52: Chapter 52 So exhilarating it's like taking off! Special recruitment to Dragon Fang Academy

Inside the auditorium of Tianhai No. 3 High School, the lights were somewhat dazzling.

Thousands of teachers and students filled the seats, but this time there were no whispers, nor were there eyes waiting to see a joke.

The principal stood on the podium, his face glowing with pride, holding the crystal trophy that symbolized the highest honor.

“First place in this year's combat assessment, Group 44, Lin Qi!”

Thunderous applause erupted.

It was no longer polite perfunctoriness, but genuine admiration.

In this world where data is king, someone who can rely on a pair of fists to hammer an S-rank mutated lord into oblivion deserves this respect.

Lin Qi walked onto the stage.

He had changed into a clean school uniform, his face expressionless, showing neither excitement nor stage fright.

Taking the trophy and casually handing it to Zhang Wei, who was shivering with excitement behind him, Lin Qi's gaze fell on the exquisite sandalwood box in the principal's hand.

This was the main point.

The principal opened the box with a smile.

A rich herbal fragrance wafted out, and inside the box lay a crimson herb, its veins pulsating like blood vessels.

dragon blood grass.

The market price was three million Federation Coins, and it was a rare item often unavailable even if one had the money.

For ordinary professionals, this was a primary material for refining Advanced recovery potions.

But in Lin Qi's eyes, this was the fuel to charge towards 'Flesh Refining Major Achievement,' the firewood to make the furnace of his body burn even brighter.

With it, the strengthening speed of his bones, muscles, and skin could be increased at least threefold.

“Thank you.”

Lin Qi reached out to take the box and closed the lid, his movements so quick it was as if he was afraid someone would snatch it.

The award ceremony ended abruptly, mainly because Director Chen was in a hurry to see him.

Inside the VIP lounge.

Director Chen sat on a leather sofa, holding a teacup, but his eyes remained glued to Lin Qi, as if he were looking at an unpolished piece of jade.

“Student Lin Qi, there were too many eyes and ears in the hallway just now, so I didn't ask everything clearly.”

Director Chen put down his teacup and lightly tapped his finger on the table.

“Your force-exertion technique doesn't belong to any existing skill System. No mana consumption, no skill cooldowns, just pure application of physical strength. As far as I know, this kind of ancient martial arts style is only passed down within a few reclusive, long-standing families.”

This was a probe.

In this world, although the System dominates everything, there are always some ancient existences who hold the secrets of the old era.

Lin Qi toyed with the sandalwood box in his hand, not even lifting his eyelids.

“There's no Legacy, I just practiced blindly.”

“Practiced blindly?” Director Chen laughed, “Can practicing blindly produce ‘Penetrating Force’? Can it produce ‘Listening to the Wind to Discern Position’?”

“Yeah, I learned it from watching TV,” Lin Qi spouted nonsense casually. “Plus, my Family has an ancestral recipe for liniment, so I'm quite resilient.”

Director Chen stared at him for a few seconds, then suddenly burst into laughter.

“Good, a fine ‘learned from watching TV.’ Everyone has their secrets; Longya Academy doesn't ask about your origins, only your strength.”

He clearly took Lin Qi for the descendant of some fallen ancient martial arts Family; such low-profile students with backgrounds often had the greatest potential.

Director Chen pulled a document from his briefcase and pushed it in front of Lin Qi.

“This is the detailed information for the ‘Early Batch Special Recruitment Selection.’ When you asked in the hallway if meals were provided, I thought you were joking, but looking at your physical data now, you're serious.”

Lin Qi scanned the terms on the document.

In fact, he only looked at one line: During the special recruitment period, room and board are free, and S-rank ingredients are provided in unlimited supply.

“The contract is fine.” Lin Qi pulled a pen from his pocket and scribbled his name, “As long as there's enough meat, other issues aren't a big deal.”

Director Chen put away the document, his expression becoming a bit more serious.

“Don't blame me for not warning you, this year's special recruitment selection is the most brutal in history.”

“You won't just be facing the top students from other cities, but also seed players from Military Training Camps, and even some monsters who have awakened SS-rank talents. Their starting point might be the end goal for many people's entire lives.”

Lin Qi capped his pen, his tone flat.

“Then their meat must be very firm and good for hitting.”

Director Chen was stunned for a moment, then laughed in spite of himself.

This kid's brain circuitry was indeed different from ordinary people.

At that moment, the lounge door was pushed open.

Instructor Su Qing walked in, still in her sharp combat uniform, carrying a heavy metal box in her hand.

Director Chen stood up tactfully: “Then I won't disturb your catching up. Lin Qi, see you at Tianhai Station at eight o'clock in the morning in three days.”

With that, he turned and left.

Instructor Su Qing placed the metal box heavily on the coffee table with a dull thud.

“The military just approved this.”

Instructor Su Qing pointed to the box.

“Ownership of that Weighted Vest belongs to you now. Additionally, there are ten military-grade High-Concentration Nutrient Solutions inside, which can help you quickly recover from muscle fiber damage.”

Lin Qi was somewhat surprised.

The Weighted Vest was worth a fortune; the material used was Abyss Heavy Lead, which was extremely dense and couldn't be bought on the market at all.

“Thanks, Instructor.” Lin Qi didn't refuse; what he lacked most right now were resources.

“No need to thank me, this is an investment.”

Instructor Su Qing leaned against the doorframe, her arms crossed.

“Although I don't fully understand your ‘ancient martial arts’ path, I can see that you need a massive accumulation of energy. Once you get to the capital, don't lose face for Tianhai No. 3 High School.”

“I'll try.” Lin Qi lifted the box.

“Also,” Instructor Su Qing hesitated for a moment before saying, “the waters there are deep, unlike Tianhai. The influence of some families is deeply entrenched. If you encounter trouble you really can't handle...”

She paused, seemingly weighing something.

“Forget it, with your personality, saying it won't help. Just come back alive.”

Lin Qi smiled, carrying the box and the sandalwood box out of the lounge.

Just as he stepped out, a large fat face leaned in.

“Seven Brother!”

Zhang Wei's eyes were teary as he clutched a black-gold card, forcing it into Lin Qi's hand.

“What's this?” Lin Qi frowned.

“Activity funds!” Zhang Wei sniffled, “This is a supplementary card I wheedled out of the old man. It's accepted throughout the Federation with a limit of one million. Prices in the capital are high; even buying a savory pancake probably includes tax. How can you go without money on you?”

Lin Qi looked at the heavy card in his hand, his heart stirred slightly.

Although this fatty was cowardly and greedy for money, he was truly loyal to his own people.

“I'll consider it a loan.” Lin Qi put away the card, “Interest will be calculated at the bank's highest rate.”

“Talking about money hurts our feelings!” Zhang Wei got anxious, “In the future when you become a big shot, just give me a few pointers, or that... prioritize selling the Materials you get from killing monsters to me.”

“Deal.”

Lin Qi patted Zhang Wei's thick shoulder.

Just then, a discordant voice cut in.

“How touching, it's like a life-and-death parting.”

Li Shaobai leaned against a pillar at the other end of the hallway, toying with an exquisite badge in his hand.

That was the token that came with the recommendation letter for Longya Academy.

He looked a bit disheveled, with several tears in his designer armor; he had clearly suffered quite a bit in the dungeon as well.

But the way he looked at Lin Qi still carried that unyielding arrogance.

“Don't think you're safe just because you took first place.”

Li Shaobai stood up straight and straightened his collar, “I've met that Director Chen too, and I've also received special recruitment status.”

“Lin Qi, although I don't understand your messy fist and foot techniques, in the face of absolute class strength, skill has its limits.”

Lin Qi turned his head to look at his former class monitor.

“And?”

“And so, we'll see each other at Longya.” Li Shaobai snorted and turned to leave, “When the time comes, I'll show you what the true explosive power of an S-rank class is.”