https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-408-Crossing-Boundaries-to-Battle-/13507669/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-410-Killing-Move-Mountain-River-Collapse/13507671/
Chapter 409: Breakthrough
Chapter 409: Breakthrough (Requesting Monthly Votes)
Xingxiu Residence 36, a white luxury villa
A quiet hum filled the air.
Inside the pristine Martial Arts Training Hall, a white Neural Pod slowly opened, releasing Lin Qi's tall figure.
"Xiaochan, order two Grade 5 Nutritional Meals", Lin Qi commanded.
"Yes, Master", Xiaochan replied obediently, immediately placing the order.
Minutes later in the living room, Lin Qi examined a green holographic screen projected before him while eating dinner. It displayed the names of all 23 remaining competitors from the Azure Firmament Grand Tournament - including himself, Chu Yu, and Du Shanyan. The rest were SS and Sss-Rank juniors and senior-year prodigies, all Sixth Realm martial artists specializing in bone marrow cultivation.
His next round would almost certainly pit him against one of these elite experts. To achieve higher rankings, his current strength wouldn't suffice.
Checking the time - 5:40 PM - he calculated fifteen hours remained before the fourth round began at 8:30 AM tomorrow. More than enough time for a significant power boost.
After outlining his training plan, he returned to the training hall. Opening his silver metal cabinet revealed rows of elixirs. He selected a purple vial - Soul Essence Vial - and swallowed its contents before unrolling a green scroll.
Cross-legged, he began cultivating with Annals of Calamities, a spiritual power martial art. His consciousness entered a visualization of Fourth-Rank Disaster Beasts - specifically the Grayspine Wolf, an evolved form of the Grayspine species with silver fur and massive size.
The scroll's power manifested thousands of Disaster Beasts in his mind: Bronze Wild Oxen, Ironblood Scaled Boars, and Silver Rank Giant Wolves. As they roared in unison, deadly combat commenced.
The Soul Essence Vial's effects spread through his mind while he controlled the Silver Rank Giant Wolf battling wave after wave of Disaster Beasts. The Annals of Calamities cultivation technique contained nine stages, with opponents representing Fourth through Sixth Realms in increasing numbers.
Though constantly torn apart by enemy attacks, the wolf regenerated instantly, its numbers gradually dwindling while Lin Qi's spiritual power sharpened under intense pressure.
An hour later, the wolf shredded its final Bronze Wild Ox, its body dissolving into golden particles. A violent surge of energy shook Lin Qi's body as his Consciousness Realm expanded dramatically.
The gray mist within his mind brightened and clarified, like turning on fluorescent lights in a dark room.
[You've broken through after consuming Soul Essence Vial and practicing Annals of Calamities. Your Spiritual Power has increased by 16.]
[Spiritual Power: 999 → 1015]
Lin Qi stood slowly, sensing the world with newfound clarity. His confidence soared as he adapted to his boosted spiritual power before re-entering the Neural Pod to access the Disaster Beast Trial Tower.
The tower loomed outside, completely deserted at 8 PM. Checking the leaderboard:
1st: Shen Heng (Senior) - Floor 16
2nd: Lei Shuang (Senior) - Floor 16
3rd: Zhang Tianyang (Senior) - Floor 16
...
12th: Chu Yu - Floor 14
...
32nd: Lin Qi (Sophomore) - Floor 13
His rank had risen ten places in three months, though he rarely used the tower. Preferring gravity chambers and pool training for spear techniques and body cultivation, he conserved tower runs for month-end rankings. Higher positions meant more Grade 7 Disaster Beast Flesh rewards.
Today marked his opportunity. The system announced:
[Welcome to Disaster Beast Trial Tower, Student Lin Qi.]
[Floor 13 Trial: Eliminate 600 Disaster Beasts within 80 minutes - 200 Grayspine Wolves, 200 Ironblood Scaled Boars, 150 Ironscale Hawks, and 50 Bronze Wild Oxen.]
[Failure occurs if targets aren't eliminated within time limit...]
[Countdown Sequence: ...3, 2, 1]
[Trial commencing!!]
Dressed in black combat gear with Vital Energy Stat at 300, Lin Qi prepared for battle.
Higher than the initial stage of the Third Realm, but not yet at its peak.
"Boom!!"
The earth quaked violently as surrounding debris bounced wildly into the air.
At the far end of the ruined landscape, a grayish-red tsunami surged into view.
"Awooo~"
"Heh~ Heh~"
Level-3 Disaster Beasts—Grayspine Wolves, Ironblood Scaled Boars—emitted suffocating pressure.
"Bullll~"
Following them, the massive Bronze Wild Oxen rampaged forward like armored tanks on a highway.
"Whoosh!!"
Gales howled with their movement.
In the sky, dark clouds converged rapidly—a swarm of 150 Ironscale Hawks closing in.
All locking onto Lin Qi, aiming to devour him whole.
Lin Qi swung his Black Long Spear. His body erupted with motion like lightning tearing through the heavens, vanishing from his original stance.
His Special Ability 【Golden Edge】now coated his Vital Force, granting it cutting sharpness. Channeling his River and Mountain Vital Force, he could switch between raw power and fluid adaptability.
This was the path of balanced offense—soft and hard intertwined.
"Awooo~"
Facing the leaping Grayspine Wolf, his spear lashed out like a river's current.
In an instant, the beast's neck split open.
"Puh~ Puh~ Puh~"
Three Grayspine Wolves fell, hot blood spraying as their bodies crumpled.
He followed with consecutive strikes.
River and Mountain Spear Techniques—Flowing Water Pierce!!
He unleashed Flowing Water Pierce recklessly, the air shimmering with river-like illusions.
"Heh~ Heh~"
The Ironblood Scaled Boars lunged. Lin Qi became lightning itself—within a breath, multiple Grayspine Wolves collapsed dead.
"Screeee!!"
The Ironscale Hawks dove like steel-winged arrows, raining down like a storm of blades.
"Zoo~"
Lin Qi remained calm, his form flickering into multiple lightning afterimages.
The Black Long Spear lashed out like a machine gun, piercing relentlessly.
"Puh~ Puh~"
Two hundred strikes in one second—twenty Ironscale Hawks dropped lifeless.
"Boom!! Boom!!"
Like a tiger in a sheepfold, every beast became his prey.
40 minutes later
"Bullll~"
The last Bronze Wild Ox crashed heavily to the ground.
Lin Qi exhaled, shaking his head.
"Not enough. The pressure still isn’t enough to push me past this threshold!"
"I need greater pressure!"
He glanced at the system message.
【Lin Qi, congratulations! You’ve passed the 13th Trial!】
【Class Rank: 3rd】
【Overall Rank: 32nd → 25th】
【Accept or decline the 14th Disaster Beast Trial?】
Without hesitation, Lin Qi selected continuation.
"Beep!"
A new message appeared.
【14th Trial Objective: Eliminate 800 Disaster Beasts within 80 minutes.
300 Level-3 Grayspine Wolves, 200 Level-3 Ironblood Scaled Boars, 200 Level-3 Ironscale Hawks, 100 Fourth-Rank Bronze Wild Oxen.】
【Failure if incomplete within time limit.】
Lin Qi’s heart tightened.
Same duration, but 200 extra beasts—especially more Ironscale Hawks and Bronze Wild Oxen.
His Vital Energy Stat hadn’t improved.
Clearing this would require higher cultivation stage—refining his River and Mountain Spear Techniques into every strike, enhancing speed and power.
Currently at Fourth Circle, 29% cultivation—preparing to form his first Killing Move to reach 30%.
Even a 1% difference manifested drastically in battle.
The 13th Trial required Fourth Circle mid-stage, but his Combat Innate Talent allowed advancement.
This 14th Trial, however, would be abnormally difficult.
"Boom!!"
The trembling earth quickened Lin Qi’s pulse.
The air itself twisted.
The monstrous Disaster Beast tide surged, relentless.
Same foes—Grayspine Wolves, Ironblood Scaled Boars, Ironscale Hawks, Bronze Wild Oxen.
Again, lightning erupted from his form. Body Techniques《Thunderclap Nine Flashes》activated.
His Lightshadow Realm had evolved into Thunderpeak Realm, amplifying his speed.
"Puh~ Puh~ Puh~"
Faced with swarming attacks, his speed blazed faster, efficiency unwavering.
A killing machine, executing relentless strikes.
Yet the pressure surged—Disaster Beasts flooded every angle, sky and land.
Even Chu Yu had stalled here for three months, unable to progress.
Amidst danger, Lin Qi’s blood boiled, his Thunderpeak Realm merging deeper into his form.
"Zoo~"
A cunning Grayspine Wolf slashed its claw—only grasping a lightning afterimage.
《Thunderclap Nine Flashes》’s Second Flash—speed generating clones to confuse foes.
Lin Qi’s eyes gleamed. A month’s preparation, combined with intense pressure, signaled a breakthrough.
Increasing his spear speed, he pierced air like a river breaking its dam.
"Awooo~"
"Hmph~ Hmph!"
"Puh~ Puh~ Puh~"
In the carnage, Disaster Beasts fell one by one. Blood scent thickened the air as Lin Qi approached his peak.
His River and Mountain Spear Techniques, long accumulated, finally underwent qualitative transformation!
……
(End of Chapter)
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