Chapter 618

"The first-place Troy has fallen!"

"Someone has surpassed Troy!"

"It's Lin Qi from the Blue Star Civilization! He has successfully surpassed Troy to become the first-place practitioner on the Lieyang List for the Aperture-Training Realm. He has also reached the fifth gate of Lieyang Mountain!"

"It's too unbelievable! Rising directly from 25th place to 1st place—this improvement is too exaggerated!"

"Did I see that wrong?"

In an instant, countless people in front of Lieyang Mountain boiled over, and various sounds of shock rose one after another.

Hundreds of thousands of eyes were locked onto the Lieyang List.

"Who is this Lin Qi in first place on the Aperture-Training Realm Lieyang List? How did he suddenly become first?"

"You don't even know Lin Qi?"

"I'm in the Void-Flying Realm, so I naturally don't know much about the Aperture-Training Realm. He hadn't even entered the top ten before, so naturally, I wouldn't know."

"Well, you know now!"

"Lin Qi of the Blue Star Civilization, a top-tier genius capable of reaching the fifth gate of Lieyang Mountain!"

"Blue Star Civilization... if I heard correctly, the previous first-place holder, Qin Ling, also came from the Blue Star Civilization, right?"

"That's a monster capable of reaching the sixth gate!"

"I didn't expect them both to come from the Blue Star Civilization. What kind of sacred place is this civilization?"

Troy, who had a pair of pointed ears, frowned as she looked at the Lieyang List. She had actually been surpassed?

She knew very well the difficulty of the fifth gate; the other party's strength seemed to be stronger than her own.

Another monster had appeared!

At this moment, not far away, the three of them—Frazer, Unida, and Hobbes—also had different expressions.

Unida suddenly smiled:

"I only gave a casual reminder to those few people back then. I didn't expect them all to be super geniuses. It seems my luck is quite good."

Meanwhile, Liu Ming, Liu Hai, Feng Ti, and the others were completely plunged into shock.

"First place on the Lieyang List...!"

The burly Liu Hai simply couldn't believe his eyes. This was something their Liuren Civilization's strongest, the Blade Master, had never achieved.

Now that the other party could do it, didn't that mean the other party might also become another "Blade Master" in the future?

This was already the second first-place holder on the Lieyang List besides the "Red Emperor."

And they both came from the same civilization.

It was simply unbelievable; it completely overturned their understanding.

……

Sun Sheng, dressed in white robes, saw the ranking on the Lieyang List and couldn't help but widen his eyes and curse:

"Damn, Lin Qi is already in first place?"

"And he reached the fifth gate? How did he do it?"

"How did he pass the fourth gate?"

Beside him, Li Tianxing was also extremely shocked.

At the same time, outside Lieyang Mountain, a tall figure appeared.

He patted Sun Sheng and Li Tianxing on the shoulders and laughed:

"It's very simple. You just need to open 100 apertures to pass!"

The one speaking was Lin Qi. He had just come out of Lieyang Mountain and heard the discussion about him.

Sun Sheng pulled Lin Qi's hand away, surprised:

"You opened 100 apertures so quickly?"

"I remember you clearly broke through later than I did, and I've only opened 80 apertures so far."

Li Tianxing shook his head: "Who told you not to work as hard as Lin Qi? Your talent isn't as good as his either."

Sun Sheng wasn't angry after hearing this: "No wonder I'm no match for you; it turns out I've opened fewer apertures."

"When I open 100 apertures, I'll be able to challenge for first place too."

Lin Qi nodded; with Sun Sheng's talent, he indeed had hope.

"Lin Qi is out!" someone shouted.

In an instant, Lin Qi felt countless gazes land on him. The owner of every gaze was a top-tier genius.

The gazes were accompanied by intense pressure because the owners were a group of Void-Flying Realm practitioners.

"Lin Qi, congratulations!"

At this moment, the burly Lei Ze stepped forward to congratulate him.

Lin Qi also nodded: "Lei Ze, congratulations on rising to 29th place!"

Lei Ze shook his head: "Still not as impressive as you. I've already opened 100 apertures, but every step forward from here is becoming difficult."

"Lin Qi, congratulations!"

At this time, Liu Ming and the others from the Liuren Civilization also stepped forward quickly to congratulate him.

Their attitude had undergone a huge change. If it were just the top 100, they would still be a bit proud.

Entering the top 30 would make them treat him with enthusiasm.

After reaching the top spot, they could only look up to him.

Such a genius had limitless potential in the future. Among the current human race, as long as one had talent and it was unearthed,

and as long as one didn't fall midway, one would become a powerhouse in the future.

Their Liuren Civilization's strongest, the Blade Master, was a good example, rising all the way and becoming stronger and stronger.

Without the Blade Master, there would be no Liuren Civilization as they knew it today.

Lin Qi nodded: "In the last few months, we've gotten along well with your Liuren Civilization!"

He truly had a good impression of the Liuren Civilization.

Although there were some small frictions between the two sides, they got along quite happily. The Liuren Civilization had also done their best, allowing their Blue Star Civilization to achieve rapid improvement.

This method had existed since after the Fire Seed Trial, not just since he reached 32nd place.

So he felt the Liuren Civilization was quite good.

Liu Ming smiled after hearing this.

"Lin Qi, congratulations!"

At this moment, Hobbes, who was tall and radiated a domineering aura like thunder, stepped forward to congratulate him.

Over these three months, he and Lin Qi had also had interactions, listening to Teacher Fu Quan's lectures together and occasionally exchanging ideas.

Hobbes laughed: "Lin Qi, the Deep Space Genius Competition is also about to begin. There are only three years left."

"I look forward to seeing you on the Void-Flying Realm Lieyang List."

Lin Qi, Sun Sheng, and Li Tianxing all showed puzzled expressions after hearing this.

"Deep Space Genius Competition?"

Hobbes laughed: "You'll know soon enough. This is an opportunity that you and I cannot miss."

Lin Qi noted the Deep Space Genius Competition in his mind, intending to look it up when he returned.

What he liked most was competitions; every time he competed, he could make a big profit.

Then Lin Qi began to interact with others.

Having been at the Lieyang Dao Academy for a while, he had also gotten to know quite a few geniuses.

Everyone's attitude was amiable, and in the process of getting along, one could learn a lot of information unknown to the outside world.

The Blue Star Civilization was too remote and didn't know enough about the universe; this point required the accumulation of time.

"The rewards are starting to be settled!"

Just as everyone was discussing, someone suddenly shouted, and information popped up in front of many people.

"The rewards are finally settled!"

"I've been waiting for the rewards to buy resources. My civilization is too weak and can't provide many resources at all."

"I'm so grateful to the Lieyang Dao Academy. Without it, I might never have had hope of breaking through to the Void-Flying Realm in my life, and I might have died in some corner of the universe!"

"Yeah, without the Lieyang Dao Academy, I might have already become a slave!"

"With Deep Space Coins, in our civilization, we can exchange for a large amount of resources, allowing the people around me to become stronger."

Many people sighed; many of them came from weak civilizations.

Someone like the Liuren Civilization was already considered top-tier in terms of origin.

And geniuses from truly top-tier forces wouldn't come to the Lieyang Dao Academy at all.

Lin Qi also looked at the information that popped up in front of him.

Lin Qi also looked at the information that popped up in front of him.

【Martial artist Lin Qi from the Blue Star Civilization, congratulations on ranking first on the Lieyang List (Aperture-Training Realm). You will receive a reward of 150,000 Deep Space Coins!】

【Because you successfully passed the test of the fourth gate of Lieyang Mountain and entered the fifth gate, you will receive an additional one-time reward of 300,000 Deep Space Coins!】

……

Lin Qi felt a surge of joy after seeing this.

Ranking first could actually earn 150,000 Deep Space Coins.

Settled every three months, that was 600,000 Deep Space Coins a year, earning more than just hunting disaster beasts.

Next, he wouldn't have to do anything; every three months, he would receive a sum of Deep Space Coins to exchange for cultivation resources to cultivate.

This time, the harvest totaled 450,000 Deep Space Coins, enough for his three months of cultivation; whether he could break through to the Ninth Realm would depend on this money.

"I have already opened 100 apertures now. Next are the remaining 8 apertures, which are also the most difficult ones!"

"I might need some resources to break through!"

Lin Qi shook his head; he had also been browsing the forums recently. After the 100th aperture, the difficulty of each aperture doubled.

For ordinary geniuses who awakened two abilities, 100 apertures was the limit.

Only galaxy-level geniuses could open more apertures; every time one was opened, their foundation would be broadened.

Even galaxy-level geniuses weren't necessarily able to open 108 apertures.

Lin Qi himself was definitely going to open 108 apertures.

As a possessor of a special constitution, opening 108 apertures was the foundation.

"Haha, I got 500 Deep Space Coins!"

Jiang Tao walked over and laughed.

"Brother Qi, this time I am already the first place among those below galaxy-level geniuses."

"If I can awaken a third special ability, I have the confidence to challenge for a higher ranking."

"Lin Qi, I've decided, I'm heading to the No. 9 Relic after the holiday!"

Lin Qi nodded: "I hope you can become the first galaxy-level genius in the Blood-Exchange Realm."

The gap between their Blue Star geniuses was too large.

Galaxy-level geniuses could challenge for the top ten, while those who awakened two abilities could only stay in the 500~600 range.

Jiang Tao had potential. Now, five months had passed since the Fire Seed Trial, and his realm had improved significantly.

Added with various resources, he wasn't far from the peak of the Blood-Exchange Realm.

"It seems everyone's harvest is not small!"

At this time, the War God was seen bringing a large group of Void-Flying Realm martial artists over.

Lin Qi spoke: "Senior War God, congratulations on entering 5th place."

The black-robed War God laughed: "5th place is already my limit."

"The future will still depend on you, the first-place holder!"

"Now that the rewards have been settled, we should go too!"

"It's your Xia Nation's Spring Festival now, so you must get together well with your family."

Thus, everyone began to log off one after another.

People from other civilizations, after seeing the gathered Blue Star group, were astonished.

"Russell is actually also a genius of the Blue Star Civilization. This civilization is too amazing."

"One in 1st place, one in 5th place."

"And two top-tier geniuses ranked in the top 50."

"Our Tiegang Civilization doesn't even have a single genius in the top 100. It's simply too shameful."

Amidst the sighs, everyone began to disperse.

The rewards had been settled; the next time so many geniuses would gather, they would have to wait another month.

……

In the personal space,

on the spacious martial arts field, a tea table appeared, and the tall and burly King Shanhe and Lin Qi sat opposite each other.

"Grandmaster, how was your harvest on this trip to the other world?" Lin Qi asked first.

King Shanhe smiled after hearing this:

"The harvest was huge!"

"The Deep Space Academy authorized a large amount of technology for free. Our fighter jets have all been upgraded, and our detection capabilities have improved significantly."

"Many heavenly treasures can now be detected."

"We have no more worries now and can explore the other world in large numbers."

"The only drawback is that there are too many disaster beasts."

"Once surrounded by several Ninth-Level disaster beasts, in an isolated and helpless state, the situation is very dangerous."

"If we encounter Tenth-Level disaster beasts, our Ninth Realm martial artists can only cooperate to hunt them."

"Because according to the records of the 'Universal Myriad Races Catalog,' monster beasts choose their own territories in good places, and combined with their own aura, it is extremely easy for top-tier resources to be born."

"There is danger, but there is also harvest!"

"Two Ninth Realm martial artists have already lost their lives there because they explored too crazily."

"Not just us, the Liuren Civilization has also lost quite a few."

"They sent another batch of martial artists, and many died, but it still couldn't stop their madness."

Lin Qi's eyes lit up as he listened; profit was accompanied by risk.

King Shanhe continued:

"However, what we earned is still not as much as what you earned at the Lieyang Dao Academy."

"The value of heavenly treasures varies; although the harvest is large, there aren't many that are truly valuable."

"So Lin Qi, you should cultivate well at the Lieyang Dao Academy and just break through to the Void-Flying Realm."

Lin Qi nodded: "I understand!"

……

After a simple chat, King Shanhe left, and Lin Qi entered the Universal Martial Arts Arena.

He checked his personal information.

【Name: Lin Qi】

【Template: Erlang Zhenjun · Yang Jian】

【Fusion Degree: 45%】

【Mental Power: 42,000 (Void-Flying Realm)】

【Qi and Blood Value: 39,200 (100 apertures)】

【Spear Technique: Stage Five 73%】

【Body Technique: Stage Five 68%】

……

Over the past three months, Lin Qi had improved in all aspects, with the biggest improvement being his Qi and Blood value, having opened 100 apertures.

The remaining 8 apertures corresponded to 800 points of Qi and Blood value.

Looking at it, the Qi and Blood value was relatively small, but each aperture was very important. Every time one more was opened, it allowed the body to undergo a deep-level transformation, laying a solid martial arts foundation.

The future ceiling would also be broader.

As for martial arts techniques, wanting to improve them was becoming increasingly difficult.

His current martial arts techniques were already stronger than most Ninth Realm martial artists.

King Shanhe's spear technique was likely only a little higher than his own, and being surpassed by him was only a matter of time.

"There's also the Deep Space Genius Competition. Once the effect of the Ancient Blood Vine passes, I'll go to the forum to look it up."

Lin Qi quickly formulated a plan in his brain.

Then he entered matching mode.

【Start matching!】

【Matching successful!】

The next instant, his figure dissipated in the personal space.

……

Lieyang Dao Academy, Bronze Ancient Halberd Martial Arts Building

In the Dean's office on the top floor

The one-horned woman projected a large amount of data, and the rankings began their daily report.

"The Xuanbi Civilization's..."

"The Blue Star Civilization's Sun Sheng and Li Tianxing have entered the top 40, ranking respectively..."

"Lei Ze has successfully entered 29th place!"

"Troy maintains 2nd place but has successfully passed the fourth gate and entered the fifth gate!"

"The Blue Star Civilization's Lin Qi has successfully reached the top spot, surpassing Troy, and has also entered the fifth gate."

Hearing this, the Dean's eyes lit up; he didn't speak but continued to listen.

A moment later, the one-horned woman finished reporting everything.

The Dean also spoke slowly: "What a pleasant surprise. Russell of the Blue Star Civilization has successfully broken through to Stage Six techniques!"

"Truly rare!"

"Of course, the most outstanding one is still this genius named Lin Qi. Every time there is a settlement, his ranking improves significantly."

"He is already in first place now and has reached the fifth gate!"

"It seems like another Qin Ling!"

"According to convention, being able to reach the fifth gate already makes one a genius of another level."

"I need to meet with Lin Qi and Troy!"

"Their future is limitless. In the Deep Space Genius Competition, they might shine brilliantly. I must give them a little help."

The one-horned woman said: "Okay, I will arrange it."

A moment later

The one-horned woman left. In the office, the Dean continued to sit cross-legged.

"As the Deep Space Genius Competition approaches, all kinds of geniuses are popping up, are they?"

"Especially this Blue Star Civilization. It's my first time seeing such a civilization. It truly lives up to its high-level civilization potential, giving birth to so many geniuses!"

"The geniuses of a whole galaxy might not even be as numerous as the geniuses of their one planet!"

……

Universal Martial Arts Arena

This was a beach full of blue, where two figures, like lightning, crossed a distance of a thousand meters and collided instantly.

"Boom!!"

The air exploded. The sharpness of the Golden Gangjin and the water collided, setting off an energy storm. The beach under their feet exploded, forming a deep pit.

Two different opponents wielded great spears to confront each other.

Lin Qi wielded his black-gold great spear, releasing his Gold Domain, which suppressed the opponent's Water Domain.

The opponent's attacks were parried by him with ease.

"Clang, clang!!"

He looked at this opponent, who was burly, with smooth skin like fish scales, wielding his spear technique. Blue patterns emerged on his body, like flowing water patterns.

He was Lin Qi's opponent this time, strong and powerful, a galaxy-level genius with 9-star combat power.

Even in the Lieyang Dao Academy, he was a powerhouse who could rank in the top 100 on the Lieyang List!

Lin Qi was shocked; this was already the fifth top-tier expert he had matched with.

None were in the Void-Flying Realm; all were in the Aperture-Training Realm, and all were galaxy-level geniuses with 9-star combat power.

Their combat power was extraordinary; if it were a genius from a few months ago, they would have to go all out to win.

They might even have lost.

But now he had opened 100 apertures, and his combat power in the Aperture-Training Realm had reached its peak.

"Boom, boom!"

Lin Qi wielded his great spear, his Gangjin flowing, and majestic power poured out.

The great spear smashed down, and the opponent wielded his blue long spear to block. The terrifying force was transmitted through the spear body, and the heavy power caused his body to be blasted away.

He smashed down heavily, and Lin Qi followed up the victory, thrusting his spear out like lightning to pierce his chest.

"Boom~"

The beach shattered, countless seawater turned into a downpour, and a large pit formed on the ground.

"How is it possible..."

Lan Zheng was incredulous; he was a galaxy-level genius ranked near the top in his force.

Originally, after finishing the last match, he could prepare to break through to the Void-Flying Realm and prepare for the Deep Space Genius Competition.

As a result, he didn't expect to encounter such a strong opponent.

Is this strength still the Aperture-Training Realm?

Is this what a top-tier genius is?

Before he could figure it out, he turned into nothingness and dissipated in the air.

【Battle ended: Yang Jian wins!】

On the beach, the system voice announced the final result.

At the same time, the scrolling comments were also frantically refreshing.

……

(End of chapter)