Chapter 396: Genius is Merely the Entry Threshold
Chapter 396: Genius is Merely the Entry Threshold (Requesting Monthly Votes)
Everyone turned their gaze toward the dormitory area—a harmonious blend of mountainous terrain and flowing water, seamlessly integrating classical Chinese garden aesthetics.
Scattered like stars across the landscape, the small villas were arranged in a unique "constellation" pattern, their layouts both orderly and elegant.
Wan Ming eyed the cluster of villas curiously. "Dean Liu", he asked, "some villas seem larger than others. Does everyone get a different residence based on their status?"
Dean Liu chuckled, nodding. "Naturally. The caliber of a genius determines their living quarters. S-Rank Geniuses receive modest villas, while SS-Ranks enjoy larger estates with denser energy concentrations in their private Martial Arts Training Halls, along with gardens and swimming pools." He gestured toward a distant, opulent villa that dwarfed the others. "As for Sss-Ranks, they receive the grandest accommodations with every luxury included."
Chu Yu pointed to a sprawling white villa. "That one’s mine. Feel free to visit when you’re free." He added dryly, "It gets too quiet sometimes. A bit more company would be nice." The group fell silent, acutely aware of the status chasm between them—a reality they hadn’t anticipated facing.
Lin Qi felt a pang of déjà vu, recalling his first days at Azure Firmament Martial Academy and the ever-present hierarchy.
Suddenly, sleek electric shuttles began emerging from the villas. Onboard were students whose auras radiated immense power—at least Fifth Realm Organ Cultivation Stage martial artists, likely senior Awakened prodigies.
…
Minutes later, the tour bus emptied, leaving only Lin Qi and Dean Liu. They arrived at a villa unlike any other.
Towering and modern, its minimalist white facade stretched far beyond the residence Lin Qi had known at Azure Firmament.
"This will be your home for the foreseeable future", Dean Liu declared. "Welcome to Xingxiu Residence—Heavenly Dome Institute’s dormitory. This is Villa 36, second only to Sss-Rank accommodations. Two floors, 500 square meters, with a 300-square-meter courtyard."
Lin Qi surveyed the garden—a miniature landscape of rocks, trees, and blossoms. Dean Liu led him inside, gesturing to a mechanical column by the door. "The villa manual links your AI companion to our system. You’ll see."
Settling onto a soft blue sofa, Dean Liu continued, "Heavenly Dome Institute is essentially a smaller Azure Firmament Martial Academy. Many aspects mirror what you’re familiar with. Take time to adjust."
After Dean Liu departed, Lin Qi retrieved the uploaded manual from the group chat and skimmed it. Moments later, he set his phone down, scanning the villa.
"Xiaochan, order a Level 5 Nutritional Meal."
"At once, Master", the black-clad Xiaochan replied, dropping her luggage to activate the smart home system.
…
Half an hour later, after finishing his meal, Lin Qi carried his belongings to the villa’s private Martial Arts Training Hall.
The chamber was vast, its white alloy walls humming with high-grade energy. Surrounded by a dense haze of primordial energy particles—glowing like starlight or desert sands—he inhaled deeply. Streams of energy flowed into his body effortlessly.
Here, even ordinary individuals could reach the Fourth Realm given decades. Comparing concentrations: Azure Firmament’s halls scored 5, the Disaster Beast Pyramid 8, while this villa’s energy blazed at 20—a quadruple increase over Blue Planet’s training facilities.
"This is their standard preparation for top-tier talents", Lin Qi marveled. Four times the potency meant exponentially faster cultivation—perhaps even shortening Fifth Realm training.
He unsealed a vial of Organ Cultivation Stage Serum, adopting the Five Hearts to Sky Posture. His consciousness summoned Level 9 Disaster Beast: Platinum Malevolence Tiger.
A thunderous roar erupted as energy cyclones spiraled around him. Primordial energy surged through his pores and lungs, fusing with Golden Edge-infused vitality to refine his organs.
His body trembled violently, muscles writhing like untamed stallions. Against Triple Gravity’s resistance, he absorbed energy to forge his heart and lungs—a paradoxical blend of agony and ecstasy.
…
Two hours later, Lin Qi exhaled a golden glow that bathed the chamber. The swirling tempest around him dissipated in rippling waves.
[You completed a primordial energy cultivation session. Lung refinement progress significantly increased. Vital Energy Stat +30]
【Vital Energy Stat: 545→575】
Lin Qi’s lips curved upward as he observed his improved stat. The cultivation results exceeded even his expectations. His lungs, one of the five vital organs, were nearly fully tempered. At this rate, he might reach the threshold of the Sixth Realm before the semester ended.
At 5:30 PM, every student at Heavenly Dome Institute received the same notification. Lin Qi’s Ten Institute group chat buzzed with activity when Dean Liu joined.
【Dean Liu: Assemble at Heavenly Dome Tower at 8:00 AM tomorrow. All Awakened prodigies from Xia Kingdom Martial Arts University will gather for this occasion.】
The message carried an undeniable weight.
Lin Qi set his phone aside in the Martial Arts Training Hall and began practicing the River and Mountain Spear Techniques with his Tiger Slaughter Long Spear. Excitement simmered within him at the thought of tomorrow’s gathering.
---
August 21st—a seemingly ordinary day for Xia Kingdom.
The second day at Heavenly Dome Institute.
The Heavenly Dome Tower stood as the institute’s centerpiece—a 999-meter-tall structure clad in red and white high-strength alloys and nanomaterials. Golden light particles adorned its surface, evoking a celestial river swirling around a star. A colossal Martial Artist statue crowned the tower, an exact replica of the Red Emperor sculpture at Lin Qi’s former academy, Azure Firmament Martial Academy.
Stepping off the electric tram, Lin Qi’s black-and-gold embroidered robe fluttered in the breeze. The Azure Firmament insignia—a sword piercing the heavens—gleamed on his chest. Entering the tower’s opulent lobby, he joined a throng of students already gathered. Portraits of Martial Artists battling Disaster Beasts lined the walls, while a majestic, epic melody filled the air.
Chu Yu and Yu Zhuoran stood nearby, joined by Pei Jiu and Huo Wanyang—SS-Rank Geniuses—while Wan Ming and others occupied seats further back. Four designated zones housed 181 Awakened prodigies: 152 S-Rank, 24 SS-Rank, and 5 Sss-Rank. Most hailed from the Three Elite Academies, Imperial Military, and Ten Prestigious Schools. The senior students—awakened juniors and seniors—radiated terrifying power, several teetering on the edge of the Seventh Realm.
“Welcome to Heavenly Dome Institute!” boomed Principal Li Qifeng, the Title-Bearing Martial Artist of Level 9 and Heavenly Dome Institute’s Dean. Flanked by over a dozen officials from various institutions, his presence commanded awe.
Suddenly, golden light blazed from his eyes. A crushing pressure, like a tidal wave of blades, surged outward. Students gasped as the force bore down—some countered with Special Abilities: Crimson Flame, Golden Edge, Flowing Water, Lightning, Heavy Earth, Rapid Wind. Golden Radiance erupted across the hall as prodigies resisted.
The leaders observed approvingly, especially when Lin Qi’s group held their ground. Even the Sss-Ranks paled before the Nine Realms Martial Artist’s might.
“Enough,” Principal Li declared, the pressure vanishing. “You are Xia Kingdom’s 181 Awakened Geniuses—152 S-Rank, 24 SS-Rank, and 5 Sss-Rank.”
Gasps rippled through the crowd. “24 SS-Ranks? Five Sss?!” Pei Jiu muttered. Chu Yu’s expression darkened—four equals, four rivals.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
