Chapter 23: The Whale-Slaying Tyrant Blade" (Please keep reading)

"According to the latest reports, a new typhoon is approaching Linhai in Cang Province."

"Citizens are reminded to monitor the weather and take preventive measures in advance."

"The military has released a statement: a tide of marine disaster beasts has erupted in the waters of Cang Province. A large-scale Spatial Gate has opened, affecting nearby cities. There is a possibility of an intensified crisis due to the surge of disaster beasts."

"We are currently at the Bay Island waters in Cang Province. Let's take a look at the situation on the ground..."

That day, during the break between classes in the Elite Class of No. 2 Middle School.

Someone turned on the projector, displaying a news channel that immediately caught the attention of many.

In the projection, the scene was the Linhai area, showing a sky filled with torrential rain.

Through the downpour, the boundless ocean could be seen churning with massive, crashing waves, as countless dark shadows surged out from the swells.

They were massive, hideous disaster beasts—with giant claws, sharp fangs, and bloodthirsty eyes, their deafening roars filled with an aura of slaughter.

As if seeing prey, they charged onto the shore with reckless abandon to launch their attacks.

At the end of the video was a massive black ring, radiating a staggering light.

Endless disaster beasts surged from within it, falling into the sea before rushing onto the land.

"That's a Spatial Gate. It's huge. That's how the disaster beasts descend upon our Blue Star," someone couldn't help but say, even though everyone already knew.

The endless dark shadows, accompanied by the wind and rain, surged forth—a scene that looked like the arrival of doomsday.

"BOOM!!"

"BANG!!"

In the next instant, massive explosions rang out, sounding like gunpowder blasts.

Various colored lights rained down from the sky like a torrential volley of arrows.

Those were towering steel behemoths, stretching for dozens of kilometers like a Great Wall of steel—war bases designed to repel the disaster beasts.

At the top of the war bases, massive metal heavy cannons emitting a cold aura aimed at the ocean, firing lethal strikes.

Like an unceasing flame, they continuously unleashed their fury.

Laser cannons, missiles, armor-piercing shells...

Many thermal weapons seen in science fiction novels appeared before everyone's eyes.

The disaster beasts hit by these weapons were instantly blasted into blood mist, and red and yellow mushroom clouds erupted from the ground.

Corpses of various disaster beasts were everywhere, creating mountains of bodies and seas of blood, yet endless waves of beasts continued to charge forward.

"ROAR~~"

A terrifying, massive beast leaped high out of the water—a shark-like disaster beast with a colossal size of over forty meters.

It possessed pitch-black skin and rows of blood-red mouths capable of tearing anything apart, its sharp, giant teeth reflecting the light.

Its red pupils radiated killing intent.

"That's a Level 7 disaster beast—the Ghost-Fang Great Shark!"

"It's too big!" a student exclaimed in shock.

"BANG! BANG!!"

"RUMBLE!!"

Countless laser cannons and missiles bombarded the Ghost-Fang Great Shark like flowing mercury.

However, it caused no significant damage. The Ghost-Fang Great Shark thrashed in the ocean, kicking up massive waves and roaring as if mocking humanity.

"BOOM!!"

Just then, a massive blue blade light shot from the distance, slicing through the air with lightning speed.

"ROAR~"

As the blade light descended, a thunderous roar erupted, and endless blood light spread as blood cascaded down like a waterfall.

A massive wound was torn open on the body of the Ghost-Fang Great Shark.

In the distant sky, a figure grew larger and larger—a burly man wielding a battle saber.

Clad in red combat armor, he hovered in the air, surrounded by blue light, looking like a God of Slaughter.

"It's Yue Feng, the Deputy Director of the Red Sky Martial Arts Hall in Tianhai City."

"A Seventh Realm Martial Artist!"

"He just used his signature secret technique—the 'Whale-Slaying Tyrant Saber'!"

Someone called out the man's name.

The crowd discussed animatedly, their expressions filled with excitement.

Lin Qi felt the same way, watching Yue Feng execute his fierce and domineering saber techniques, swinging his blade three times from the high altitude to slay the Ghost-Fang Great Shark.

"So cool!"

The news ended with Yue Feng slaying the Ghost-Fang Great Shark, leaving the classroom in an uproar.

"I want to become a powerhouse like Yue Feng in the future, invincible on the battlefield!"

"Slaying disaster beasts like cutting melons and vegetables!"

Some couldn't help but feel their blood boiling.

"The 'Whale-Slaying Tyrant Saber' is truly cool. I want to learn that saber technique in the future," a student mused longingly.

Many eyes showed expressions of desire; they were all geniuses of the Elite Class, destined for extraordinary futures.

Jiang Tao was also stirred by the sight.

"Brother Qi, Director Yue Feng is too strong. Maybe we'll have a chance to join the Red Sky Martial Arts Hall in the future."

Lin Qi nodded. Every time he saw such news, he was shaken by the sheer power of top-tier martial artists.

"There will be a chance!"

Lin Qi stood up and walked toward the door.

"Brother Qi, where are you going?"

"The teacher wants to see me!"

On the other side, Chen Zichuan also stood up, and he and Lin Qi walked to the office.

"Check the account numbers. If there are no errors, sign them!"

As soon as they entered, Yan Hong, sitting in an ergonomic chair, got straight to the point, handing each of them a form.

Lin Qi picked it up and checked it carefully. After confirming there were no issues, he signed his name.

Chen Zichuan did the same beside him.

Taking the forms back, Yan Hong said, "The money will be deposited into your accounts within an hour."

"With this money, go buy some resources. Your talent is not bad; you deserve higher rankings."

"It's just a pity that the school applied for a Second-Class Genius Loan for you, but it didn't pass in the end."

"It's fine. I'm satisfied with having a Third-Class one," Lin Qi said unconcernedly.

Chen Zichuan also spoke up, "Thank you, Teacher!"

"If you can make it into the top thirty of your grade in the monthly exam, you might be able to successfully apply for the Second-Class Genius Loan," Yan Hong suggested.

Lin Qi's heart stirred. A Second-Class Genius Loan?

A Third-Class Genius Loan was 200,000 Xia Country Dollars, while a Second-Class was 500,000—300,000 more than the third class.

If he could get that money, it would be of immense help to his martial arts journey.

Leaving the office.

*Buzz, buzz!*

While walking down the corridor, Lin Qi felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. He pulled it out to look.

It was a transfer notification.

[ICBC card ending in xxx received 200,000 CNY on September 16, 10:05. Balance: 200,432 CNY.]

Lin Qi's expression brightened with joy; the 200,000 CNY Genius Loan had arrived.

Now, he could purchase more resources, even high-level resources he hadn't used before.

He looked up and met Chen Zichuan's eyes; the other was also looking at his phone. The money had arrived for him as well.

"Chen Zichuan, let's work hard together!"

"Get into the top thirty and secure that Second-Class Genius Loan!"

Lin Qi offered words of encouragement before walking back into the classroom.

Chen Zichuan was slightly stunned. It was their first real exchange, but the words had made his blood boil.

Although making the top thirty was difficult, with this 200,000 CNY, it wasn't impossible.

...

After lunch, in the Martial Arts Room.

"Brother Qi, your appetite isn't small anymore. You can eat two portions of nutritional meals now."

"And I feel like you've gotten bulkier?"

Inside the restroom, while changing into his martial arts uniform, Jiang Tao looked at Lin Qi's physique with confusion.

"I'm not even 18 yet; my body is still growing. I was just malnourished before."

Lin Qi looked at himself in the mirror. His height had already surpassed the 1.8-meter mark.

His arm muscles had become more pronounced, his shoulders wider, and his body lines were gradually developing toward a strong, robust build.

His frame was also growing, and his appetite increased day by day; he looked much stronger than his previous self.

Lin Qi looked at his panel.

[Name: Lin Qi (17)] [Template: Erlang Shen · Yang Jian] [Integration: 4%]

...

On the panel, the integration of the Erlang Shen template had reached 4%.

Every day, Lin Qi could feel his martial arts progressing—the Round Stance, Tiger Form Boxing, the "Mountain-Crushing Spear Technique"...

For every 1% increase in integration, his physical talent and comprehension also improved.

Of course, this improvement came at a price: the need for more sustenance.

Nutritional meals, blood-qi capsules, blood-qi potions...

The amount he consumed every day was increasing, and all of this required money.

"The resources I bought last time are almost used up again. Luckily, the 200,000 arrived."

Lin Qi already anticipated the massive expenses of the future; he needed more money.

...

(End of Chapter)