C-level? D-level Contract

C-level? D-level Contract

"Enough."

"His Martial Arts Technique has improved so quickly; it's definitely related to his mental strength. But more importantly, it's his aptitude for spear techniques." Zhong Cheng, dressed in a black suit, spoke with barely concealed excitement.

"He'd only just turned seventeen... He was very different from those who only entered the Blue Star Youth Ranking at nearly nineteen."

"So young, yet his spear technique was already at such a high level."

"Under normal circumstances, his spear technique had a great chance of breaking through to the fourth stage in the future." Zhong Cheng drew a deep breath. "His mental strength is extraordinary. Once his body grows stronger, his mental strength will probably surpass level 20 very quickly."

"Hall Master Song, the two great hurdles to becoming a Source Martialist won't be problems at all for Li Yuan in the future." Zhong Cheng looked at Song Yi.

As an Official Member of the Starry Sky Martial Hall, Zhong Cheng was very familiar with how the Martial Hall operated.

He knew very well that the value the Martial Hall invested before and after signing a Probationary Member in advance was at least ten million Blue Star Coins.

Perhaps even more.

But after paying such a huge price, could it really be just to cultivate a first-rank martial artist with physical attributes in the teens?

It simply wasn't worth it.

The sole purpose of signing someone in advance and focusing resources on them was to cultivate a Source Martialist.

Song Yi herself was a Source Martialist.

It was precisely because she was powerful that Song Yi could firmly hold the position of deputy hall master at the Guanshan District Branch.

"To become a Source Martialist, there are three great hurdles." Song Yi smiled faintly. "For most people, the hardest is mental strength. After all, mental strength can basically only rely on talent."

Zhong Cheng could not help nodding.

If one's physical attributes were lacking, they could be improved through external resources. There were all sorts of treasures, and theoretically, as long as one had enough money, anyone could meet the physical requirements of a martial artist.

Martial Arts Technique? It depended greatly on aptitude, but with the guidance of a famous teacher, improvement could also come quickly.

Mental strength? Treasures that could improve mental strength were so expensive as to be beyond imagination. Even Source Martialists would not dare dream of them, so it basically came down to talent.

And now.

In Zhong Cheng and Song Yi's eyes, Li Yuan was precisely the sort of person blessed with extraordinary mental strength.

Coupled with his level in spear techniques.

He was very much worth cultivating!

"Should we contact him this week?" Zhong Cheng asked. "Have him come to the Martial Hall?"

"That would be too hasty." Song Yi shook her head.

Zhong Cheng froze, then grew anxious.

She had been the one to tell him to contact Li Changzhou immediately, yet now she said it was too hasty?

"I had you contact him immediately because I was afraid the Martial Arts Hall or Starfire Martial Hall would notice something and get there before us." Song Yi picked up the coffee beside her and stirred it gently. "But now it's basically confirmed that no one has contacted him."

"Li Yuan is just a child. He might agree in a moment of hot-headedness, but his uncle, Li Changzhou, isn't foolish."

"If we go to them now, they'll definitely demand better contract terms."

"So, leave him hanging for a few days first."

"Once they understand that only we are interested, the negotiations will naturally become easier." Song Yi smiled.

"Drive down the price?" Zhong Cheng frowned slightly.

Driving down the price was not a good choice.

Because martial artists themselves represented force, and force was the source of all power.

If they drove down the price during an early signing, then once the other party became powerful, it would be easy to suffer backlash.

"First, drive down the price." Song Yi smiled faintly, then spoke three more words. "Then raise it again."

"Create a gap in treatment."

"That way, we can show how much our Starry Sky Martial Hall values talent, and make Li Yuan feel grateful as well." Song Yi smiled. "Besides, I'll leave this contract matter to you."

"At most, I'll grant you authority for a C-level Contract. Don't disappoint me."

"Thank you, Hall Master Song." Zhong Cheng nodded repeatedly. "I'll definitely handle this properly."

It was past nine at night when Li Yuan finished training and took an unmanned tram home from school.

His aunt had been sitting on the sofa waiting for him.

"Auntie!" Li Yuan called out.

"You're back? Drink the high-energy milk first. It's on the table; I made it a little while ago," his aunt said.

"Okay." Li Yuan nodded.

Other than eating at home on Sundays, he basically ate all three meals at school from Monday through Saturday.

His aunt was always worried that his evening training consumed too much energy, so every night, she timed it carefully and prepared him a cup of high-energy milk.

Li Yuan picked up the cup on the dining table and went to sit in the living room.

"Auntie, the two months of living expenses Uncle gave me last time, plus the money I got today, should last me until February. You don't need to give me any more for now," Li Yuan said proactively as he drank his milk.

"Alright." Chen Hui smiled as she watched Li Yuan gulp down the milk.

She had always been very satisfied with Li Yuan.

He was obedient and sensible. Sometimes, the maturity he displayed did not seem like that of a teenager at all, and he had always put her at ease.

As he grew older, Li Yuan had gradually begun to reveal remarkable talent in martial arts.

What had always worried Chen Hui before was that she and her husband could not provide Li Yuan with sufficient financial support.

This time, Li Yuan had earned two bonuses through his own efforts, which put her somewhat more at ease.

"Your uncle sent me a message," Chen Hui said. "The Starry Sky Martial Hall intends to sign you in advance. What do you think?"

"That depends on the Starry Sky Martial Hall's terms." Li Yuan set down his empty cup and thought for a moment. "But if the Martial Arts Hall is willing to recruit me through special admission, I'd still rather take that route."

"Right."

"Special admission would be best." Chen Hui was quite pleased. "Special admission is equivalent to reserving an admission slot at one of the Five Great Prestigious Schools. After graduation, they even guarantee you a job assignment. You might even be able to enter the City Martial Arts Bureau directly."

As a middle school teacher, Chen Hui understood special admission quite well, and she most hoped that Li Yuan would take that path.

In her eyes, national special admission not only guaranteed job placement, but as long as one did not enter the military system, it was much safer as well.

But if he signed with a Martial Hall, the future would be hard to say.

Martial Hall members charged and fought on the front lines of the Star Realm Battlefield. Their casualty rate was no lower than that of military martial artists.

"Mm-hmm, I'll listen to you, Auntie." Li Yuan smiled. He understood her concerns.

Li Yuan himself had also given it thought.

Each of the Three Martial Halls gathered a huge number of martial artists. They were the strongest martial artist organizations, something even the nation could not match.

In terms of martial arts cultivation, choosing a Martial Hall would lead to faster progress, but it was often more dangerous.

Taking the Martial Arts Hall's special admission route, on the other hand, meant obtaining an official administrative post, which would be best for his family in the future.

With the nation's resources nurturing him, his martial arts progress would not be slow either.

Just as Li Yuan was full of anticipation.

What happened next completely exceeded his expectations.

Other than the Starry Sky Martial Hall contacting his uncle Li Changzhou once on the day after he entered the Blue Star Youth Ranking.

There was no news after that.

Not only did the Starry Sky Martial Hall go silent, but there was not even a shadow of the Martial Arts Hall or Starfire Martial Hall. No one came looking for him... Days passed one after another.

In the blink of an eye, more than half a month had gone by.

It was already mid-October.

Even with Li Yuan's steady temperament, after waiting so long, he was starting to feel confused.

At noon that day, his uncle Li Changzhou called him.

"Xiao Yuan."

"Your Uncle Zhong sent me another message today. He felt a little embarrassed, which was why there had been no news for so many days. He's responsible for contract signings in the Martial Hall." In the video projection, Li Changzhou spoke solemnly. "He very much wants to sign you."

"Mm." Li Yuan nodded slightly.

There was no doubt that Zhong Cheng and his uncle Li Changzhou had been friends for many years.

"But he said frankly that your problem is your Martial Arts Spirituality. His application to his superiors was held up during the second review, and the Martial Hall's upper management is now discussing it." Li Changzhou looked at Li Yuan. "But there should be a result within the next couple of days."

"A result in the next couple of days? Because of Martial Arts Spirituality?" Li Yuan listened silently.

Again because of Martial Arts Spirituality?

"Don't lose heart either. Your Uncle Zhong also said he'll do everything he can to fight for it." Li Changzhou said. "We were still too optimistic. Even if it doesn't work out, don't be disappointed."

"And don't slack off in your training," Li Changzhou instructed.

"Don't worry, Uncle. I'm not cultivating martial arts just for an advance signing with the Starry Sky Martial Hall." Li Yuan smiled. "When the time comes, even if they want to sign me, I might not necessarily agree."

The video call ended.

The smile on Li Yuan's face vanished.

He stood inside the 4011 Martial Arts Room.

"Martial Arts Spirituality?"

"Because I haven't awakened it, neither the Martial Arts Hall nor Starfire Martial Hall will give me even the slightest chance?"

"Perhaps without Uncle Zhong, the Starry Sky Martial Hall wouldn't have offered even a shred of hope." Li Yuan tightened his grip on his spear, silent in his heart. Without a suitable Advanced Cultivation Method, is there no hope of becoming a powerful martial artist?

Neither Li Yuan nor Li Changzhou had considered that the Starry Sky Martial Hall was doing this deliberately.

After all, compared with Starfire Martial Hall and the Martial Arts Hall, those two sides had not sent even the slightest word.

"Rip!"

Li Yuan suddenly thrust out with his spear. Terrifying force erupted, almost leaving an afterimage. Immediately afterward, one spear shadow after another shifted and transformed, bursting into sharp howls through the air.

Suddenly, two notifications flashed across Li Yuan's vision.

[Your spear technique realm has risen from Stage Three 56% to Stage Three 57%]

[Your life level has risen from Level 6.8 to Level 6.9]

The next day, close to ten at night.

Li Yuan, who was in his room, suddenly received a video call.

"Uncle Zhong?" Li Yuan's eyes brightened slightly.

He accepted it.

Buzz~ A middle-aged man in casual home clothes immediately appeared in the projection, looking highly spirited.

"Uncle Zhong." Li Yuan smiled.

"Xiao Yuan." Zhong Cheng chuckled. "Calling you so late didn't disturb you, did it?"

"No."

"That's good." Zhong Cheng smiled, seeming somewhat emotional. "I have good news for you. Your contract application has been approved at the meeting. It's a D-level Contract."

"It was approved?" Li Yuan's eyes lit up. "Thank you, Uncle Zhong."

He had already prepared himself for it not to pass.

"No need to thank me. You're outstanding because of your own ability."

"Come to the Martial Hall at nine Sunday morning, and we'll discuss the specific terms." Zhong Cheng smiled. "No problem?"

"No problem."

(End of chapter)