Chapter 84: The Jade Within the Stone
"Stellar Earth Marrow Crystal?" Wan Qinghe's eyes flashed with confusion. What kind of item was that? He had heard of several types of marrow crystals, but never one by that name.
However, the black-robed elder Fei Qian was startled upon hearing this: "Stellar Earth Marrow Crystal? My lord, are you serious?"
Fei Qian had only heard other flying warriors mention this treasure occasionally but had never actually seen it.
"Are you questioning my decision?" The cold female voice came from the holographic screen.
"I wouldn't dare," Fei Qian hurriedly replied, instinctively lowering his head.
As the city hall master of the provincial capital and one of the top five figures in the Jiangbei branch of the Starlight Martial Hall, Fei Qian wielded immense power in the eyes of ordinary people. But even the top five or the three vice hall masters of the province had to bow to the provincial hall master, Yang.
The reason was simple: strength!
The gap between a level 29 source warrior and a flying warrior was like the difference between heaven and earth. Human source warriors, though powerful with supersonic speeds capable of flattening small towns in battle, still couldn't fly, and their source energy wasn't unlimited. They could potentially be killed by a barrage of heavy weaponry.
Flying warriors?
Bullets and missiles might not even match their flight speed. Except for extremely large-scale destructive weapons like nuclear bombs, conventional arms were essentially ineffective. And even then, the flying warrior would need to be ambushed; if they saw it from a distance, they could escape the blast radius, surviving unscathed.
Human nuclear weapons indeed.
"Beep~" The communication was abruptly cut off.
"Whoo!" Only then did Fei Qian let out a long breath, sitting back down, glancing at Wan Qinghe, who looked anxious.
"My dear hall master Wan," Fei Qian leaned back and put his feet up on the desk, "Do you think I'm senile, or do you think I don't value talent? Go on, I'm listening."
In an instant, Wan Qinghe's face broke into a smile. He leaned forward and started pouring tea. "Elder Fei, you've misunderstood me. I have always thought you were wise and discerning."
Wan Qinghe clearly understood now. After receiving Li Yuan's file, Fei Qian must have reported to the provincial hall master Yang; otherwise, she wouldn't have responded so quickly.
"I came today to mention Li Yuan, but mainly to report on the preparations for the upcoming martial arts tournament at the Guanshan branch..." Wan Qinghe started, respectfully handing over the teacup. "Elder Fei, this tea smells excellent."
"This is last night's tea."
"I was too lazy to change it this morning, so I just added some hot water." Fei Qian accepted the teacup and placed it aside.
"That was the previous pot," Wan Qinghe chuckled. "I made this fresh when you stepped out."
"You rascal," Fei Qian shook his head with a smile. "You must have cursed me a hundred times in your heart."
"I wouldn't dare."
"If I didn't know Elder Fei was wise and magnanimous, how would I dare come straight to you?" Wan Qinghe said with righteous conviction.
"Alright, enough flattery." Fei Qian said seriously, "This Li Yuan is indeed promising. Even before I received his file, I got notified that he reached the 'Meteorite' rank in the Starry Sky Combat Network."
"Meteorite rank?" Wan Qinghe nodded, not surprised.
"Combining your information."
"An A-level contract is almost appropriate," Fei Qian smiled. "But I chose to apply for an S-level contract for him. Do you know why?"
Wan Qinghe shook his head.
Fei Qian, as the city hall master, could directly approve an A-level contract. But for an S-level contract, it required the provincial hall master or at least two vice-provincial hall masters to agree.
"Progress speed," Fei Qian said, enunciating each word.
Wan Qinghe pondered.
"Martial geniuses generally follow two trajectories," Fei Qian smiled. "The first is like Jing He, who showed promise early on and rose brilliantly. Tian Dazhuang, signed by the Martial Arts Bureau this year, has a bit of that flavor."
Wan Qinghe nodded. He had heard of Tian Dazhuang.
In high-level evaluations, Tian Dazhuang was rated slightly higher than Wu Dongdong. Physical fitness was crucial, but Tian Dazhuang's poorer condition was mainly due to a lack of resources. With more resources, he might catch up with Wu Dongdong.
"The second is like Fang Hai," Fei Qian said. "Dazzling initially but losing brilliance over time."
Wan Qinghe nodded.
Fang Hai, a legend in China's martial history and even Blue Star's martial history, was a prodigy with fourth-stage techniques at fourteen and fifth-stage techniques at sixteen. He was once considered a potential peer to the hall master of Starlight, Dongfang Ji.
Later, though his achievements were still impressive, they fell far short of the highest expectations.
"And then, there are the rare few who follow a third trajectory: the jade within the stone," Fei Qian smiled.
"The jade within the stone?" Wan Qinghe savored the metaphor.
"Initially like a stubborn stone, but as the outer layer wears away, its true nature is revealed," Fei Qian smiled faintly. "The more it's carved, the more it shines, eventually becoming a masterpiece."
Wan Qinghe held his breath: "Elder Fei means that Li Yuan..."
"It's too early for conclusions," Fei Qian smiled. "But if you look at his middle school records, he seemed like an average student."
Wan Qinghe nodded.
"In high school, his progress accelerated; in the second year, even faster." Fei Qian said. "In the first half of his senior year, his progress has been extraordinary, surpassing other S-level students in terms of speed."
Wan Qinghe nodded. "Elder Fei has a keen eye."
"Whether he is jade or not remains to be seen," Fei Qian smiled. "But he is at least a piece of jade."
"Provincial hall master Yang likely considered this when promising the Stellar Earth Marrow Crystal."
"What is the Stellar Earth Marrow Crystal?" Wan Qinghe couldn't help but ask.
"Don't ask."
"When Li Yuan returns... not today, as I have to go to the headquarters of Xia Country and will be back in twenty days." Fei Qian said. "Your application has been approved. You sign the contract on my behalf, and when I return, bring him to see me."
"Yes," Wan Qinghe nodded.
"Go on," Fei Qian said. "Keep an eye on Li Yuan. Report any changes, and handle the minor issues yourself."
"Understood."
...
Wan Qinghe left Fei Qian's office and headed straight for the third floor.
He entered another office.
"Old Wan, what brings you here?" A chubby middle-aged man was flipping through some files.
"Tiger, Elder Fei asked me to handle something," Wan Qinghe gestured for privacy.
The chubby middle-aged man immediately understood it was a private matter.
"What is it?" He lowered his voice.
"The Starlight South Lake Community residence, didn't a unit just become vacant?" Wan Qinghe nudged the man and winked.
The chubby middle-aged man got up, checked the hallway, and closed the door. "Which unit?"
"The one in Area 1?"
"You've got quick intel," the chubby middle-aged man said. "Who's it for?"
"A young lad about to sign an A-level contract. According to the contract level, he can stay in Area 2 for free," Wan Qinghe whispered. "Elder Fei wants to upgrade him to Area 1."
"Area 1 requires at least a source warrior or an S-level contract," the chubby middle-aged man frowned. "Or a special approval from the city hall master."
"We've run out of special approval quotas for the year. If we had one, why would Elder Fei ask you?" Wan Qinghe smiled. "Tiger, I've sent you the details. Elder Fei asked you to think of a solution."
"I'm counting on good news. Next time, dinner is on me."
With that, Wan Qinghe left without waiting for a response, closing the door behind him.
"An A-level contract?"
"Approval timestamped five minutes ago?" The chubby middle-aged man muttered, glancing at Li Yuan's profile in the contract. "Li Yuan? He hasn't even awakened his martial spirit?"
The profile didn't have Li Yuan's recent updates.
The middle-aged man didn't doubt Wan Qinghe.
The recent approval of an A-level contract meant Fei Qian had just reviewed it. Coupled with Wan Qinghe's immediate visit, the answer was clear.
"Could he be Elder Fei's illegitimate son? Hey, they even look alike."
The more he looked, the more he saw the resemblance.
...
At Jiangbei Martial Arts University, after lunch, everyone returned to their dorms to pack.
"Auntie."
Li Yuan received a video call from his aunt, Chen Hui.
"Uncle was at Base No. 3? Not Base No. 7?"
"Base No. 3 has been relieved? Good! That's great!" Li Yuan feigned surprise and excitement, comforting his aunt.
He had contacted her twice over the past few days.
"Auntie, I was first in the practical exam yesterday," Li Yuan said. "I performed very well in this event. Jiangbei Martial Arts University and the military rewarded me with 3.5 million Blue Star Coins. Everything's going well, so don't worry."
"I'll be home tonight." Li Yuan shared the good news with his aunt.
As for reaching the Meteorite rank?
Since it didn't automatically upgrade his contract to A-level, Li Yuan didn't mention it for now.
After ending the call.
"According to Lin Lanyue, she knows more than the news. Base No. 3 should be safe," Li Yuan sighed. "But still no updates."
"I wonder what's happening."
He had been scouring the news about the Luo Bu Sea conflict all morning but found nothing new.
"Li Yuan, let's go." Gu Qianghan called out, carrying his bag.
"Alright, coming."
...
At two o'clock in the afternoon.
At Jiangbei Martial Arts University, numerous aircraft were parked on the massive runway.
"Li Yuan, see you online sometime." Tian Dazhuang waved to Li Yuan.
"Sure." Li Yuan smiled and waved back.
They had added each other on WeChat. Though they had just met and didn't talk much, they admired each other and felt a mutual respect.
Soon.
"Li Yuan, I'm leaving too. Come visit my house sometime," Wu Dongdong showed her little tiger teeth.
"Absolutely," Li Yuan smiled. Wu Dongdong was outgoing and quickly became friendly with others.
Soon after, Li Yuan, Lin Lanyue, and the others boarded an aircraft heading to Guanshan District in Jiangcheng.
They arrived at the school at three o'clock.
The principal, several vice-principals, and Xu Bo were already at the playground to welcome them back.
"Haha, well done! Li Yuan, Lin Lanyue, the school is proud of your performance," Principal Tan Zhenlong beamed.
Other school leaders also wore bright smiles.
They felt that this year's 'college entrance exam results' were becoming increasingly secure.
"The school has decided."
"To reward student Li Yuan with a 200,000 Blue Star Coins." Tan Zhenlong announced solemnly. "And student Lin Lanyue with a 100,000 Blue Star Coins."
"Other students will also receive..."
Li Yuan and Dong Haifeng's fake smiles turned genuine at that moment.
Money is the real deal!
...
After the welcome ceremony, Lin Lanyue and Dong Haifeng went to their martial arts rooms.
Only Li Yuan was called aside by Xu Bo.
"Teacher." Li Yuan greeted respectfully.
"You did a great job this time. You made me proud," Xu Bo smiled.
"Thanks to your guidance, teacher," Li Yuan said earnestly.
"Haha." Xu Bo laughed.
He viewed Li Yuan differently from other students.
Other students were just students.
But Li Yuan was like his half-disciple.
"Alright, come with me to the office. Hall Master Wan has been waiting for you," Xu Bo said.
"Hall Master Wan?" Li Yuan was puzzled. "What's the matter?"
"It's probably about upgrading your contract, but it seems more than just an A-level contract," Xu Bo said. "He didn't tell me much."
"Upgrading the contract?" Li Yuan was surprised. He hadn't met the A-level contract standards yet.
"Right!"
"One more thing." Xu Bo's expression suddenly turned serious. "A friend of mine just told me that the first batch of people from Base No. 3 has been rescued."
"Your uncle's name is on the list."
"But he seems to be injured, and the situation isn't very optimistic." Xu Bo hesitated. "You should prepare yourself mentally."