Red Dome Martial Arts Dojo, the Hall Master’s office on the top floor.

BEEP!

A massive screen materialized in the air. A burly, imposing man leaned back in a smart-chair.

The green-tinted screen clearly displayed the battle between Lin Qi and Fan Yong.

’So this is the Lin Qi that Zhang City was talking about. He’s using the Mountain Shattering Spear Technique. At first glance, there doesn’t seem to be anything special about it.’

’His Spear Technique hasn’t even broken through to Tier Two. Trying to face a Second Realm Heavy Mountain Saber Technique... he probably won’t be able to break through the defense.’

’That Saber Technique excels at defensive counter-attacks. The moment it finds an opening, the fight will be over in a single strike.’

’If Lin Qi can’t win this, he won’t be getting a B-level Contract from our Red Dome Martial Arts Dojo.’

Yue Feng shook his head and continued to watch.

A moment later, his eyes suddenly narrowed.

"Hm?"

SWOOSH!

He suddenly sat bolt upright and watched intently, because the situation on the battlefield had undergone a massive change.

...

「In the Red Realm Arena」

On the Songbai Middle School side, someone remarked with a relaxed smile, "Looks like the first match is about to end."

The others also smiled easily when they heard this.

"Liang Kai, why are you frowning? Don’t you have faith in Fan Yong?" someone asked.

"It’s hard to say," Liang Kai said, shaking his head.

Just as another person was about to say something more, the battle on the field changed drastically, capturing everyone’s attention.

On the arena floor...

CLANG! CLANG!

The long spear and the great-saber clashed, a collision of force. Fan Yong once again defended against Lin Qi’s long spear.

But the smile was gone from Fan Yong’s face. His expression was grim. He could only feel a terrifying force transferring into his arms, hammering him relentlessly.

It made his arms go numb and throb with pain, growing heavier and heavier.

’What’s with this Lin Qi? How is his strength even greater than mine?’

’Does he have limitless stamina?’

Anxiety began to gnaw at Fan Yong. His physique was formidable and he possessed incredible endurance, but now he had the unnerving feeling that Lin Qi might just wear him down to death.

’I have to counter-attack!’

His eyes locked onto Lin Qi’s Spear Technique, searching for a flaw.

’There!’

Fan Yong’s eyes lit up. He abruptly put forth his strength, his body erupting in an instant as every muscle seemed to detonate like dynamite.

His blood surged, Qi Blood flowing to every corner of his body. A wave of power flooded his arms, veins bulging as his entire body turned crimson.

He drew upon the momentum of a mountain cleave, focusing his entire body’s strength into the tip of his saber before unleashing a sudden slash.

The flash of his saber cut through the air like lightning, carrying the weight of a collapsing mountain.

The second Killing Technique of the Heavy Mountain Saber Technique—Mountain-Breaking Slash!

At that critical moment, the corners of Lin Qi’s mouth lifted slightly.

’He finally took the bait!’

He took a step back to create distance, his veins popping as endless power surged into his arms, erupting with his full strength.

A sharp light seemed to flash in his eyes. His aura flared, like a fierce tiger emerging from the mountains.

The long spear in his hand shot out like a bolt of lightning, piercing the air and arriving in an instant.

Piercing Point!

CLANG!

The spear tip glinted coldly, its piercing point landing precisely on the great-saber as Fan Yong executed his Killing Technique.

All of its force was released through that single point.

In an instant, Fan Yong’s fierce aura stagnated. His saber-work grew sluggish, and his body stumbled back two steps involuntarily.

’My Killing Technique was broken?’

Fan Yong was stunned.

’Now!’

Lin Qi seized the fleeting opportunity. He dropped his hips, his legs rooting themselves to the ground. Once he had gathered his momentum, his power converged to its peak.

He exploded forward. Lin Qi poured his immense, crushing power into the long spear. His Qi Blood boiled, his muscles activated, and his strength surged.

The spear’s momentum was like a thunderbolt, striking out with unstoppable force.

The spear tip came crashing down like Mount Tai, as if it could shatter peaks and sunder the earth.

The second Killing Technique of the Mountain Shattering Spear Technique—Mountain-Shattering Slash!

’Not good!’

Fan Yong panicked. A greatspear appeared before him, bearing down with unrivaled momentum in a heavy slash.

He immediately swung his saber to block.

BAM!

The weapons collided. In an instant, Fan Yong’s face twisted in pain as a terrifying force transmitted into his arms.

CRACK!

BANG!

An excruciating pain shot through his arms. Muscles tore and bones broke. The battle saber flew from his grasp and slammed onto the ground.

The spear tip glinted before his eyes, radiating a cold, killing intent.

SPURT!

Lin Qi put force into his arm, thrusting the long spear forward. It brutally pierced through Fan Yong’s chest, sending a spray of blood into the air.

’It’s over!’

Fan Yong coughed up blood, his arms hanging limply at his sides. His expression was blank.

"It’s over, you clown," Lin Qi said.

After Lin Qi spoke, Fan Yong dissolved into nothingness, dissipating into the air.

[The first battle has concluded. Tianhai No. 2 Middle School’s Lin Qi is the victor!]

An intelligent female voice announced the final result in the air.

「In the Songbai Middle School spectator area」

Fan Yong’s figure reappeared. His expression was still dazed.

"I lost??"

The shock to his system was suppressed by his unwillingness to accept defeat. His mind was entirely consumed by the image of Lin Qi’s final spear thrust.

"What happened? Fan Yong actually lost."

"What happened in those last two seconds?" someone asked, completely bewildered.

"Fan Yong lost. That Lin Qi is no simple character!" the top-ranked student in their grade suddenly spoke up.

She was a beautiful, tall girl with short hair and a cold demeanor.

"That Lin Qi is very strong. He just baited him with a simple opening, and Fan Yong fell for it. He was defeated by a combo."

"It seems this Tianhai No. 2 Middle School isn’t weak. We can’t be careless," Cao Bin said with a solemn expression.

Fan Yong was by no means weak, and he even specialized in defensive counter-attacks, yet he was defeated so easily.

That Lin Qi was a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

Liang Kai patted Fan Yong’s shoulder comfortingly.

"Don’t worry about it. I already lost to this Lin Qi yesterday in the Red Realm."

"So that’s how it is!"

Hearing this, Fan Yong instantly relaxed. It didn’t seem to sting so much anymore.

...

「In the Virtual Room」

The rest of the class was in an uproar.

"Holy crap, Lin Qi actually won."

"That Fan Yong was ridiculously strong. I didn’t think anyone could break his defense, but he lost just like that."

"That’s because Lin Qi is too strong!"

"Didn’t you see those last two spear moves from Lin Qi? Each one was more difficult than the last. His timing was perfect, and his hands were so steady!" someone exclaimed in admiration.

Everyone looked over and saw that the speaker was actually Qiu Jie, which felt a bit strange.

Qiu Jie gazed at Lin Qi on the arena screen, his heart filled with nothing but amazement.

As a fellow spear practitioner, it was only as a spectator that he could truly appreciate just how powerful Lin Qi was.

’There’s no shame in losing to him.’

...

「Red Dome Martial Arts Dojo」

"What a kid! Incredible Psychological Quality, sharp intuition, and fundamentals as solid as a rock!"

"His future is limitless!"

Yue Feng watched Lin Qi’s upright figure on the screen, growing more and more fond of him. He admired that unique temperament.

As a Seventh Realm High-level Martial Artist, he saw far more in the fight than anyone else.

’I can confirm he’s a true genius, the kind of genius our Red Dome Martial Arts Dojo needs.’

The corners of Yue Feng’s mouth lifted into a slight smile as he took out his smartphone and made a call.

"Manager Sun, start trying to contact Lin Qi. Invite him to the Red Dome Martial Arts Dojo for a visit to discuss a contract."

"What kind of contract?"

"A B-level Contract, of course!"

...

「Red Realm Arena」

Lin Qi returned to the spectator seats with a calm expression, greeted by Jiangtao, who was shaking his head in ceaseless amazement.

"Brother Qi, you’re so damn awesome!"

"I’m positive I’m not your opponent anymore."

"That Fan Yong from Songbai Middle School... he had no idea how strong you really are."

Lin Qi shook his head and said,

"It was just luck. I’m no match for you!"

From a short distance away, Li Zhou spoke up in praise,

"Lin Qi, you’re too humble. You’re very strong. We should spar sometime if we get the chance."

"Alright," Lin Qi nodded. He could feel Li Zhou’s goodwill.

This was his first time interacting with Li Zhou, someone he had once looked up to.

And all of this was thanks to his newfound strength.

At this point, others also began to offer their congratulations, but Yu Jing remained aloof, saying nothing.

"Alright, the exchange tournament has just begun. Lin Qi has gotten us off to a good start. The rest of you, try to ride this momentum and keep winning," Zhang City spoke up.

...