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Chapter 55: Cleaning Up
Chapter 55: Cleaning Up (Please Continue Reading)
The Martial Arts Exchange Tournament continued.
A subtle shift had occurred in the atmosphere of both sides. With the AI announcer’s reminder, the second match of the tournament officially began.
Pine and Cypress Middle School’s Liang Kai stepped onto the arena, his palms sweating as his heart pounded uncontrollably.
If Lin Qi, the 10th-ranked student from Tianhai No.2 High School, was already this strong, how terrifying must the 9th-ranked be? Could he even win?
From Tianhai No.2 High School’s side, the ninth seed was a tall, muscular boy named Yu Peng. He was visibly excited—Lin Qi’s victory had filled him with confidence.
Pine and Cypress Middle School wasn’t a strong school, so if Lin Qi could defeat his opponent, Yu Peng believed he could do the same.
【3... 2... 1...】
【Second match—Begin!】
At the AI’s signal, the match started.
Two figures blurred into motion, weapons clashing violently. Whistling winds and flashing blades filled the arena as long swords and battle sabers collided in a furious storm of sparks.
Two minutes later—
Clang! Clang!
Liang Kai’s expression turned puzzled. He swung his blade, its edge gleaming as it pierced Yu Peng’s chest in a single decisive strike.
“Why is he this weak?”
His opponent was far weaker than expected. How could this be?
Could it be Lin Qi’s strength was the exception?
The thought flashed through Liang Kai’s mind.
Yu Peng, now returned to the spectator seats, stared blankly at the arena. How strong was that opponent?
The tournament continued.
The third match began rapidly, featuring the 8th-ranked students from both schools.
Minutes later—
Tianhai No.2 High School’s 8th seed, a slightly overweight boy, returned with a pale face.
“She’s too strong. I couldn’t beat her!” he muttered, head bowed in shame.
The audience exchanged confused glances, while the Elite Class students watching from the screens gaped.
“What’s going on? We lost again?”
“We’ve lost two straight matches, and so badly too!”
Where had they gone wrong?
Li Zhou and others noticed the same truth—their opponents’ overall strength was unexpectedly formidable. Had Lin Qi simply been an outlier?
Back at Pine and Cypress Middle School’s spectator area—
“So easy. Absolutely effortless!”
“I thought Tianhai No.2 would be powerful, but they’re nothing special now,” said one student, stretching lazily.
“Only Lin Qi was strong. The rest are just Tianhai’s true level,” Liang Kai remarked, his voice carrying weight after his victory.
“Then it’s time for me to crush the weaklings!” A girl grinned, leaping eagerly onto the arena.
【Fourth match competitors, step forward!】
“Brother Qi, I’m up next!” Jiang Tao cracked his knuckles.
“Go for it, Tao. Count on you for our second win.” Lin Qi nodded, watching Jiang Tao ascend. He had full confidence—Jiang Tao was a true genius.
Minutes later—
【Fourth match—Tianhai No.2 High School’s Jiang Tao wins!】
“I’m no false title—call me the Blade Ape,” Jiang Tao joked, returning to the stands with a fist bump to Lin Qi. Since entering the top ten rankings, he’d earned this new nickname.
Seeing Jiang Tao’s victory, the Elite Class relaxed—after such a disastrous start, they’d feared defeat. Only Zhang Cheng remained grim.
Controlled entirely by the system, the tournament proceeded without pause, match after match.
Fifth match—Pine and Cypress Middle School wins!
Sixth match—Pine and Cypress Middle School wins again!
Seventh match—Draw!
After seven matches, Pine and Cypress Middle School’s side relaxed, victory seemingly within grasp. Tianhai No.2’s side grew tense, their virtual chamber falling into a library-like silence.
“We’ve already won four matches. One more and we’re defeated,” Jiang Tao sighed.
Lin Qi frowned. If Tianhai No.2 lost, they’d need to win the remaining three matches straight—a near-impossible task.
At Pine and Cypress Middle School, Cao Bin smirked at Zhang Cheng.
“Go ahead—beat their last three and take the victory and prize money.”
“Right!” The crowd cheered.
Back at Tianhai No.2 High School’s side, Zhang Cheng exhaled sharply.
“Yuelin, it’s on you!”
Qi Yuelin nodded and vanished onto the arena.
Eighth match—Begin!
【Eighth match—Tianhai No.2 High School’s Qi Yuelin wins!】
Minutes later, Qi Yuelin returned with a smile.
【Ninth match—Tianhai No.2 High School’s Yu Jing wins!】
Yu Jing scoffed as she stepped down. “That was all?”
【Tenth match—Tianhai No.2 High School’s Li Zhou wins!】
Li Zhou returned with a grin. “Decent skill—but not enough.”
A smile finally broke on Zhang Cheng’s face. Three straight victories. Tianhai No.2 had won.
【Martial Arts Exchange Tournament Final Result: Pine and Cypress vs. Tianhai—4:5】
【Tianhai No.2 High School claims victory!】
The AI’s voice announced the result.
Pine and Cypress Middle School’s side froze, Cao Bin’s face darkening. They lost? After leading so confidently, they’d been crushed in three final matches.
The others looked equally stunned, quickly logging out to escape the humiliation.
“Victory!” Jiang Tao laughed.
Lin Qi, usually stoic, allowed himself a rare smile. Li Zhou’s trio had proven reliable after all. The tournament had been a nail-biter.
Li Zhou, Qi Yuelin, and Yu Jing had clearly outclassed the rest.
At least his prize money was safe.
Logging out of the Neural Pods, the Tianhai No.2 students’ virtual chamber erupted in cheers.
“Top three students—unshakable as ever.”
“Ultimately, it came down to those three.”
“And Jiang Tao and Lin Qi—dark horses, both.”
“Soon, the top five rankings will include them,” someone predicted, earning nods.
Zhang Cheng grinned. “Everyone else return to class. Li Zhou, stay with the ten.”
Once the crowd dispersed, Zhang Cheng surveyed the ten finalists, his rare smile softening his usual sternness.
“Your performance exceeded expectations. You’ve brought honor to Tianhai No.2.”
“Rest assured, the 2 million Xia Kingdom Credits prize will be distributed fairly.”
“Participants receive 100,000 each. Those with draws get 200,000. And our three victors receive 280,000.”
“The funds will transfer to your accounts within one or two days.”
The others reacted with calm—money meant little to them. Only Lin Qi and Jiang Tao exchanged wide-eyed grins, 280,000 representing a small fortune for them.
“Dismissed. Return to training.”
“Lin Qi, add my Weixun. Contact me if anything comes up,” Li Zhou said suddenly.
“Me too,” Qi Yuelin added.
“And me!” Zhu Yuqi, the fourth-ranked student, smiled.
As several more requested connections, Lin Qi complied, adding each contact. Friendly faces surrounded him—except Yu Jing, who walked away without a word.
Moments later, back in his Martial Arts Training Hall, Lin Qi closed his eyes, replaying the battles—especially Li Zhou’s, Qi Yuelin’s, and Yu Jing’s techniques.
“The others are manageable. But Li Zhou, Yu Jing... their Vital Energy stats far outclass mine. I can’t match them yet.”
“As for the others, victory’s possible.”
Lin Qi sighed, uncorking a Stamina Elixir.
“My expenses keep rising. I’ve surpassed Vital Energy Elixirs and now consume four Stamina Elixirs daily during four training sessions.”
“The last batch cost 150,000 credits. My remaining funds—less than 500,000 from my Genius Loan and Stellar Event bonus—are nearly exhausted after 300,000 spent in half a month.”
“With 280,000 from this win, I’ll last a while longer.”
He exhaled. Still short on money. Event bonuses were small change. Signing with a major Martial Arts Pavilion was the real goal.
---
Meanwhile, in the principal’s office.
“I never expected us to win,” Jiang Zhiguang mused, watering potted plants where lush green sprouts pushed through the soil.
“Principal Zhang, this is your doing.”
“Hardly,” Zhang Cheng replied, licking an ice cream. “Few in the top ten received my guidance. Li Zhou’s group succeeded through their own strength.”
“But Lin Qi and Jiang Tao—I trained them personally.”
“Lin Qi’s rise—unexpectedly swift. Tianhai No.2’s luck is turning,” Jiang Zhiguang beamed.
Buzz!
Zhang Cheng’s phone vibrated. He glanced at the screen, a satisfied smile spreading.
(End of Chapter)
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