"Special scholarship?" Principal Tan, who was going through some documents, suddenly froze with a smile on his face.
He instinctively doubted he had heard correctly. "Xu Bo? Did you say special?"
"Of course!" Xu Bo glared back. "Old Tan, stop wasting time and approve it quickly."
Principal Tan felt a headache coming on.
As the principal, he had a lot of power, and technically all the teachers were his subordinates... but Xu Bo's position was quite special.
"Xu Bo, it's not that I don't want to approve it." Principal Tan raised his eyes, looking helpless. "A special scholarship is not the same as a regular one. A regular scholarship is just 100,000 Blue Star Coins, and I can approve that directly."
"A special scholarship is 500,000 Blue Star Coins. Even if I agree, I still need to report it to the Education Bureau."
"I know," Xu Bo nodded as if it was obvious. "Once you approve it, I’ll call Director He."
Principal Tan was taken aback.
Director He was his direct boss.
Principal Tan knew that Xu Bo's strength wasn't that terrifying; after being injured, his physical condition was only at level 19. But having survived for over twenty years in the Star Realm and still being alive... his connections were unfathomable.
Principal Tan remembered that when Xu Bo came to Guanshan District's top high school, it was Director He himself who brought him there.
"Xu Bo," Principal Tan shook his head. "If you want me to agree, you need to tell me why. Which student? Or is it a promising student from a junior high?"
Principal Tan was well aware of Xu Bo's character.
He was strict with his students but also very responsible, often considering what was best for them.
He was the school's top teacher.
Otherwise, even though Xu Bo had a wide network, Principal Tan wouldn't truly care about him.
As for doubting that Xu Bo wanted to pocket the 500,000 Blue Star Coins? Principal Tan never thought of that.
After all, Xu Bo had spent over ten million Blue Star Coins decorating his office... a powerful martial artist who had roamed the Star Realm for many years had accumulated quite a fortune.
"There is a promising student, but he’s not from junior high," Xu Bo said. "He’s from senior year."
"A promising student from senior year? Worthy of a special scholarship?" Principal Tan was a bit surprised.
He didn’t recall any such student.
Scholarships were evaluated based on many factors, including grades, family background, talent, and political connections.
"I'll send you the information," Xu Bo said.
Soon, Principal Tan received the online data and began to read it. Having worked in education for over fifty years, he was quite capable.
"Xu Bo, this Li Yuan is indeed a promising student with great potential. You’ve done well to discover him," Principal Tan praised Xu Bo’s insight first.
Then he changed his tone, "But to qualify for a special scholarship? To be honest, Li Yuan still falls short."
"Where is he lacking?" Xu Bo's face showed displeasure. "Haven't you seen his spear technique video?"
"I have, and it’s good."
Principal Tan shook his head. "But scholarships are allocated by the state. It requires not just my approval and Director He’s, but also the approval of the Intelligent Supervision Bureau."
"The Intelligent Supervision Bureau doesn’t do manual reviews; they only look at major exam scores. Whether a martial spirit has awakened is also an important criterion."
"Last time in the final exam, he barely made it into the top thirty of his grade and hasn’t awakened his martial spirit yet... it's going to be tough to pass the final review," Principal Tan explained.
"With his current strength, he has a chance to break into the top twenty of his grade," Xu Bo insisted, glaring.
"That’s just your opinion." Principal Tan shook his head. "The Intelligent Supervision Bureau only recognizes major exam scores; we’ll have to wait for the January retest."
"January retest?" Xu Bo looked displeased. "That’s still months away; it’ll be too late."
"Old Tan, you’re also a martial artist; you know how important this age is," Xu Bo said. "What resources can you directly provide now?"
"Right now?"
Principal Tan thought for a moment. "I can approve a second-tier scholarship directly."
"Fifty thousand Blue Star Coins? That’s not enough." Xu Bo shook his head firmly.
"That’s all the authority I have." Principal Tan spread his hands. "How about this? I can also assign him a private martial arts room; that’s a privilege for the top ten in the grade."
Xu Bo frowned, seeming unsatisfied.
"Xu Bo, that’s enough."
"A senior student, five thousand is enough to buy two to three months' worth of basic vitality-enhancing elixirs," Principal Tan said. "Once the January retest comes around, if he can break into the top twenty, I’ll help apply for a first-tier scholarship."
"Top twenty? Old Tan, I have to say you’re underestimating him," Xu Bo shook his head. "Li Yuan has a real chance to break into the top ten by the January retest."
Now, Principal Tan smiled.
"He hasn’t awakened his martial spirit."
"It’s nearly impossible for him to break into the top ten," Principal Tan chuckled. "If he really can do it... well, I’ll do my best to help him apply for the special scholarship."
"And if it doesn’t get approved, I’ll personally sponsor him a bit," Principal Tan added with a smile.
"Deal."
Xu Bo’s eyes lit up with a sly glint. "You said it; I’ve recorded it... Alright, I’ve already sent you the report for the second-tier scholarship, so hurry up and approve it."
"I have other matters to attend to; I’ll hang up now."
"Beep—"
Xu Bo had already ended the video call.
Principal Tan was left in his office, still in a daze, staring at the newly appeared 'pending approval document' on his work screen.
He paused for a moment.
Principal Tan quickly realized he had been outsmarted.
If Xu Bo truly wanted to apply for a special scholarship, why would he send the application for a second-tier scholarship in a second?
It was clearly prepared in advance.
Xu Bo’s target was the second-tier scholarship... starting with the special scholarship was just a way to ask for more.
"This Xu Bo," Principal Tan chuckled helplessly and said, "Number nine."
"Open the pending approval document."
"Approved."
...
In the office building, in Xu Bo's office.
"Special scholarship?" Xu Bo showed a strange smile. "Call Director He? I'm not that foolish."
Xu Bo knew that with Li Yuan's current situation, there was no way he could pass the Intelligent Supervision Bureau’s review.
"That’s enough."
"And I also got him a private martial arts room." Xu Bo smiled. "Old Tan is just too rigid; he always drags his feet when it comes to giving out money."
"The funds from the state are treated like his secret stash, and I won’t waste them..."
"Huh? Approved?"
"This time it was quite smooth." Xu Bo thought for a moment and said, "Black Dog, send a smiley face to Principal Tan."
"Oh no, send the selfie with the smiley face I saved last time."
"Yes, Master."
...
At nine o'clock in the evening.
The sounds of students leaving after evening study echoed through the campus as they trickled out one by one.
In the martial arts classroom of Senior Year Class (2), only Li Yuan and Li Tianyou remained, both practicing with cold weapons.
"Li Yuan, aren’t you leaving yet?" Li Tianyou couldn’t help but call out.
"I’m fine; you go ahead," Li Yuan smiled. "I’ll practice a bit more."
Li Tianyou hesitated for a moment.
He had arrived at school at 5:45 PM today, intending to go home early to rest... but now he was having second thoughts.
"Li Yuan gets here earlier than me and stays later." Li Tianyou gritted his teeth. "No way, if I can’t match his talent, can I not work harder?"
"Keep practicing."
From a distance, Li Yuan didn’t notice Li Tianyou’s change in expression; he was focused on the data displayed on the Divine Palace Panel.
——
[Life Level: 6.7 (Not Ranked)]
Physical Constitution Index: 74 (This is a comprehensive assessment of aspects like explosiveness, endurance, speed, physique, and spiritual power.)
Fist Power: 445 kg
Speed: 14.7 m/s
Spiritual Power: Level 12.9
Body Cultivation Method: "Rock Foundation Cultivation Method"
Spiritual Cultivation Method: "Great Sun Starry Sky Sutra"
Skill Levels: Spear Technique (Stage 3, 46%), Movement Technique (Stage 3, 29%), Fist Technique (Stage 3, 94%)
[Note: There is a hidden high-level spirit within his body that has yet to awaken.]
——
"Compared to the beginning of the month, both my physical constitution and spiritual power have steadily improved." Li Yuan was quite satisfied.
He firmly believed that as long as he continued to practice diligently, one day he would become a powerful martial artist.
What excited him the most today was that he had created a new move called "Rocky Dragon Concealment."
"I just created it, and I’m still not very skilled at using it."
"I need to keep pondering over it these next few days," Li Yuan was deep in thought.
Suddenly.
"Li Yuan." A cold voice like a bell echoed from inside the classroom.
Li Yuan and Li Tianyou turned their heads simultaneously.
"Teacher Xu?" Li Yuan was a bit surprised.
"Come to my office," Xu Bo said in a low voice, then turned and left, disappearing into the night.
"Tianyou, I won’t be going back to the classroom later," Li Yuan said as he put his spear away in the weapon cabinet.
He grabbed his bag and quickly left the classroom.
"So late."
"Teacher Xu is looking for Li Yuan?" A hint of envy flashed in Li Tianyou’s eyes. "No wonder Li Yuan wasn’t in a hurry to leave today; is it because Teacher Xu wants to give him special guidance?"
Li Tianyou shook his head, thinking to himself, "Li Tianyou, mind your own business."
"Focus on yourself!" He refocused his gaze and earnestly practiced his knife techniques.
...
In Xu Bo's office.
"Second-tier scholarship? Fifty thousand Blue Star Coins?" Li Yuan was initially stunned upon hearing this good news, followed by endless joy.
With his temperament, he couldn’t hide his happiness.
In fact, for Li Yuan, this fifty thousand Blue Star Coins would not only help ease his family's financial burden but also relieve some pressure from his heart.
It would lessen his guilt towards his uncle and aunt.
"Why so happy?" Xu Bo looked at Li Yuan's barely concealed joy, feeling quite surprised.
Xu Bo quickly realized that this scholarship was likely more important to Li Yuan than he had anticipated.
"It’s so important to Li Yuan."
"But for over half a month, he hasn’t said a word or come to find me, keeping it all to himself. He’s quite composed," Xu Bo thought, raising his opinion of Li Yuan even higher.
Once Li Yuan had calmed down completely.
"Thank you, Teacher Xu," Li Yuan expressed his gratitude.
Li Yuan felt that the change from a third-tier scholarship to a second-tier one was likely why Xu Bo had taken so long.
"The scholarship will be transferred to your account next Monday," Xu Bo said. "Also, I have two pieces of good news for you."
"Good news?" Li Yuan listened attentively.
More good news?
"First, I’ve had to put on a serious face and talk to the principal five or six times before he agreed to allocate you a private martial arts room so you can focus more on your training," Xu Bo said earnestly.
A private martial arts room? Li Yuan was shocked; that was a privilege for the top ten in the grade, and there were hardly any exceptions.
"Thank you for your efforts, Teacher," Li Yuan felt even more grateful.
"Second, the principal has agreed that during the January retest, if you can break into the top ten, I can help you apply for a first-tier scholarship of 100,000 Blue Star Coins," Xu Bo looked at Li Yuan. "If you can break into the top five, there’s a chance to apply for the special scholarship."
"The special scholarship is 500,000 Blue Star Coins!"
"The opportunity is yours."
"Whether you can secure it depends on yourself."
(End of Chapter)