Celebrity

Gang Refining.

On Blue Star, it had already become a myth and legend, referring to individuals akin to land immortals.

Li Pin had been active in the martial arts world on Blue Star for over a decade. He had heard of Gang Refining, but whenever he sought them out, he either couldn't find a genuine practitioner or...

they were simply frauds seeking fame.

Even in this world, such individuals were still considered truly high-level.

Star Refiners would seek them out to ask for advice on Embrace Dan.

Some extremely famous Gang Refiners were even granted noble titles by the royal family, qualifying them to enter local councils.

Even if their reputation wasn't widespread, as long as they possessed Gang Refining cultivation, they could easily attain an extraordinary status by following the martial arts path.

Let alone becoming the president of a county-level Martial Arts Association, even a vice president of a city-level Martial Arts Association, as long as it wasn't a key city on an important route, Gang Refining practitioners were more than sufficient to hold the position.

Canglong City only had one president, one honorary president, and three vice presidents. Without exception, all three vice presidents had only reached Embrace Dan.

From this alone, one could gauge the status of a Gang Refining expert.

Cao Tianyou was a genuine Gang Refining Grandmaster.

"Hmm!?"

Cao Tianyou sized up Li Pin, suddenly realizing something, and exclaimed in surprise, "You've Embrace Dan!?"

As soon as he said this, the gazes of the people he had been conversing with at the table were drawn over.

"Thanks to the profundity of the Five Elements Body Refining Technique and Master Cao's insights on Embrace Dan, I suddenly had an epiphany over the past half-month and fortunately took that step."

Li Pin said.

"Good, good, good."

Cao Tianyou's face showed surprise and joy.

Li Pin had already signed a contract with the Five Elements Sect. The stronger he became, the more stable the Five Elements Sect's position in Canglong City would be.

"Truly, one should look at a man with new eyes after three days apart."

"Is this the new Martial Artist Li who joined the Five Elements Sect?"

At this moment, the old man who had been chatting with Cao Tianyou inquired.

Li Pin glanced at him, vaguely feeling that his demeanor was somewhat similar to Cao Tianyou's.

Then, he seemed to recall something.

Was this the president of the Martial Arts Association, Jiang Qingyue?

"This is the most dazzling star of Canglong City's martial arts world, Li Pin, Martial Artist Li."

Cao Tianyou said with a smile.

"Slaying a Cat Demon in Liuchuan County and apprehending a wicked martial artist who has long been on Canglong City's wanted list, I've heard Martial Artist Li's name more than once. Seeing him in person today... he's even younger than I expected. Young people are truly remarkable. The future of Canglong City will undoubtedly be placed in your hands."

Old man Jiang Qingyue also smiled broadly.

"President Jiang, you flatter me."

Li Pin said.

"I'm just stating the facts."

Jiang Qingyue said.

"Brother Jiang, you might not know this, but Li Pin has already registered for the Jiangzhou Martial Arts Competition. Originally, before he Embrace Dan, he was still a bit short of achieving a ranking, but now that he has successfully Embrace Dan, he can quickly improve his physique to the peak of Embrace Dan in the coming months. With his combat ability, reaching the top ten in Jiangzhou is highly possible."

Cao Tianyou said with a smile. "This time, not only is our Canglong City's Martial Artist Fang Lingjue expected to be in the top ten of the Jiangzhou Competition, but we now also have Martial Artist Li. If we truly secure two spots, it will undoubtedly add a significant achievement to President Jiang's resume."

Jiang Qingyue also smiled upon hearing this, looking at Li Pin with even greater warmth.

Even if Li Pin didn't make it into the top ten this year, with his age, he had a great chance in the next one.

If not the next, then the one after that. It was rumored he was only twenty-two, so he could still participate in four more Jiangzhou Competitions.

He could already foresee the many honors this young martial artist would bring him in the future.

"Martial Artist Li, are you interested in joining the Canglong University Martial Arts Academy? Once Martial Artist Li graduates, Canglong University will pave the way for your promotion to associate professor, professor, and the corresponding positions of director and dean of the Martial Arts Academy."

At this moment, another middle-aged man suddenly spoke up, extending an invitation.

Some universities also had Martial Arts Academies, but many Embrace Dan martial artists earned millions or even tens of millions annually. How could schools afford such high salaries?

Therefore, the limit for these schools' martial arts departments was to invite one or two Level 3 martial artists. Apart from the top dozen or so universities in the country, no other university could attract Embrace Dan martial artists.

The not-so-famous Canglong University was no exception.

Li Pin glanced at the man, who was likely the president of Canglong University, and declined, "My time and energy from now on will be primarily focused on participating in the Martial Arts Competition."

"This is Mayor Tian Feiyu, who is in charge of culture, education, and publicity."

Cao Tianyou introduced him from the side, adding with a smile, "Mayor Tian wants Martial Artist Li to participate in the Martial Arts Competition as a student this time?"

"The status of a student and one's background from a martial arts school are not mutually exclusive."

Tian Feiyu said with a smile.

Cao Tianyou and the others nodded.

They knew this was the truth.

Although Li Pin was only twenty-two, he was participating in the youth division, so his age advantage couldn't be highlighted.

But if he presented himself as a student, even if he didn't make it into the top ten in the Jiangzhou competition, as long as he performed exceptionally and used his student status as a gimmick, it would be enough to make him famous throughout Jiangzhou.

With his reputation established, Canglong City, and even he himself as the supervisor, would naturally catch the eye of the influential figures in Jiangzhou.

If he wanted to advance further in the future, to transition from vice to full, or even to go to Jiangshi City later on, this would be a remarkable achievement.

"I'm afraid this will disappoint Mayor Tian. Martial Artist Li is no longer a student. He originally studied at Hanyang University but has since been expelled, and his academic records have been returned to his hometown. If he wants to study at Canglong University again, he'll likely have to retake the entrance exam. He probably won't have time to participate in this Jiangzhou competition. By the next one, he'll be twenty-five... using his student status then wouldn't be appropriate."

Zhao Yuan said from the side.

"Hmm? What's going on?"

Cao Tianyou was somewhat surprised.

"When I invited Martial Artist Li to join the Five Elements Sect, I specifically investigated this matter."

Zhao Yuan said, glancing apologetically at Li Pin. "I'm sorry, Martial Artist Li, but we had to understand your character beforehand... However, the facts prove that Martial Artist Li is indeed a person of noble integrity."

Li Pin's expression was a bit strange.

He had a feeling that Zhao Yuan and Cao Tianyou were putting on a bit of a show.

"It's fine, the clear will clear themselves."

He replied.

"Well said, 'the clear will clear themselves'."

Zhao Yuan praised him sincerely. "Martial Artist Li's actions certainly live up to that saying. He endured an unjust accusation but didn't use his martial strength to retaliate."

He then explained, "A few months ago, Martial Artist Li was slandered and framed for a baseless reason at Hanyang University. He faced public pressure and was so distraught that he almost did something foolish."

"What exactly happened? If someone truly slandered and framed him, we must investigate thoroughly!"

Tian Feiyu said angrily.

"We have investigated the process and found that from beginning to end, someone was secretly stirring up trouble and fanning the flames."

Zhao Yuan sighed. "I didn't want to bring this up in this setting, but it involves a director on the Hanyang University board. If this matter continues to escalate, once Martial Artist Li achieves fame, shines in the Jiangzhou competition, or even enters the national competition and becomes the center of attention, everything he's been through will inevitably be dug up. At that time..."

He looked worried. "It won't just affect Hanyang University; even Mayor Tian might be implicated, perhaps even bearing responsibility for poor oversight."