Chapter 618 - 597: Instakill

As Lin Xinghai spoke, he pulled an insignia from his Combat Suit that proved his identity and handed it over.

The lieutenant acting as the referee was stunned, and so were the onlookers.

They never would have imagined that Lin Xinghai would actually use his military status to pressure someone.

And the effect seemed... surprisingly effective.

After all, in the current post-apocalyptic world, all university students could be considered part of the Reserve Army, and Cui Ming was no exception.

Since both parties were military personnel, Lin Xinghai’s earlier argument was completely valid.

Especially since he had produced a major’s insignia. If Cui Ming could produce a rank higher than Lin Xinghai’s, it would be a different story.

Otherwise, the charge of slandering a superior officer alone would be enough to land him in a world of hurt.

But could Cui Ming produce a rank higher than a major?

Generally, fourth-year students from major universities would enter the military for training, which was also a period for them to quickly earn Merit.

If they were outstanding enough, they could be promoted to the rank of major before graduation. Some might even become battalion commanders or deputy regimental commanders right after.

However, the school year had only started two months ago. Cui Ming and the others had only been in their fourth year, interning with the Military Department, for just over two months. How much Merit could they possibly have accumulated?

Cui Ming was currently just a second lieutenant, a full three Levels below Lin Xinghai’s rank. The expression on his face flickered uncertainly.

When the lieutenant on the stage confirmed through Lin Xinghai’s insignia that he was indeed a major, Cui Ming, though still finding it hard to believe, immediately made a decision.

"Fine. In that case, I accept your ’persuasion by force.’ I hope you won’t regret this," Cui Ming said in a low voice.

This so-called "persuasion by force" was a unique way of settling disputes in the post-apocalyptic world, which simply meant the two parties would fight it out.

And regardless of who won or lost, the previous matter would be completely dropped.

It was often used to resolve verbal disputes.

Hearing the other party agree, a smile finally appeared on Lin Xinghai’s face. Although it had taken some talking, he had finally achieved his goal.

Under everyone’s gaze, he walked slowly onto the stage.

The crowd of onlookers was growing larger and larger.

It couldn’t be helped. Lin Xinghai, as a mere freshman, had already earned the title of East Sea Academy’s number one genius. Such a thing was unheard of, not just among the top three academies, but even at ordinary universities.

So, when word spread that Lin Xinghai, a freshman from East Sea Academy, was actually challenging a fourth-year senior from Capital University, the amount of attention skyrocketed.

This was especially true for the students from East Sea Academy, who gathered in large numbers.

On one hand, they wanted to see Lin Xinghai’s strength for themselves.

On the other hand, the current situation was quite unfavorable for East Sea Academy, and they all wanted to know if Lin Xinghai was worthy of the title of "number one genius."

"Be careful. Regardless of the outcome, don’t get hurt. It’s not worth it if it affects your performance in the upcoming academy tournament." At this moment, Guan An, who had been watching silently from the side, couldn’t help but offer a word of caution to Lin Xinghai.

Although Lin Xinghai seemed very confident, Guan An didn’t believe someone in the Blood Qi Realm could truly defeat an expert at the Body Shaping Realm Middle Stage.

However, he believed that as long as Lin Xinghai displayed strength surpassing that of an ordinary genius in the upcoming fight, it would be enough to boost their side’s morale.

Because what Cui Ming had said earlier wasn’t exactly wrong. With East Sea Academy falling behind on all fronts, they really did need a talented student to step up and hold the line, even if only for a morale boost.

"Okay, thank you for your concern." Lin Xinghai nodded politely in thanks.

At the same time, he glanced down from the stage and saw that many in the gathering crowd had started whispering amongst themselves.

Lin Xinghai listened closely for a moment and could clearly sense that the mood of the East Sea Academy students was significantly worse than that of the Capital University students.

’Looks like I’ll really have to show some of my strength to raise their spirits,’ Lin Xinghai thought to himself with a sigh.

"You two, move to your starting positions. According to Military Department rules for ’persuasion by force,’ death and severe disability are forbidden." After reporting both combatants’ identities, the lieutenant on the stage spoke in a formal, business-like tone.

Cui Ming stepped back while pulling a pair of Double-Bladed Giant Axes from the edge of the stage.

Although his specialty was Defense, his weapons were not purely defensive. Of course, the blades of these Double-Bladed Giant Axes were extremely wide and could easily be used as small shields if needed.

After picking up his weapons, Cui Ming immediately activated his Divine Demon Body, his Defense Superpower, and protective Blood Qi Power.

His arms and torso instantly bulked up, a keratinous layer grew over his skin, a thick shield of Blood Qi Power covered his body, and shields formed from condensed metal began to circle around him.

At that moment, he instantly entered his strongest combat state.

Although he didn’t think Lin Xinghai could defeat him, as a top student from Capital University, how could he not understand the principle of a lion using its full strength even to hunt a rabbit?

He was resolved not to give his opponent any chance for a comeback until he had utterly defeated Lin Xinghai.

However, when he finished all his preparations and looked at Lin Xinghai, he was instantly stunned.

Because Lin Xinghai had done nothing but retreat to the starting area. He didn’t even have a weapon in his hands.

"Very good. I hope you can still be this calm in a moment." The feeling of being looked down upon instantly ignited a nameless rage in Cui Ming’s heart.

He had already decided he wouldn’t end the fight quickly. He was going to properly humiliate his opponent.

Lin Xinghai, however, had no interest in engaging with him. He looked at the referee and said, "I’m ready, too. We can start anytime."

Seeing Lin Xinghai say this, the lieutenant acting as referee, despite the surprise and confusion on his face, raised his hand—the signal for the match to begin.

At this moment, everyone, including the audience below the stage, held their breath in concentration.

"Begin!"

As the referee’s voice fell, Cui Ming immediately stomped heavily on the stage. The Blood Qi Power surged within him, causing his Speed to explode as he unhesitatingly charged toward Lin Xinghai’s position.

But he had only taken a single step when his pupils suddenly shrank.

Because Lin Xinghai, who had been standing still a moment ago, had vanished in the next instant.

A sense of crisis enveloped his entire body.

Before he could even react, he saw three afterimages of a foot, wreathed in terrifying Thunderbolt, kicking toward his chest with unstoppable speed.

The first afterimage shattered the outermost metal shield from his Superpower.

The second afterimage broke through the barrier of Blood Qi Power around his body.

The third afterimage slammed directly into his chest.

The moment the final afterimage hit him, he felt countless bolts of terrifyingly destructive lightning burrowing into his body, destroying his internal organs.

Even with the Blood Qi Power inside him resisting, his body couldn’t help but convulse.

At the same time, an immense Giant Strength struck his chest. Even with the increased Defense Power from his Divine Demon Body, he could clearly feel that at least two of his ribs had broken.

And he himself, in a state of complete numbness, was kicked straight off the stage, landing heavily on the ground.

From start to finish, it didn’t even take one second.

At that moment, you could hear a pin drop.

No one could process what had just happened.

Forget them—even Little Fatty, who knew Lin Xinghai extremely well, was left with his mouth agape, stunned yet again.

No one had expected Lin Xinghai to be able to instantly defeat an expert at the Body Shaping Realm Middle Stage.

GULP!

Many couldn’t help but swallow hard. As geniuses themselves, their gazes toward Lin Xinghai now involuntarily held a trace of awe.

The combat power Lin Xinghai had just displayed was definitely comparable to the top-tier Demons at the Peak of Body Shaping Realm who ranked in the top ten on the Points leaderboard.