When Wang Yongfeng saw the newcomer, he first froze, then swept his gaze over him, his eyes widening instinctively.
The Fengyun University instructor's robe he wore meant that the old man was a teacher from Fengyun University.
Had they really come to snatch someone up in advance?
Wang Yongfeng found it somewhat unbelievable.
He had heard before that Fengyun University recruited students early, but he had never witnessed it himself.
After all, there were nearly a hundred Martial Arts High Schools of all sizes across Ying Province's twelve cities.
Every class produced tens of thousands of young martial artists, yet those recruited early by Fengyun University never exceeded the fingers of one hand—at most two or three, and sometimes not even one.
Early recruitment meant recommendation, and recommendation students meant a massive pouring-in of resources...
Even though Fengyun University stood at the head of the pack among Ying Province's Martial Arts Universities, it did not have enough resources to select more than a dozen recommendation students every year.
Moreover, recommendation students in previous years had mostly been selected from the Martial Science Students of Shanzhou City. Other cities generally had no choice but to stare helplessly.
It had also been many years since Fengyun University had last selected a recommendation student from Linhai City.
With such treatment, Ye Li would likely soar into the sky from now on.
"Ye Li, Fengyun University is the best Martial Arts University in Ying Province."
Wang Yongfeng gave a light cough and reminded him as tactfully as possible, "If you receive an early recommendation, it will be greatly beneficial to your future development!"
"Precisely, precisely."
As he spoke, Yu Weng quickly moved closer, seeming to nervously rub his hands together.
When he saw that the flesh beneath Ye Li's torn black robe did not bear the slightest wound, obvious fervor surged into his eyes.
Just as I thought. The injuries caused by that Sword Qi a few minutes ago have completely vanished. This healing speed is simply divine... What rank of Martial Arts Talent could this be?!
To find such an enormous treasure in a place like this—the old man has struck it rich!
On the Combat Stage earlier, Yu Weng, whose cultivation was the highest, had seen things clearly. Tang Yao's first few attacks had not been entirely ineffective against Ye Li. Rather, most of them had injured him.
Especially that move, Mount Tai Holds Up the Sun. Even with that miraculous white mist protecting his body, the fierce Sword Qi had pierced straight through Ye Li's right abdomen.
Yet such wounds, which would have severely injured an ordinary martial artist, had healed on Ye Li's body in just a few breaths!
When Yu Weng saw that scene, his eyes had nearly popped out of their sockets, and stormy waves had risen in his heart.
No one understood better than him just how valuable such a thing was.
If not for the group of teachers surrounding him, he would have rushed down to verify it himself.
Fortunately, the opportunity had not entirely slipped away.
"Student Ye Li."
Yu Weng's throat bobbed as he looked at the calm Boy in Black and smiled warmly.
"I happen to have a special recommendation quota in my hands. As long as you are willing, this old man will personally become your mentor. You can come to Fengyun University right now, and you will not even need to take the Martial Exam.
"To be honest, this old man is a senior teacher at Fengyun University, and my Martial Dao cultivation can be considered that of an expert. I absolutely will not mislead my students, so you can rest assured about that!"
At those words, even Wang Yongfeng's expression turned strange.
Was this really a teacher from Fengyun University, not some salesman from a Martial Dao cram school?
Wasn't he being a little too enthusiastic?
Alongside that strangeness came a trace of bitterness.
Back when he took the Martial Exam, he had never seen such a spectacle. The few intermediate teachers from Fengyun University had all worn cold faces, their entire beings radiating indifference.
Yet when it came to Ye Li, even senior teachers had become salesmen...
The recommendation quota was understandable. After all, Ye Li, who had defeated Tang Yao, possessed that kind of potential.
But the attitude that practically had "Hurry up and agree" written all over his face was an entirely different matter.
Did this mean that Ye Li's potential was exceptional even among recommendation students?!
At that thought, Wang Yongfeng's breathing quickened.
Could it be that Ye Li possessed some potential he had failed to see?
"..."
Ye Li did not answer directly. Instead, he asked:
"What benefits does this recommendation quota have?"
What he lacked most were opportunities to earn Malice Points, as well as Martial Skills and Cultivation Methods.
"Of course!" Yu Weng smiled confidently and straightened up.
"Just the Book Repository of Fengyun University alone will allow you to go directly up to the fourth floor with your credentials. Forget Second-Tier or Third-Tier Martial Skills—even Fourth-Tier Premium Martial Skills, as long as you wish to exchange for them, you will be qualified to do so.
"Then there are the circles you will gain access to. Quite a few teachers at Fengyun University hold high positions in major factions. To be frank, ordinary Martial Science Students only have the chance to see them while they are on campus. These are all potential connections."
As he spoke, he deliberately hinted:
"Speaking of which, this old man is also a Guest Elder of several associations. I control many resources and opportunities for secret realm training. As long as I wish, I can assign them to students I favor."
"Furthermore, whenever you do not understand something while practicing Martial Skills, you can ask any teacher you like. With the title of [Recommendation Student], they will all be more than willing to explain things to you..."
Yu Weng spoke in a torrent, until his mouth had grown somewhat dry.
Looking at Ye Li, whose expression remained unchanged, he cleared his throat and continued with a smile. "If you are willing to become this old man's student, that would be even better. What this old man can give you will absolutely exceed what the leaders and heads of those second-rate factions can offer."
Hearing that, Ye Li nodded slightly as well.
As expected of the Martial Arts University with the deepest foundations in Ying Province. The benefits were indeed tempting.
Though the actual difficulty would likely be far greater than Yu Weng described, the opportunities Fengyun University could provide were genuinely abundant.
He did not lack teachers to instruct him in Martial Skills, nor did he want connections that would shatter at the first touch, but he did have some need for such opportunities.
"I see. It really is quite good."
In the end, under Yu Weng's burning gaze, Ye Li said calmly:
"But I refuse."
[Teased a 106-year-old senior teacher from Fengyun University with words. Malice Points +500!]
"...?"
Yu Weng, who had thought victory was already in the bag, froze and could not help asking:
"Why? Are the terms not generous enough?"
"Generous." Ye Li nodded naturally.
"Then you?"
"I refuse."
[Teased a 106-year-old senior teacher from Fengyun University with words. Malice Points +200]
Come to think of it, teasing old men was rather interesting.
Ye Li sighed inwardly.
His habit of saying no to people who thought they had victory in the bag was probably impossible to change.
"So... why are you refusing?" Yu Weng was getting a little heated.
Ye Li smiled softly. "Because I want to take the Martial Exam."
"You still want to take the Martial Exam?"
Yu Weng froze, then said earnestly, "There is absolutely no need. After this battle, the students of Qingshan First High School have probably already hated you to the bone."
"If those hundred-plus people free up their hands during the Martial Exam, they might come looking for trouble with you as a group. When the time comes, with you facing many alone, it will be easy for something to go wrong!"
"Then... what if he takes this recommendation quota after the Martial Exam?" Wang Yongfeng asked tentatively.
He felt that Ye Li most likely wanted to temper himself through the Martial Exam, so he intended to help fight for it.
"That would be even more unnecessary." Yu Weng glanced at him and said helplessly.
"Fengyun University only has this one recommendation quota for this class, and it is in this old man's hands. You know Shanzhou First High School, right? It has the deepest foundations among Ying Province's Martial Arts High Schools, and it has produced the greatest number of geniuses over the years.
"As far as I know, they also have several genius contestants this year. Every one of them is outstanding, with lofty ambitions and proud hearts."
"If they hear that you, a recommended Martial Science Student, came to take the Martial Exam, they will definitely come specially to meet you." As he spoke, he looked at Ye Li and explained seriously.
"To put it bluntly, they will come looking for trouble with you and test your level."
"Why?" Ye Li asked.
"Because they refuse to accept it!"
Yu Weng sighed. "Student Ye Li, listen to this old man's advice. The Martial Exam is no child's play. Aren't you just looking for trouble?"
"There is absolutely no need to compete with them over this, right?"
After saying that, Yu Weng suddenly discovered that the black eyes of the youth before him were growing brighter and brighter.
"Indeed."
Under Yu Weng's puzzled gaze, Ye Li said lightly, "Then let us each take a step back. I will take the recommendation quota, and I will also participate in the Martial Exam."
"...?"
No, you want everything?
Yu Weng looked at Wang Yongfeng beside him in astonishment, wondering if he had misheard.
PS: This chapter has been slightly revised.
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