Chapter 66: Scarlet List Update
Chapter 66: Scarlet List Update (Please Follow & Support)
At the same time, in the Principal’s Office of Tianhai No. 2 High School, the principal furrowed his brow, leaning closer to the projected report card on the screen until his face was nearly touching it.
After a brief silence, his expression shifted, and he burst into laughter.
“What a surprise! Our school’s overall ranking has jumped to seventh in Tianhai City!”
“We’re almost within striking distance of second-tier status.”
“Especially our Elite Class—overall performance has improved significantly. Director Zhang, you deserve the most credit.”
Zhang Cheng, sipping iced cola on the sofa, smirked unapologetically.
“Mission accomplished.”
Jiang Zhiguang continued studying the report, resting one hand on a potted plant.
“Li Zhou remains steadily improving, breaking historical records by entering seventh citywide.”
“Then there’s Jiang Tao’s relentless climb to fifth in the school.”
“But the biggest surprise is Lin Qi. His momentum hasn’t slowed—he’s now ninth schoolwide.”
“A genuine dark horse. I’m curious how far he’ll rise in the national final exams. I’ll push for a Special Genius Loan for him—this talent deserves more resources. This time, Old He has no excuse to refuse.”
As Jiang removed his hand from the pot, a sprout emerged from the soil, beginning to grow.
---
Crimson Vault Martial Arts Pavilion, Deputy Pavilion Master’s Office (Top Floor).
Yue Feng, clad in a black-and-crimson martial arts uniform, radiated swirling blue energy, resembling a fierce beast.
He strode out of the vast Martial Arts Training Hall into his office, the energy dissipating instantly.
Beep!
“Message from Manager Sun,” Alpha announced, projecting a screen filled with data sheets.
Yue scanned the rows before stopping at a set of figures. His lips curled.
“Lin Qi—ninth schoolwide, 128th citywide. Tremendous progress from last time.”
“My judgment was right.”
“But he’s still far from qualifying for an A-Rank Contract. Needs to work harder.”
---
Abyssal Maw Martial Arts Gym
Dongfang Qi fixated on Lin Qi’s name, secretly praying for his failure. She accessed the school’s results portal and searched for Lin Qi.
Her eyes widened moments later, shock plastered across her face.
“This can’t be real!”
“He’s broken into the Top 10 school rankings, 128th citywide?!”
Her complexion paled. Such achievements in Abyssal Maw Gym would easily secure a B-Rank Contract.
Lin Qi hadn’t lied—he truly had the strength for it.
Nearby, the gym manager sighed. “Not meant to be, I guess.”
Meanwhile, Black Radiance Gym’s manager stared at the data, doubting his own eyes.
“Could he really be a genius?!”
---
The next evening, at Crimson Vault’s Virtual Chamber entrance.
“Aheng, Brother Qi’s already 128th in the city. I’m 42nd this time—I might surpass you in the finals!” Jiang Tao joked.
Guo Heng shook his head. “Dream on. I’m already 10th in Tianhai—it’s impossible.”
Not far off, Lü Xiang and Wu Feng lingered.
Lü frowned. “Guo Heng’s friends from Second High are impressive.”
“That Lin Qi overtook me citywide.”
Wu Feng nodded. “Jiang Tao’s rank is one above mine.”
“Guo Heng saw their potential early. We underestimated them—we’ve been slapped in the face. We should apologize for our earlier remarks.”
“Let’s try befriending them.”
“Especially you, Siying. You insulted them the most,” Wu Feng added.
Qiu Siying scowled. “Absolutely not! I refuse to associate with them.”
---
Minutes later.
Lin Qi’s body tingled as he opened his eyes, now in his endless personal space. He summoned his status panel:
Nickname: Yang Jian
Rank: Star
Win Rate: 94%
Points: 357
Ranking: 15
Compared to a month ago—when he first reached Star Rank and 50th in Tianhai—his progress was staggering. Despite limited time at Crimson Vault, his win rate had climbed, now ranked 15th citywide.
“Aheng said the Scarlet List updates today, expanding province-wide. More geniuses will emerge. I need to push harder.”
He initiated a match.
Two minutes later.
Beep!
Two figures materialized in the arena.
Lin Qi faced his opponent—a woman in a purple bodysuit, wielding a steel sword. Her features were instantly recognizable: Qiu Siying, one-third of the trio from First High.
“Yang Jian!” she muttered, scowling.
Damn it—matched with him again.
After her teammates lost to him, she couldn’t afford another defeat.
Wu Feng lost—but I won’t! Maybe I can win.
3… 2… 1…
Begin!
Qiu Siying blurred into motion, sword flashing with lethal arcs.
Lin Qi danced aside, lunging with a spear—controlled yet ferocious, like a black serpent striking.
Cloud Piercer!
Steel clanged violently, winds howling.
“Damn!”
Qiu’s Swift Shadow Sword Art accelerated—a storm of slashes. But Lin Qi parried effortlessly, predicting every strike.
“Too slow!” Lin taunted. “Your attacks are snail-paced!”
Enraged, Qiu unleashed her ultimate technique: Swift Shadow Rainstorm!
Lin Qi smirked beneath his mask, charging his spear, locking onto her opening.
At the last moment, he countered—Precision Strike!
The first strike deflected her blade, then a second pierced her throat.
“You have died.”
Qiu’s form dissolved. Moments later, back in her space, she trembled.
“He’s terrifying…”
Her ultimate move—dispersed in an instant.
Now I understand why Lü and Wu lost.
Who exactly is Yang Jian?
---
“Yang Jian, victory achieved. +3 Points.”
Back in his space, Lin Qi grinned.
“Time to settle old scores.”
For weeks, Lü Xiang’s trio had mocked him and Jiang Tao—especially Qiu Siying. This victory was overdue.
“Qiu’s swordplay has advanced to Second Stage, but to me, she’s still a pushover.”
Against weaker opponents, Lin Qi’s dominance was absolute.
“Next match!”
He needed stronger foes to hone his spear techniques.
---
An hour later.
“Victory achieved. +3 Points. Total Points: 375. Ranking: 14.”
Lin Qi reviewed his stats—six straight wins, climbing to 14th on the Scarlet List. He exited the Neural Pod.
“Brother Qi, you’re out! The Scarlet List’s updating!” Jiang Tao called.
---
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
