High Martial Arts: Grinding for the Supreme Talent

Chapter 22: Chapter 22: He’s Only Worth Third-Class

His mom, Fang Huiyi, sat on the sofa, enjoying the cool breeze that made her hair flutter gently.

Unlike usual, his dad, Lin Zhen, wasn’t plastered in front of the electric fan, drenched in sweat.

The air was filled with a tranquil and peaceful atmosphere.

Seeing this scene made Lin Qi happy, too.

During his lunch break, he had gone online and bought two air conditioners for 3,800 yuan.

He only had a thousand yuan left for food, but he didn’t regret it.

”Little Qi, you can’t just spend all your scholarship money on air conditioners. You still need to buy resources for yourself!”

His mom, Fang Huiyi, shook her head, chiding Lin Qi for spending money recklessly.

Lin Qi sat down and explained,

”Mom, Dad, you don’t have to worry about that.”

”I’ve already bought a lot of resources, and I’ve also applied for a Third-Class Talent Loan.”

”The money should come through in a few days.”

”As for the air conditioners, the sooner I bought them, the sooner you could enjoy them.”

”Don’t feel burdened. This is just the beginning. Our family’s life will get better and better.”

”...”

...

「A few minutes later」

Having convinced his parents, Lin Qi returned to his bedroom. Thanks to the cool air from the living room’s air conditioner drifting in, his room was also filled with a refreshing chill.

”Having AC really is comfortable!”

He sighed in contentment, then put down his backpack, took a Qi and Blood Capsule, and resumed his stance training.

He had come home an hour early today, so he had to put in extra practice.

’I’ve finally done something for my family.’

Having solved one of his family’s problems, Lin Qi felt full of motivation.

’Ever since I was little, my parents have been the ones giving everything for this family, while I’ve never done a thing for them.’

’They’ve worked too hard and given up too much for me.’

’Now, I can finally help.’

As a transmigrator, even though his parents hadn’t told him about the family’s situation for fear of affecting his studies, he had already pieced it together from various bits of information.

Not only did the family owe his uncle a large sum of money, but they had also taken out a significant loan. His dad never told him, but it was definitely not a small amount.

Meanwhile, his mom Fang Huiyi’s illness was getting worse, requiring even more money.

Their expenses were already exceeding their income.

Fortunately, his Talent Loan application was about to be approved.

This was just the beginning. He would earn much more money in the future.

After working so hard for so many years, it was time for him to shoulder the burden of this family.

Despite the immense external pressure, Lin Qi had powerful motivation.

’My short-term goals are very clear. Once the Talent Loan comes through, I’ll focus all my efforts on raising my Qi and Blood Value and improving my Spear Technique.’

’In the Celestial Sea City joint monthly exam, I need to break into the top thirty of my grade at No. 2 Middle School to get a private Martial Arts Room.’

’My long-term goal is to work hard to improve my ranking, display my Talent, apply for more Talent Loans, pay off the family’s debts, and cure Mom’s illness.’

After clarifying his goals, Lin Qi fully immersed himself in his stance training.

...

「Martial Arts Education Bureau」

This was a massive, square building, blue and white all over, with a multi-story structure. Each floor was connected by streamlined curves, creating a sense of dynamic beauty.

Inside one of the building’s modern offices, the walls were covered with Martial Arts imagery of sabers, swords, and spears. Holographic projections floated in the air.

Two figures, in separate sections of the room, swiped their fingers, causing the projected spreadsheets in the air to switch continuously.

”It’s the third year of high school again. We’re going to be busy. Just as expected, we have to work overtime.”

”There are a ton of Talent Loan applications. This affects the futures of all the Martial Arts students, so we have no choice but to work overtime to review them.”

”Tianhai No. 2 Middle School, Chen Zichuan, Lin Qi... applying for Second-Class Talent Loans? They must be daydreaming.”

A woman in her twenties with exquisite makeup complained nonstop while she worked.

She suddenly saw two application forms and couldn’t help but speak up.

”Tianhai No. 2 Middle School, ranked in the 40s in his grade... and he wants a Second-Class loan? He’s thinking too highly of himself. That Jiang Zhiguang, honestly... he always over-applies. This is a Third-Class at best,” the woman scoffed.

Not far away, a male colleague pulled up the documents to take a look.

According to the Martial Arts Education Bureau’s regulations, Talent Loan applications from Third to Second-Class were decided by ordinary employees like them, working in pairs to supervise each other.

The final results were then given a secondary review by a supervisor, which was usually just a formality.

First-Class and Special-Class loans, however, required personal review by the leadership.

The man now saw the two application forms as well. He carefully read through the information.

”A Third-Class for Chen Zichuan is no problem, but this student, Lin Qi... he has some decent potential.”

”It’s very rare to see someone improve their grade ranking to enter the top 50.”

The female colleague shook her head, firm in her decision.

”I don’t think so. Even with such rapid improvement, he’s still only in the top fifty of his grade.”

”Besides, he didn’t improve before, he didn’t improve later, but he just happens to improve right when it’s time to apply? He was probably hiding his strength.”

”According to the rules, I’m not passing him for Second-Class. He gets a Third-Class.”

Although what the female colleague said made some sense, the male colleague subconsciously felt that this Lin Qi truly had Talent.

But according to the regulations, approving him for a Third-Class was also perfectly acceptable. ’Do more, make more mistakes. Do nothing, make no mistakes.’

Thinking this, he said no more and marked down the result for the application.

A moment later, in another private office, the supervisor, a stout and slightly paunchy middle-aged man, was busy at work.

He glanced briefly at the application results before stamping them with his approval seal.

...

The third year of high school passed quickly; a week went by in a flash.

Upon entering the Elite class, many students felt an intense pressure.

Especially in Martial Arts, every student was a top performer in their previous class. The fiercely competitive atmosphere pushed many to work even harder.

「Noon that day, after lunch」

Lin Qi was in Jiangtao’s Martial Arts Room, a spacious 200-square-meter area.

The floor was covered with soft mats, and the walls were fitted with a wardrobe, a weapon chest, a folding bed, a water dispenser, and more.

There was also a private bathroom and a washing machine. Living here would be no problem at all.

After lunch was supposed to be a time for rest and a nap.

But now, some people were even using their nap time to practice Martial Arts.

Lin Qi and Jiangtao had originally thought the same, but after seeing Chen Zichuan still training in the Martial Arts Classroom at noon, they decided to join the ranks of the non-nappers.

Their training sessions went from three times a day to four.

”HAAAH~”

After about ten minutes of stance training, Lin Qi stood up, took a Qi and Blood Capsule, and then began to wield his Long Spear.

’The mantra: Mountain Collapse has its method, the spear’s force is like thunder, its power shatters a thousand jun, fierce and fearless.’

’The Mountain Shattering Spear Technique should have the momentum of a thunderbolt and possess immense power. When executing it, one must have a fierce and fearless aura.’

Lin Qi planted himself in a solid horse stance, his eyes focused and resolute. He brandished the Long Spear, creating a WHOOSHING sound as the tip glinted with a cold light.

With a powerful shake of the Long Spear, the shaft shot forward like a bolt of lightning.

Lin Qi repeated the techniques of the Mountain Shattering Spear Technique over and over, the key points of the Spear Technique surfacing in his mind.

’Vortex Break, Sky Jumping, Horizontal Block, Rapid Advance... ’

He didn’t know how many times he had practiced. His arms began to ache and tremble, but his Spear Technique grew more proficient.

At the same time, his entire body grew hot as his Qi Blood surged, opening up the joints throughout his body.

[Through arduous training, your Qi and Blood Value has increased. Qi and Blood Value +0.1]

[Through continuous training, your proficiency with the has increased. Spear Technique +6%]

[Through continuous training, your Body Technique has improved. Body Technique +8%]

[Qi and Blood Value: 6.4 → 6.5]

[Spear Technique: Tier One 71% → 77%]

[Body Technique: Tier One 60% → 68%]

...

”HAAAH~”

Lin Qi relaxed his stance, sighing with emotion as he looked at the data on his panel.

He had progressed at lightning speed in just one week.

His Qi and Blood Value had increased by a full 0.3.

His Spear Technique had shot up from 60% to the current 77%.

His Body Technique had also improved by about 10%.

The rate of his progress was terrifyingly fast.

’Instructor Zhang City said that for a period of time after you first learn a Black Iron Level Secret Manual, your Realm improves the fastest. The better your foundation, the faster the improvement.’

’Once this period passes, the speed will slow down. I’m really feeling that rapid improvement now.’

Lin Qi put down his Long Spear. Waves of pain shot through his hands. His calloused palms were now covered in bloody gashes.

Improving his Spear Technique didn’t come without a price. The long hours of training had once again torn the skin on his palms.

With practiced ease, Lin Qi washed his hands and then took out an ointment to apply to his palms.

”HISS...”

The stinging pain made his face twitch slightly. Finally, he wrapped his hands in bandages and waited for them to heal on their own.

”Brother Qi, this week has been exhausting, but it feels like the improvements have been huge, too.”

Jiangtao had also just finished training. He sat nearby, wiping away sweat and drinking an energy drink, the strong smell of his sweat filling the space.

”Instructor Zhang City is definitely better than ’No-Virtue.’ Not only is he a strong teacher, but he’s also willing to give us pointers.”

Lin Qi nodded. In just one week, they had gotten to know Zhang City a little.

As expected of a Martial Arts Instructor for the Elite class, his teaching ability was truly impressive.

”Alright, it’s time to get to class. Remember to drink some coffee, or you’ll get drowsy.”

Lin Qi reminded him as he dragged his exhausted body to go wash up before heading to class.

...