The victorious school will receive preferential treatment in terms of national resources for the next year.
Furthermore, the winning contestants will receive generous rewards.
"That's right, there is indeed a competition at the end of this semester, but it's too early for you to participate with your current strength. You should keep a low profile, improve your skills, and participate next year," Lu Chengjun said.
Jiang Fan thought for a moment and replied firmly, "I want to participate in this year's Five-School League."
Upon hearing this, Lu Chengjun looked astonished.
"Normally, this kind of league is for senior students, whose strength must be at least at the Early-Stage Third Rank. You are only Middle-Stage Second Rank Martial Artist. If you could contract Two Star Rock-Armored Giant Snapping Turtle, you could barely participate, but I've already inquired about your situation, and it's truly rare."
Thinking about this, Lu Chengjun felt extremely regretful.
Even though their Soul Threshold were off the charts, they were strangely unable to form a contract.
If all else fails, do we really have to trouble that old patriarch of the Pill Pavilion? Should we let Fatty ask him?
To be honest, he felt that even the old ancestor of the Pill Pavilion might not be fully aware of Jiang Fan's situation.
"I have successfully formed a contract with a demonic beast."
A single sentence brought Lu Chengjun back to his senses.
"You—what did you say?! The contract succeeded?"
How did it succeed?
Didn't it not work before?
They even said Jiang Fan said that on purpose so he could participate in this league?
Just as Lu Chengjun was pondering a thousand thoughts, Jiang Fan suddenly slammed his large hand on the ground.
The next second, ripples of power spread rapidly outwards from his palm.
At the same time, a deep blue light emanated from the ground, within which mysterious runes spread, intertwined, and finally outlined a complex and profound magic array pattern.
As the magic circle was finally formed, a Big Black creature with wings suddenly appeared.
"It really worked—the contract was successful!"
Lu Chengjun's mouth gaped slightly, and after a few seconds, he immediately asked, "How did you do that?"
Jiang Fan shook his head, "I can't say for sure, but it just worked out like that."
Lu Chengjun could tell that Jiang Fan wasn't lying, and there was no need for him to lie.
He then circled around the Big Black dog, his brow furrowed.
" One Star monster?"
Jiang Fan knew what Lu Chengjun wanted to express.
"Monsters can evolve too. Although Big Black is only One Star monster right now, I'm confident I can help him advance to Two Star before the league."
"This isn't about whether you're confident or not. If they can't advance to the Two Star level before the league, don't bring up the registration again. After all, the Five-School League is a real battle, and people have died in previous years, leaving some with serious psychological trauma that affects their future prospects," Lu Chengjun said earnestly to Jiang Fan.
It was precisely for these reasons that Lu Chengjun considered having Jiang Fan participate in the league again in the future.
However, his persuasion had no effect whatsoever; Jiang Fan said firmly:
"Even if Big Black can't break through to Two Star before the league starts, I'll still participate."
"You--"
"Principal, although I am currently at the Middle-Stage Second Rank, it doesn't mean I'm weaker than Third Rank Martial Artist. You can arrange a match then; if I can defeat the main player, then I will be the main player."
Looking at the spirited young man before him, Lu Chengjun merely opened his mouth slightly, but ultimately swallowed the words he wanted to say.
At the same time, a deep sense of longing arose in my heart.
Back when he was Jiang Fan's age, wasn't he also full of vigor and ambition?
"Whatever you want."
Lu Chengjun waved his hand. If it doesn't work out, we'll do as Jiang Fan suggested and arrange a match before the league. If he wins, we'll let him participate in the league, which will be a way for him to gain experience and achieve better results in next year's matches. As long as we don't end up at the bottom or second to last like in previous years, that's fine.
As for this year's league, Lu Chengjun never had high hopes.
It wasn't that he lacked fighting spirit; it was simply that Yuanwu's students were all the leftovers from the other four elite martial arts schools.
If it weren't for the fact that Yuanwu's training intensity was so ruthless, and that they frequently took their students into the Inner Wilderness Zone, they probably wouldn't even have the qualifications to compete with the other four major martial arts schools; they would have been crushed as soon as they went up.
They finally managed to recruit Jiang Fan this year, so he pinned his hopes on Jiang Fan achieving excellent results for Yuanwu next year.
If not next year, there's always the year after. With Jiang Fan's talent, he might even manage to get a runner-up or third place.
Thinking of this, Lu Chengjun smiled, as if he could already see Jiang Fan holding the third and second place trophies.
Outside Yuanwu School.
"Dad! Why? I think Zhichao's disappearance is most likely related to that Jiang Fan!"
Li Renfeng, his face flushed red, angrily pointed towards the school gate.
At this moment, the fawning smile on Li Yanhe's face had faded, replaced by a venomous glint in his eyes.
"Whether it's him or not, he's destined to die!"
This is the consequence of disrespecting the Li Family!
Hearing this, Li Renfeng felt somewhat relieved. The ruthless and cruel old man he saw now was the father he knew.
"However, you were really too reckless just now. Although my Li Family is large and powerful, we can only be considered middle-class in the vast Fortress No. 1. How could you and I possibly offend a top-tier power like Yuanwu? If I hadn't deliberately slapped you twice in front of Principal Lu just now, you would probably be leaving here in a sorry state."
"I'm sorry, Dad. I was really too impulsive. I just didn't expect Jiang Fan to talk to me like that. The way he completely disregarded me and the Li Family was really infuriating!"
"I told you, Jiang Fan is going to die, but finding Zhichao is the priority right now. As for Jiang Fan..."
Li Yanhe paused at this point, already having made up his mind.
"It's not wise to act now. If something happens to Jiang Fan, suspicion will inevitably fall on us. We should wait until this storm has passed before dealing with him discreetly."
"Dad, you're so thoughtful."
Around the Heaven-Reaching Tower.
Headquarters.
Wei San hurriedly entered the commander's tent and reported everything about Jiang Fan to Yan Tianyang.
" Yan Shuai, should I personally go to the Li Family and give them a warning? Tell them that Jiang Fan someone you've taken a liking to, to prevent him from making any underhanded moves."
"No need," Yan Tianyang said calmly.
Wei San was taken aback. Given how much Yan Tianyang valued Jiang Fan, he shouldn't have just stood by and watched.
"But Li Yanhe and that old man are both Early-Stage Sixth Rank Martial Artist. Let alone him, even his eldest son, Late-Stage Fourth Rank martial artist, would be no match for Jiang Fan. Are we really not going to get involved? What if Jiang Fan— "
Before he could finish speaking, Yan Tianyang interrupted him.
"Things are currently at a critical juncture. Even if the Li Family wanted to kill Jiang Fan, they wouldn't be in a hurry."
"There's no rush now, but what about later?"
"In the future... in the future, the Li Family may not be a match for Jiang Fan."