Insult?
Li Yuan hadn’t expected Lord Wan to use such a word to describe the Starry Sky Martial Hall.
Actually, from their initial encounter until now, Li Yuan had a very good impression of Lord Wan… As a Hall Master and a powerful Prime Warrior, he had treated a high school student like himself with nearly equal respect.
The terms he offered for signing the contract were what Li Yuan considered sky-high.
How much did his uncle earn over the years of working in the most dangerous regions? Around a million Blue Star Coins annually, at most.
“Lord Wan… but so far, only the Starry Sky Martial Hall was willing to sign a contract with me in advance,” Li Yuan said with a hint of hesitation.
Li Yuan still felt grateful towards the Starry Sky Martial Hall and Uncle Zhong.
“Haha, it seems you really don’t understand the details about the Starry Sky Martial Hall,” Lord Wan laughed. “Let me have Teacher Xu explain it to you, he understood as soon as I mentioned it.”
Lord Wan did indeed want to press down on the Starry Sky Martial Hall to show his high regard for Li Yuan.
But he knew even better that to recruit a genius like Li Yuan, signing a contract based on benefits was only the first step; it was best to also cultivate a mutual emotional bond.
To disclose the truth himself? It would make him seem petty.
Very soon.
Lord Wan invited both Teacher Xu and Principal Tan over.
In front of Li Yuan, Lord Wan quickly clarified the situation to them, openly discussing the Level B contract, talking about Li Yuan’s exceptional talent in spiritual power, and also mentioning the Starry Sky Martial Hall’s private discussion with Li Yuan.
“Exceptional talent in spiritual power? A Level B contract?” Principal Tan was extremely surprised, looking at Li Yuan in utter shock.
He, too, was a First Rank 16-level Martial Artist and understood the importance of spiritual power for becoming a Prime Warrior.
Exceptional talent in spiritual power? Principal Tan had heard of it before but had never seen it.
It was too rare.
“Lord Wan, you’re offering a Level B contract? The Starry Sky Martial Hall privately contacted Li Yuan for only a Level D contract?” Upon hearing this, Teacher Xu’s expression changed, revealing a trace of anger, “It’s probably that Song Yi fellow!”
“Song Yi? The Vice Hall Master of the Starry Sky Martial Hall?” Lord Wan pondered. He had just assumed his position and had only met the Chief Hall Master of the Starry Sky Martial Hall’s Guan Mountain District branch.
The Vice Hall Masters? Lord Wan knew their information, but he hadn’t actually met them yet.
“Yes.” Teacher Xu nodded. He had been mixed up in the Guan Mountain District for several years and was familiar with the leaders of the area.
“Li Yuan.”
Teacher Xu looked towards Li Yuan, who still seemed a bit confused, and spoke softly, “Did you enter the Blue Star Youth Rankings so quickly because you had consecutive duels on the Starry Skies Fighting Network exceeding a hundred matches?”
“Right,” Li Yuan began to understand a bit.
“You made it into the Blue Star Youth Rankings, and the Martial Arts Hall, Starfire Martial Hall, they only know of this news, but they don’t know your detailed data on the Combat Network,” Teacher Xu explained directly. “But the Starry Sky Martial Hall would know, because they directly control the Starry Skies Fighting Network.”
The Starry Sky Martial Hall?
The Starry Skies Fighting Network?
Li Yuan understood instantly and suddenly realized why only the Starry Sky Martial Hall was willing to sign a contract with him.
So, there was an information gap?
“Li Yuan, to think I am the headteacher of your Martial Spirit class, I thought you excelled due to your physical talent, never did I expect you had such exceptional spiritual power…” Teacher Xu shook his head.
“If it really is Song Yi, based on what I know about her, it is very likely that when you go to the Starry Sky Martial Hall and are in the process of negotiating, she will appear and directly upgrade your contract to a Level C.”
“In doing so…”
“You would naturally feel grateful to her, and it is very likely you would immediately agree to sign,” Teacher Xu looked at Li Yuan. “Once you’ve signed, even if you find out the truth later, first, she hasn’t wronged you, and second, as someone who guided you, she would have many excuses, and you wouldn’t really hold it against her.”
Li Yuan held his breath.
He had never imagined that there were so many schemes behind a single contract.
But Teacher Xu was right.
If the Starry Sky Martial Hall really intended to do so, and there hadn’t been any complications today, he most likely would have agreed to the contract.
“This Song Yi, she’s too used to playing tricks, now even on my student,” said Teacher Xu, his expression growing colder.
After his injury, his strength never fully recovered, but his strong connections meant that most of the Second Rank Prime Warriors in the Guan Mountain District respected him a great deal.
To him, Song Yi’s actions were a slap in the face.
“Li Yuan.”
Lord Wan remained calm, smiling and said, “I invited your principal and Teacher Xu here just to make you understand… the terms I’ve offered for the contract represent my utmost sincerity.”
“I believe that even if your principal reports this to the Martial Arts Hall, the Martial Arts Hall’s special recruitment terms would have difficulty reaching Level B,” Lord Wan said openly.
Li Yuan nodded lightly.
“Li Yuan, I will report your situation again, but based on my experience, the Martial Arts Hall will most likely only offer you a Level C contract.” Principal Tan nodded and said, “The Martial Arts Hall’s special recruitment is usually much more stringent… The final decision is still in your own hands.”
The special recruitment by the Martial Arts Hall requires much stricter standards?
Li Yuan was deep in thought.
“Li Yuan, don’t worry, I will give you time to think it over, to go back and discuss with your family.” Lord Wan smiled and said, “The specific details of the contract will be sent to you by your Teacher Xu tonight.”
“Within a month, whenever you’re willing, contact me.”
“My virtual V number is…” Lord Wan said with a smile.
“Li Yuan, aren’t you going to write it down?” Xu Bo said.
“Yes.” Li Yuan promptly opened his smart wristband, quickly noted it down, and added Lord Wan as a friend.
Immediately, Li Yuan also realized that this was not Lord Wan’s work V number, but his private number.
“Alright.”
“Principal Tan, Tie Ta, I only asked the two of you to come here; you should understand my intention,” Lord Wan said with a smile.
Principal Tan and Xu Bo exchanged glances.
“Mm.” Xu Bo nodded, “Rest assured, I will keep it confidential.”
“Lord Wan, rest assured,” Principal Tan said solemnly as well.
“Good, I have other matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave now.”
“Oh, and Principal Tan, Tie Ta, that Lin Lanyue, if she’s willing, my Starfire Martial Hall can offer her a Level C contract, but her family… Please relay the message to them,” Lord Wan said with a smile.
“Rest assured, Lord Wan,” Principal Tan said with a smile.
Lord Wan nodded, then he turned to Li Yuan, “Young friend Li Yuan, I hope I can see you training at the Starfire Martial Hall.”
Right after that, Lord Wan left the martial arts classroom and headed outside the school.
After seeing him off to his car.
Xu Bo took Li Yuan back to his own office.
“Li Yuan, the terms offered by Lord Wan are quite good,” Xu Bo pondered for a moment and said, “If your spiritual power talent is reported, the Martial Arts Hall will definitely recruit you specially, but the conditions won’t be this favorable.”
“Teacher, why not?” Li Yuan couldn’t help asking.
Shouldn’t it be roughly the same?
“You don’t understand.” Xu Bo smiled and said, “The Martial Arts Hall’s special recruitment is funded by taxpayers’ money, and the official audit is extremely strict…
The folks at the Martial Arts Hall don’t really care if you get the best training; they want political achievements, but they aren’t willing to take responsibility either, so the students they recruit specially are ones they are absolutely sure will succeed.”
Li Yuan understood that without an awakened Martial Spirit, there was too much uncertainty.
The Martial Arts Hall would not easily take big risks.
“Actually.”
“Lord Wan’s willingness to give you a Level B contract is most likely related to his recent appointment,” Xu Bo said with a smile, “He’s just taken office and certainly wants to achieve something notable.”
“Your contract carries a bit of a gamble.”
“A Level B contract… If you haven’t reached the 16th rank of Martial Artist by the age of 30, he would bear the consequences.”
“Of course, with his strength, he wouldn’t mind that, but if you really choose to sign, you have to live up to the expectations.”
“Signing early is just a way to make your Martial Path progress faster,” Xu Bo advised.
“I understand,” Li Yuan nodded.
If Teacher Xu hadn’t explained, he wouldn’t have known the complex intricacies behind it all.
Beep—
Li Yuan’s smart wristband vibrated, indicating an incoming file awaiting receipt.
“This is the Level B contract sent from Lord Wan, just forwarded to me, he indeed values you, showing the utmost sincerity. Perhaps as soon as he got in the car, he ordered someone to draft it,” Xu Bo remarked, then looked at Li Yuan, “It’s almost dinner time.”
“Eat your dinner, don’t go to evening self-study, go home and discuss with your family, and make a decision as soon as possible.”
“Of course, if you want to wait for the results of the Martial Arts Hall’s special recruitment, or want to talk with the Starry Sky Martial Hall again… that’s fine too,” Xu Bo hesitated for a moment without fully persuading.
After all, he was just Li Yuan’s homeroom teacher, not his personal master.
Such significant life decisions, he could not make directly for Li Yuan.