Last September.
When Teacher Xu Bo helped to apply for a Second-Class scholarship, he had promised Li Yuan that as long as he ranked within the top ten in the grade, he would be awarded a First-Class scholarship of 100,000 Blue Star Coins.
If he ranked within the top five, he would be awarded a Special Scholarship of 500,000 Blue Star Coins.
“Just one spot short.” Li Yuan sighed quietly to himself.
He did not feel particularly disappointed in his heart, having given his all, there wasn’t a need to dwell on it further.
It’s not reasonable to expect others to underperform.
“It’s enough.”
“At least, I can get 100,000 Blue Star Coins.” Li Yuan thought, “Moreover, a few days ago when I encountered the Left Hall Master at the Martial Hall, the Left Hall Master said that the achievements and rewards from the Martial Arts Hall and the Martial Hall were about to be distributed, which probably meant a substantial amount of money.”
Li Yuan’s bank account currently still had a considerable number of Blue Star Coins and Martial Hall Points.
But his martial arts cultivation was like a gold-consuming cave, consuming them just as fast.
Naturally, he had to think of a solution.
“Li Yuan, keep up the good work,” Teacher Chen on the platform glanced at Li Yuan before continuing, “I hope the other students will learn more from Li Yuan.”
“Now I will read the martial arts scores of the others; listen carefully.”
“Li Tianyou, 685 points,” Teacher Chen said.
Li Tianyou followed closely behind Li Yuan, ranking second in the class for martial arts achievement.
However, though he ranked second, his score gap with Li Yuan was astonishing.
“685 points?” Li Tianyou’s face relaxed slightly.
But he still didn’t look too pleased.
With 685 points, plus his academic converted score of 59 points, his total martial arts score was only 744, making the prospect of getting into a martial arts university quite slim.
“Am I still not working hard enough?” Li Tianyou clenched his fists silently, somewhat unreconciled: “If I had more resources for cultivation, more guidance from teachers, my score could definitely have been much higher.”
Li Tianyou was not foolish.
He practiced his cultivation madly, to the point that even his body was starting to fail to keep up. He was aware of the occasional well-meaning advice from other students.
But, what can be done when there’s not much money at home?
“Gu Yaoyao, 664 points,” Teacher Chen continued reading the scores.
Most of the students’ martial arts scores were quite ordinary, with no significant fluctuations.
Martial arts cultivation requires talent, and even more so, resources.
If one says that for academic exams, there are occasional flashes of brilliance, extraordinary performances.
Then, in martial arts assessments, there are only two possibilities: normal performance or poor performance, extraordinary performance does not exist.
Strong is strong, weak is weak.
…
After finishing announcing scores, it was time to distribute test papers and discuss the questions.
Li Yuan listened attentively.
“I already spend less time on academic subjects; I must pay attention in class,” Li Yuan thought clearly, “To get into one of the top five prestigious schools, I need to strive for every single point. If I can score a few more on the academics, the hope will be greater.”
One point difference could determine the fate of thousands, it was no mere saying.
Like Li Yuan this time.
The ten points added to his cultural subjects, which allowed his martial arts total score to exceed 900, played a critical role.
…
Before you knew it, it was ten o’clock, and there was a fifteen-minute break between classes.
Teacher Chen first posted three score sheets next to the blackboard on the ‘score column,’ then turned around and said, “Li Yuan, Li Tianyou, Wang Zihan, the three of you come with me to the office.”
“The rest of you, class dismissed.”
Immediately.
The students in the class swarmed to the score column like a tide, starting to check their own rankings.
Teacher Chen had only announced the scores just now, without revealing the complete rankings.
The scores posted would indicate one’s ranking in the grade, district, and city.
“Locked in! Top ten thousand in the city.”
“Damn, one point off and more than a hundred ranks difference in the city? That many contenders?”
“Sigh, going to get a lecture from my parents again.”
“Didn’t perform well this time, only ranked thirteenth in the grade; didn’t even break into the top ten.”
The students discussed among themselves, some jubilant and some in sorrow, but most of them were unsatisfied, calculating things like ‘if I could gain five more points in this subject, ten more in another, my ranking would definitely…’
Li Yuan and Li Tianyou had followed Teacher Chen to her office by now.
Li Yuan was calm and collected, while the other two were on edge.
“You two wait outside,” Teacher Chen instructed, “Li Yuan, come in with me.”
Entering the office, Teacher Chen sat down to organize the papers, greeting the nearby teachers as if she had forgotten Li Yuan’s presence for a moment.
This was a common tactic used by experienced teachers to discipline students.
First they leave the student hanging for a while, occasionally throw a cold glance, continue to ignore them, letting the student become more and more anxious.
Eventually, without even needing the teacher to speak, students confess their wrongdoing in a burst.
However.
Being called separately to the office after a major exam mostly happens for two reasons—either marked improvement or significant regression.
Li Yuan believed he represented the former.
“Cough~ Cough~” Li Yuan coughed, reaching for the water cup, “Teacher, the water’s cold, let me add some hot water for you.”
Without waiting for Teacher Chen’s response, Li Yuan had already picked up the cup and went to the water dispenser.
Li Yuan first poured out the cold water, then refilled it with both cold and hot water, gauging the appropriate temperature by feel.
After adjusting the water, he twisted the cup lid loosely.
Then, taking a paper towel, he wiped off the water droplets from the outside of the cup and returned to the desk, placing the cup gently on Teacher Chen’s left side.
People typically hold the cup with their left hand and twist the cap with their right.
“The water temperature’s just right,” Li Yuan smiled, “Why not have a drink first?”
“You!” Teacher Chen watched the whole process, shaking her head with a chuckle, but it was clear she was in a good mood.
Teachers, in fact, all like students who are good at handling things and have a sweet mouth.
“I called you here because there’s something I need to discuss,” Teacher Chen said as he picked up a water cup, sipping on it while speaking. “You did well in the recent exam, ranking sixth in the grade, especially with your Martial Arts Skills score. In previous years, this score alone could have competed for the city’s top score in the individual subject.”
Li Yuan listened intently.
“Unfortunately, this year a prodigy emerged from the Teacher’s College High School,” said Teacher Chen with a hint of regret. “That student achieved a perfect score in Martial Arts Skills.”
“A perfect score in skills?” Li Yuan was somewhat surprised.
The Physical Quality score is 500 points, with a full score requirement being a Level 10.0 physical quality.
For Martial Arts Skills, worth 400 points, Li Yuan was not sure about the requirements, but he guessed they would involve Fourth Level skills.
“What’s the name?” Li Yuan couldn’t help but ask.
“Wu Dongdong,” Teacher Chen said. “He also ranked first in the overall Martial Arts score of the city during this January’s assessment, with a Martial Arts score of 900 points and an overall score of 1,077 points.”
“Full scores in two categories? That’s really impressive!” Li Yuan exclaimed sincerely.
Such a score was incredibly exaggerated.
Far more so than Lin Lanyue’s scores.
A Martial Arts score of 900 points suggests that the person has at least a 10.0 physical level and that their academic performance is also good.
The Teacher’s College High School has always been the best high school in Jiang City, known nationwide. It’s not surprising that they would produce such a Martial Arts prodigy.
Actually.
Li Yuan wasn’t at all surprised that someone could far surpass him.
After all, the highest pre-signing with the Martial Hall is an S-level contract, which indicates that there have definitely been people who’ve signed it before.
Even after awakening his Martial Spirit, Li Yuan only qualified for an A-level contract.
This world never lacks geniuses, which is something Li Yuan has understood since he was young.
“Forget about others.”
“You, in fact, have already done quite well,” Teacher Chen said. “After the January assessment, in early March, Jiangbei Martial Arts University has an ‘observation invitation event’. Our school has ten slots. The top ten students from the January assessment in terms of Martial Arts overall score can go.”
“Are you willing to go?” Teacher Chen looked at Li Yuan.
“An invitation from Jiangbei Martial Arts University?” Li Yuan was taken aback for a moment.
“Yes, they invite the elite Martial Artist Students from the whole city and even the province, nearly a thousand in total, for a five-day period,” Teacher Chen explained with a smile.
“If a professor from the university takes interest in you and thinks you’re suitable for cultivation, after the college entrance examination is over, they’ll immediately invite you to the Martial Arts University, and you’ll start special training over the summer.”
“Martial Arts Cultivation is different from academic courses. At your age, three months is crucial. Utilized properly, it’s enough to significantly improve your Martial Arts strength.”
“Hmm,” Li Yuan nodded in agreement.
Indeed, starting from the age of sixteen and accompanied by physical development and vigorous vitality, Martial Arts Cultivation would advance by leaps and bounds.
“Teacher, my college entrance examination goal is ‘Kunlun Martial Arts University’,” Li Yuan stated.
The five renowned Martial Arts colleges in Xia Country are named after Xiaking, South Sea, Kunlun, East Sea, and Polestar.
Kunlun Martial Arts University has the most enrollment allocations in Jiangbei Province every year and is the first choice for Martial Arts elites in Jiangbei Province.
“I know.”
“If you can get into Kunlun Martial Arts University, it would certainly be the best choice for you. You have the potential to do it. But without an awakened Spiritual Nature, are you one hundred percent sure?” Teacher Chen questioned Li Yuan.
Li Yuan fell silent.
“Your goal is to aim for Kunlun Martial Arts University, but Jiangbei Martial Arts University is your safety net. Going to visit and get a feel for it, and meeting the university’s professors is not a bad thing for you,” Teacher Chen put down his water cup. “Right?”
Li Yuan nodded, finding reason in Teacher Chen’s words.
“Okay, then. I’ll send you the application form and the detailed itinerary on V-chat. Fill it out and send me an electronic signature when you’re done,” Teacher Chen said. “By the way, after this afternoon’s school-wide mobilization meeting, the scholarship for ranking in the top ten of your grade will be deposited into your account. Don’t forget to check it.”
“Yes, thank you, Teacher,” Li Yuan nodded.
For a large-scale exam like this, being in the top ten for total Martial Arts Scores in the grade comes with a reward of five thousand Blue Star Coins and several bottles of blood-qi potions as scholarship bonuses.
Moreover, one would also obtain a private Martial Arts Room, but Li Yuan already had one.
…
Among the three, the last one to enter the office was Lǐ Tianyou, who was much more nervous than Li Yuan.
“Teacher,” Lǐ Tianyou approached the desk.
“Don’t worry, I called you here not to criticize you but to tell you that you did well on the exam,” Teacher Chen said with a smile. “Do you remember what I told you last time, about applying for the Third Class scholarship?”
Lǐ Tianyou’s eyes lit up.
“With your scores from this exam, combined with your family’s financial situation… you’ve been successful in your application,” Teacher Chen said with a smile. “I know you work very hard, but make sure to balance work and rest. Don’t push yourself too much. The twenty thousand coin scholarship will be transferred to your account today.”
“Thank you, Teacher,” Tianyou said, quite moved, his eyes reddening slightly.
“Alright, off you go. Keep this matter to yourself; you don’t need to tell anyone else,” Teacher Chen stood up, patted Lǐ Tianyou’s shoulder, and saw him out.
Teacher Chen sat back down in his chair.
His smile faded as he turned on his smart bracelet and stared absent-mindedly at the document labeled—”Third Class Scholarship Application Review Comments: Rejected.”
“Sigh.”
Teacher Chen let out a soft sigh.
After a moment of thought, he forwarded the document to Xu Bo.
This scholarship application was something she and Xu Bo had worked on together for Lǐ Tianyou.
…
After lunch, Li Yuan returned to the 4011 Martial Arts Room and entered the virtual network pod directly.
Connection established.
“Personal space.” Li Yuan stood in his vast personal space, checking the invitation from Jiangbei Martial Arts University:
Dear Li Yuan…
“It’s all nonsense,” Li Yuan frowned, quickly skimming the first few pages.
Suddenly, Li Yuan stopped sharply, fixed on the itinerary details.
Day Four itinerary: Combat Assessment: Hunt Star Realm Creatures.
…
After pondering for a while.
Li Yuan quickly filled in his information.
Electronic signature.
Click, Accept Invitation!
“I hope it doesn’t disappoint me,” Li Yuan murmured to himself, disengaging his consciousness from the virtual network.