Chapter 385: Undercurrents of Turmoil
Chapter 385: Undercurrents of Turmoil (Requesting Monthly Vote)
He still had his [Second Tier] to fall back on.
Once he activated his Double Release, he couldn't even fathom how powerful he would become—whether his physical body could break through to the Seventh Realm threshold.
With this ace up his sleeve, combined with his S-Rank Defense Vest and Sixth-Rank Combat Suit, his personal safety had increased significantly. He now possessed the confidence to act decisively in anything he undertook.
Lin Qi exhaled slowly, his innate talent revealing itself like the tip of an iceberg. The higher his Stage, the greater the gap between him and ordinary martial artists.
He blew out another breath, staring at the red training dummy whose surface bore faint white marks from his earlier strikes.
This thing is surprisingly durable. Despite its resilience, my sharpness ability only left shallow marks—I doubt it’ll last much longer.
He walked over to the wall and retrieved his black-gold Tiger Slaughter Long Spear, twirling it in a flurry of spear techniques.
"Xiu xiu!!"
Moving effortlessly, he thrust the weapon repeatedly, landing over a hundred strikes per second.
Now weighing 500 kilograms, the heavy black-gold spear felt perfectly balanced in his hands. When he charged into battle on the battlefield, its weight wouldn’t hinder his speed, allowing him to unleash his terrifying physical strength.
He executed the Sky-Shaking Spear Techniques, having now grasped the essence of the Adamantine Body.
The hardest step was already behind him. His next goal was to cultivate the Mountain-Shaking Intention from the Sky-Shaking Spear Techniques!
Once he mastered this, infusing it into his spear arts would elevate his combat power even further.
"Xiu xiu!!!"
Within the martial arts training hall, Lin Qi transformed into a black lightning bolt, his spear casting countless shimmering shadows.
...
Martial Dao Calendar, Year 2047, August 15th
One month after the start of each semester marked the annual Disaster Beast Hunting Competition for every grade level.
The vast plaza of Azure Firmament Academy’s Fortress 9 was bustling with excitement.
"Hong!!"
Now a sophomore, Lin Qi arrived by electric tram with other students from the Sixth Institute, their procession stretching far and wide.
This was the designated area for sophomore participants in the Disaster Beast Hunting Competition.
"Brother Qi, this might be your last competition with us", said Jiang Tao, a tall student stepping off the tram.
Guo Heng and the others had already returned, all having broken through to the Fourth Realm, their vital energy fluctuations noticeably stronger.
They all knew that once the Genius Training Camp commenced, as an SS-Rank Genius with Awakening potential, Lin Qi would inevitably be summoned. Whether he could participate in future competitions with them remained uncertain.
Guo Heng grinned, "No problem—even if Brother Qi and Huo Wanyang leave, we still have you, Tao!"
"Our Sixth Institute isn’t weak anymore. We’ll definitely take first place."
Lin Qi nodded. The Sixth Institute had become a powerhouse of talents, with Jiang Tao now a top-tier S-Rank Genius—Ao Feng had already fallen behind him in power.
As they spoke, the group reached their designated area. Everyone was eager to earn glory for their institute and reap substantial rewards.
Deputy Principal Xu Wenji’s holographic projection appeared before them.
Smiling, he began:
"Before we know it, you’ve all become sophomores. Now gathered at Fortress 9, your cultivation bases have grown immensely."
"Over 90% of students at Azure Firmament Academy have broken through to the Third Realm upon entering sophomore year—true elites in the outside world."
Xu Wenji continued, "Now that you’re here at Fortress 9, the Disaster Beast Park has been upgraded."
"There are still two zones: Zone 1 and Zone 2."
"Zone 1’s highest Disaster Beast Tier is level 3."
"Zone 2 allows Disaster Beasts up to level 6, which will be released on the final day."
"The point system remains unchanged. Level 5 Disaster Beasts are worth 5,000 points each, with a reward of 1,000,000 Xia Kingdom Coins."
"Level 6 Disaster Beasts earn 50,000 points each, with a reward of 3 million Xia Kingdom Yuan."
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
Level 5 and 6 beasts? Are you serious?
Most of us are barely at the Third Realm, and even top geniuses only hover at the Fourth. Sending us to hunt level 5 or 6 beasts is practically suicide!
Only some of the top students understood the truth—this event was tailored for SS-Rank Geniuses like Lin Qi and Huo Wanyang.
Huo Wanyang’s expression darkened. At the Fourth Realm without his Minor Divine Ability fully cultivated, he had no means to kill level 6 beasts.
He realized this was a hunting trial designed specifically for Lin Qi—to test and sharpen his combat skills.
"Therefore, I declare the Disaster Beast Hunting Competition officially begun!"
"Hong!!!"
Before the nine thousand students, massive steel gates dozens of meters long slowly creaked open, revealing expansive forests and ruined ruins beyond.
"Sou sou!!"
In an instant, two figures burst forward—one crimson, one black. The surging flames and sharpness ability stirred gusts of wind as Lin Qi and Huo Wanyang took the lead, their higher Stages propelling them into the park first.
Next followed the S-Rank Genius representatives from each institute.
Finally, the massive crowd surged forward like a tide, scattering into the ruined forest.
Their overwhelming auras attracted the Disaster Beasts recently summoned from the Otherworld. Roaring, the beasts charged toward the students in response.
Deep within Zone 2, a colossal black Spatial Gate floated midair, its presence unmistakable.
"Roooarrr~"
"Harrr~"
From the portal’s depths, countless Disaster Beasts poured onto the Blue Planet, their strength and agility intensifying upon arrival.
Ironthorn Boar, Obsidian Horn Boar, Grayspine Wolf, Ironblood Scaled Boar, Bronze Wild Ox…
A dense, sprawling expanse of Disaster Beasts of all sizes came into view, their sheer numbers turning the air grim and lethal.
They stood atop the colossal watchtower, watching helplessly as an endless tide of Disaster Beasts surged forth from the horizon.
A towering officer broke the silence, his voice heavy.
"The invasion force from Otherworld is overwhelming!"
"Every year, the Disaster Beast Hunting Competition helps relieve the pressure on Azure Firmament Base by diverting part of this swarm into the Disaster Beast Park."
"These creatures are drawn toward the base nonstop, but the park channels them into a controlled environment."
"Only the martial university's elite prodigies are allowed inside—those kids hunt with insane efficiency."
"Even in three days, they could eliminate hundreds of Disaster Beasts."
"And the top-tier geniuses?" A younger soldier interjected.
The group nodded in agreement. The Disaster Beast Hunting Competition had proven itself as a brilliant strategy.
Three academy grades participating simultaneously—the portals opened beside Azure Firmament Base itself, drawing the monsters away and drastically easing the siege.
...
"Thud! Thud!"
Had the carnage already begun?
In a dense forest, vicious creatures like Ironthorn Boars and Blazing Tiger Hounds suddenly caught the scent of humans, their bloodlust igniting.
The beasts howled and charged as shadowy figures burst from the trees.
Lin Qi frowned, his expression laced with disdain.
"Seeking death!"
A streak of black lightning flashed. Tiger Slaughter Long Spear in hand, he lunged forward, unleashing the Rainbow Metamorphosis Spear Techniques.
A swirling black arc of light tore through the air. To Lin Qi's eyes, the dozen or so Ironthorn Boars and Blazing Tiger Hounds moved like snails in slow motion.
"Thud! Thud!"
The spear's cold gleam flashed—a mere instant before the beasts collapsed, their bodies pierced by lightning-fast strikes.
"Boom! Boom!"
Within three seconds, all the Level-1 and Level-2 Disaster Beasts lay dead in crimson pools.
Points: +120
Without sparing a glance, Lin Qi turned away. Killing such weaklings wasted his time. He needed to reach Zone 2 to hunt Level-4, Level-5—or even Level-6 creatures.
Blasting forward like a storm, he cut down any foolish beasts that crossed his path.
"Thud! Thud! Thud!"
He pierced their necks with effortless precision, his Golden Edge ability already at work. His vital force, infused with the razor-sharp Golden Edge energy, lanced through the air like invisible blades, slicing into soft flesh.
Combined with his Rainbow Metamorphosis Spear Techniques' blinding speed...
The slaughter rate became absurd.
Level-3 Grayspine Wolves—dead!
Ironblood Scaled Boars—dead!
Level-4 Bronze Wild Oxen—still dead!
Even mighty Fourth-Rank beasts couldn't survive his onslaught. Their massive bodies became easy targets, their necks pierced by the Rainbow Metamorphosis Spear in a single strike.
"Boom! Boom!"
One after another, beasts towering two or three meters high fell lifelessly, blood soaking the earth.
Yet Lin Qi felt barely winded. His refined internal organs had drastically enhanced his stamina, sustaining this relentless combat.
This time, he would set a new record—earning enough points to fill his pockets.
...
Meanwhile, across Azure Firmament Six Colleges' points leaderboard, screens flickered with shock.
【1st: Lin Qi, Points: 12,680】
【2nd: Jiang Tao, Points: 3,500】
【3rd: Guo Heng, Points: 1,900】
...
A chorus of stunned gasps erupted.
"Unbelievable! Brother Qi already passed ten thousand points in three hours? That's insane!"
"I couldn't rack up that much in three days!"
Jiang Tao, locked in battle elsewhere, exhaled sharply, his teeth gritting.
"I won't shame Brother Qi! My goal is 120,000 points this time!"
With that, he slammed his interface shut and resumed his massacre with renewed fury.
...
Inside Crimson Vault Building's meeting hall, academy leaders gathered to watch the live competition feed, as they did every year.
The massive screen displayed the top nine colleges' rankings, where Azure Firmament Six Colleges dominated the summit. The gap between them and second place widened by the second.
"Amazing. Even without Lin Qi, Sixth Institute still has Jiang Tao—a top-tier S-Rank Genius. Their other talents aren't weak either."
"If Lin Qi leaves, Sixth Institute will likely keep first place."
Vice Dean Wu Yueze from First Institute slumped hopelessly. Competing against Azure Firmament Six Colleges felt pointless now.
"Still, Lin Qi's points are rising too fast!"
"After five hours, he's already over thirty thousand points!"
"Won't he surpass three hundred thousand by day three?" Someone blurted nervously.
The room fell silent, their minds reeling at the terrifying possibility.
Dean Liu chuckled, his tone smug.
"Lin Qi just breakthrough to Fifth Realm. This speed makes sense, right?"
The others' eyes widened in shock.
"Already?!"
"Yu Zhuoran hasn't even reached Fifth Realm yet!"
"An SS-Rank Genius indeed", another muttered, shaking his head in awe.
...
(End of Chapter)
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