https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-40-Scarlet-List-Update-Top-50-in-Tianhai-City/13500227/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-42-The-Classification-of-Geniuses/13506773/
Chapter 41: The Three Martial Arts Pavilions
Chapter 41: The Three Martial Arts Pavilions (Please Keep Reading)
Crimson Vault Martial Arts Pavilion
Even past midnight, the Virtual Chamber buzzed with activity. All 100 neural pods operated at full speed.
"Just one more match and I’ll reach Star Rank! Dammit!!" someone groaned, clutching his head in frustration.
"I was so close! What a waste! That 500,000 Xia Kingdom Currency prize could’ve bought so many resources!" another muttered bitterly.
...
At the pavilion’s top floor, a sprawling 1,000-square-meter office gleamed in crimson-and-white decor. The emblem of a roaring scarlet flame adorned the space.
Dozens of workstations buzzed below, holographic screens casting glows on employees in red-and-white uniforms. At the center, a massive hologram displayed the Scarlet List, its rankings visible to all.
"Supervisor Sun, as of midnight, 108 candidates from Tianhai City have advanced to Star Rank in the Crimson Realm Arena", reported a stocky man in a black suit, his thick beard framing a sharp gaze.
Sun nodded. "Twenty more than last year. Proof of this year’s stronger talents."
"The Tianhai Monthly Assessment and Stellar Event are over. The prodigies have surfaced. It’s time to act—start contacting them. Prioritize the Star Rank candidates. They’re our top targets."
"With their strength, most qualify for A- or B-tier contracts. Prepare their profiles. Tomorrow, start with the A and B candidates."
"Already on it. Most have been under review for months", the employee confirmed.
Sun exhaled slowly, eyes fixed on the Scarlet List. "The talent war begins again. These next few months will be chaotic."
---
The Next Day
"Ring ring~"
"Class dismissed!"
"Lin Qi, Jiang Tao, Chen Zichuan—come to my office."
Ms. Yan Hong, the class instructor, motioned to the trio. They exchanged glances, rose, and followed her.
Inside her office, they settled on the sofa. Yan took a sip of water. "Your progress in the Monthly Assessment was remarkable. The school will recommend higher Genius Loans for you."
Jiang Tao’s eyes lit up.
"Jiang Tao, you’ve entered the top ten. You qualify for a Special Tier Loan upgrade."
"Hehe!" Jiang grinned.
"Lin Qi, you’ve improved the most. You’ll apply for Second Tier, possibly even First Tier."
"Chen Zichuan, you’ll get a Second Tier Loan unless you advance further in the midterm."
Both nodded, unsurprised. For Lin Qi, even a Second Tier Loan meant a windfall. Chen relied entirely on loan funds to buy resources, though he still lacked the strength to reach Star Rank—and its 500,000 Xia Kingdom Currency prize.
---
After Class
As they walked the corridor, Jiang Tao chuckled. "Special Tier? Perfect timing! I’m almost out of my million. The Special Tier’s 3 million will cover it—subtracting the million I’ve used, that’s two million left!"
Lin Qi’s mind drifted to Jiang Miaoyin, his sickly, determined younger sister. He’d spent half Jiang Tao’s income on her recovery—hospital visits, nutrition supplements, and therapies. She reminded him of his mother, Fang Huiyi.
Back in class, his phone buzzed.
[Your Icbc account ending in xxx received 500,000 Xia Kingdom Currency. Balance: 563,128!]
Jiang Tao pulled out his phone. "Boss Lin, the 500k’s in!"
Lin Qi smirked. With 560,000 now, plus a potential 500,000 from Second Tier, he’d have 860,000—even after subtracting the 200,000 from his old loan. Close to a million.
---
Training Session
After two portions of Nutritional Meal, Lin Qi returned to his Martial Arts Training Hall. He downed two Vital Energy Elixirs, their crimson liquid warming his core.
"Black Tiger Heart-Strike! White Tiger Presents the Claw! Furious Tiger Through the Forest!"
He unleashed the six strikes of Tiger Form Fist, each blow whipping the air. Sweat dripped as Vital Energy surged, muscles burning like a forge.
[Your understanding of Tiger Form Fist deepens. Fist Techniques +1%]
[Your Vital Energy Stat improves. +0.05]
[Vital Energy: 8.2 → 8.25]
Panting, he grinned. Progress! He could feel the shift—muscles coiling, energy flowing through bones. Fist Techniques weren’t just theory now; they were instinct.
"I’ll ask Master Zhang Cheng to speed up my progress", he resolved.
---
Martial Arts Class
Zhang Cheng cleared his throat. "Class, gather! Time for a talk."
The students clustered around, sensing gravity in his tone.
"Post-Monthly Assessment, Martial Arts Instructors explain Pavilion contract guidelines. Listen closely—your futures depend on it."
Murmurs rippled. Contracts with the Pavilions? Everyone leaned in.
...
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
