Chapter 84: S-Rank Contract
Chapter 84: S-Rank Contract (Seeking First Subscription, Monthly Votes)
Yue Feng didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he turned toward the window, gazing at the Crimson Vault Martial Arts Pavilion’s surroundings bathed in clear skies.
“Across the entire Blue Planet, the governments, military forces, and martial arts pavilions together categorize geniuses into seven tiers.”
“From D-Rank to A-Rank—this is the upper limit for ordinary geniuses.”
“The S, SS, and Sss-Rank contracts, however, are reserved for those who awaken Special Abilities.”
“When these geniuses awaken, their innate talents surge dramatically, propelling them into the realm of supergeniuses who can transcend their cultivation stage within the shortest time possible.”
“At the same time, they gain Special Abilities that allow them to easily defeat ordinary martial artists and disaster beasts—this is a sheer, dimension-crushing advantage.”
“Lin Qi, even a genius like you would inevitably lose if facing off against a Special Ability-awakened martial artist at the same stage.”
Lin Qi felt a jolt of shock. That strong?
“For a simple example, take the Special Ability Adamantine Body, belonging to the Metal Attribute.”
“Those who awaken this ability possess far superior muscles and bones compared to ordinary martial artists at the same stage, granting them explosive physical strength in battle.”
“Additionally, their bodies are infused with a unique primordial energy. When activated during combat, this energy fuses into their skin, hardening it like steel.”
“In this state, their defensive capabilities become terrifying. A first-stage martial artist with Adamantine Body could have their defense hold against even a third-circle martial artist’s attack.” Yue Feng explained.
Lin Qi’s astonishment deepened. Even a third-circle can’t break through?
His current punch strength exceeded 1,100 kilograms, while a third-circle martial artist could generate over 5,000 kilograms of force—enough to unleash unimaginable power through weapons.
Yet even that wouldn’t break their defense?
This isn’t just about being stronger—it’s inhuman.
“The heavens seem to divide geniuses into two tiers: those who’ve awakened Special Abilities and those who haven’t.”
“As soon as someone awakens a Special Ability, the heads of the three major martial arts pavilions will personally visit to offer an S-Rank contract. Any personal or familial issues they have will be resolved immediately.”
“Then, depending on their martial arts progression, they might even upgrade to an SS or Sss-Rank contract.”
Lin Qi felt his own treatment as an A-Rank genius paled in comparison.
“Lin Qi,” Yue Feng turned, his tone thought-provoking, “do you think ordinary talent could ever close this gap and earn an S-Rank contract?”
Lin Qi exhaled slowly, steadying himself.
“So you’re saying… an S-Rank contract isn’t entirely out of reach?”
Yue Feng smiled.
“Calm under pressure. You caught the loophole in my words.”
“The A-Rank contract isn’t the pinnacle—the S-Rank is.”
“Even without a Special Ability, if someone displays extraordinary innate talent, they can still become an S-Rank genius.”
“Geniuses with physical potential far surpassing the norm—startling, unparalleled innate talent.”
“But if I meet these standards, could I upgrade to an S-Rank contract?”
“However, such S-Rank geniuses are extremely rare—rarer even than those with awakened Special Abilities.”
“About two to three geniuses awaken Special Abilities in Cang Province each year, but only one, sometimes none, ever rise to S-Rank.”
“Therefore, S-Rank is still far from your reach unless you secure a top-three position in Cang Province.” Yue Feng elaborated patiently.
S-Rank Contract. Cang Province’s top three.
Lin Qi nodded, memorizing these benchmarks.
…
Minutes later, Sun Manager led Lin Qi out of the office.
Inside the elevator, Lin Qi’s thoughts lingered on Special Abilities.
“Manager Sun,” he suddenly asked, “do you think I still have a chance to awaken a Special Ability?”
Sun Manager chuckled. “Of course there’s hope. Decades of statistical data show over 90% of people awaken their Special Ability between ages 17 and 18.”
“If you don’t awaken by 20, it’s nearly impossible—unless you break through to become a Seventh Realm martial artist.”
“Theoretically, the better your innate talent, the higher your awakening probability.”
“So Lin Qi, since you’re still 17, you have hope.”
Lin Qi nodded. With my Template Innate Talent, I won’t need to wait for the Seventh Realm. Awakening a Special Ability is inevitable.
Just then, Sun Manager added a reminder.
“Lin Qi, the Hao Yue Festival is less than a week away. You must hurry to reach Moon Rank.”
“While Moon Rank requires only 1,000 points to qualify, the final 100 points will be no easy feat.”
Lin Qi’s mind stirred. “Manager Sun, I’m unfamiliar with the specifics. Could you explain further?”
“Of course,” Sun Manager smiled.
“That 3 million Xia Kingdom Yuan reward seems enticing, but it’s not easily claimed—it’s equivalent to the prize for a B-Rank contract.”
“Last year, fewer than 30 participants reached Moon Rank by the festival’s end.”
Less than 30?! Lin Qi inwardly recoiled. He’d imagined at least a hundred competitors.
“In the final days, many professional martial artists from society will register for the Hao Yue Festival. Their martial arts skills remain below the Second Stage beginner level.”
“But unlike you students, they only need to defeat one student to earn 10,000 Xia Kingdom Currency.”
“These martial artists have battlefield experience—though their martial arts aren’t refined, they’re difficult to handle.”
“If you’re above 900 points, you’ll likely face them. Winning won’t be easy.”
Lin Qi understood now. No wonder so few qualify. This event’s pitfall is brutal.
Defeating these seasoned martial artists wouldn’t be simple. His current score was only 700 points—he was far from the threshold.
“I see. Thank you for your guidance, Manager Sun.” Lin Qi bowed gratefully.
“Don’t mention it,” Sun Manager waved him off.
Ding!
The elevator doors opened, revealing a burly figure at the entrance—thick, muscular, exuding overwhelming pressure.
“Deputy Pavilion Master Lu!” Sun Manager greeted.
Lin Qi’s heart leapt. Deputy Pavilion Master? Is this another deputy? He offered a polite nod.
“Hmph!”
“You’re Lin Qi!” Deputy Pavilion Master Lu glared, sneering.
“That’s me.”
Before Lin Qi could react, Sun Manager pulled him aside, whispering once the doors closed.
“Deputy Pavilion Master Lu and Pavilion Master Yue are both deputies with a competitive relationship.”
“You and Jiang Tao are geniuses personally signed by Pavilion Master Yue. Your rapid progress earned the Pavilion Head’s praise, boosting Yue’s reputation.”
“Meanwhile, Deputy Lu was reprimanded. That’s why he’s unfriendly toward you.”
Understanding dawned. So I’ve taken Yue Feng’s side now.
Deputy Lu will likely never treat me kindly again.
…
After parting ways with Sun Manager, Lin Qi entered his B123 Martial Arts Training Hall, punching in the password.
At the center of the arena, his father Lin Zhen sat cross-legged on a soft mat, emanating an invisible aura.
Lin Qi faintly perceived countless specks of light rapidly being drawn into his father’s body.
This is martial arts cultivation—absorbing primal energy from the air to optimize one’s genes and transform the body.
Hoo—
Lin Zhen opened his eyes, smiling at his son.
“Xiao Qi, the primordial energy concentration here is far denser than at home or school.”
Lin Qi realized this might explain the training hall’s steep price.
“Dad, you can train here often. I’ll cover the costs with the Family Member Card.”
“Good,” Lin Zhen agreed without hesitation.
“Dad, I’ve upgraded to an A-Rank contract!”
“Within a month, Mom can finally have her surgery.”
Lin Qi shared the good news.
“Excellent! Excellent! Excellent!” Lin Zhen’s eyes widened, his voice shaking thrice.
“Your mother… she finally won’t have to endure pain anymore,” he choked up, his eyes reddening.
Only he knew the torment of watching his loved one suffer daily.
Lin Qi smiled softly.
…
(End of Chapter)
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