After confirming Gu Yu's identity, the people around them began looking at this young man with respect in their eyes.
"One of the finest top scholars in fifty years. No wonder the Grandmaster took him as a disciple..."
"I've only ever seen the Grandmaster's signature in the author credits of textbooks. I've never seen the Grandmaster in person..."
The crowd was full of envious remarks.
Gu Yu was long accustomed to such treatment. He was even getting tired of it.
Amid the clamor, Gu Yu looked toward the school leaders on the platform.
"Principal, esteemed leaders, if there are no other procedures, let's get to the point quickly.
There have been quite a few matters lately, so it wouldn't be good to waste any more time."
Though Gu Yu was a young junior facing a group of school leaders, he showed no trace of timidity.
The moment he spoke, he urged the school leaders not to drag things out.
Principal Yin's expression became slightly awkward at those words.
But when he remembered Gu Yu's reputation and the fact that he was the Grandmaster's disciple, that discomfort quickly faded.
"Both sides are here, so there is no need to waste time.
Today's match is not an official competition.
It is merely to determine who is stronger and who is weaker, so everyone can understand why they cannot obtain a place in the Youth Martial Tournament.
If there are no objections, both sides will have ten minutes for final preparations."
As soon as Principal Yin finished speaking, Gu Yu thought of something else.
"Right, I would also ask the principal to clarify the rules of this match.
In particular, there won't be any unreasonable refusal to accept the outcome after it ends, will there?
Before I came, Senior Brother Jin Fan specifically reminded me.
He told me to make these things clear before taking action, so there wouldn't be any more trouble after the match."
As he spoke, Gu Yu's gaze swept across Li Yuan.
The school leaders seated on the platform naturally understood what Gu Yu meant.
In fact, Principal Yin also felt that it should be made clear in advance.
Without hesitation, Principal Yin looked at Li Yuan and spoke sternly.
"Set the terms first, and there will be no chaos later. Teacher Li Yuan, you've also seen how tolerant the school has been toward you.
We have all endured your outrageous behavior.
But if you still act unreasonably and refuse to cooperate after the match, don't blame us for getting angry!"
Registration for the Youth Martial Tournament required Li Yuan's confirmation.
The qualification had been earned with performance points Li Yuan had worked for.
After the school submitted the list of competitors, Li Yuan still had to agree to the use of that qualification.
Principal Yin was warning Li Yuan that if he lost the match but still refused to cooperate and hand over the qualification, they would retaliate harshly.
Hearing this, Li Yuan looked at Principal Yin.
In front of so many people, he directly refuted him. "I haven't seen even the slightest bit of the school's tolerance.
The Youth Martial Tournament qualification is something I earned through three years of hard work.
I'm fighting here for something that should have belonged to me in the first place. I truly can't see how that counts as being tolerant toward me."
The onlookers around them began discussing things again after hearing that.
Some students still did not know that the Youth Martial Tournament qualification had been earned through Li Yuan's hard work.
Having heard rumors from others, they had thought Li Yuan was simply insisting on fighting for it.
The school leaders were no inexperienced rookies. Faced with the question, Principal Yin's face even took on a righteous air.
"The Youth Martial Tournament rankings concern the school's reputation and Lingshan City's standing.
Teacher Li Yuan, you know what level you're at, and I know it even better.
As the principal of Lingshan No.1 High School, I will not allow the reputation of the school and Lingshan City to be tarnished.
If you think you have the ability, prove it to the school today!"
As expected of a principal who had served at First High School for many years.
With just a few words, he seemed to have seized the moral high ground again.
He made this match sound entirely justified.
Li Yuan could not be bothered to argue with them further. Words held no decisive power.
There was a saying: what could not be won on the battlefield could not be won at the negotiating table.
That was precisely the predicament Li Yuan faced now.
No matter how eloquent he was, he could not reclaim his competition qualification with just a few words.
Even if he rendered Principal Yin and the others speechless, the Youth Martial Tournament qualification still would not return to his hands.
This match was comparatively more advantageous for him.
With that thought, Li Yuan loudly declared before the crowd, "If I lose the match, I will naturally give up the Youth Martial Tournament qualification.
But if I win, I hope the school leaders will not come up with more high-sounding excuses."
"The school leaders are not as small-minded as you. You needn't worry about that."
Principal Yin still wore a stern expression, maintaining the authority of a principal before everyone.
Seeing Principal Yin put on that act, Li Yuan did not get angry.
As long as the words had been spoken in public, that was enough. He could pretend all he wanted otherwise.
Gu Yu, standing nearby, was quite satisfied with this.
Though promises could be broken at any time.
At least Li Yuan had said it aloud. If he cared at all about his reputation, it would be difficult for him to go back on his word.
"If there are no other objections, then take the final ten-minute break.
The match will begin in ten minutes!"
Director Ma stood up on the platform to announce it, moving the match forward.
Neither Li Yuan nor Gu Yu raised any objection this time, but Chen Yong squeezed to the front and loudly questioned it.
"This match was originally supposed to be challenged by Teacher Jin Fan.
Now you've casually replaced him with someone else. Can you just bring in help whenever you want?
Then can Teacher Li Yuan also invite someone else to compete for him?"
Li Yuan had not expected Chen Yong to suddenly speak up.
Helping him say such things would inevitably bring Chen Yong some trouble himself.
After hearing this, Gu Yu, standing some distance away, thought for a moment.
"This teacher may have misunderstood. If Senior Brother Jin Fan wanted assistance, he certainly would not ask me.
I have some modest skills, but compared to Senior Brother Jin Fan, I possess at most seventy percent of his strength.
Senior Brother Jin Fan is the most talented disciple under our mentor.
Our mentor has said that he will absolutely become a Grandmaster in the future.
Having me take part in today's match should be even more beneficial to Teacher Li Yuan."
Gu Yu's explanation was exceedingly clear and composed.
It seemed that admitting he was inferior to Jin Fan was not embarrassing to him in the slightest.
But everyone around them was stunned by the words, "he will absolutely become a Grandmaster in the future."
Did this teacher from First High School truly possess such exceptional martial talent?
Chen Yong did not dwell on that question and continued raising his objection.
"This match is meant to win the Youth Martial Tournament qualification from Teacher Li Yuan.
Teacher Jin Fan has the right to issue this challenge, and the other teachers at First High School should have that right as well."
The moment Chen Yong said this, Li Yuan immediately understood his intention.
His friend wanted to use some means to first wear down some of Gu Yu's stamina.
Gu Yu, upon hearing this, still looked completely composed.
Before Principal Yin and the others could speak, Gu Yu looked around.
"I have no problem with that. Teachers from First High School may compete with me first, and the winner can then challenge Teacher Li Yuan.
Teacher, are you going to contend for this right to challenge?"
Chen Yong was put on the spot. He wanted to help Li Yuan, but his martial strength truly fell far short.
He might even get injured...
Before you continue