Free Web NovelChapter 83: Chapter 83: S-level Contract
Instead of answering, Yue Feng turned and walked to the window, which offered a sweeping view of the Red Dome Martial Arts Dojo’s surroundings and the vast, cloudless sky.
"Throughout all of Blue Star, the governments, militaries, and Martial Arts Dojos of every country have jointly divided geniuses into seven tiers."
"From D-level to A-level—that is the limit for ordinary geniuses."
"The S-class, SS-level, and SSS-level contracts are all reserved for geniuses who have Awakened a Special Ability."
"Once they Awaken, their physical Talent improves dramatically. They become super geniuses and will cross the First Realm in the shortest possible time."
"Moreover, they also Awaken a Special Ability, allowing them to easily kill ordinary Martial Artists and Calamity Beasts in real combat. It’s a completely one-sided fight."
"Lin Qi, even for a genius like you, facing a Martial Artist of the same Tier who has Awakened a Special Ability means certain defeat."
Lin Qi was shocked. ’They’re that strong?’
"Take a simple example: one of the Special Abilities belonging to the Metal Element—Vajra."
"A person with this Special Ability will possess far stronger muscles and bones than other Martial Artists of the same Tier, allowing them to unleash greater power in battle."
"At the same time, a special Source Energy Power permeates their entire body. Once circulated during combat, this Source Energy Power infuses their skin, making it as hard as steel."
"In this state, they possess terrifying defensive capabilities. A First Realm Martial Artist who has Awakened the Vajra Special Ability has a defense that even an ordinary Third Realm Martial Artist might not be able to penetrate," Yue Feng said, giving an example.
Lin Qi was inwardly shocked. ’Even a Third Realm can’t break through?’
His current Fist Power was over 1,100 kilograms. A Third Realm Martial Artist, however, wielded over 5,000 kilograms of force. If channeled into a weapon, that power could unleash unimaginable might. And even that couldn’t break through the defense.
’Then it’s perfectly normal that I can’t beat them. They’re simply inhuman.’
"It’s as if heaven itself has divided geniuses into two tiers: those who have Awakened a Special Ability and those who haven’t."
"The moment someone Awakens a Special Ability, the Hall Masters from the Three Great Martial Arts Dojos will personally visit them to sign an S-level Contract. If their family is facing any difficulties, the dojos will help resolve them."
"Then, depending on their progress in Martial Arts, their contract may be upgraded to SS-level or even SSS-level."
Lin Qi heard this and felt that his own benefits paled in comparison to those of an S-class genius.
"Lin Qi, how outstanding do you think someone has to be to bridge the gap left by the lack of a Special Ability and still get an S-level Contract?"
Yue Feng turned his head and asked him meaningfully.
After hearing this, Lin Qi let out a long breath, instantly regaining his composure.
"Master Yue, you mean to say that an S-level Contract isn’t impossible."
Yue Feng laughed.
"Very calm. You spotted the opening in my statement."
"An A-level Contract is not the peak. S-class is."
"As long as you demonstrate sufficient Talent, even without Awakening a Special Ability, you can still become an S-class genius."
"Physical Talent that far surpasses the ordinary, and astonishing Comprehension."
"Meet those requirements, and you can be upgraded to an S-level Contract."
"However, S-class geniuses of that type are exceedingly rare—even rarer than those who have Awakened a Special Ability."
"In Cang Province, two or three people Awaken a Special Ability each year. However, we only see one genius ascend to S-class—and in some years, none at all."
"So, S-class is too far out of your reach. Unless you can become one of the top three in Cang Province, you only have a slim chance," Yue Feng said patiently.
S-level Contract. Top three in Cang Province.
Lin Qi nodded, committing these standards to memory.
...
A few minutes later, Manager Sun led Lin Qi out of the office.
In the elevator, Lin Qi’s thoughts were still on Awakening a Special Ability.
"Manager Sun, do you think I can still Awaken a Special Ability?" he suddenly asked.
Manager Sun smiled. "Of course, there’s hope. According to decades of scientific statistics, over 90% of people Awaken their Special Ability between the ages of 17 and 18."
"If you don’t Awaken before you’re 20, then there’s almost no hope left. You can only wait until you break through to become a Seventh Realm Martial Artist."
"Theoretically, the better your innate Talent, the higher the probability of Awakening."
"So, Lin Qi, you’re only 17 right now. You still have hope."
Lin Qi nodded. He felt that with his template Talent, he wouldn’t need to wait until the Seventh Realm. Awakening a Special Ability was just a matter of time.
Just then, Manager Sun added a reminder:
"Lin Qi, the Bright Moon event is less than a week away. You need to hurry and reach the Bright Moon Rank."
"Although you only need 1,000 Points to get promoted to the Bright Moon Rank, the last 100 Points aren’t that easy to get."
Intrigued, Lin Qi asked sincerely:
"Manager Sun, I don’t understand the ins and outs of it. Could you please explain in more detail?"
Manager Sun smiled. "Of course, no problem!"
"The three-million Xia Country Coin reward seems motivating, but it’s not easy to claim. After all, that’s the kind of money you’d get with a B-level Contract."
"As of the end of the event last year, fewer than 30 people managed to achieve the Bright Moon Rank."
"Fewer than 30 people?!"
Lin Qi was shocked. He had thought there would be one or two hundred.
"In the last few days, a batch of independent Martial Artists will sign up for the Bright Moon event. They all keep their Martial Arts Skills at or below the Tier Two Initial Stage."
"They’re different from you students. For every student they defeat, they earn 10,000 Xia Country Coins."
"This group of Martial Artists has been on the battlefield. Their Martial Arts may not be advanced, but they are highly experienced and extremely difficult to deal with."
"Once you have over 900 Points, you’ll most likely be matched against them. It won’t be so easy to win."
Lin Qi thought to himself, ’No wonder fewer than 30 people get promoted. This event is brutal.’
Facing this group of independent Martial Artists, even winning a single match wouldn’t be easy. He only had a little over 700 Points right now; he was still too far off.
"I understand. Thank you for the advice, Manager Sun." Lin Qi nodded his thanks.
Manager Sun waved his hand. "Don’t mention it."
DING!
The elevator doors opened. A burly figure stood at the entrance, his face fleshy and fierce, his body robust, exuding a powerful aura.
"Master Lu!" Manager Sun greeted him.
Lin Qi was inwardly shocked. ’A Hall Master? Could he be the other Vice Hall Master?’
So he greeted him as well.
"Hmph, hmph!"
"So you’re Lin Qi!"
Master Lu looked at Lin Qi, scowling and grunting.
"I am!"
Just as Lin Qi was feeling confused, Manager Sun pulled him away, only speaking once the elevator doors had completely shut.
"Master Lu and Master Yue are both Vice Hall Masters, so there’s a certain rivalry between them."
"You and Jiangtao are both geniuses personally signed by Master Yue. Your immense progress has earned praise and rewards from the Hall Master, which brings Master Yue a great deal of prestige."
"Meanwhile, Master Lu was criticized, which is why he gave you the cold shoulder."
Hearing the explanation, Lin Qi had a sudden realization.
It seemed he was now considered to be on Vice Hall Master Yue Feng’s side. He supposed Master Lu probably wouldn’t be friendly to him in the future, either.
...
After bidding farewell to Manager Sun, Lin Qi entered the password and went into his Martial Arts Room B123.
In the center of the room, he saw his dad, Lin Zhen, sitting cross-legged on a soft mat, an invisible aura about him.
Lin Qi could faintly see what looked like countless points of light being rapidly absorbed into Lin Zhen’s body.
This was a Cultivation Method: absorbing the free-floating Source Energy from the air to optimize one’s genes and transform the body.
Hooo...
Lin Zhen opened his eyes and smiled when he saw Lin Qi.
"Little Qi, the Source Energy Concentration in this Martial Arts Room is much higher than at home or at school."
A thought struck Lin Qi. ’Perhaps this was why the Martial Arts Rooms were so expensive.’
"Dad, you can come to the Martial Arts Dojo often from now on. I have a family pass anyway, so I’ll pay for it."
"Okay!" Lin Zhen nodded, not refusing the offer.
"Dad, I’ve been upgraded to an A-level Contract!"
"Within a month, Mom can have her surgery," Lin Qi said, delivering the good news.
"Good, good, good!!" Lin Zhen’s eyes widened, and he repeated the word three times in his excitement.
"Your mother... she can finally stop suffering." As he said this, Lin Zhen’s eyes reddened.
Only he knew how agonizing it was to watch his wife suffer every day.
Seeing this, Lin Qi also broke into a smile.
...
