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Chapter 375: Raising the Ceiling for SS-Rank
Chapter 375: Raising the Ceiling for SS-Rank (Monthly Vote Request)
"Clang! Clang!!"
In an instant, Yu Zhuoran launched another burst of rapid slashes, his Lightning Force erupting wildly from within.
Thin, crackling lightning serpents pierced through Lin Qi’s golden shield one after another.
Lin Qi felt his body jolt with electric shocks, severely hampering his speed.
Faced with Yu Zhuoran’s relentless assault, he could only activate the Body Technique Thunderflash Instant Kill Step to evade.
In an instant, he was forced onto the defensive.
In the audience stands, reactions varied widely.
Wan Ming shook his head and said,
"I knew it—Lin Qi’s newly Awakened Special Ability is his biggest weakness, or rather, his greatest disadvantage."
"He Awakened the Special Ability Golden Edge."
"The power boost is terrifying, but since he’s only just Awakened it, he can’t fully control the Golden Edge’s power."
"He let Zhuoran seize this weakness and attack relentlessly. If things keep going like this, he’ll lose instantly."
Beside him, Pei Jiu interjected, "This is exactly the best time for a spar!"
"If we wait a few more months until Lin Qi masters his Special Ability, Zhuoran won’t stand a chance."
The others nodded in agreement. They felt regret too—the only chance to defeat Lin Qi had slipped through their fingers.
Xiang Long frowned as he watched the battle unfold. He himself had Awakened the Golden Edge Special Ability.
He understood this ability better than anyone.
At Lin Qi’s current level of proficiency, it was more than enough to compensate for gaps in physical body and martial arts cultivation.
He might even stand a chance at defeating Lin Qi himself.
The officials seated nearby also noticed the nuances of the fight.
Deputy Principal Xu Wenji chuckled,
"Zhuoran’s mastery over his Special Ability shows hard work. His control over Lightning has reached a level of effortless precision."
"He manipulates it like an extension of his own limbs—whether in speed or attack execution, he’s completely at ease."
"His style relies on lightning-fast speed to strike down opponents, and the savage power of Lightning covers his weaknesses."
"He’s perfectly balanced in power and speed now. Almost no weaknesses."
Xue Zhou shook his head in response,
"Lin Qi Awakened too late. He hasn’t even practiced the Five Elements Boxing. His control is just too poor."
"If Vital Force is like flowing water, relatively easy to control…"
"Then Special Abilities are like wild horses—untamable."
"Right now, Lin Qi is only instinctively defending, letting Yu Zhuoran’s Lightning pierce through his defenses easily."
Dean Liu beside them nodded in agreement. He had to admit, if any student from Ten Institute had taken this beating, their defenses would have crumbled just as easily.
But this also highlighted Lin Qi’s strength—suffering only light injuries despite being pierced repeatedly.
His powerful physical body absorbed all the damage, which was astonishing.
After this long, Lin Qi had only fallen into a temporary disadvantage without sustaining serious injury.
Any other student from Ten Institute would have already lost!
"He’s going to lose this fight!" someone remarked.
"But this battle gives him valuable experience to master his Special Ability faster", another countered.
"Lin Qi can’t lose", a third voice disagreed.
The crowd turned. A man in black stood tall, his posture rigid, his aura icy and brimming with killing intent. It was Mu Hong, who had logged in unexpectedly.
He continued, "Yu Zhuoran and Lin Qi are too mismatched. No small advantage can bridge this gap."
The others silently agreed. There was truth to Mu Hong’s words.
Dean Liu asked in surprise, "Old Mu, why are you back?"
Mu Hong replied, "Bei Jiang Province has quieted down. The Level 9 Disaster Beasts on the other side are too scared to attack anymore."
"Now it’s just occasional attacks by Level 8 Disaster Beasts, and their numbers have dropped sharply."
"I came back for some quiet cultivation."
"I logged in just in time to see Lin Qi and Yu Zhuoran spar."
Dean Liu and Xue Zhou nodded, then turned their gazes back to the arena.
At that moment, the battle situation shifted.
"Clang! Clang! Clang!!"
Facing Yu Zhuoran’s barrage of lightning-fast slashes—each faster than the last, blades crackling with electricity piercing through his defenses like arrows.
The lightning surged through his muscles like electric needles. Yet the vast Vital Force within him surged in response. His muscles, sinews, and the nearly-forged Demon Tiger Bone resisted the current.
Though Lin Qi felt pain and numbness, his combat effectiveness remained largely unscathed.
Amid the fierce battle, he steadily improved his control over Golden Edge.
Yu Zhuoran noticed this shift and his expression turned grave.
What immense power!
He now felt an invisible oppressive force. Though surrounded by lightning, he sensed sharpness in the air cutting at him like blades.
Especially in close combat—Lin Qi’s raw power combined with those razor-edged attacks felt like a colossal blade smashing down.
His body trembled with shock, the terrifying force numbing his muscles. The two-thirds-complete Snake Emperor Bone throbbed painfully.
At this rate, he would be the one to lose.
"Crackle! Snap!"
Realizing this, Yu Zhuoran suddenly erupted, channeling all his Lightning Force into his Battle Saber, creating a piercing hum.
His eyes flashed with electricity, his aura surging.
He charged forward, leapt high, and raised his silver Battle Saber overhead.
The Lightning Force on the blade erupted, merging with his Vital Force to form a massive lightning blade aura.
Thunderclap Blade Techniques, Second Killing Move—Wrath of Lightning!
The blade swept forward, tearing through air with wild lightning serpents writhing around it.
Lin Qi felt the terror in that strike.
Switching instantly from Rainbow Metamorphosis Spear Techniques to Sky-Shaking Spear Techniques.
His body moved violently, vibrating fiercely. The vast Golden Edge Vital Force surged, fusing with Golden Edge power.
His eyes blazed with brilliance. Golden Edge energy gathered in the spear, metallic resonance roaring.
He fused entirely with the long spear. Rotating around his waist, he slashed with a force like tidal waves of vitality—a blade storm of energy.
The technique completed. His muscles bulged, veins popping, blood surging like the Yellow River’s torrent.
With a mighty heave, the black-gold serpent spear struck out like a mountain-shaking force.
Spear-Shaking Spear Techniques, Killing Move—Mountain Sunder Mountain Sunder!
Power overcomes all. Direct force conquers any subtlety.
Lin Qi unleashed both his Special Ability Golden Edge and Mountain-Shaking Force.
It might lack finesse, but against Yu Zhuoran, it was more than enough.
The audience stood transfixed, not even noticing the sudden addition of a new spectator.
They watched the collision of the two Killing Moves—this clash would decide the outcome.
On the battlefield,
"Die!"
Yu Zhuoran descended like a thunder god, executing his Killing Move, clashing with Lin Qi’s black-gold serpent spear—a divine weapon strike.
"Boom!!!"
Lightning and Golden Edge collided again. Air exploded outward, energy scattering wildly, tearing through the atmosphere.
Space itself seemed to ripple like disturbed water, the collision shattering both forces.
The collision hit Lin Qi. He felt the savage electric surge—scorching and brutal, pain lancing through his body.
But his Demon Tiger Bone roared to life—like a Platinum Malevolence Tiger devouring the current.
His skeleton stood firm like a sky-piercing pillar, unshaken by the lightning.
"Arrgh!!"
In contrast, Yu Zhuoran’s face contorted in pain. A roar of agony tore from his throat.
At the moment of impact, he felt the terrifying sharpness and force.
Like a colossal steel blade cleaving the heavens—capable of destroying mountains in an instant.
"Crash!!"
The force surged into his body. Muscles tore. Blood rose in his throat, spilling out—mixed with fragments of internal organs.
"Crack!!"
His refined Snake Emperor Bone liquid shattered. His body suffered grievous wounds.
The silver saber flew from his grip. He flew backward like a broken kite.
"Boom!"
He slammed onto the ground, instantly aware of his defeat.
Defeated soundly—crushed by Lin Qi’s overwhelming strike.
He gave a bitter smile, "I’m no match. I lose."
With those words, he dissolved into virtual nothingness.
[Match concluded. Lin Qi wins!]
The arena’s AI voice announced the result.
Instantly, Yu Zhuoran reappeared, his injuries fully healed.
He looked at Lin Qi and shook his head, "You’ve grown even stronger."
"Mind telling me your Vital Energy Stat?"
Lin Qi hesitated before answering, "390."
Yu Zhuoran froze, then said, "I’ll take my leave. Next spar!"
Internally, he reeled—just a month ago, Lin Qi had only been 310. Now, in a month and a half, 390?
This rate of growth—was this even possible for an SS-Rank?
He couldn’t accept it and logged out immediately.
Lin Qi blinked, then chuckled dryly. Seems he’d delivered quite a blow to Yu Zhuoran’s confidence.
Back in the audience stands, stunned silence reigned.
Wan Ming’s eyes widened, "No way! He won already!"
"Both released Killing Moves face-to-face—Brother Qi and Zhuoran."
"But Brother Qi came out unscathed, while Zhuoran died instantly—just got one-shot?"
Speechless, the others could only listen as Pei Jiu remarked,
"This result shows the destruction power of their techniques aren’t even on the same level."
"Both Lightning and Golden Edge enhanced their power similarly. This can only come down to differences in physical bodies."
"Zhuoran’s stronger, but compared to Lin Qi, it’s still not enough."
They all sighed in agreement. Yu Zhuoran was already among the elite SS-Rank Geniuses.
Yet Lin Qi’s sudden emergence had shattered the ceiling for SS-Rank Geniuses.
They now realized—even SS-Rank Geniuses could be this powerful.
"Truly impressive!"
A sudden voice startled Wan Ming. He turned and gasped, "Chu Yu?! How come you came to watch the match?"
The group looked—unnoticed earlier, a new figure had appeared.
Tall and muscular, dressed in a scarlet custom robe, his sharp, stereoscopic features carried a touch of Western handsomeness. He smiled at Lin Qi on the arena.
This was the sole Sss-Rank Genius among sophomores at Azure Firmament Martial Academy.
A true top-tier genius—yet one year younger than them.
Chu Yu greeted the group, "Long time no see!"
The blazing, scorching aura he radiated felt like a burning sun.
Their own auras instinctively felt suppressed.
……
(End of Chapter)
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