Chapter 114: Defense Broken

Chapter 114: Chapter 114: Defense Broken

Martial Arts Calendar, year 2046. Sunday, January 7th.

According to the unified regulations of all major high schools, every graduating senior had a half-day break.

The time was now seven in the evening.

In the top-floor office of the Red Dome Martial Arts Dojo.

Yue Feng, dressed in a Martial Arts Uniform, leaned back in his smart chair. He sighed as he looked at the data projected before him.

"The world is truly becoming more and more chaotic. The Calamity Beasts’ offensives have grown fiercer in recent years."

"Another nation in the West was wiped out by Calamity Beasts. Their last three Eighth Realm Martial Artists all sacrificed themselves to cover the retreat of their citizens."

"Their High Realm Martial Artists were nearly all killed, and the entire country was plunged into misery and despair."

"The only ones left had to flee to neighboring countries to survive."

"Over the past few decades, the number of countries in the world has shrunk from 195 to just 86... no, now only 83 remain."

"That’s why we’re so lucky to have been born in the Xia Country. We possess the strongest Martial Arts prowess on all of Blue Star."

"Ordinary citizens aren’t forced into military service and sent to the battlefield just to become cannon fodder."

"And students can still participate in the Genius Tournament without a care in the world!"

Manager Sun, seated on the sofa, spoke with a smile.

Yue Feng nodded. "There’s still half an hour until it starts. How many people from across the country are participating?"

Manager Sun projected a green screen, and a large amount of data appeared.

"Currently, 1,548 people nationwide have advanced to the Bright Moon Rank!"

Yue Feng shook his head and sighed. "That’s quite a lot of people. More than three hundred over last year’s."

"An event like this is the only way to lure out all the hidden geniuses."

"If you don’t offer them a little incentive, none of these geniuses are willing to fight for a spot in the rankings."

As he looked at the data, an image of Lin Qi surfaced in his mind. He was very curious to see just how many rounds Lin Qi could make it through.

...

7:50 p.m.

The main hall of the Red Dome Martial Arts Dojo was exceptionally lively, with a large crowd gathered.

"Brother Qi!"

In a corner, a group of five people, including Lv Xiang, Wu Feng, Qiu Siying, and Guo Heng, greeted Lin Qi upon seeing him.

"Is everyone ready?" Lin Qi asked.

"All set! In this Genius Tournament, I’m determined to break into the top 100, no matter what," Jiangtao said, full of confidence.

Guo Heng added confidently, "My goal is the top 64."

"What about you, Lin Qi?"

Lin Qi smiled. "Naturally, the higher the better."

He wasn’t going to say his goal was the top 16, to claim the final prize.

"Tonight, the Genius Tournament will have three rounds. Two-thirds of the participants will be eliminated, so the competition will be especially fierce!" Guo Heng said.

"Just do your best. Let’s log in," Lin Qi said.

Everyone nodded. Guo Heng felt a flicker of confusion; he used to be the leader of their little six-person team.

But now, it seemed Lin Qi had become their leader, which left him with complicated feelings.

The group split up, and each person entered a Virtual Cabin to log into the Red Realm.

At the same time, over 1,500 geniuses from all over the Xia Country logged in one after another, causing the entire Red Realm to buzz with activity.

...

[Yang Jian, welcome to the Red Realm!]

When Lin Qi opened his eyes, he was already in his Red Realm Personal Center.

[Yang Jian, as you are of the Bright Moon Rank, do you wish to participate in the Genius Tournament?]

Looking at the pop-up message, Lin Qi didn’t hesitate and immediately clicked ’Confirm’.

[Yang Jian, you have successfully registered for the "Genius Tournament".]

[Tournament Rules: 1. All participants will have their Qi and Blood Value standardized to 10.]

[2. During a match, only successfully killing an opponent counts as advancing to the next round.]

[...]

After a quick glance at the rules, he understood. The tournament’s rules were more or less the same as the regular Red Realm Arena.

The only difference was that there would be three rounds held today.

With that, he settled in to wait.

「A few minutes later」

[The Genius Tournament is about to begin!]

[Countdown: 3... 2... 1...]

[The tournament has officially begun!]

In the next instant, Lin Qi vanished from his spot.

On the empty arena floor, two pillars of red light descended with a loud BANG.

Two figures emerged from within them.

Yu Jing walked out, holding a silver Great Spear and wearing a blue Combat Suit.

He thought to himself, ’With my strength, I must break into the top 100 in this Genius Tournament.’

’No one can stop me.’

’The first-round opponents are usually weak. This won’t take up too much of my time.’

A smirk crept onto his lips at the thought.

Then, his gaze fell upon his opponent—the familiar black Combat Suit, black mask, and black Great Spear.

His smile instantly froze, and his expression went slack.

"Yang Jian?"

His face immediately darkened, and panic flared in his heart. ’What’s going on?’

’How did I run into Yang Jian in the very first round? How is my luck this bad?’

After a moment of panic, his gaze hardened, and he stared directly at "Yang Jian."

’I’m not the same Yu Jing I was before. My Spear Technique has improved immensely recently. I can win this!’

[Nickname: Swift Eagle]

[Red List Ranking: 258]

Lin Qi’s expression was odd. ’How did I get matched with Yu Jing again?’

’And in the first round, no less.’

’I have to say, the guy’s luck is absolutely terrible.’

[First round of the Genius Tournament, prepare to begin!]

[Countdown: 3... 2... 1...]

[Match Start!!]

The emotionless voice of the system AI echoed through the air, and the battle officially began.

The atmosphere instantly filled with a murderous intent.

"DIE!!"

Yu Jing’s aura erupted in an instant, like an eagle swooping down from the sky to attack.

A sharp aura exploded from him as he brandished the silver Great Spear in his hands.

The silver Great Spear thrust out, its momentum majestic, fierce, and domineering.

Lin Qi recognized it at a glance—it was the Mountain Shattering Spear Technique.

Across from him, Yu Jing looked energized. He was sure that suddenly changing his Spear Technique would catch Lin Qi completely off guard.

But a smirk played on Lin Qi’s lips. ’He knows I use the Drip Water Spear Skill, so he’s trying to counter me with the Mountain Shattering Spear Technique.’

’How naive!’

Suddenly, he moved. As his body shifted, a terrifying aura erupted from him.

He was like a ferocious tiger bursting from its cage to hunt.

He swung the black Great Spear, power erupting from his spine and flowing ceaselessly into his arms.

The force gathered at a single point and exploded in an instant.

Unleashing the full might of his body, he executed the Mountain Shattering Spear Technique.

The two closed the distance in a fraction of a second.

Yu Jing’s arms extended, power flowing through them as he brandished his Great Spear. With a powerful upward thrust, he aimed straight for Lin Qi.

"Die!"

Lin Qi swung his Great Spear, bringing it down in a heavy slash with the force of a collapsing mountain.

"BANG!!"

In the center of the arena, the two long spears—one from above, one from below—collided in mid-air, setting off an explosive crack.

The moment they collided, Yu Jing’s expression changed. He felt a terrifyingly immense force travel up his long spear and into his arms, which instantly went numb.

His entire body was sent stumbling backward uncontrollably.

A smirk touched Lin Qi’s lips. His whole body tensed, his great tendons absorbing the impact. ’Even though we both have a Qi and Blood Value of 10.0...’

’...when the Virtual Cabin scans our bodies, our actual strength and speed are completely different.’

He strode forward, swinging his black Great Spear as he pressed his advantage.

Great Slash, Great Collapse, Great Thrust.

He completely unleashed the fierce and domineering nature of the Mountain Shattering Spear Technique.

"BANG! BANG! BANG!!"

Yu Jing struggled to defend himself. After two moves, a cold glint flashed before his eyes as a sharp spearhead tore through the air.

"PFFT—"

The long spear instantly pierced his throat, splashing blood.

"THUD!"

Yu Jing’s eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at the "Yang Jian" before him.

"That’s it?"

A hoarse voice, dripping with blatant mockery, came from behind the black mask.

"You..."

Yu Jing dissolved into the void, vanishing into thin air.

...