Chapter 82: Upgrading to an A-Rank Contract
Chapter 82: Upgrading to an A-Rank Contract (Please Support)
Half an hour after the final exam results were released
Crimson Vault Martial Arts Pavilion, Deputy Pavilion Master’s Office
In the expansive Martial Arts Training Hall under bright lights, a muscular figure sat cross-legged, palms facing upward toward the heavens.
"Huff~"
A gentle breeze materialized around him, swirling with golden particles that spiraled inward like a cyclone, being drawn into his body as though sucked in by a vacuum.
Suddenly, Yue Feng’s eyes snapped open, releasing a burst of air that rippled outward. His sharp gaze gleamed with intensity.
"Master, the Final Exam results are out!"
A red metallic orb-shaped Alpha drifted in, hovering gently.
"Display them", Yue Feng commanded, raising an eyebrow.
"Got it!"
Beep!
A massive green data screen projected overhead, displaying multiple leaderboards. Yue Feng’s eyes darted across the information with lightning speed.
"Tianhai City is the provincial capital of Cang Province, our strongest city in overall strength. Normally, over a hundred of our students rank in the province’s top spots, including the top position. But this time, Egret City has caught up—equal numbers in the top hundred, and even the number one spot has changed hands. Wang Qiufeng was overtaken by Chen Lifen."
Yue Feng shook his head, muttering to himself.
His gaze then settled on Lin Qi, ninth place in the city rankings, and a smile broke across his face.
"As expected, Lin Qi didn’t disappoint me. His innate talent is even stronger than I imagined. B-Rank Contract? It’s time to upgrade."
---
Near ten o’clock, the Abyssal Maw Martial Arts Gym’s contract department was still open.
Li Supervisor stared miserably at the projection screen, Lin Qi’s name and photo glaringly prominent.
Seeing ninth place city-wide made his heart clench painfully.
A student who shot from outside the top thousand to ninth place in a single semester—a genius who clearly hadn’t reached his limits yet.
And this was a talent that should’ve belonged to Abyssal Maw Martial Arts Gym. A single contract could’ve cleared his mortgage and earned him a fortune in bonuses.
And Jiang Tao, Lin Qi’s friend, could’ve been the bonus catch—a double package of top-tier geniuses.
But it was all gone now—utterly lost!
Once a martial artist signed a contract, they couldn’t switch gyms unless joining the military.
He glanced at the darkened office of his superior, helplessness creeping in. The bitterness of being a lowly employee.
---
At Black Radiance Martial Arts Gym, the contract department head sat tearfully staring at the results.
"This Lin Qi is genuinely a prodigy!"
"Fate must be playing tricks on me—what did I do to deserve this bad luck?"
"Ah well, better luck next time. Perhaps Lin Qi was never meant for Black Radiance."
"Maybe I shouldn’t have blindly trusted big data and instead personally scouted those overlooked geniuses", he muttered.
---
The final exams had ended, but the scores and rankings caused waves across the city.
Names of countless geniuses emerged, including Lin Qi’s.
On the first day of winter break, Lin Qi stepped out of his family’s car, icy winds brushing his face like a summer breeze.
His father, bundled in heavy bags, exited the driver’s seat.
A sharply dressed man with a neatly trimmed mustache—Sun Manager—hurried forward enthusiastically.
"Mr. Lin, Lin Qi!"
"Manager Sun, sorry to keep you waiting!" Lin Qi apologized.
"Not at all! Let’s go!"
Lin Qi nodded, following Sun Manager into the martial arts pavilion.
He let his father handle the luggage while he went with Sun Manager to the Pavilion Master’s office.
Walking ahead, Sun Manager glanced at Lin Qi, heart soaring.
This year’s best decision—signing Lin Qi. The rewards had been immense, and his own bonus would follow.
Minutes later, at the top floor in the Deputy Pavilion Master’s office.
Beep!
Yue Feng turned, smiling warmly as they entered.
"Lin Qi, welcome!"
Lin Qi returned the handshake, smiling in turn.
"Please, sit!"
Sun Manager poured tea as the two settled down.
"Try this specially cultivated green tea", Yue Feng offered.
Lin Qi nodded, accepting the pale green tea. Its aroma was refreshing, the initial bitterness giving way to a sweet aftertaste.
Almost instantly, a stream of clarity washed over his mind, sharpening his thoughts.
"This tea…" Lin Qi exclaimed in surprise.
"This specially cultivated green tea enhances mental focus and aids martial arts comprehension", Yue Feng explained. "I’ll give you some packets."
"Thank you, Pavilion Master!" Lin Qi accepted without hesitation.
"Use it wisely—it’s worth 500,000 Crimson Heaven Points per pack", Sun Manager interjected.
500,000 Crimson Heaven Points?!
Staring at the tea, Lin Qi’s heart raced.
"Back to business", Yue Feng waved a hand.
Sun Manager nodded, placing documents and a tablet before Lin Qi. The Alpha projected another data screen.
"Lin Qi, congratulations on placing ninth in Tianhai City!"
"Though you haven’t officially met the A-Rank Contract criteria, your innate talent’s growth rate convinced me to make an exception. Upgrading your B-Rank Contract to A-Rank!"
Lin Qi nodded calmly, unsurprised. Yue Feng smiled, pointing at the screen.
"Under Crimson Vault’s A-Rank Contract, you’ll receive 5 million Xia Kingdom currency. Since your B-Rank contract already gave 3 million, we’ll add 2 million more. Additionally, we’ll cover the remaining 1 million in resources previously allocated under your B-Rank. You’ll also enjoy a 25% discount in our martial arts supply stores and receive 500,000 Crimson Heaven Points for the Crimson Heaven Residence."
"These points will be crucial when you learn new martial arts or secret techniques upon mastering your Third Killing Move or breaking into the Second Realm", Yue Feng explained.
Lin Qi nodded inwardly—just as he’d expected.
An A-Rank Contract meant higher status, more resources, and a stronger future.
"Also, I know your mother needs surgery. With this contract, we can expedite it. I’ve already contacted the hospital to prioritize her case", Yue Feng added.
"Thank you, Pavilion Master!"
This was what Lin Qi truly needed. Without hesitation, he signed the new contract.
"Congratulations, Lin Qi, as the fourth A-Rank genius contracted by Crimson Heaven’s Tianhai Branch this year. And your friend Jiang Tao has proven his talent—soon to become our fifth", Yue Feng said, raising his teacup.
Lin Qi nodded, posing for photos with Yue Feng.
Then he suddenly asked, "Pavilion Master, is A-Rank the highest contract tier? Even those with strong innate talent can’t surpass it without awakening a special ability?"
This was Lin Qi’s lingering question.
He wasn’t satisfied with A-Rank.
He aimed higher!
(End of Chapter)
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