Rags to Riches: The Rise of a Dual-Talent Prodigy
Chapter 45: A Peaceful-Looking Salted Fish

Chapter 45: Chapter 45: A Peaceful-Looking Salted Fish

The scene immediately erupted!

Qian Qi, didn’t actually die?

The principal, shocked, widened his eyes, turning to look at the veteran elders sitting next to him, discovering that Elder Zheng, who possessed A-level healing skills, remained rooted as if he were a mountain, stroking his beard with a thoughtful look.

Given Elder Zheng’s ability to perceive human injury levels, if Qian Qi had just been severely injured, he would have promptly intervened to save her.

But since he didn’t move, it indicated that Qian Qi was unharmed!

This Qian Qi... who exactly is she?

Why is she always able to create miracles?

The principal’s heart was shaking, and all the students present, witnessing this seemingly miraculous scene, couldn’t help but issue thunderous cheers, offering their highest respect to this brave soul!

"Qian Qi! Qian Qi! Qian Qi!!!"

"Boss, you’re badass! You’re fucking my god!"

"Anyone who doubts Boss Qian Qi’s products in the future is against me! I’ll always believe in Boss Qian Qi!"

The students’ passion and fearlessness surged again, as if they saw hope for the future, their hearts filled with excitement and fervor, and Qian Qi, living up to their expectations, stood firm like an iron wall under the Bear Iron Beast’s continuous attacks, her slightly rough little face radiating with supreme confidence.

Though her image wasn’t exactly pleasant.

Qian Qi was sometimes pinched by the Bear Iron Beast like dough, sometimes slammed to the ground, trampled under its big, stinky feet, and sometimes hammered repeatedly on her small body with its earth cone.

But no matter how strong the Bear Iron Beast’s attacks were, Qian Qi lay on the ground like a dead salty fish, arms crossed over her belly, looking peacefully undisturbed.

At that moment, Qian Qi had only one thought in her mind.

After the match, she’d have Chen Tong compensate her for the soiled clothes!

"This is simply too amazing!" Unaware of what he would face, Chen Tong was already standing at the edge of the stands, looking at Qian Qi unharmed under the D-level Contracted Beast’s attack, an ambitious and greedy glint in his eyes.

He must get hold of Qian Qi’s supply channel!

He wants to replace Qian Qi, becoming the center of adoration and flattery.

Chen Tong was plotting to take her place, while Chen Miaomiao behind him tightly clenched her fists, her face pale as she listened to the cheers for Qian Qi from all sides, her eyes brimming with endless jealousy and unwillingness.

She couldn’t understand how Qian Qi, who was always despised, could crawl out from the depths of obscurity to become a dazzling figure in everyone’s eyes?

Qian Qi used to be just a madman who destroyed fellow students’ Magic Plant assignments!

Chen Miaomiao had witnessed Qian Qi’s madness one night, destroying those Magic Plants.

Like a lunatic on a rampage, her eyes filled with bloodshot, her face twisted, eyes bulging, finding twisted pleasure in destruction, indulging in fury and violence, her terrifying smile and sorrowful wails interweaving before the ruined Magic Plant corpses, making those who heard it shudder.

But the next day, she acted like an ordinary person as if she had forgotten everything she had done, angered by the "accusations and wrongs" of the victims, repeatedly getting into conflicts, trying to prove her "innocence and anger" in an impulsive and violent manner.

And yet, how could such a person become a miracle in everyone’s eyes?

Chen Miaomiao detested Qian Qi, hated her for being an unaccomplished person, and hated even more her useless yet strong pride.

In this society where Awakeners and the rich are supreme, and the poor can only survive by licking knives’ edges, Qian Qi seemed to be her complete opposite, impulsive, pure, fearless, confronting ridicule with fists, staunchly defending her last shred of dignity, while she herself was hypocritical, scheming, by all means doing everything she could, bowing and scraping in the face of injustice, smiling her way through everything.

She was even more envious of Qian Qi, envious that even though she was penniless, ill, and an orphan, she had a dean who sent her living expenses every month, caring for her gently.

She could have watched Qian Qi’s mental breakdown lead to an even more miserable fate than her own, perhaps even profiting a bit from her death, but Chen Tong ruined everything.

When he first approached her, he swore he would get rid of Qian Qi, but now he has somehow made Qian Qi flourish!

Her entire scheme all came to nothing!

Her sharp nails pierced into her palm, and biting her lip hard, Chen Miaomiao ultimately transformed her unwilling jealousy into a haughty scoff, limping away from the Beast Square.

She would never let it go.

She must live better and longer than Qian Qi.

After Chen Miaomiao left, the 10-minute countdown reached its final seconds.

"Ten, nine, eight, seven—"

The enthusiastic students shouted out the countdown for this match, eagerly anticipating that victorious Qian Qi would present the Defense Fruit, telling them this was the beginning of hope, telling them they weren’t doomed to be the neglected scholars of old tales, but young warriors who’d don armor in prosperous eras, braving battles to safeguard humanity’s future continuance with fervor and sacrifice.

The youths were immersed in this certain victory battle; however, as the final count fell, the Bear Iron Beast, meant to cease under the Beast Master’s command, instead lifted its fist, launching it straight at Qian Qi’s head!

Everyone witnessing this gasped, shouting caution, while Chen Tong gripped the railings tightly, joining the crowd in cursing to halt the Beast Master’s attack that he himself had arranged to kill Qian Qi.

Son of a gun, he forgot to make a Plan B!

Qian Qi couldn’t die now; he hadn’t gotten her Light Brain yet!

With her back to everyone, Qian Qi looked up at the massive iron fist about to descend, her lips arching into a strange smile.

She knew Chen Tong would surely play tricks and try to take her out during the duel.

But how could she be unprepared?

The Defense Fruit hidden under her tongue wobbled slightly, but she didn’t swallow it, her little fists at her sides clenched tightly, ready to face the Bear Iron Beast’s huge fist.

Even though she didn’t want to reveal her trump card, just to save some money, she’d try if D-level strength could withstand this hit!

Anyway, she could always lie and say she’d taken a second Defense Fruit!

Yet to everyone else, it looked like Qian Qi’s last struggle before inevitable death, her frail arms lifted to meet the Bear Iron Beast’s massive arm—a praying mantis trying to stop a car.

Some students couldn’t bear to watch and shut their eyes.

The principal’s mind raced within a second, knowing that a D-level Beast Master’s future was bright, but harming a Contracted Beast to save an ordinary person would offend the Beast Taming Department. However, Qian Qi’s Magic Potion and Defense Fruit were invaluable, so he had to ensure her safety too.

In that moment of hesitation, the silver-haired youth beside him disappeared in a flash. As his deep eyes twinkled, the Bear Iron Beast, originally in attack mode, suddenly clutched its head and howled in pain as if stimulated by something.

Seeing this, Qian Qi’s clenched fists transformed into hands that playfully slapped the Bear Iron Beast’s plump bear rump, and noticing the bounce-back, she smirked mischievously, "Heh, quite bouncy~"

The crowd: ...

Damn, the boss is a real freak.

The northern gate of the square was drawn open, and Uncle Li chimed the electric bell, urging the Beast Master to leave the field. The older student of the Beast Taming Department steadied his heart, hastily controlling his Contracted Beast to exit.

Regardless of whether the task was successful, anyway, he had done the favor and owed Chen Tong nothing.

Qian Qi dusted off her clothes amidst cheers, returning to the stands to retrieve a small metal box from Su Xingle’s embrace.

Not forgetting to spit the Defense Fruit from her mouth, wipe it clean, and tuck it back in her pocket as well.

Save where we can save! A Defense Fruit is worth tens of thousands!

After doing these things, she picked up the microphone from the ground, blew non-existent dust off it, and cleared her throat to speak.

The crowd hushed themselves for a moment.

Attentively, they waited eagerly to hear Qian Qi’s fervent speech.

Bring it on! They’re ready!