Chapter 56: Meeting the Deputy Pavilion Master (Support the Story)
Chapter 56: Meeting the Deputy Pavilion Master (Support the Story)
Martial Arts Exchange Tournament Day Two
Second High School, Elite Class
“Did you hear? In today’s Martial Arts Exchange Tournament, our school and White Egret City’s teams have been trading wins and losses.”
“Even the mighty First High School only managed a draw against White Egret No. 1.”
“So White Egret City’s overall strength really is impressive.”
“Yet we’re one of the few schools to secure a victory,” someone boasted, drawing nods of agreement.
Lin Qi flipped through his textbook, overhearing the chatter.
“Brother Qi,” whispered Jiang Tao, leaning over. “You’ve got Top Ten Ranks strength now. Ever think about a nickname?”
“You’re already recognized as Top Ten material. How could you not have a nickname? Me? I’m Blade Ape—pretty cool, right?”
Lin Qi shook his head. “Not interested.”
Of course, if someone gave him a cool alias, he’d reluctantly accept it. But if it sounded lame? No thanks.
“That won’t do! Let’s see… How about Tiger Spear? Or Mountain-Crusher Tiger?”
Lin Qi grimaced. What terrible nicknames. He’d pass.
“Tao, I’ve got to head to Crimson Vault Martial Arts Pavilion this afternoon to discuss a contract.”
“If it works out, I’ll sign with them.” He steered the conversation away.
Jiang Tao’s eyes lit up:
“Crimson Vault? You’ve gotta sign with them! I’m all in on Crimson Heaven too. If you commit, I’ll follow suit no questions asked.”
“Deal!”
…
Ding ding ding!
The dismissal bell rang. Students packed their bags. Today was Sunday—half the afternoon off. Many exhaled in relief.
Humans weren’t machines. Nonstop studying and martial arts training wore you out. Rest was essential.
By the campus gates, the wide road had a temporary parking zone. Private cars lined the streets, picking up students.
As Lin Qi and Jiang Tao stepped out, a sleek black luxury sedan pulled up.
The rear window rolled down, revealing a familiar face—Mrs. Fang Huiyi.
“Auntie?” Jiang Tao blinked.
“Little Tao! Long time no see.” She smiled. “Lin Qi, hop in!”
After greetings, Fang Huiyi gestured for Lin Qi to enter.
“Got it!”
Lin Qi nodded, sliding into the backseat.
“Later, Tao!”
Jiang Tao waved, watching the car glide away. He whistled low:
“Crimson Vault’s picking him up personally? And this is a Star Ocean Series model—over a million Xia Kingdom Currency!”
“Not even B-Rank Contract prodigies get this treatment…”
…
The sedan rolled smoothly down the highway. Lin Qi sat back, savoring his first taste of luxury. The air carried a faint floral aroma from the car’s diffuser.
“Lin Qi, I’m Sun Manager,” the driver began, a middle-aged man in a black suit. “Head of the Tianhai Branch’s Contract Division at Crimson Vault. I messaged you this morning.”
Lin Qi’s eyebrows lifted. This morning, Teacher Zhang Cheng had suddenly handed him a Weixun contact, saying Crimson Vault wanted to discuss a contract.
He hadn’t expected the department head himself.
Abyssal Maw and Black Radiance Gym had only sent junior staff. Crimson Vault, though, had dispatched a senior manager to personally escort him to the Pavilion—not some street-side café.
The difference in attitude—and ambition—was stark.
Beside him, Fang Huiyi felt equally stunned. As an ordinary citizen, having a Pavilion executive chauffeur her around was surreal.
“Nice to meet you, Manager Sun!” Lin Qi greeted politely.
Sun Manager chuckled: “No need to tense up. At Crimson Vault, we spare no effort for talents like you.”
Who spotted my innate potential? Lin Qi wondered.
Behind him, the city blurred past. Pedestrians turned, eyes gleaming with envy at the car.
A familiar sight. In his past life, he’d once stared longingly at such luxuries.
A wave of mixed emotion surged through him.
…
Soon, the sedan halted at Crimson Vault’s grand entrance.
“After you, Lin Qi. Mrs. Fang.”
The trio exited. The car auto-parked, and they entered.
The lobby’s receptionist, as usual, greeted Sun Manager warmly:
“Hello, Manager Sun!”
Her gaze lingered on Lin Qi. That face…
Months ago, he’d been a part-timer here. Now, escorted by Sun Manager himself?
“Who is he?” a curious colleague whispered.
“Another rising prodigy,” she murmured, watching Lin Qi’s retreating figure.
…
Elevator doors opened to a vast corridor. Silver-gray metallic walls framed the path, lined with historical photos.
Lin Qi’s eyes widened at the sign:
Deputy Pavilion Master’s Office
A deputy master? Not here to discuss contracts?
A red mechanical eye above the door whirred, scanning them.
Swoosh!
The doors slid open.
Inside was a futurist’s dream. At the far end stood a towering figure—over two meters tall, clad in sleek black martial arts attire. His aura was suffocating.
He turned, revealing sharp eyes and a broad smile:
“Welcome, Lin Qi!”
As he stepped forward, his presence surged—a lion’s roar of pressure crashing into Lin Qi’s chest.
Boom!
Lin Qi’s vision blurred. His body locked, breath gone. Is this… death?
He gritted his teeth, enduring.
Then… silence.
Gasping, he met the man’s hand—a grip that could crush steel.
“Yue Feng,” Lin Qi realized. Deputy Pavilion Master of Tianhai’s Crimson Vault. A legend who’d felled Disaster Beasts on live TV.
And now, facing him in person, Yue Feng’s aura dwarfed anything captured on screen.
Why would such a titan meet him personally?
Swallowing doubt, Lin Qi shook Yue Feng’s hand.
“Master Yue!”
Fang Huiyi, trembling behind him, dared not breathe.
Sun Manager explained:
“The Pavilion Master himself invited you both. He’ll handle the contract talks.”
…
(End of Chapter)
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