Chapter 98: Master Fei is worth learning from
April 16th, 2 PM.
Li Yuan took a leave of absence and, together with Wan Qinghe, who had come to pick him up from school, headed to the interview location in a low-altitude flying vehicle.
"Uncle, is the interview location set at the City Martial Hall?" Li Yuan asked, a bit surprised by Wan Qinghe's words as soon as he sat down in the vehicle.
"That's right." Wan Qinghe smiled and said, "Because Master Fei returned early today."
"He heard about this and decided to set the interview location at the City Martial Hall."
"So."
"After the interview, we will go to see Master Fei," Wan Qinghe said.
"Alright." Li Yuan felt quite expectant. The City Martial Hall Master was from the provincial capital city.
In terms of status and strength, he was probably higher than Dean Li.
"Have you memorized the interview content?" Wan Qinghe asked casually.
"I've memorized it. Following your guidance, I practiced it several times in front of the mirror and should be able to perform naturally," Li Yuan replied. "Want me to give you a preview?"
In reality, the interview script had only been given to Li Yuan in the morning, so there wasn't much time to memorize it.
He had just skimmed through it.
"Sure, let me hear it," Wan Qinghe said.
Soon, Li Yuan performed a rough version based on what he remembered.
"Not bad." Wan Qinghe was impressed by Li Yuan's 'acting skills' and smiled, "I skimmed through the original script; it's a bit too official. You should perform more naturally. Some rougher words actually make it more authentic."
"You've made good revisions."
"Yeah." Li Yuan nodded repeatedly. How could he not revise it when he hadn't fully memorized it?
"That's good."
"Song Yi has decided to donate ten million to the association, after taxes," Wan Qinghe said casually.
"Ten million?" Li Yuan was shocked, doubting if he had heard correctly.
"Yes, she just called me on V-chat this morning."
"She must have heard that you scored over 300 points on the Meteor Test and ranked in the top 10 of the Blue Star's Young Talents List in China," Wan Qinghe laughed. "You acted quickly, probably scaring her."
"Or maybe she wants to befriend you."
"Befriend?" Li Yuan doubted if he had heard correctly. His relationship with Song Yi wasn't enmity, but it wasn't exactly good either.
Logically, after he extorted a large sum from her, she should hate him.
"Enemies and friends, right and wrong, are never absolute," Wan Qinghe smiled. "You and Song Yi don't have irreconcilable grudges, so why can't you be friends?"
"On the contrary."
"Becoming friends with Song Yi will highlight the authenticity of this program," Wan Qinghe smiled. "So, I agreed to her joining us for dinner tonight."
"Dinner tonight? Uncle, isn't that a bit rushed?" Li Yuan hesitated, "After all, this program is her doing..."
"What program?" Wan Qinghe shook his head. "This program is my doing, to make your achievements widely known and inspire more youngsters to work hard in their practice. It has nothing to do with her."
"Her donation has nothing to do with you, and the production and promotion of this program have nothing to do with her either."
"Dinner with her tonight is just a coincidence."
"Understood?" Wan Qinghe instructed Li Yuan.
"Got it, Uncle!"
...
The interview was conducted in a conference room at the City Martial Hall in Starlight River City, with all necessary facilities in place.
The host was very professional.
It was a locally well-known program in Jiangcheng.
A batch of professional audience members attended, and the two-hour interview went very smoothly, with Li Yuan performing professionally throughout.
...
At 5 PM, Li Yuan and Wan Qinghe finally arrived at the central building of the City Martial Hall.
Upon entering.
"These decorations, wow." Li Yuan marveled to himself.
Although he didn't understand much about interior design, he could tell that the ancient-style decorations, which seemed low-key at first glance, were actually very luxurious.
"Ancient elegance shows the most taste," Wan Qinghe said with a faint smile. "Master Fei has been in charge of the City Martial Hall for twenty years and places great importance on this."
Li Yuan nodded and couldn't help asking, "Uncle, how is Master Fei?"
"He should treat you very well," Wan Qinghe smiled. "Also, when you meet Master Fei later, address me as Master Wan."
"Understood," Li Yuan nodded, pondering the significance of the change in address.
Soon, after passing through a security check, the two reached the top floor's City Martial Hall Master's office.
It was spacious.
The door was already open, and an old man in a black robe was slowly practicing boxing. Although it looked like a health-preserving boxing technique, the invisible aura it emitted was quite special.
From a distance, Li Yuan instinctively felt a sense of danger and became alert.
This was caused by the biological magnetic field of a powerful life form.
"Master Fei, Li Yuan is here," Wan Qinghe said respectfully at the door.
Li Yuan followed behind.
"You're here? Qinghe, bring Li Yuan in," Fei Qian stopped his boxing, turned around, and looked at Li Yuan with a smile, "Li Yuan, how are you?"
Li Yuan felt the other party's gaze was gentle and not sharp, but it seemed to see through him.
Very powerful.
"Master Fei," Li Yuan greeted respectfully.
"No need to call me Master. Given my age, I could be your grandfather. Just call me Old Fei or Grandpa Fei," Fei Qian smiled.
"Grandpa Fei," Li Yuan knew what to choose.
The three of them sat down, and Wan Qinghe first reported a few recent work items, which was a necessary opening.
"Today, Li Yuan happened to do a program. He said he has always admired you. Just now, before I told him you were here, he brought you up himself," Wan Qinghe smiled.
"Well, that was thoughtful," Fei Qian smiled.
Li Yuan smiled on the surface.
Admire? He had never said that; Uncle Wan was improvising.
"I have heard many stories about Grandpa Fei. Over the years, my uncle has always mentioned you, saying you are his savior," Li Yuan said sincerely. "During the Xiang River disaster in '34, my uncle was working on a project in the Xiang River area when he was attacked by astral creatures. It was Grandpa Fei who led a team and arrived in time to save my uncle and his team."
"My uncle often tells me and my siblings to remember you," Li Yuan spoke earnestly.
When praising someone, it is best to be precise about a specific good deed or small action they did; this easily wins their favor.
Wan Qinghe looked at Li Yuan in surprise. He didn't know there was such a connection with Master Fei.
"The Xiang River disaster? Almost ten years ago, it was indeed a major disaster. I saved many people back then," Fei Qian's eyes showed a hint of nostalgia, and he sighed, "I didn't expect I had saved your uncle. It's indeed fate."
"Speaking of which."
"If Grandpa Fei hadn't saved my uncle, I probably wouldn't have embarked on the martial path," Li Yuan smiled. "And today, I wouldn't have the chance to meet you."
"In that case, it's not wrong for Li Yuan to call you Grandpa," Wan Qinghe laughed.
Fei Qian modestly said, "As a Martial Hall Master, it's my duty to save people."
But the smile on his lips was very evident.
The atmosphere became very harmonious and warm.
Li Yuan's mind was clear.
Save Uncle? Nine years ago, during the Xiang River disaster, Uncle was indeed working on a project nearby, but it was several kilometers away from the outbreak.
In fact, Li Changzhou didn't face much danger then.
However, over the years, Li Changzhou often said while watching the news, "Fei Qian, the City Martial Hall Master, is impressive."
When Li Yuan learned yesterday that he would meet Fei Qian, he spent 15 minutes researching Fei Qian's resume.
He memorized many of Fei Qian's achievements and had plenty of suitable conversation topics.
"Li Yuan, I understand your uncle's situation," Fei Qian followed the conversation, "There were indeed some issues with the handling of the front lines. I will help investigate it... Also, this time back from Kyoto, I happened to meet a 29th-level Source Martial Artist who is very skilled in mental techniques."
"I have already arranged for him to come to Jiangcheng in three days to cooperate with the 'Consciousness Awakening Device' and perform an awakening for your uncle," Fei Qian said solemnly. "Let's strive for success in one go."
"A 29th-level Source Martial Artist skilled in mental techniques? Coming specifically for my uncle," Li Yuan held his breath.
"Li Yuan," Wan Qinghe explained in a low voice, "29th-level Source Martial Artists are all fifth-tier masters, united with heaven and earth, gradually able to manipulate the forces of nature."
"Among them, those skilled in mental techniques have a high success rate in awakening vegetative people even without technological assistance," Wan Qinghe said. "Inviting such a master, Master Fei has used a significant favor."
"Thank you, Grandpa Fei," Li Yuan expressed his heartfelt gratitude.
Regardless of whether the other party truly admired him or had other motives, actions speak louder than words.
As long as his uncle could be awakened, Li Yuan would remember it.
"A favor is nothing. Your uncle, as a hero, deserves to be saved," Fei Qian sighed. "Such determination and courage are beyond ordinary people."
"If everyone had your uncle's courage and perseverance, many battles with the astral realm would be much easier."
Li Yuan and Wan Qinghe both nodded.
This was the truth.
"Li Yuan, there is another matter regarding the 'Star Essence Marrow Crystal' promised by Provincial Hall Master Yang," Fei Qian said seriously. "You must strive to obtain it."
"Grandpa Fei."
"What exactly is this Star Essence Marrow Crystal?" Li Yuan couldn't help asking.
Wan Qinghe was also curious.
"It's a very special treasure related to Source Force utilization," Fei Qian said. "With it, your success rate in creating techniques could increase by at least twenty percent."
Fei Qian had also specially investigated to learn more about the Star Essence Marrow Crystal while in Kyoto.
"Increasing by twenty percent?" Li Yuan was surprised.
According to Dean Li, with his talent, his normal success rate in creating techniques was 40-50%.
And this mysterious Star Essence Marrow Crystal could increase it by another twenty percent?
It was extraordinary.
"Provincial Hall Master Yang thinks highly of you, which is why he made the promise," Fei Qian said emotionally. "Otherwise, even for a Flying Martial Artist, obtaining such a treasure wouldn't be easy to get it."
"There's only one requirement: by the age of 20, you must reach the threshold of fifth-tier skills," Fei Qian looked at Li Yuan.
Li Yuan felt the pressure. Fifth-tier skills?
Normally, this was a skill level only achieved by 29th-level Source Martial Artists.
And himself? He was just approaching mid-fourth-tier skills.
The more he understood the gap between the fourth and fifth tiers, the more Li Yuan realized how difficult it would be to reach that level.
"Take it step by step. Since the Provincial Hall Master made the promise, he must believe you have potential."
"Your growth rate has also been accelerating," Fei Qian smiled. "Add my personal V-chat. From now on, if you have any training questions, you can message me directly."
"Thank you, Grandpa Fei," Li Yuan said respectfully, and they exchanged V-chat details.
...
In the evening, Li Yuan and Song Yi had a pleasant conversation over dinner. After the banquet, Wan Qinghe and Li Yuan returned to the Guanshan Martial Hall.
Watching Li Yuan return to his martial room, Wan Qinghe also returned to his top-floor office.
"Master Fei is indeed remarkable."
"I thought he would use sponsorship to strengthen his relationship with Li Yuan," Wan Qinghe sighed. "Unexpectedly, he invited such a special 29th-level Source Martial Artist specifically to save Li Yuan's uncle."
"Indeed."
"Just money won't work at Li Yuan's level. Continuing to give money may not earn his heartfelt gratitude," Wan Qinghe realized. "Too obvious an attempt to win favor might backfire."
Many things cannot be solved with money alone.
You need to have a heart.
...
The Seven Star Alliance represents the most powerful force of human civilization, standing above all nations.
Its headquarters is located on Soaring Star, the most powerful of the seven human star planets.
In the morning, in the floating giant Sky City.
Looking down from Sky City, you can see a towering volcano in the distance, its top perpetually covered with snow.
In a martial room.
"Swish! Swish! Swish!" Streaks of sword light cut through the air, extremely sharp.
"Little sister, you're up training this early? It's only six o'clock," a figure in a black robe entered the martial room, somewhat surprised to see Lin Lanyue.
"Brother, it's already six o'clock," Lin Lanyue sheathed her sword and looked towards the courtyard gate.
"Isn't six o'clock early?" The figure in black was puzzled.
"If training at six is considered early, then what about those who start at four or even earlier every day?" Lin Lanyue shook her head lightly. "Brother, do you have something to discuss?"