High Martial Arts: Grinding for the Supreme Talent

Chapter 148: Chapter 148: Do You Need Help?

[Points Chart]

[1st Place: Chen Li, Points: 658]

[2nd Place: Wang Qiufeng, Points: 645]

[3rd Place: Lin Qi, Points: 642]

[4th Place: Zhou Xiyin, Points: 602]

...

[7th Place: Guo Heng, Points: 543]

...

[10th Place: Li Zhou, Points: 518]

Lin Qi scanned the list, a smile playing on his lips. He was surprised to see he’d climbed to third place on the Points Chart without realizing it.

”Wang Qiufeng, Chen Li, I hope you guys can kill a few more Calamity Beasts. It’ll be no fun if I reach the top too easily.”

Lin Qi turned and walked toward a nearby supply point.

...

At that moment, in a supply point, Wang Qiufeng was covered in blood, his hair a mess, his face slick with sweat and etched with exhaustion. He was chugging a sports drink to recover his stamina.

His Adam’s apple bobbed as he frantically gulped down the liquid.

He looked at the 1st and 3rd place names on the Points Chart, a confused expression on his face.

’How did Chen Li do it? My pace for hunting Calamity Beasts hasn’t been slow at all.’

’He actually managed to surpass me. Isn’t he tired?’

’And Lin Qi... his points are climbing way too fast. He’s about to catch up to me.’

’No way. I have to take first place.’

Wang Qiufeng gritted his teeth, feeling a sense of urgency. He was eager to go hunt Calamity Beasts again.

But as soon as he stood up, his face twisted in pain. He felt utterly exhausted, his body heavy, and every muscle screamed as if it were about to give out.

After several consecutive hours of hunting, his body was already completely spent.

It couldn’t support him hunting any longer. A single careless mistake could cost him his life.

...

In another safe supply point, Chen Li swaggered out, a Black Heavy Sword slung over his shoulder, and opened the Points Chart.

When he saw Wang Qiufeng in 2nd place and Lin Qi in 3rd, a smile spread across his face.

”Looks like everyone’s out of stamina.”

”Next, I’m going to hunt a Third-Level Calamity Beast. The gap between us is only going to get wider.”

”I’ll dominate the chart until the very end!”

With that, he took off, sprinting into the distance like a lion on the savanna.

...

In the large conference room, everyone was deep in discussion.

”Lin Qi’s starting to make his move up the Points Chart.”

”He’s climbing so fast! His points are rising at an insane rate!”

”Just how many Calamity Beasts has he killed? The ground is littered with corpses,” someone said, their eyes wide as they stared at the screen.

”Lin Qi has reached 3rd place, and he’s getting very close to Wang Qiufeng and Chen Li,” someone else laughed.

”It’s been over five hours since the combat training started. Most of them are exhausted and can’t fight anymore.”

”Look at Wang Qiufeng. His speed is clearly not as agile as it was before.”

”But Chen Li and Lin Qi are a bit strange. Their condition doesn’t seem to be affected much,” someone said with a puzzled frown.

In the section for Azure Sky Martial Arts Academy, Dean Big Ear’s attention was focused on Lin Qi’s screen.

”This kid is truly tireless. He’s been on a killing spree for two hours straight.”

”I wonder if he has a shot at first place.”

Suddenly, his gaze sharpened, and he looked at the screen with a confused expression.

”Is that... a Gravity Ring?”

His eyes widened. On the live feed, Lin Qi, now in a supply point, took off his outer jacket and slowly removed two black Gravity Rings from his arms and legs, dropping them to the ground with a heavy thud.

’Are those really Gravity Rings??’

Dean Big Ear was inwardly shocked. ’Could it be that Lin Qi has been hunting Calamity Beasts with Gravity Rings on this whole time?’

’How does he dare?’

’Isn’t he afraid it’ll affect his efficiency in hunting Calamity Beasts?’

’Isn’t he afraid of running out of stamina?’

Dean Big Ear thought to himself, but as he looked back at Lin Qi on the screen, a smile appeared on his face.

’I’m starting to like this kid!’

...

At the same time, the others also noticed this.

”What did Lin Qi just take off?”

”Those are Gravity Rings! Unbelievable! He’s actually been hunting Calamity Beasts while wearing them this whole time!” someone exclaimed.

Everyone’s expression changed. They looked at the image of Lin Qi, horrified. ’What kind of monster is he? Is his body made of iron?’

They all turned their eyes to the live feed, wanting to see what he would do next.

...

「Ruins Town, in a safe supply point in Area 2.」

THUD! THUD!!

With two heavy thuds, the Gravity Rings slammed onto the ground, making it tremble slightly.

Lin Qi used a towel to wipe the blood from his body and stretched his joints.

’Without the Gravity Rings, my whole body feels so much lighter.’

Lin Qi let out a long sigh.

Lin Qi picked up a sports drink and chugged it down, then ate several portions of compressed food.

Finally, after a trip to the restroom, he picked up his Black Great Spear and left the supply point once more.

On the abandoned concrete ground, Lin Qi opened the Points Chart and saw he was still in third place.

’I’m a little tired, but it’s still manageable.’

’Time to aim for first place. The only way is to hunt a Third-Level Calamity Beast.’

Lin Qi stretched his body. A warmth spread through his stomach as his stamina rapidly recovered.

His Talents, [Stomach Enhancement] and [Dragon Energy and Tiger Fierceness], were taking effect.

He checked the time. There was less than an hour left, which was more than enough for him.

His eyes shining, he looked into the distance, kicked off the ground, and shot forward like a bolt of Lightning, brandishing his Black Great Spear.

...

「A few minutes later.」

In a certain spot in Area 2, the shattered concrete road gave way to the yellow sand and gravel beneath. Sand swirled with a RUSTLING sound amidst the surrounding ruins.

”AWOOO~”

The smell of blood filled the air, accompanied by the sound of something being torn apart and eaten.

BANG!!

CLANG~~

Zhou Xiyin frowned. Her movements were agile as she swung the sharp Longsword in her hand, but an intense wave of exhaustion washed over her.

It greatly affected her speed, slowing her down.

’If I were at my peak, I could definitely kill this beast.’

BANG!!

Her Longsword clashed with a sharp claw, sending a shower of sparks flying. A powerful force slammed into her, and Zhou Xiyin’s tall figure was sent flying.

She crashed heavily onto the ground, and the intense pain made her body go rigid.

’Damn it... Should I call for rescue?’ Zhou Xiyin gritted her teeth, feeling like she couldn’t hold on any longer.

”AWOOO~”

Her opponent padded slowly forward, ready to launch its final predatory strike at any moment.

”You look like you could use some help.”

Suddenly, a figure appeared not far away, dressed in a black Combat Suit, holding a Black Great Spear, his expression cold.

Zhou Xiyin recognized the newcomer as Lin Qi, and her heart leaped with joy.

Lin Qi stood his ground. Across from him, a massive form slowly materialized in the swirling yellow sand.

Its nearly six-foot-tall body stood like a small mountain. It was powerfully built, with muscles that looked like they were forged from iron, brimming with explosive power.

The fur on its spine was especially hard, like steel needles, and ran all the way to its tail, glinting with a metallic sheen in the sunlight.

Its massive maw was filled with interlocking sharp teeth, from which red blood dripped. Its eerie green eyes shone with ferocity and cunning.

It emanated the terrifying aura of a predator.

A Third-Level Calamity Beast—the Gray Ridge Giant Wolf.

’Finally, a Gray Ridge Giant Wolf again.’

’A Third-Level Calamity Beast... I wonder if I can handle it now.’

Zhou Xiyin’s beautiful eyes narrowed as she called out a worried reminder, ”Be careful! The Gray Ridge Giant Wolf is a Third-Level Calamity Beast. Don’t be reckless.”

Lin Qi said calmly, ”Do I look that weak?”

”AWOOO~”

The words had barely left his mouth when the Gray Ridge Giant Wolf’s powerful hind legs coiled and launched it forward like an arrow released from a bow. Its massive, nearly two-meter-long body lunged with immense force, its cavernous mouth wide open, revealing its sharp fangs.

”Watch out!” Zhou Xiyin shouted.

Lin Qi’s gaze was like a torch. With a flick of the Great Spear in his hand, he stepped forward and charged, his spear striking like a dragon.

The Black Great Spear shot out like a black Flood Dragon, immense power concentrating at its tip as it thrust straight for the wolf’s mouth.

CLANG~~

In that instant, the Great Spear collided with the wolf’s fangs, kicking up a shower of sparks.

’So fast!’

Lin Qi was inwardly amazed. ’As expected of a Third-Level Calamity Beast. Even with its large size, its speed isn’t slow at all. On the contrary, it’s exceptionally agile.’

’It’s even a great deal faster than the Top Level of Second-Level Calamity Beasts, the Fierce Tiger Dog.’

’A few months ago, I would have been no match for it at all.’

...