After ending the video call with Zhong Cheng, Li Yuan thought for a moment. Not wanting to disturb his uncle Li Changzhou's rest, he decided not to call directly but instead left a message explaining the situation.
Just five minutes later, the call came back. "Ding—ding—" Li Changzhou initiated the video call, and Li Yuan quickly connected.
"Uncle." Li Yuan saw Li Changzhou on the screen, looking dusty, as if he had just finished a busy task.
"I have a rough idea," Li Changzhou said, his expression not as cheerful as Li Yuan had expected. Instead, he frowned. "If the Starry Sky Martial Hall only offers a D-level contract in the end, whether you'll sign it or not is another matter."
"Oh?" Li Yuan felt a bit confused.
Getting a special recruitment from the Martial Hall had always been Li Yuan's top goal, but he hadn't heard anything for over half a month. At first, he didn’t feel a strong desire to sign with the Martial Hall early. However, after researching online, he learned that signing early with the major Martial Halls was generally beneficial. Besides some restrictions, there weren't many downsides.
Most importantly, signing early could significantly reduce the financial burden on his family, and he might even receive cash rewards to support them. Li Yuan felt a sense of debt towards his uncle and aunt, worrying that his uncle's risky move to the Northern Frontier Province was because of him.
"I’ve used some connections to find out the details," Li Changzhou patiently explained. "Over the years, the three major Martial Halls have contracts that range from D-level to S-level, divided into five tiers."
"The terms of contracts at the same level are quite similar across different halls."
Li Yuan nodded slightly, realizing that in the eyes of the Starry Sky Martial Hall, he was at the lowest level. But still, being able to sign early was already impressive.
"A D-level contract offers one million Blue Star Coins per year for six years," Li Changzhou said solemnly. "It sounds good, but you need to understand."
"The resources you need for training now and those required after entering university as a martial artist are two different things."
"For example, a basic Vitality-Enhancing Elixir costs only 2,000 Blue Star Coins. You can spend 20,000 Blue Star Coins a month now."
"But after becoming a martial artist, a first-level Vitality-Enhancing Elixir will cost 10,000 Blue Star Coins. You'll need at least ten bottles a month, maybe twenty or thirty," Li Changzhou emphasized. "Just for the basics, you’ll need at least a million Blue Star Coins a year."
"Then there are 'spiritual enhancement treasures,' which are essential if you aim to become a second-level Source Martial Artist. The annual cost can easily reach several million Blue Star Coins..."
"Plus therapy..."
"Purchasing weapons and various supporting equipment is also necessary. Martial artists must fight against Star Realm creatures, and their gear can't be cheap or easily damaged." Li Changzhou looked at Li Yuan. "One million is a lot for you right now."
"If you’re not focused on martial arts and want to take other majors in university, then you don’t need to spend too much on martial arts. You can train gradually and aim to become a 15th-level martial artist in the future. This contract might even be considered generous, and you could save a few million Blue Star Coins." Li Changzhou continued, "Once you graduate, according to the contract, the Starry Sky Martial Hall will offer you a job."
"At that point, like your Uncle Zhong, you could work as an ordinary member in the Martial Hall, with benefits that are not worse than a civil servant's."
"If the Starry Sky Martial Hall breaks the contract and doesn’t provide a job, you’ll still have a few million Blue Star Coins to find another job, which is a safe bet."
"This is a straightforward path." Li Changzhou stared at Li Yuan.
Li Yuan was shocked. He hadn’t expected such an approach existed.
"But Xiao Yuan, are you really content to be an ordinary person? An ordinary martial artist?" Li Changzhou looked intently at Li Yuan.
Li Yuan fell silent.
"You’re not content." Li Changzhou shook his head and sighed. "I’ve watched you grow up; how could I not understand? Your intense training is not just to help your family; more importantly, you have the heart of a martial artist."
"Since middle school, have you ever taken a break on weekends, during summer or winter vacations? You even trained during the New Year."
"You’re hard on yourself."
"I’ve never seen such determination; I can’t match you, and your father couldn’t either." Li Changzhou said slowly.
Li Yuan's eyes moved. Over the years, his uncle rarely spoke this much and had never mentioned his late father.
"Your aunt has always wanted you to aim for a government job or become a teacher. She blames me for supporting you."
"Why don’t I oppose you becoming a full-time martial artist?" Li Changzhou's voice carried a hint of excitement. "I don’t want you to regret it at forty, like I do."
Li Yuan was taken aback, staring at his uncle in shock.
"Being a full-time martial artist is dangerous," Li Changzhou said with a calm smile. "But throughout history, which good man hasn’t dreamed of charging into battle and pursuing the limits of martial arts?"
"To stand shoulder to shoulder with the divine as a human! To explore the limits of life."
"I have no hopes left in this life."
"But you still do." Li Changzhou smiled at Li Yuan, his helmet covered in mud, making him look a bit disheveled.
Li Yuan listened intently.
"If you want to pursue the path of a full-time martial artist, this money, this contract, is far from enough." Li Changzhou continued. "But this contract could also limit your future."
After hesitating, Li Yuan couldn’t help but say, "Uncle, according to what I found, as long as I perform well enough, the Starry Sky Martial Hall will upgrade the contract."
"But what if the Starry Sky Martial Hall doesn’t upgrade it?" Li Changzhou countered. "Why hand over your fate to others?"
Li Yuan realized something.
"Your Uncle Zhong is a good person, but there are many things he can’t decide as an ordinary member." Li Changzhou explained. "Moreover, as far as I know, once you sign an early contract with a Martial Hall, your development at the Martial Arts University will be limited."
"Limited?" Li Yuan was taken aback; this was something he hadn’t considered.
"The five major martial arts schools in Xia Country are funded by the government," Li Changzhou said. "If you sign an early contract with the Martial Hall, you’ll have to join them after graduation... Do you think when special resources come to the school, they’ll choose between you and another specially recruited student? Who do you think they’ll choose?"
Li Yuan’s eyes flickered.
Signing an early contract with the Martial Hall was indeed a kind of restriction.
"This contract..."
"Go to the Martial Hall on Sunday and talk to Uncle Zhong. If you can upgrade to a C-level contract with passive upgrade clauses, like reaching certain standards by a certain age, then signing it wouldn’t be a bad idea," Li Changzhou said patiently.
"If you want to be a full-time martial artist, the Martial Hall is indeed a better choice, but if the restrictions are too great, then don’t sign."
"Li Yuan, I know your thoughts. You want to help your family." Li Changzhou looked at Li Yuan. "But remember, your uncle is not dead yet."
"It’s not time for you to completely support this family."
"At least before you go to university, don’t worry. Your job is to focus entirely on your training, understand?" Li Changzhou said seriously.
"Yes, Uncle." Li Yuan nodded firmly.
"I believe in you; I won’t be wrong." Li Changzhou looked at Li Yuan.
"Right now, the Starfire Martial Hall and the Starry Sky Martial Hall not signing you is their loss."
"When the college entrance exam results come out, and you enter university, you’ll naturally receive better contracts."
"There’s no rush to sign."
...
Uncle Li Changzhou's words calmed Li Yuan down completely, allowing him to think more clearly about the situation.
"Uncle is right."
"Why rush? The ones who should be anxious are them." Li Yuan smiled slightly.
He continued his training.
Two days later, on Saturday, Li Yuan followed his usual routine of going to school and returning home.
On Saturday afternoon, all third-year students gathered for martial arts class in the Martial Arts Classroom.
At the school entrance, several black cars slowly arrived, and six figures emerged one after another.
Five of them wore black suits, while one middle-aged man in a black Tang suit stood out, looking ordinary yet giving off an inexplicable aura.
"Master Wan."
"Master Wan, welcome to our school." Principal Tan Zhenlong and several vice principals stepped forward, smiling to greet him.
"Tie Tower." The middle-aged man looked directly at Xu Bo, who stood at a distance, and smiled. "It’s been a long time since we last met in the Star Realm."
"Old Wan." Xu Bo stepped forward, grinning. "I didn’t expect the new master of the Guanshan branch of the Starfire Martial Hall would be you."
"Welcome!"
(End of Chapter)