Chapter 14: Special Scholarship

"Special scholarship?" Principal Tan, who was flipping through documents, had the smile on his face instantly freeze.

He subconsciously suspected he had misheard: "Xu Bo? You said special?"

"What else?" Xu Bo glared: "Old Tan, stop the nonsense, hurry up and approve it."

Principal Tan immediately felt a headache.

As principal, his authority was very great, and logically all teachers were his subordinates... but Xu Bo's status was very special.

"Xu Bo, it's not that I won't approve it for you." Principal Tan adjusted his glasses and said helplessly: "A special scholarship is not a first-class scholarship. A first-class scholarship is only 100,000 Blue Star coins, which I can approve directly."

"A special scholarship is 500,000 Blue Star coins. Even if I agree, it still has to be reported to the Education Bureau."

"I know." Xu Bo nodded as a matter of course: "After you approve it, I'll call Bureau Chief He."

Principal Tan was stunned.

The Bureau Chief He that Xu Bo spoke of was his direct superior.

Principal Tan knew that while Xu Bo's strength wasn't exactly terrifying—his physical fitness was only at level 19 after his injury—he had been able to roam the Star Realm for over twenty years and return alive... his connections were unfathomable.

Principal Tan knew that when Xu Bo came to Guanshan District No. 1 High School, Bureau Chief He had come to send him personally.

"Xu Bo." Principal Tan shook his head: "If you want me to agree, you at least have to tell me the reason. Which student? Or is it some good seedling from middle school?"

Principal Tan knew Xu Bo's character.

He was strict in teaching students, but also extremely responsible, and often considered things for the students' sake.

He was the school's top-tier star teacher.

Otherwise, even with Xu Bo's wide connections, Principal Tan wouldn't truly care about him.

As for suspecting the other party wanted to embezzle these 500,000 Blue Star coins? Principal Tan had never even thought of it.

One had to know, Xu Bo's office was renovated at his own expense of over ten million Blue Star coins... a powerful martial artist who had roamed the Star Realm for many years accumulated a staggering amount of wealth.

"There is a good seedling, but not from middle school." Xu Bo said: "He's a senior."

"A good senior seedling? Worthy of a special scholarship?" Principal Tan felt slightly surprised.

In his impression, there was no such student.

Scholarships considered many aspects, such as grades, family background, talent, and political background.

"I'll send the data to you." Xu Bo said.

Soon, Principal Tan received the online data and immediately began to read it. Having worked in the education field for over fifty years... his ability was very strong.

"Xu Bo, this Li Yuan is indeed a good seedling with great potential. Being able to discover him is a merit." Principal Tan first praised Xu Bo's eye.

Immediately, his tone changed: "But wanting to select him for a special scholarship? To be honest, Li Yuan is still lacking a bit."

"Where is he lacking?" Xu Bo looked displeased: "Did you not watch his spear technique footage?"

"I watched it, it's not bad."

Principal Tan shook his head: "But the scholarship is issued by the state. The review requires not just my and Bureau Chief He's approval, but also the Intelligent Supervision Bureau's audit."

"The Intelligent Supervision Bureau doesn't do manual reviews; they only recognize major exam results, and whether martial arts spirituality has awakened is also an important indicator."

"In the last final exam, his grades just made it into the top thirty of the grade, and he hasn't awakened martial arts spirituality yet... it's very difficult to pass the final audit." Principal Tan said.

"With his current strength, he has hope of rushing into the top twenty of the grade." Xu Bo glared.

"That's your rhetoric." Principal Tan shook his head: "The Intelligent Supervision Bureau only recognizes major exam results. At the very least, we have to wait until the January adjustment exam."

"January adjustment exam?" Xu Bo looked displeased: "That's still several months away; the opportunity will have long passed."

"Old Tan, you are also a martial artist; you know the importance of this age." Xu Bo said: "What resources can you give him directly now?"

"Now?"

Principal Tan thought for a moment: "A second-class scholarship, I can directly approve and agree to that."

"50,000 Blue Star coins? Not enough." Xu Bo shook his head flatly.

"That's all the authority I have on hand." Principal Tan spread his hands and added: "How about this, I'll separately allocate him an independent martial arts room. This is the treatment for the top ten in the grade."

Xu Bo frowned, seemingly still unsatisfied.

"Xu Bo, that's enough."

"For a senior student, 50,000 coins is enough to buy two or three months of basic blood-Qi liquid." Principal Tan said: "Wait until the January adjustment exam; if he can rush into the top twenty of the grade, I'll help apply for a first-class scholarship then."

"Top twenty of the grade? Old Tan, I have to say, you look down on people too much." Xu Bo shook his head: "Li Yuan has every hope of rushing into the top ten of the grade by the January adjustment exam."

At this, Principal Tan laughed.

"He hasn't awakened martial arts spirituality."

"It's almost impossible for him to rush into the top ten of the grade." Principal Tan laughed: "If he can really do it... hmm, I will do my best to help him apply for a special scholarship."

"If the application doesn't go through, I'll personally sponsor him some." Principal Tan laughed.

"It's a deal."

Xu Bo's eyes lit up, and a trace of cunning appeared in his gaze: "This is what you said, I've recorded it... fine, I've already sent the second-class scholarship report to you, approve it quickly."

"I have things to do, hanging up now."

"Beep—"

Xu Bo had already hung up the video call.

Leaving Principal Tan in the office, still not having recovered, looking at the 'pending approval document' that had just appeared on his work screen.

He was stunned for a moment.

How could Principal Tan not understand now?

He had been schemed against.

If Xu Bo really wanted to apply for a special scholarship, how could he have sent the second-class scholarship application in one second?

It was clearly prepared in advance.

Xu Bo's goal was the second-class scholarship... saying special scholarship at the beginning was just asking for an exorbitant price.

"This Xu Bo." Principal Tan smiled helplessly and said: "Number Nine."

"Open the pending approval document."

"Approved."

Office building, inside Xu Bo's office.

"Special scholarship?" Xu Bo revealed a mysterious smile: "Call Bureau Chief He? I'm not that stupid."

Xu Bo knew that given Li Yuan's current situation, there was absolutely no possibility of passing the Intelligent Supervision Bureau's audit.

"That's enough."

"And I even earned an independent martial arts room." Xu Bo smiled: "This Old Tan is just too rigid; every time I ask for some money, he's so hesitant."

"State-allocated funds, he acts like it's private money he saved behind his wife's back, and I wouldn't waste it..."

"Hmm? Approved?"

"Quite prompt this time." Xu Bo thought for a moment and said: "Black Dog, send Principal Tan a smiley face."

"Oh no, send the smiley face selfie I saved last time."

"Yes, Master."

9:00 PM.

The sound of evening self-study ending echoed on campus, and students were leaving one after another.

Inside the martial arts classroom of Senior Class (2).

Only Li Yuan and Li Tianyou remained, both practicing cold weapons.

"Li Yuan, still not leaving?" Li Tianyou couldn't help but shout.

"It's fine, you go first." Li Yuan laughed: "I'll practice for a while longer."

Li Tianyou was stunned.

He had rushed to school at 5:45 today, originally wanting to go home early to rest... but now he hesitated.

"Li Yuan came earlier than me and is leaving later than me." Li Tianyou gritted his teeth: "No way, I can't catch up in talent, but can't I even catch up in hard work?"

"Continue practicing."

In the distance, Li Yuan didn't notice Li Tianyou's change in expression at all; he was looking at the data on the Divine Palace panel.

——

【Life Layer: Level 6.7 (Not Yet Ranked)】

Physical Fitness Index: 74 (A comprehensive measurement of explosive power, endurance, speed, physique, mental power, etc.)

Fist Power: 445 kg

Speed: 14.7 m/s

Mental Power: Level 12.9

Body Cultivation Method: 《Rock Cultivation Method》

Soul Cultivation Method: 《Great Sun Starry Sky Sutra》

Skill Realm: Spear Technique (Third Stage 46%), Movement Technique (Third Stage 29%), Fist Technique (Third Stage 94%)

【Note: A certain unawakened high-level spirituality is hidden within the body】

——

"Compared to the beginning of the month, both physical fitness and mental power are steadily improving." Li Yuan was quite satisfied.

He firmly believed that as long as he kept practicing with such perseverance.

One day, he would become a powerful martial artist.

What excited him most today was creating the ultimate move 'Dragon Hidden in the Rock Ravine'.

"Just created it, so it's not yet proficient when executed."

"These two days, I must continue to ponder it." Li Yuan was thinking.

Suddenly.

"Li Yuan." A cold voice like a booming bell came from inside the classroom.

Li Yuan and Li Tianyou turned their heads at the same time.

"Teacher Xu?" Li Yuan felt slightly surprised.

"Come to my office." Xu Bo said in a low voice, then turned and left, disappearing into the night.

"Tianyou, I won't be returning to the classroom later." Li Yuan said quickly, putting his large spear into the weapon cabinet.

He took his bag and quickly left the classroom.

"So late."

"Teacher Xu is still coming to find Li Yuan?" A trace of envy flashed in Li Tianyou's eyes: "No wonder Li Yuan wasn't in a hurry to leave today; is Teacher Xu going to give him special guidance?"

Li Tianyou shook his head and thought secretly: "Li Tianyou, oh Li Tianyou, don't worry about others."

"Do your own thing!" His gaze became focused again, and he earnestly practiced his saber technique.

Inside Xu Bo's office.

"Second-class scholarship? 50,000 Blue Star coins?" Hearing this good news, Li Yuan was stunned at first, followed by endless joy.

With his temperament, he couldn't hide his joy.

In reality, for Li Yuan, these 50,000 Blue Star coins could help his family alleviate economic pressure.

It could also alleviate the pressure in his heart.

It could reduce some of the guilt he felt toward his uncle and aunt.

"So happy?" Xu Bo looked at Li Yuan's unconcealable joy and felt quite surprised.

Xu Bo immediately realized that the importance of this scholarship to Li Yuan was likely beyond his expectations.

"So important to Li Yuan."

"But for over half a month, he still didn't say a word, didn't come to find me, and didn't reveal a thing; he's steady enough." Xu Bo thought to himself, his evaluation of Li Yuan rising by another notch.

After Li Yuan completely calmed down.

"Thank you, Teacher Xu." Li Yuan said gratefully.

Li Yuan felt that the reason his reward changed from a third-class scholarship to a second-class one was likely why Xu Bo had dragged it out for so long.

"The scholarship will be deposited into your account next Monday." Xu Bo said: "Also, there are two more pieces of good news to tell you."

"Good news?" Li Yuan listened earnestly.

There was more good news?

"First, I dragged this face of mine to talk to the principal five or six times before he agreed to allocate you an independent martial arts room, so you can practice more intently." Xu Bo said with a serious face.

Independent martial arts room? Li Yuan was surprised; this was a privilege for the top ten in the grade, and there were almost no exceptions.

"Teacher, you've put in the effort." Li Yuan felt even more grateful.

"Second, the principal has already agreed that during the January adjustment exam, if you can rush into the top ten of the grade, I can help you apply for a first-class scholarship, 100,000 Blue Star coins." Xu Bo looked at Li Yuan: "If you can rush into the top five, there's hope to apply for a special scholarship."

"A special scholarship is 500,000 Blue Star coins!"

"The opportunity is given to you."

"Whether you can get it depends on yourself."

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 15 =====