s potential.
This was the genius he’d nurtured from the start.
Grabbing his phone, he dialed instantly.
A projection screen flickered, displaying a burly face.
“Old Xu—want an Awakening Fruit?”
…
(End of Chapter)
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