He's 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, unlike usual, was drenched in sweat as he pressed himself against the electric fan.

The air was filled with a quiet, peaceful atmosphere.

Lin Qi felt happy as he watched the scene.

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

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

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

Old Mom Fang Huiyi shook her head, scolding Lin Qi for spending 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 by it. This is only the beginning. Our family's life will keep getting better."

"..."

A few minutes later,

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

"Air conditioning really is comfortable!"

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

He had returned an hour early today, so he needed to train extra.

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

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

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

"They've worked too hard and sacrificed too much for me."

"Now, I can finally help them."

As someone who had transmigrated, although his parents had never told him about the family's situation for fear of affecting his studies,

he had already guessed it from various bits of information.

The family not only owed Uncle a large sum of money, but had also taken out a huge loan. Old Dad had not told him the exact amount, but it was definitely not small.

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

The family was already struggling to make ends meet.

Fortunately, his Genius Loan application was about to be approved.

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

After all these years of hard work, it was time for him to shoulder this family.

Although there was enormous pressure from the outside world, Lin Qi had powerful motivation.

"My immediate goals are also very clear. 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 in No. 2 High School's Grade Ranking and obtain an independent Martial Arts Room."

"My long-term goals are to work hard to improve 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 square building in blue and white, with multiple levels. Each floor was connected by streamlined curves, creating a sense of dynamic beauty.

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

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

"Another senior year has begun. We're going to be busy again. Just as expected, we'll have to work overtime."

"There are quite a few Genius Loan applications. This concerns the futures of martial arts students everywhere, 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 a pipe dream."

A woman in her twenties, wearing exquisite makeup, complained as she worked.

When she suddenly saw the two application forms, she could not help speaking up.

"Tianhai No. 2 Middle School, ranked in the forties for the grade, and he still wants Second Class? He's thinking too highly of himself. Jiang Zhiguang is unbelievable. He always reports them a class too high. At most, he's worth Third Class." The woman sneered.

Another male colleague nearby pulled up the files to review them.

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

First-Class and Special Class applications, on the other hand, required personal review by a supervisor.

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

"There's no problem with Chen Zichuan getting Third Class, but this student Lin Qi has quite good potential."

"It's very rare for someone to improve from his Grade Ranking into the Top 50."

The female colleague shook her head, firmly maintaining her decision.

"I don't see it that way. Even after improving so quickly, he's still only in the Top 50 of the grade."

"And why did he not improve earlier or later, but just happen to improve when applying? 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 was talented.

But according to the rules, approving Third Class was not a problem either. The more he did, the more likely he was to make mistakes. If he did nothing extra, he could not go wrong.

With that thought, he said no more and marked the application result.

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

He was busy at the moment. After briefly looking 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 previous classes, and the fierce competitive atmosphere made many people work even harder.

That afternoon, 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, and the walls were fitted with wardrobes, weapon cases, Folding beds, water dispensers...

There was also an independent bathroom and a washing machine. Living there would not have been a problem at all.

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

But now, some people were even using 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 training sessions a day had become four.

"Whoosh~"

After standing in stance for more than ten minutes, Lin Qi got to his feet. Only after taking a Qi and Blood Capsule did he begin wielding his Long Spear.

"Mnemonic: Mountain Shattering has its method, the spear's force is like Thunder, strength breaks a thousand jun, unyielding and fearless."

"The Mountain Shattering Spear Technique possesses the momentum of Thunder and tremendous power. When using it, one must have an unyielding, fearless bearing."

Lin Qi planted his feet firmly in a horse stance. His gaze was focused and resolute as he swung the Long Spear, stirring up whooshing winds while the spearhead flashed with cold light.

With a fierce shake of the Long Spear, its shaft shot out like lightning in a stab.

Lin Qi repeatedly practiced the moves of the Mountain Shattering Spear Technique, 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 as it opened 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 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%]

"Whoosh~"

Lin Qi assumed his Concluding Stance and looked at the Panel's data with many emotions.

In just one week, he had improved at an incredible rate.

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

His Spear Technique had shot from 60% all the way to 77%.

His Movement Technique had also improved by around 10%.

His rate of improvement was frighteningly fast.

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

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

Lin Qi put down the Long Spear. Waves of pain came from his hands, and he saw that his callused palms were now covered in bloody marks.

Improving his Spear Technique had not come without a price. The prolonged training had rubbed the skin of his palms raw again.

Used to it by now, Lin Qi washed his hands before taking out some ointment and applying 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 been exhausting, but it feels like the gains have been huge too."

Jiang Tao had also finished training. He sat nearby, wiping away sweat and drinking an Energy Drink as the thick smell of sweat spread through the room.

"Teacher Zhang Cheng really is better than 'Wu De.' Not only is he a strong teacher, but he's also willing to guide us."

Lin Qi nodded. Over the past week, they had gained some understanding of Zhang Cheng.

He truly deserved to be the martial arts teacher of the Elite Class. His teaching ability was indeed excellent.

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

Lin Qi reminded him as he dragged his exhausted body away to wash up before heading to class.