High Martial Arts: Grinding for the Supreme Talent

Chapter 48: Chapter 48: The Top 10’s Challenge

「Two more days passed.」

This morning, a few minutes before Martial Arts class, the Elite class was uncharacteristically full; everyone had already arrived in the classroom.

”What’s going on today? Teacher Zhang said he had something important to announce and told everyone to be here.”

A group of students chatted idly in the classroom, and the conversation eventually drifted to contracts.

”Li Zhou still hasn’t signed an A-level Contract. I heard the Three Great Martial Arts Dojos want to see his performance in the midterm assessment.”

”Right now, in all of Celestial Sea City, you can count the number of people who can sign an A-level Contract on one hand.”

”Whoa, it’s that strict? Li Zhou is so strong, and he still doesn’t qualify?” the crowd exclaimed in amazement.

The strictness of the A-level Contracts gave everyone a sobering reality check.

”Jiangtao, why haven’t you signed a contract yet?”

As Jiangtao was taking a break to drink some water, a figure suddenly appeared beside him and asked curiously.

It was a boy around 185 centimeters tall, with lean muscles and handsome features.

His movements were fluid and graceful, his feet as swift as the wind as he suddenly materialized next to Jiangtao.

He was the tenth-ranked student in their grade, Qiu Jie, nicknamed ”Sudden Rain Spear.”

”I’m waiting for Brother Qi. When he signs, I’ll sign,” Jiangtao said, looking at Lin Qi not far away.

Qiu Jie shook his head. ”I just don’t get it. Why do you call Lin Qi ’Brother Qi’? He’s not even as strong as you.”

”On what grounds?”

”By that logic, you might as well call me Brother Qiu, or Brother Jie.” Qiu Jie finished with a laugh.

Jiangtao’s expression instantly darkened. ”What I call him is none of your damn business. Get lost!”

”Alright, alright, don’t be mad. It was just a joke.” Qiu Jie held up his hands in a placating gesture and, finding the interaction dull, walked away.

”Don’t be angry.” Lin Qi walked over and patted Jiangtao’s shoulder comfortingly.

”That Qiu Jie, I really want to rip his mouth off. To think he’d try to drive a wedge between us,” Jiangtao sneered.

Lin Qi watched Qiu Jie’s retreating back, his eyes narrowing.

DRING! DRING! DRING!

Just then, the class bell rang, and Zhang City’s burly figure entered the classroom with the powerful stride of a tiger.

His gaze swept over everyone, lingering on the top ten students like Li Zhou, Yu Jing, and Qi Yuelin.

”I’ve gathered you all here today to announce something.”

Zhang City’s voice was sonorous and his expression was serious. Everyone knew a major announcement was coming.

”Every year in November, the major high schools in Celestial Sea City hold a Martial Arts exchange tournament to spar and improve their skills.”

”But this year is different. Your opponents have been changed to the top high schools from Bailu City.”

The moment they heard this, the students burst into an uproar.

”We actually have to compete? Do we have to participate?”

”It has nothing to do with us, right? The exchange tournaments are always a PK between the strongest students from each school,” the students murmured amongst themselves.

”The rules for the exchange tournament are as follows: each school will send out ten people to compete in individual matches. The school with the most wins will be victorious,” Zhang City continued, explaining the rules.

”These ten people will represent our school, and Celestial Sea City, in the battle against Bailu City.”

”And this time, the exchange tournament will be held in the Red Realm Arena. The rest of you can log in to the official website on your phones to watch.”

”Of course, participants who fight for our school and Celestial Sea City will receive cash rewards for their victories.”

As soon as Zhang City said this, many people’s eyes lit up.

Lin Qi was no exception; he desperately needed money.

’Unfortunately, I probably won’t make it onto the ten-person roster.’

Lin Qi felt a pang of regret.

”The names I’m about to call out will be the roster for this competition,” Zhang City announced, dropping one piece of information after another.

The students’ anticipation instantly skyrocketed.

”First, Li Zhou!” Zhang City called out.

The corners of Li Zhou’s mouth tilted up slightly, his eyes revealing his excitement.

”Second, Yu Jing.”

Yu Jing lifted his head and rolled his neck.

”Third, Qi Yuelin.”

Qi Yuelin’s expression didn’t change.

”...”

”Seventh, Jiangtao!”

Hearing his name, Jiangtao rubbed his hands together. ”Brother Qi, looks like I might be going in alone this time.”

Lin Qi shook his head.

”He’s just calling out the top ten in the grade,” the students discussed in low voices.

Qiu Jie also smiled, puffing out his chest as he waited for his name to be called. Fighting for the school was his unshirkable duty.

”Tenth, Lin Qi!” Zhang City announced the final name, then looked toward Lin Qi.

Lin Qi: ”?”

The crowd: ”?”

Qiu Jie froze on the spot, petrified.

”Did I hear that right? Who? Lin Qi?” someone said, dumbfounded.

Many in the class were stunned, their gazes turning to Lin Qi in the corner, including the top-ten students like Li Zhou, Yu Jing, and Qi Yuelin.

Lin Qi was also a bit confused as to why he had been chosen.

”Hell yeah, Brother Qi! We can fight side-by-side again!” Jiangtao ignored everyone else, slinging an arm around Lin Qi with a grin.

At that, everyone turned to look at the Martial Arts Instructor, Zhang City.

”Does anyone object to this roster?” Zhang City asked.

The words had barely left his mouth when someone in the crowd eagerly raised their hand.

”I do!”

Qiu Jie stepped forward, his face full of defiance. ”Teacher Zhang, I refuse to accept this!”

”Lin Qi is only ranked 18th in the grade! On what grounds does he get to be on the roster? Shouldn’t it be me?”

Zhang City’s expression darkened, and a terrifying aura emanated from him as he spoke:

”Are you questioning my decision?”

Qiu Jie felt as if a mountain was crushing him, making it difficult to breathe.

”I wouldn’t dare!” he said, lowering his head.

Zhang City scanned the room, taking in everyone’s expressions. Then, he retracted his aura and broke into a grin.

”I know some of you don’t understand. Very well. Lin Qi, Qiu Jie, you two will have a match.”

”Whoever wins takes the last spot.”

”For the sake of absolute fairness, you can go to the Virtual Room. That way, you can go all out without any restrictions on your Qi and Blood Value or physical attributes.”

With that, he was the first to leave the classroom and head for the Virtual Room, with Qiu Jie following right behind him.

The curious students all followed in a great, bustling crowd.

A moment later, all 50 students of the class had gathered in the Virtual Room, surrounding Lin Qi and Qiu Jie.

”You two will enter the Red Realm Arena, select duel mode, and enable spectator mode,” Zhang City said from the side.

Qiu Jie glared at Lin Qi resentfully before entering a Virtual Cabin.

”Brother Qi, take that guy Qiu Jie down. I know you can do it,” Jiangtao said, his eyes firm with conviction.

”I will,” Lin Qi said, exhaling.

He also began to enter a Virtual Cabin and log into the Red Realm.

Nearby, Zhang City operated the projection device, displaying a massive screen in front of everyone.

On it, in a vast, empty arena, two spear-wielding figures appeared—one in black, one in blue.

「In the Red Realm」

Lin Qi had changed into a black Combat Suit and was holding a Black Great Spear.

Across from him, Qiu Jie had donned a blue Combat Suit, a white Long Spear resting on his shoulder.

”Teacher Zhang must be blind to let you steal my spot.”

”On what grounds do you deserve it?”

”Let me teach you how a long spear is really used. Within ten moves, I’ll run you through the heart with this spear in my hands.”

Qiu Jie looked at Lin Qi with a sneer, his eyes filled with mockery.

”Just a clown,” Lin Qi said, his eyes cold.

”No amount of tough talk can change the huge gap in our strength.”

[Duel is about to begin!]

[3... 2... 1...]

[The match has officially begun!]

As an intelligent female voice made the announcement, Qiu Jie’s figure flashed, and he eagerly brandished his long spear, charging forward.

His footwork was agile, swift and nimble like a cheetah, and he seemed to dissolve into an afterimage.

WHOOSH—

Lin Qi also shot out like a bolt of lightning. With a flick of his wrist, the spear in his hand began to hum.

A fierce wind howled, accompanying the whistle of his spear.

The battle between the two was about to erupt.

...