Chapter 120: The Dean

"Dean Hai?" Li Yuan felt a slight shock in his heart and couldn't help but ask, "Our academy's Dean Hai?"

Having been at the school for so long, he was quite familiar with the academy's history.

"Does the school have a second Dean Hai?" Li Yang laughed. "Most of the time, Dean Hai is not in the school; he is either stationed in a Star Realm or out roaming and cultivating through life-and-death struggles."

"You're lucky this time; he will be returning to the school today."

"Just now, I immediately submitted an application regarding your performance to Dean Hai," Li Yang said. "He has already replied to me, telling us to bring you to see him after we return to school."

"Yes." Li Yuan nodded, feeling a trace of anticipation mixed with a bit of trepidation in his heart.

Dean Hai!

That was a Sky-Soaring martial artist, a true possessor of peerless martial power, whose strength was so terrifying that it basically reached the point of ignoring thermal weapons.

They could be called the main combat force guarding human civilization.

For example, in Jiangbei Province, the provincial hall masters of the Starfire Martial Hall and the Starry Sky Martial Hall, as well as the strongest martial artists in the military... were all Sky-Soaring martial artists.

Such a peerless existence could make an entire province tremble with a single stomp of their foot.

"Don't worry, Dean Hai has a very easygoing personality and won't do anything to you," Li Yang laughed. "He wants to see you because your performance was excellent enough."

"It has been several years since Dean Hai personally summoned an academy student."

Li Yuan felt thoughtful.

Such a super powerhouse had precious time; if one hadn't shown the potential of a Sky-Soaring martial artist, they probably wouldn't be summoned individually.

Li Yang didn't reveal too much to Li Yuan because he wasn't sure what benefits Dean Hai would offer and didn't want to raise Li Yuan's expectations too high.

"By the way."

"Since you ranked first in the Fourth Base this time, the school will reward you with 5 million Blue Star coins," Li Yang laughed. "For being first in the grade, the school will reward you with 3 million Blue Star coins."

Li Yuan's eyes lit up.

Added together, that was 8 million Blue Star coins.

That was not a small amount.

"Additionally, in the month you have served as the Senior Brother, the school's assessment of you is 'Excellent'," Li Yang said with a smile that wasn't quite a smile. "The '1 million Blue Star coin' reward for this half-year will be increased by 20%, totaling 1.2 million Blue Star coins, which will be given to you together."

"Thank you, teacher." Li Yuan nodded repeatedly.

He understood that the so-called excellent assessment was likely decided by Teacher Li Yang.

Had Li Yuan truly fulfilled his duties? Not really.

But being able to lead the entire academy's students to take first place in the group total score for various assessments made him an excellent Senior Brother.

Results determine everything.

"Good, go ahead," Dean Li Yang laughed. "After the train arrives, wait until you return to school to change into clean clothes, then go to the Black Dragon Building and wait."

"Yes." Li Yuan turned to leave.

Suddenly.

Hum~ The smart ring on Dean Li Yang's hand vibrated.

"Hmm?" Dean Li Yang looked down, his expression changed slightly, and he stood up abruptly.

"Teacher?" Li Yuan sensed something was wrong.

"It's nothing, hurry and board the train," Dean Li Yang said with a stern expression. "Dean Hai doesn't have time to see you today; wait for my notification."

"Yes." Li Yuan immediately realized that something major must have happened.

Whoosh! Li Yang grabbed Li Yuan.

Li Yuan only felt a gust of wind flash by, and he had already rushed more than a hundred meters out of the conference room.

In the distance, a large number of students were boarding the train in an orderly fashion.

"Go."

After dropping that sentence, Li Yang's figure moved, instantly turning into a stream of light that flew over two hundred meters, yet the air didn't ripple much.

With a few flashes, he had disappeared at the end of the plaza.

Looking at the direction he went, it was the war fortress.

"So fast." Li Yuan held his breath as he watched Li Yang in the distance; this was the first time he had seen the other party reveal their true strength.

This kind of explosive speed.

"It's probably close to the speed of sound," Li Yuan sighed inwardly. "Is this what a top-tier Source martial artist is like?"

Not just Li Yuan, many students saw the scene of Li Yang moving away.

"I don't know what major event happened, it seems even Dean Hai has to go over," Li Yuan thought to himself. "I hope everything is alright."

Li Yuan didn't think too deeply about it.

When the sky falls, there are taller people to hold it up; as for him now, he couldn't handle such matters yet.

Cultivating well to become stronger was what a good student should do.

"Let's go."

Li Yuan walked toward the train in the distance and boarded the carriage according to his sequence number.

Boom! Li Yang exploded with full speed, leaping dozens of meters high in one jump, and covering hundreds of meters in a single flash, quickly arriving outside the war fortress.

The dozens of teachers who had been in the meeting.

Almost all of them were already waiting outside the war fortress.

"Xu Yuanzhang, Dean Qin," Li Yang landed and spoke directly, "What is the situation?"

"It's very urgent."

"Our 'No. 6 Observation Point' in the Kunlun Star Realm has been exposed, and the marrow crystal vein has been discovered by alien races," Xu Yuanzhang said with a cold expression. "Currently, it is being besieged by local forces of the Star Realm. From the existing traces, the forces behind the scenes reveal the shadows of a major sect from the Immortal Ruins civilization."

"A major sect of the Immortal Ruins civilization?" Li Yang's expression changed.

Reaching their level, they knew very well what this meant.

The Kunlun Star Realm was nothing to the vast and powerful Immortal Ruins civilization.

However, it was very important to the human civilization of the Seven Star Sea, at least very important to the Xia Nation.

Establishing the Kunlun Martial University here was to guard the Kunlun Star Realm.

It was also an important resource source for Kunlun Martial University.

"How was it discovered?" Li Yang couldn't help but ask. "Our observation point has always been very secretive."

"It has to do with Dean Zhao and the others," the chubby old man, Dean Qin, sighed. "Korea of Europe applied to the Alliance some time ago to enter the Kunlun Star Realm... The situation is very chaotic, and it hasn't been thoroughly clarified yet."

"Anyway."

"The Principal has already given the order, commanding us to go support immediately. The No. 6 Observation Point is to be abandoned, but the besieged martial artists and the already mined marrow crystals must be brought back, plus all traces must be cleared to avoid exposing more observation points," Dean Qin said. "Dean Hai and two other Sky-Soaring martial artists have already been stationed at the three major entrances of the Kunlun Star Realm."

"To prevent the situation from worsening."

"Stop talking, time is of the essence, we'll talk on the way, let's go first," Xu Yuanzhang interrupted the two's exchange.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Dozens of Source martial artist teachers and deans, whose physical fitness was at least level 26, quickly rushed into a war fortress entrance not far away.

Deep within the war fortress, there were passages that could quickly leave this Star Realm.

The train moved at high speed.

It was the same carriage as when they came.

"Li Yuan, you're amazing."

Senior Sister 'Wang Chan', whom he had met when he came, gave a thumbs up and said, "Truly awesome, to actually be able to take first place in the Fourth Base ranking."

"Junior Brother Li Yuan, how did your score rise so fast? Did you encounter a large number of alien beasts?"

"Junior Brother, what level is your physical fitness?"

The third-year seniors from various academies all surrounded Li Yuan.

For a time, Li Yuan was simply the center of conversation in the carriage.

"Junior Brother, can we spar on spear techniques sometime?"

"Junior Brother Li Yuan, you are too amazing, can I add you on V?" Some senior sisters even issued invitations very boldly.

This made Li Yuan unable to handle it, and finally, several senior brothers from the Sixth Academy spoke up, and everyone in the carriage gradually quieted down.

Li Yuan finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He only felt that this was more troublesome than a great battle with a level 14 Star Realm creature.

"This time, counting the Senior Brother's reward and the academy group reward."

"I can get over 9 million," Li Yuan calculated in his heart. "It's about time to prepare the first stage of physical rehabilitation treatment for my uncle."

Uncle Li Zhangzhou had been rescued, and his body seemed to have recovered.

But having suffered from the Flame Erosion Bone Poison for a long time, and finally almost dying, his physical health was only a facade, meaning he was just pulled back from the edge of death.

Li Zhangzhou's physical vitality had actually been destroyed by more than half by the toxins.

His physical fitness alone had dropped from level 11 before the injury to about level 6 now.

In May, Li Yuan had discussed it with the doctor.

Next, if Li Zhangzhou lived a routine life and had normal healthcare, his life expectancy would be hard to exceed 70 years.

It didn't seem short.

But one must know that in this era, unless they die by accident, the average life expectancy of ordinary people is over a hundred years.

Precisely because of this, after the college entrance examination ended, Li Yuan contacted a rehabilitation hospital through Wan Qinghe.

He started preparing a 'rehabilitation plan' for his uncle.

"Three-stage rehabilitation treatment."

"The first stage costs about 16 million, the second stage is expected to be about 18 million, and the third stage is expected to be about 40 million."

"A total of 74 million Blue Star coins," Li Yuan had almost memorized the rehabilitation plan. "If everything is completed successfully, although it won't be able to restore my uncle's body to its peak, his life expectancy should be able to increase to about 90 years."

The three-stage treatment was very expensive, and ordinary families simply couldn't afford it.

It involved life sciences and was very complex.

If he told his uncle and aunt the truth, facing such a huge expense, Li Yuan estimated they wouldn't agree.

However, Li Yuan had already made up his mind.

"The money the country rewards me with is in the hope that I will use it to improve my strength."

"Moreover, cash rewards are limited after all, and logically they shouldn't be used for other aspects," Li Yuan understood this point. "However, I will always have opportunities to earn money and repay the country later."

"But my uncle's body can't afford to wait; if it drags on for a year, the hope of recovery will decrease by a point, and later, even ten times the money won't be able to make up for it," Li Yuan thought very clearly.

"First stage, 16 million Blue Stars, start treatment as soon as possible."

"The entire treatment will last about half a year."

"In this half-year, I will strive to become a level 15 martial artist as soon as possible, and then I will be able to go to many Star Realms for life-and-death struggles, and then I can truly rely on myself to earn money," Li Yuan thought to himself.

There are many dangers in the Star Realm, but it also contains countless treasures.

Some Star Realms are so vast that they are ten times larger than the Xia Nation, which has a territory of over 100 million square kilometers.

All kinds of heavenly materials and earthly treasures are born from the Star Realm.

Otherwise, how could those Source martial artists and Sky-Soaring martial artists be so wealthy?

Returning to school, Li Yuan received a warm welcome from hundreds of Sixth Academy freshmen.

After some celebrations, it was past seven o'clock in the evening.

Li Yuan returned to his villa, first washed up, and then calmed his mind to cultivate the Basic Cultivation Method for over an hour.

After finishing everything, he entered the virtual network cabin and connected his consciousness.

Inside his personal space.

"Master." The elf girl circled around him.

"According to my previous markings, list the full list of my wealth in the bank and the Martial Hall," Li Yuan said softly.

"Yes, Master, please wait a moment," the girl smiled.

Quickly.

Swish! A huge light screen appeared in Li Yuan's vision, clearly marking his wealth.

Bank balance: 36.55 million Blue Star coins

Martial Hall points: 440,000

Martial Hall cultivation points: 9.57 million

"Cash has exceeded 36 million," Li Yuan showed a smile; this was all his cash.

The rewards from this actual combat assessment, the Senior Brother reward, the entrance competition reward, plus the school's S-level special training contract reward.

These made up Li Yuan's current wealth.

"In this half-year, the various cultivation resources I bought were mainly paid for with Martial Hall points," Li Yuan thought to himself. "Now at school, I get two portions of 'High Source Spirit Spring' for free every month, worth 2 million Blue Star coins, so I don't need to buy Source Force Essence Pills anymore."

For himself, Li Yuan mainly bought Body-Washing Spirit Marrow and First-Rank Blood Qi Potions every month.

The monthly cost was about 1.3 million points/Blue Star coins.

"By October, the Martial Hall contract points and cash will be issued to me," Li Yuan pondered. "In the next few months, if I want to buy various cultivation resources, I will have to spend cash."

Tens of millions seem like a lot, but it might not be enough to spend.

As Li Yuan's physical fitness further improves, he will need more 'High Source Spirit Spring', and the school cannot provide an unlimited amount.

More cultivation resources must be purchased with his own money.

"First, prepare for my uncle's first stage of rehabilitation treatment," Li Yuan pondered. "Before the end of this month, strive to reach the Bright Moon rank on the Starry Sky Fighting Network."

"In October, the Ten-School Freshman Battle, strive to take first place."

If both items can be completed like this, each can harvest 20 million Blue Star coins, totaling 40 million Blue Star coins.

That would solve Li Yuan's current difficulties.

After exiting the virtual network, Li Yuan dialed Wan Qinghe's V-message.

A video projection formed.

"Li Yuan." Wan Qinghe appeared in the projection, looking at Li Yuan with a smile.

Looking at the background, he was in the Martial Hall office.

"Uncle." Li Yuan showed a smile.

After the two exchanged pleasantries for a while.

"Uncle Wan, there is something I need your help with," Li Yuan got to the point. "The three-stage rehabilitation plan that Professor Zhong, whom I asked you to contact last time, formulated for my uncle, I want to start the first stage, and I hope you can help me keep an eye on it."

"Rehabilitation plan? The one that costs over 70 million Blue Star coins?" Wan Qinghe looked slightly surprised.

"Yes."

"I want to give you the money and have you communicate with Professor Zhong," Li Yuan laughed. "For the time being, don't tell my uncle the truth, just let him receive the treatment. Do you have time?"

If it were someone else, Li Yuan wouldn't be at ease handing over tens of millions of Blue Star coins to them.

But Wan Qinghe?

Given the other party's strength, status, and relationship, there was no need to embezzle this money.

"Haha, no problem," Wan Qinghe agreed readily.

Not long after.

16 million Blue Star coins were transferred by Li Yuan to Wan Qinghe's account.

The video hung up.

"Li Yuan is not a person who can't distinguish between priorities; he is not a fool who would throw money away without regard for his own cultivation," Wan Qinghe in the office restrained his smile and thought to himself. "Then, taking out this sum of money probably won't have any impact on his cultivation."

"It seems."

"He is developing very well at Kunlun Martial University," Wan Qinghe smiled slightly.

He didn't think there was anything wrong with what Li Yuan did; on the contrary, he was quite appreciative.

To be able to have such a heart of gratitude toward his uncle.

By analogy, when treating other seniors and benefactors, it usually wouldn't be too bad either.

After the transfer.

Li Yuan, far away at Kunlun Martial University, suppressed many thoughts and continued his normal cultivation: practicing spear techniques, cultivation methods, visualization methods, fighting on the Starry Sky Fighting Network...

The next day, August 2nd.

At five o'clock in the morning, Li Yuan, who was practicing spear techniques in the underground martial arts room, suddenly felt his smart ring vibrate.

It indicated that important news had arrived.

"Hmm?"

"What happened?" Li Yuan stood his spear upright, clicked on the ring screen, the light screen expanded, and he quickly checked it.

"It was sent by the school."

"Obituary notice?" Li Yuan looked at the gray notification file on the light screen, his expression changed slightly.

"... Qi He, Fan Jin... and eleven other school teachers died in battle in a certain Star Realm rescue mission on August 1st, 2043 of the Seven Star Calendar..." Li Yuan looked at the names of the eleven teachers written on the notice, his mind was shocked.

Especially since there was a familiar name among them—Fan Jin!

That old man who had guided him many times and had a kind face, had he just died like this?

(End of chapter)