Chapter 42: The Classification of Geniuses (Please keep reading)

Jiang Tao and Lin Qi were also exceptionally curious. Coming from ordinary or even impoverished backgrounds, it was difficult for them to discern truth from falsehood amidst the various pieces of information on the internet.

Therefore, they needed a trustworthy person to explain things to them.

Zhang Cheng operated his smartwatch, projecting a large screen filled with images and text. He organized his thoughts and said

"After the annual Tianhai monthly exams, various martial arts halls will successively sign contracts with the geniuses from different schools."

"A contract is not a 'Genius Loan'."

"A Genius Loan is essentially a loan; the money you spend now must be repaid in the future, just without interest."

"A martial arts hall contract, however, is a form of investment. They give you money in advance to help you improve your strength, so that in the future, you can earn profits by joining the martial arts hall."

The crowd nodded; this was more or less what they understood. No one would hate a contract; everyone craved signing a better one.

Zhang Cheng continued, "Our Xia Country has countless martial arts halls, large and small, all backed by major corporations."

"Over the next few days, they will successively approach you to conduct contract negotiations."

"The strength of these martial arts halls varies. While the contracts offered by ordinary halls include money, they come with many rules and limited assistance, making them not very cost-effective."

"Those are only suitable for students with average talent."

"As students of the elite class, your goal is the three top-tier martial arts halls."

"Chiqiong, Heiyao, and Chongming. These three top-tier halls were respectively founded by the Ninth-Realm Title-level warriors of our Xia Country. They possess not only wealth that rivals nations but also heaven-defying martial power and authority."

"Signing with one of the three top-tier halls means more freedom in the contract, higher signing amounts, and better benefits."

"Therefore, ambitious geniuses will not refuse contracts from the three major halls." Zhang Cheng smiled as he reached this point.

The hearts of the onlookers quickened. Signing with one of the three top-tier halls meant a bright future ahead.

"However, not everyone can sign with the three top-tier halls."

"I recall that in the last session, only 30 people successfully signed." Zhang Cheng threw a bucket of cold water on the crowd.

Many people's hearts instantly sank.

"I'm ranked 37th. Does that mean I can't sign with the three major halls?" someone sighed.

Some others looked grim as well; their rankings were all after 30th place.

"Of course, you are all more excellent than the last session, so there might be more slots available for signing," Zhang Cheng offered a rare word of comfort.

"The three top-tier halls divide geniuses into seven tiers, from the lowest D-grade to the highest SSS-grade."

"The S, SS, and SSS tiers have nothing to do with you; those are reserved for geniuses who awaken special abilities."

Special abilities?

The crowd's expressions became complicated upon hearing this. Lin Qi felt the same; such geniuses were only seen in the news—they were far too distant from them.

"The tiers that concern you are the four grades: A, B, C, and D."

"Even a D-grade contract, the lowest level, can provide millions in value and precious resources."

"Of course, signing with a martial arts hall is a long-term process. As long as you work hard and improve your ranking, you can sign a contract or even upgrade your contract tier."

*Ring ring!*

"Alright, class is over. Dismissed!"

Seeing that the bell had rung, Zhang Cheng let everyone disperse. He packed his things and turned to leave the martial arts classroom.

As the students packed their belongings, they began chatting excitedly.

A group walked toward the cafeteria, discussing the contracts

"I'm afraid signing a D-grade contract will be difficult for me."

"Who do you think in our class can sign an A-grade contract? I heard only a tiny fraction of geniuses are qualified," someone asked curiously.

"I reckon only Li Zhou has a high chance, and maybe Yu Jing and Qi Yuelin. For the rest of us, it'll be a B-grade contract at most," someone remarked.

This gained agreement from the others.

***

Second Floor of the Cafeteria

Lin Qi sat down with a mountain-like tray of food and began to eat heartily.

"Brother Qi, which martial arts hall do you plan to sign with?"

Jiang Tao, sitting opposite him, asked curiously after a few bites.

Lin Qi shook his head. "I don't know. It depends on how the negotiations go and what the contract contents are."

Jiang Tao nodded excitedly. "I estimate I can only get a B-grade contract. I have no hope for an A-grade."

"Even with a B-grade contract, that's several million Xia Country dollars. I won't lack money for the rest of my senior year."

"But, Brother Qi, wherever you go, I'll go too," Jiang Tao added at the end.

"Alright!" Lin Qi did not refuse.

...

Evening Self-Study, Principal's Office

"Old Jiang, what's the matter that you called me here too? I wanted to get some proper rest."

Entering the room, Zhang Cheng complained and plopped himself down on the sofa.

"Teacher Yan, you're here too?"

Yan Hong was sitting opposite Zhang Cheng, and Jiang Zhiguang's gaze shifted away from the projected spreadsheet.

"Three people need to apply to increase their Genius Loan tier this time. Old Zhang, I need to consult your opinion."

"Who is it?" Zhang Cheng asked while taking a sip of tea.

"Jiang Tao, applying for a Special-grade Genius Loan."

"Lin Qi, applying for a Second-grade Genius Loan!"

"Chen Zichuan, applying for a Second-grade Genius Loan!"

After Jiang Zhiguang finished, he and Yan Hong watched Zhang Cheng's reaction.

"Those three, huh!" Zhang Cheng's eyes darted around.

A moment later, he grinned. "Their talent is quite good. There's no problem with them applying like that."

"However!"

"However what?" Jiang Zhiguang asked.

"I think Lin Qi's application should be changed. He should apply for a First-grade Genius Loan."

"No, I suggest he applies directly for a Special-grade Genius Loan," Zhang Cheng said seriously.

Jiang Zhiguang was stunned. "You're being even more exaggerated than Yan Hong. You actually hold Lin Qi in such high regard?"

Yan Hong spoke up: "Lin Qi improved by 17 ranks in this monthly exam. His talent goes far beyond that."

Zhang Cheng added, "I don't know about academics, but in martial arts class, his comprehension far exceeds the others."

"I am certain that in the midterm assessment, his ranking will continue to soar."

"Agreed!" Yan Hong nodded.

Hearing this, Jiang Zhiguang nodded. "I understand. I will apply for the Special-grade Genius Loan. But whether it gets approved will depend on luck."

After the two left,

Jiang Zhiguang quickly operated the files and submitted the three applications.

After submitting them, he opened Lin Qi's profile to check his grades and family background.

"Lin Qi... interesting. From over 100th place to 18th in the grade in just three months. The progress is incredibly fast."

"Is it a case of long-term accumulation finally breaking through, or has he had an epiphany?"

Jiang Zhiguang muttered to himself, habitually watering a flowerpot.

"Eh? It sprouted?"

Jiang Zhiguang was pleasantly surprised to see a speck of green appearing in the brown soil of the pot.

...

Rongshan Community, Lin Family, Living Room

"Dad, I ranked 18th in the grade in the monthly exam, and I also..."

Through a video call, Lin Qi shared the good news with Lin Zhen.

Upon hearing the news, Lin Zhen was shocked. How long had it been? His son had already entered the top 20 of the grade?

After the shock, a smile couldn't be suppressed from the corners of his mouth. "As expected of my son!!"

"Dad, are you doing okay at the Linhai Base?" Lin Qi inquired.

"Haha, of course I'm fine. Just quite busy, but I'm definitely earning more than before," Lin Zhen laughed loudly.

"..."

A few minutes later, Lin Qi handed the phone to his mother, Fang Huiyi, while he went to wash up.

When he came out, Fang Huiyi had also hung up the phone.

Lin Qi took several boxes from his room and placed them on the table.

"Mom, I forgot to give these to you during the call."

"These are some supplements I bought. They'll be good for your health."

Fang Huiyi smiled and shook her head as she took the boxes. "You're wasting money again."

As she looked into the boxes, her expression changed slightly.

"This is the Lotus Set. One box costs twenty thousand! It's too expensive."

"Mom, I'm not short on money now. I can afford some supplements," Lin Qi comforted her.

"Alright then!" Fang Huiyi accepted them.

"Mom, I'm grown up now. I want to know... exactly how much money our family owes?"

Lin Qi's expression became serious as he looked into his mother's eyes and asked.

...

(End of Chapter)