Chapter 71: One Hundred Million Blue Star Coins
"Li Yuan," the elegant woman in black didn't acknowledge Dean Li and directly looked at Li Yuan. "Have you really signed the contract?"
"Yes," Li Yuan nodded.
"You are still young, don't be fooled by this man surnamed Li," the woman in black smiled. "This old man looks kind when he smiles, but he's very ruthless in battle... Would you like to come to my Donghai Martial University? Even if you've signed, it's fine, we'll pay the penalty fee for you."
Li Yuan was stunned.
Penalty fee? Can it really work like this?
"Surnamed Liu, how can you poach people on the spot like this?" Dean Li wasn't so polite either. "How much penalty fee are you planning to pay?"
"Five million Blue Star Coins," the woman in black frowned. "Isn't that the standard penalty fee for an A-level special training contract?"
Dean Li and Fan Jin both laughed.
Li Yuan couldn't help but show a slight smile at the corner of his mouth.
"Dean Liu," Teacher Fan Jin smiled warmly, "If you want to sign Li Yuan, besides getting his consent, you also need to pay Kunlun Martial University fifty million Blue Star Coins."
"Fifty million?" The woman in black showed a bit of surprise on her face. "Did you sign an S-level special training contract?"
"What else?" Dean Li smiled. "Or do you think Li Yuan isn't worth an S-level?"
The woman in black instantly turned to stare at Li Yuan and couldn't help but ask, "Did you awaken martial arts spirituality?"
Li Yuan shook his head. "Not yet."
"Then... is it your mental strength?" The woman in black stared at Li Yuan, guessing, "Is your mental strength talent very high?"
"Senior, you have keen eyes," Li Yuan nodded.
"No wonder," the woman in black understood the reason.
"Dean Li," the woman in black looked over, "Such boldness, I admire it. Giving away one of the two S-level special training spots just like that."
"I am not bold; I just think Li Yuan is worth an S-level spot," Dean Li smiled. "Do you think Li Yuan isn't worth an S-level?"
Dean Li asked again.
"I never said that," the woman in black said calmly. "You've already signed him, there's no need to provoke anymore."
Resources are limited.
Every S-level special training spot represents a huge investment in resources, and the spots are naturally not unlimited.
For example, for the students of Jiangbei Province, Kunlun Martial University had two S-level special training spots for this invitation event, while the other four major schools had only one each.
The woman in black looked at Li Yuan and smiled kindly. "Li Yuan, work hard in your training. I look forward to the day you become a source warrior, or even a flying warrior."
"Thank you, senior," Li Yuan responded humbly, understanding that the other party was not willing to give up an S-level spot.
The woman in black turned and left.
She acknowledged Li Yuan's excellence; otherwise, she wouldn't have come. However, she only had one S-level spot and would have to pay an additional fifty million in penalty fees, so she hesitated.
After all, there were still three other S-level students and several top ten elite students in the province.
For example, a student like Wu Luo might not seem as skilled as Li Yuan at first glance, but he could progress more steadily and have a higher baseline in the future.
He could be considered A+ level.
However, to ensure they choose one of the five major schools for the college entrance exam, most of them would still need an S-level special training contract to be signed.
...
After sending off the leaders of the two martial universities, Li Yuan had just gone upstairs to his room.
"Li Yuan, where did you go? Who was knocking on the door?" Gu Qianghan was still leisurely eating melon. "I saved two pieces for you."
"Nothing much," Li Yuan smiled.
Beep~ Beep~ The doorbell suddenly rang again.
...
Forty minutes later, Li Yuan saw off the last teacher from Extreme Star Martial University.
"Extreme Star, Xia Jing, Nanhai."
Gu Qianghan, standing beside him, was dumbfounded. "Bro, you are impressive! You turned down invitations from three martial universities in one go, and they all offered A-level special training contracts."
"The cage battle just ended, and they all rushed over. Aren't you satisfied?" Gu Qianghan asked in confusion. "Especially Xia Jing Martial University, they offered very good contract terms."
"The contracts were indeed good," Li Yuan smiled without explaining further.
"No way!"
Gu Qianghan suddenly realized and stared wide-eyed. "Was the first doorbell from Kunlun? Or Donghai? Did you already sign a special training contract?"
"Little Qiang, you've gotten smarter," Li Yuan smiled.
Gu Qianghan's delicate face was full of shock.
"I've always been smart, okay? Also, call me Gu Qiang," Gu Qianghan said, sitting on the sofa and thinking. "Did you sign right away? No, your four-grade skill is definitely worth an A-level. Didn't you compare the contracts?"
Gu Qianghan was usually carefree and didn't like to use his brain.
But he wasn't stupid; on the contrary, he was very smart and had a broad perspective.
"S-level?" Gu Qianghan thought of a possibility and stared at Li Yuan, somewhat incredulous. "Did a school offer an S-level contract?"
"Take a guess," Li Yuan smiled.
"Damn you, Li Yuan!" Gu Qianghan exclaimed. "An S-level contract? A school offered you an S-level special training contract on the first day?"
"What did they see in you, your skills? But it's not a five-grade spear technique."
Li Yuan couldn't help but laugh.
Being roommates with Gu Qianghan was actually quite nice, at least it wasn't boring.
He was like a lively treasure.
"Li Yuan, do you really not understand the significance of S-level?" Gu Qianghan couldn't help but ask. "S-level, and even the top-level SS-level students, enjoy many very special resources."
"There's also SS-level?" Li Yuan was surprised.
"Of course there is."
Gu Qianghan said matter-of-factly, "There are still some S-level students nationwide every year, but SS-level... According to my dad, it's rare to have even one SS-level student nationwide in a year, so it's not publicized."
Li Yuan nodded slightly, thinking of Yu Jinghe, who might be that level of genius.
"You've really hit the jackpot."
Gu Qianghan sighed. "S-level students and above have access to special resources that even my dad and his peers can't reach."
Li Yuan was surprised.
Although he had never asked, from what he had seen, Gu Qianghan's father was at least a powerful source warrior.
"Can't you just buy it with money?" Li Yuan asked instinctively.
"If you have enough money, you probably could, but it's not worth it," Gu Qiang shook his head. "Of course, my dad just mentioned it casually, I don't know the specifics."
"According to my dad, if you were to sell an initial S-level special training spot, it would easily go for one hundred million Blue Star Coins."
"Of course, that's just the initial spot. If you can't maintain it, you would be downgraded to A-level," Gu Qianghan explained. "There's an annual review."
Li Yuan held his breath.
One hundred million Blue Star Coins? He knew S-level spots were precious, but he didn't realize they were this valuable.
No wonder the penalty fee was as high as fifty million.
"Some things can't be measured by money."
Gu Qianghan smiled. "Li Yuan, I used to think you were amazing, but now I really admire you."
"Without awakening martial arts spirituality, you managed to get an S-level special training contract from one of the five major schools. You must have some hidden talent," Gu Qianghan laughed. "No wonder my sister always tells me to learn from you."
Li Yuan was stunned for a moment, then smiled.
No one is truly foolish in this world.
"Then you should study hard. Maybe you can get an A-level special training spot," Li Yuan teased.
"Impossible!"
"I have no talent," Gu Qianghan shook his head like a rattle drum. "My grades look decent because my dad forces me. If you had my... Let's not go there. I just want to get into one of the five major schools to make my dad proud."
"But you can't rely on your parents forever," Li Yuan smiled. "They will get old eventually..."
"Li Yuan."
Gu Qianghan glanced at Li Yuan and smiled. "Do you believe that by the time I'm about to die of old age, my parents could still have a bunch of younger brothers for me?"
Li Yuan was speechless. He understood what Gu Qianghan meant.
Ordinary people can't rely on their parents forever, but Gu Qianghan really could!
"You signed with Kunlun Martial University, right? My dad wants me to apply there too."
"I can't count on my sister. She's probably going to Starry Sky University. We're good brothers, right? When we get to university, you'll look out for me," Gu Qianghan said leisurely, lying back down. "All I want in this life is to become a source warrior and then take it easy."
"Rely on parents at home, rely on brothers outside."
"Alright," Li Yuan smiled.
He didn't take these words to heart. With Gu Qianghan's connections and background, he didn't need Li Yuan's help.
On the contrary, Li Yuan vaguely understood.
Today, after revealing his four-grade skills and securing an S-level special training contract, he likely made Gu Qianghan genuinely want to befriend him.
It wasn't about Gu Qianghan's personality, but rather the perspectives ingrained in them from a young age.
These scions of great families recognize, aside from their own kind, true geniuses.
"I also need some friends," Li Yuan thought.
A hero needs three helpers.
Making more friends and connecting with powerful seniors would be beneficial for his martial path.