Chapter 510: First Battle
Chapter 510: First Battle (Requesting Monthly Vote)
Liang Tai continued, his voice sharp with resentment.
“Guming and I have never gotten along.”
“He’s an S-Rank Genius from my graduating class. He lost to me in the Global Freshman Competition years ago, and we’ve been at odds ever since.”
“Since then, we’ve clashed repeatedly.”
“When we arrived at Black Dragon Base, our mutual disdain only deepened.”
“We’ve dueled multiple times!”
“Before, my squad had strong teammates—we won more than we lost.”
“But then our seniors either sacrificed themselves or returned home to recover. Our squad’s strength plummeted.”
“A few months ago, when I was injured, his squad began bullying and humiliating us.”
“During the recent massive disaster beast tide, we faced off against a Level 7 disaster beast alone.”
“That damned Guming, desperate to save his own skin, lured another Level 7 beast straight toward us!”
“If my master hadn’t arrived to kill it, we’d all be dead!”
“One of my teammates did die because of him!”
Liang Tai clenched his fists, his face twisting with fury.
Wang Zhi Xuan’s expression darkened, and Lin Qi frowned as he asked,
“He shares the surname Gu—what’s his relation to the Gu family?”
Wang Zhi Xuan replied, “He’s a direct member of the Gu family!”
“The Gu family is one of the wealthiest in our Xia Kingdom.”
“Gu Cheng is his third elder brother!”
Lin Qi’s eyes widened. “No wonder! Gu Cheng’s reputation precedes him—his younger brother couldn’t possibly be any better.”
In short—spoiled and begging for a beating.
Liang Tai interjected, “Little junior brother, this matter shouldn’t concern you.”
Lin Qi shook his head. “I think it already does.”
“I’ve sensed his hostility. He might try something against me soon.”
After Guming left earlier, he’d felt clear malicious intent directed at him.
Liang Tai scoffed coldly. “If he dares touch you, he’ll be signing his death warrant.”
He knew his junior brother’s potential all too well—Sss-Rank Genius material. If not for already having a master, Lin Qi might’ve been taken in by a Mountain and River King himself!
A being like that? Guming wouldn’t survive the first strike.
Lin Qi nodded. If he appeared in full battle armor, everyone would know he’s a Seventh Realm martial artist.
Guming might hesitate then.
But Lin Qi had decided—when the time came, he’d teach this Guming a lesson.
Better to correct his path before it was too late.
……
An hour later, in a private room at Black Dragon Base’s Grand Hotel, five young martial artists sat around a table. A tall, broad-shouldered youth leaned forward curiously.
“Captain, who’s this?”
Liang Tai stood, smiling. “Let me introduce—this is my junior brother, Lin Qi. He’ll be joining our squad temporarily.”
The youth blinked. “Lin Qi? That name sounds familiar…”
Across the table, a cool-beautiful girl sprang up, eyes wide.
“Lin Qi? The Global Martial Arts Champion!”
“The genius who defeated a Seventh Realm opponent as a Sixth Realm?!”
Her words electrified the room. The young man stammered, “Right! That’s it!”
His attitude toward Lin Qi shifted instantly.
“L-Lin… Brother Qi!”
Nervous and tongue-tied, he fumbled over the honorific.
Lin Qi grinned, “Just ‘Lin Qi’ is fine. Hope we’ll get along these days.”
The two newcomers felt flustered by the humility of a legend.
Lin Qi learned their names—Xiao Yu, a blade specialist, and Xi Jing, a swordswoman, both Fifth Realm peak experts.
As platters of hearty dishes arrived, Liang Tai explained over the clatter of chopsticks:
“In the battlefield zones, low-stage martial artists risk death fighting alone.”
“Most form squads to hunt disaster beasts together.”
“Our base uses a Celestial Eye System—AI calculates each squad’s contributions and distributes merit points.”
“Our squad is called the Cleft Rock Squad.”
“We used to have eight members, including three Sixth Realm experts. One died, and two seriously wounded have returned home.”
Lin Qi nodded grimly. The losses were severe—especially compared to Guming’s squad, which boasted nearly all Sixth Realm fighters.
That night, Lin Qi met the full Cleft Rock Squad.
Liang Tai continued, “The recent massive disaster beast tide has passed, but smaller ones remain.”
“Bei Jiang Province sees constant beast tides.”
“Large-scale tides without Level 9 beasts are manageable.”
“But when ultra-massive tides erupt—like a few days ago—with multiple Level 9s and even Level 10s?”
“Your only priority is survival. Don’t hesitate—run.”
“If you’re caught in the crossfire, consider it bad luck.”
Lin Qi nodded internally, absorbing every detail from his senior’s hard-earned wisdom.
Back in his room that night, he resumed cultivation until midnight, when he finally fell into bed. The first day at Black Dragon Base felt surprisingly natural—sleep came quickly.
……
Martial Dao Calendar 2048, August 18th
Dawn. 5:00 AM. Lin Qi’s biological clock snapped him awake.
He flicked on the light, brushed his teeth, and entered the living room.
Aromas of a lavish breakfast wafted through the air—Xiaochan had started cooking an hour earlier.
Lin Qi devoured the meal hungrily before heading to the martial arts training hall.
Two hours later—
Vibrating hum!
Primordial energy surged through him as he cultivated the Golden Emperor’s Secret Canon, his cells devouring the refined energy.
Though the air’s primordial energy concentration was weak, Lin Qi didn’t mind.
Opening his eyes, an oppressive aura exploded outward.
Whoosh!
Gales roared through the chamber.
[You’ve completed one Primordial Energy Cultivation session. Physical strength improved. Vital Energy Stat +70]
[Vital Energy Stat: 5080 → 5150]
Lin Qi examined the status panel, satisfied. The Grade 8 disaster beast flesh he’d consumed was finally showing its effects—his Vital Energy Stat had soared, nearing his next Blood Transfiguration milestone.
“Master, the War Base Companion is issuing a critical alert!” Xiaochan’s voice rang out.
“A large-scale disaster beast tide will erupt in thirty minutes!”
From the corner, Xiaochan’s projection materialized. Lin Qi grabbed his phone—sure enough, an alert flashed. Moments later, his squad’s Weixun group chat buzzed:
[Senior Disciple Liang Tai: Assemble downstairs in thirty minutes.]
……
Lin Qi rose slowly.
“Finally time for the battlefield.”
He donned his black-gold battle suit, secured several restorative elixirs to his belt, and slung the Blackgold Long Spear across his back. Xiaochan perched on his shoulder.
Outside the dormitory entrance, towering martial artists clad in battle armor marched out, weapons gleaming.
Their expressions were calm—disaster beasts were routine. Everyone moved with disciplined efficiency.
Lin Qi exchanged nods with his high-realm martial artist neighbors—acknowledgments passed silently between warriors.
Reaching the dormitory lobby, he spotted the squad.
Xiao Yu and Xi Jing stared at Lin Qi’s imposing figure—his black-gold battle suit and sweeping stride exuding raw intimidation.
Liang Tai and Wang Zhi Xuan approached, spinning their long weapons.
“Everyone’s here. Let’s move!”
The five joined the stream of martial artists marching toward the base’s gates.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
