Chapter 56: Meeting the Deputy Pavilion Master (Please keep reading)

Day Two of the Martial Arts Exchange Tournament

No. 2 High School, Elite Class

"Have you guys heard? In this exchange tournament, we and Bailu City have been trading wins and losses."

"Even the strongest, No. 1 High, only managed a draw against Bailu No. 1."

"Bailu City's overall strength is indeed formidable."

"But our No. 2 High is one of the few schools that actually secured a victory," someone said proudly.

His words garnered a fair amount of agreement.

Lin Qi watched his book while listening to his classmates' discussion.

"Brother Qi, you're already among the top ten in the grade. Have you thought of a nickname yet?"

His deskmate, Jiang Tao, leaned over and asked in a low voice.

"You're already recognized as one of the top ten in the grade; how could you not have a nickname? For example, I'm called 'Blade Ape' right now. Isn't that cool?"

"I'm not interested in that," Lin Qi said, shaking his head.

Of course, if someone gave him a cool nickname, he would reluctantly accept it. But if it was unpleasant, then too bad—he wouldn't accept it.

"That won't do! How about I give you one? Something like 'Fierce Tiger Spear' or 'Mountain-Crushing Tiger'?"

Lin Qi shook his head again. What kind of nicknames were those? He'd rather not have one at all.

"Taozi, I have no classes this afternoon. I'm going to the Chiqiong Martial Arts Hall to discuss a contract."

"If it works out, I'll sign with them," Lin Qi said, changing the subject.

Jiang Tao's eyes lit up.

"Chiqiong Martial Arts Hall is great! You have to sign with them. I'm a fan of Chiqiong myself. If you sign, I'll sign with them immediately without a second thought!"

"Alright!"

...

*Ring! Ring! Ring!*

The bell rang, and everyone began packing their things.

Since today was Sunday, there was a half-day holiday in the afternoon, and many students showed relaxed expressions. Humans are not machines; studying and practicing martial arts relentlessly every day strains both mind and body, making rest essential.

At the school gate, the roads were wide, and a temporary parking lot had been set up. Countless private cars were parked by the roadside to pick up students.

As Lin Qi and Jiang Tao exited the school gates, a black luxury car soon pulled up in front of them.

The rear window rolled down, revealing a familiar face—his mother, Fang Huiyi.

"Auntie?" Jiang Tao was startled.

"Oh, it's Xiao Tao. Long time no see."

"Xiao Qi, get in the car!"

After the greetings, Fang Huiyi invited Lin Qi into the vehicle.

"Okay!"

Lin Qi nodded, opened the door, and sat down.

"Taozi, I'm off!"

Jiang Tao waved goodbye. Watching the black luxury car slowly drive away, he muttered to himself in shock

"Holy crap, Chiqiong Martial Arts Hall sent someone personally to pick him up? And that looks like a Xinghai series—one of those costs over a million Xia Kingdom coins!"

"Even geniuses with B-grade contracts don't seem to get this kind of treatment, do they?"

...

The black luxury car drove smoothly along the highway. Sitting in the seat, Lin Qi felt incredibly comfortable; it was the first time in his two lifetimes that he had ridden in such a luxury vehicle. A faint scent of aromatherapy lingered in the air.

"Student Lin Qi, let me introduce myself."

"My name is Sun Wang. I am the head of the contracting department for the Tianhai branch of Chiqiong Martial Arts Hall. I was the one who contacted you this morning."

In the driver's seat, a middle-aged man in a black suit introduced himself with a smile.

"Department Head?"

Lin Qi was secretly startled. This morning, Teacher Zhang Cheng had suddenly pushed a WeChat contact card to him, saying it was someone from Chiqiong Martial Arts Hall who wanted to discuss a contract. He hadn't expected it to be a department head.

Whether it was Chongming or Black Obsidian Martial Arts Hall, they had only sent ordinary employees from the contracting department. Not only did Chiqiong send a manager to pick them up, but they were also going directly to the martial arts hall rather than meeting at a roadside cafe. The attitude and level of importance were on a completely different level.

Beside him, Fang Huiyi was also somewhat dazed. She had suddenly received notice from Lin Qi this morning saying someone was coming to take them to Chiqiong to discuss a contract. As an ordinary person, she had never seen such a grand display; being escorted by a manager left her feeling somewhat overwhelmed by the honor.

"Hello, Manager Sun!" Lin Qi replied.

Manager Sun smiled and said, "There's no need to be nervous, Student Lin Qi. Chiqiong Martial Arts Hall places great importance on geniuses like you."

Lin Qi thought to himself: *Who has such good eyes to discover my talent?*

Sitting in the back, he watched the passing streets through the window. Countless people looked at the car with envious expressions. Lin Qi was familiar with those looks; he had experienced them in his previous life. For a moment, an inexplicable emotion welled up in his heart.

...

Shortly after, the black luxury car stopped at the main entrance of the Chiqiong Martial Arts Hall.

"Let's go, Student Lin Qi, Sister Fang!"

Manager Sun, Lin Qi, and Fang Huiyi got out of the car. The luxury vehicle drove automatically into the garage, and the three walked into the hall.

In the lobby, the receptionist was acting as usual until she saw the familiar face walking in.

"Hello, Manager Sun!"

Manager Sun nodded.

Seeing the boy following respectfully behind Manager Sun, the receptionist showed a look of surprise. She had a deep impression of this boy; two months ago, he had come here for a part-time job with a friend. But now, he was being personally received by Manager Sun of the contracting department? Was he a big shot in Chiqiong?

"Who exactly is that person?" another receptionist asked curiously.

The first girl looked at Lin Qi's retreating back and replied, "Maybe he's another rising genius!"

...

Lin Qi followed Manager Sun into the elevator, heading straight for the top floor.

When the elevator doors opened, they stepped into a spacious corridor. There weren't many doors, and the walls were made of a special metallic material coated in silver-gray. Historical photographs were embedded in the walls.

"This is..."

After exiting, the three walked directly to a large silver door. An electronic screen on it read

"Vice Hall Master's Office!"

Lin Qi was shocked. Whose office was this? Weren't they here to discuss a contract?

*Beep!*

A red metallic eye on the silver door suddenly rotated as the three approached. Lin Qi felt something scanning his body.

*Whir—*

The next moment, the metal doors slid open.

The first thing that met Lin Qi's eyes was a vast space that fulfilled his imagination of futuristic technology. At the far end of his vision, a man with a massive, burly build stood with his back turned. He was over two meters tall, wearing a black, form-fitting martial arts suit, and exuding a powerful aura.

The man turned to face Lin Qi, extended a large palm, and smiled.

"Welcome, Student Lin Qi!"

The moment he spoke, the aura surrounding him intensified. The domineering pressure felt as if a lion were charging toward him.

*Boom—*

Lin Qi felt as if his brain had suffered a violent impact. He felt dizzy, his entire body froze, and he felt as though his throat were being constricted, making it impossible to breathe. For a split second, he felt like he was going to die.

However, he simply gritted his teeth and endured.

A second later, the sensation of pain vanished, and Lin Qi recovered, gasping for air. He looked at the man opposite him, and a name surfaced in his mind: Yue Feng, the Vice Hall Master of the Tianhai Chiqiong Martial Arts Hall.

Lin Qi had previously seen Yue Feng's invincible skills on television, slaying disaster beasts on the battlefield. He hadn't expected to meet him in person. The aura he radiated was suffocating, far stronger than what could be felt through a screen. He and an ordinary person were like two different species.

Why would such a big shot suddenly meet him?

Filled with doubt, Lin Qi took a deep breath and reached out to shake Yue Feng's hand.

"Hello, Hall Master Yue!"

He could feel the staggering power contained within the man's palm; if the man applied even a little force, his hand would be instantly crushed to powder.

Fang Huiyi didn't dare to breathe heavily, keeping her head down behind Lin Qi.

Manager Sun explained from the side

"Student Lin Qi, Sister Fang, our Hall Master invited you here today. He will be discussing the contract personally."

...

(End of Chapter)