Chapter 424: Fifth Place on the Overall Rankings
Chapter 424: Fifth Place on the Overall Rankings (Monthly Vote Request)
Martial Dao Calendar, January 2, 2048
The Heavenly Dome Institute’s official website issued a notice to its 182 prodigies, strongly advising them to stay on campus for the Spring Festival and avoid unnecessary travel home.
Of course, no one would stop them if they insisted on leaving.
The institute had also opened a visitation channel, allowing family members to enter Heavenly Dome Institute for Winter Break.
This announcement surprised many students, prompting questions to their mentors about the sudden policy change.
Eventually, most decided against returning home.
Inside Star Cultivation Mansion No. 36, the broad-shouldered Jiang Tao frowned at his terminal.
“Brother Qi, the situation’s getting worse,” he said.
“You’re an Sss-Rank Genius now. Going back to Tianhai City might put you in danger of assassination.”
Lin Qi, seated on the sofa, nodded.
“I’ve already decided to stay this time. I’ll have my parents come here for the Spring Festival. The institute’s environment will help them advance their cultivation.”
“Oh, Brother Qi, the website just posted another notice,” Jiang Tao continued, his voice rising with excitement.
“The Heavenly Dome Institute’s final exam will follow the Disaster Beast Trial Tower standards, but the rewards are doubled.”
Jiang Tao’s eyes gleamed.
Just days ago, he’d arrived at Heavenly Dome Institute and claimed last place in the Disaster Beast Trial Tower, earning 500 kilograms of Grade 7 Disaster Beast Flesh as compensation for missing a month’s rewards.
His Vital Energy stat had skyrocketed from that alone.
If the rewards were doubled, his power could surge even further.
Time flowed steadily, reaching January 15. Both the Azure Firmament Martial Academy and Heavenly Dome Institute conducted their final exams simultaneously.
Inside the tiered classroom on the third floor of Heavenly Dome Tower, Dean Liu collected the last exam paper with a smile.
“The Martial Arts General Education Course final exam is complete!” he announced.
“Everyone may now log into the Disaster Beast Trial Tower to climb the rankings.”
“And we’ll settle the rewards at midnight tonight!”
The 51 students in the classroom dispersed, rushing back to their mansions to access the virtual tower.
Last month’s rewards had been delayed specifically to combine with this final exam.
“I’ll push further this time!”
“I’ve trained in the tower for half a month. My strength has improved dramatically—I’ll definitely climb a few ranks!”
“Even one rank means dozens or hundreds of kilograms of beast flesh, worth millions in Xia Kingdom Currency!”
The students buzzed with excitement, greed lighting their eyes. With doubled rewards, their fighting spirit burned hotter than ever.
Back at Star Cultivation Mansion No. 36, Lin Qi returned leisurely, not rushing into the tower.
Instead, he sat down to eat lunch—30 kilograms of Grade 7 Disaster Beast Flesh, devouring it all.
Warmth spread through his body as he exhaled murky vapors, his Vital Energy surging with rapid absorption.
Only then did he step into his white Neural Pod, logging into the Disaster Beast Trial Tower.
A hum resonated.
When he opened his eyes, the world had shifted to the Wilderness Zone. Before him loomed the towering Disaster Beast Trial Tower, its peak piercing the clouds.
Around him, other players flickered into view, entering the tower.
“Brother Qi!” Jiang Tao strode over, his bulky frame casting a shadow.
“You’re ninth place now, but I know you’ll climb higher!”
Lin Qi nodded, glancing at the overall rankings.
[1st: Shen Heng, Floor: 16]
[2nd: Zhang Tianyang, Floor: 16]
[3rd: Meng Yuxuan, Floor: 16]
...
[9th: Lin Qi, Floor: 15]
Lei Shuang had completely fallen behind, replaced by junior Sss-Rank Meng Yuxuan.
Shen Heng remained unshaken atop the rankings, a living pillar of dominance.
Lin Qi hadn’t challenged the rankings in ages. Today, he aimed for more beast flesh—and more power.
He stepped forward.
A second hum echoed.
[Lin Qi, welcome to the Disaster Beast Trial Tower.]
[15th Floor Trial: Eliminate 1,000 Disaster Beasts within 80 minutes. 300 Grayspine Wolves (Level 3), 290 Ironblood Scaled Boars (Level 3), 200 Ironscale Hawks (Level 3), 100 Steelplated Hawks (Level 4), 100 Bronze Wild Oxen (Level 4), and 10 Clawrend Apes (Level 5).]
[Failure if time expires...]
Lin Qi had studied this trial countless times, attempted it even more. But 80 minutes weren’t enough.
Today, he’d conquer this floor and reach the 16th.
[Countdown: 3...2...1...]
[15th Floor Trial Begins!]
---
A thunderous tremor shook the cracked crossroads. Concrete cracked, gravel dancing.
Howls and guttural roars erupted. Grayspine Wolves, Ironblood Scaled Boars, and Bronze Wild Oxen charged, their iron-like hooves kicking up dust storms.
Behind them loomed ten Clawrend Apes, mountainous with chiseled muscle and razor claws. Their cruel eyes locked on Lin Qi, pressure crushing the air.
“Boom!”
Lin Qi exploded into motion.
A black lightning bolt, his Body Techniques—Thunderclap Nine Flashes—blurred with afterimages. His Black Long Spear carved arcs of wind.
“Awooo!”
A Grayspine Wolf, over two meters tall, lunged. Its steel-spined vertebra gleamed as claws slammed the ground.
Lin Qi’s aura flared—mountains and rivers materializing behind him, merging with his spear art.
“Pshhhk!”
The spear pierced air and flesh, a crimson hole erupting in the wolf’s neck.
“Boom!”
The beast crashed down, kicking up dust. But Lin Qi’s assault didn’t stop.
“Shshshsh!”
His muscles tensed, speed peaking. Hundreds of strikes rained in seconds.
In three minutes, over 50 beasts fell. Yet a thousand more surrounded him.
A Clawrend Ape roared, leaping like a meteor hammer.
Trapped by wolves, boars, and hawks, Lin Qi had no escape.
“Boom!”
Thunderpeak Realm surged. His legs exploded upward, twisting mid-air. The Black Long Spear slashed like flowing water.
River and Mountain Spear Techniques—Flowing Water Pierce!
Grand Scenic Aesthetic’s power surged. His spear pierced the Clawrend Ape’s neck, mere centimeters from his body. Vital Force erupted, pushing him away.
“Pshhhk!”
The spearhead tore through the ape’s heart.
“Roar!”
The ape crashed down, flattening beasts below. One boar turned to paste.
Lin Qi landed, flipped upright, and surged forward.
“Pshhk! Pshhk!”
One Clawrend Ape down, nine left. Their blows shook the earth.
Lin Qi danced between them, luring them to kill each other. His Body Techniques, honed to perfection, blended with the ruins around him.
Thunderclap Nine Flashes’ proficiency soared. His steps became instinct.
Thunderpeak Realm merged with his form, speed accelerating.
Grayspine Wolves, Ironblood Scaled Boars, Bronze Wild Oxen, and Ironscale Hawks pressed in, attacks missing by millimeters.
Minute after minute, 78 elapsed.
Two minutes left.
“Roar!”
A Clawrend Ape’s charge cracked the concrete.
Lin Qi spun, spear piercing a Bronze Wild Ox’s neck. He kicked it into another ape, colliding with a thunderous crash.
His breath ragged, limbs trembling—his energy nearly spent.
One Clawrend Ape remained.
The countdown screen flickered above.
Thirty seconds.
“Roar!”
The final beast charged. Lin Qi summoned his last reserves, speed unwavering.
Golden mountains and rivers aura enveloped his spear.
“Boom!!”
He leapt, Grand Scenic Aesthetic surging. The spear struck like a collapsing world, splitting heaven and earth.
River and Mountain Spear Techniques—Mountain-River Collapse!
“Boom!!”
The Clawrend Ape’s jaw shattered. Vital Force tore through its skull, liquefying its brain.
“Boom!!”
The beast collapsed. Ten seconds remained.
[Lin Qi, you have completed the 15th Floor Trial.]
[Grade Rank: 1]
[Overall Rank: 9→5]
[Enter 16th Floor Trial? Yes/No]
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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