Chapter 42: The Classification of Geniuses (Requesting Follow Reads)

Jiang Tao and Lin Qi were also extremely curious; their families were ordinary, even poor, and online information was hard to distinguish as true or false.

So they needed someone trustworthy to explain it to them.

Zhang Cheng operated his smartwatch, projecting a large screen filled with images and text, then organized his words:

“After the annual Tianhai monthly exam, major martial arts academies will gradually sign contracts with talented students from each school.”

“These contracts are not talent loans.”

“A talent loan is essentially a loan—you spend money now and must repay it later, though without interest.”

“But a martial arts academy contract is an investment: they give you money upfront to enhance your strength, so you can later earn profits within the academy.”

Everyone nodded; this matched what they understood—no one disliked contracts; all longed for better ones.

Zhang Cheng continued: “Our Xia Nation has countless martial arts academies, all backed by major conglomerates.”

Over the next few days, they will gradually approach you for contract negotiations.

“The strength of martial arts academies varies; ordinary ones offer contracts with some money, but many restrictions and limited support—poor value for money.”

“These suit only students with average talent.”

“As students in the elite class, your goal is the three top-tier martial arts academies.”

“Chi Qiong, Hei Yao, Zhong Ming—the three top-tier academies were each founded by Xia Nation’s Nine-Domain Title-Level martial artists. They possess wealth rivaling nations, supreme martial power, and immense authority.”

“Signing with these three academies means not only freer contracts and higher signing bonuses, but also better benefits.”

“So any talented student with ambition won’t refuse a contract from these three academies.” Zhang Cheng smiled as he said this.

The onlookers’ hearts quickened; signing with the three top academies meant a brilliant future.

“But not everyone here can sign with the three top-tier academies.”

“I recall last year, only thirty students succeeded.” Zhang Cheng doused their enthusiasm.

Many instantly felt their hopes drain.

“I’m ranked thirty-seventh—does that mean I can’t sign with the top three academies?” someone sighed.

Several others looked grim; their ranks were all below thirtieth.

“Of course, you’re all more outstanding than last year’s class—there may be more signing slots available.” Zhang Cheng offered rare words of comfort.

“The three top-tier academies classify talent into seven tiers: from lowest D-tier to highest SSS-tier.”

“S-tier, SS-tier, and SSS-tier are irrelevant to you—they’re reserved for talents who awakened special abilities.”

Special abilities?

The group’s expressions turned complex; Lin Qi felt the same—such talents existed only in news reports, impossibly distant from them.

“The tiers relevant to you are A, B, C, and D.”

“Even the lowest D-tier contract offers hundreds of thousands in cash and precious resources.”

“Signing with an academy is a long process; if you work hard and improve your rank, you can still secure a contract—or even upgrade it.”

“Ding ling ling!”

“Alright, class is over—dismissed!”

Seeing the bell had rung, Zhang Cheng dismissed everyone, packed his things, and turned to leave the martial arts classroom.

As the students packed up, they began chatting excitedly.

A group headed toward the cafeteria, discussing contracts:

“I doubt I can land a D-tier contract.”

“Who in our class do you think can get an A-tier contract? I heard only a tiny few qualify.” someone asked curiously.

“Li Zhou has the best chance; Yu Jing and Qi Yuelin might too; everyone else is lucky to get a B-tier.” someone said.

Others agreed.

Second floor of the cafeteria

Lin Qi sat down with a plate piled high like a small mountain and ate heartily.

“Qi Ge, which academy are you planning to sign with?”

Across from him, Jiang Tao asked after a few bites.

Lin Qi shook his head: “I don’t know—it depends on how negotiations go and what the contract terms are.”

Jiang Tao nodded eagerly: “I think I’ll be lucky to get a B-tier contract—A-tier is out of the question.”

“Even a B-tier contract means several million Xia Nation coins—I won’t lack money for my final year of high school.”

“But Qi Ge, wherever you sign, I’ll sign there too.” Jiang Tao added finally.

“Alright!” Lin Qi didn’t refuse.

……

Evening self-study, principal’s office

“Old Jiang, what’s so urgent you dragged me here? I was hoping to rest.”

Zhang Cheng walked in, complained, and plopped onto the sofa.

“Teacher Yan, you’re here too?” Yan Hong sat across from Zhang Cheng; Jiang Zhiguang’s gaze shifted from the projected table.

“Three students need applications to upgrade their talent loans—I need your opinion, Old Zhang.”

“Who?” Zhang Cheng asked, sipping tea.

“Jiang Tao applied for Special-Class Talent Loan.”

“Lin Qi applied for First-Class Talent Loan!”

“Chen Zichuan applied for First-Class Talent Loan!”

Jiang Zhiguang finished, watching Zhang Cheng and Yan Hong’s reactions.

“Those three?” Zhang Cheng’s eyes flickered.

After a moment, he grinned: “Their talent is excellent—no problem approving their applications.”

“But!”

“But what?” Jiang Zhiguang asked.

!

“I think Lin Qi’s application should be changed—he should apply for First-Class Talent Loan.”

“No, I suggest applying directly for Special-Class Talent Loan.” Zhang Cheng spoke seriously.

Jiang Zhiguang froze: “That’s even more extreme than Yan Hong’s suggestion—is Lin Qi really that highly regarded?”

Yan Hong spoke: “Lin Qi rose seventeen ranks in this monthly exam—his talent is far beyond that.”

Zhang Cheng added: “I don’t understand academics, but in martial arts class, his comprehension far exceeds everyone else’s.”

“I guarantee, by the mid-term exam, his rank will surge again.”

“Agreed!” Yan Hong nodded.

Jiang Zhiguang nodded after hearing them: “I understand—I’ll submit the Special-Class Talent Loan application. Whether it passes depends on luck.”

After the two left

Jiang Zhiguang quickly processed the documents and submitted all three applications.

After submitting, he opened Lin Qi’s file, reviewing his scores and family background.

“Lin Qi—interesting. In three months, he rose from over one hundredth place to eighteenth in the grade—unbelievably fast.”

“Is it slow accumulation finally breaking through—or did he finally awaken?”

Jiang Zhiguang murmured to himself, automatically watering the potted plant.

“Huh? It’s sprouted?”

Jiang Zhiguang was delighted—the brown soil now held a faint green shoot.

……

Rongshan Community, Lin residence, living room

“Dad, I ranked eighteenth in the monthly exam, and in the Starlight Event…”

Lin Qi, via video call, showed his father Lin Zhen the good news.

Lin Zhen was stunned—how quickly had his son entered the top twenty?

After shock, his smile couldn’t be contained: “That’s my son!!”

“Dad, how are you doing at the Linhai Base?”

Lin Qi asked.

“Haha, I’m fine—just busy, but I’m earning way more than before.” Lin Zhen laughed heartily.

“...”

Minutes later, Lin Qi handed the phone to his mother, Fang Huiyi, then went to wash up.

When he returned, Fang Huiyi had ended the call.

Lin Qi took several boxes from his room and placed them on the table:

“Mom, I forgot to give you these during the call.”

“These are some supplements I bought—they’re good for your health.”

Fang Huiyi smiled and shook her head as she took them: “You’re spending money recklessly again.”

As she opened them, her expression changed slightly.

“These are the Lotus Set—each box costs twenty thousand. Too expensive.”

“Mom, I’m not short on money now—I can afford these supplements.” Lin Qi reassured her.

“Alright,” Fang Huiyi accepted them.

“Mom, I’m grown up now. I want to know how much money we owe.”

Lin Qi’s expression turned serious as he looked into his mother Fang Huiyi’s eyes and asked.

……

(End of Chapter)