Chapter 16: Swift Eagle, Sword Sparrow, Battle-Axe Bear (Please Keep Reading)
“Bang!”
The butt of the spear slammed into the ground. Lin Qi glanced at the display panel, a faint smile curling at the corner of his mouth.
“After a week without practice, my marksmanship has improved by 5% on the first try today.”
Lin Qi felt a surge of joy in his heart.
Just now, while practicing his spear technique, the sensation was exquisite—new insights kept emerging continually.
The execution of the spear moves shifted constantly, becoming smoother with every moment. Many subtle actions that once felt awkward now felt natural. A small adjustment brought about a tremendous leap in skill.
This was the intuition of a genius!
Lin Qi looked at the figure of Erlang Shen on the panel. In mythology and folklore, he wielded a double-edged, triple-pointed spear.
Though called a spear, it was markedly different from an ordinary blade—more akin to a long spear or, more generally, a polearm.
Thus, Lin Qi’s talent with long weapons would only grow stronger.
He felt increasingly in tune with Erlang Shen.
After a brief rest, Lin Qi resumed practicing spear techniques.
Time in the martial arts room was precious; he could not afford to waste a moment.
...
Forty minutes passed swiftly.
“Whew—whew—”
Sweat stung Lin Qi’s eyes as he breathed heavily, droplets falling onto the soft mat beneath him, soaking a large patch.
His hands gripping the spear trembled uncontrollably, exhaustion permeating his entire body.
Yet his eyes shone brightly with vitality.
[You have gained a new understanding of body movement. Body Movement +3%]
[By practicing basic spear techniques, proficiency has increased again. Spear Skill +2%]
[Spear Skill: Stage One, 67%]
[Body Movement: Stage One, 60%]
...
In just forty minutes, Lin Qi’s spear skill and body movement had improved dramatically.
This was an experience previously beyond his reach.
“Qi, keep going!”
Nearby, Jiang Tao tossed him a bottle of energy drink. Lin Qi caught it and took a long, thirsty gulp.
The two sat down to rest.
“Qi, once we get into the elite class tomorrow, we’ll have to learn new martial arts—your spear techniques and my swordsmanship.”
“We’ve already laid the foundation; our fist techniques are perfected. It’s time to master new skills.”
“As far as I know, many classmates have already begun studying new weapon manuals at the martial arts hall.”
Jiang Tao spoke suddenly.
Lin Qi nodded. The martial arts halls specialized in this business. Countless halls near the Second High School offered private lessons, specifically guiding the Five Forms Fist and basic weapon manuals.
They also provided instruction on more advanced weapon manuals, with warriors offering personal tutelage.
Therefore, wealthy students, even without martial arts teachers at home, progressed rapidly.
But for poor students like him and Jiang Tao, they could only rely on martial arts teachers.
“New spear techniques…”
Thinking of this, Lin Qi gripped his spear tighter, a sense of anticipation blossoming within him.
...
“What? You made it into the elite class?”
In the living room of Room 301, Building 4, Lin Zhen, who was applying medicine, showed a look of surprise.
“Xiao Qi, is this true?”
Fang Huiyi also appeared astonished.
Lin Qi set down his backpack and smiled as he explained,
“I really did get into the elite class, and I’ll apply again for the Genius Loan—it’s very likely to be approved.”
“You don’t need to worry about me.”
Hearing this, Lin Zhen and Fang Huiyi exchanged a glance, their expressions visibly brightening.
“That’s wonderful! I knew you could do it, Xiao Qi!”
Lin Zhen laughed heartily, while Fang Huiyi stood and gently patted Lin Qi’s head with motherly concern.
“But you still need to take care of your health.”
“Mm!”
...
Martial Arts Year 2045, September 8
5:50 a.m., outside the Second High School gate
Lin Qi pushed his bicycle into the school grounds but did not head toward the usual Building 3 martial arts classroom.
Instead, he changed direction.
He arrived at Teaching Building 1, a U-shaped structure.
Room 301 Martial Arts Classroom
“This is the place.”
Lin Qi stared at the half-open metal door, the keypad lock showing it was already unlocked.
“Has someone arrived already?”
He opened the door. The interior was a spacious martial arts hall, over 1,200 square meters, with fifty clean white metal lockers lined up in the corner.
Rows of swords, spears, and blades hung on the walls, and there were even rare weapons like axes, halberds, and staves.
The lighting was bright, and in one corner, someone was standing in a full circle stance.
“Someone’s even earlier than me!”
Lin Qi was surprised. Last night, the head teacher Yan Hong had notified them that they could come directly to the new classroom in the morning.
As for textbooks, they could be picked up after martial arts class.
More than seventy percent of students admitted to the elite class came from well-off families.
These students rarely arrived early in the morning; some even practiced at home before coming at 7 a.m.
Arriving early implied a less affluent background.
Lin Qi paid no mind. He found his locker, number 45, changed into his martial arts uniform, took some blood-energy capsules, and began standing in postures.
Not far away, a tall, muscular, rugged-looking boy about 1.8 meters tall noticed Lin Qi.
An invisible atmosphere of competition began to spread.
As time passed, more and more students entered the martial arts classroom.
They didn’t know each other, but after changing into their uniforms, everyone began training.
Standing postures, punching, weapon practice...
“Whoosh—”
After an hour, Lin Qi finished standing practice.
“Bang! Bang!”
“Swish! Swish!!”
“Ha~”
The entire martial arts hall was filled with various sounds—the sharp slicing of blades cutting through the air.
Some practiced fierce sword techniques, others wielded sword shadows, and some displayed spear strikes again and again...
...
The styles of weapon manuals being practiced varied, clearly all advanced versions of the foundational manuals.
“Their spear, sword, and blade skills are all at a higher level than mine.”
Lin Qi felt immense pressure.
“Qi, everyone here is a monster,” Jiang Tao joined him, expression solemn.
“The elite class is no joke. Just a glance shows several who are stronger than me.”
Jiang Tao felt the pressure too. When he was in Class 3, he ranked consistently in the top three, with only two people stronger than him.
But in the elite class, even his strength only placed him in the upper middle ranks.
Lin Qi nodded. Each student was tall, imposing, exuding strong energy. When they swung their weapons, their blood surged, creating gusts of wind.
Everyone was quiet in the martial arts room, but the invisible competition had begun.
“Whoosh! Whoosh~”
Nearby, a figure wielded a spear with fluid grace, swift as the wind, like a falcon in flight.
Lin Qi recognized him—the former top student of Class 3 and second in the entire grade, nicknamed “Swift Falcon” — Yu Jing.
“That’s Qi Yuelin!”
“There’s Li Zhou, too. They’ve both arrived.”
Whispers circulated nearby. Lin Qi and Jiang Tao glanced toward the murmurs.
In a corner, an empty space held an exquisitely beautiful girl.
She wore a white martial arts uniform, her features delicate and symmetrical, her figure well-proportioned with a modest bust, exuding a pure aura.
In her hand, she wielded a long sword, tracing beautiful sword patterns.
“Grade third, nicknamed ‘Sword Sparrow’ — Qi Yuelin!”
Someone called out her name.
“And Li Zhou, the grade’s top student.”
Jiang Tao looked toward another direction; many others’ eyes followed.
There stood a burly boy, over two meters tall, broad-shouldered and muscular, with rugged features resembling a standing brown bear.
He stood apart from the crowd, wild energy radiating, intimidating anyone who dared approach.
In his hand, he toyed with a massive battle axe.
He was the grade’s number one, nicknamed “Battle Axe Bear” — Li Zhou.
Besides the top three, there were others, each with different temperaments but all radiating formidable aura.
They were the top ten geniuses of the grade, each with their own nickname—a tradition in the senior year, common across schools.
“Damn it, why are their nicknames all so cool, while mine is Old Hei, or Part-time Brother?”
Jiang Tao grumbled indignantly.
“When you make the top ten, you’ll get one too.”
Lin Qi consoled him. His own nickname was “Master of Fundamentals”—not nearly as cool as “Swift Falcon.”
But he knew that as long as he got stronger, someone would naturally come up with a cool nickname for him.
In the martial arts world, only the strong deserved fierce and impressive nicknames.
“Looks like everyone’s here!”
A voice suddenly rang out.
...