Chapter 455: The Final Slot (Requesting Monthly Tickets)

【Countdown: …3, 2, 1】

【Main Round, Match 8 of Round 8—Commencing!】

Above the arena, the AI voice echoed through the audience seats.

Lin Qi and Winnie simultaneously activated their special abilities, their powerful auras exploding—combat was imminent.

Two minutes later

"Boom!"

Winnie, clad in green combat gear and tall and slender, was violently blasted backward, her battle sword flying from her grip.

The green plant armor covering her body was instantly pierced and shattered.

This was the armor she had condensed through her special ability, 【Ten Thousand Trees】.

Lin Qi watched her armor; the 【Ten Thousand Trees】 ability was peculiar, granting the awakened immense vitality and healing.

Minor wounds healed visibly before the eyes.

Even severe injuries could be mended within a short time.

But in combat performance, it enhanced less than other special abilities.

Yet if one possessed the special plant life 【Reng Teng】, its ability could cause plants to grow instantly, forming resilient vine armor.

It could even condense thorns with piercing power rivaling weapons.

【Reng Teng】 was both offensive and defensive, greatly boosting combat power.

But Winnie's current vine armor had been pierced through by a golden spear, shards scattering everywhere.

"Puff~"

The spear tip pierced her heart, blood spurting out.

Winnie dissolved into nothingness, instantly teleported back to the audience seats.

"Too strong—I'm no match at all."

"Is he even a sixth-rank warrior?"

Winnie shook her head in awe; she had fought seventh-rank warriors before, and now she felt that same invincible power again in Lin Qi.

That was why she asked such a question.

He was no weaker than a seventh-rank warrior.

He was completely out of her league.

…

【Match 8: Lin Qi (Summer Nation) Wins!】

Above the arena, the AI voice announced the final result.

"Clap! Clap!!"

Thunderous applause and shouts erupted from the audience seats; countless spectators erupted in excitement.

"Record broken! Lin Qi actually broke the record!!"

"For the first time in the 35-year history of the Global Martial Arts Tournament, someone entered the top 8 as a sophomore."

"Top 8 might not even be Lin Qi's limit—he might reach the semifinals."

The crowd witnessed history, buzzing with excited discussion.

…

In the VIP audience seats

In the Sunset Nation's section, a blond, burly man slapped his forehead and sighed:

"Pity—Winnie still lost!"

"I never expected Summer Nation would produce another terrifying genius."

"Why isn't a genius like this from Sunset Nation?"

"Sigh~"

…

Meanwhile, in Summer Nation's VIP audience seats

The empty seats were growing fewer; more high-ranking warriors were logging in.

"Xu Qin, your record has been broken!"

A voice came from beside a girl in a green robe, her demeanor cold and elegant.

Xu Qin smiled happily:

"Good—it means Summer Nation has produced an even greater genius."

Nearby, a handsome, muscular boy with a crew cut chuckled:

"That's because of Tianqiong Academy."

"If Tianqiong Academy had existed when Xu Qin was a sophomore, she would've reached the semifinals in her junior year."

"Lin Qi is just benefiting from Tianqiong Academy's reforms."

Xu Qin shook her head after hearing this, unconvinced.

They radiated strong fluctuations—all recent graduates who had already broken into the seventh realm.

"Hum!"

Two figures appeared out of thin air, releasing overwhelming auras; those around them turned and their expressions changed. "Beijiang Beijiang Jianwang!"

"Heavenly Blade!"

Someone called out the two newcomers' nicknames.

One wore a golden robe, tall, with sharp features, radiating intense sharpness—as if countless blade qi would erupt at any moment.

This man was the principal of Cangqiong Martial University—Li Li Qifeng.

The other also radiated fierce sharpness, lean and muscular, with a stern face and striking silver hair.

A prominent claw mark scarred his left eye; his gaze was as piercing as a sword.

He was Yu Wang Zhenhai, the newly promoted ninth-rank warrior from months ago—the Beijiang Beijiang Jianwang.

The appearance of these two top ninth-rank masters silenced the air; their auras suppressed all others.

Only Shanhe Wang remained unmoved, smiling and greeting them.

!

"Back already?"

Li Li Qifeng nodded, smiling:

"Back already!"

"The Global Martial Arts Tournament just started, so I came up with Wang Zhenhai to watch."

After speaking, others greeted them; the Beijiang Beijiang Jianwang merely nodded, appearing quiet.

After greeting them, Li Li Qifeng turned his gaze to the arena, curiosity in his eyes:

"What round are they up to? Why is Lin Qi still competing?"

"Has he made it to the top 32?"

Vice Principal Xu Xu Wenji smiled and explained:

"It's already the eighth round—16 to 8—and it's over."

"Student Lin Qi has made history—he's advanced to the top 8."

Li Li Qifeng's expression turned surprised:

"A few months ago, he was still a fifth-rank warrior. In just months since Tianqiong Academy was founded, has he grown this strong?"

"He's only a sophomore, just awakened his special ability a few months ago—he's still only an SS-rank genius, right?"

The Beijiang Beijiang Jianwang beside him also looked astonished.

He was 35, had once competed in the Global Martial Arts Tournament, and knew perfectly well the prestige of reaching the top 8 as a sophomore.

"This Lin Qi seems truly extraordinary."

Xu Xu Wenji explained the current situation; Li Li Qifeng and Yu Wang Zhenhai nodded occasionally as they listened.

Li Li Qifeng sighed:

"This year's quality is high—two seventh-rank warriors have emerged in succession."

"And Lin Qi, who already shows SSS-rank genius potential and has broken records by reaching the top 8."

"I'm curious—who will win the championship?"

As they chatted, Shanhe Wang vanished from his seat, his projection appearing on the arena.

…

In Summer Nation's audience seats.

"Lin Lin Qi Ge, you're not seriously going to compete for the audience seat, are you?"

Jiang Tao asked curiously; others also looked with interest—even Chu Yu turned to look.

No one doubted Lin Qi's strength anymore.

Lin Qi chuckled in response:

"Why not?"

Oh no!

Jiang Tao and Guo Heng exchanged glances—this aura of his was exactly like last year's.

Back then, few believed he could win the championship—he went on to crush Harvey and claim the title.

He has now demonstrated formidable strength; his only rivals are Ivan Petrov and Shen Heng, who have broken through to the Seventh Realm.

They too felt a restless curiosity—could Lin Qi win the championship?

"Contestants!"

A deep voice drew the attention of millions of spectators.

The Prince of Shanhe projected forth, raising his hand to display eight names.

These were the eight strongest competitors of this event, each at least an SS-rank genius, a Sixth Realm peak cultivator who had mastered a Minor Divine Art.

Even ordinary Seventh Realm warriors could fight across realms against them.

"After the intense competition of the previous round, our Global Martial Arts Championship is about to enter its most thrilling three rounds."

"In the next round, only four contestants will advance to the semifinals to compete for a spot in the finals."

"Contestants who reach the semifinals will receive 180 million in prize money, 8,000 kilograms of Level-7 Catastrophe Beast flesh, and 2,000 kilograms of Level-8 Catastrophe Beast flesh."

……

(End of Chapter)