"Li Yuan." The elegant woman in black ignored Director Li and looked directly at Li Yuan. "You really signed the contract?"
"Yes." Li Yuan nodded.
"You’re still young, don’t let this old man Li fool you." The woman in black smiled. "He looks kind when he smiles, but he can be ruthless in battle... If you want to come to Donghai Martial Arts University, it doesn’t matter if you signed already, we can help you pay the penalty fee."
Li Yuan was taken aback. A penalty fee? Can it be done like this?
"Hey, Liu, how can you poach someone right in front of me?" Director Li said without holding back. "How much penalty fee are you planning to pay?"
"Five million Blue Star Coins," the woman in black frowned. "Isn’t that the penalty for an A-level training contract?"
Both Director Li and Fan Jin laughed at the same time.
Li Yuan couldn’t help but smile a little.
"Director Liu," Teacher Fan Jin said with a gentle smile, "If you want to sign Li Yuan, besides getting his agreement, you also need to pay Kunlun Martial University fifty million Blue Star Coins."
"Fifty million?" The woman in black showed a hint of surprise. "Did you sign an S-level training contract?"
"Why else?" Director Li chuckled. "Or do you think Li Yuan isn’t worth an S-level?"
Suddenly, the woman in black turned to stare at Li Yuan, unable to help but ask, "You awakened your Martial Spirit?"
Li Yuan shook his head. "Not yet."
"Then it’s... your spiritual power?" The woman in black looked at Li Yuan, forming a guess. "Your talent in spiritual power must be very high?"
"Senior has a keen eye." Li Yuan nodded.
"No wonder." The woman in black understood the situation.
"Director Li," she looked over, "You have great courage. I admire you for giving away one of the two S-level training contract spots so easily."
"I don’t have courage; I just think Li Yuan is worthy of an S-level spot." Director Li smiled. "Do you think he isn’t?"
Director Li asked again.
"I never said that." The woman in black replied calmly. "You’ve already signed him, there’s no need to stir things up."
Resources are limited. Each S-level training spot represents a huge investment of resources, so they are not unlimited.
For students from Jiangbei Province, Kunlun Martial University had two S-level training spots for this recruitment event, while the other four major schools only had one each.
The woman in black looked at Li Yuan with a friendly smile. "Li Yuan, work hard in your training. I look forward to the day you become a Source Martial Artist, or even a Sky Martial Artist."
"Thank you, senior." Li Yuan replied respectfully, understanding that she had no intention of giving up an S-level spot.
The woman in black turned to leave. She recognized that Li Yuan was excellent; otherwise, she wouldn’t have come. However, she only had one S-level spot and would have to pay an extra fifty million in penalty fees, which made her hesitate. After all, there were still three S-level students and several elite students ranked in the top ten in the province.
For example, a student like Wu Luo might not seem as skilled as Li Yuan at first glance, but he could have a more stable future and a higher potential. He could be classified as A+ level. However, if they wanted to choose from the five major schools for the college entrance exam, most would need S-level training contracts to sign.
...
After sending off the leaders from two martial arts universities, Li Yuan just went upstairs to his room.
"Li Yuan, what were you doing? Who just knocked?" Gu Qianghan was leisurely eating snacks. "I saved you two pieces."
"Nothing much." Li Yuan smiled.
Ding ding! The doorbell suddenly rang again.
...
Forty minutes later, Li Yuan sent off the last teacher from Star Martial University.
"Star, Summer Capital, South Sea." Gu Qianghan stood there, wide-eyed. "Bro, you’re amazing! You turned down offers from three martial arts universities at once, and they all offered A-level training contracts."
"This chaotic battle just ended, and they all rushed over. Aren’t you satisfied?" Gu Qianghan asked in confusion. "Especially Summer Capital Martial University; their contract terms were really good."
"The contract is indeed good." Li Yuan smiled but didn’t explain further.
"Wait!" Gu Qianghan suddenly realized, his eyes widening. "The first doorbell was from Kunlun or Donghai? Did you already sign a training contract?"
"Xiao Qiang, you’re getting smarter." Li Yuan laughed.
Gu Qianghan’s handsome face was filled with shock.
"I’ve always been smart! And call me Gu Qiang." Gu Qianghan plopped down on the sofa, deep in thought. "Did you sign from the start? But that doesn’t make sense; your four segments of skill must be worth an A-level. Why not compare contracts?"
Gu Qianghan was carefree and didn’t like to think too much. But he wasn’t stupid; on the contrary, he was quite clever with a broad perspective.
"S-level?" Gu Qianghan thought of a possibility, staring at Li Yuan in disbelief. "Did a school offer you an S-level contract?"
"Guess?" Li Yuan smiled.
"Damn it, Li Yuan!" Gu Qianghan finally understood, exclaiming, "An S-level? A school actually offered you an S-level training contract on the first day!"
"What did they see in you? Your skills? But it’s not even five segments of spear technique."
Li Yuan couldn’t help but laugh.
Having Gu Qianghan as a roommate was actually quite nice; at least it wasn’t dull. He was like a lively spirit.
"Li Yuan, you really don’t understand the significance of S-level?" Gu Qianghan couldn’t help but ask. "S-level and the top-tier SS-level students get many very special resources."
"SS-level too?" Li Yuan was surprised.
"Of course." Gu Qianghan replied matter-of-factly. "There are still a number of S-level spots available nationwide each year, but for SS-level... according to my dad, there’s hardly one in the whole country every year, so they don’t promote it much."
Li Yuan nodded slightly, thinking of Yu Jinghe; perhaps he was a genius of that level.
"You’re really going to be amazing." Gu Qianghan sighed. "Students above S-level can access many special resources that even my dad and the others can’t."
Li Yuan was astonished.
Though he hadn’t asked, from the signs, it seemed Gu Qianghan’s father was at least a powerful Source Martial Artist.
"Can’t you buy it with money?" Li Yuan asked instinctively.
"If you have enough money, you might be able to buy it, but it wouldn’t be worth it." Gu Qianghan shook his head. "Of course, my dad only mentioned it casually, so I don’t know the specifics."
"My dad said that an initial S-level training spot, if sold, could easily fetch one hundred million Blue Star Coins."
"Of course, that’s just for the initial spot. If you can’t maintain it later, it will be downgraded to A-level." Gu Qianghan explained. "It’s reviewed once a year."
Li Yuan held his breath. One hundred million Blue Star Coins? He knew S-level spots were precious, but he didn’t expect them to be this valuable. No wonder the penalty fee was as high as fifty million.
"Some things can’t just be measured by money." Gu Qianghan smiled. "Li Yuan, in the past, I only thought you were impressive, but now, I really admire you."
"You haven’t awakened your Martial Spirit, yet you can get five major schools to offer you S-level training contracts. You must have some hidden talents." Gu Qianghan chuckled. "No wonder my sister always says I should learn from you."
Li Yuan was momentarily stunned, then smiled.
In this world, no one is truly foolish.
"Then you should study hard; maybe you can also get an A-level training spot." Li Yuan teased.
"Impossible!"
"I have no talent." Gu Qianghan shook his head vigorously. "You see my grades look good, but it’s all my dad’s pressure. If you had my situation... Let’s not talk about that; I just want to get into one of the five major schools and fulfill my dad’s expectations."
"But you can’t rely on your parents forever." Li Yuan laughed. "They will get old..."
"Li Yuan."
Gu Qianghan glanced at Li Yuan and said with a smile, "Do you believe that when I’m old and about to die, my parents can still have a bunch of younger siblings for me?"
Li Yuan was speechless; he understood what Gu Qianghan meant.
Ordinary people can’t rely on their parents forever, but Gu Qianghan, he really could!
"You signed with Kunlun Martial University, right? My dad also wants me to apply there."
"I can’t count on my sister; she’ll probably go to Starry Sky University. We’re good buddies, right? When we get to college, I’ll count on you to look out for me." Gu Qianghan lay back down, quite relaxed. "In this life, I just want to be a Source Martial Artist and then take it easy."
"Relying on parents at home, relying on brothers outside."
"Sure." Li Yuan smiled.
He didn’t take those words to heart; the other party’s connections weren’t something he needed.
On the contrary, Li Yuan vaguely understood.
Today, he first revealed his four segments of skill and then got an S-level training contract.
That probably made Gu Qianghan genuinely want to befriend him.
It wasn’t just about Gu Qianghan’s personality; it was about the values they were raised with.
These children from prominent families recognized that besides other prominent family members, true geniuses were the only ones worthy of respect.
"I also need some friends." Li Yuan thought to himself.
A good man needs three helpers.
Making more friends and having powerful seniors would be beneficial for his martial arts journey.
(End of Chapter)