Chapter 525: Lin Qi's Stage!
Chapter 525: Lin Qi's Stage! (Requesting Monthly Vote)
After hearing the news, Lin Qi finally felt his earlier excitement fading, replaced by a wave of exhaustion.
He pulled a bottle of premium elixirs from his battle suit and downed it in one gulp. The fatigue immediately lessened.
“Boom!”
Suddenly, Mu Hong appeared in a flash of black armor, his cold, expressionless face betraying his own weariness. Lin Qi and the others could sense his drained energy.
“Let’s head back,” Mu Hong said flatly.
The trio nodded, turning toward the base.
Lin Qi checked the time—7:30 PM. Night had fully fallen, the moon peeking through the clouds. Only the artificial “mini suns” in the sky still illuminated the battlefield.
The massive Disaster Beast Tide had finally begun to wane. Nine hours had passed since its start at 10 AM.
“Clatter! Clatter!”
“Rumble!”
As the number of beasts dwindled, transport trucks and cranes rolled in to collect the corpses. Grade 7 beasts were prioritized for removal.
At the same time, high-ranking martial artists began returning to the base. Pei Yi Qing parted ways with the group, leaving with Pei Hongfeng. Lin Qi, Dean Liu, and Instructor Mu Hong split up upon entering the dormitory area.
Back in Room 206, Lin Qi collapsed onto his bed, drained.
“Xiaochan, start cooking!”
“Yes, Master!”
He peeled off his soot-streaked black-gold battle suit before stepping into the shower. Hot water cascaded over him, washing away grime but not the deep fatigue gnawing at his body.
Only after relaxing did he realize how ravenous he’d become. Minutes later, he emerged refreshed, the aroma of food guiding him to the table. He grabbed several bottles of energy brew and dug into his meal while opening the War Base Companion app.
[Name: Lin Qi (Black Dragon Base)]
[Stage: Seventh Realm – Blood Transfiguration]
[Merit Points: 75,800]
[Base Rank: 380 → 360]
[Global Rank: 3,550 → 3,490]
He nodded, satisfied. At this rate, breaking into the top 100 was within reach. Earning 70,000 points in a single day’s battle had been easier than expected. Another Tide would fund his next purchase of Blood Spirit Elixirs—just one bottle in, and he was already craving the next.
The battlefield suited him perfectly. Recalling today’s clash with Level 7 beasts, he’d felt not fear, but exhilaration. His combat power had surged beyond normal limits.
Half an hour later, 1,000 kilograms of Grade 8 beast flesh vanished into his stomach—barely eight-tenths full.
Back in the martial arts training hall, he sat cross-legged, realizing his appetite had grown again. Constant Steel Qi usage during war drained immense energy, leaving him famished. Top-tier healing could mend wounds but not suppress hunger. Yet, the greater the consumption, the greater the gains.
The room’s temperature hovered at a comfortable 25°C, but Lin Qi felt heat radiating from his body. His cells burned with energy, absorbing primordial qi at a frenzied pace. Closing his eyes, he began cultivating the advanced primordial energy martial art Golden Emperor’s Secret Canon.
“Roar~”
In his consciousness realm, the Golden Emperor Tiger materialized—a towering, majestic beast that shook the space around it. Even as a meditative visualization, its aura remained awe-inspiring. The tiger roared, gulping down surrounding primordial energy.
Chills coursed through Lin Qi’s body as frigid energy seeped through his pores, submerging him in a sensation like icy river water. His breathing synchronized with the energy’s flow, altering his cells’ rhythm.
His spiritual power delved into his cells, sensing their movement. Mastering the Fifth Stage Spear Techniques required deeper internal control.
Though he could only command a fraction of his cells now, once he fully harnessed them, his life magnetic field would expand, marking his breakthrough to the Fifth Stage. The cells devoured primordial energy like ravenous beasts, fueling his physical transformation.
“Ahhh~”
Lin Qi surrendered to the blissful sensation, as if receiving a full-body massage. Golden radiance erupted from him, a colossal tiger’s shadow looming behind.
Two hours later, the golden glow faded. Lin Qi opened his eyes, an invisible magnetic pressure rippling outward, stirring a violent gust. Rising slowly, he felt renewed strength surging through his body.
[Cultivation complete. Physical strength improved. Vital Energy Stat +150]
[Vital Energy Stat: 5,500 → 5,650]
A smirk tugged at his lips. Battling beasts accelerated energy consumption, making post-battle cultivation far more efficient.
He grabbed his phone, ordering another 2,000 kilograms of Grade 8 beast flesh. At this rate, he’d soon need to upgrade to Grade 9.
——
August 22nd. The colossal Disaster Beast Tide ended.
Black Dragon Base launched cleanup operations, transporting and processing beast corpses. Some were retained for the base; others shipped to Beijiang Province.
Martial artists entered recovery mode—some healing, others returning home. Most spent merit points on resources, racing to cultivate before the next Tide.
Time flew.
September 10th.
At Black Dragon Base’s sprawling airport, a Falcon Fighter roared down.
The cabin door hissed open, revealing a tall figure in a dark robe. Shen Heng stepped out, gazing at the base.
“Finally here.”
“Hear Lin Qi’s stationed here now. Wonder how he’s doing?”
“Shen Heng!”
“Teacher!”
The silver-robed middle-aged man approached, his mentor—a top-tier Eighth Stage martial artist.
“Let me brief you on Black Dragon Base’s protocols,” the teacher said as they walked. “Download the War Base Companion app. It’s your lifeline here—merit points, rankings, everything.”
“You’re already in the Seventh Stage. With a few months, you’ll crack the top 200.”
Shen Heng nodded, absorbing the information.
“Lin Qi’s impressive—ranked 120th in the Seventh Realm.”
“He’s only been here three weeks, right?”
“Twenty-two days, actually.”
The passing conversation caught Shen Heng’s ear.
“Lin Qi? 120th in the Seventh Realm?”
“Teacher, how strong is 120th here?”
The silver-robed man chuckled. “In this base, top 200 Seventh Realm martial artists are elite even nationwide. Most are Seventh Stage Peak. You’re an Sss-Rank Genius—by next year, you’ll surpass them.”
Shen Heng nodded, curiosity piqued. “They say Lin Qi’s really strong?”
“Climbing to 120th in 22 days?”
“Actually, that’s low for him,” the teacher countered. “You’ve been cultivating in the Beastblood Colossus method, so you missed this—Lin Qi arrived here, challenged and defeated Gu Cheng, currently ranked 92nd.”
“What?”
Shen Heng froze. Gu Cheng—the Global Martial Arts Championship champion, his senior by a year. Ranked 92nd, yet defeated by Lin Qi within two days of arrival?
The teacher recounted the Challenge Module incident.
Staggered, Shen Heng realized how much had changed in his absence. Lin Qi had become the base’s focal point overnight.
Comparing himself to Gu Cheng, let alone Lin Qi, he felt light-years behind.
——
Passing Room 206, Shen Heng and his mentor paused.
Inside the training hall, Lin Qi, clad in a black martial robe, spun his spear in a dazzling arc.
The River and Mountain Spear Techniques erupted, golden emperor steel qi blazing along the spear’s length.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Hiss! Hiss! Hiss!
Spear Techniques erupted, the Grand Scenic Aesthetic materialized, and Steel Qi surged through the long spear.
Spear Techniques slashed the heavens, splitting the air with thunderous booms.
Lin Qi had long since mastered his spear techniques through muscle memory. He focused entirely on controlling his cells.
His body was covered in countless cells—countless times more than his muscle fibers.
Billions, perhaps trillions. Controlling them all was impossible.
He could only infiltrate and command them gradually, cell by cell, refining his mastery of the spear.
An invisible aura of artistry radiated outward, forming a miniature Dominion Aesthetic around him.
An hour later—
Clang~
The Grand Scenic Aesthetic dissipated slowly. Lin Qi retracted his spear, its tip humming faintly with residual energy.
[Through arduous cultivation, you’ve gained new insights into Spear Techniques. Spear Techniques +1%]
[Spear Techniques: Fourth Circle 82% → 83%]
…
Lin Qi glanced at his status panel. His spear techniques had reached 83% completion.
He’d been at Black Dragon Base for nearly a month now, and his martial spirit techniques were advancing rapidly.
Just 17% remained before reaching Fifth Circle Spear Techniques.
He could feel himself nearing the Dominion Aesthetic—and the Third Killing Move.
Once he mastered the Third Killing Move, his combat power would surge again.
Moments later, Lin Qi emerged from the bathroom.
Lunch was ready—a lavish spread of Grade 8 disaster beast flesh dishes.
He dug in voraciously.
At the same time, he projected his status panel to check his stats.
[Name: Lin Qi (Black Dragon Base)]
[Stage: Seventh Realm Blood Transfiguration]
[Merit Points: 158,600]
[Base Rank: #120]
[Global Rank: #400]
…
Lin Qi smiled at his rankings. In just over 20 days, he’d climbed to #120 on the base leaderboard and #400 globally.
Only 399 people in the entire Xia Kingdom had more Merit Points than him now.
Of course, this didn’t mean 399 individuals were stronger—merit points varied based on multiple factors.
He checked Gu Cheng’s ranking. Gu and Gu Ming had left Black Dragon Base and were now at Azure Firmament Base in the Otherworld.
Gu Cheng was currently #92 on the base leaderboard and #350 globally—slightly ahead of Lin Qi.
But Lin Qi knew it was only a matter of time before he overtook him.
Next, he looked up Xu Qin’s stats.
[Name: Xu Qin (Black Dragon Base)]
[Base Rank: #70]
[Global Rank: #300]
…
Xu Qin’s rank was rising, though his momentum had slowed.
The top Seventh Realm martial artists had spent years on the battlefronts. Climbing higher was increasingly difficult.
Half an hour later, 1,000 kilograms of flesh vanished into Lin Qi’s stomach. After a brief rest, he returned to the Martial Arts Training Hall.
He sat cross-legged, eyes closed, sensing the blood flowing through his body.
A few days ago, he’d consumed another Blood Spirit Elixir, completing his fourth Blood Transfiguration.
His physical strength had surged again, boosting his combat power and rankings.
He felt his blood growing thicker, closer to the fabled “mercury-like” consistency.
Its essence was transforming, its color becoming clearer, deeper.
…
The next morning at 9 a.m.—
Woo-woo!!
Under his teacher’s guidance, Shen Heng had familiarized himself with Black Dragon Base.
He’d received an urgent notice from the War Base Companion: a massive disaster beast tide had erupted at the base.
He quickly donned his black-and-silver battle suit, slung his weapon over his shoulder, and headed out.
At the dormitory entrance, he joined others heading to the gates, soon meeting his teacher.
“Shen Heng, you’re lucky. Your first battlefront mission is a major disaster beast tide.”
“Stick with me today!”
Shen Heng nodded, eyes wide with curiosity as he followed his teacher to the frontlines, joining other high-realm martial artists.
He spotted Xu Qin in his green battle suit, who nodded in greeting.
Further ahead stood Lin Qi in his black-gold battle suit, gripping his spear with an aura of dominance that made him stand out among the masters.
Lin Qi noticed Shen Heng’s gaze and nodded back.
A strange feeling stirred in Shen Heng. Though he was the senior student, here on the battlefield, he was the rookie.
Lin Qi, his junior, had become a seasoned veteran.
Boom!!
“Charge!!”
Moments later, the battle erupted. Martial artists of the Nine Realms struck first, followed by the high-realm experts.
Shen Heng, experiencing his first battlefront, felt his heart pound.
He followed his teacher into the fray. Lin Qi was already at the forefront, clashing with a Level 7 disaster beast alongside Dean Liu.
Pfft!
Shen Heng began cutting down low-tier beasts nearby, then moved to mid-tier ones.
The silver-armored man fighting beside him explained battlefield tactics while they fought.
Eventually, the man left Shen Heng to handle mid-tier beasts alone while he targeted Level 8s.
Crash!!
Shen Heng swung his battle sword, felling a Level 6 beast effortlessly.
He’d observed a Level 11 disaster beast’s techniques, mastered the advanced Primordial Energy Martial Art, and refined Steel Qi, vastly improving his combat power.
He adapted quickly, thinking the battlefield wasn’t so bad.
“Awooo~”
Suddenly, a thunderous roar shook the air—a massive earth-splitting wolf.
Shen Heng recognized it instantly.
Zzzt!
Lightning Steel Qi surged around him, forming a sword aura to block the wolf’s ambush.
The impact sent him flying, rolling across the ground before stopping.
“So fast!!”
His heart pounded. Facing a Level 7 beast for the first time, he’d been stunned by its speed.
“Awooo~”
A bloody breeze engulfed him as the wolf’s colossal paw blotted out the sky.
Crash!!
Shen Heng swung his sword again, but the strike sent him reeling, his vital energy churning.
“Awooo~”
Suddenly, the wolf howled in agony as a golden spear pierced its neck, tearing through the sky.
Blood rained down. The earth quaked as the beast collapsed.
“Shen Heng senior, are you alright?”
Lin Qi, in his black-gold battle suit, extended a hand.
Shen Heng took it, rising to face the dead wolf, his expression complex.
Now he clearly saw the gap between them.
Months ago at the Azure Firmament Grand Tournament, Lin Qi had been no match for him.
But now, after just a few months, the distance was insurmountable.
“I’m fine. Thanks, Junior Lin Qi.”
Lin Qi said, “Senior Shen Heng, Level 7 beasts aren’t that strong. You’ll adapt soon.”
With that, he vanished like a black lightning bolt, charging into the fray.
Hmph!!
Shen Heng exhaled sharply. As an Sss-rank genius, he had his pride. He wouldn’t let his junior outshine him.
Gripping his battle sword, he surged forward again.
…
Life at Black Dragon Base was a relentless battle against disaster beasts.
When no tides erupted, they cultivated.
Day after day of beast-hunting kept martial artists on edge, their minds strained.
Over time, they needed to retreat to cities to decompress.
But Lin Qi thrived here, loving the rhythm.
Each day brought wealth, strength, and the pride of defending humanity.
As time passed, Lin Qi’s kills mounted.
More martial artists began discussing his exploits, watching his rankings with pride.
His rise filled his peers at Black Dragon Base with quiet admiration.
…
Two months passed, reaching mid-November.
Autumn arrived in the Xia Kingdom, the air cooling.
At Azure Firmament Base in the Otherworld, Heavenly Dome Institute remained ever spring-like.
“Class dismissed!”
At the bell, the teacher ended the lecture.
The students chattered, heading toward the exit.
“Brother Tao, you’re amazing! You’re already top ten!”
“In the Second Azure Firmament Grand Tournament, you’ll definitely challenge the podium!”
“Except for Meng Yuxuan, no one scares you!”
In the crowd, junior-grade students boarded an electric carriage to Xingxiu Residence.
Jiang Tao was the center of attention now, even overshadowing his Sss-rank peer Chu Yu.
As they talked about the tournament, Jiang Tao suddenly thought of Lin Qi.
“I wonder how Brother Qi’s doing at Black Dragon Base?”
…
(End of Chapter)
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