Chapter 99: June College Entrance Exam
"Getting up to practice at four in the morning every day? Without rest?" Lanyue's brother was puzzled. "Even a Source Martial Artist couldn't do that."
"Combining work and rest is the way to go for the long haul."
"Unless you reach the level of a Flying Martial Artist, achieving a state of unity with nature and being able to rest and recover at any time, who could push themselves that hard?" Lanyue's brother said seriously. "Even Senior Dongfang Ji said he only trains for sixteen hours a day."
Lin Lanyue remained silent.
In her mind, she involuntarily recalled the scene Gu Qianghan described to her after returning from Jiangbei Martial University: "Sister, that Li Yuan is simply a madman, a self-torturing demon. He practices every night when he gets back and gets up again at four or five in the morning... I truly admire him. If he doesn't succeed, who will?"
Gu Qianghan's emphatic words gave Lin Lanyue a deeper understanding of Li Yuan.
He was an extremely disciplined person with a firm goal, always striving towards it.
"Brother, what exactly is the matter?" Lin Lanyue asked again.
"It's about Li Yuan," her brother said with a smile. "Do you want to know?"
"Brother, if you're going to say it, just say it. If not, don't waste my training time." Lin Lanyue glanced at him.
She knew the difference between her elder brother and second brother; the elder brother had juicy gossip and couldn't keep it to himself.
"Alright, alright, I give up." Lanyue's brother raised his hand, and a light screen appeared, showing some information.
It was all about Li Yuan.
"First in both subjects? First in Jiangcheng's martial arts raw scores?" Lin Lanyue murmured to herself.
Full marks in both! That was an incredibly impressive achievement.
"Little sister, you don't seem very surprised," her brother said with a smile. "Did you already know? Or have you been in contact with Li Yuan?"
"No, I didn't know." Lin Lanyue smiled. "His achievements are indeed extraordinary, but considering his efforts, it's not surprising."
"He does train hard." Her brother nodded. "Besides his impressive results in the April exams, I also heard he scored over 300 points in the Meteor Test."
"Mid-fourth-tier skills?" Lin Lanyue finally showed a hint of surprise.
She knew that Li Yuan had just stepped into the fourth tier a month ago.
Has he improved so quickly?
Considering her own advancement due to training with the Nirvana Divine Codex and the special training at Soaring Star, she had made significant progress in both physical fitness and skills.
But now, her skills were still just shy of the third-tier perfection.
"Fate often favors those who work harder," Lin Lanyue smiled slightly.
"Little sister, do you really like him?" her brother suddenly asked.
"Like?"
Faced with her brother's question, Lin Lanyue didn't look embarrassed. After thinking for a while, she said, "Perhaps, I just admire him."
"Alright, you have always been decisive. As long as you know what you are doing," her brother said with a smile.
He had been through this himself and understood her feelings well.
He didn't mind.
Youthful admiration and affection were natural, and guiding it was better than suppressing it.
"Brother, don't tell Father and Mother about this," Lin Lanyue suddenly glared at her brother.
"Haha, why would I tell them?" her brother laughed. "You're not a child anymore. As long as you're happy."
He didn't mind. Although the family might have opinions if they found out, he was her big brother.
As long as his sister wasn't wronged, she could do what she wanted.
If the sky fell, he and their other brother would hold it up. Besides, he also thought Li Yuan was not bad.
"However, little sister, I must remind you."
"You mean well, but do you know what Li Yuan thinks? You've done a lot for him, like saving his uncle..." her brother said.
"Brother."
Lin Lanyue interrupted him, frowning. "I told you before we came to Soaring Star, once things pass, they are over. It's not a big deal."
"I don't care what he thinks."
"In martial arts, one seeks a clear conscience and a heart without regrets."
"I do things for myself, not expecting anything in return from him," Lin Lanyue said seriously.
She was very stubborn and even had a rebellious streak.
This was due to her early independence in Jiangcheng.
Although she had a butler, maid, bodyguard, martial arts teacher, and everything else, she lacked much family affection.
"Alright, as long as you know what you're doing."
Her brother raised his hands in surrender. "Do you want to take a break today?"
"Nirvana Divine Codex's 'Fire Bath,' the longer each session, the better the effect," Lin Lanyue shook her head. "I've only lasted six days so far."
"Let's get through today first."
Her brother's eyes showed a trace of heartache but he didn't persuade her further.
The fire bath was real burning in special flames.
The pain was something few could endure completely.
But he had to admit that his sister's willpower was exceptional, one of the best for her age.
"Alright, I'll take you to 'Changji Volcano' later," her brother said.
Watching him leave.
"Three times a month, Body Cleansing Elixir Bath?" Lin Lanyue murmured, recalling what she had seen about Li Yuan.
She knew the pain of the Body Cleansing Elixir Bath.
"Six days?"
"Let's see if I can last ten days. I can't fall too far behind," Lin Lanyue's eyes showed determination.
She continued practicing her sword techniques.
Every day, she trained with her sword for half a day and spent the other half undergoing the 'fire bath' to temper her body.
...
On April 17th in the evening, Li Yuan returned home.
"Brother, come and watch your show."
"They're replaying it!"
"Come watch." Li Qianqian and Li Muhua ran over, both very excited.
In the distance, Chen Hui was smiling.
"Show?" Li Yuan was momentarily confused, then realized it was the interview program about him.
It aired so soon?
Li Yuan was pulled by his younger siblings, not even having time to take off his shoes, to the living room.
On the projection screen, Li Yuan's interview program was indeed playing.
"A Poor Martial Arts Top Scorer from Jiangbei? Unveiling the Untold Struggles Behind the Martial Arts Genius?" Li Yuan mumbled, repeating the host's introduction.
He wanted to find a hole to crawl into.
Which sensationalist department came up with this?
"Aunt, this is a promotional program from the Martial Hall, and the script was prepared in advance," Li Yuan quickly explained.
"I understand."
"Don't worry, your aunt studied journalism as a minor," Chen Hui said with a smile. "I understand how journalism works."
Li Yuan smiled and nodded, relieved his aunt didn't think too much of it.
On the screen.
"From a young age, I aspired to join the Starlight Martial Hall," Li Yuan said seriously, "This is the Martial Hall founded by Senior Dongfang Ji, whom I have always admired..."
"I heard the Starry Sky Martial Hall was the first to invite you, initially offering a D-level contract, right?" the host asked.
"No!"
"The Starry Sky Martial Hall did invite me first and offered me a C-level contract. Hall Master Song Yi was very kind," Li Yuan said with youthful 'sincerity.' "She told me that although her authority was limited, she would help me apply for a B-level contract if I signed and even offered private sponsorship."
"Hall Master Song Yi is an excellent and dedicated hall master," Li Yuan said seriously. "It's not that the Starry Sky Martial Hall was bad; I just wanted to join Starlight more..."
...
"Li Yuan is the best young talent I've discovered in recent years. At that time, I didn't have enough B-level contract slots, so I asked our City Martial Hall Master Fei for help, and he immediately agreed," Wan Qinghe said in the VCR interview.
...
"Li Yuan is very righteous and has won the title of Young Hero," a classmate said in an interview.
...
"Not being able to invite Li Yuan might be a lifelong regret for me," Song Yi appeared in the VCR, looking disappointed but also proud. "But his growth has proven my judgment was correct; he is indeed a rare gem."
"If anyone is to blame, it's that Li Yuan is too determined, once he sets a goal, he doesn't easily change."
"But no matter which Martial Hall he joins, he is a genius of our China." Song Yi's voice was strong, elevating the program's message. "I have high hopes for Li Yuan and look forward to the day he becomes a Flying Martial Artist to protect our China."
...
Watching the program, Li Yuan's mouth twitched slightly!
He recalled the dinner the previous night, where the conversation had been very pleasant.
Wan Qinghe had promised to give Song Yi a spot in the program.
"Just for a 4 million increase, was this worth it?" Li Yuan muttered, "Would the Starry Sky Martial Hall's higher-ups even believe this?"
However, Li Yuan didn't mind too much as long as he got the money.
...
Li Yuan never expected that the evening's program was just the beginning. In the following two days, the program continued to gain traction, spreading across Jiangcheng's various online forums and even throughout Jiangbei Province.
Li Yuan actually started to become a bit of a local celebrity.
"Brother Yuan, 666!"
"You're on TV? Brother Yuan, when did you film this? You didn't tell us."
"Brother Yuan, your blog followers have surged again, from over a thousand to over thirty thousand."
"Forty thousand now!"
"Fifty thousand, it's over fifty thousand now." Li Yuan once again became a popular figure at school.
"Brother Yuan, next time you go to the noodle shop by the school gate, the owner will definitely recognize you."
...
Li Yuan didn't pay much attention to the program.
A week later.
The three-year review of the Starry Sky Martial Hall concluded, and Song Yi passed smoothly. She sent Li Yuan a 'thank you' emoji on V-chat.
At Starlight Guanshan Branch, in Martial Room 7024.
"Extorted a sum from her, and she still thanks me?" Li Yuan shook his head, glancing at his bank account.
Bank balance: 18.79 million Blue Star coins.
Martial Hall points: 4.08 million.
Martial Hall training points: 9.57 million.
"Haven't spent much Blue Star coins yet, gave Aunt 2 million, and received another 10 million here," Li Yuan thought. "Almost 20 million now."
However, Martial Hall points were depleting quickly.
In just one month, he had spent over 2.6 million on training resources.
Mainly because his body's evolution required more than the training plan had estimated.
Every month, he needed 30 bottles of first-tier Qi and Blood Potion, four Source Force Essence Pills, and three portions of Spirit Cleansing Bath, costing 1.3 million points/Blue Star coins a month.
"Buy the second batch."
"Enough to sustain body evolution until mid-May," Li Yuan thought.
Clang~
Li Yuan opened the door of the therapy room's 'incubator' and took out a bottle of Spirit Cleansing Bath.
Gritting his teeth.
"Damn, here we go again."
"Are the students at Kunlun Martial University all monsters? Each one tougher than me?" Li Yuan muttered. "Well, college students are certainly stronger than high school students."
High schoolers always held some admiration for college students.
After a while.
"Ah!" In the therapy room, Li Yuan's low growl echoed again, whether in pain or relief was uncertain.
...
April 27th.
The 29th-level Source Martial Artist skilled in mental techniques, invited by Master Fei Qian, arrived and worked with the hospital's highest-level 'Consciousness Awakening Device.'
After an hour.
Uncle Li Changzhou finally woke up.
...
May 10th, Li Changzhou was discharged from the hospital.
He didn't return to their old home but moved directly to their new home in Starlight South Lake City Community.
...
May 15th, Li Yuan and his family moved all their belongings into the new house.
...
Time passed day by day, with Li Changzhou resting at home and not returning to work for now.
Aunt returned to work at the school.
Following the 'Seven Star Alliance Progress Movement' promoted by Dongfang Ji, talent selection at martial arts universities and cultural universities across the seven human star planets was conducted through college entrance exams.
So, when June arrived.
All eyes in Jiangcheng, China, and even Blue Star turned to the annual college entrance exams.
This was the exam that would determine the fate of countless people.