Chapter 86: Protection Mission (Requesting First Subscription and Monthly Tickets)

After the winter break, geniuses from across the nation flooded into Chi Realm.

They competed in the Haoyue event for a cash prize of three million Xia Nation coins.

But after several days, everyone realized the matchmaking difficulty had skyrocketed.

Especially geniuses with over 900 points were matched against extremely powerful opponents.

Winning a single match had become exceedingly difficult.

Losing matches, by contrast, had become the norm.

Yet a group of top-tier geniuses still managed to advance to the Haoyue rank.

……

January 13, morning, Chi Qiong Martial Arts Hall

Virtual Room Lobby

“What the hell? I lost again? What’s going on?”

“Who are these opponents that keep showing up?”

“Every single one has superb technique and tons of combat experience—I’m completely outmatched.”

“I’ve matched ten times today and lost all of them—just let me win one, please!” someone cried out in despair.

“Laughable. Can’t win a single match.” Someone gave up.

Lu Xiang and the others sitting nearby understood all too well.

Guo Heng frowned and said, “Today’s the last day—I still need fifteen more points.”

“I need at least five wins. I’m staying in Chi Realm all day—I won’t leave until I advance!”

Jiang Tao frowned: “I still need twenty-one points—seven wins.”

Lin Qi nodded: “I’m also short a bit.”

Wu Feng glanced at the red leaderboard projected onto the ceiling of the virtual room—the Chi Leaderboard.

【#1: Li, Rank: Haoyue】

【#2: Fengshen, Rank: Haoyue】

【#3: Da Yin Xi Sheng, Rank: Haoyue】

“Two days ago, Chen Li was the first to advance to Haoyue rank. So far, only three people from Cang Province have made it.”

“No, now it’s four,” Qiu Siying added from beside them.

Everyone looked—and saw that Li Ke’s rank had just changed from Xingchen to Haoyue, placing him fourth.

“Advancing to Haoyue rank is too hard—I’ve got no chance,” Lu Xiang shook his head and gave up.

“Don’t give up so easily,” Wu Feng urged, but Lu Xiang remained silent.

A few minutes later, after resting, the group re-entered the virtual pods, logged back into Chi Realm, and began their final push of the day.

“Huh~”

In his personal space, Lin Qi called up his personal panel.

【Nickname: Yang Jian】

【Rank: Xingchen】

【Win Rate: 90%】

【Points: 978】

【Ranking: 12】

Looking at the data on the panel—this was the result of his relentless push over the past few days.

He was now just twenty-two points away from the Haoyue rank’s 1000-point threshold.

“Before midnight tonight, I must advance to Haoyue rank.”

Lin Qi’s eyes hardened, and he initiated matchmaking.

Three minutes later, his figure vanished from the spot.

On the arena, a burly middle-aged man appeared across from him.

His face bore clear scars; he swung a large saber, radiating overwhelming power.

He sneered at Lin Qi as if staring at a lamb about to be slaughtered.

Lin Qi frowned—he knew instantly that winning would be extremely difficult against such an opponent.

Five minutes later

【Yang Jian, unfortunately, you are dead!】

【You fought a formidable opponent—your spear technique has improved: Spear Technique +1%】

【Spear Technique: Second Stage 15% → 16%】

……

Back in his personal space, Lin Qi frowned and exhaled.

Lost again.

Facing these societal warriors, though they had little potential left, each had survived life-or-death battles against Catastrophe Beasts and possessed immense real-world combat experience.

Even he had been tricked multiple times.

Not to mention their Second Stage early-level martial arts—their combined strength already surpassed that of the No. 10 test subject in the final exam.

Against such opponents, he had no choice but to accept defeat.

But…

Lin Qi gripped his spear—fighting these powerful foes had steadily improved his spear technique.

【Continue Matching!】

One hour later, points +6

Two hours later, points +5

Three hours later, points +3

Lin Qi exited the virtual pod, immediately swallowed a stimulant, ignored Jiang Tao and the others, and returned to the martial arts room to rest.

In the martial arts room, after lunch, Lin Qi went to sleep.

One hour later, 2:00 PM.

Lin Qi woke to his alarm, still feeling intense fatigue.

“I knew it—mental exhaustion can’t be quickly restored by stimulants and sleep alone.” He took a vial of deep green liquid from his backpack.

【Advanced Stimulant: Effect is several times stronger than regular stimulant—maximally restores depleted mental energy.】

【Price: 50,000 yuan/vial】

Fifty thousand yuan per vial—that was his preparation.

Including Jiang Tao, Guo Heng, and many other geniuses, all had prepared to take this on the final day.

Lin Qi uncapped the vial and drank it down in one gulp.

A rich minty aroma flooded his mouth—suddenly, Lin Qi shuddered.

A wave of icy cold surged into his skull, giving him the sensation of being frozen solid.

“Huh~”

Lin Qi’s eyes widened; he breathed deeply—and instantly felt fully alert.

!

“This effect is insane!”

Lin Qi marveled, then drew his spear and began practicing his technique.

“Shhh! Shhh!”

The spear thrust out countless shadows, accompanied by piercing whistles, moving faster than lightning.

His arm could stab out over ten precise strikes per second—already reaching a level of mastery.

Truly invigorating!

Lin Qi sheathed his spear—no trace of fatigue remained.

He immediately put down the spear and headed for the virtual room.

The lobby was packed with people, buzzing with activity; many were watching the Chi Leaderboard.

“Look—someone else just advanced to Haoyue rank.”

“Five people have now successfully advanced to Haoyue rank!”

“With nine and a half hours left, how many from Cang Province will make it?”

Hearing this, Lin Qi immediately entered a virtual pod and logged into Chi Realm.

“I gained fourteen points this morning—I still need eight more. Three wins, or two wins and two draws will do.”

After silently calculating, Lin Qi quickly initiated matchmaking.

Time slowly crept to 7:00 PM

Top Floor Director’s Office

Yue Feng, dressed in loose martial arts robes, leaned back in his smart chair, watching the Chi Leaderboard projected before him.

The rankings shifted constantly, yet the number of those who had advanced to Haoyue rank remained few.

“Last year, twenty-one people from Cang Province advanced to Haoyue rank before the event deadline.”

“Old Sun, how many do you think will make it this year?”

Sun Sheng, standing nearby, paused for a moment before replying:

"This year's talent quality is exceptional—definitely surpassing last year. I estimate close to thirty will make it."

Yue Feng nodded: "That's what I thought too."

"Forget that—several S-class talents are returning for Spring Festival; we must ensure their safety."

"Other martial arts halls don’t care, but we must protect our own S-class talents—Guo Yi and the others."

"After all, those creatures have always wanted to eliminate our human talents."

As Yue Feng spoke, intense killing intent radiated from him.

Sun Supervisor nodded solemnly: "Rest assured, we’ve prepared the highest-tier security package."

"The city’s defense systems are active at all times."

"If anything happens, we’ll act immediately."

Hearing the assurance, Yue Feng finally nodded.

…

7:30 PM

Chi Arena

【Yang Jian, congratulations on your victory!】

【Points +3】

【Points: 999】

Lin Qi stared at the “999” points.

"Just one point away—another draw and I’ll qualify."

"Let’s start the promotion match!"

Lin Qi immediately selected matchmaking!

…

Meanwhile, in another personal space, a burly figure muttered to himself, licked his lips, and activated matchmaking as well.

"Just two more points, and I’ll qualify!"

"Come on!"

With that, he launched his promotion match!

Minutes later, an intelligent female voice echoed through the air.

【Matchmaking successful!】

…

(End of Chapter)