High Martial Arts: Grinding for the Supreme Talent

Chapter 78: Chapter 78: Final Assessment

”I remember clearly, during the mid-term assessment, Lin Qi only had a Qi and Blood Value of 9.2!”

”It’s only been a month, and he’s already at 9.9? That’s way too fast!”

The crowd was stunned. Lin Qi’s rate of progress was absurdly fast, getting more and more ridiculous each time, with absolutely no sign of slowing down.

Jiangtao’s eyes widened. ”Holy crap, Brother Qi’s Qi and Blood Value is almost higher than mine.”

An incredibly ugly look crossed Yu Jing’s face. ”That guy actually caught up?!”

Qi Yuelin blinked her pretty eyes, her gaze filled with astonishment.

Li Zhou grinned. ”He’s really given everyone a surprise.”

Zhang City took a deep breath, shaking his head in amazement. ”Unbelievable!”

As everyone watched Lin Qi calmly walk down, he seemed to tower over them, radiating an intimidating, awe-inspiring aura that kept them at a distance.

”Taozi, get ready. You’re up next!”

Lin Qi patted Jiangtao’s shoulder.

Jiangtao shook his head with a wry smile. ”I really thought I could surpass you. Looks like I was too naive.”

”Brother Qi, you’re a beast now!”

”Then you’d better step it up!” Lin Qi teased.

”Next, Jiangtao!”

”Candidate Jiangtao, Qi and Blood Value: 9.98!”

”Not bad!” Zhang City nodded.

Someone lowered their head, feeling inadequate. ’Jiangtao is improving fast, too. He’s about to break through to the Second Realm. Why is everyone progressing so quickly? It makes my own progress seem insignificant.’

Looking at his own Qi and Blood Value, Jiangtao finally regained some confidence, stretched his joints, and walked down.

Lin Qi gave him a thumbs-up. Jiangtao’s rate of progress was nothing to scoff at, either.

”Candidate Qi Yuelin, Qi and Blood Value: 9.99!”

”Candidate Yu Jing, Qi and Blood Value: 9.99!”

Yu Jing’s expression soured. He was stuck at 9.99, and now Lin Qi and Jiangtao were hot on his heels.

The corner of Zhang City’s mouth quirked up. As he had expected, both Qi Yuelin and Yu Jing were stuck at a Qi and Blood Value of 9.99.

”Next, Li Zhou!”

Li Zhou strode out under the watchful eyes of the crowd. He was powerfully built, with broad shoulders and a thick waist, moving like an upright bear.

The aura he exuded had also grown much stronger.

”Li Zhou already broke through to the Second Realm. He can use a Cultivation Technique to absorb Source Energy. I wonder what his Qi and Blood Value is now?” someone mused.

Lin Qi watched with curiosity as well.

Li Zhou grinned, then gripped the metal arm and abruptly unleashed his power.

In an instant, his muscles swelled and bulged, veins popping on his skin as a powerful aura erupted from him.

It was as if an invisible wave of energy radiated outward, and a white vapor seemed to rise from the surface of his skin.

In that instant, Lin Qi felt a profound sense of danger. ’This person is much stronger than I am.’

BEEP!

After the infrared scan, data appeared on the electronic screen.

”Candidate Li Zhou, Qi and Blood Value: 12.33!”

”12.33!”

”Am I seeing things? An increase of 2.3 in less than a month? That’s insane!” someone exclaimed in shock.

”So that’s how powerful a Cultivation Technique is! I need to break through to the Second Realm and start practicing one right away.” Jiangtao’s eyes widened in amazement.

Lin Qi was stunned as well. ’So practicing a Cultivation Technique increases your Qi and Blood Value that quickly?’

Everyone was both shocked and fired up.

Seeing everyone’s reaction, a smug grin spread across Li Zhou’s face; he was inwardly gloating.

He was especially delighted to see the dark expression on Yu Jing’s face.

Just then, Zhang City stepped forward and surveyed the crowd. ’This Qi and Blood assessment has already brought plenty of surprises,’ he thought. ’I wonder if the Martial Arts assessment will bring even more.’

”Now, I hereby declare the Qi and Blood assessment officially over.”

”Next, everyone will follow me to the Virtual Room for the Martial Arts assessment.”

Lin Qi clapped Jiangtao on the shoulder.

”Remember our bet.”

”You can go ahead and make that barbecue reservation now!”

Jiangtao shook his head. ”I haven’t forgotten, but Brother Qi, don’t think you’ve got this in the bag.”

A smile played on Lin Qi’s lips, but he offered no rebuttal, simply following the others to the Virtual Room.

「Twenty minutes later.」

”Alright, next group. Lin Qi, Yu Peng, Jiangtao, Zhu Yuqi, Qi Yuelin, Yu Jing, and Li Zhou. You seven, head inside for the assessment.”

Zhang City announced, holding up a tablet.

Lin Qi and Jiangtao exchanged a glance, then each entered a Virtual Cabin and logged into the Red Realm.

”I wonder how good Li Zhou’s Martial Arts are. Think he can score 900 points?” someone asked.

”Shouldn’t be a problem. Li Zhou was stuck at a 9.99 Qi and Blood Value for over a month, so he focused entirely on his Martial Arts. He might’ve had a huge breakthrough.”

...

「Red Realm — Personal Space.」

[Candidate: Lin Qi]

[Admission Number: ...]

[Martial Art: ”Mountain Shattering Spear Technique”]

[Begin Final Assessment?]

Lin Qi clicked ”Yes.” The next second, the world shifted around him, and he was instantly transported to the assessment room.

He stood his ground, taking in the familiar environment. After selecting the Black Great Spear, a familiar white figure materialized across from him.

The number ”9” on its chest stood out starkly.

”Long time no see!”

Lin Qi assumed a Middle Level Spear stance, a slight smile on his face as he calmly awaited the start of the assessment.

[Assessment Task: Defeat Assessor ”9”!]

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

[Assessment Begins!]

An emotionless, synthesized female voice echoed from the ceiling.

SWOOSH!

The Assessor brandished its Silver Spear, feet stomping heavily against the ground as it lunged forward to attack.

The Assessor was tall and powerfully built. Its long spear moved like a great dragon, charging with terrifying might.

Unleashing the Mountain Shattering Spear Technique, the spear’s momentum was immense, its power fierce and overbearing.

The long spear came chopping down like a war axe.

In response, Lin Qi stood his ground, sinking his waist and rooting his feet to the earth.

In the blink of an eye, the Assessor was upon him.

He executed a two-handed spear technique, sweeping the shaft horizontally like a solid stone wall to protect himself.

Rock Spear Technique—Rock Firmly Standing!

CLANG!

As the great spears collided, the sheer force made the air crackle.

Lin Qi was forced back, unable to stop his retreat. He slammed the butt of his spear into the ground, dispelling the force of the impact.

After taking several steps back, the Assessor charged forward once more, its great spear thrusting out with the force of a collapsing mountain.

Beng Ci!

Lin Qi continued to brandish his spear, wielding the long spear with rock-like stability, its shaft forming a solid barrier.

He met the Assessor’s fierce and overbearing attacks with a steady, calculated defense.

CLANG! CLANG!

CRASH!!

Sparks flew as their weapons clashed, but Lin Qi managed to block every one of the Assessor’s strikes.

Each swing of his spear perfectly blocked the Assessor’s crushing blows.

As Lin Qi continuously deflected the force of the blows, he thought to himself,

’This Assessor 9... its Spear Technique Realm is simply too high.’

’During the mid-term assessment, I was completely unable to fight back against it.’

’It’s really difficult to beat it using only the Mountain Shattering Spear Technique.’

He wasn’t the Assessor’s match in a direct confrontation, which was why Lin Qi had switched to the Rock Spear Technique.

It was a spear technique that excelled at defense, allowing him to search for an opening to counter-attack.

...

「In another assessment room.」

CLANG!

CLANG!

Two burly figures clashed violently. One silver, one black, both swinging sharp war axes in a brutal chop.

Their collision stirred up gusts of fierce wind with every chop of their war axes.

Li Zhou swung his war axe as if smashing down a giant gate.

His opponent, Assessor ”9”, was just as burly and imposing. It also wielded a war axe, its power incomparably fierce as it executed the exact same Axe Technique.

”I lost to you last time. There’s no way I’m losing again.”

Li Zhou grinned as the full force of his power erupted, a terrifying aura radiating from his body.

’In all of No. 2 Middle School, who else but me can defeat Assessor 9?’

”Fall!”

With that, he charged forward like a giant bear. The sharp war axe in his hand sliced through the air, accompanied by a piercing whistle.

Gale Axe Technique, First Form—Heavy Slash!

...