Chapter 86: Chapter 86: Protection Mission
After winter break, geniuses from all over the country flocked to the Red Realm.
They participated in the Bright Moon event, fighting for the 3 million Xia Country Coin cash prize.
But after a few days, everyone discovered that the matchmaking difficulty had suddenly soared.
This was especially true for geniuses with over 900 Points, who were all matched against extremely powerful opponents.
Just getting a single win had become incredibly difficult.
Losing matches, on the other hand, had become the norm.
But a group of top-level geniuses still managed to successfully advance to the Bright Moon Stage.
...
「January 13th, morning. Red Dome Martial Arts Dojo」
Virtual Room Hall
"Damn it, I lost again! What’s going on?"
"What’s the deal with these Martial Artists I’m getting matched with?"
"Every single one of them has high-level Skill and tons of combat experience. I’m completely outmatched."
"I’ve already had 10 matches today and lost every single one! Just let me win once, please!" someone wailed.
"Hilarious. Can’t even win a single match." Someone else decided to give up.
Lv Xiang and the others, sitting not far away, knew the feeling all too well.
Guo Heng frowned and said, "Today’s the last day, and I’m still 15 Points short."
"I need to win at least five matches. I plan to spend the entire day in the Red Realm. I’m not leaving until I get promoted!"
Jiangtao’s brow furrowed. "I’m short 21 Points. That’s seven wins."
Lin Qi nodded as well. "I’m also a little short."
Wu Feng looked up at the red leaderboard projected onto the ceiling of the Virtual Room—the Red List.
[First Place: Li, Rank: Bright Moon]
[Second Place: Wind God, Rank: Bright Moon]
[Third Place: The loudest sound is inaudible, Rank: Bright Moon]
"The day before yesterday, Chen Li was the first to reach the Bright Moon Stage. So far, only three people from our Cang Province have made it."
"No, it’s four now," Qiu Siying, who was nearby, added.
Everyone looked and saw that the rank of Li Ke, in fourth place, had changed from Star to Bright Moon.
"Reaching the Bright Moon Stage is too hard. There’s no hope for me." Lv Xiang shook his head, choosing to give up.
"You can’t just give up like that," Wu Feng urged, but Lv Xiang just shook his head without a word.
A few minutes later, after a short rest, they re-entered their Virtual Cabins, logged back into the Red Realm, and began their final push for the day.
*Hooo...*
In his personal space, Lin Qi summoned his personal panel.
[Nickname: Yang Jian]
[Rank: Star]
[Win Rate: 90%]
[Points: 978]
[Ranking: 12]
Staring at the stats on the panel, he saw the results of his all-out effort over the past few days.
His Points were now just 22 shy of the 1,000 needed for the Bright Moon Stage.
’I have to reach the Bright Moon Stage before midnight tonight.’
With a determined look in his eyes, Lin Qi began matchmaking!
Three minutes later, his figure vanished.
In the arena, a burly, middle-aged man materialized across from him.
He had a clear scar on his face and brandished a large saber, exuding a tyrannical aura.
He gave Lin Qi a vicious grin, as if looking at a lamb waiting for the slaughter.
Lin Qi’s brow furrowed. When matched with an opponent like this, he knew winning would be extremely difficult.
Five minutes later
[Yang Jian, we regret to inform you that you have died!]
[You have fought a powerful enemy. Your mastery of Spear Technique has increased. Spear Technique +1%]
[Spear Technique: Tier Two 15%→16%]
...
Back in his personal space, Lin Qi frowned and let out a breath.
’Lost again!’
Facing these professional Martial Artists, who might not have much potential left, was tough. Every one of them had gone through life-and-death battles with Calamity Beasts and had incredibly rich combat experience.
Even he had been tricked by them several times.
Not to mention their Tier Two Early-stage Martial Arts. Their overall strength already surpassed Assessor No. 10 from the final exam.
Against this kind of opponent, he was helpless and could only accept a bitter defeat.
’But...’
Lin Qi gripped his long spear. By fighting powerful opponents, his Spear Technique was also constantly improving.
[Continue Matchmaking!]
An hour later, Points +6
Two hours later, Points +5
Three hours later, Points +3
Lin Qi logged out and exited his Virtual Cabin, immediately drank a Stimulant Potion, and went back to his Martial Arts Room to rest without greeting Jiangtao and the others.
In the Martial Arts Room, after finishing lunch, Lin Qi went to sleep.
An hour later, at two in the afternoon.
Lin Qi was woken by his alarm, but he still felt a profound sense of exhaustion.
’As expected, mental exhaustion isn’t something you can recover from quickly with just Stimulant Potions and sleep.’
He had anticipated this and took a vial containing a deep green liquid from his bag.
[High-Level Stimulant Potion: Several times more effective than a regular Stimulant Potion. Maximally restores spent Spirit.]
[Price: 50,000 yuan/vial]
A High-Level Stimulant Potion, 50,000 a vial—this was the preparation he had made.
Jiangtao, Guo Heng, and many other geniuses were also planning to take one on the last day.
Lin Qi opened the potion vial and downed it in one go.
A rich minty aroma filled his mouth, and in an instant, a tremor ran through Lin Qi’s entire body.
A wave of icy energy rushed to his head, giving him the illusion of being frozen solid.
*Hooo...*
Lin Qi’s eyes widened. He took a deep breath and instantly felt completely refreshed.
"This stuff really packs a punch!"
Lin Qi exclaimed in amazement. He then took out his long spear and began to practice his Spear Technique.
SWISH! SWISH!!
The long spear thrust out, creating a sky full of afterimages. Accompanied by a sharp whistling sound, its speed was like lightning.
He could steadily execute more than a dozen thrusts per second, a level of skill that had reached perfection.
’So invigorating!’
Lin Qi retracted his spear, not a trace of fatigue remaining.
He immediately put down his long spear and headed for the Virtual Room.
The hall was jam-packed with people and exceptionally lively. Many were focused on the Red List.
"Look, someone else just reached the Bright Moon Stage."
"That makes five people who’ve successfully reached the Bright Moon Stage now!"
"There are still nine and a half hours left. I wonder how many people from our Cang Province will be able to make it to the Bright Moon Stage?"
Hearing this, Lin Qi immediately entered a Virtual Cabin and logged into the Red Realm.
’I got 14 Points this morning. I’m still 8 Points short. Three wins, or two wins and two draws, should be enough.’
After doing a quick calculation in his head, Lin Qi promptly started matchmaking.
Time slowly ticked by to seven in the evening.
Top-floor Hall Master’s Office
Yue Feng, dressed in a loose-fitting Martial Arts Uniform, leaned back in his smart-chair, watching the projection of the Red List before him.
The rankings were constantly changing, but still, only a handful had reached the Bright Moon Stage.
"Last year, a total of 21 people from Cang Province reached the Bright Moon Stage before the event deadline."
"Old Sun, how many do you think will make it to the Bright Moon Stage this year?"
Manager Sun, standing nearby, thought for a moment before replying:
"The quality of the geniuses is high this year. We can definitely surpass last year’s number. I estimate we’ll have close to 30."
Yue Feng nodded. "That’s about what I guessed."
"On another note, a few of our S-class geniuses are coming back for the Spring Festival. We need to be responsible for guaranteeing their safety."
"I don’t care about the other Martial Arts Dojos, but we must protect our own S-class geniuses, like Guo Yi and the others."
"After all, those bastards... they’ve always wanted to eliminate humanity’s geniuses."
As Yue Feng spoke, a thick killing intent emanated from him.
Manager Sun nodded gravely. "Rest assured, we have prepared the highest-level security package."
"The city’s defense systems are also active at all times."
"If anything happens, we will intervene immediately."
Only after hearing this assurance did Yue Feng nod.
...
「7:30 PM」
Red Realm Arena
[Yang Jian, congratulations on your victory!]
[Points +3]
[Points: 999]
Lin Qi stared at his "999" Points.
’Just one more point. A single draw is all I need to get promoted.’
’Time to start the promotion match!’
Lin Qi immediately chose to match!
...
Meanwhile, in another personal space, a burly figure muttered to himself, licked his lips, and also began matchmaking.
"Just two more points and I’m promoted!"
"Let’s do this!"
With that, he also started his promotion match!
A few minutes later, an intelligent female voice sounded through the air.
[Matchmaking Successful!]
...
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