Chapter 440: Crushed in a Single Strike
Chapter 440: Crushed in a Single Strike (Requesting Monthly Vote)
“Haa!!”
A violent gust erupted on the arena as Song Zhengzai swung his battle saber.
Colossal Mountain Blade Arts—Colossal Mountain Stance!
A towering mountain slammed downward, its oppressive pressure crashing against Lin Qi’s senses.
His expression calm, Lin Qi erupted with a storm of energy in response.
Golden light blazed from his eyes as his black long spear transformed, engulfed in radiant golden aura. The weapon became a brilliant golden halberd.
A whirlwind surged around him as he lunged forward in a single step, like a golden tiger pouncing.
The golden halberd stabbed forward, its edge merging with elemental force. As the spear tip trembled, concentrated golden energy lanced outward—a piercing golden spear beam!
Instantly, Song Zhengzai’s instincts screamed a fatal warning.
That spear beam—how dangerous!
He slashed his battle saber downward, intercepting the golden beam. “One spear beam thinks it can drive me back?!”
Activating his special ability, Heavy Earth, his strength surged, his body glowing with earthy radiance.
Boom!
The golden beam collided with his saber, shattering the air with a deafening explosion.
Song Zhengzai staggered backward, his stone armor shattering under the impact. His body skidded across the ground—tap-tap-tap!
Only one spear beam?! His face paled. What power is this?!
Everyone knew the ultimate technique of a martial artist was the fusion of weapon and special ability.
A standalone special ability, though potent, barely fazed opponents of equal rank. Yet here he was—driven back by a single spear projection!
Shock rippled through him.
Whoosh!
In the blink of an eye, Lin Qi appeared as a blur before him.
Swirling with vital force, the black long spear roared like thunder. It stabbed forward like lightning, its edge shimmering with cold brilliance—a killing intent surging forth.
Boom!
Puuu!
Song Zhengzai’s chest was armored in dense, hardened stone, yet the spear pierced effortlessly. Shards of stone sprayed outward as the weapon tore through his battle suit, skin, and obliterated his heart.
His stone armor—rendered meaningless.
Blood erupted from his chest as the spear skewered him.
Pain coursed through his body. I’m… dead?
The defensive might of Heavy Earth—utterly useless.
You—
His words died as his form dissolved, teleporting him back to the audience stand.
His face darkened. Eliminated in one strike—without even activating his minor divine ability.
Earth-type abilities thrived in defense. Heavy Earth excelled both in strength and protection.
Yet Lin Qi had shattered both.
Earlier, he’d thought he could endure a few blows. Now, he realized his arrogance.
Lin Qi’s power towered over his own.
He was a mere ant at the mountain’s base—while Lin Qi stood at its peak. Not even the same realm.
“Zhengzai, don’t look so glum,” a tall, gray-haired man said, his voice brimming with confidence. Kim Jong-woo, an SS-rank genius from senior year, grinned. “If our matchings cross paths with Xia Kingdom’s Lin Qi later, I’ll personally eliminate him.”
Li Hexuan nodded. “Senior Kim’s reached the Sixth Realm—Training Marrow. He’ll surely defeat Lin Qi.”
Song Zhengzai sighed, nodding. Even a genius like Lin Qi had limits. But a senior-year SS-rank prodigy? Beyond his reach.
---
[Match 10: Lin Qi (Xia Kingdom) Victorious!]
The arena’s AI announced the result, displaying the outcome for all to see.
Spectators froze.
Veterans of the Global Freshman Competition gaped in disbelief.
Korean audiences erupted in fury.
How could he lose so easily?
This is our SS-rank genius?!
Did he even try?!
Other nations’ prodigies murmured in awe.
“No surprise. Lin Qi’s grown even stronger this year.”
“SS-rank geniuses might no longer stand a chance.”
“Did you see? He awakened a special ability! Could he already be at Sss-rank tier?”
---
On the Vip stand, Mountain and River King watched, his stern face breaking into a rare smile.
“Excellent. Lin Qi’s performance is impressive even among Sixth Realm experts.”
“He’s perfected the Adamantine Body Fist and his control over special abilities. That level of mastery maximizes his power.”
“Few achieve such mastery in Five Elements Boxing before the Seventh Realm.”
The other officials exchanged satisfied glances.
They’d awaited Mountain and River King’s endorsement. With it, Lin Qi’s promotion to Sss-rank genius post-tournament was assured.
---
Back on the audience stand, Miyamoto Kyonichiro, Viktor, and Havel—senior SS-rank geniuses—frowned.
They’d already decided: if matched against Lin Qi, they’d surrender immediately.
Lin Qi returned to his seat. Others barely reacted.
After all, he was now among the top five Disaster Beast Trial Tower contenders at Heavenly Dome Institute.
A sophomore SS-rank genius ranked only 80th at the institute—no match for Lin Qi.
The tournament continued. Chu Yu and Du Shanyan, both Sss-rank geniuses, advanced easily. Shen Heng, Meng Yuxuan, Lei Shuang, and Zhang Tianyang followed suit.
Foreign competitors, several rivaling Lei Shuang and Zhang Tianyang, also advanced—future rivals to note.
After a brief observation, Lin Qi logged out to train.
In the Martial Arts Training Hall, he stepped from the white neural pod.
With each tournament round, his practice time shortened.
His spear techniques neared a breakthrough—days away, at most.
---
8:00 PM.
The second round concluded.
Heavenly Dome Institute’s sophomore class had mostly advanced.
In the institute’s tiered classroom, 51 students gathered.
Dean Liu surveyed the room, smiling.
“Pleased to see you all reach the third round.”
He projected a massive green screen.
“This next round is perilous. Many of you will fall.”
“Data from Scarlet Realm’s backend shows 624 awakened geniuses among the 1,000 qualifiers—208 per grade.”
“90 SS-rank geniuses.”
“15 Sss-rank geniuses.”
Murmurs of shock rippled through the crowd.
Over 105 top-tier geniuses in total.
---
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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