Chapter 566 - 524: Lin Qi’s Stage

Chapter 566: Chapter 524: Lin Qi’s Stage

He was now ranked 92nd on the base rankings and 350th on the overall rankings.

His rank was a bit higher than his own.

’In a little while, I’ll be able to surpass Gu City.’

He then looked at Xu Qin’s ranking.

[Name: Xu Qin (Black Dragon Base)]

[Base Ranking: 70]

[Overall Ranking: 300]

...

Xu Qin’s rank was rising too, but her rate of improvement was slowing.

The Seventh Realm Martial Artists ahead of her had all spent several years on the battlefield, making it increasingly difficult to climb higher in the rankings.

「Half an hour later」

After consuming the 1,000 kilograms of meat on the table, Lin Qi took a short rest before returning to the Martial Arts Room.

He sat cross-legged with his eyes tightly shut, sensing the blood flowing within him.

A few days ago, he had taken another Blood Spirit Potion and successfully completed his fourth Blood Exchange.

His physical strength and Combat Power had both increased once again.

That was why his rank had risen so quickly.

He could feel the blood flowing through his veins, growing more viscous and heavy, approaching the state of being as thick as mercury.

The very nature of his blood was changing; even its color was becoming clearer and deeper.

...

「The next day, 9:00 AM」

WHOO— WHOO—!!

With his instructor’s guidance, Shen Heng had gained a general understanding of the Black Dragon Base.

He had also received an emergency notice from the House of War: a massive Disaster Beast Tide had broken out at Black Dragon Base.

So he immediately donned his Black Silver Battle Armor and went out, Battle Sword in hand.

Downstairs in the residential block, he headed for the main gate with the others and soon ran into his instructor.

"Shen Heng, you’re quite lucky. Your first time on the battlefield, and you get a massive Disaster Beast Tide."

"Stick close to me today!"

Shen Heng nodded, exceptionally curious about everything. He followed his instructor to the top of the wall and took his place among the other High Realm Martial Artists.

He also saw Xu Qin in green Battle Armor; she nodded in greeting.

There was also Lin Qi, clad in Black Gold Armor. Spear in one hand, he exuded a domineering aura that made him stand out among the High Realm Martial Artists.

Lin Qi seemed to sense his gaze and turned to nod a greeting.

Shen Heng had a strange feeling. ’I’m clearly his senior, but on the battlefield, I’m the rookie.’

’And my junior, Lin Qi, has already become a veteran.’

BOOM!!

"Kill!"

A moment later, the battle officially began, with the Ninth Realm Martial Artists striking first.

The High Realm Martial Artists followed, making Shen Heng, on the battlefield for the first time, quite nervous.

He followed his instructor onto the battlefield. When he looked for Lin Qi, he saw him charging at the very front, already engaging a Seventh-Level Calamity Beast alongside Dean Liu.

PFFT— PFFT—

He started by hunting the surrounding Low-Level Calamity Beasts, then moved on to the Mid-Level ones.

The Silver Armored Man—his instructor—hunted Calamity Beasts alongside him, explaining the key points of battlefield conduct as they fought.

Finally, he left Shen Heng to hunt Mid-Level Calamity Beasts on his own while he went to hunt an Eighth-Level Calamity Beast.

BANG!!

Shen Heng brandished his Battle Sword and began hunting Sixth-Level Calamity Beasts with ease.

He had comprehended a High-Level Source Energy Technique from observing an Eleventh-Level Calamity Beast and had also cultivated Gang Power, so his Combat Power had increased dramatically.

He adapted quickly. ’The battlefield isn’t so bad,’ he thought.

AWOO—

In the next instant, a furious roar echoed as a massive figure appeared.

He recognized it. It was an Earth-Splitting Wolf.

BZZZT—!!

Enveloped in Thunderous Gang Power, Shen Heng condensed his Sword Gang to block the Earth-Splitting Wolf’s sudden attack.

He was sent flying, rolling several times across the ground before he came to a stop.

’So fast!’

Shen Heng was shocked. It was his first time fighting a Seventh-Level Calamity Beast, and its speed was astounding.

AWOO—

A foul wind rushed toward him, heralding the descent of the Earth-Splitting Wolf’s enormous, Heaven-Concealing claw.

BANG!!

Shen Heng swung his Battle Sword to block again but was blasted away once more. His entire body shuddered, and his Qi Blood churned violently.

AWOO—!

Just then, the Earth-Splitting Wolf let out a mournful howl. A Golden Spear Gang had streaked across the sky, instantly piercing its neck.

Blood sprayed through the air. The ground trembled as the massive corpse crashed down.

"Senior Shen Heng, are you okay?"

Lin Qi, clad in his Black Gold Armor, offered a hand.

Shen Heng let himself be pulled up. He looked from the dead Earth-Splitting Wolf to Lin Qi, his expression complicated.

He could now clearly feel the gap between himself and Lin Qi.

He still remembered how, during the Celestial Vault Competition just a few months ago, Lin Qi had been no match for him.

But only a few months had passed, and now he was completely outmatched. A huge gap had opened between them.

"I’m fine. Thanks, Junior Lin Qi," Shen Heng said gratefully.

Lin Qi replied, "Senior Shen Heng, Seventh-Level Calamity Beasts aren’t that strong. I’m sure you’ll adapt to fighting High-Level Calamity Beasts quickly."

With that, he transformed into a streak of black Lightning and charged toward the other Calamity Beasts.

WHOOSH!

Shen Heng exhaled. ’As an SSS-level genius, I have my pride. I can’t let my junior look down on me.’

He gripped his Battle Sword tighter and charged toward the other Calamity Beasts.

...

Daily life at Black Dragon Base consisted of life-or-death battles against Calamity Beasts.

When there wasn’t a Disaster Beast Tide, everyone focused on their own Cultivation.

Battling Calamity Beasts day in and day out kept most Martial Artists on edge, placing them under immense psychological pressure.

After a while, most needed to return to a city to rest and decompress.

Lin Qi, however, found each day exceptionally fulfilling. He even grew to love this lifestyle.

’I get to earn money and grow stronger every day. And most importantly, I’m fighting off the Calamity Beast invasion and contributing to humanity.’

As time went on, Lin Qi hunted more and more Calamity Beasts.

An increasing number of Martial Artists began to discuss his exploits, frequently checking his rank.

It was as if Lin Qi’s progress filled his fellow Martial Artists at Black Dragon Base with a sense of pride.

...

「In the blink of an eye, more than two months passed. It was now mid-November.」

The entire Xia Country was entering autumn, and the weather began to grow cooler.

In the Otherworld, at the Azure Sky Base’s Celestial Vault Institute.

Here, it was still spring all year round.

"Class dismissed!"

In a classroom in the Celestial Dome Tower, the instructor dismissed the class after the bell rang.

Amid the bustling crowd, the students headed for the door.

"Brother Tao, you’re incredible! You’ve already broken into the top ten!"

"At the second Celestial Vault Competition, you might even be able to compete for the top three."

"Aside from Meng Yuxuan, Brother Tao isn’t afraid of anyone!"

In the crowd, a group of third-year students boarded the tram, heading for Star Residence.

Among the students, Jiangtao had become the new center of attention. Even the radiance of his fellow SSS-level genius, Chu Yu, couldn’t outshine him.

Jiangtao listened to their discussion. When the Celestial Vault Competition came up, he suddenly thought of Lin Qi and spoke up.

"I wonder how Brother Qi is doing at Black Dragon Base?"

...