Chapter 51: Generous rewards [51

On the rostrum, the leaders stepped forward one after another to take photos and shake hands with Li Yuan, while also whispering a few words of encouragement.

Most of it was just standard rhetoric.

"Li Yuan, you did well on the exam. Last time, killing that Star Realm creature really saved face for our Martial Hall." When it was Hall Master Zuo's turn, her face was already beaming like a flower, and her eyes were full of affection as she looked at Li Yuan.

It was as if she were looking at her own nephew or niece.

In interpersonal relationships, the first impression is very important.

Hall Master Zuo had an excellent first impression of Li Yuan.

On top of that, after returning last time and reviewing Li Yuan's many files, she concluded that Li Yuan's character and temperament were top-notch.

In her heart, Li Yuan was a junior very worthy of cultivation.

"Thank you, Hall Master." Li Yuan was also all smiles.

Li Yuan knew deep down that to create such a big stir and for him to earn the honorary title of 'Youth Hero', it was first and foremost because he had killed a Star Realm creature.

However, it was absolutely impossible to avoid the behind-the-scenes maneuvering of the Starfire Martial Hall.

Otherwise, would someone who performed a meritorious deed necessarily be rewarded?

"Li Yuan, this is Hall Master Song Yi of the Starry Sky Martial Hall." Hall Master Zuo introduced with a smile: "Come to think of it, she can be considered your benefactor."

Song Yi, standing to the side, had a slight change in expression; it was somewhat unpleasant, yet she couldn't show it.

"Hello, Hall Master Song." Li Yuan pretended to know nothing and said earnestly.

Of course, Li Yuan knew who the other party was.

When he agreed to sign with the Starfire Martial Hall, he had already heard Teacher Xu Bo mention her.

She was Zhong Cheng's direct superior and, in all likelihood, the person who decided to give him the D-rank contract.

"Mm, the young man is indeed quite good. Keep working hard." Hall Master Song managed to squeeze out a smile.

When she learned that it was Li Yuan who had won the 'Youth Hero' title, she hadn't wanted to attend the event at all.

Alas, Lu Huai had required her to attend on behalf of the Starry Sky Martial Hall.

……

Below the stage, a crowd of reporters was taking photos.

Killing an Entry-Rank Star Realm creature was actually a small matter; the key was that it was done by an underage high school student... This was a rare highlight in this Star Realm creature attack incident.

It had significant propaganda value.

And the students on the playground, whether third-year or first-year, were mostly whispering among themselves.

Most of it was talk like "So amazing," "Badass," "Is this senior named Li Yuan?", or "So handsome."

If Li Yuan only had good grades, it would actually be hard to win the favor of most students, and it might even breed jealousy.

But a life-and-death battle with a Star Realm creature?

One must know that in this era, the entire society extremely worshiped martial artists who could fight Star Realm creatures, and the students were the same.

In the eyes of most students, Li Yuan's actions were more than ten times more impressive than those of students who were first in exams.

Heroic passion, youthful yearning—it has been so since ancient times.

"Lanyue, are you still looking at Li Yuan?"

Peng Qiqi waved her hand in front of Lin Lanyue and couldn't help but laugh: "You're staring blankly. Don't tell me you've really fallen for Li Yuan?"

"It's not liking." Lin Lanyue shifted her gaze to her best friend and smiled faintly: "I just thought of some things and felt inexplicably moved."

"What things?" Peng Qiqi was puzzled.

"Li Yuan's family background isn't very good." Lin Lanyue said: "He also hasn't awakened martial arts talent. Even though his talent for skills is extremely high... he must have put in a lot of effort to achieve his current results."

Peng Qiqi was stunned.

She hadn't thought of this at all.

"Just like you said, he looked very handsome on the rostrum." Lin Lanyue continued: "But when he took the initiative to fight the Star Realm creature, he must have only wanted to save people, not thinking about what rewards he would get."

"He likely hadn't fought a Star Realm creature before."

"Daring to take the initiative to fight." Lin Lanyue seemed to recall something and sighed softly: "It takes great courage."

"Lanyue, what exactly are you trying to say? Do you like him or not?" Peng Qiqi was becoming increasingly confused.

"It has nothing to do with liking or not." Lin Lanyue pinched her best friend's chubby cheek and smiled: "I just."

"Admire him quite a bit."

……

The school-wide assembly ended, the leaders left, and then the students of each class returned to the martial arts classrooms in an orderly fashion.

To continue class.

Li Yuan, meanwhile, followed Principal Tan Zhenlong to the principal's office.

As soon as they entered.

"Teacher Xu? Director Li?" Li Yuan noticed two people were already waiting there and greeted them.

Director Li was a representative from the Education Bureau.

"Li Yuan, sit." Principal Tan greeted Director Li and the others first, then let Li Yuan sit down.

Li Yuan obediently sat on the single sofa and looked at the few of them.

Calling him over specifically—the matter certainly wasn't simple.

"Director Li, why don't you explain it." Principal Tan smiled.

"Mm, alright." Director Li, wearing black work attire with a square face, looked at Li Yuan: "Student Li Yuan, our Education Bureau and the Martial Arts Bureau have communicated regarding your situation."

"Calling you here is to tell you a few things."

"First, the special scholarship that Principal Tan and Teacher Xu applied for specifically for you has been approved. Before six o'clock tonight, the 500,000 Blue Star Coin reward will arrive in your account." Director Li smiled: "This is a national reward and will not be taxed."

"Special scholarship?" Li Yuan was slightly surprised, excitement rising in his heart.

500,000 Blue Star Coins!

Immediately, Li Yuan subconsciously looked at his teacher, Xu Bo, to the side.

Li Yuan remembered Teacher Xu Bo saying that he had to break into the top five of the grade to get it.

Xu Bo nodded slightly, signaling Li Yuan to stay calm.

"Second, you won the 'Youth Hero' title, which is a martial arts title. According to regulations, it meets the criteria for bonus points, and you will have 20 points of martial arts-specific bonus points in the college entrance exam." Director Li continued: "But bonus points cannot be stacked. If you awaken martial arts spirituality before the college entrance exam, you can only choose one of the two."

"I understand." Li Yuan was even more delighted.

In the college entrance exam, there are many bonus point items, such as spiritual awakening, hero titles, martyrs' orphans, etc., but multiple bonus points cannot be stacked.

And Li Yuan knew clearly.

Spiritual awakening? Looking at the Divine Palace panel, it seemed very difficult to align with the seven high-stage cultivation techniques; Li Yuan held almost no hope for it in his heart.

Then.

These 20 bonus points were very important.

"Third, in this January adjustment exam, your martial arts skill score was first in the district and second in the city. Regarding your situation, the district has decided to reward you with 100,000 Blue Star Coins separately, as a contribution to your martial arts cultivation." Director Li smiled: "I hope you don't think it's too little."

"It's a lot." Li Yuan said hurriedly: "Thank you, Director."

"No need to thank me." Director Li smiled: "If you want to thank someone, thank the country. For true martial arts geniuses, even if they haven't awakened martial arts spirituality, the country still has great support and cultivation efforts."

Li Yuan nodded slightly.

The more he cultivated, the more he could feel the advantages of high-stage cultivation techniques. If he could only keep cultivating basic cultivation techniques, wanting to grow into a Level 19 martial artist... would be extremely difficult.

It requires consuming huge amounts of resources.

Therefore, the country would not easily provide help; it must select the best among the best.

……

After seeing Director Li off, Principal Tan and Teacher Xu Bo returned to the office.

"Li Yuan, satisfied?" Xu Bo said with a chuckle.

"I was already very satisfied before, but this time I have to thank Teacher Xu and the Principal even more." Li Yuan said quite gratefully.

Immediately, Li Yuan couldn't help but look at Tan Zhenlong: "Principal, didn't you say last time that I had to break into the top five of the grade in total martial arts scores to have a chance to apply for the special scholarship?"

"Top five of the grade? I said that?" Principal Tan was stunned: "Why did I set the requirement so high? Didn't I say that top ten of the grade would be enough to strive for it?"

This time, it was Li Yuan's turn to be stunned.

The principal only required top ten of the grade?

"Li Yuan, the principal is a bit senile; it's normal not to remember after such a long time." Xu Bo said repeatedly.

Afterward, he grabbed Li Yuan's shoulder, as if a pair of large pincers had clamped onto Li Yuan.

"It's very late, and the principal needs to rest, so let's not disturb the principal's rest."

Whoosh!

Xu Bo took Li Yuan, and with a flash, they darted out dozens of meters, not even closing the door.

"Top ten?"

"Top five? This Xu Bo." Principal Tan had already reacted and shook his head with a laugh: "Aim high to get the middle? But this 'high' also needs to be moderate."

"Isn't he afraid that setting the standard too high would make Li Yuan give up directly?" Principal Tan sighed with emotion: "However, Li Yuan is indeed excellent."

"During the college entrance exam, he can add 20 points."

"It looks like, even without awakening martial arts spirituality, Li Yuan should be able to get into the five prestigious universities." Principal Tan revealed a smile.

Political achievements?

At his age, there was no hope for promotion.

He simply hoped that in his final term, he could cultivate more excellent students.

……

Office building, Xu Bo's martial arts room.

"Starfire Martial Hall, there will still be a reward?" Li Yuan looked at Teacher Xu with slight surprise.

"Yes."

Xu Bo, who was like an iron tower, smiled: "You performed so well this time, the Starfire Martial Hall will naturally give you some extra rewards... The rewards for joining the Martial Hall and signing the contract are uniformly stipulated by the highest level of the Martial Hall, and no one can change them."

"If you perform mediocrely after signing, then you just follow the contract step by step."

"However, in this process, if you have performance that exceeds expectations, even if the contract level cannot be raised, the lower-level Martial Hall you belong to will also provide extra rewards."

"If the performance is excellent enough, the Martial Hall will even raise the contract level." Xu Bo explained to Li Yuan.

Li Yuan suddenly understood; he only knew about upgrading the contract, but didn't know much about the rest.

Li Yuan tactfully didn't ask about the top five or top ten matter.

He realized immediately that Teacher Xu wasn't trying to deceive him, but just wanted to motivate him better.

"By the way."

"Have you seen the invitation from Jiangbei Martial Arts University?" Xu Bo asked.

"Chen Laoshi mentioned it, and I agreed." Li Yuan said.

"It's worth going." Xu Bo smiled: "Chen Laoshi is not the martial arts class teacher, so perhaps he doesn't know, but I can tell you that this invitation is not organized solely by Jiangbei Martial Arts University."

"Hm?" Li Yuan was puzzled.

"Although the location is at Jiangbei Martial Arts University, the five prestigious universities will all send people to observe." Xu Bo smiled.

(End of this chapter)