Chapter 136: A Destined Reckoning

Chapter 136: Chapter 136: A Destined Reckoning

Lin Qi let out a breath. It would be a lie to say he wasn’t fuming.

After hearing Yue Feng’s explanation, he had already added the uncle-nephew duo, Zhang Tai and Li Zehao, to his blacklist.

If he ever got the chance, he would definitely make them pay.

But for now, he needed to get back the S-level Contract that was rightfully his.

"Alpha!"

"I am here, Master!"

The red metal sphere lit up and hovered in the air.

"Project the information on the Practical Training Camp," Yue Feng said.

"Lin Qi, if you’re going to do well in the Practical Training Camp, you first need to understand its purpose."

Alpha projected a screen, displaying a vast amount of data. Yue Feng pointed to the screen and began to explain.

"The Practical Training Camp was created to meet the needs of several different parties in Xia Country."

"The Three Great Martial Arts Dojos want their geniuses to experience true combat and undergo a metamorphosis."

"The military uses the camp to scout and recruit exceptional talents, which the Three Great Martial Arts Dojos permit."

"The three top-tier universities will also send observation teams to assess the overall performance of top-level geniuses in actual combat. This will affect your standing in the internal competition you’ll face after entering one of those universities."

’So it’s that complicated,’ Lin Qi thought with a jolt. ’So many powerful groups are watching.’

’At the same time, if I perform exceptionally well, all of these groups will see it.’

’That S-level Contract will be practically guaranteed.’

"The Practical Training Camp looks at comprehensive strength: Qi and Blood Value, Martial Arts, Combat Talent, willpower, Psychological Quality, luck, and other factors."

"You need to show them absolutely everything you’ve got."

"Use your strength to slap those shameless bastards in the Imperial Capital right in the face."

"That’s why this next month is so crucial. You have to get stronger, and fast."

Yue Feng said seriously, his voice thick with emotion, revealing his inner turmoil.

Lin Qi nodded resolutely. "I will."

...

A few minutes later, Lin Qi left.

Only Yue Feng remained in the office, looking at the food trays on his desk, which had been wiped clean.

He clenched his fists, his knuckles cracking. ’This really pisses me off.’

’Those bastards in the Imperial Capital know they get a bonus for every S-class genius.’

’Even though they’re on the same side, most of them favor Li Zehao. Many of them know perfectly well that Lin Qi is more talented, yet they still chose Li Zehao.’

’Lin Qi, you have to prove them wrong. I’m waiting for you to shove your success right in their faces.’

’Show them what we’re made of here in Cang Province.’

...

「That night, in Room B123 of the Red Dome Martial Arts Dojo」

In the quiet Martial Arts Room, Little Chan, clad in a blue combat suit, watched Lin Qi silently.

On the soft mat, Lin Qi, dressed in black, sat cross-legged with his eyes tightly closed.

WHOOSH~~

A wind stirred from nowhere, the gentle breeze causing the curtains to sway.

Countless Source Energy Particles from the surrounding air converged on his body. Within his consciousness, the Vajra Tiger suddenly awakened, its eyes snapping open like two blazing infernos.

BOOM!!

The Vajra Tiger threw back its head and roared, its cavernous maw gaping open. It inhaled a storm of countless Source Energy Particles, which streamed unceasingly into Lin Qi’s body through his pores.

His starved cells began to absorb the energy with frantic greed.

Wisps of cool energy gathered, seeping into his body and spreading through him like countless small streams.

His chest heaved like shifting stone.

As he rapidly digested and absorbed the Source Energy, countless Source Energy Particles flowed into his great tendons.

The twelve major tendons of his body were stimulated, rising to the surface of his skin and vibrating intensely.

Qi and Blood surged through his body along with his circulation, suffusing his flesh, tendons, and bones.

His great tendons, already like alloy steel cables, were continuously refined, growing even tougher and more powerful.

Two hours later, Lin Qi’s eyes snapped open. An invisible wave of energy radiated outward from him like a tidal wave.

It was as if he had transformed into the Vajra Tiger itself, erupting with a stunning aura.

[You have completed a training session. Your Qi and Blood Value has broken through. Qi and Blood Value +0.3]

[You have completed an effective training session. Template Fusion Degree +0.1%]

[Qi and Blood Value: 20.7 → 21]

[Template: True Monarch Erlang Yang Jian]

[Fusion Degree: 11.9% → 12%]

...

The next moment, an invisible force surged into Lin Qi’s body, and waves of pain washed over him.

The Fusion Degree had increased by 1%, initiating the body’s next stage of metamorphosis.

He was long since immune to this level of pain.

His expression remained unchanged. He slowly got to his feet, gazing at his status panel as he sank into thought.

’My cultivation state was much better than usual today. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have gained 0.3 Qi and Blood Value.’

’Could the issue with the S-class slot have affected me?’

That was probably it, Lin Qi guessed. His anger seemed to have put him in sync with the Vajra Tiger, increasing his cultivation efficiency.

He took the Thunder Horn Spear down from the wall. Its shaft was pitch-black, inlaid with golden, lightning-like patterns.

A nameless fury burned within him because of what had happened today.

The S-level Contract was extremely important to him. It was worth over 15 million Xia Country Coins.

Plus Cultivation Resources worth several million more.

He still needed to save money to have his dad, Lin Zhen’s, left arm regenerated.

The S-level Contract was supposed to be his, but that thief, Li Zehao, had stolen it!

Anyone would be furious, and Lin Qi was no exception.

He hadn’t been this angry in a long time.

SWISH SWISH!!

He whipped the long spear through the air, power flowing from his wrists. An endless torrent of energy surged from his body, and his Power circulated wildly, blasting out with the spear like a tidal wave.

VSHHH~~

The long spear shot forward, tearing through the air with a piercing whistle. The air vibrated with enough force to shatter stone and collapse mountains.

’My next goal is to keep raising my Qi and Blood Value. It’d be best if I can break through 23.’

’I also need to master the first Killing Technique of the Mountain Splitting Spear Technique.’

Lin Qi silently laid out his goals.

At the Practical Training Camp in a month, he would crush everyone. Zhou Xiyin, Wang Qiufeng, Chen Li—they would all fall before him.

Lin Qi tightened his grip on the Black Great Spear, his resolve hardening.

...

「Some time later.」

Imperial Capital. Deep within the mountains lay a sprawling, steel-like War Base.

Within its Core Region were countless buildings. This was the campus of Azure Sky University, one of the three great institutions of higher learning.

There was nothing plain or unadorned about it; every structure exuded a confidence that seemed to soar to the heavens.

In a small conference room within one of the buildings, a simple meeting was underway, attended by a dozen people in smart-chairs.

"In two weeks, the annual Practical Training Camps will kick off in every province."

"Our Sixth Institute needs to arrange observation teams to recruit talent from the provinces."

A middle-aged man spoke slowly.

"Most of the S-class talents in the country are concentrated in four places: the Imperial Capital, Shanghai, North River Province, and Shu Province."

"Our main goal this time is to recruit S-class and A-level talents," a woman with a gentle voice added.

"Competition at Azure Sky University is fierce. Our Sixth Institute is ranked third from the bottom. We need powerful new talent."

A voice spoke up, and everyone fell silent.

The speaker was a short, stocky man with a full beard that hid his round face.

He had noticeably large earlobes.

"I’ll personally lead an observation team this time. I plan on going to Cang Province."

"I hear Cang Province has produced an interesting talent this year. The situation caused quite a stir at the Red Dome Martial Arts Dojo’s headquarters."

"You mean that genius, Lin Qi? I heard someone else was given the S-level Contract that should have been his," someone asked, puzzled.

"Why should we pay attention to someone who isn’t even a confirmed S-class talent?"

"In the inter-institute competition at Azure Sky University, being an S-class talent only gets you in the door," someone pointed out, confused.

"I’ve heard a few things that have made me curious about this Lin Qi. It won’t take much time to go and see this talent for myself," the man with the large earlobes said nonchalantly.

Seeing his stance, the others knew better than to argue.

A moment later, the middle-aged man with the large earlobes was the only one left in the conference room. He stroked one of his ears.

’Does Little Yi really think that highly of Lin Qi?’

’Zou Wan and Wen Rui both made a trip to Cang Province, and they each came back convinced Lin Qi is an incredible talent.’

’They both strongly recommended I make a trip to Cang Province.’

’I hope you don’t disappoint me.’

...