Maximum 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 first meeting until now, Li Yuan had held Hall Master Wan in extremely high regard... As the hall master of a branch and a powerful Source Martialist, he had treated a high school student like Li Yuan with almost equal footing.

The contract terms he had offered were even more of an astronomical price than anything Li Yuan had known.

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

"Hall Master Wan... but before this, only the Starry Sky Martial Hall was willing to sign me in advance." Li Yuan hesitated slightly.

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

"Haha, it seems you truly do not understand the Starry Sky Martial Hall's background." Hall Master Wan smiled. "How about this? I'll have your teacher explain it to you. He'll understand the moment I mention it."

Hall Master Wan indeed wanted to show how highly he valued Li Yuan by putting down the Starry Sky Martial Hall.

But he understood even more deeply that when recruiting a genius like Li Yuan, signing a contract through benefits was only the first step. It was best if they could also cultivate mutual goodwill.

If he explained the truth himself? It would make him seem like a petty man.

Very soon.

Hall Master Wan had Xu Bo and Principal Tan brought over.

In front of Li Yuan, Hall Master Wan quickly explained the situation to the two of them. He directly brought up the B-level Contract, Li Yuan's extraordinary Spiritual Power talent, and the Starry Sky Martial Hall's private meeting with Li Yuan.

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

He too was a level 16 First-Order Martialist, and he understood how important Spiritual Power was to becoming a Source Martialist.

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

It was simply too rare.

"Old Wan, you're offering a B-level Contract? The Starry Sky Martial Hall contacted Li Yuan in private? And only offered him a D-level Contract?" Xu Bo's expression changed the moment he heard this, and a trace of anger surfaced on his face. "It was most likely that Song Yi!"

"Song Yi? That vice hall master from the Starry Sky Martial Hall?" Hall Master Wan fell into thought. He had only recently assumed office and had met only the main hall master of the Starry Sky Martial Hall Guanshan Branch.

As for the several vice hall masters? Hall Master Wan knew their files, but had not actually met them.

"Yes." Xu Bo nodded. He had spent several years in Guanshan District and was familiar with all the important figures in the area.

"Li Yuan."

Xu Bo looked toward Li Yuan, who was still somewhat at a loss, and said in a low voice, "You entered the Blue Star Youth Ranking so quickly... was it because you had fought more than 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 knew that news, but they did not know your detailed data on 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 abruptly 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 imagined your Spiritual Power talent would be extraordinary..." Xu Bo shook his head. "If it truly 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 right away." Xu Bo looked at Li Yuan. "Once you signed, even if you learned the truth in the future, first, she would not have treated you poorly; second, she would count as the one who guided you onto the path. She could also find countless excuses, and you would not truly do anything about it."

Li Yuan held his breath.

He had never imagined that there could be so many schemes behind a single contract.

But Teacher Xu was right.

If the Starry Sky Martial Hall had truly planned this, and there had been no twist of events today, 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 being injured, his strength was no longer what it had been, but his powerful network of connections meant that most Second-Order Source Martialists in Guanshan District still respected him greatly.

In his eyes, Song Yi's actions were a slap to the 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 contract terms I offered are already my utmost sincerity."

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

Li Yuan nodded lightly.

"Li Yuan, I will 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 own hands."

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

Li Yuan fell into thought.

"Li Yuan, you needn't worry. I'll give you time to consider it and go home to discuss it with your family." Hall Master Wan smiled. "As for the specific contract details, I'll have Teacher Xu transfer them to you tonight."

"Within a month, as long as you are willing, contact me anytime."

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

"Li Yuan, why aren't you writing it down?" Xu Bo said.

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

Li Yuan immediately noticed that this was not Hall Master Wan's work V number, but his private 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 glance.

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

"Rest assured, Hall Master Wan." Principal Tan said solemnly as well.

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

"Oh, right. Principal Tan, Tie Ta, that Lin Lanyue—if she is willing, my Starfire Martial Hall can offer her a C-level Contract. But her family... I'll have to trouble you to deliver the news." 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 to see you cultivating in the Starfire Martial Hall."

With that, Hall Master Wan directly left the Martial Arts Classroom and headed out of the school.

After seeing him to his car.

Xu Bo brought Li Yuan straight back to his office.

"Li Yuan, the treatment Hall Master Wan is offering is quite good." Xu Bo thought for a moment before saying, "If your Spiritual Power talent is reported, the Martial Arts Hall will certainly specially recruit you, but it will be difficult for its terms to be this good."

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

By all logic, shouldn't they be about the same?

"You don't understand." Xu Bo smiled. "The Martial Arts Hall's special recruitment uses taxpayers' money, and official audits are extremely strict... Those people at the Martial Arts Hall do not care that much whether you receive the best possible training. They want political achievements, but they are even less willing to take responsibility. That is why the students they specially recruit are all those they are absolutely certain will succeed."

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

The Martial Arts Hall would not easily take a major risk.

"Actually."

"Hall Master Wan's willingness to offer you a B-level Contract is most likely related to the fact that he has just taken office." Xu Bo smiled. "Having just arrived, he surely wants to make something of himself."

"Your contract carries a degree of gamble."

"A B-level Contract... if you have not even reached Level 16 Martialist by the age of thirty, he will be criticized for it."

"Of course, with his strength, he would not care. But if you truly choose to sign, you must also strive hard."

"Signing in advance only makes your martial path faster." Xu Bo instructed.

"I understand." Li Yuan nodded.

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

Beep—

Li Yuan's Smart Ring Watch vibrated. A file was 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 and has shown the utmost sincerity. I'm afraid the moment he got into the car, he had someone draft it." 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 is fine too." Xu Bo hesitated slightly and did not completely persuade him.

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

For such a major life decision, he could not decide directly on Li Yuan's behalf.

(End of chapter)