Chapter 48: Top Ten Grade Challenge (Seeking Follow-up Reads)

Two more days passed.

This morning, with a few minutes left before the Martial Path class, the Elite Class acted out of character; everyone had already arrived in the classroom.

"What's the situation today? Zhang Laoshi said there was something important to announce and made everyone come."

A group of people chatted in the classroom, and as they talked, the conversation drifted to contracts.

"Li Zhou still hasn't signed an A-grade contract. It's said the three major Martial Path Mansions are waiting to see his performance in the midterm assessment."

"Right now, in the entire Tianhai City, there are fewer than five people who can sign an A-grade contract."

"Ah, it's that strict? Li Zhou is already this strong, and he's still not qualified?" everyone exclaimed.

The strictness of the A-grade contract gave everyone a sobering realization.

"Jiang Tao, why haven't you signed a contract yet?"

While Jiang Tao was resting and drinking water, a figure suddenly appeared beside him and asked curiously.

This was a boy about 1.85 meters tall, with lean, powerful muscles and a handsome face.

His movements were agile and elegant, his feet like the wind, as he suddenly appeared beside Jiang Tao.

He was Qiu Jie, ranked tenth in the grade, nicknamed: "Rainstorm Spear."

"I'm waiting for Lin Lin Qi Ge. Whenever he signs, I'll sign," Jiang Tao said, looking at Lin Qi not far away.

Qiu Jie shook his head: "I just don't get it. Why do you call Lin Qi 'brother'? His strength isn't even as good as yours."

"What does he have going for him?"

"If you want to count it that way, you could also call me Brother Qiu, or Brother Jie," Qiu Jie said, then laughed.

Jiang Tao's expression turned gloomy instantly: "What I call him is none of your business. Get lost!"

"Alright, alright, don't be angry, just a joke." Qiu Jie spread his hands in apology, and feeling bored, he left.

"Don't be angry!" Lin Qi walked over and patted Jiang Tao on the shoulder to comfort him.

"This Qiu Jie, I really want to tear his mouth open. He actually wanted to sow discord between us," Jiang Tao sneered.

Lin Qi looked at Qiu Jie's back and narrowed his eyes.

"Ding-a-ling!!"

At this moment, the class bell rang, and Zhang Cheng walked into the classroom with a hulking physique and a powerful, confident stride.

His gaze swept over everyone, focusing on the top ten, including Li Zhou, Yu Jing, and Qi Qi Yue Lin.

"Gathering everyone here today is to announce one thing."

Zhang Cheng's voice was resonant, his expression serious; everyone knew something major was to be announced.

"Every year, in November, the major high schools in Tianhai City hold a martial arts exchange tournament to spar and improve their skills."

"But this year is different. Your opponents have been changed to the key high schools of Bai Lu City."

Upon hearing this, the crowd was instantly in an uproar.

"We actually have to compete? Do we need to participate?"

"It shouldn't have anything to do with us, right? Exchange tournaments are always PKs between the strongest batch of students from both schools," everyone discussed heatedly.

"The rules for the exchange tournament are: each school puts forward ten people to compete separately, and the school with the most wins takes the victory," Zhang Cheng continued to explain the rules.

"These ten people will represent the school and our Tianhai City to battle against White Deer City."

"And this exchange tournament will be held in the Red Realm Arena. Other students can log in to the official website via their phones to watch when the time comes."

"Of course, participating in the exchange tournament to fight for our school and Tianhai City—as long as you win, you can receive a cash reward."

As soon as Zhang Cheng said this, many people's eyes lit up.

Lin Qi was the same; he was in great need of money.

"Unfortunately, I probably won't be able to make it onto the ten-person list."

Lin Qi felt it was a pity.

"Now, the names I call are the list for this battle." Zhang Cheng threw out the information one by one.

Everyone's anticipation instantly spiked.

"First, Li Zhou!" Zhang Cheng shouted.

The corners of Li Zhou's mouth lifted slightly, and a look of excitement flowed into his eyes.

"Second, Yu Jing."

Yu Jing raised his head and twisted his neck.

"Third, Qi Qi Yue Lin."

There was no change on Qi Qi Yue Lin's face.

"..."

"Seventh, Jiang Tao!"

After hearing this, Jiang Tao rubbed his hands and said: "Lin Lin Qi Ge, this time it might be up to me to go alone."

Lin Qi shook his head.

"This is directly calling out the top ten of the grade," everyone whispered. Qiu Jie also revealed a smile, puffed out his chest, and waited for his name to be called; he was duty-bound to fight for the school.

"Tenth, Lin Qi!" Zhang Cheng announced the final person, then looked at Lin Qi.

Lin Qi: "?"

Everyone: "?"

Qiu Jie petrified on the spot, frozen where he stood.

"Did I hear that right? Who, Lin Qi?" someone was confused.

Many in the class were confused, looking at Lin Qi in the corner, including Li Zhou, Yu Jing, Qi Qi Yue Lin, and the rest of the top ten.

Lin Qi was also a bit puzzled; why was he chosen?

"Damn, Lin Lin Qi Ge, we can fight side-by-side again." Jiang Tao didn't care about the others and laughed, hugging Lin Qi.

So everyone looked at the martial arts teacher, Zhang Cheng, again.

"Does anyone have any objections to this list of mine?" Zhang Cheng asked.

!

As soon as he finished speaking, someone in the crowd raised their hand impatiently.

"I do!"

Qiu Jie stood out, his face full of defiance: "Zhang Laoshi, I don't accept this!"

"Lin Qi is only ranked 18th in the grade. What does he have to enter the list? Shouldn't it be me?"

Zhang Cheng's face sank, and a terrifying aura permeated from his body as he said:

"Are you questioning my decision?"

Qiu Jie felt a mountain pressing down hard on him, and his breathing became difficult.

"I wouldn't dare!" he said with his head lowered.

Zhang Cheng looked around, taking in every expression, then withdrew his aura and grinned:

"I know some people don't understand. Fine, Lin Qi, Qiu Jie, you two have a match."

"Whoever wins takes the final spot."

"For absolute fairness, you can go to the Virtual Room. That way you can let loose, and there are no restrictions on Qi-blood value or physical fitness."

After speaking, he left the classroom first, heading to the Virtual Room, and Qiu Jie followed immediately.

The curious students also followed in a massive, bustling group.

A moment later, all 50 students in the class were gathered in the Virtual Room, surrounding Lin Qi and Qiu Jie.

"You two enter the Red Realm Arena, select Solo Mode, and open Spectator Mode," Zhang Cheng said from the side.

Qiu Jie looked at Lin Qi with hatred as he entered the virtual pod.

"Lin Lin Qi Ge, take down this guy Qiu Jie. I believe you can do it," Jiang Tao said with a firm gaze.

"I will!" Lin Qi exhaled.

He also began to enter the virtual pod to log into the Red Realm.

Zhang Cheng, standing to the side, operated the projection equipment, casting a huge screen in front of everyone.

They saw two figures holding spears, one black and one blue, appear in the vast arena.

In the Red Realm

Lin Qi changed into a black combat suit and held a black great spear.

Opposite him, Qiu Jie changed into a blue combat suit, carrying a white long spear on his shoulder.

"Zhang Laoshi has poor judgment, actually letting you steal my spot."

"What do you have going for you?"

"Let me teach you how a long spear is used. I will pierce your heart with the long spear in my hand within ten moves."

Qiu Jie sneered at Lin Qi, his eyes full of mockery.

"Just a clown!" Lin Qi's gaze was indifferent.

"No matter how tough you talk, it won't change the huge gap in our strength."

【Solo competition about to begin!】

【3, 2, 1】

【Competition officially begins!】

As the intelligent female voice announced it in the air, Qiu Jie's figure flashed, and he couldn't wait to brandish his long spear and charge out.

His footsteps were agile, swift and sensitive like a leopard, as if he had turned into an afterimage.

"Whoosh, whoosh~"

Lin Qi also charged out like lightning, shaking his long spear, which emitted a humming sound.

The fierce wind accompanied the long spear, emitting a whistling sound.

The battle between the two was triggered in an instant.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 49 =====