Chapter 105

Having made his decision, Lin Qi no longer hesitated and quickly clicked to purchase the Golden Gang Tiger Evolution Art.

The price of this cultivation art was 4.8 million Xiaguo currency, extremely expensive.

Lin Qi noticed the annotation below and clicked to reveal additional notes stating that the copyright of this art belonged to Chiqiong Martial Arts Gym.

Looking at the Golden Monkey Evolution Art, the annotation below indicated it belonged to Heiyao Martial Arts Gym—he was a contracted prodigy of Chiqiong Martial Arts Gym.

If he chose to purchase this art, the price would be multiplied by 1.5, requiring 7.35 million Xiaguo currency—too expensive; Lin Qi simply could not afford it with his current wealth.

“No wonder Uncle Yue said I wouldn’t regret joining Chiqiong Martial Arts Gym—it was because of this.”

Lin Qi scanned through the list and found that over half of the arts belonged to Chiqiong Martial Arts Gym.

As the martial arts gym founded by the world’s strongest warrior, Jin Di, it possessed the deepest reserves, evident from the sheer number of copyrighted arts.

【Purchase Golden Gang Tiger Evolution Art? Yes/No?】

【Yes】

Lin Qi clicked confirm!

【Mr. Lin Qi, as an A-rank prodigy, you are eligible for a 25% discount.】

【You possess 1 million credits, which can offset one million Xiaguo currency.】

【You only need to pay 2.6 million Xiaguo currency.】

Lin Qi smiled—credits were meant for purchasing secret arts, usable as currency—and swiftly clicked to pay.

He placed his hand on the projected screen.

【Fingerprint verification successful!】

【Payment successful!】

【Mr. Lin Qi, your art will arrive within a day. The instructional video has been saved to your personal center—please review carefully.】

Lin Qi looked at the information on the screen, then down at his phone message.

After deducting 2.6 million Xiaguo currency, his remaining balance was only a few ten thousand.

“Thank goodness for the 1.5 million reward from the gym—otherwise I wouldn’t have had enough to buy resources.”

Lin Qi frowned; the art was much cheaper than he’d expected.

But his money was now gone.

In the future, he would still need to purchase new gun technique manuals.

“So Uncle Yue’s reward is crucial—I must rank in the top ten province-wide in next semester’s monthly exam.”

“At the very least, it’ll be cash.”

Lin Qi thought to himself.

Not only Uncle Yue’s reward—he also needed to secure an S-class contract for more money.

He was truly short on funds.

So he still needed greater strength.

“Huh~”

Lin Qi exhaled a long breath; now he just had to wait until tomorrow, when the art arrived, to begin cultivation.

…

Martial Year 2046, January 18

The threat of Beast Tide continued to rise, becoming a hot topic in every household.

As a direct participant, Lin Qi’s family was constantly questioned whenever they dined with friends, leaving the three of them exhausted.

Afternoon, Chiqiong Martial Arts Gym.

Virtual Room lounge.

“Ah Heng, you’re finally here!” Jiang Tao clapped Guo Heng on the shoulder warmly.

After disappearing for several days, Guo Heng finally reappeared; when asked, he shook his head:

“My sister was assassinated—two days ago.”

“Assassinated!” Jiang Tao stared in shock.

But Lin Qi remained calm—he clearly already knew.

“Lin Qi, aren’t you surprised?” Guo Heng asked.

“Uncle Yue told me the reason,” Lin Qi explained.

“Ah Heng, did you hear about this?” Jiang Tao recounted the Beast Tide incident at the square again.

Guo Heng listened, eyes wide, absorbing the information.

Looking at Lin Qi before him, his expression grew complex—how had you become this powerful in just a few days?

Was he about to surpass him?

Guo Heng instantly felt intense pressure—if he was surpassed, he’d be humiliated.

After a few more words, he hurried off to return to his martial arts chamber for cultivation.

He sat cross-legged, adjusted his breathing, assumed the Five Points Toward Heaven posture, and closed his eyes.

Moments later, countless light points flooded into his body from all around. An hour later, he suddenly opened his eyes—his gaze bright, his aura surging.

“Cultivating a source-energy art really is different.”

Guo Heng stood, clenched his fists, feeling the abundant source-energy within, his blood and qi churning and rising rapidly.

“Cultivating source-energy arts requires visualization—you must visualize the Beast. I spent two full days just to fully visualize the Golden Gang Tiger.”

“I wonder how long Lin Qi will need.” Guo Heng murmured.

He felt intense pressure emanating from Lin Qi.

Add to that his sister’s assassination.

His sense of crisis grew daily—he had to work harder to grow stronger.

“Fifth in the city? That’s no longer enough.”

“I want to break into the top ten province-wide—no, top five. I’ll aim for top five.”

“I’ll get an S-class contract too!”

!

“My sister was right—if you don’t push yourself, how can you unlock all your potential?”

Guo Heng’s expression hardened further.

…

Meanwhile, outside the Chiqiong Martial Arts Gym entrance.

“Mr. Lin Qi, your package!”

Before Lin Qi stood a tall, burly man in red, wearing a hat and mask, radiating formidable energy, handing him a black metal box.

Lin Qi extended his palm onto the black metal box.

A red light scanned his hand.

“Beep!”

The next instant, the red light turned green.

“Signature confirmed, Mr. Lin Qi!”

“Thank you!”

Lin Qi accepted the box, bowed in thanks, and turned back toward Chiqiong Martial Arts Gym.

Room B123. Lin Qi entered, changed into his martial arts uniform.

Carefully opened the metal box.

“Beep!”

The black metal box split cleanly in half, its walls automatically opening to reveal its contents.

Within a red-and-white groove rested an irregular, jet-black prism stone, gleaming with deep luster.

“Master, this is the Heiyao Stone storing the Divine Intent Map.”

“Top martial artists imprint the Beast’s Divine Intent Map into the Heiyao Stone using their spiritual power.”

“Once activated by thought, it triggers the Divine Intent Map for visualization.”

Xiao Chan, clad in blue, long hair flowing, projected forth to explain.

Lin Qi nodded—he had reviewed all the materials yesterday.

“The most critical element in source-energy arts is the Divine Intent Map. Without it, attempting visualization using only the art alone increases difficulty tenfold.”

Lin Qi drained his specially brewed Pu’er tea.

Once fully calmed, he sat cross-legged.

“Xiao Chan, play the instructional video!”

“Yes, Master!”

Xiao Chan raised her arm and opened the instructional video in Lin Qi’s personal center of Chiqiong Home.

Instantly, a large screen projected before Lin Qi.

On it sat an elderly man in loose white martial arts robes, his hair white, legs crossed, surrounded by a garden filled with birdsong, flowers, and lush greenery.

Yet his posture was upright, his eyes sharp and piercing—as if ready to strike down enemies at any moment.

“Source-energy arts enable one to absorb source-energy,” the white-robed elder began speaking directly, subtitles appearing beneath the video.

“Originally, humans could only sense the ambient source-energy through specific breathing rhythms, calming their minds.”

The white-robed elder spoke methodically.

Lin Qi watched and memorized in silence.

……

(End of Chapter)