Chapter 416: The Grand Tournament Concludes
Chapter 416: The Grand Tournament Concludes (Requesting Monthly Votes)
The new match schedule solidified above the arena.
Lin Qi's gaze swept across the floating text, landing on his next opponent.
Match #3: Lin Qi (Sophomore) vs. Shen Heng (Senior)
A slow exhale escaped him as he processed the name.
Shen Heng, of all people!
Murmurs rippled through the audience.
"If it were anyone else..." someone sighed.
"Lin Qi might stand a chance, but Shen Heng? His power's in a league of its own."
Even Dean Liu and Mu Hong, seated among the officials, exchanged resigned glances.
---
The sixth round began—final preliminaries before the semifinals.
Half an hour later.
Boom!!
Crackle!!
On the battered arena, two figures clashed in a storm of steel and lightning. Silver arcs of energy and golden sword beams collided in dazzling bursts.
Clang! Clang!
"Lin Qi, junior", Shen Heng said mid-strike, his voice calm despite the fury of his lightning-wreathed blade, "I'm a full year senior to you."
"When I was your age, I wouldn't have lasted ten seconds against you."
His black Battle Suit crackling with power, Shen Heng unleashed his ultimate technique.
Pop!
Seconds later, Lin Qi's form dissolved into pixels.
Match #3 Winner: Shen Heng (Senior)
---
Back in the audience stands, Lin Qi materialized beside his peers as the AI announcer confirmed his defeat.
A faint smile touched his lips.
"Brother Qi, it's just a loss", Wan Ming clapped his shoulder. "You're already incredible."
"You lasted longer against Shen Heng than anyone ever has", Xia Lian added.
"Thanks", Lin Qi shrugged. "I'm fine."
Truthfully, he'd expected this. Compared to his earlier match against Chu Yu, this fight had been an even greater learning experience.
Shen Heng stood two tiers above Chu Yu.
While Lin Qi had reached peak Sixth Realm, his sword cultivation hovered just shy of Fourth-Circle Late Stage. He suspected even average Seventh Realm martial artists might fall short against Shen Heng.
Crossing realms was no small feat—defeating a Seventh Realm opponent without his Double·Golden Vajra Transformation would be nearly impossible.
Still, the loss stung less knowing three months of cultivation could shift the balance.
His eyes lifted to the arena as three names materialized—Shen Heng, Zhang Tianyang, and Meng Yuxuan—advancing to the semifinals.
Lei Shuang, previously second place, had been eliminated.
Two Sss-Rank Geniuses and one SS-Rank Genius remained.
In the seventh round, Zhang Tianyang challenged Meng Yuxuan for the final spot in the championship match. The burly senior, having mastered a Minor Divine Ability, narrowly claimed victory.
Even Shen Heng looked impressed as Zhang Tianyang's body flickered out of existence after a decisive strike.
"Let us congratulate Shen Heng as champion of the Azure Firmament Grand Tournament!" Deputy Principal Xu Wenji announced, his crimson robes billowing.
Polite applause echoed from the two hundred participants.
"With this, the first-ever Heaven's Vault Tournament concludes!" Xu continued. "Rewards will be delivered within two days."
"This competition aimed to foster growth through rivalry", he added. "In 2048, the Global Martial Arts Championship awaits—where your opponents will be the finest talents across Blue Planet's three academic tiers."
With those words, the deputy principal dissolved into crimson light.
---
Back in Star Training Hall #36, Lin Qi emerged from his Neural Pod, the air scented with sandalwood.
"Xiaochan, order two Grade-5 Nutritional Meals."
"Right away, Master."
Ten minutes later, reviewing his status panel over dinner, Lin Qi grinned.
[Status Update]
- Spear Techniques: +1% (Fourth-Circle 36% → 38%)
- Body Cultivation: +1% (Fourth-Circle 34% → 36%)
Unlocked through intense battle with Sss Genius Shen Heng.
Since breaking through to Fourth-Circle Midphase yesterday, his matches against Chu Yu and Shen Heng had accelerated his growth.
Few could match his training speed.
"Tomorrow marks December 1st", he mused. "Time to settle rewards from the tournament and Disaster Beast Tower."
Over 2000 kg of Grade-7 Calamity Beast meat awaited—enough sustenance for a month.
---
Later in the training hall, Lin Qi analyzed his progress.
Though the Global Championship loomed in five months, his sights were set higher.
This tournament had proven his limits—next time, he'd need Sixth Realm breakthroughs to challenge Shen Heng.
"First, bone marrow refinement", he muttered, resolve hardening.
---
That night, in the Heaven's Vault Pavilion's war room, two dozen figures gathered via physical presence and hologram—Xue Zhou, Dean Liu, Mu Hong, Liu Ran, and newly promoted Southern Inspector Wu Lingyun among them.
Deputy Principal Xu Wenji addressed the assembly:
"Tonight we settle one question: Does Lin Qi possess Sss-Rank Genius potential?"
Silence fell.
Xue Zhou broke it first, his voice crisp.
"Isn't that obvious? What's there to discuss?"
(End of Chapter)
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