182: Chapter 182 The Final Conspiracy! A Deadly Gift!

Li Qingcang looked at his son beside him; a trace of astonishment appeared on his pale face after spitting blood.

The usually arrogant Li Pojun had no expression on his face, his lightning-burning eyes exceptionally calm, a calmness that was more unsettling than any rage.

"An open scheme."

Li Qingcang chewed on these two words, a flash of ruthlessness flickering in his turbid eyes.

He understood.

To deal with a monster like Lin Qi, any conspiracy could be overturned by his unreasonable brute force.

Since that was the case, he would place the scheme out in the open, right before the eyes of the entire Federation.

Making him unable to hide or avoid it.

Li Qingcang slowly sat up straight, tidied his disheveled clothes, and spoke in a hoarse voice.

"Go do it."

The aftermath of the semi-finals was far more intense than anyone had imagined.

The footage of Lin Qi dismantling a mecha with his bare hands swept across the entire Federation network in just a few short hours.

Military forums, fighting communities, and university bulletin boards were all ignited by this topic.

"Holy crap, latest news, the Mechanical Cult's stock price evaporated by thirty percent overnight. Lin God just dismantled a giant with this move."

"Stop calling him Lin God, call him the King of Physics. Who still dares to say the Physics class is a bottom-tier profession? Come out and get beaten."

"The guy above knows nothing. That isn't the Physics class at all, that's Ancient Martial Arts. Didn't you see he's a Blank Slate? This is true returning to simplicity."

"I announce that from today on, Lin Qi is my husband; he gives a sense of security that is off the charts."

Martial God, Director of the Demolition Office, Mecha Destroyer, the only nemesis of Mechanics—various domineering or funny titles were bestowed upon Lin Qi by netizens.

His name was no longer synonymous with a dark horse, but was pushed onto a pedestal, becoming a favorite for the championship, standing on equal footing with the Thunder God Li Pojun.

The final match bracket was placed on the front page by major media outlets.

Thunder God versus Martial God.

The pinnacle of data flow versus the monster outside the rules.

Everyone sensed that a storm was coming; the attention on this duel reached an unprecedented Peak.

On the eve of the finals, the tournament organizing committee took the opportunity to announce that a pre-match press conference would be held for the two finalists.

The press conference venue was packed with people, countless media cameras pointed at the podium, and camera flashes went off continuously.

Lin Qi was still wearing a black casual outfit. Led by staff, he took his seat. His expression was calm, indifferent to the clamor of the outside world, only occasionally sweeping over the media below to estimate how much money he could get by selling those photography devices.

In the audience below, Zhang Wei's palms were sweaty with nervousness, and he kept adjusting his bow tie.

"Brother Qi is too calm, right? This is being broadcast across the entire Federation!"

Beside him, Instructor Su Qing had her arms crossed, her phoenix eyes filled with scrutiny, locked tightly onto the podium.

Just then, a commotion came from the entrance.

Li Pojun, surrounded by an entourage, walked slowly into the venue.

He was wearing a white suit, his short blonde hair meticulously styled, a confident smile on his face as he waved to the media and audience on both sides, fully displaying the demeanor of a wealthy heir.

"Oh my god, it's the Thunder God, he's so handsome!"

"This is the Aura a champion should have."

The two's entrances formed a sharp contrast; one was low-key and reserved with hidden sharpness, while the other was radiant and full of presence.

The press conference began, and the host's questions were standard.

When a reporter threw a question to Li Pojun, the entire venue's focus instantly concentrated on him.

"Contestant Li Pojun, your opponent Lin Qi defeated the Titan, the natural enemy of the Physics class, in an unprecedented way, overturning everyone's perception. What are your thoughts on him, and are you confident in winning?"

It was here.

Everyone pricked up their ears.

Upon hearing this, Li Pojun not only did not get angry, but instead stood up with a smile.

He didn't look at the reporter who asked the question, but turned his gaze to Lin Qi beside him, his eyes filled with appreciation and Battle Intent.

"Thoughts?"

Li Pojun's voice spread throughout the venue via the microphone, "I think Contestant Lin Qi is a pioneer, an opponent worthy of me using my full strength to respect."

The entire venue was in an uproar.

No one expected the haughty Thunder God to give such a high evaluation.

Li Pojun ignored everyone's surprise and continued:

"He proved to the entire Federation with facts that the path of the strong is not just limited to data and the System; his very existence is the best interpretation of the words Martial Dao."

"As for confidence,"

Li Pojun's mouth curled up slightly, and an Aura spread out:

"Of course I have confidence, because I have never been as eager for a hearty battle as I am now. I look forward to having a fair Peak duel without regrets with Contestant Lin Qi on the stage of the finals."

This speech was watertight, praising his opponent while highlighting his own confidence and demeanor.

The venue immediately erupted in warm applause.

"Well said, this is the magnanimity of a king."

"Heroes cherish heroes, I love it, I love it."

The bullet comments in the online live stream were also full of praise for the Thunder God's magnanimity and the Li family's awesomeness.

Li Qingcang watched this scene from the VIP room, a satisfied smile appearing on his face.

The groundwork was complete.

Just as the host was about to announce the end of the press conference, Li Pojun raised his hand to signal.

"Please wait a moment. At the end of the press conference, I have one more private matter."

He turned and took a silver metal briefcase from his assistant.

Under the curious gaze of the entire venue, he placed the case on the table and slowly opened it.

"I greatly admire Brother Lin's strength, but I also feel sorry for him."

Li Pojun's voice was full of sincerity, "As everyone knows, Brother Lin is a Blank Slate, with no class and no talent. This puts him at an Innate disadvantage in basic physical attributes compared to us S-rank talent holders."

"A perfect duel should not be affected by such Innate factors. To allow the finals to present the most perfect state, and to ensure we don't leave each other with any regrets,"

He paused and took out the item from the case.

It was a vial of potion sealed in a crystal container, emitting a mysterious purple halo.

On the holographic screen behind the podium, the detailed information of this potion was immediately displayed.

S-rank Gene Completion Potion.

Type: Permanent enhancement forbidden drug.

Effect: Traces back to the Origin of life to make up for genetic defects, comprehensively and permanently enhancing the user's four basic attributes: Strength, Agility, Physique, and Spirit, with no side effects.

Note: One of the greatest masterpieces of the Federal Academy of Sciences, priceless and unavailable for purchase.

Once the introduction appeared, the whole venue exploded.

"My god, S-rank, a forbidden drug that permanently enhances all attributes!"

"Are you crazy? This kind of thing actually exists? How much must this be worth?"

"Li Pojun is actually going to give this to Lin Qi? What kind of magnanimity is this? He wants to fight a fair and square battle."

Everyone was stunned by Li Pojun's magnanimity and boldness.

This was an open scheme placed in the open, witnessed by everyone.

Under the gaze of the entire Federation's audience, if Lin Qi refused this goodwill, he would immediately be labeled as guilty, timid, and petty, losing a step in Aura.

But if he accepted, a cold sneer would curl up on the corner of Li Qingcang's mouth in the VIP seats.

It was a tonic, yes; in terms of ingredients, it was indeed a tonic, but the Li family's Great Master of alchemy had added an extra ingredient inside.

A wisp of unstable Void Realm energy extracted from the Abyss battlefield.

This wisp of energy was enough to cause any professional's genetic chain to collapse from the inside in an instant, causing them to explode and die on the spot.

Even in death, he would make him die by the tonic.

Amidst the attention of all, Li Pojun personally held the vial of potion, walking step by step to Lin Qi, with an impeccable smile on his face.

He handed the glowing purple potion to Lin Qi's eyes.

"Brother Lin, please accept my small token of goodwill."

"I hope we can both show our strongest selves in the finals."