Greatest Sincerity

Greatest Sincerity

An insult?

Li Yuan had not expected Hall Master Wan to use such a word to describe the Starry Sky Martial Hall.

In truth, from their meeting until now, Li Yuan had felt extremely favorably toward Hall Master Wan... As the master of a branch hall and a powerful Source Martialist, he had treated a high school student like Li Yuan with an almost equal attitude.

The contract terms he offered were practically astronomical by Li Yuan's standards.

His uncle had spent the past few years on field assignments, heading for the most dangerous regions. How much did he earn in a year? Only around a million Blue Star Coins.

"Hall Master Wan... but previously, only the Starry Sky Martial Hall was willing to sign me early," Li Yuan said with some hesitation.

Li Yuan still felt grateful toward the Starry Sky Martial Hall and Uncle Zhong.

"Haha, it seems you truly don't understand the Starry Sky Martial Hall's inner workings." Hall Master Wan laughed. "How about this? I'll have your teacher explain it to you. The moment I mention it, he'll understand."

Hall Master Wan indeed wanted to demonstrate how much he valued Li Yuan by suppressing the Starry Sky Martial Hall.

But he understood even better that when drawing in a genius like Li Yuan, signing him with benefits was only the first step. It would be best if they could build a relationship as well.

If he told Li Yuan the truth himself? That would make him seem petty.

Very soon.

Hall Master Wan invited Xu Bo and Principal Tan over as well.

Before Li Yuan, Hall Master Wan quickly explained the situation to the two of them. He directly mentioned the B-level Contract, Li Yuan's extraordinary spiritual talent, and the Starry Sky Martial Hall's private meeting with Li Yuan.

"Extraordinary spiritual talent? A B-level Contract?" Principal Tan was utterly shocked as he stared at Li Yuan.

He was also a level 16 First Order martial artist, and he understood how important spiritual power was to becoming a Source Martialist.

Extraordinary spiritual talent? Principal Tan had only ever heard of it before. He had never seen it.

It was far too rare.

"Old Wan, you're offering a B-level Contract? The Starry Sky Martial Hall contacted Li Yuan privately? And only offered a D-level Contract?" The moment Xu Bo heard this, his expression changed, revealing a trace of anger. "It was most likely that Song Yi!"

"Song Yi? That vice hall master of the Starry Sky Martial Hall?" Hall Master Wan looked thoughtful. He had only just taken office and had only met the chief hall master of the Starry Sky Martial Hall's Guanshan Branch Hall.

As for its several vice hall masters? Hall Master Wan knew their files, but had not met them in person yet.

"Mhm." Xu Bo nodded. He had been around Guanshan District for several years and was familiar with the important figures in the area.

"Li Yuan."

Xu Bo looked at Li Yuan, who was still somewhat at a loss, and said quietly, "You entered the Blue Star Youth Ranking so quickly... was it because you fought over a hundred consecutive matches on the Starry Sky Fighting Net?"

"Yes." Li Yuan vaguely began to understand.

"When you entered the Blue Star Youth Ranking, the Martial Arts Hall and the Starfire Martial Hall only learned that piece of news. They didn't know your detailed data from the Starry Sky Fighting Net." Xu Bo explained directly. "But the Starry Sky Martial Hall would know, because the Starry Sky Fighting Net is directly controlled by the Starry Sky Martial Hall."

The Starry Sky Martial Hall?

The Starry Sky Fighting Net?

Li Yuan understood in an instant, and suddenly realized why only the Starry Sky Martial Hall had been willing to sign him.

So there had been an information gap?

"Li Yuan, and here I was, your martial arts homeroom teacher. I thought your physical talent was exceptional, but I never expected you to possess extraordinary spiritual talent..." Xu Bo shook his head. "If it really was Song Yi, then based on what I know of her, once you went to the Starry Sky Martial Hall, she would most likely appear during the negotiations and directly raise your contract to a C-level Contract."

"In that case."

"You would naturally feel grateful to her and would most likely sign immediately." Xu Bo looked at Li Yuan. "Once you signed, even if you learned the truth in the future, first, she wouldn't have treated you unfairly. Second, she would count as the one who guided you onto the path. She could also find countless excuses, and you wouldn't truly be able to do anything."

Li Yuan held his breath.

He had never imagined that a single contract could conceal so many twists and turns.

But Teacher Xu was right.

If the Starry Sky Martial Hall had truly planned things this way, and if today's interruption had not happened, he would most likely have agreed to sign.

"That Song Yi is used to playing tricks, and now she's playing them on my student." The chill on Xu Bo's face deepened.

After his injury, his strength was no longer what it had been. Yet his powerful network of connections meant that most of Guanshan District's Second Order Source Martialists still respected him greatly.

In his eyes, Song Yi's actions were a slap across his face.

"Li Yuan."

Hall Master Wan remained composed and smiled. "I invited your principal and Teacher Xu here only because I wanted you to understand... the terms I've offered are already my greatest sincerity."

"I believe that even if your principal reported this to the Martial Arts Hall, the Martial Arts Hall's special recruitment terms would find it difficult to reach B-level." Hall Master Wan spoke frankly.

Li Yuan nodded lightly.

"Li Yuan, I'll report your situation again, but in my experience, the Martial Arts Hall will most likely only offer C-level Contract terms." Principal Tan nodded. "The Martial Arts Hall's special recruitment usually undergoes much stricter review... the decision is still in your hands."

The Martial Arts Hall's special recruitment was much stricter?

Li Yuan fell into thought.

"Li Yuan, there's no need to worry. I'll give you time to consider it and go home to discuss it with your family." Hall Master Wan smiled. "I'll have Teacher Xu send the specific contract details to you tonight."

"Within a month, if you're willing, contact me anytime."

"My virtual V-number is..." Hall Master Wan said with a smile.

"Li Yuan, aren't you going to write it down?" Xu Bo said.

"Yes." Li Yuan immediately opened his Smart Ring Watch, swiftly recorded it, and added Hall Master Wan as a friend.

Right away, Li Yuan discovered that this was not Hall Master Wan's work V-number, but his personal number.

"Good."

"Principal Tan, Tie Ta, I only invited the two of you here. You should understand what I mean." Hall Master Wan smiled.

Principal Tan and Xu Bo exchanged a look.

"Mhm." Xu Bo nodded. "Don't worry. I'll keep it confidential."

"Rest assured, Hall Master Wan." Principal Tan was equally solemn.

"Good. I still have matters to attend to, so I'll be leaving first."

"Oh, right. Principal Tan, Tie Ta, that Lin Lanyue—if she's willing, my Starfire Martial Hall can offer her a C-level Contract. But her family... I'll trouble you to pass the news along." Hall Master Wan smiled.

"Rest assured, Hall Master Wan." Principal Tan smiled.

Hall Master Wan nodded, then looked at Li Yuan one last time. "Young friend Li Yuan, I hope I'll be able to see you training at the Starfire Martial Hall."

Then Hall Master Wan left the martial arts classroom directly and headed outside the school.

After seeing him to his car.

Xu Bo led Li Yuan straight back to his office.

"Li Yuan, the terms Hall Master Wan offered are quite good." Xu Bo thought for a moment before speaking. "Once your spiritual talent is reported, the Martial Arts Hall will definitely specially recruit you, but it will be difficult for their terms to be this favorable."

"Teacher, why?" Li Yuan could not help asking.

Logically speaking, shouldn't they be about the same?

"You don't understand." Xu Bo smiled. "The Martial Arts Hall uses taxpayers' money for special recruitment, and official audits are extremely strict... Those people at the Martial Arts Hall don't particularly care whether you receive the best possible training. They want achievements, but they're even more unwilling to bear responsibility. Therefore, every student they specially recruit is someone they are absolutely certain will succeed."

Li Yuan understood. He had not awakened Martial Arts Spirituality, so there was too much uncertainty.

The Martial Arts Hall would not easily take major risks.

"Actually."

"Hall Master Wan's willingness to give you a B-level Contract most likely has something to do with his just taking office." Xu Bo smiled. "He has only just arrived, so he surely wants to accomplish something."

"Your contract carries a certain degree of gamble."

"A B-level Contract... if you haven't even reached level 16 martial artist by the age of thirty, he'll take the blame."

"Of course, with his strength, he won't care about that. But if you truly choose to sign, you'll have to work hard and prove yourself."

"Signing early only makes your martial arts path faster." Xu Bo instructed.

"I understand." Li Yuan nodded.

If Teacher Xu had not explained it, he truly would not have known about the complicated relationships behind it all.

Beep—

Li Yuan's Smart Ring Watch vibrated. There was a file waiting to be received.

"This is the B-level Contract Hall Master Wan sent over. He just sent it to me. He truly values you; this is his greatest sincerity. He probably had someone draft it the moment he got into the car." Xu Bo sighed, then looked at Li Yuan. "It's almost dinner time."

"After you eat, don't attend evening self-study. Go home and discuss it with your family, then make your decision as soon as possible."

"Of course, if you want to wait for the Martial Arts Hall's special recruitment result, or if you want to go negotiate with the Starry Sky Martial Hall again... that's fine too." Xu Bo hesitated for a moment and did not press too hard.

After all, he was only Li Yuan's homeroom teacher, not his personal master.

For such a major life decision, he could not make the choice for Li Yuan.

(End of chapter)