Elite Contract

"Practical combat?" Fang Yu was a little puzzled.

"How is it different from the practical combat assessment?" Wang Mo was curious too.

"Students at martial arts junior colleges are weaker and generally don't reach level 20, so we don't offer practical combat training," Yan Fu explained. "Undergraduate programs are different. Huguang Martial Arts University, for example, has a five-year program. Even among the weaker students, the vast majority reach level 20 by their fifth year. The more capable ones reach it in their third year or even earlier."

Fang Yu and Wang Mo nodded.

Martial arts junior college students who reached level 20 before graduation were few and far between. But many martial arts undergraduates reached level 20; it could even be called commonplace.

Undergraduates generally had greater talent, stronger star aspects, better teachers, better cultivation environments, and more time to cultivate... Naturally, their overall strength was far greater.

Fang Yu instinctively thought of Jiang Chenyi, whom he had met earlier.

He was already above level 25 at the end of his first year, making him a monstrous talent... Of course, Jiang Chenyi was a student at Crescent Moon Martial Arts University, far beyond what students at Huguang Martial Arts University could compare to.

Throughout the Blue Moon Alliance,

Crescent Moon Martial Arts University, the ten key martial arts universities of Crescent Moon, the thirty first-rate martial arts universities of Blue Star, 220 ordinary martial arts universities, and five thousand martial arts junior colleges... These were five clearly defined tiers of martial arts institutions.

A top martial arts exam scorer like Jiang Chenyi would at least attend one of Crescent Moon's top ten.

Fang Yu had set the same goal for his younger brother and sister: one of Crescent Moon's top ten.

"Level 20."

"That's when you qualify to go to Primordial Star and become a true warrior." Yan Fu sighed. "Why does Blue Moon Civilization give martial artists such favorable treatment? The main purpose is to encourage them to go to Primordial Star."

Fang Yu looked thoughtful.

"So all students in martial arts undergraduate programs who reach level 20 are encouraged to take part in practical combat?" Fang Yu couldn't help asking.

"Smart." Yan Fu nodded. "February 20 to March 20 and August 20 to September 20 are Huguang Martial Arts University's two 'practical combat periods' each year."

"All students whose physical skills have reached the subtle realm and whose life level is 20 must take part in combat on Primordial Star... Once you become a directly admitted student, you'll definitely receive special training, and you're strong enough. You'll most likely be required to fight too, then return to school with everyone else in late September to continue your studies."

"Now, Wang Mo and Zhang Tao also qualify to fight, but they aren't receiving special training and have only just enrolled... If they don't want to go, they won't be forced to the first time."

"Practical combat means actually fighting Primordial Star's fierce beasts to the death, and even battling powerhouses from alien planets. The death rate is high."

Fang Yu roughly understood.

The second list of recommended admissions was scheduled for August 15, and the junior-college-to-undergraduate practical combat assessment for September 15... Both were probably related to Huguang Martial Arts University's teaching schedule.

"What about the junior-college-to-undergraduate practical combat assessment, then?" Wang Mo asked curiously.

"The so-called practical combat assessment is just fighting some weak fierce beasts in the 'safe zone' beside the starry sky base. It's mainly for new students to get some practice," Yan Fu said with a smile. "Actually, it only requires level 15."

"For safety, our junior colleges require participating students to have at least reached the subtle realm in physical skills. That's why we only arrange for seventy students to participate each year, ensuring the final death rate doesn't exceed one percent..."

Fang Yu and Wang Mo exchanged a glance.

So the limit on participants in the practical combat assessment wasn't about controlling costs, as they had guessed, but about safety.

"Teacher, what happens if I refuse?" Fang Yu asked.

"You can still enroll as normal," Yan Fu said. "It's just that the additional training you receive will probably be reduced or even canceled."

"Is that fair?" Wang Mo couldn't help saying. "We have very few courses on Primordial Star at our martial arts junior college. Fang Yu is certainly strong, but asking him to take part in practical combat right away? Isn't that a bit much?"

"It really isn't fair."

"But where in this world is there so much fairness?" Yan Fu shook his head. "Practical combat isn't just required to temper students. It's also one of the Blue Moon Alliance's assessments for each university. Their students must complete enough kills on Primordial Star for these martial arts universities to pass the assessment and receive the corresponding funding."

"As an elite student receiving special training, you enjoy a large amount of additional resources, yet don't want to bear the risks and responsibilities... Is there such a good deal in this world?"

Fang Yu understood completely.

Behind many seemingly unreasonable rules were practical considerations.

For martial arts junior colleges, the annual assessments mainly concerned the percentage of students who reached level 15, the percentage whose skills reached the subtle realm, and so on... All of it was safe and risk-free.

Undergraduate martial arts universities received more funding and resources from the Blue Moon Alliance, but their assessments were also stricter. Naturally, their students had to bear responsibility too. It was more dangerous, and the death rate was higher.

"Actually, Wu Ya rejected Huguang Martial Arts University's contract," Yan Fu said suddenly. "As far as I know, Huguang Martial Arts University wanted to admit him directly in his second year."

"Directly?" Fang Yu was curious.

"You were probably able to become a directly admitted student because your saber skills reached the subtle realm," Yan Fu said. "For someone who has awakened an Upper Astral Aspect, getting a direct admission spot is easy... After all, even among martial arts students at ordinary undergraduate universities, few have awakened an Upper Astral Aspect."

Fang Yu nodded.

Most people who awakened an Upper Astral Aspect did so before the age of eighteen. With such a powerful astral aspect, as long as their skill talent wasn't terribly poor, it generally wasn't difficult to enter first-rate martial arts universities such as Modu Martial Arts University or Yandu Martial Arts University.

How would Huguang Martial Arts University ever get a chance at them?

"But Wu Ya refused," Yan Fu said with a smile.

"Then his recommended admission this time..." Wang Mo asked curiously. "Isn't he still going to Huguang Martial Arts University?"

"Of course not." Yan Fu shook his head. "He was recommended for admission to Modu Martial Arts University... The information just hasn't been made public."

"Just like how your saber skills reaching the subtle realm haven't been made public either, Fang Yu."

Fang Yu and Wang Mo understood.

"Teacher, what would you recommend?" Fang Yu looked at Yan Fu.

"From the standpoint of my personal interests, it would be best if you signed. My performance bonus would be higher," Yan Fu said. "But practical combat really is very risky... That's why I wanted to explain everything to you beforehand."

Fang Yu nodded.

Practical combat meant facing all kinds of unknowns... In the past, because of his mother, Fang Yu had also searched for a great deal of information about Primordial Star.

Even though much of the information online had been blocked, the small amount that leaked out was enough to infer a great deal. It was extremely dangerous there... Throughout history, even starry sky martial artists had died on Primordial Star.

"Fang Yu, there's no need to take the risk," Wang Mo said quietly. "At least go to university and cultivate for a while first, and take the relevant courses."

"Mm, I'll think about it," Fang Yu said.

Before long, Wang Mo and the others left first.

Fang Yu followed the female teacher from earlier straight to the ninth floor of the building. Normally, this floor was a restricted area of the school, and students weren't allowed up.

It was Fang Yu's first time there too.

When they reached an office, the female teacher opened the door and went in first. With a hint of respect, she said, "Professor Tang, I've brought Fang Yu."

Professor? Fang Yu was inwardly startled. Anyone qualified to teach at a martial arts junior college was at least an Advanced Martial Artist.

Who could command such respect from an Advanced Martial Artist?

"I'm an associate professor, so call me associate professor. Don't try to be clever. Remember that next time," a gentle voice said. "Come in first."

An associate professor? A woman? Fang Yu was startled.

"Yes." A trace of embarrassment crossed the female teacher's face as she led Fang Yu into the office.

Fang Yu glanced around and saw six people in the office. At their head was a young woman in a gray martial arts outfit. She looked about twenty-five, and her looks could only be called above average, but she had a heroic air. She was looking calmly at Fang Yu.

At the same time,

Fang Yu also noticed a middle-aged man of average build beside the woman, smiling at him.

Without waiting for the female teacher to prompt him, Fang Yu said respectfully, "Greetings, Associate Professor Tang."

"Mm."

"Fang Yu, you really are talented. To reach the subtle realm in saber skills at such a young age shows great talent for skills." The young woman in gray looked at Fang Yu. "However, the six of us teachers disagreed over whether to give you special admission... I personally opposed it."

Fang Yu was a little surprised.

From their brief interaction, he could already tell that Associate Professor Tang's personality was different from most people's.

"Teacher Jiang Wei overruled the objections and used his own special admission spot to recruit you." The young woman in gray pointed to the middle-aged man beside her. "You should thank him."

"Thank you, Teacher Jiang," Fang Yu said gratefully.

He understood that he had become a directly admitted student entirely because of Teacher Jiang Wei's insistence. Otherwise, he would probably have received an ordinary recommended admission.

"There's no need to thank me. You were outstanding enough on your own," Jiang Wei said with a smile.

"At Huguang Martial Arts University, ordinary undergraduates receive 300,000 star coins in training funds each year," the young woman in gray said. "For outstanding students, we increase the resources devoted to their training and sign special contracts with them."

"There are three levels of special contracts in total."

"The Elite Contract, the Earth Contract, and the Sky Patrol Contract..." the young woman in gray said. "Under school regulations, junior college students admitted through special approval all receive Elite Contracts."

"The Elite Contract provides access to some of the school's special resources, as well as one million star coins in training funds each year... Since you're transferring from a junior college to an undergraduate program, you'll become a fourth-year student directly. So the training funds you missed from your first through third years will be paid to you in a lump sum, along with your fourth-year training funds."

"After deducting the 300,000 in training funds you received during your three years at junior college,"

"You'll receive 3.7 million star coins in a lump sum."

"Now, sign it." The young woman in gray pointed to a document on the desk.