Chapter 519
Chapter 519
"Gurgle~"
Lin Qi calmly downed the Energy Brew in one gulp, then set the empty bottle down and asked, "Senior Disciple, what's wrong?"
Liang Tai hurriedly replied, "You beat up Gu Ming yesterday. I didn’t expect Gu Cheng’s retaliation to come so quickly!"
"He’s challenged you through the Challenge Module! Log into the War Base Companion’s Challenge Module section, and you’ll see."
Liang Tai then explained the Challenge Module system.
The Challenge Module had existed since the Martial Arts University days. It functioned like an ancient arena—except in the real world, fights often turned dangerous due to uncontrolled force. In virtual reality, however, martial artists could unleash their full strength and fight to their heart’s content.
The War Base Companion also featured this module, as the base strictly prohibited martial artists from killing one another. Black Dragon Base gathered the strongest martial artists and countless young prodigies from the Xia Kingdom. Constantly defending against Disaster Beast invasions had left them with pent-up aggression, making conflicts inevitable.
For martial artists, there was no problem a fight couldn’t solve.
Liang Tai continued, "That Gu Cheng is underhanded! The Challenge Module is usually private, but he paid to have his challenge to you promoted to the homepage. It’ll only last an hour or two, but he must’ve spent at least several million Xia Kingdom Credits. Anyone opening the War Base Companion during that time will see his challenge. If you refuse, everyone will assume you’re scared. Knowing Gu Cheng and Gu Ming’s personalities, they’ll mock you relentlessly."
Lin Qi listened, then picked up his phone to log into the War Base Companion. As soon as he opened the homepage, the Challenge Module notification appeared:
Challenge Module
Today, I, Gu Cheng, challenge Lin Qi to a duel in the Scarlet Realm. Let us settle this in three months.
Stakes: 100,000 Merit Points
If I win, Lin Qi will apologize to my younger brother Gu Ming and hand over 100,000 Merit Points.
If I lose, I will publicly admit Lin Qi’s superiority and pay him 100,000 Merit Points.
Time: 8 PM, August 19, 2048 (Martial Dao Calendar)
...
Seeing the Merit Points, Lin Qi couldn’t help but marvel. 100,000 points weren’t trivial—they’d require slaying at least one Level 8 Disaster Beast or seven to eight Level 7s. After a full day of hunting, including two Level 7s, he’d barely scraped together 40,000 points. With 100,000, he could directly exchange for Blood Transfiguration Elixirs or purchase Level 9 Disaster Beast flesh and blood. Either would significantly boost his Vital Energy Stat, enabling his third Blood Transfiguration!
Scrolling down, he saw the Challenge Module comments section buzzing with activity:
"I knew Gu Cheng would retaliate!"
"A battle between Gu Cheng and Lin Qi will be spectacular!"
"They’re both Sss-Rank Geniuses and Global Martial Arts Championship champions. This fight will be epic, though it’s a shame it’s three months away!"
"They’re probably giving Lin Qi time to grow so no one accuses Gu Cheng of bullying a junior."
"Still, even with three months, Lin Qi will struggle to defeat Gu Cheng."
"Gu Cheng’s currently ranked #100 in the Seventh Realm. He’s hunted countless Level 7 Disaster Beasts recently. Most Level 7s can’t even handle him anymore."
The discussion grew increasingly heated.
After briefly reviewing the stakes, Lin Qi checked his personal inbox and saw a system notification:
Mr. Lin Qi, do you accept Mr. Gu Cheng’s Challenge Module?
You have three days to decide.
...
"Junior Brother, three months is too short. What if we extend it to five or even six?" Liang Tai asked, concern in his voice.
Lin Qi smiled, "Senior Disciple, three months is too long. Let’s do it today. I don’t need three months to deal with trash like Gu Cheng."
Liang Tai looked at his junior brother, sensing his unshakable confidence.
"...I see. I believe you’ll win, Junior Brother."
Lin Qi nodded without further explanation. After the fight, everyone would know who was stronger.
He immediately clicked Accept and added a note:
Lin Qi: Accepted. But I’ll change the terms—three months is too long. Let’s do it today.
If I win, you’ll hand over 100,000 Merit Points and avoid me entirely from now on.
The moment this update appeared on the Challenge Module, martial artists across the base erupted in discussion:
"Lin Qi’s too arrogant!"
"He just broke into the Seventh Realm and dares challenge Gu Cheng? Can he even win?"
"Arrogance is normal for a Global Championship champion. I’d be even more arrogant in his shoes!"
"He’s too young. Gu Cheng needs to teach him a lesson."
"I don’t think Lin Qi stands a chance tonight."
...
In a luxurious apartment, Gu Ming smirked as he watched the screen.
"Brother, look at this! Lin Qi’s overestimating himself, demanding an immediate duel. He doesn’t even know your strength!"
Gu Cheng sipped his wine, his lips curling into disdain as he stared at the green holographic screen.
"If Lin Qi wants to die, I’ll oblige. He brought this on himself—no one can criticize me for it."
He stood, modified the Challenge Module details, and pressed Confirm.
"This Challenge Module is now official", he murmured. "No one can stop it under the Red Emperor’s rules. Now, I’ll prepare to humiliate Lin Qi tonight."
...
In another room, Dean Liu and Mu Hong sipped tea at a table, a holographic screen projecting the War Base Companion’s Challenge Module.
Dean Liu asked, "What do you think? Can Lin Qi win?"
Mu Hong replied calmly, "I have no doubt about Lin Qi’s strength. Unless Sun Sheng or Li Tianxing intervene, I can’t imagine anyone in the Seventh Realm decisively defeating him."
Dean Liu chuckled, "We think alike. My confidence in Lin Qi is absolute. Gu Cheng? An Sss-Rank Genius without even two abilities? Laughable."
...
In another luxurious apartment, Pei Yi Qing and her older brother Pei Hong Feng chatted on the sofa. A photo of a handsome young man lay on the table.
Pei Hong Feng watched the holographic screen. "Interesting. Gu Cheng’s retaliation is underway. If Lin Qi loses, Gu Cheng will humiliate him mercilessly."
Pei Yi Qing shook her head, smiling, "I don’t think Lin Qi can lose. I’ve seen his strength—he’s top 100 material. He killed Steel Tiger and Ironclad Rhinoceros effortlessly. They’re not weak among Level 7 Disaster Beasts."
Pei Hong Feng nodded, then grinned, "Looks like we’ll see an exciting show tonight."
...
Atop Black Dragon Base, in a 500-square-meter martial arts training hall, a towering man in black sat cross-legged.
"Whoosh!"
The air around him twisted as primal energy surged inward like a black hole. The Mountain and River King’s body felt as solid as mountains and rivers, steady as an unyielding pillar.
He exhaled slowly, the surrounding energy ripples dissipating as his cultivation session ended.
Rising to his feet, he muttered to himself,
"Definitely need to consume flesh from a Level 10 Disaster Beast. Simple cultivation alone won't yield significant progress anymore."
"But reaching the peak of the Nine Realms still feels impossibly distant. When will I finally break through?"
"Perhaps only the Red Emperor could achieve that!"
He picked up his phone, noticing a flood of messages.
Projecting the notifications, he grabbed an Energy Brew and took a sip.
Though he no longer needed them, old habits were hard to break.
"Lin Qi and Gu Cheng's Challenge Match!"
"It's happening tonight. Guess I should tune in too."
"Curious how strong Lin Qi really is now."
...
News of Lin Qi and Gu Cheng's Challenge Match spread like wildfire across Black Dragon Base.
Even the staff were talking about it.
Black Dragon Base stood at the warfront, where martial artists battled Disaster Beasts daily, their nerves perpetually frayed. They craved distractions.
With the recent Disaster Beast Tide concluded, many planned to watch the live match.
Beyond Black Dragon Base, martial artists in other bases unaffected by the Tide also prepared to stream the fight.
Some had even pre-booked Neural Pods hours in advance.
...
The clock edged toward 7 PM.
In Apartment 206's martial arts training hall, Lin Qi emerged from the bathroom, wearing a black-and-gold custom robe.
He began dinner, planning to leave an hour later.
His apartment lacked a Neural Pod, so he'd need to head to the Virtual Chamber.
As he descended downstairs, the base buzzed with unusual energy. Amidst the roar of transport planes, crowds chattered excitedly—all heading toward the Virtual Chamber.
Soon, Lin Qi joined the throng entering the massive Virtual Hall, larger than a football field.
Rows upon rows of Neural Pods stretched before him, hundreds in total.
The space thrummed with noise as the crowd packed in.
"Little junior brother!"
A voice called out. Four figures approached—Cleft Rock Squad's Senior Disciple, Second Senior Sister, Xiao Yu, and Xi Jing.
Liang Tai grinned, "We're here to cheer you on!"
Lin Qi nodded, checking his Neural Pod location on his phone.
As the group moved toward their seats, the hall's giant screen flickered.
The usual leaderboard had transformed into a live match interface displaying a colossal arena.
"Who do you think'll win—Gu Cheng or Lin Qi?"
"Gu Cheng, probably. Lin Qi just broke through; give him three months and it'd be uncertain. But now? Doubtful."
"Even prodigies need time to grow."
"Newcomers get that initial growth spurt when they join a War Base."
"Gu Cheng's been here months. Lin Qi's practically a rookie!"
"How can he compete? Lin Qi can't win."
"Still, if Lin Qi loses, it'll be entertaining."
The surrounding chatter grew heavier. Cleft Rock Squad's members exchanged uneasy glances.
Lin Qi remained calm. He'd heard this before—every major tournament, people doubted him.
But he always won.
This time wouldn't be different.
Reaching his reserved Neural Pod, he said, "I'll head in first."
As he entered, the squad nodded, filing into their own pods.
Moments later, a boisterous group arrived.
"Bro, crush Lin Qi!" Gu Ming shouted.
"Cheng Brother will win! Who does that rookie think he is, challenging Cheng Brother?"
The crowd roared with confidence.
Gu Cheng smiled, "Wait for my good news!"
He entered his Neural Pod, logging into Scarlet Realm.
Confirming the prompt, he felt a rush—
A flash—
Suddenly, he stood on a vast stage.
Hearing the crowd's roar and spotting his opponent, he grinned.
His body thrummed with anticipation.
Lin Qi materialized opposite him, clad in black-gold battle armor, gripping a Blackgold Long Spear.
This arena, designed for Seventh Realm martial artists, featured reinforced alloy flooring.
The audience stands already teemed with thousands.
At the front row sat a line of powerful figures.
"Whoa, Eighth Stage experts are here!"
"Chi Lie Wang logged in too—he's Gu Cheng's master!"
"Bei Jiang Sword King, Dao Huang, Shui Ze Wang..."
"Even Mountain and River King came..."
Gasps rippled through the crowd. Five Ninth Realm martial artists had gathered for this match.
At the center sat Mountain and River King, his massive frame exuding authority.
To his right: Bei Jiang Sword King, scarred and cold-eyed.
Beside him, the alluring Shui Ze Wang in blue robes.
Next, the sharp-featured Dao Huang.
To his left: Chi Lie Wang, Gu Cheng's mentor, radiating fiery energy.
Chi Lie Wang chuckled, "Gu Cheng's bullying a junior, but Lin Qi's reckless rushing in."
"Still, sometimes lessons must be learned through pain."
Shui Ze Wang smiled, "Chi Lie, don't jinx it! The fight hasn't started yet."
Bei Jiang Sword King added, "What if Gu Cheng loses?"
Chi Lie Wang scoffed, "Gu Cheng's done three Blood Transfigurations. He's halfway through Seventh Realm—Lin Qi's no match."
Mountain and River King interjected, "Let's watch. The outcome will be clear soon."
Above the stage, a mechanical voice announced,
"One minute until match commencement. Prepare!"
Gu Cheng twirled his blade, its fiery edge pointing at Lin Qi.
"Junior Lin Qi, you're too arrogant! Giving up three months' growth time..."
"Don't regret losing!"
Lin Qi studied Gu Cheng's crimson battle armor and blazing Battle Saber.
A flicker of Chu Yu's image surfaced—this might've been his path too.
Lin Qi spun his spear, "I'm not arrogant. Just don't need three months to handle you."
Gu Cheng's aura surged, "I'll make you kneel and beg!"
Lin Qi smirked, "You?"
Countdown: Three... Two... One...
"Begin!"
The Virtual Hall erupted.
"IT'S Starting!"
In Scarlet Realm, the audience leaned forward.
"Roarrr!"
Gu Cheng's body erupted in crimson flames, his Steel Qi manifesting as fiery dragon essence along his Battle Saber.
Lin Qi countered with Golden Radiance, his Blackgold Long Spear glowing with golden emperor Steel Qi as both warriors lunged.
The clash ignited!
...
(End of Chapter)
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