Chapter 32: Greatest Sincerity
Insult? Li Yuan didn't expect Hall Master Wan to use such a word to describe the Starry Sky Martial Hall. In fact, from the moment they met until now, Li Yuan had a very good impression of Hall Master Wan... As the hall master and a powerful source martial artist, he treated Li Yuan, a high school student, almost as an equal. The contract terms he offered were beyond anything Li Yuan had ever imagined.
In recent years, Li Yuan's uncle had taken on the most dangerous assignments, earning only around a million Blue Star coins annually.
"Hall Master Wan... but previously only the Starry Sky Martial Hall was willing to sign me early," Li Yuan said hesitantly.
He still felt grateful to the Starry Sky Martial Hall and Uncle Zhong.
"Haha, it seems you don't understand the true nature of the Starry Sky Martial Hall," Palace Master Wan laughed. "How about this, I'll let your teacher explain it to you. He will understand as soon as I explain."
Hall Master Wan indeed wanted to show his respect for Li Yuan by criticizing the Starry Sky Martial Hall. But he also knew that signing a genius like Li Yuan was just the first step; it was best to foster a good relationship.
If he himself explained, it might seem petty.
Soon, Hall Master Wan invited Xu Bo and Principal Tan over.
In front of Li Yuan, Hall Master Wan quickly explained the situation to the two of them, directly discussing the B-level contract, Li Yuan's extraordinary mental strength, and the private negotiations with the Starry Sky Martial Hall.
"Extraordinary mental strength? B-level contract?" Principal Tan was extremely surprised, looking at Li Yuan in shock.
As a 16th-level martial artist himself, he knew how important mental strength was to becoming a source martial artist. Extraordinary mental strength? Principal Tan had only heard of it but had never seen it before. It was extremely rare.
"Old Wan, you want to offer a B-level contract? The Starry Sky Martial Hall contacted Li Yuan privately and only offered a D-level contract?" Xu Bo's face changed upon hearing this, showing a hint of anger. "It's likely that guy Song Yi!"
"Song Yi? The deputy hall master of the Starry Sky Martial Hall?" Hall Master Wan thought. He had just taken office and had only met the main hall master of the Starry Sky Martial Hall's Guanshan branch. He knew about a few deputy palace masters but had not met them yet.
"Yes." Xu Bo nodded. He had been in the Guanshan area for several years and was familiar with the local leaders.
"Li Yuan." Xu Bo looked at the somewhat confused Li Yuan and said softly, "You quickly made it onto the Blue Star Youth List... did you have over a hundred consecutive matches on the Starry Sky Fighting Network?"
"Yes." Li Yuan began to understand.
"When you made it onto the Blue Star Youth List, both the Martial Arts Bureau and the Starlight Martial Hall knew about it, but they didn't have your detailed data from the Starry Sky Fighting Network," Xu Bo explained directly. "But the Starry Sky Martial Hall would know because the Starry Sky Fighting Network is directly controlled by them."
Starry Sky Martial Hall? Starry Sky Fighting Network?
Li Yuan instantly understood and realized why only the Starry Sky Martial Hall had been willing to sign him. There was an information gap.
"Li Yuan, I thought your physical talent was exceptional, but it turns out your mental strength is extraordinary..." Xu Bo shook his head. "If it's really Song Yi, based on what I know about her, she would likely upgrade your contract to a C-level during negotiations."
"In this way." "You would naturally feel grateful and likely sign immediately," Xu Bo said, looking at Li Yuan. "Once you sign, even if you find out the truth later, she wouldn't have treated you poorly. She could claim to be your mentor and offer various excuses. You wouldn't be able to do much about it."
Li Yuan held his breath. He never imagined there could be so many schemes behind a contract.
But Xu Bo was right. If the Starry Sky Martial Hall had planned it this way and there had been no twists today, he would probably have agreed to the contract.
"This Song Yi, always playing tricks, now targeting my student." Xu Bo's face grew colder.
After he was injured, his strength diminished, but his strong network made most second-level source martial artists in Guanshan respect him. Song Yi's actions seemed like a slap in the face to him.
"Li Yuan." Hall Master Wan remained calm, smiling. "I brought your principal and teacher here to show you... the contract terms I offer are with the utmost sincerity."
"I believe that even if your principal reports this to the Martial Arts Bureau, their special recruitment terms wouldn't match a B-level contract." Hall Master Wan spoke candidly.
Li Yuan nodded slightly.
"Li Yuan, I will report your situation again, but based on my experience, the Martial Arts Bureau would likely only offer C-level contract terms," Principal Tan nodded. "Special recruitment by the Martial Arts Bureau is usually much stricter... the decision is still yours to make."
Special recruitment by the Martial Arts Bureau is much stricter? Li Yuan thought about this.
"Li Yuan, don't worry. I will give you time to think and discuss with your family," Hall Master Wan smiled. "I will send the detailed contract terms to your teacher Xu Bo tonight."
"Within a month, if you are willing, contact me anytime."
"My virtual V number is..." Hall Master Wan smiled.
"Li Yuan, write it down," Xu Bo said.
"Yes." Li Yuan quickly opened his smart wristband, noted it down, and added Hall Master Wan as a friend.
Immediately, Li Yuan noticed this wasn't the hall master's work V number but his personal number.
"Alright." "Principal Tan, Tieta, I only invited the two of you here. You should understand my intentions," Hall Master Wan smiled.
Principal Tan and Xu Bo exchanged a glance.
"Yes." Xu Bo nodded. "Don't worry, I will keep it confidential."
"Rest assured, Hall Master Wan." Principal Tan nodded solemnly.
"Good, I have other matters to attend to, so I will leave now." "Oh, Principal Tan, Iron Tower, if Lin Lanyue is willing, the Starlight Martial Hall can offer her a C-level contract, but her family... please pass on the message," Hall Master Wan smiled.
"Rest assured, Hall Master Wan," Principal Tan smiled.
Hall Master Wan nodded and finally looked at Li Yuan. "Li Yuan, I hope to see you training at the Starlight Martial Hall."
Then, Hall Master Wan left the martial arts classroom and headed outside the school.
After seeing him off, Xu Bo took Li Yuan back to his office.
"Li Yuan, the terms offered by Hall Master Wan are very good," Xu Bo said after some thought. "If your mental strength talent is reported, the Martial Arts Bureau will definitely offer special recruitment, but the terms might not be as favorable."
"Teacher, why?" Li Yuan couldn't help asking.
"Because you don't understand," Xu Bo smiled. "The Martial Arts Bureau uses taxpayer money, and official audits are very strict... the people at the Martial Arts Bureau are more concerned with political achievements and avoiding responsibility. They recruit students only if they are absolutely sure they will succeed."
Li Yuan understood. Without awakening his martial arts spirituality, the uncertainty was too high. The Martial Arts Bureau wouldn't take such a big risk easily.
"In fact." "Hall Master Wan is likely offering you a B-level contract because he just took office," Xu Bo smiled. "He wants to make a mark."
"Your contract is somewhat of a gamble." "If you don't reach a 16th-level martial artist by the age of 30, he will face the consequences."
"Of course, he is strong enough not to care, but if you do sign, you should work hard." "An early contract will make your martial arts journey faster," Xu Bo advised.
"I understand." Li Yuan nodded.
If his teacher hadn't explained, he wouldn't have known the complexities behind the scenes.
Beep— Li Yuan's smart wristband vibrated, indicating a pending file.
"This is the B-level contract sent by Hall Master Wan. He just sent it to me. He really values you and has shown the utmost sincerity. He probably had it drafted as soon as he got in the car," Xu Bo said with emotion, looking at Li Yuan. "It's almost dinner time."
"After dinner, don't attend evening self-study. Go home and discuss with your family to make a decision as soon as possible." "Of course, if you want to wait for the Martial Arts Bureau's special recruitment result or negotiate with the Starry Sky Martial Hall again... that's fine too," Xu Bo hesitated, not fully persuading him.
After all, he was just Li Yuan's homeroom teacher, not a personal mentor. Such a major life decision couldn't be made on behalf of Li Yuan.