He Was Only Worth Third Class

Old Mom, Fang Huiyi, sat on the sofa, enjoying the cool breeze as it gently stirred her hair.

Old Dad, Lin Zhen, was unlike his usual self, drenched in sweat as he pressed himself against the electric fan.

The air was filled with a tranquil, peaceful atmosphere.

Lin Qi looked at the scene and felt happy as well.

During lunch break, he had bought two air conditioners online, spending 3,800 yuan.

That left him with only a thousand for food, but he did not regret it.

"Xiao Qi, even if your scholarship has come through, you can't spend it all on air conditioners. You still need money to buy resources for yourself!"

Old Mom Fang Huiyi shook her head, scolding Lin Qi for spending money recklessly.

Lin Qi sat down and explained,

"Parents, you don't need to worry about that."

"I've already bought plenty of resources, and I've also applied for a Third-Class Genius Loan."

"The money should come through in a few days."

"As for the air conditioners, the sooner we buy them, the sooner you can enjoy them."

"Don't feel burdened. This is only the beginning. Our family's life will only get better and better."

"..."

A few minutes later.

After convincing his parents, Lin Qi returned to his bedroom. With the cool air from the living room air conditioner drifting in, the room was filled with refreshing coolness as well.

"Air conditioning really is comfortable!"

After sighing in appreciation, Lin Qi set down his backpack, took a Qi and Blood Capsule, and continued his stance training.

He had come home an hour early today, so he still needed extra practice.

"I've finally done something for this family."

Having solved one of the family's problems, Lin Qi felt brimming with motivation.

"Ever since I was little, Mom and Dad have always been the ones giving everything for this family, while I've never done anything for it."

"They've had it too hard. They've sacrificed too much for me."

"Now, I can finally help."

As someone who had transmigrated here, his parents had never told him about the family's situation, afraid it would affect his studies.

But he had already pieced it together from all kinds of information.

Not only did the family owe Uncle a large sum of money, they had also taken out substantial loans. Old Dad had not told him about them, but they were definitely not small amounts.

And Old Mom Fang Huiyi's illness was getting worse and worse, requiring even more money.

The family's expenses had already exceeded its income.

Fortunately, his Genius Loan application would be approved soon.

This was only the beginning. In the future, he would earn even more money.

After working hard for so many years, it was time for him to shoulder this family.

Although immense external pressure weighed on him, Lin Qi also possessed powerful motivation.

"My immediate goals are clear as well. Once the Genius Loan comes through, I'll focus everything on raising my qi and blood value and spear technique."

"During the Tianhai City Joint Monthly Exam, I'll enter the Top 30 of No. 2 High School's grade and obtain my own Martial Arts Room."

"My long-term goal is to keep improving my ranking, display my talent, apply for more Genius Loans, repay the family's debts, and cure Old Mom Fang Huiyi."

After sorting out his goals, Lin Qi threw himself wholeheartedly into stance training.

Martial Arts Education Bureau.

This was a massive blue-and-white square building with multiple levels. Smooth, flowing curves linked each floor together, creating a sense of dynamic beauty.

Inside one of the building's modern offices, the walls were covered with images of martial arts weapons such as sabers, swords, and spears, while holographic projections floated in the air.

Two figures stood in separate areas, swiping their fingers as the projected forms in the air constantly changed.

"Another year of senior year. We're going to be busy again. Just as expected, we'll be working overtime."

"There are quite a lot of Genius Loan applications. They concern the futures of all these martial arts students, so we have no choice but to work overtime reviewing them."

"Tianhai No. 2 Middle School, Chen Zichuan and Lin Qi applying for Second-Class Genius Loans? What wishful thinking."

A woman in her twenties with exquisite makeup kept complaining while she worked.

Then, upon seeing two application forms, she could not help but speak up.

"Tianhai No. 2 Middle School, ranked in the forties in their grade, and they still want Second Class? They're dreaming too big. Jiang Zhiguang is unbelievable, always reporting them a level too high. At most, they're Third Class." The woman sneered.

Another male colleague not far away pulled up the files for review.

According to the Martial Arts Education Bureau's regulations, applications for Third-Class and Second-Class Genius Loans were decided by ordinary employees like them. They worked in pairs and supervised each other.

The final result would then undergo a second review by a supervisor, though it was usually just a formality.

First-Class and Special Class applications, however, required personal review by a supervisor.

The man also saw the two application forms and carefully read through the materials.

"Chen Zichuan qualifies for Third Class without any issue, but this student Lin Qi has fairly good potential."

"It's very rare to improve in grade ranking and reach the top 50."

The female colleague shook her head, standing firmly by her decision.

"I don't see it that way. Even with such rapid improvement, he's still only in the top 50 of the grade."

"Besides, he didn't improve earlier or later, but happened to improve right when he applied. He probably hid his strength."

"According to the rules on my end, I won't approve him. Third Class is all he gets."

Although the woman's reasoning made some sense, the male colleague instinctively felt that Lin Qi truly had talent.

But according to the rules, approving Third Class was perfectly normal. The more one did, the more likely one was to make mistakes. Doing nothing meant making no mistakes.

With that thought, he said nothing further and marked the application result.

A moment later, in another private office, the supervisor was a burly, somewhat overweight middle-aged man.

He was busy at the moment. After briefly glancing over the application results, he stamped them approved.

Senior year passed so quickly. A week went by in the blink of an eye.

After entering the Elite Class, many people felt the intense pressure.

Especially in martial arts, everyone was among the best in their former classes. The fierce competitive atmosphere made many people work even harder.

That day at noon, after lunch,

Lin Qi was in Jiang Tao's Martial Arts Room, a spacious two-hundred-square-meter area.

The floor was covered with soft mats, while the walls held lockers, weapon cases, folding beds, water dispensers...

There was also a private bathroom and washing machine. Living there would not be a problem at all.

After lunch was supposed to be time for resting and taking a nap.

But now, some people even used their nap time to practice martial arts.

Lin Qi and Jiang Tao had originally planned to do the same. Then they saw Chen Zichuan still training in the Martial Arts Classroom at noon, so they became part of that group as well.

Their three daily training sessions became four.

"Whew~"

After maintaining his stance for over ten minutes, Lin Qi stood up. Only after taking a Qi and Blood Capsule did he begin wielding his long spear.

"Mnemonic: Mountain Shattering has its methods, the spear's momentum is like thunder, power breaks a thousand jun, fierce and fearless."

"The Mountain Shattering Spear Technique possesses the momentum of thunder and immense power. When performing it, one must carry a fierce, fearless spirit."

Lin Qi planted his feet firmly in a horse stance, his gaze focused and resolute. As he swung the long spear, it produced whooshing gusts of wind, and the spear tip flashed with cold light.

With a powerful shake, the spear body shot forward like lightning.

Lin Qi repeated the moves of the Mountain Shattering Spear Technique over and over, the key points of the spear technique surfacing in his mind.

"Whirlwind Break, Soaring Leap, Horizontal Block, Rapid Advance..."

He did not know how many times he had practiced. His arms began to ache and tremble, but his spear technique grew increasingly proficient.

At the same time, his entire body burned hot, qi and blood surging through him and opening up his joints.

[Through arduous training, your qi and blood value has increased. Qi and blood value +0.1]

[Through continuous training, your proficiency in the Mountain Shattering Spear Technique has increased. Spear technique +2%]

[Through continuous training, your movement technique has improved. Movement technique +2%]

[Qi and blood value: 6.4→6.5]

[Spear technique: First Order 71%→77%]

[Movement technique: First Order 60%→68%]

"Whew~"

Lin Qi assumed the Concluding Stance and looked at the Panel's data, filled with emotion.

In a single week, he had improved at an astonishing rate.

His qi and blood value had risen by a full 0.3.

His spear technique had jumped from 60% all the way to 77%.

His movement technique had improved by around 10% as well.

His rate of improvement was terrifyingly fast.

"Teacher Zhang Cheng said that for a period after first learning a Black Iron Grade Manual, one's realm improves the fastest. The stronger the foundation, the faster the improvement."

"Once that period passes, the speed will slow down. Now, I've already experienced what it feels like to improve so rapidly."

Lin Qi set down the long spear. Waves of pain came from his hands, and he saw that his callused palms were now covered in bloody abrasions.

Improving his spear technique did not come without a price. The prolonged training had rubbed the skin on his palms raw again.

Lin Qi expertly washed his hands, then took out some ointment and applied it to his palms.

"Hiss~"

The burning pain made his face twitch slightly. Finally, he wrapped his hands in bandages and waited for them to heal on their own.

"Qi Ge, this week has really been exhausting, but it feels like my improvement has been huge too."

Jiang Tao had also finished training. Sitting beside him, he wiped away sweat and drank an energy drink as a strong scent of sweat spread through the room.

"Teacher Zhang Cheng really is better than 'Wu De.' Not only is his teaching ability strong, he's also willing to guide us."

Lin Qi nodded. After a week, they had gained some understanding of Zhang Cheng.

As expected of a martial arts teacher capable of leading the Elite Class, his teaching ability was indeed formidable.

"Alright, time to go to class. Remember to drink some coffee, or you'll get sleepy easily."

Lin Qi reminded him, dragging his exhausted body away to wash up before heading to class.