High Martial Arts: Grinding for the Supreme Talent

Chapter 137: Chapter 137: Setting Off

Time passed in a flash.

Ever since the Practical Training Camp was announced, the young geniuses across the Xia Country found themselves under immense pressure, driving them to train with frantic desperation.

Their only goal was to increase their strength and ensure their survival in the fight against the Calamity Beasts.

Martial Arts Calendar, Year 2046. April 21st, two days before the Practical Training Camp.

That afternoon, in an Elite classroom at Tianhai No. 2 Middle School...

During the last period of the day, the man standing on the podium was not a regular teacher but the burly Zhang Cheng. His gaze was sharp, his expression grave.

The atmosphere in the classroom was unusually oppressive and suffocating. Many students were frowning, their palms sweating.

"Tomorrow, April 22nd, the thirty-five geniuses in this class who have signed with the Three Great Martial Arts Dojos will depart for the Practical Training Camp."

"Tonight’s evening study session is canceled. All of you are to go home and speak with your parents."

"If you don’t want to go, come find me as soon as possible."

"And for those who are going, think it over carefully!"

"This is real combat. A true life-and-death struggle against Calamity Beasts. It’s not a game."

"You’ll get one more chance to back out at the camp. But if any of you dare to quit then, I’ll personally twist your heads off, and you can call me something other than Zhang."

"Class dismissed!"

He turned and left. A clamor immediately filled the room as everyone began packing their things, ready to leave.

"This is the first time I’m realizing there’s an upside to not signing with one of the Three Great Martial Arts Dojos," someone said with a sigh of relief.

"Are you going to give up?"

"No way! To become a Martial Artist, you have to fight Calamity Beasts sooner or later. If I don’t go, I’ll never be able to hold my head high in front of everyone again," Qiu Jie said.

"Brother Qi, let’s go. To the Martial Arts Dojo," Jiangtao called out.

Lin Qi nodded, looking at Jiangtao.

The other boy had grown taller and stronger, and he now radiated a potent, powerful aura.

The presence he commanded with every move had already surpassed Li Zhou’s, though he himself might not have realized it.

As for his strength, it went without saying that he had grown much more powerful as well.

Because of the upcoming Practical Training Camp, the midterm exams had been canceled.

The next major assessment of their abilities would be during the college entrance exams.

Lin Qi himself wasn’t sure just how strong he currently was, or where he ranked.

The two of them rode their bikes to the Red Dome Martial Arts Dojo as usual. Jiang Miaoyin was Jiangtao’s only living relative.

Lin Qi had already discussed it with his parents. After the Disaster Beast Tide incident at Wanda Plaza, they weren’t too worried about his safety.

A short while later, they entered the Red Dome Martial Arts Dojo and went to their separate Martial Arts Rooms.

Even with the Practical Training Camp scheduled for the next day, Lin Qi began his Cultivation as he always did.

He changed into his Martial Arts Uniform and started with two hours of Source Energy Cultivation.

Then, he took a Qi and Blood Pill, drank an Energy Potion, and applied the Red Blood Ointment.

HUFF... HUFF...

In an instant, Lin Qi’s body felt like it was on fire, but he had long grown accustomed to this kind of pain.

His skin flushed crimson as his Qi Blood surged. He assumed a stance and began practicing the Five Elements Fist.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

He curved his five fingers into a claw, his muscles tensing as he exerted force. Veins bulged on his skin, and the Great Tendons throughout his body trembled.

As he moved, he channeled the endless Power from within.

With each strike, his muscles contracted violently, and the Power coursing through his blood accelerated, intensifying the tempering of his flesh and sinews.

WHOOSH!

BANG!

He struck out with a Tiger Claw, and the air vibrated, letting out a crisp, explosive crack.

As his body grew hotter, Lin Qi’s Perception of his Power became increasingly clear.

He continuously guided the Power within his body, like gathering individual streams of Flowing Water into a single, crashing wave.

The greater his command over his Power, the stronger his control over his muscles became.

The so-called Tier Three of Fist Technique required a person to master the power of their major muscle groups.

By making that power erupt simultaneously, released as if from a single taut rope, one could generate far greater destructive force.

Half an hour later!

[You have achieved a breakthrough in your Cultivation. Qi and Blood Value +0.2]

[Through arduous Cultivation, your mastery of your body has increased. Fist Technique +1%]

[Qi and Blood Value: 23 → 23.2]

[Fist Technique: Tier Two 49% → 50%]

...

HUFF... HUFF...

Lin Qi stopped practicing and took deep breaths.

’A whole month, and my Qi and Blood Value only just broke 23.’

’It’s too slow!’

He shook his head, dissatisfied.

After his Qi and Blood Value surpassed 10, he had felt his progress skyrocket. It had doubled to over 20 in just a little over two months—an absurd speed.

But after breaking 20, his progress had slowed down again. Neither the Source Energy Skill nor the Qi and Blood Pills were as effective as before.

’Even so, a Qi and Blood Value of 23 should be enough for now!’

’Li Lang’s Qi and Blood Value back then couldn’t have been much higher than mine is now.’

Lin Qi walked to the side, chugged three sports drinks, and changed into a clean Martial Arts Uniform.

He then slowly walked up to the Punch Force Tester and pressed the red button.

BEEP!

WHIRRR!!

The electronic screen lit up as the Punch Force Tester activated.

’Before I head to the Practical Training Camp, I need to test my current Fist Power.’

Lin Qi looked at the red Punching Target, took a deep breath, and let his entire body go slack, his bones settling and muscles relaxing.

In an instant!

Lin Qi’s eyes narrowed. A terrifying aura exploded from him, as if a tiger had just opened its eyes.

His leg muscles engaged, like tree roots anchoring him to the ground. He stomped down hard, and the reactive force from the earth shot up through his Great Tendons.

His spine awakened like a winding dragon, each vertebra extending. Using his spine as an axis, he twisted his body, integrating and compressing the power gathered from his lower half like a coiled rope, then suddenly unleashed it.

The energy surged into his arm. Veins bulged, Qi Blood raged, and Power exploded forth.

Lin Qi threw his fist. It shot out like a missile, tracing a perfect arc through the air before brutally smashing into the red Punching Target, venting all its power.

BOOM!!!

A heavy impact rang out. A powerful gust of wind erupted, and the Punching Target shook violently.

BEEP!!

The electronic screen flickered and then displayed a set of numbers— "1999.8 kg!!"

Seeing the number, Lin Qi smiled. A Fist Power of nearly 2,000 kilograms.

He was only 500 kilograms short of the minimum Fist Power for the Third Realm. At his rate of progress, he could probably reach 2,500 kilograms before his Qi and Blood Value even hit 30.

By the time he broke through to the Third Realm with a Qi and Blood Value of 40, his Fist Power would definitely exceed 3,000 kilograms.

’Time to test my speed!’

Lin Qi took off the Gravity Rings he was wearing and activated the Speed Tester.

Two minutes later!

SWOOSH!!

Lin Qi felt as if he were flying. He transformed into a Gale, crossing the finish line before he even felt like he’d exerted himself.

BEEP!

The Speed Tester displayed the result— "27.3 m/s"

A Fist Power of 2,000 kilograms!

A speed of 27.3 m/s!

’My Fist Power and speed are extremely high for my level.’

’I wonder if I’ve surpassed Wang Qiufeng and Chen Li yet.’ Lin Qi clenched his fists, curious.

’My Thunder Light Body Technique is almost at the Minor Achievement stage!’

’Unfortunately, I still haven’t comprehended the first Killing Technique of the Mountain Splitting Spear Technique.’

Lin Qi felt a twinge of regret. The Mountain Splitting Spear Technique was more difficult than he had imagined!

He was on the verge of comprehending the first Killing Technique, just a tiny bit away.

’Just give me a little more time, and I’ll definitely master it.’

...

「April 22nd」

For once, Lin Qi slept in, not getting up until 7 AM. When he emerged from his bedroom, the living room was empty.

His father, Lin Zhen, and his mother, Fang Huiyi, had already left for work.

Only a prepared breakfast and a sticky note remained. It read:

"Little Qi, good luck at the Practical Training Camp!"

Lin Qi smiled warmly, then went to wash up and eat breakfast.

...

At 9 AM, the weather was clear, and sunlight bathed the earth.

On the verdant field of Tianhai No. 2 Middle School, dozens of students and teachers had already gathered.

BOOM!!

Suddenly, a massive shadow fell over them, and a great wind kicked up out of nowhere.

The fierce wind whipped across their faces. They looked up at the sky, drawn by a tremendous roar.

It was a giant bird of silver steel—a transport aircraft. Its body was massive, long, and streamlined, its hull glinting coldly in the sunlight.

One could even see the residual claw marks on its wings. This was a transport plane that had seen battle.

"It’s a military Giant Sparrow transport! It can carry over a thousand people at once!" Qiu Jie shouted excitedly.

The boys’ eyes burned with passion. They always had a soft spot for steel machinery.

WHOOSH~~

Amidst the gale, the transport aircraft slowly descended onto the field, landing before the stunned crowd.

K-CHUNK!

The wide, thick black hatch opened, and a sturdy figure stepped out.

The person who emerged wore a gray Combat Suit. His frame was powerful, and the muscles beneath the suit looked like they contained explosive strength.

He had sharp features and wore sunglasses, holding a tablet in one hand. He walked with the powerful strides of a dragon and the prowl of a tiger.

Zhang Cheng stepped forward to shake his hand.

"Hello, I’m the supervising teacher, Zhang Cheng!"

"Hello!"

After the simple greeting, the man in gray surveyed the crowd and spoke, his voice booming like a great bell:

"Hello, everyone. I am in charge of transporting the students. My name is Zhao Hai. From now on, when I call your name, enter the aircraft in an orderly fashion and find your seat."

"First up, Lin Qi!"

After speaking, Zhao Hai looked into the crowd with curiosity.

From the crowd, a young man in black casual wear stepped out. His face was stern, his hair slicked back.

He was tall and powerfully built, with sharp eyes and an imposing aura.

He stood out from the crowd like a crane among chickens, utterly different from the rest.

’What a talented young man. He truly lives up to his reputation as one of the top five in the province,’ Zhao Hai thought with admiration.

He then broke into a friendly smile.

"So you’re Lin Qi. We at Celestial Sea University would be very pleased to have you join us."

"If you apply to Celestial Sea University, we will provide you with the very best resources."

"Ahem!!"

"Forget it. Lin Qi is a genius who’s aiming for one of the three top universities," Zhang Cheng interjected from the side.

Zhao Hai laughed. "Just kidding. Go on in!"

Lin Qi nodded and boarded. The interior of the transport wasn’t much different from a regular airliner.

Dozens of students were already seated inside. Each one of them was powerfully built, with bright, spirited eyes and a strong aura.

He quickly found the section for his school and sat down. Jiangtao followed close behind and took the seat next to him.

In a short time, everyone from No. 2 Middle School had boarded. Zhao Hai was the last to get on, taking a seat at the very front.

"Let’s go. To the next school!"

RUMBLE!!

The transport aircraft roared to life and, with a slight tremor, took off toward the next school.

"Those are the guys from No. 2 Middle School!"

"I see Lin Qi! He looks even more formidable than he did on TV. I don’t even dare to meet his gaze!"

"And there’s Li Zhou and Jiangtao!"

"All three of them are incredible. They’re all big shots in the top ten of Celestial Sea City," someone whispered in amazement.

Hearing this, the corners of Jiangtao’s mouth turned up slightly. ’Being the subject of everyone’s talk feels great.’

Lin Qi, however, remained calm. He watched out the window as the field below shrank, quickly turning into a grid of tiny squares.

Soon, they were surrounded by nothing but the clear, boundless sky.

...

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