https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-88-Defeating-Li-Zhou-Promotion-to-Moon-Rank-/13506902/
Chapter 87: Protection Mission
Chapter 87: Protection Mission (Please consider subscribing and voting monthly for this chapter)
After winter break, Scarlet Realm became a battleground where geniuses from across the nation converged to compete in the Hao Yue Festival, battling for the 3,000,000 Xia Kingdom currency cash prize.
However, within days, everyone realized the difficulty had spiked dramatically.
Especially for prodigies with over 900 points—their opponents had become terrifyingly strong. Winning a single match suddenly felt impossible. Defeats, once rare, became the norm.
Yet a select group of top-tier geniuses still managed to ascend to the Moon Rank.
…
January 13th, morning. Crimson Vault Martial Arts Pavilion. Virtual Chamber hall.
“Unbelievable, I lost again! What’s going on?!”
“What’s with these martial artists the system matches us against?”
“They’re all so skilled and battle-hardened. I don’t stand a chance!”
“I’ve fought ten matches today and lost every one! Let me win at least one!” someone wailed.
“Haha, can’t even win one,” another sneered, giving up.
Nearby, Lü Xiang and their group shared the frustration.
Guo Heng frowned. “Today’s the last day. I still need fifteen points.”
“I’m determined to stay in Scarlet Realm all day. I won’t leave without reaching Moon Rank!”
Jiang Tao grimaced. “I need twenty-one points—seven wins.”
Lin Qi nodded. “I’m close too.”
Wu Feng glanced at the Scarlet List projected on the Virtual Chamber’s ceiling.
[1st: Li, Rank: Hao Yue]
[2nd: God of Wind, Rank: Hao Yue]
[3rd: Silent Melody, Rank: Hao Yue]
“Chen Li was the first from our province to reach Moon Rank. So far, only three of us have made it.”
“No, now it’s four,” Qiu Siying corrected.
They looked closer—Li Ke’s rank had just changed from Star Rank to Hao Yue.
“Reaching Moon Rank is too hard. I’m giving up.” Lü Xiang shook his head.
“You can’t quit now,” Wu Feng urged, but Lü Xiang fell silent.
Minutes later, after resting, the group returned to their Neural Pods, logging back into Scarlet Realm for their final push.
“Haaah~”
In his personal space, Lin Qi summoned his Status Panel.
[Nickname: Yang Jian]
[Rank: Star Rank]
[Win Rate: 90%]
[Points: 978]
[Ranking: 12th]
This was the result of days of relentless effort. He needed just 22 more points to reach Moon Rank.
“I must make it by midnight tonight.”
Lin Qi’s eyes sharpened as he initiated a match.
Three minutes later, his figure vanished.
The arena: a burly middle-aged man wielding a massive blade appeared, scars crisscrossing his face. His aura was ferocious, his grin predatory—as if eyeing a helpless lamb.
Lin Qi’s brow furrowed. Facing such an opponent, victory would be near impossible.
Five minutes later.
[Yang Jian, you have been defeated!]
[Your mastery of Spear Techniques has improved. Spear Techniques +1%]
[Spear Techniques: Second Stage 15% → 16%]
…
Back in his personal space, Lin Qi exhaled sharply.
Another loss.
These veteran martial artists lacked growth potential but made up for it with lifetimes of combat against Disaster Beasts. Even he had been tricked multiple times. Their early-stage martial arts combined with battle-tested experience surpassed the Final Exam’s 10th-floor trial.
No choice but to accept defeat.
Still… Lin Qi gripped his long spear. Every fight against such power honed his skills.
[Continue matching!]
An hour later: +6 points.
Two hours later: +5 points.
Three hours later: +3 points.
Exiting his Neural Pod, Lin Qi immediately downed a Revitalizing Elixir without greeting Jiang Tao’s group, then returned to the Martial Arts Training Hall.
After lunch, he napped.
At 2:00 PM, the alarm woke him, but exhaustion lingered.
“Mental fatigue isn’t easily shaken off by sleep or regular elixirs.”
He pulled out a tube of Advanced Revitalizing Elixir—a 50,000 yuan tube, five times stronger than standard.
Jiang Tao, Guo Heng, and other geniuses had saved theirs for today.
Lin Qi drank it.
A minty chill exploded in his mouth, then surged to his brain like icy shockwaves.
“Haaah~”
His eyes snapped open. Energy coursed through him.
“This effect’s insane!”
He grabbed his spear, practicing techniques.
Swish! Swish!
Blades of light slashed through the air, piercing shrieks echoing his lightning-fast strikes—dozens per second, honed to perfection.
No fatigue.
He sheathed his spear and headed to the Virtual Chamber.
The hall buzzed with crowds watching the Scarlet List.
“Look! Another Moon Rank promotion!”
“Five have reached Moon Rank now!”
“Nine and a half hours left. How many from Cang Province will make it?”
Logging in, Lin Qi calculated: “14 points this morning. Eight left—three wins, or two wins and two draws.”
By 7:00 PM, in a top-floor office, Yue Feng lounged in a smart chair, watching the Scarlet List.
The rankings shifted, but Moon Rank ascensions remained rare.
“Last year, we had 21 from Cang Province. What’s your estimate, Sun Manager?”
After a pause, the manager replied, “This year’s geniuses are stronger. Around 30.”
Yue Feng nodded. “Same as I thought. But we’ve got S-Rank prodigies returning for Spring Festival. We must ensure their safety.”
“The city’s defense systems are active. Highest security package arranged,” Sun Manager assured.
Yue Feng’s aura darkened. “Protect our S-Rank prodigies—especially Guo Yi’s group. The beasts won’t stop hunting our talents.”
…
7:30 PM. Crimson Realm Arena.
[Yang Jian, you have won!]
[Points +3]
[Points: 999]
Lin Qi stared at “999.”
One point left. A single draw would do.
“Time for the Promotion Match!”
He initiated.
…
Meanwhile, in another personal space, a burly figure grinned, licking his lips.
“Two points left. Let’s go!”
He initiated his match.
…
Moments later, the system’s voice echoed.
[Match Found!]
…
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
