https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-416-The-Grand-Tournament-Concludes/13507686/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-418-Breaking-Through-to-the-Sixth-Realm/13507688/
Chapter 417: Sss-Rank Secured
Chapter 417: Sss-Rank Secured (Requesting Monthly Vote)
Xue Zhou leaned back in his chair, exuding an air of effortless charm as he surveyed the room. "Lin Qi's performance speaks for itself", he said casually.
"All of you witnessed how the Sss-Rank genius Chu Yu—someone none of you are unfamiliar with—was defeated beyond his limits by Lin Qi!" His voice carried quiet conviction. "The weight of that achievement should need no further explanation."
Dean Liu nodded in agreement. "Not to mention Lin Qi reached tenth place on the rankings last night", he added. "He's surpassed two Sss-Rank geniuses—Chu Yu and Du Shanyan."
"Considering all factors", Xue continued, "he's already demonstrated the innate talent of an Sss-Rank genius. The innate talent!"
Wu Lingyun joined the conversation smoothly. "I concur. Innate talent isn't static. Lin Qi's growth has been undeniable."
Deputy Principal Xu Wenji tapped his chin thoughtfully. "To summarize objectively—Lin Qi's talent is evident, but youth remains a concern. Our Xia Kingdom has never had someone promoted to Sss-Rank at nineteen."
Xue grinned. "Until now."
Xu Wenji clasped his hands. "I've already reported to the envoy. We'll decide Lin Qi's promotion once Principal Li returns. Sss-Rank geniuses determine the allocation of ancient ruins and critical resources, after all."
No one objected. The matter settled, Lin Qi's new contract was all but guaranteed. The moment the Nine Realms martial artists returned, he would officially become an Sss-Rank genius.
...
The next day, Lin Qi entered the Heavenly Dome Institute—a blue-themed office that doubled as a martial arts training hall. The door slid silently open, revealing walls of special glass displaying shifting luminescent patterns. The ceiling resembled a living aquarium, with holographic ocean creatures gliding overhead.
A blue tea table sat before three sofas where Dean Liu, Xue Zhou, and a third figure waited. Steam curled from freshly poured tea.
"Dean Liu, Dean Xue, Teacher", Lin Qi greeted them respectfully.
"Come sit", Dean Liu waved him over.
After brief pleasantries, Xue Zhou smiled. "Congratulations on making the Azure Firmament Grand Tournament's top six. More importantly, after discussion by the Crimson Vault Martial Arts Pavilion, your promotion to Sss-Rank genius is virtually confirmed."
Lin Qi's heart leapt at the news.
Dean Liu continued, "However, our Nine Realms martial artists are currently occupied with missions. We'll await Principal Li's final approval."
Mu Hong's expression turned solemn. "Sss-Rank genius isn't merely about wealth. Certain resources become available only after reaching Seventh Realm cultivation—resources critical to breaking through to Nine Realms."
Lin Qi frowned. "Only for Sss-Rank? Not SS or S?"
Xue Zhou sipped tea. "S-Rank geniuses rarely reach Nine Realms, so those resources remain inaccessible. For SS and S-Rank, they simply don't exist. Understand this—money matters least. Qualification determines everything. From here, your responsibilities will grow significantly."
Dean Liu gestured to a sleek black obsidian steel case on the table. "Analyzing your recent battles, you're nearing Sixth Realm. This Fourfold Viscera Elixir will aid your breakthrough."
The case opened, revealing a 100ml vial of emerald liquid.
"During the Organ Cultivation Stage of Fifth Realm", Dean explained, "organ quality varies by innate talent and primordial energy martial art assessments. Most cultivate second-grade organs. S-Rank geniuses and awakened prodigies achieve third-grade. Only SS and Sss-Rank geniuses reach fourth-grade."
"This elixir can upgrade third-grade to fourth-grade organs. Based on your potential, it'll significantly enhance organ function and accelerate your Sixth Realm breakthrough."
Lin Qi's eyes gleamed. The elixir's power astounded him.
Xue Zhou added, "This formula combines nine-leaf spirit ginseng, heaven-star grass, clear-heart dew, and organs from a seven-level disaster beast. It repairs hidden organ damage, boosts vitality, and increases energy stats. Only ten bottles are produced annually at immense cost. Chu Yu waited for his until breaking through to Sixth Realm's Marrow Illumination."
Dean Liu concluded, "With this elixir, the Awakening Fruit's remaining benefits are now negligible. Future resources will depend entirely on your own efforts."
Lin Qi nodded gratefully. The elixir's rarity—and the effort required to obtain it—was obvious.
...
Half an hour later, after Lin Qi departed, the three elders lingered in the office.
"Hard to believe how quickly Lin Qi's become an Sss-Rank genius", Dean Liu mused. "Feels like a dream. His path to Nine Realms seems set."
Mu Hong and Xue Zhou exchanged knowing smiles.
"Oh", Dean Liu added, "I heard from Xu that Red Emperor summoned half our Nine Realms martial artists into the Otherworld depths. Principal Li left too, without even explaining why."
Mu Hong shook his head, but Xue Zhou leaned forward. "Some matters remain secret, known only to those in the Star Sovereign Hall. Still, I suspect I know a little..."
“That means the Red Emperor appears to have completed mapping the entire Otherworld and even encountered a Disaster Beast surpassing Level 9!”
“A Disaster Beast beyond Level 9?!”
Dean Liu and Mu Hong exchanged glances, both recognizing the shock in each other’s eyes.
Dean Liu poured himself a cup of tea before speaking:
“The Otherworld is at least a hundred times larger than Blue Planet, teeming with Disaster Beasts of extreme density.”
“It’s highly likely even stronger Disaster Beasts exist.”
“There’s a strong probability of theoretical Level-10 Disaster Beasts.”
Mu Hong, dressed in black, added gravely:
“Level-9 Disaster Beasts exceed a hundred meters in length, like walking catastrophes that wreak unimaginable destruction on human civilization.”
“In the past, only nuclear weapons could eliminate them.”
“Now, only Nine-Realm Titleholder Martial Artists can kill them.”
“If Level-10 Disaster Beasts truly exist, according to the Calamity Beast Flesh Theoretical Research 3.0, they could easily exceed 500 meters in size.”
“If such a beast breaches the Disaster Beast Gate to reach Blue Planet, it would unleash unprecedented devastation.”
“Yet humanity’s Martial Arts Cultivation system hasn’t yet perfected the Tenth Realm.”
The weight of Mu Hong’s words pressed heavily on all three, a suffocating tension settling over them.
“Hmph.”
Dean Liu exhaled sharply.
“The future is shrouded in fog. All we can do is cultivate geniuses relentlessly.”
“No wonder the Heavenly Dome Institute was established. Humanity’s future depends on an endless stream of prodigies.”
He thought of Lin Qi, whose Sss-Rank Genius status alone placed him among the elite. Even among Sss-Rank Geniuses, Lin Qi would never rank low.
A future Nine-Realm Titleholder Martial Artist—
……
Outside Star Cultivation Mansion No. 36
“Lin Qi, your Grade-7 Disaster Beast flesh has been delivered.”
As Lin Qi returned to his villa, his rewards from the Azure Firmament Grand Tournament had already arrived.
Watching crates of flesh being carried into the kitchen, he smiled.
This is just the beginning. After the Disaster Beast Trial Tower’s settlement in two days, even more Grade-7 flesh would arrive.
Among the silver boxes filled the kitchen, a smaller black metal crate caught his eye. The staff handling it strained with its weight.
“Lin Qi, this contains Grade-8 Disaster Beast flesh,” a worker explained. Lin Qi nodded, lifting a 100-kilogram slab. Compared to Grade-7 flesh, its density felt significantly greater.
Once the staff left, Lin Qi immediately had Xiaochan begin roasting the Disaster Beast flesh. He also ordered a large assortment of vegetables to complement the Grade-7 flesh.
On the table lay not only roasted beast flesh but also a black obsidian steel case containing Fourth-Grade Lingzang Liquid, worth a fortune.
“I’ll use the Lingzang Liquid once my Vital Energy Stat exceeds 995. It’ll push me straight into Sixth-Realm Marrow Cultivation,” Lin Qi mused, calculating his next steps.
Moments later, after consuming 100 kilograms of flesh, Lin Qi felt a surge of energy he hadn’t felt in a while. Without wasting a second, he rushed into the Martial Arts Training Hall to cultivate.
……
As the Azure Firmament Grand Tournament concluded, news spread that Lin Qi had quietly climbed into the top ten of the Disaster Beast Trial Tower.
Inside a private villa, Chu Yu sat in his training hall, staring at the projected rankings. Gripping his slender saber tightly, he resolved:
“I must push harder!”
“Losing to Lin Qi was a wake-up call. I’m an Sss-Rank Genius—I won’t accept defeat twice. At the Global Martial Arts Championship, I’ll reclaim my victory.”
……
Inside Star Cultivation Mansion No. 36
The spacious living room projected a massive screen.
Jiang Miaoyin’s delicate features lit up as she announced excitedly:
“Big Brother Lin Qi, I got second place!”
“Too bad the National Freshman Competition came too early. Another month, and I’d have taken first.”
Lin Qi congratulated her with a smile:
“Congratulations, A Miao! You’ll claim that championship eventually.”
Jiang Tao added, “A Miao, don’t rush.”
“The longer you wait, the higher your innate talent will rise. The champion title will follow.”
After ending the call, Jiang Tao sighed, watching Lin Qi:
“A Miao’s already so strong but still fell short of the title.”
“The more I think about it, the more incredible Brother Qi seems.”
“And now, you’ve entered the top six in the Azure Firmament Grand Tournament!”
Jiang Tao grew increasingly animated:
“I was stunned when I heard your results yesterday. Even Sss-Rank Genius Chu Yu, who’s already reached the Sixth Realm, fell to you!”
“Back in Senior Year, when Teacher Zhang Cheng explained the genius rankings, we all dreamed of becoming Sss-Rank. Now, you’re defeating them.”
“This world is becoming unrecognizable, and I feel the pressure. If I don’t work harder, I’ll fall behind.”
……
After a brief celebration with Jiang Tao, Lin Qi returned to his kitchen.
He couldn’t afford rest—not yet.
From the massive refrigerator, he retrieved a 100-kilogram slab of Grade-8 Disaster Beast flesh, streaked with white fat and crimson veins.
Handing it to his Smart Robot, Lin Qi resolved:
“These two days will focus on consuming Grade-8 flesh and Fourth-Grade Lingzang Liquid. I’ll break into the Sixth Realm all at once.”
……
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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