According to the information provided by Li Yuan, the intelligent system created a very detailed cultivation plan using its vast database. The plan was highly targeted and explained each item in detail, including the reasons behind them.
After reading through everything, Li Yuan had to admit that the analysis by the intelligent system made a lot of sense.
"An AI based on big data is indeed remarkable," Li Yuan thought to himself. However, the plan was extremely expensive.
"If I follow this entire plan given by the intelligent system, I would need to spend about 400,000 Blue Star Coins/points each month," Li Yuan calculated and felt a headache coming on. "That adds up to nearly 5 million a year."
How much did the Blue Star Coins and points given by the Martial Hall add up to? Only 3 million a year. It was at this moment that Li Yuan truly understood what his uncle, Li Changzhou, had said.
Full-time martial arts? No money? What can you practice?
If you want to become a strong martial artist, you need to spend money.
"I'm not even a ranked martial artist yet. Once I become a first-level martial artist, the costs will only increase," Li Yuan shook his head slightly.
Of course, he also knew that the cultivation plan provided by the intelligent system was of the highest level. It could greatly enhance physical constitution, martial arts skills, and spiritual power all at once. Improving in these three areas together would significantly increase his chances of becoming a source martial artist in the future.
The only problem was the high expenses. Even someone from a wealthy family like Wan Xiao would probably only dare to spend like this during their final year of high school.
"Lin Lanyue's family background seems even better than Wan Xiao's. Maybe her resources for cultivation can reach this level," Li Yuan sighed quietly. "No wonder her progress is far ahead of other classmates."
With decent talent, hard work, and additional resources, how could an ordinary person compete with Lin Lanyue?
"My advantage lies in the Divine Spiritual Palace," Li Yuan thought. "With the Great Sun Starry Sky Sutra, I can not only quickly enhance my spiritual power but also deeply rest and eliminate all fatigue, equivalent to top-tier therapy."
Li Yuan's rapid improvement in physical constitution was largely due to the Great Sun Starry Sky Sutra.
"So, I can give up on things like spirit-enhancing potions and top-tier physical therapy," Li Yuan decided.
If he bought and used those, perhaps his training efficiency would be higher. But who made Li Yuan poor?
"When you're poor, you have to choose the most cost-effective way."
Li Yuan glanced over the other items. "That way, the main expenses will just be three items: one is physical constitution enhancement, the Basic Vital Blood Elixir, and the Source Power Essence Pill."
"The second is deep medicinal baths."
"The third is practical combat training, with a level 15 martial artist as a sparring partner, twice a week, costing 20,000 Blue Star Coins weekly," Li Yuan thought.
Adding those up, he would spend about 240,000 Blue Star Coins/points a month.
This way, by next June's college entrance exam, he would spend around 2 million Blue Star Coins/points in total.
"The next grant from the Martial Hall won't come until October next year," Li Yuan thought. "Besides, I need to save some points for when I become a ranked martial artist."
Once in college, the school would have many cultivation resources, but that was still uncertain!
Li Yuan had to plan carefully.
"As for the training points, like spear techniques, movement techniques, and guidance from famous teachers, I'll ask Teacher Xu when I get back to school," Li Yuan decided.
Time passed by.
Suddenly, Li Yuan received two bank notifications displayed directly in the virtual network.
"Your account ending in 1486 has received 1,000,000 Blue Star Coins..."
"Your account ending in 1486 has received 1,200,000 Blue Star Coins..."
Two notifications of funds received.
"Huh? Two payments. One should be the gift from the Hall Master, and the other should be the contract reward from the Martial Hall," Li Yuan wondered. "But why is the contract reward 1.2 million Blue Star Coins?"
"Could it be that there's an additional 300,000 Blue Star Coins that I need to get back later?"
Li Yuan was about to ask Xiaoyu.
"Master, the cash reward from the Martial Hall has been credited this year. According to the contract, all contract rewards for the 2042-2043 period have been fully credited," Xiaoyu spoke up proactively.
"Why is there a 300,000 difference in the cash rewards?" Li Yuan couldn't help but ask.
"Tax deductions!"
"This type of contract reward from the Martial Hall goes through public accounts, which are monitored by the government, so taxes must be deducted. The Martial Hall has already paid it on your behalf, and you can check it in the virtual tax space," Xiaoyu explained immediately. "Normally, for large income like this, any amount over 1 million is subject to a maximum of 50% personal income tax."
"But contract rewards are considered special income, so the government offers tax reductions, only deducting 20%."
"I remind you, Master, not to evade taxes. If caught, the fine starts at ten times the amount."
Xiaoyu said with a smile, "But don't worry, the other 1 million Blue Star Coins is a private gift and doesn't require tax deductions."
"As for points and training points, those are distributed internally by the Martial Hall, so the taxes will be calculated and paid by the Martial Hall itself, and you don't have to worry about that."
Li Yuan felt overwhelmed.
Paying taxes?
300,000 Blue Star Coins? Just like that, it's gone? Li Yuan felt a pang of pain.
After a moment of silence, he thought, "Well, it's true that taxes need to be paid." He comforted himself, "With the Star Realm War and various infrastructure, education, and public welfare... the government has expenses. Paying taxes is a duty of every citizen."
Since childhood, Li Yuan had received similar education.
In the past, it was just a slogan, but this time he truly felt it.
"I should try to use points for cultivation."
"Cash is still more versatile," Li Yuan thought, with a hint of hope. "And I should give a portion of the cash to my aunt."
After working so hard, wasn't it all for today?
Relieving the financial pressure on his family had always been one of Li Yuan's motivations.
...
Li Yuan didn't stay at the Starfire Martial Hall for long. By around four in the afternoon, he was back at school.
He found Xu Bo in his office.
"You're back so soon?" Xu Bo was a bit surprised and smiled. "How was it?"
"The Martial Hall is great," Li Yuan said sincerely.
"The training conditions at the Martial Hall are always top-notch," Xu Bo smiled. "You came back to find me so quickly; you must have something to discuss."
"Yes."
"I'd like to ask for your guidance, Teacher," Li Yuan said respectfully, and quickly summarized the intelligent system's cultivation plan to Xu Bo.
"The cultivation plan set by the intelligent AI is very comprehensive, but it is quite costly. You don't have enough wealth, so you need to choose the most cost-effective options," Xu Bo said. "I'll just mention two points."
"Please go ahead, Teacher," Li Yuan listened attentively.
"First, try to switch to the Basic Source Power Essence Pill," Xu Bo said seriously.
"The plan says to take one pill a month, but in reality, it’s best to see how much your body can handle... If your body can take it, taking two a month is ideal."
"The Basic Source Power Essence Pill is expensive, costing 100,000 Blue Star Coins each," Xu Bo looked at Li Yuan and said, "But its effects are excellent."
"Since you haven't awakened your Martial Spirit, you can't practice high-level cultivation methods. Taking the Source Power Essence Pill can greatly compensate for this shortcoming."
"Your physical talent is already impressive."
"If the effects are good enough, by the time of the college entrance exam, your physical constitution could reach level 8.5 or even 9.0, making it possible to surpass Lin Lanyue," Xu Bo said earnestly.
Li Yuan's eyes flickered with excitement.
But he also felt a sense of pressure.
Even though he had become a millionaire, why did it feel like he was poorer?
(End of Chapter)