Gu Qianghan went to the lounge. Li Yuan took a long spear from the nearby weapon cabinet and began practicing. Most of today had been spent rushing around. He hadn’t found the time to calm down and cultivate.
“I’ll practice the spear for an hour, then practice my cultivation method for two hours,” Li Yuan decided. “After that, I’ll work on the Great Sun Starry Sky Method.”
On the path of cultivation, even one day of laziness is not allowed.
“Others want to befriend me and show me kindness, not because I’m good-looking or kind-hearted,” Li Yuan thought deeply. “It’s because I have enough value.”
Having value is what strengthens relationships. This applies not only to friendships but also to the bonds between parents and children.
“Whoosh!”
“Whoosh!” The spear moved like a dragon. With just a casual thrust, Li Yuan could channel all his strength.
In reality, while practicing, Li Yuan was also pondering.
“I’ve signed the contract.”
“For the college entrance exam, as long as I reach the score for the Five Major Martial Arts Academies, is that enough?” Li Yuan thought to himself.
He wasn’t sure if he could definitely reach that score, so he knew he couldn’t slack off in his training.
“Starfire University.” Li Yuan shook his head slightly.
Before his senior year, he had never thought about Starfire University or Starry Sky University. At that time, the gap seemed too big.
But ambitions change over time. After the January exams and with his grades improving, he occasionally thought about Starfire University.
“Face reality.” Li Yuan suddenly swung the spear, striking the sandbag with a loud thud.
“Boom~” The sandbag let out a startling noise.
“Almost a hundred years ago, Dongfang Ji reached the peak of martial arts from Kunlun Martial University,” Li Yuan thought. “A university’s reputation doesn’t determine everything.”
Whether in high school or university, it’s just one stage in a martial artist's growth.
Not to mention, Kunlun Martial University isn’t bad at all. Even Jiangbei Martial University has students with lower average talent, but many still undergo transformations during their university years. Historically, many talented martial artists have emerged from there, including several who became flying martial artists.
As for Kunlun Martial University? The total number of flying martial artists it produced isn’t much less than that of Starfire University.
“Now, the conditions at Kunlun Martial University are definitely better than in Dongfang Ji’s time,” Li Yuan’s heart was filled with ambition.
“Creating a method? Many predecessors in history have successfully created methods.”
“In the future, I can also create a method and become a flying martial artist.”
【Your spear technique level has increased from 4段 2% to 4段 3%】 A notification suddenly flashed on the Divine Palace Panel.
…
The activities on the second and third days were quite ordinary, including discussions, lectures, and one-on-one exchanges with elite students from martial arts universities.
There were also some tests, such as fist power and explosive speed tests.
Li Yuan’s early signing with Kunlun Martial University and securing an S-level contract gradually became known among the observers from the Five Major Martial Arts Academies.
Some felt regret.
Others thought Li Yuan didn’t deserve the S-level.
However, Li Yuan was unaware of this.
The news hadn’t spread among the students.
Gu Qianghan, upon finding out, only told Lin Lanyue. Both kept quiet about it, and even Wu Dongdong didn’t know.
On the third day, after dinner, over a thousand students gathered in a large conference hall.
“The practical assessment against Star Realm creatures starts tomorrow morning?”
“Do we have to sign a death waiver?”
“A 1.2% death rate for the practical assessment?” The elite students erupted in discussion upon hearing the female teacher on stage explain.
“Silence!”
A deep voice boomed like a bell, instantly silencing all chatter.
The conference room fell completely quiet.
All the students looked at the stage, where beside the female teacher stood a tall man in a blue martial arts uniform.
He was over two meters tall, exuding an impressive aura. Few students dared to meet his icy gaze.
“1.2% death rate and you’re already scared? Afraid?” The blue-clad man’s voice was cold. “What will you do when you truly enter the Star Realm and face tasks with over a 50% death rate? Will you just run away?”
The entire conference room was silent.
“1.2% death rate?” Li Yuan stood among the crowd, listening quietly.
He wasn’t afraid of the death rate; he was just a bit surprised. After all, they were just participating as students in an event. Was there really a chance of death?
On stage, the blue-clad man nodded to the female teacher, signaling her to continue.
“The location of the practical assessment is temporarily confidential,” the female teacher said gently. “In the practical assessment, most of the Star Realm creatures you’ll face are not ranked, and the strongest will only be level 12.”
“They have all been screened.”
“During the assessment, our Jiangbei Martial University will work with the military to protect you throughout, aiming for zero casualties.”
“However, it involves life-and-death combat with cold weapons.”
“No matter how good the protection is, accidents can still happen, so participation is not mandatory,” the female teacher said. “If you don’t wish to participate, you can fill out a ‘voluntary withdrawal from the practical assessment’ form.”
Every student listened, feeling slightly reassured upon hearing about the “full protection.”
When they heard they could withdraw, many students had their own thoughts.
“However,” the female teacher’s tone shifted, “if you don’t participate in the practical assessment or fail to meet the minimum requirements, you won’t be eligible for the special training contracts from the Five Major Martial Arts Academies.”
“Additionally, even if you get into one of the Five Major Martial Arts Academies through the college entrance exam, you’ll still need to participate in the practical assessment to get on the special training list, and you must pass.”
A wave of murmurs spread through the room; most students had not known about this rule before.
“To be selected for special training, I must do the practical assessment?” Li Yuan was also surprised.
“This is a new rule,” Lin Lanyue whispered beside him. “In the past, there was a practical assessment, but it wasn’t tied to the special training list.”
“The Martial Arts Department just announced this new rule, and it hasn’t been publicly declared yet, so it’s normal that it hasn’t spread.”
Li Yuan understood.
“There will also be corresponding rewards for the practical assessment,” the female teacher continued. “The student with the highest score will receive 2 million Blue Star Coins.”
“Students ranked 2nd to 10th will receive 500,000 Blue Star Coins.”
“Students ranked 11th to 100th will receive 200,000 Blue Star Coins.”
“Anyone who passes the practical assessment, even if they rank below 100, will still receive 50,000 Blue Star Coins.”
Many students’ eyes lit up.
The rewards for the practical assessment were clearly higher than those for the technique evaluation, with the first place directly receiving 2 million Blue Star Coins.
Not to mention the rewards for the top ten.
Just meeting the standard would guarantee at least 50,000 Blue Star Coins, which is already quite a lot.
“This is a large-scale incentive,” Li Yuan couldn’t help but say.
“Those who can participate in this event are elite students from the same province; it’s normal for a batch of talented martial artists to emerge in the future,” Lin Lanyue said with a smile. “So, since they’ve invited everyone, Jiangbei Martial University will definitely distribute some funds to gain favor and create goodwill.”
Li Yuan pondered.
In a way, this was an investment in connections for Jiangbei Martial University.
Accepting this reward would mean indirectly receiving a favor from Jiangbei Martial University.
On stage,
“Whether to participate in the practical assessment is up to you,” the female teacher said. “After returning to your dorms, there will be a contract document on the virtual network. You can sign to agree or withdraw in your personal space.”
…
Over a thousand students gradually left the conference room while it was still light outside.
“Li Yuan, are you participating?” Lin Lanyue asked.
“Of course,” Li Yuan smiled. “I’ve already signed the special training contract, so I have to go.”
The S-level special training contract he signed two days ago clearly stated that he must participate in the practical assessment.
Not participating would be considered a breach of contract.
If he participated but didn’t pass the assessment, it wouldn’t be a breach, but he would have to retake it after enrollment.
If he failed both times, his benefits would be reduced.
“Aren’t you afraid of the death rate?” Lin Lanyue teased lightly.
“What’s there to be afraid of? I’ve earned an honor title,” Li Yuan laughed. “If we’re talking about danger, last time was even more dangerous.”
“True,” Lin Lanyue smiled brightly.
Then she lowered her head and opened her smart wristband, tapping on the screen.
Ding~
Li Yuan’s smart wristband vibrated. He looked down to see that Lin Lanyue had sent him a video file through V-message.
“What’s this?” Li Yuan asked, puzzled.
“Don’t ask, there are too many people here,” Lin Lanyue smiled. “Watch it on the virtual network when you get back, and you’ll understand. See you tomorrow.”
Lin Lanyue walked away directly.
Li Yuan held back his curiosity and didn’t open the file, walking back to the dormitory building with Gu Qianghan.
(End of Chapter)