Chapter 89: Rookie King, Generous Rewards

Chapter 89: The Newcomer King and the Bountiful Rewards

Qin Feng made his way back to the Qiming First High School viewing area.

“Old Qin!”

Qian Duoduo was the first to spot him, letting out a strange yell as he charged over and gave him a solid bear hug.

“You’re insane! The Newcomer King! Hahaha! Tonight, it’s on me—the most expensive restaurant in all of Qiming Star, order whatever you want!”

Shi Potian also walked over, his eternally frozen face breaking into a genuine smile. He said simply, “Congratulations.”

Tie Lin and the other new students gathered around, offering their congratulations, each pair of eyes filled with the most sincere admiration.

“So, how about it, Junior Qin Feng?”

Sun He, accompanied by a few second-year seniors, approached as well. He patted Qin Feng on the shoulder with a grin, then raised an eyebrow smugly and asked with a chuckle, “Lei Yi’s dual sticks—compared to mine, they’re far off, aren’t they?”

Qin Feng smiled and replied sincerely, “Indeed. I must also thank you, Senior, for your earlier guidance. It let me experience the pressure of a perfected staff technique in advance, so today I could handle it without losing my composure.”

These words pleased Sun He immensely, and he burst into laughter, which spread to the surrounding new and old students alike.

Qin Feng’s victory was the glory of the entire Qiming First High School, and each of them shared in that pride.

After a brief round of pleasantries, the crowd gradually dispersed, each preparing for the upcoming closing ceremony.

Qin Feng sat quietly in the stands, with only Qian Duoduo and Shi Potian remaining by his side.

Qian Duoduo winked slyly, leaned in mysteriously, and lowered his voice with a grin. “Old Qin, aren’t you curious? What exactly is the reward for the Newcomer King this time?”

Hearing this, Qin Feng was slightly taken aback.

He hadn’t actually thought about that question.

All his previous goals had been focused solely on the 500 merit points for the top ten; he’d never even considered the champion’s reward.

“Oh? Is there something to it?” Qin Feng asked curiously.

“Heh, you’ve come to the right person!”

Qian Duoduo played coy, his face full of smugness. “Let me tell you, the reward for each Newcomer King is unique, jointly provided by the highest sponsor of that year’s tournament and the Imperial Ministry of Education. Though it changes every year, one thing is certain—it’s absolutely beyond your imagination!”

He clapped Qin Feng on the shoulder firmly and continued, “I don’t know the specifics either. Probably in a little while, Professor Gu Yue will notify you personally. Just keep an eye on your terminal messages.”

Qin Feng nodded slightly.

He raised his wrist and looked at the sleek, tech-filled wrist terminal that had transformed from his subspace pass.

This new terminal’s functions were indeed powerful, far surpassing the old model he’d had before.

A flicker of anticipation stirred in Qin Feng’s heart.

The first-place reward should be quite something, shouldn’t it?

—

The closing ceremony of the freshman tournament began amid the eager gazes of the crowd.

At the center of the arena, officials from the Ministry of Education and Qiming Star delivered stirring speeches, praising the new students’ struggle and glory, and envisioning the brilliant future of the human empire.

Qin Feng sat quietly in the Qiming First High School viewing area, listening to the impassioned words while waiting in silence.

His left arm had fully recovered, but the fatigue from that bloody battle still lingered.

Finally, just as the ceremony was about to conclude and the imperial anthem was about to play—

“Buzz—”

The terminal on Qin Feng’s wrist gave a slight vibration.

He raised his hand, and a pale blue light screen quietly appeared.

The sender was Professor Gu Yue.

On the screen, the final rewards for his “Newcomer King” title were listed.

[Qiming Star 32175th Inter-school League Freshman Tournament Champion Rewards]

[Special Guidance]: Ultramarines Chapter – 3rd Sub-Chapter – 7th Company Captain – Zhou Xiong, personal instruction x1.

[Special Permission]: Qiming Thunder Pool, entry ticket x1.

[Merit Point Reward]: 1000 points.

[Enhancement Serum]: Star Beast Type II Gene Enhancement Serum x1.

Below the reward list was a personal message from Mentor Gu Yue.

“Qin Feng, congratulations on successfully claiming the Newcomer King of this Qiming Star Inter-school League. Your performance has made the entire Qiming First High School proud of you. But remember, this is merely the first insignificant step on your martial path. Do not become arrogant or impatient; continue to cultivate with your unyielding will. I look forward to seeing you seize the position of ‘Qiming Star General’ in next year’s school league.”

After reading this, before Qin Feng could ponder it, a second message arrived.

“Now, come immediately to the exclusive training room at the top of the observation tower. Lord Zhou Xiong is already waiting for you.”

Qin Feng’s pupils contracted slightly.

He quickly replied with “Understood,” then hurriedly rose from his seat. Under the puzzled gazes of Qian Duoduo and Shi Potian, he strode swiftly toward the observation tower.

—

At the top of the observation tower, the exclusive training room.

The space was vast, but the decor was extremely minimalist—only an empty floor paved with special alloy.

When Qin Feng entered, the first thing he saw was a figure like a mountain.

Zhou Xiong.

He still wore that ancient, heavy deep-blue power armor, but now his helmet was off.

He stood silently in the center of the training room, over three meters tall, like an iron tower forged from steel, exuding a suffocating pressure.

It was the aura of blood and fire, honed only through mountains of corpses and seas of blood.

Qin Feng’s gaze fell on Zhou Xiong’s face.

Embedded in his weathered brow were three blood-red nails, like solidified drops of blood, radiating a faint, unsettling glow.

Seeing those three blood-red nails, Qin Feng was momentarily stunned.

He recalled the “Nail of Favor” in the sea of his brow, which had granted him enlightenment at his limit.

As if sensing Qin Feng’s stare, Zhou Xiong spoke in a deep voice, his words like metal grinding—low and powerful.

“These are ‘Ten-Thousand Battle Nails.’”

“For every ten thousand planetary-level or higher hunting missions completed, the Imperial Military bestows one. They are the highest honor for imperial soldiers, and they also use the killing aura of countless beings to stabilize one’s will, preventing corruption by the warp’s dark gods.”

Hearing this, Qin Feng felt a surge of profound respect.

Three Ten-Thousand Battle Nails meant at least thirty thousand planetary-level or higher hunts.

Behind that lay a terrifying record of achievements and glory.

Zhou Xiong did not dwell on the topic. From his storage space, he produced a vial sealed in a special container, shimmering with brilliant starlight.

“One of your rewards is my personal instruction.”

He looked at Qin Feng and continued, “But I cannot teach you killing techniques or the like. Those are things you must comprehend yourself, step by step, learning and tempering over time. Learning higher-level killing techniques prematurely will only lead you astray and do more harm than good.”

“So, my instruction will be to help you fully absorb this serum.”

He proffered the potion in his hand to Qin Feng.

(End of this chapter)