Chapter 27: Class C? Class D Contract
"Enough."
"He has improved his martial arts skills quickly, which must be related to his mental strength, but the most important thing is his understanding of spearmanship," said Zhong Cheng, dressed in a black suit, with slight excitement.
"His age, he just turned seventeen... it's very different from those who enter the Blue Star Youth List at nearly nineteen."
"So young, with such a high level of spearmanship."
"Normally, his spearmanship has a great hope of breaking through to the fourth stage in the future." Zhong Cheng took a deep breath, "His mental strength is very strong. Once his body becomes stronger, his mental strength might soon exceed the level of 20."
"Hall Master Song, the two major difficulties of becoming a source martial artist are not problems for Li Yuan in the future." Zhong Cheng looked at Song Yi.
As a formal member of the Starry Sky Martial Hall, Zhong Cheng was very familiar with the operation mode of the Martial Hall.
He was very clear that the value paid by the Martial Hall for signing up prospective members in advance was at least tens of millions of Blue Star coins.
Even higher.
And paying such a high price, is it just to train a first-level martial artist with a physical quality of more than ten levels?
It is totally not worth it.
Signing up in advance, focusing on training, the goal is only one—to train a source martial artist.
Like Song Yi, who is a source martial artist.
It is because of her strong strength that Song Yi can firmly hold the position of deputy hall master of the Guanshan District Sub-Hall.
"There are three major difficulties to becoming a source martial artist," Song Yi smiled slightly. "For most people, the most difficult is mental strength, as mental strength can only rely on talent."
Zhong Cheng couldn't help but nod.
Low physical quality? It can be improved by external objects; there are many kinds of treasures. Theoretically, as long as there is enough money, anyone can meet the physical requirements of a martial artist.
Martial arts skills? It depends on comprehension, but if there is a famous teacher's guidance, the improvement will be very fast.
Mental strength? The treasures that can enhance mental strength are incredibly expensive, unimaginable even for source martial artists, so it basically depends on talent.
And now.
In Zhong Cheng and Song Yi's view, Li Yuan is such a talented person with extraordinary mental strength.
Combined with his level of marksmanship.
He is very worth cultivating!
"Should we contact him this week?" Zhong Cheng asked, "Let him come to the Martial Hall?"
"Too urgent." Song Yi shook her head.
Zhong Cheng was stunned, and anxious.
It was Song Yi who asked him to contact Li Changzhou immediately, and now she says it's urgent?
"I asked you to contact him immediately because I was afraid that the Martial Arts Bureau and the Starlight Martial Hall would see the clues and get ahead of us." Song Yi picked up the coffee beside her and stirred it gently, "But now it's basically confirmed that no one has contacted him."
"Li Yuan is a child. He might agree in a moment of excitement, but his uncle Li Changzhou is not stupid."
"Now if we go to them, they will definitely ask to improve the contract terms."
"So, let him cool for a few days."
"Once they realize that only we are interested, it will be easier to negotiate." Song Yi smiled.
"Press the price?" Zhong Cheng frowned slightly.
Pressing the price is not a good choice.
Because martial artists themselves represent force, and force is the source of all power.
Pressing the price during early signing, once the other party becomes strong, it is easy to face backlash.
"Press the price first," Song Yi smiled slightly and then spat out three more words, "Then raise the price."
"Form a difference in treatment."
"This way, it will show that our Starry Sky Martial Hall values talent, and it will also make Li Yuan grateful." Song Yi smiled, "Besides, I'll leave the matter of this contract to you."
"At most, I give you the authority of a C-level contract. Don't disappoint me."
"Thank you, Palace Master Song." Zhong Cheng nodded repeatedly, "I will definitely handle this well."
...
At night, past nine o'clock, Li Yuan finished his training and took an unmanned tram back home from school.
His aunt was always sitting on the sofa waiting.
"Aunt!" Li Yuan called out.
"Back? First drink the high-energy milk, it's on the table, just made." His aunt said.
"Okay." Li Yuan nodded.
Except for eating at home on Sundays, he had his three meals at school from Monday to Saturday.
His aunt always worried that his night training consumed too much, so every night she would time it and make him a cup of high-energy milk.
Picking up the cup on the dining table, Li Yuan sat down in the living room.
"Aunt, the two months' living expenses that uncle gave last time, plus the money I got today, I estimate I can use it until February, so you don't have to give me any for now." Li Yuan said proactively while drinking milk.
"Okay." Chen Hui smiled, looking at Li Yuan drinking milk with satisfaction.
She was always very satisfied with Li Yuan.
Obedient, sensible, sometimes showing maturity beyond his age, always making her feel at ease.
As he grew older, Li Yuan gradually showed extraordinary talent in martial arts.
What worried Chen Hui the most before was that she and her husband couldn't provide enough financial support for Li Yuan.
This time, Li Yuan got two bonuses by himself, which made her a little relieved.
"Your uncle sent me a message." Chen Hui said, "The Starry Sky Martial Hall intends to sign you in advance, what do you think?"
"Depends on the conditions of the Starry Sky Martial Hall." Li Yuan put down the empty cup and thought for a moment, "However, if the Martial Arts Hall is willing to give me a special recruitment, I still prefer the special recruitment route."
"Right."
"Best to get special recruitment." Chen Hui was quite satisfied, "Special recruitment is equivalent to reserving a spot in the five major schools. After graduation, you get job assignments, and you might directly enter the City Martial Arts Bureau."
As a high school teacher, Chen Hui was quite familiar with special recruitment and hoped Li Yuan could take that path.
In her view, national special recruitment not only guarantees job assignments but also is much safer as long as you don't join the military sequence.
But if you sign with the Martial Hall, the future is uncertain.
Martial Hall members fight at the forefront of the star realm battlefield, with a casualty rate no less than that of military martial artists.
"Yes, yes, I'll listen to you, aunt." Li Yuan smiled, understanding his aunt's concerns.
Li Yuan also had his considerations.
The three major Martial Halls each gather a large number of martial artists, making them the most powerful martial artist groups, even surpassing the country in this aspect.
From the perspective of martial arts training, choosing the Martial Hall means faster progress but also more danger.
And taking the special recruitment route of the Martial Arts Hall provides administrative establishment, which is best for the family.
With national resources for cultivation, the progress in martial arts won't be slow either.
...
When Li Yuan was full of expectations.
The development of events completely exceeded his expectations.
Except for the contact from the Starry Sky Martial Hall the day after entering the Blue Star Youth List, there was no more news.
Not only did the Starry Sky Martial Hall lose contact, but the Martial Arts Bureau and the Starlight Martial Hall didn't show any signs either. No one came looking for him... as time passed day by day.
In a blink of an eye, more than half a month had passed.
The time came to mid-October.
Even with Li Yuan's steady personality, waiting for so long made him a bit confused.
At noon that day, his uncle Li Changzhou called.
"Little Yuan."
"Your uncle Zhong sent me a message today, he felt a bit embarrassed, so there was no news for so many days, he is in charge of signing in the Martial Hall." In the video projection, Li Changzhou said seriously, "He really hopes to sign you."
"Mm." Li Yuan nodded slightly.
Zhong Cheng and his uncle Li Changzhou were long-time friends, there was no doubt about that.
"But he said frankly, your problem lies in martial arts spirituality, so his application was stuck in the second review. Now the Martial Hall's higher-ups are discussing it." Li Changzhou looked at Li Yuan, "But the result will come in these two days."
"The result in these two days? Because of martial arts spirituality?" Li Yuan listened quietly.
Is it because of martial arts spirituality again?
"Don't be discouraged, your uncle Zhong also said he will try his best to fight for you." Li Changzhou said, "We were too optimistic. Even if it doesn't work out, don't be disappointed."
"Don't slack off in your training either." Li Changzhou urged.
"Don't worry, uncle, I don't practice martial arts just for the Starry Sky Martial Hall's early signing." Li Yuan smiled, "When the time comes, even if they want to sign, I might not agree."
Hanging up the video.
The smile on Li Yuan's face disappeared.
Standing in the 4011 Martial Arts Room.
"Martial arts spirituality?"
"Because it hasn't awakened, does the Martial Arts Hall and the Starlight Martial Hall not give any chances?"
"Maybe without uncle Zhong, the Starry Sky Martial Hall wouldn't have a glimmer of hope either." Li Yuan gripped his long gun, his heart heavy, "Without suitable high-level training methods, is there no hope of becoming a strong martial artist?"
Neither Li Yuan nor Li Changzhou thought that this was deliberate by the Starry Sky Martial Hall.
After all, with the Martial Arts Hall and Starfire Martial Hall as comparisons, there was no news from either of them.
"Tear!"
Li Yuan suddenly thrust his spear forward, a terrifying force burst out, almost creating afterimages. Following that, the spear shadows changed, producing sharp whistles in the air.
Suddenly, two prompts flashed across Li Yuan's vision.
[Your spearmanship realm has increased from 56% of the third stage to 57%.]
[Your life level has increased from 6.8 to 6.9.]
...
The next day, close to ten o'clock in the evening.
While in his room, Li Yuan suddenly received a video call.
"Uncle Zhong?" Li Yuan's eyes brightened.
He answered.
Buzz~ In the projection, a middle-aged man in casual clothes appeared, looking quite energetic.
"Uncle Zhong." Li Yuan smiled.
"Little Yuan." Zhong Cheng smiled cheerfully, "Calling you so late, hope I didn't disturb you."
"No."
"That's good." Zhong Cheng smiled, seeming a bit emotional, "I have good news for you. Your signing application has been approved, it's a D-level contract."
"Approved?" Li Yuan's eyes brightened, "Thank you, Uncle Zhong."
He was ready for it not to be approved.
"No need to thank me, it's your own excellence."
"Come to the Martial Hall at nine on Sunday morning, we'll discuss the specific terms." Zhong Cheng smiled, "Is that okay?"
"No problem."