High-Level Martial Era

"If your comprehension isn't up to par, having only physical and mental talents at most will make you a Prime Warrior, and you would barely qualify as a B-rank talent," President Li continued.

Li Yuan nodded slightly.

At the Starfire Martial Hall, the initial B-rank contract they offered me was already at a premium.

In the past six months, my progress had been astonishing, but without a breakthrough in skills to the Fourth Level, I would barely qualify as A-rank.

There's a startling difference between Third Stage perfection in skills and the Fourth Level.

"With all three of your talents at the top level, it's a case of 1+1+1>5, with no weaknesses." President Li spoke with utmost gravity: "The biggest obstacle on your path to becoming a Level 29 Prime Warrior is the lack of high-rank cultivation methods."

"For ordinary Prime Warriors, the death rate when creating their own cultivation techniques exceeds 90% because their comprehension is average."

"Moreover, even if they are lucky enough to successfully create a cultivation technique, most will find it difficult to become Level 29 Prime Warriors, let alone Flying Heaven Warriors."

"But you,"

President Li looked at Li Yuan as if he saw an uncut jade and smiled, "I think your chances of successfully creating a cultivation technique could exceed 50%."

"As long as you don't die in the trials of Star Realm."

"You have a fifty percent chance of becoming a Level 29 Prime Warrior in the future, and even a fair chance of becoming a Flying Heaven Warrior, so why wouldn't that be worth an S-rank contract?"

...

The explanations from President Li and Teacher Fan Jin.

Li Yuan began to vaguely see the path ahead for himself.

All the way to becoming a Level 29 Prime Warrior and even a Flying Heaven Warrior, the road ahead seemed clear.

Of course, Li Yuan didn't think he would smoothly become a Level 29 Prime Warrior; there were still many challenges ahead.

President Li's words could be trusted, but not completely.

It's like climbing a mountain; seeing the path ahead and actually reaching the summit are two different things.

"My predecessors," Li Yuan said, "even if I have potential, why did you come to me first among the four S-ranks?"

"Because the other three S-ranks are very unlikely to choose one of Xia Country's five prestigious schools," Fan Jin laughed. "What does it mean to be S-rank? It means a martial arts genius recognized on a global scale."

"The other three are very likely to choose either Starry Sky University or Starfire University,"

"We observers understand this, and those students are clearly aware of it, so our motivation to recruit them isn't that strong."

"Our five prestigious schools in Xia Country are not bad, but when compared to Starry Sky University, we are indeed weaker," Fan Jin admitted candidly. "Our main targets are actually A-rank students."

Li Yuan nodded in understanding.

From what he knew, the top ten scorers in the Jiangbei Province's college entrance examination almost always went to Starry Sky University or Starfire University.

This had been the practice for decades.

"And me?" Li Yuan pressed on.

President Li and Fan Jin both smiled.

"Li Yuan, you must understand," President Li said seriously. "First of all, no matter how early a contract is signed, the final university admission is determined by the college entrance examination results."

"When applying to the top three martial arts universities globally, your 'Youth Hero' bonus points won't count; only your Spiritual Nature bonus points... This is the rule set by Dongfang Ji, the strongest person in the world."

"It's to block all backdoor operations."

"Unless you have an unparalleled talent in one area, for example, Fifth Stage skills," President Li explained. "Then, even without a suitable high-rank cultivation method, after verification by the high-levels of the three great Martial Halls, you could gain admission based on a single talent alone.

But just Fourth Level skills aren't enough for special admission to Starfire University or Starry Sky University."

Li Yuan was speechless.

Fifth Stage skills? For a high school senior? That would require an extraordinary genius.

But Li Yuan understood that basing everything on the college examination scores was indeed quite fair, treating everyone equally.

"Secondly,"

"Your three talents are all top-notch… but there are many students at Starfire University and Starry Sky University with the same level of top-notch talents," President Li told Li Yuan. "Do you think the administrators of the top three martial arts schools would care whether you succeed in creating a cultivation technique?"

"Even if you were to succeed in creating a technique and even become a Flying Heaven Warrior in the future, Starry Sky University and Starfire University wouldn't care about missing out on you."

"Throughout history, they have produced many Flying Heaven Warriors," President Li said wistfully. "The one thing they don't lack is geniuses."

Li Yuan sighed inwardly.

Indeed, his level of skills was excellent.

But on a global scale, there were hundreds of his peers just like him.

"If you choose Kunlun Martial University, besides the absence of a cultivation method, your talents would be among the most top-notch of all the students," Fan Jin said cheerfully. "Kunlun Martial University would then do its utmost to support you in becoming a Prime Warrior and creating a cultivation technique."

"You would be given priority access to all sorts of precious cultivation resources, a variety of cultivation techniques, and guidance from many high-level Prime Warriors."

"Even when Flying Heaven Warriors come to give lectures at the school, you would be allowed to attend first," Fan Jin painted a bright picture for Li Yuan. "All of this would be clearly spelled out in the contract."

Li Yuan pondered.

He couldn't get into the top three martial arts schools.

Therefore, Kunlun Martial Arts University was indeed the best choice for him.

"Don't think that Kunlun Martial University is weak,"

"Dongfang Ji, the strongest person in humanity, is an alumnus of our Kunlun Martial University," President Li said with pride. "Nearly twenty percent of Xia Country's Flying Heaven Warriors are graduates from Kunlun Martial University."

Li Yuan nodded slightly.

His idol was Dongfang Ji, and he was well aware of Dongfang Ji's legendary journey... from graduation at Kunlun Martial University to reaching the pinnacle of the Martial Path within a mere decade.

Among the five prestigious schools of Xia Country.

Kunlun Martial Arts University and Xiaking Martial Arts University are slightly stronger than the other three.

Weakness is relative to the top three martial arts schools globally.

"Li Yuan, I'll send you the S-rank special training contract first," President Li said. "Take a look at it."

Ding!

Li Yuan's smart ring buzzed with a reminder, and when he looked down, there was already an additional document.

Li Yuan clicked directly and quickly started to review it.

The content was extensive.

The resources and rewards were very generous.

However, Li Yuan remained calm and, after deep thought, realized that the offer wasn't as good as President Li and Teacher Fan Jin had described.

The contract had many restrictions; if his progress wasn't fast enough, subsequent resources and support would diminish, and the overall quality of resources might even degrade.

But Li Yuan understood.

Cultivation resources were precious, and if one's strength wasn't sufficient, it made no sense to hog them without making good use of them. It would be better to let someone more outstanding have them.

This was also true for entering Starry Sky University.

In this era, the entire human civilization faced constant threats to survival.

Competition was everywhere, and there was no room to be complacent.

Time passed until Li Yuan flipped through the last page of the contract.

After waiting another ten seconds and seeing that Li Yuan was still contemplative,

"Li Yuan, let's stop here for today. There are still four days," President Li stood up smoothly and said with a smile, "The Martial Arts Universities in Xiaking and South Sea will definitely come to find you too. You can consider your options carefully."

"Make the choice that's most beneficial for you."

"Teacher Fan and I will be leaving now. If you've decided, you can reply to me via the invitation letter," he added.

President Li and Fan Jin walked straight toward the exit of the conference room.

"Clang~" As the door opened, President Li hadn't even stepped out yet when,

"President Li."

Li Yuan suddenly spoke up: "There's no need to consider further. I am willing to sign this S-level contract."

President Li had his back to Li Yuan and did not turn around immediately, but a smile had already appeared on his face.

He had succeeded by pretending to retreat.

In his heart, President Li grew even more satisfied with Li Yuan.

...

Within the conference room, both parties completed the electronic signature directly on the smart rings and then submitted the contract for review to the 'Martial Arts Hall' and 'Education Department.'

Only two minutes later, the review passed.

The legally binding electronic contract was sent in real time to Li Yuan's virtual network personal space.

"Good!"

"Li Yuan, welcome to Kunlun Martial Arts University," President Li said with a smile. "Believe me, your decision is far from hasty."

"This is my personal V account. Come on, add it."

"Thank you, senior," Li Yuan said with a flattered tone, quickly extending his smart ring to add the personal V account.

"Still calling me senior?" Fan Jin chuckled. "You should call him President Li."

"President Li," Li Yuan immediately nodded.

"It doesn't matter what you call me," President Li said, in a good mood. "After the entering in July and the department allocation, whether or not you choose the Sixth Institute, you can come to me for anything in the future."

"When you return to Jiangbei Martial University, if you have any questions about cultivation, feel free to ask me. I'll communicate with you when I have time."

"Yes," Li Yuan nodded repeatedly, feeling a warmth in his heart.

Normally, after signing the contract, there was no need for the other party to do this.

"Additionally," President Li paused before saying: "According to the contract, the first subsidy of one million Blue Star Coins for your cultivation will be in place within a week."

"But I must remind you."

"You must reach the national examination score. For the next few months, you can't slack off in your training," President Li advised. "If your scores fail to reach the national line, we'll be forced to terminate the contract."

"Understood," Li Yuan responded solemnly.

The national line for martial arts was the minimum score for the top five prestigious schools.

According to the contract, if the agreement had to be terminated due to Li Yuan not achieving sufficient examination scores,

Then, he would not need to return the one million Blue Star Coins.

...

After adding Teacher Fan Jin's V account, Li Yuan took the initiative to escort President Li and Teacher Fan Jin downstairs.

Just reaching the doorway,

Boom!

A small flying vehicle slowly descended from the sky.

Two figures 'lightly' dropped from the seven- or eight-meter high flying vehicle to the ground.

"President Li? And old Fan?" The leading black-robed middle-aged woman landed gracefully, her face showing surprise.

Immediately,

Her gaze then fell on Li Yuan with a bit of hesitation: "Are you Li Yuan?"

"Yes," Li Yuan nodded.

"This!"

"Old Li, how did you get here so quickly?" the black-robed woman couldn't help saying: "Has Li Yuan already signed the special training contract with you?"

"Sister Liu."

The bald and burly President Li grinned, showing a mouthful of white teeth: "Sorry to make you come here for nothing, it's so late, how about we all go for barbecue together? To make it up to you."