The Classification of Geniuses

Jiang Tao and Lin Qi were also extremely curious. Their families were ordinary, even poor, and it was difficult to tell whether all kinds of information online were true or false.

So they needed someone trustworthy to explain it to them.

Zhang Cheng operated his smartwatch and projected a Big Screen filled with images and text. He gathered his thoughts and said:

"After the Tianhai Monthly Exam each year, the major Martial Arts Gyms will gradually sign contracts with the talented students from various schools."

"A contract is not a Genius Loan."

"A Genius Loan is essentially a loan. The money you spend now will need to be repaid in the future; it simply has no interest."

"A Martial Arts Gym contract, on the other hand, is an investment. They give you money in advance so you can improve your strength, then enter the Martial Arts Gym and earn profits for them in the future."

Everyone nodded. This was more or less what they already understood. No one disliked contracts; everyone hoped to sign a better one.

Zhang Cheng continued, "There are countless Martial Arts Gyms of all sizes across the Xia Kingdom, and they are backed by major corporations."

"Over the next few days, they will gradually come looking for you to negotiate contracts."

"The Martial Arts Gyms themselves vary in strength. Ordinary Martial Arts Gyms may offer money, but they come with many restrictions, provide limited assistance, and are not particularly cost-effective."

"They are only suitable for students with ordinary talent."

"As Elite Class students, your goal should be the Three Great Martial Arts Gyms."

"Chiqiong Martial Arts Gym, Heiyao, and Chongming—the three top Martial Arts Gyms—were each founded by Nine Realm Title-Level Martial Artists of our Xia Kingdom. Not only do they possess wealth rivaling nations, but they also command immense martial power and authority."

"Signing with one of the three top Martial Arts Gyms not only gives you more freedom in your contract and a higher signing amount, but also better benefits."

"So ambitious geniuses would never refuse a contract from the Three Great Martial Arts Gyms." Zhang Cheng smiled as he said this.

The onlookers' hearts began to race. Signing with one of the Three Great Martial Arts Gyms meant their futures would be bright.

"However, not all of you can sign with the three top Martial Arts Gyms."

"I remember that only thirty people from the previous class successfully signed contracts." Zhang Cheng poured cold water over them.

Quite a few people's hearts immediately sank.

"I'm ranked 37th. Doesn't that mean I can't sign with one of the Three Great Martial Arts Gyms?" someone sighed.

Some people looked unhappy as well. All of them were ranked below 30th.

"Of course, you are better than the previous class, so there may be more available contracts." Zhang Cheng rarely offered words of comfort.

"The three top Martial Arts Gyms classify geniuses into seven tiers, with D-Rank being the lowest and SSS-rank the highest."

"The S-Rank, SS-Rank, and SSS-rank tiers have nothing to do with you. Those are reserved for geniuses who have awakened special abilities."

Special abilities?

Everyone wore complicated expressions upon hearing that. Lin Qi was the same. They had only seen such geniuses in the news; they were far too distant from them.

"The tiers relevant to you are A-Rank, B-Rank, C-Rank, and D-Rank."

"Even the lowest D-Rank Contract can grant you money and precious resources worth several million."

"Of course, signing with a Martial Arts Gym is a long-term process. As long as you work hard and improve your ranking, you can still sign a contract or even upgrade your contract."

"Ring, ring, ring!"

"Alright, class is over. Dismissed!"

Seeing that class had ended, Zhang Cheng dismissed everyone. He packed up his things and turned to leave the Martial Arts Classroom.

As everyone packed up, they began chatting excitedly.

A group of them headed toward the cafeteria and started discussing contracts.

"I'm afraid it'll be difficult for me to sign a D-Rank Contract."

"Who do you think in our class can sign an A-Rank Contract? I heard only a very small number of geniuses are qualified." someone asked curiously.

"Li Zhou probably has a very good chance. Yu Jing and Qi Yuelin might have a shot too. The others can at most get B-Rank Contracts," someone said.

The others agreed.

Cafeteria, second floor

Lin Qi sat down with a tray piled high like a small mountain and began eating voraciously.

"Qi Ge, which Martial Arts Gym are you planning to sign with?"

After taking a few bites, Jiang Tao asked curiously from across the table.

Lin Qi shook his head. "I don't know. It depends on how we negotiate and what the contract says."

Jiang Tao nodded excitedly. "I can probably only get a B-Rank Contract. An A-Rank Contract is out of the question."

"Even a B-Rank Contract would be worth several million Xia Guo Bi. I won't be short of money for the rest of my senior year."

"But, Qi Ge, whichever Martial Arts Gym you go to, I'll go there too," Jiang Tao added at last.

"Alright." Lin Qi did not refuse.

Evening self-study, Principal's Office

"Lao Jiang, what was so important that you called me over too? I wanted to get some proper rest."

Zhang Cheng complained as he entered, then dropped onto the sofa.

"Teacher Yan, you're here too?"

Yan Hong sat opposite Zhang Cheng, while Jiang Zhiguang shifted his gaze away from the projected table.

"Three people need to apply for upgraded Genius Loans this time. Lao Zhang, I need your opinion."

"Who?" Zhang Cheng asked after taking a sip of tea.

"Jiang Tao is applying for a Special Genius Loan."

"Lin Qi is applying for a Second-Class Genius Loan!"

"Chen Zichuan is applying for a Second-Class Genius Loan!"

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

"Those three?" Zhang Cheng's eyes shifted.

After a moment, he grinned. "All three have very good talent. There's no problem with those applications."

"However!"

"However what?" Jiang Zhiguang asked.

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

"No, I suggest applying directly for a Special Genius Loan," Zhang Cheng said seriously.

Jiang Zhiguang froze. "That's even more exaggerated than what Yan Hong suggested. You two think so highly of Lin Qi?"

Yan Hong spoke up. "Lin Qi rose seventeen places in this Monthly Exam. His talent goes far beyond this."

Zhang Cheng added, "I don't understand academics, but in martial arts class, his comprehension far surpasses everyone else's."

"I dare say that his ranking will continue to soar in the Midterm Assessment."

"Agreed!" Yan Hong nodded.

Jiang Zhiguang nodded after hearing this. "I understand. I'll apply for a Special Genius Loan, but whether it gets approved will depend on luck."

After the two left

Jiang Zhiguang quickly operated the documents and submitted the three application forms.

After submitting them, he opened Lin Qi's file again and checked his grades and family background.

"Lin Qi, interesting. In three months, he rose from over a hundredth place to 18th Place in the grade. His improvement is unbelievably fast."

"Has he built up enough over time, or has he suddenly figured things out?"

Jiang Zhiguang muttered to himself as he habitually watered the flowerpot.

"Huh, it sprouted?"

Jiang Zhiguang was delighted. A hint of green had appeared amid the brown soil in the flowerpot.

Rongshan District, Lin Family, Living Room

"Dad, I made it to 18th Place in the grade in the Monthly Exam, and in the Star Activity..."

Through the Video Call, Lin Qi saw Lin Zhen on the other end and told him the good news.

"Lin Zhen was stunned when he heard the news. How long had it been? His son had already entered the top twenty in the grade?

After the shock faded, he could not stop the smile from spreading across his face. "As expected of my son!!"

"Dad, are you doing alright at Linhai Base?"

Lin Qi asked.

"Haha, of course I'm doing well. I'm just busy, but I am indeed earning more than before." Lin Zhen laughed heartily.

"..."

A few minutes later, Lin Qi handed his phone to Old Mom Fang Huiyi and went back to wash up.

When he came out, Fang Huiyi had hung up as well.

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're good for your health."

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

Then she looked at the boxes, and her expression changed slightly.

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

"Mom, I'm not short of money anymore. I can afford some supplements." Lin Qi reassured her.

"Alright." Fang Huiyi accepted them.

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

Lin Qi's expression turned serious as he looked into Old Mom Fang Huiyi's eyes and asked.