Chapter 214: Shocked Mu Hong
「Nighttime. The Azure Sky Sixth Institute’s dormitory area.」
WHOOSH!!
Amidst gusts of fierce wind, a small, ghost-blue aircraft streaked across the sky, leaving a faint trail.
It slowly landed in the empty plaza in front of the dorms. With a RUMBLE, the cabin door opened, and two figures emerged one after the other.
Li Qing, who had a scholarly air and refined, handsome features, stretched and took a deep breath. "We’re finally back," he said. "The Otherworld is no place for humans. Nothing beats being on Blue Star."
Beside him stood the tall and heroic Wang Zixuan, a Metal Cylinder containing her Weapon strapped to her back. She brushed her hair aside and said slowly, "The Otherworld may be dangerous, but whether it’s the three-times gravity or the hazardous environment, it provides a huge boost to our Martial Arts strength."
"You two go back and get some rest!"
Another figure stepped out. It was Mu Hong, dressed in black combat attire and sporting a beard.
"See you tomorrow, Teacher!"
"See you tomorrow!"
The three of them went their separate ways, heading back to their respective villas.
Mu Hong bid farewell to the pilot and, carrying a black backpack, headed toward his own villa. His thoughts, however, were on his youngest disciple, Lin Qi.
’I left Azure Sky Martial Arts Academy for the Otherworld and missed Lin Qi’s freshman tournament.’
’With Lin Qi’s Talent and strength, he should have placed in the top three in this year’s tournament.’
He had immense faith in Lin Qi. Anyone who had personally witnessed Lin Qi’s progress would feel the same.
After returning to his luxurious private villa, he began to check for recent news.
After sitting down on the sofa, he asked the black metal sphere floating before him, "Who are the top three in this year’s freshman competition?"
"The top three on this year’s freshman team leaderboards are: the Sixth Institute, the First Institute, and the Ninth Institute!" the intelligent lifeform replied.
"Wait a second..." He froze. ’First place was who? The Azure Sky Sixth Institute?’
"The top four in the individual competition are: Lin Qi, Huo Wanyang, Ao Feng, and Duan Chuchu..." the intelligent lifeform continued without stopping.
Mu Hong: ...
He fell silent, utterly stunned.
...
Meanwhile, Li Qing and Wang Zixuan, having returned to their own villas, also received the news about Lin Qi.
"Junior Brother Lin Qi took first place in the individual competition?"
"You’ve got to be kidding me, right?"
Both of them were instantly shocked. ’Is this still our Junior Brother?’
...
「The next day, the summer weather was scorching hot.」
Class One of the Azure Sky Sixth Institute didn’t have an 8 A.M. class.
Inside a spacious and clean living room in a luxurious villa.
Guo Yi, a woman with short hair, refined and heroic features, and a lovely beauty mark under her eye, asked with a smile, "Aheng, are you feeling discouraged because there are too many geniuses at Azure Sky Martial Arts Academy?"
Guo Heng, sitting on the opposite sofa, nodded and gripped the black Gravity Ring on his wrist. "I used to be very confident in my own Talent," he said with a wry smile. "I believed I could rank in the top three in all of Cang Province."
"But then Brother Qi and Taozi showed up, and they made me doubt my own Talent."
"Now that I’m at Azure Sky Martial Arts Academy, geniuses are a dime a dozen. Across all Nine Great Academies, I can’t even break into the top thirty."
After he finished speaking, Guo Yi pushed a metal box toward him.
"Sis, what’s this...?" Guo Heng asked, pointing at the metal box in confusion.
"You were just saying you don’t think your Talent is good enough, right?"
"You can improve your Martial Arts Talent by training desperately or by forcing it up with massive resources. But Comprehension... if your Comprehension is poor, it’s just poor. It’s incredibly difficult to improve."
"This is for you," Guo Yi said with a smile.
GULP.
Guo Heng swallowed hard and curiously opened the metal box. Inside was a single vial of a deep blue Potion with a hint of purple.
"This is..."
"It’s a Soul Potion. It can improve a Martial Artist’s Comprehension, even if they’re already a genius," Guo Yi explained.
"A Soul Potion?" Guo Heng’s eyes widened.
"This is too valuable! I remember hearing that a single vial costs an astronomical price." Guo Heng immediately shook his head, refusing it.
Guo Yi laughed. "You should worry about yourself."
"I’m a genius who’s Awakened a Special Ability. My ability to earn money is far beyond your imagination."
"Just hurry up, take it, and improve your strength!"
"Even people in our Tenth Institute now know about Lin Qi from your institute."
"Although many arrogant geniuses still look down on him, they still talk about him in their daily conversations."
"I’ve never seen them discuss geniuses from other institutes before."
"You have to work harder!"
HUFF.
"I understand!"
Guo Heng took a deep breath, nodded, and accepted the Soul Potion.
He knew he couldn’t compare to Lin Qi, but he didn’t want to be left behind. He even wanted to gradually close the distance between them.
Seeing this, Guo Yi smiled.
She had once worried that her little brother would become complacent because of his talented older sister, but it seemed Guo Heng was much stronger than she had imagined.
He was now exceptionally diligent. As his older sister, she had to help him out.
...
「Afternoon. The Azure Sky Sixth Institute’s academic building.」
"Brother Qi, we’re off to cultivate!"
Lin Qi said goodbye to Jiangtao and the others, then took the elevator to the top floor.
He stepped out of the elevator and approached a metal door, which opened automatically. Beyond it was the same minimalist office and the spacious Martial Arts Room next to it.
Three familiar figures were looking at him.
"Junior Brother, long time no see!" Li Qing was the first to speak, a smile on his face.
"Teacher, Senior Brother, Senior Sister, long time no see!" Lin Qi also smiled.
Each of the three was holding a box of a different size.
"This is a congratulatory gift for you. Congratulations on leading the Sixth Institute to victory in the team competition, and for defeating Huo Wanyang to win the individual championship."
Li Qing pressed a black metal box into Lin Qi’s hands.
Next were Senior Sister Wang Zixuan and Teacher Mu Hong, who had also prepared gifts.
"Thank you!!" Lin Qi said gratefully.
"You really gave us a huge surprise, Lin Qi."
"You made history! This is the first time someone from our Sixth Institute has ever won the freshman competition," Li Qing said, his voice filled with excitement.
Wang Zixuan also spoke up with a smile, "Future freshmen will probably all know your story."
Lin Qi shook his head. "That’s an exaggeration."
Mu Hong also spoke. "Lin Qi, you truly exceeded our expectations."
"I hope you continue to work hard from now on."
Lin Qi nodded. "I understand!"
"Now then, class is in session!" Mu Hong said, his expression turning serious again.
Lin Qi set the gifts aside and took out a Training Lance.
"Lin Qi," Mu Hong asked suddenly, "I can see your Qi Blood is abundant. You must have broken through to the Third Realm, haven’t you?"
Lin Qi nodded. "Your eyes are sharp, Teacher. I just broke through to the Third Realm yesterday."
Beside them, Li Qing’s eyes widened. "Already?"
"Last year, it took me two months after school started to reach Perfection in my Cultivation Technique and break through to the Third Realm."
Wang Zixuan was also surprised. "I was about the same, maybe two weeks ahead of you."
Lin Qi’s rate of progress was even faster than they had imagined.
Mu Hong was also secretly astonished. This disciple of his was progressing at an unexpectedly fast rate. When he first sensed Lin Qi’s aura, he thought he was hallucinating.
"Since you’ve already broken through to the Third Realm, I will give you a proper explanation of the Third Realm of Martial Arts: Skin Refining."
Mu Hong organized his thoughts and began to speak slowly.
Lin Qi began to listen intently.
...