Chapter 509: First Battle (Requesting Monthly Votes)

Senior Brother Liang Tai continued:

"I have a huge grudge against Gu Ming!"

"He and I were both S-class geniuses of the same cohort; he lost to me in the Global Newcomer Competition, and that's when the feud began."

"There have been constant clashes since then."

"Even after arriving at Black Dragon Base, we still can't stand each other."

"We've fought multiple times!"

"Earlier, our squad had several strong teammates—we won more than we lost."

"Later, the seniors either died or returned home to rest, and our squad's strength dropped drastically."

"A few months ago, when I was injured, our squad was bullied and mocked by them."

"A few days ago, during the massive beast surge, we were surrounded by a Level Seven Catastrophe Beast."

"I never expected that bastard Gu Ming, to save himself, lured a Level Seven Catastrophe Beast toward us!"

"If Master hadn't arrived and killed the beast, we would've been killed!"

"One of my teammates died because of it."

As Liang Tai spoke, he clenched his fists, fury surging across his face.

Wang Wang Zhixuan's expression was also grim.

After listening, Lin Qi frowned and asked:

"He's surnamed Gu—what's his connection to the Gu family?"

Wang Wang Zhixuan replied: "He's from the Gu family!"

"The Gu family is one of the wealthiest clans in Xia Nation."

"Gu Cheng is his third older brother!"

Lin Qi realized: "So he's Gu Cheng's younger brother!"

That explains it—given Gu Cheng's character, his brother couldn't be any better.

Plainly put, he needs a good beating.

Liang Tai spoke:

"But, Younger Brother, this has nothing to do with you."

Lin Qi shook his head: "I feel it's already connected to us."

"I get the feeling he dislikes me—he might even attack me."

After he left, I sensed his hostility.

Liang Tai sneered: "If he dares lay a hand on you, he's asking for death."

He knew full well his Younger Brother's potential—SSS-class genius.

Had he not already taken a Master, he might already be a disciple of the Shanhe King.

Someone like him—if Gu Ming dares to move against him, he won't even know how he died.

Lin Qi nodded; if he appeared in his battle armor, everyone would know he was a Seventh Realm martial artist.

Gu Ming wouldn't dare attack.

But he decided to find an opportunity to give Gu Ming a proper lesson.

To keep him from going down the wrong path.

…

One hour later

At Black Dragon Base, in a private room of the Grand Restaurant.

Five men and women sat at the table.

One tall, upright young man looked at Lin Qi curiously and asked:

"Captain, who's this?"

Liang Tai stood up and smiled:

"Let me introduce you all—this is my junior brother, Lin Qi. He'll be staying with our squad for a few days."

The young man frowned in confusion:

"Lin Qi? That name sounds familiar!"

A pale, cold-looking girl beside him suddenly widened her eyes and stood up:

"Lin Qi!"

"The champion of the Global Martial Arts Competition!"

"The prodigy who defeated a Seventh Realm martial artist while only at Sixth Realm!"

After she spoke, the young man exclaimed: "Right, I remember now!"

He looked at Lin Qi, and his attitude shifted instantly.

"L-Lin… Brother Qi…"

Nervous, his lips trembled, and he stammered.

Lin Qi smiled and said: "Just call me Lin Qi. Thanks for looking after me these few days."

The two squad members were stunned.

Lin Qi learned their names: the tall man was Xiao Yu, who used a blade technique.

The girl was Xi Jing, who used sword techniques; both were at the peak of Fifth Realm.

The five sat down, and dish after dish of hearty food was brought out.

Senior Brother Liang Tai spoke:

"On the battlefield, low-realm martial artists fighting alone in chaos are extremely vulnerable."

"Most form squads, cooperating to kill Catastrophe Beasts together."

"Our base has the Sky Eye System—it automatically calculates contributions and distributes merit points when you kill beasts as a team."

"My current squad is called Crack Rock Squad!"

"We originally had eight members—three Sixth Realm, but one died, and two were severely injured and went home to recover."

Lin Qi nodded; the situation was dire.

Especially compared to Gu Ming's squad, which was mostly Sixth Realm martial artists.

That night, Lin Qi got to know the members of Crack Rock Squad.

Liang Tai continued:

"The massive beast surge has ended, leaving only scattered beasts."

"But in Beijiang Province, beast surges never run out."

"Large-scale surges happen often—without Level Nine beasts, they're relatively safe."

"But when a massive surge hits—like the one a few days ago—with multiple Level Nine beasts and even a Level Ten beast—"

"We must prioritize survival: no hesitation, just turn and run."

"If you get caught in the crossfire, you're just unlucky."

Lin Qi nodded silently, absorbing the hard-won knowledge shared by his Senior Brother.

An hour later, Lin Qi returned to his room and resumed cultivation.

He didn't go to bed until midnight; on his first day at Black Dragon Base, he adapted quickly and fell asleep soon after.

…

Martial Year 2048, August 18

At five a. m., in darkness, Lin Qi's biological clock woke him.

He turned on the light, got up, and went to the bathroom to wash up.

After washing, he entered the living room—the air was thick with aroma.

A large spread of breakfast was already prepared.

Xiao Chan had started cooking an hour early.

Lin Qi ate heartily.

After eating, he entered the martial arts chamber to begin his daily cultivation.

Two hours later

"Hummm!!"

Vast amounts of source energy entered his body; the Golden Emperor Secret Scripture rotated, digesting the consumed energy through his cells.

The ambient source energy concentration was low, but Lin Qi didn't mind.

Moments later, he opened his eyes, and a dominant aura spread outward.

"Whoosh! Whoosh!!"

Strong winds howled.

【You completed a source energy cultivation session. Physical strength increased. Blood value +70】

【Blood value: 5080 → 5150】

…

Lin Qi glanced at the panel's information and nodded silently—the benefits of consuming Level Eight Catastrophe Beast flesh were evident.

His blood value had risen sharply; he was nearing his next blood transformation.

"Master, War Home issued a strong alert!"

"A large-scale disaster beast tide will erupt in half an hour!"

In the corner, Xiao Chan projected a message; Lin Qi picked up his phone and indeed received a notification.

Moments later, in the WeChat group.

【Senior Brother Liang Tai: Gather downstairs in half an hour.】

…

After seeing the message, Lin Qi slowly stood up.

"It's finally time to step onto the battlefield!"

Lin Qi put on his battle armor and strapped several healing potions to his body.

He gripped his black-gold great spear in one hand and left his room.

Xiao Chan clung to his shoulder.

At the entrance of the dormitory area, tall, powerful warriors emerged with sharp weapons.

Their faces showed no panic; they were long accustomed to disaster beast invasions.

Everyone emerged in orderly fashion!

Lin Qi also saw the warriors from his neighboring rooms—all high-rank warriors, emerging in battle armor.

They nodded to each other in greeting.

They arrived downstairs in the dormitory area.

Lin Qi also saw the others.

Xiao Yu and Xi Jing watched as Lin Qi, clad in black-gold armor and wielding a great spear, strode forward with commanding presence, exuding a dominant aura.

Radiating a heart-stopping energy.

Senior Brother Liang Tai and Wang Wang Zhixuan also approached, swinging their great spears.

"Everyone is here—let's move out!"

The five of them followed the crowd in a formidable procession toward the main gate.

…

(End of Chapter)