Chapter 375: New Goal and Jin Gang Fist (Happy New Year

Everyone felt the aura emanating from Chu Yu and were secretly startled.

Especially Han Zhen, who could sense that Chu Yu had also awakened the 【Crimson Flame】.

But compared to him, he himself was like a firefly beside the bright moon—no comparison at all.

His aura was too strong; just speaking made him the center of attention.

Pei Jiu sighed inwardly: Just as Wan Ming had said, Chu Yu was about to break through to the Sixth Realm—Bone Marrow Cultivation.

His momentum was overwhelming, suppressing everyone present.

After saying just a few words, Chu Yu logged off.

Meanwhile, on the leaders' spectator seats.

"I never expected that after awakening, Lin Qi would be this powerful—stronger than I imagined."

The middle-aged man with a gentle demeanor spoke; he was the Dean of the First Academy, deeply surprised by Lin Qi's performance.

Vice Principal Xu Wen commented:

"With such strength right after awakening, once he fully masters it, Lin Qi's power will surge even further."

"He might even become the strongest SS-class prodigy—perhaps even reach the Ninth Realm."

At that moment, the principal, Li Li Qifeng, with white hair and a commanding aura, slowly spoke in praise:

"Excellent!"

"Lin Qi is a promising talent—I see echoes of my own past in him."

"He must be nurtured well!"

With that, he dissolved into nothingness and logged off.

Others were also taken aback; Li Li Qifeng rarely praised anyone—he had impossibly high standards.

Yet he held such high regard for Lin Qi.

Xue Zhou, Dean Liu, and Mu Hong all smiled.

If Tian Dao Li Li Qifeng approves, Lin Qi's future is assured.

…

Lin Qi also chose to log off.

He stepped out of the virtual pod, golden patterns flickering across his skin, appearing and vanishing.

He felt the Jin Feng force within him; his battle with Yu Yu Zhuoran had granted him profound gains.

His control over the special ability 【Jin Feng】 had improved slightly, but it was still terrible.

"Terrible" meant compared to Yu Yu Zhuoran—it was like taming a horse.

Yu Yu Zhuoran and his kind could already ride and control their steeds; Lin Qi could barely imagine mounting one, let alone guiding it.

His control was far too weak, especially his protective shield—it shattered with a single strike.

He needed stronger control.

"I need to find someone to teach me the Five Elements Fist—to improve my control."

Lin Qi thought to himself.

As for physical conditioning, Yu Yu Zhuoran was far beyond him.

Had he not wanted to further experience the clash of special abilities, he could have pierced him through with a single spear thrust.

No matter how strong his control over his ability became, it could not bridge that gap.

"Zzzzz!"

His phone vibrated; he pulled it out and unlocked it.

He had been added by Wan Ming to a new WeChat group.

【35th Cohort Ten Academy Group (20)】

【Wan Ming: Welcome, Brother Qi, to the group】

【Pei Jiu: Welcome】

【Xia Sister Lian: Welcome+1】

【……】

【Lin Qi: Hello everyone!】

Lin Qi sent a greeting; everyone replied, except Shen Shen Zhenzhen, Xiang Long, and the reclusive Yu Yu Zhuoran.

【Chu Yu: Lin Qi, your strength is impressive. Let's spar sometime. 😊】

【Lin Qi: Sure!】

【Wan Ming: …】

Lin Qi stared at the name Chu Yu, puzzled.

He checked the member list: twenty people. Besides the fourteen awakened prodigies, four were academy leaders—like Teacher Wang and Vice Principal Xu Wen.

Who was this person?

"Ding!"

At that moment, Wan Ming sent him a private message.

【Wan Ming: Chu Yu is the only SSS-class prodigy in our 35th cohort—no, in the entire 1.5 million martial arts university students this year.】

Lin Qi understood—it was an SSS-class prodigy. But why had he never seen him on campus?

【Wan Ming: Chu Yu trained in another realm the whole time—he just returned this summer.】

Lin Qi was stunned—he'd trained in another realm for only a month and his blood value surged dramatically.

If he trained continuously for months, how strong would he be?

【Wan Ming: Chu Yu skipped grades—he's only eighteen.】

【They say when he entered school, he was already near the Fourth Realm. Now he's at the peak of the Fifth Realm, just one step from the Sixth.】

【When he spars with you, be ready to be one-shot.】

Lin Qi exhaled a long breath—peak Fifth Realm.

One year younger than him, yet one major realm higher—he was the true top-tier prodigy.

Compared to him, Lin Qi's apparent talent and potential seemed slightly inferior.

But a fire ignited in his heart—he now had a goal to chase.

Set the target, then surpass him. Simple as that.

Guo Heng, Li Zhou, Wang Wang Qiufeng, Huo Hao Wanyang, Yu Yu Zhuoran—all had been surpassed by him.

Chu Yu's appearance was perfectly timed—his next target was clear.

…

At noon, the Cangqiong Shanyu Wuda official website

announced the official awakening of the 35th cohort's Cangqiong Six Academy students, certifying them as SS-class prodigies.

Sharp-eyed students spotted the news and reposted it to the Cangqiong Forum.

The forum instantly exploded with activity.

"No way—Lin Qi awakened?"

"He beat an SS-class prodigy before awakening—now that he has, who can stand against him?"

"Is this the legendary Senior Lin Qi? Didn't expect him to awaken at nineteen—so inspiring."

"I'm eighteen—maybe I can awaken too."

Fellow students from the same cohort were stunned, feeling Lin Qi was rapidly pulling away from them.

They could barely see his exhaust fumes anymore.

In the afternoon,

the Cangqiong Six Academy's second-year students held a small meeting in Cangjing Building.

Lin Qi sat among them; others asked about his awakening experience, and he answered each question.

"I need to work harder."

Jiang Tao, seeing Lin Qi awaken, felt a sharp sense of crisis.

He and Lin Qi were close brothers—they did everything together. He had already decided to follow Lin Qi's path forever.

But Lin Qi kept growing stronger—if Jiang Tao didn't push himself, the gap would widen until he was left behind.

Jiang Jiang Miaoyin felt the same; after just one day at Cangqiong Shanyu Wuda, she had clearly sensed Lin Qi's strength.

With her talent, to keep up with Lin Qi, she had to work—work—work even harder.

During the meeting, Lin Qi gave a brief speech.

Though he had awakened, he remained the head of the Cangqiong Six Academy.

That meant, as long as he was there, the Cangqiong Six Academy would stay number one.

So everyone remained calm.

Next semester, the meeting would be canceled entirely—classes would start directly after the semester began.

Half an hour later, the meeting ended and everyone dispersed.

Lin Qi went to the top-floor martial chamber.

Inside, Mu Hong in black robes, Senior Li Qing, and Senior Wang Wang Zhixuan were already present.

Also present was a burly man radiating powerful energy.

"Little brother, congratulations on your awakening!"

Senior Li Qing grinned and clapped Lin Qi on the shoulder in greeting.

Wang Wang Zhixuan smiled proudly and said:

"Little brother, you've now completely surpassed me."

Her realm has already broken through to the Fifth Realm, Organ Cultivation, and her spear technique is still at the Third Stage's peak.

But she's unlikely to be a match for Little Brother Lin Qi anymore.

He possesses a special ability—defeating me would be effortless.

She wasn't disappointed; instead, she felt pride.

Mu Hong, in his black robe, also smiled, a rare expression.

"Lin Qi, you're now the first among my students to awaken!"

Li Qing pointed at the burly man and laughed: "Little brother, let me introduce you!"

"Senior Brother, our Master's first disciple—Liang Tai!"

"Senior Brother isn't the head of the academy, but he's an S-class genius."

"He's now a Fifth Realm peak martial artist!"

"Last year, during his senior year, he went straight into internship."

The burly man, with a rugged yet kind face, grinned warmly and extended his hand:

"Little brother, I've heard so much about you from Li Qing and Wang Zhixuan—I'm finally meeting you."

"Senior Brother!"

Lin Qi also smiled and reached out; Liang Tai's frame was massive, his shoulders broad, his muscles like chiseled granite, unnaturally hard.

Several claw marks were even visible on his arms.

As they shook hands, Lin Qi felt the immense power in Liang Tai's arms.

Liang Tai sighed:

"I never thought I'd have an SS-class genius as a junior brother."

"Little brother, if you ever have questions, find me anytime."

Liang Tai slapped his chest firmly and said cheerfully.

After a brief catch-up, Master Mu Hong spoke:

"Liang Tai and I previously fought together in the Beijiang Province, at the Black Dragon Base."

"Now that the situation in Beijiang has stabilized, we've returned," Liang Tai added. "The future will only grow worse—we need greater strength."

"Every bit of power you gain increases your chance of survival on the battlefield."

"Last year, 8,000 of our senior-year students went to the battlefield."

"But now, after a year, over a hundred of our classmates have died on the battlefield."

"That's twenty more than the year before, and forty more than two years ago."

"Each year, more die—just from the numbers, you can see how dire the situation has become."

The three nodded. Cangqiong Shanyu Wuda was already the strongest academy in Xia Guo—every student here was a top-tier genius.

Yet over a hundred died each year—imagine how many perished at other schools.

Mu Hong nodded. There was one thing he didn't say: the situation on Blue Star was already good—the other world's environment was far worse.

More martial artists died there, but the news never reached Blue Star.

!

He would need to settle in school for a while before heading to the other world's battlefield.

Mu Hong snapped back to attention and looked at the four slowly:

"Enough idle talk."

"Ask me any questions you have."

"Liang Tai, you go first!"

Liang Tai nodded and spoke: "Master, I've broken through to Fourth Stage spear technique and have grasped its realm."

"But every step forward has become harder…"

He voiced his doubt—about the realm of Fourth Stage spear technique.

Wang Wang Zhixuan and Lin Qi listened closely.

After Liang Tai finished, it was Wang Wang Zhixuan's turn, then Li Qing, and finally Lin Qi.

Lin Qi spoke slowly:

"Master, I have no major questions about spear technique."

"I've just awakened—I know little about special abilities and how to control them. I hope you'll guide me."

Mu Hong in his black robe nodded and looked at the other three:

"Today, I'll explain special abilities."

"Listen carefully—when you reach the Seventh Realm, your body completes a great cycle and automatically awakens your own special ability."

Liang Tai, Wang Wang Zhixuan, and Li Qing nodded.

Though they knew the types of special abilities by heart, they didn't know how to cultivate them.

Mu Hong operated his smart wristwatch, projecting a green screen filled with illustrated data.

He pointed at the screen and began:

"Human martial artists can awaken eleven major categories of special abilities: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth, Wind, Lightning, Spirit, Time, Space!"

"Of these, nine—excluding Time and Space—are most common. After awakening, we must learn how to master them."

"Over decades, Blue Star has developed the Five Elements Fist techniques for these nine."

"Called Five Elements Fist, but it actually contains nine separate fist arts."

Mu Hong pointed at the screen, where nine fist techniques appeared.

"In high school, we train the Five Forms Fist and choose one to forge our body and control our physical strength."

"The same applies to awakened geniuses."

"But unlike the Five Forms Fist we practice."

"The Five Elements Fist includes: Blazing Fire Fist, Flowing Water Fist, Ten Thousand Trees Fist, Diamond Fist, Solid Rock Fist, Mind Intent Fist, Long Juanfeng Fist, Lightning Fist, Frost Ice Fist."

"Each fist art corresponds to a specific special ability."

As Mu Hong spoke, green patterns bloomed across his body, and invisible winds released from him.

Lin Qi and the other three were startled—they felt surrounded by a gale, as if they might be swept away.

Mu Hong continued:

"When I broke through to the Seventh Realm, I awakened the special ability 【Long Juanfeng】. I trained the Long Juanfeng Fist."

"This fist art not only forges the body and controls physical strength, but also governs the special ability."

"Special abilities are like wild horses—you must tame them to wield them as if they were your own limbs."

"Whoosh, whoosh~"

As he spoke, he raised his hand, and fierce winds suddenly erupted throughout the martial arts chamber.

The winds gathered in his palm, forming a miniature tornado.

Four pairs of eyes watched the swirling vortex, sensing its astonishing power.

If unleashed, the tornado would instantly swell and tear all four of them into fragments.

Mu Hong dispersed the tornado in his hand; the fierce winds faded. He continued:

"But unlike the free Five Forms Fist, the Five Elements Fist costs money."

Senior Brother Li Qing added:

"I know—Five Elements Fist is hard to master, created specifically for awakened geniuses, and requires massive funds to learn."

Mu Hong nodded: "Due to copyright restrictions, you must purchase the Five Elements Fist before I can teach it to you."

Lin Qi was stunned—he'd assumed the Five Forms Fist was free.

Now he learned it cost money.

After a short while, the lesson ended and everyone dispersed.

As Lin Qi was leaving, Mu Hong called out:

"Lin Qi, once you purchase the Five Elements Fist, it contains detailed cultivation methods."

Lin Qi nodded: "Thank you, Master."

Mu Hong nodded: "If you have questions, ask me anytime."

…

Half an hour later

Lin Qi returned to his villa and entered the martial arts chamber.

"Xiao Chan, open Chi Qiong Home!"

"Yes, Master!"

The black-haired Xiao Chan projected a green screen; Chi Qiong Home opened.

Lin Qi quickly searched for the Five Elements Fist. Moments later, it appeared before him.

【《Five Elements Fist · Blazing Fire Fist》, Rating: ★★★★★, Type: Fist Technique Scripture, Price: 50 million Xia Guo Credits, Note: Payable in 12 installments】

…

【《Five Elements Fist · Long Juanfeng Fist》, Rating: ★★★★★, Type: Fist Technique Scripture, Price: 50 million Xia Guo Credits, Note: Payable in 12 installments.】

…

After reading it, Lin Qi paused in surprise.

It was more expensive than he imagined—the Five Elements Fist had been split into nine separate fist techniques, each sold individually.

Each set cost fifty million Xia National Currency; considering some awakened geniuses couldn't afford fifty million upfront.

It even kindly allowed installment payments.

He immediately chose to purchase the "Five Elements Fist: Diamond Fist."

【Due to your 40% discount, the total is thirty million Xia National Currency.】

【Fingerprint verification successful!】

【Payment successful!】

【The instructional video for "Five Elements Fist: Diamond Fist" has been added to your personal space.】

【The manual will be delivered to your door within twenty-four hours.】

After payment, Lin Qi blinked in surprise—there was an instructional video.

He immediately selected to open it; a large screen materialized before his eyes.

In the video was a burly, bald man with rugged features.

He slowly spoke:

"Diamond Fist was created specifically for warriors who have awakened metal affinity."

"The fist technique is divided into two volumes: the upper volume is easier, refining the body and controlling blood and qi."

"The lower volume is harder—it requires mastery of the upper volume to practice, and to control your special ability."

"Now, instruction on the upper volume begins!"

The burly man in the video began demonstrating the fist technique.

Lin Qi followed the man's movements on screen.

"The upper volume of Diamond Fist has six forms: Diamond Subduing Tiger, Diamond Supporting Heaven, Diamond Pressing Earth, Diamond Glaring Eyes, Diamond Cycle."

"First form: Diamond Subduing Tiger."

"Fist as hammer, force infused throughout the body, the strike like a tiger descending the mountain—unstoppable…"

"Huuu!!"

Lin Qi clenched his fist like a hammer and struck, adjusting his breath and controlling his muscles as the man instructed.

"Bang!!"

With one punch, blood and qi surged, flooding every corner of his body; his skin automatically grew warm.

Next came the second form, Diamond Supporting Heaven; Lin Qi shifted his fist technique.

One form followed another, blood and qi accelerating through his body, his entire frame unfolding, trembling, refining his flesh.

"Huuu~"

After completing the final form, Diamond Cycle, Lin Qi ended his stance, his body radiating heat, every part thoroughly trained.

Lin Qi's fist technique was already at Stage Three—he could perfectly control his muscles.

He mastered it after just one round.

"This fist technique is incredibly powerful!"

Lin Qi stared at the screen—Diamond Fist was harder than he expected, but its effects were even stronger.

If he kept practicing, it would surpass the Five Elements Fist, as if it were an upgraded version.

The upper volume was already this potent—what would the lower volume be like?

Lin Qi's eyes gleamed with anticipation; he followed along to begin practicing the lower volume.

"The lower volume of Diamond Fist is derived from the upper volume, with even greater difficulty."

As the burly man in the video spoke, his entire body glowed with golden light; golden patterns surfaced across his skin.

He radiated astonishing sharpness.

The burly man resumed his stance; golden energy, like liquid, swirled around his body.

Under his control, it slowly gathered into his fists.

……

(End of Chapter)