High Martial Arts: Grinding for the Supreme Talent

Chapter 414 -398: Lin Qi’s Ranking

The second-year rankings were about what he had guessed. The strongest were the SSS-level talents, followed by the SS-level talents, and finally the S-class talents.

Finally, his gaze turned to the overall rankings.

[1st Place: Shen Heng, Floor: 16]

[2nd Place: Lei Frost, Floor: 16]

[2nd Place: Zhang Tianyang, Floor: 16]

…

[15th Place: Chu Yu, Floor: 14]

…

[42nd Place: Lin Qi, Floor: 12]

…

[43rd Place: Wang Hailong, Floor: 12]

…

Lin Qi was a little surprised to see Wang Hailong ranked right behind him. ‘This first-year SSS-level talent is pretty impressive. He’s right on my tail.’

Wan Ming also looked at the overall rankings and remarked,

“Right now, the top spot on the overall rankings is held by Shen Heng, a fourth-year SSS-level talent.”

“The two behind him are both fourth-year SS-level talents. It’s insane, they’re all on Floor 16!”

“They might clear the whole thing soon.”

“I heard you have to break through to the Tier Four Late-stage Realm to get past Floor 16!”

Lin Qi nodded. ‘Tier Four Late-stage… that’s the level of a High Realm Martial Artist.’

Wan Ming spoke up again.

“I heard there were two SSS-level talents in the fourth year, but the other one already broke through to the Seventh Realm.”

“So they’re not part of the competition here at the Celestial Vault Institute.”

Lin Qi was astonished. “Broke through to the Seventh Realm right after starting his fourth year? That fast?”

Wan Ming sighed.

“Brother Qi, there are gaps even between SS-level talents.”

“Let alone SSS-level talents. The gaps between them are even wider.”

Lin Qi nodded. ‘There’s always someone better out there. Sometimes, the gap between talents is even greater.’

…

「A few minutes later, in the Martial Arts Room.」

[You fought a fierce battle with a Calamity Beast. Your mastery of the Mountain and River Spear Technique has increased significantly. Spear Technique +1%]

[You engaged in a life-or-death struggle with a Calamity Beast. Your comprehension of Body Technique has increased significantly. Body Technique +3%]

[Spear Technique: Tier Four 15% → Tier Four 16%]

[Body Technique: Tier Four 9% → Tier Four 12%]

…

Lin Qi stepped out of the Virtual Cabin. He looked at the data on his panel and nodded to himself.

‘This time in the Disaster Beast Trial Tower, all my hard work on my Body Technique finally paid off. It broke straight through to Tier Four and allowed me to comprehend the Thunder Shadow Realm.’

‘Today’s run in the Disaster Beast Trial Tower also showed me my approximate rank among the 181 people here.’

‘What I need to do next is work hard to surpass the opponents ranked ahead of me.’

“I should buy a new Body Technique Secret Manual.”

…

「Before he knew it, evening had arrived.」

In a large conference room on the top floor of the Celestial Dome Tower, a group of leaders—all Eighth Realm experts exuding terrifying auras—sat around a spacious, white, futuristic, circular conference table, watching a large projected screen.

Dean Liu, dressed in a white robe, pointed to the projected screen and began to speak.

“As of now, all 181 students have entered the Disaster Beast Trial Tower for their trial.”

“These are the rankings based on their performance.”

The carefree and unrestrained Xue Zhou said with a smile,

“Now that the rankings are out, seeing them will give everyone a sense of urgency.”

“It should bring out everyone’s potential.”

The other leaders also studied the rankings. Coming from the three top academies and the military, they paid close attention to how the students from their respective factions were faring.

One of them, a burly man in a dark green military uniform, spoke slowly.

“Isn’t relying solely on the Disaster Beast Trial Tower a bit one-dimensional? Besides Martial Arts, physical conditioning is also a crucial factor in a Martial Artist’s combat strength.”

The others nodded in agreement.

Liy Qifeng, who sat at the head of the table and had the most commanding presence, nodded.

“An excellent suggestion.”

“As Martial Artists, they do need to have their potential unlocked through combat.”

“We’ll work out the details for a live combat competition as soon as possible. Should we have separate competitions for each year? Or maybe we should have the talents from all four years participate together.”

Xue Zhou grinned. “A smaller version of the Global Martial Arts Tournament?”

The other leaders considered it. The idea seemed to have merit.

…

Meanwhile, throughout Star Residence, the talents in their various villas were also looking at the rankings from the Disaster Beast Trial Tower.

「In a top-level luxury villa for SSS-level talents.」

Chu Yu sat cross-legged in a spacious and bright Martial Arts Room, staring at the rankings projected before him.

“15th place. A little lower than I expected.”

“It seems Xia Country has plenty of experts. At least I won’t have to worry about a lack of opponents.”

“Still, Shen Heng in first place is truly on another level. It’ll be too difficult to surpass him.”

“My goal is second place.”

…

「In the villa next door.」

Inside another Martial Arts Room, Du Shanyan stood tall and straight. He had short hair, sharp, heroic features, and wore a white Martial Arts Uniform.

He glanced at the overall rankings, then at the second-year rankings.

‘Chu Yu really lives up to his name as an SSS-level talent from Azure Sky Martial Arts Academy. He’s stronger than me.’

‘Then there’s Lin Qi. A newly Awakened SS-level talent who charged straight to Floor 12. He’s another opponent who can’t be underestimated.’

‘If I’d stayed at the Xia Imperial Military Academy, I never would have realized the gap was this large.’

‘Only here, at the Celestial Vault Institute, can I grow this quickly.’

At this thought, Du Shanyan clenched his fists. He had to break through to the Seventh Realm and step onto the battlefield as soon as possible.

…

「In yet another villa.」

Wang Hailong, dressed in a blue robe, frowned at the projected rankings.

‘As expected of Lin Qi. He really is stronger than me!’

‘But it won’t be long before I surpass you!’

He looked at the overall rankings again, feeling how weak he was in comparison.

An intense sense of urgency compelled him to pick up his Long Spear and begin practicing the Vast Sea Gun Skill.

…

With the release of the first day’s rankings from the Disaster Beast Trial Tower, the competitive atmosphere throughout the Celestial Vault Institute grew incredibly intense.

Everyone wanted to climb the ranks and surpass the others.

Even the talents at the top of the rankings felt the pressure, as SSS-level talents were hot on their heels.

Meanwhile, at the entrance to Lin Qi’s villa, Dean Liu, dressed in his long robes, slowly walked in. A metallic sphere floated behind him, carrying a metal box.

He took a seat on the white sofa in the living room.

“Lin Qi, I’ve come today with some good news.”