Chapter 221: An Era of Great Contention, The Ten Major Societies

While Li Fei was in the classroom following Mo Yizhou to study toxicology, Li Tianyu was being surrounded by a group of sisters asking questions:

"Is Li Fei your biological younger brother?"

"Did you two grow up together?"

"Is his aptitude really higher than Wang Fengqing's?"

"Why didn't he come to Martial Arts University with you before?"

"Is he handsome?"

"How is his physique?"

"Is he single? Has he dated anyone before?"

"."

At first, the questions were quite normal, but later on, they started to become gossipy.

"Alright, alright!"

Li Tianyu could not stand it anymore, "What kind of nonsense is this? Go ask Li Fei yourselves!"

"Stop messing around, we need to talk about serious business."

Just then, a woman with a dignified temperament, who looked like a young lady from a prominent family at first glance, walked over.

When the others saw her, they all quieted down one after another.

"President."

Li Tianyu stood up and greeted the woman.

"Sit down and talk."

The woman pulled Li Tianyu to sit down with her, "Tianyu, I want you to invite your brother to join our society."

The woman's name was Du Ya, and she was the president of the Heroine Society.

The Heroine Society was a society at Martial Arts University, a society composed entirely of female students.

Societies for other subjects might be because of shared interests, so they found a group of like-minded people to gather together to communicate and hold activities.

But the societies of the Martial Arts Department were different.

Among the tasks released by the Task Hall, more than seventy percent were group tasks that required multi-person collaboration to complete.

In order to better complete tasks and earn credits, the Martial Arts Department gradually formed various societies.

The original intention of establishing these societies was to better complete group tasks and allow society members to obtain more credits.

But as the saying goes, where there are people, there is a world of conflict; even a place like Martial Arts University was no exception.

The truly powerful major societies in the Martial Arts Department were, without exception, all related to outside forces.

Because the tasks released by the Martial Arts University were all related to the outside world, the more powerful one was outside, the easier it was to complete tasks.

For example, the 'Heart Martial Society', which currently had the highest task completion rate and the strongest strength in the Martial Arts Department, was founded by the son of the current Datong Prefecture Garrison Commander.

The president's father was the Garrison Commander; wouldn't it be easy for the people of the Heart Martial Society to complete any task within the Datong Prefecture?

When Li Tianyu first entered Martial Arts University, she also joined a society, which was this current Heroine Society.

She joined the society firstly to better earn credits, and secondly because she really liked the society's motto—heroines are no less than men!

The president of the Heroine Society, Du Ya, was the eldest daughter of the Du family, one of the three major noble families in Datong Prefecture City.

The Du family's power was mainly in the Inspectorate, and the current head of the family, Du Changhe, was the Inspector-General of the Datong Prefecture Inspectorate!

Now Du Ya was speaking up, hoping that Li Tianyu could let Li Fei join the Heroine Society.

"President, doesn't our society only accept girls?"

Li Tianyu was stunned.

Du Ya looked at her and said seriously: "For someone whose aptitude even exceeds Wang Fengqing's, an exception can be made!"

"This..."

"Tianyu, listen to me."

Du Ya held Li Tianyu's hand, "My original intention in creating the Heroine Society was to let the sisters band together so they could better obtain credits and resources. But you have seen the situation at the Martial Arts University; the vast majority of resources have been carved up by the top ten societies, and the remaining people are just getting some scraps."

Li Tianyu was silent.

Why did Chen Lixin have such a big change after arriving at the Martial Arts University? It was because he saw the insignificance of the Chen family and himself, and witnessed the more cruel struggle for benefits.

Li Tianyu had also witnessed these things, but she just tried her best not to let herself be affected by them.

There were a total of ten major societies in the Martial Arts Department of the Martial Arts University, which were the 'Heart Martial Society' formed by the children of the Datong Prefecture nobility, the 'Feng Society' formed by the children of the nobility from the provincial capital of Feng Province, and the 'Ming Society' formed by the children of the nobility from the neighboring Ming Province.

The forces behind the remaining seven major societies were the 'Seven Kings' of Datong Prefecture City.

Come to think of it, the forces of the underworld and the righteous path in Feng Province were divided into nine societies, while the neighboring Ming Province was all banded together to form one society; the gap between the two sides should be obvious.

But Martial Arts University was in Datong Prefecture, and about fifty percent of the tasks were within Datong Prefecture, thirty percent were outside Datong Prefecture but within Feng Province. The remaining less than twenty percent of tasks were in the neighboring Ming Province.

That was why there was a situation where the ten major societies stood against each other within the Martial Arts University.

These ten major societies were the ten strongest societies in the Martial Arts Department of the Martial Arts University, and the group tasks released by the Task Hall were almost all taken by these ten major societies.

The total credits issued by the Martial Arts University every month were limited; if some people took more, naturally others would take less.

And credits meant resources; over ninety percent of the Martial Arts University's resources were taken by the children of various nobles.

This was the reality of the Martial Arts University, and it was also the reality of the other eleven universities.

It was the reality of this world!

Students from ordinary families who entered university could only choose to join a society and try hard to get some scraps from the hands of those noble children.

If they relied on fighting alone, it would be difficult even to graduate smoothly.

Of course, if one really had talent and ability, it was not impossible to obtain enough resources.

The Martial Arts University specifically set up four ways to obtain credits; besides doing tasks, the remaining three could be fought for by one's own strength.

For example, Wang Fengqing was just from an 'ordinary family'; she did not choose to join any society, but she relied on her strength to dominate the first place on the credit leaderboard for over a year!

"Only a peerless genius can change the status quo. It's a pity that when I invited Wang Fengqing back then, she was unwilling to join our society."

Du Ya said to Li Tianyu.

When Wang Fengqing first entered the Martial Arts University, Du Ya had sent an invitation to her, but it was rejected by Wang Fengqing.

Later, when Wang Fengqing reached the top of the credit leaderboard, Du Ya found her again and offered to 'abdicate and yield the position', directly letting Wang Fengqing become the president of the Heroine Society, but she was rejected again.

This matter became a regret in Du Ya's heart.

When Wang Fengqing became the youngest Dao Foundation realm powerhouse in the history of the Martial Arts University, this regret became even greater.

Now that a Li Fei, whose aptitude might be even better than Wang Fengqing's, had appeared, Du Ya was unwilling to miss out again!

"President, our society is all girls, you let Xiao Fei, a man, come in..."

Li Tianyu looked at Du Ya helplessly.

"It doesn't matter. If he can show a faster breakthrough speed than Wang Fengqing, I can give the position of president to him, and he can even change the name of the society."

Du Ya looked directly at Li Tianyu and said so.

"President?!"

Li Tianyu was shocked; she did not expect Du Ya to say such things.

"What the society is called, and who becomes the president, is actually not important. What is important is whether the sisters in the society can obtain better development."

Du Ya said to Li Tianyu with a stern face:

"Perhaps with your brother's talent, he can develop very well on his own, just like Wang Fengqing. But in this world, it is very difficult to rely on just one person. He can rely on himself alone at the Martial Arts University, but what about after he leaves the Martial Arts University in the future?

Tianyu, you should have some realization by now; this is an era of great contention—contending for resources! Contending for status! Contending for power! When your brother leaves the Martial Arts University in the future, whether he goes to the Martial Suppression Court or the army, he will not be able to avoid struggles. At that time, he will need others to help him. Do you understand what I mean?"

Li Tianyu was silent.

Although she looked carefree, she was actually a very intelligent woman; otherwise, it would have been impossible for her to be so talented in martial arts.

She understood what Du Ya was hinting at.

The members of the Heroine Society, besides Du Ya, the eldest daughter of the Du family, also had a group of 'young ladies from prominent families'. These people were not from ordinary families. If Li Fei could serve as the president of the society, these people's families might become his support in the future.

Even thinking more deeply, Du Ya's father was the Inspector-General of the Datong Prefecture Inspectorate, and this was Li Lei's direct superior. Befriending Du Ya was undoubtedly a good move for the Li family, which already held a high position in the Inspectorate system!

"I will tell Xiao Fei, but whether he joins or not will be decided by him."

Li Tianyu said to Du Ya.

In the classroom, Mo Yizhou was instructing Li Fei on how to prepare that kind of poison that could take effect periodically.

"The longer the incubation period of this kind of poison, the greater the difficulty of preparation. If you want the incubation time to last for ten days or half a month, you must have a thorough understanding of the physical condition of the person being poisoned, and prepare the poison according to the specific situation..."

Mo Yizhou's experience was very rich, and he could easily cite various cases, which benefited Li Fei a lot.

The two of them, one teaching and one learning, more than two hours passed unconsciously.

The normal class time was one hour. If the teacher was willing to teach more, then they would teach for a while longer; if they were unwilling, then one would have to wait until the next class to come again.

And Mo Yizhou had finally met a student who truly wanted to learn toxicology, had good aptitude, and had a foundation; he wished he could stay in the classroom with Li Fei for the whole day today.

In the end, it was Li Fei who took the initiative to interrupt Mo Yizhou:

"Teacher Mo, let's stop here for today. The student will come again next class."

"Ah? Okay."

Mo Yizhou nodded, "How about this, I will go to the Academic Affairs Office to modify the class time in a while. From now on, I will hold classes every morning. Come whenever you have time."

Originally on the schedule, he only held three classes a week.

Li Fei felt the other party's enthusiasm and bowed:

"Okay, as long as the student has time, I will definitely come to class every day."

"Good, good, good!"

Mo Yizhou said repeatedly, a smile blooming on his face.

Then he said with a stern face:

"Since you are interested in formulating this type of periodic poison, then this shall be your assessment: the moment you can independently formulate a poison with an incubation period exceeding thirty days, you will have passed the assessment."

The Toxicology course only grants 5 credits for passing the assessment, yet the one Mo Yizhou has set might take many people a year to complete, if they can finish it at all.

But after hearing this, Li Fei nodded to Mo Yizhou with a calm expression:

"Understood, this student will work hard."

After he walked out of the classroom, Mo Yizhou remained standing in place for a long time without moving, a smile appearing on his face from time to time.

When Li Fei walked out of this teaching building, he was startled by the scene before him:

Hundreds of people were standing outside the building, much like the situation outside the dormitory area gate that day.

However, the people who came today were not ordinary; they were from the Ten Great Societies of the Martial University's Stop-the-Conflict Department!

"Junior Li."

Duanmu Weicai wore a smile as he took the lead in walking toward Li Fei.

The current head of the Duanmu family is the "Gambling King," one of the "Seven Kings." As the "son of the richest man," Duanmu Weicai naturally established a society within the Martial University named the "Weicai Society," which is one of the Ten Great Societies.

"Senior Duanmu."

Li Fei bowed to Duanmu Weicai.

He had previously learned of the other's identity from Li Tianyu.

"Junior Li, with so many people waiting, I won't waste your time. I'll be direct: I am here to invite you to join my Weicai Society."

As Duanmu Weicai spoke, he handed Li Fei an envelope.

Li Fei took the envelope, opened it, and glanced inside, discovering a deposit slip from the Taijia Bank with a face value of 100, 00 yuan!

"Senior, this is?"

Li Fei looked at Duanmu Weicai.

Duanmu Weicai laughed: "Many people mock me for just having some stinking money, but I can't help it; I just have money. Having money isn't a crime; not knowing how to spend it is. So, I'll be direct: as long as you are willing to join my Weicai Society, this 100, 00 yuan is a greeting gift."

The crowd of students nearby stirred upon hearing this.

100, 00 yuan!

This money is enough to buy a large mansion in the most prosperous district of Datong Fucheng, to be passed down for generations to come.

Everyone knew Duanmu Weicai was wealthy, but this was the first time anyone present had seen such a grand gesture.

Moreover, Duanmu Weicai had said that the 100, 00 yuan was only a greeting gift.

"As long as you are willing to join my Weicai Society, every time you break through to a new realm in the future, I will give you another 100, 00 yuan! If you can break through to the Dao Foundation Realm, I will give you one million every year!"

Duanmu Weicai continued to raise the stakes, fully demonstrating what it means to be wealthy and imposing.

To be honest, a massive sum of one million is enough to tempt many experts in the Dao Foundation Realm; if Duanmu Weicai were willing to spend one million yuan a year, there would definitely be many Dao Foundation experts willing to sell their lives for him!

If it weren't for the fact that he had the Qingyuan Fist Stronghold and the Qingyuan City Management Company in his hands, Li Fei would have almost been tempted.

Martial cultivation is too expensive, and he also planned to study the path of techniques later, which would be even more money-burning.

Without enough wealth to support him, he would have no way to break through realms quickly, even with the Ten Thousand Blood Bead.

"Many thanks for your kindness, Senior, but I would like to consider it."

Li Fei returned the envelope in his hand to Duanmu Weicai.

Upon hearing this, Duanmu Weicai's smile remained unchanged as he took the envelope:

"Good, you should indeed consider it carefully. However, as long as you are willing to come, the conditions I have offered you will never change!"

After saying this, he turned around and left gracefully amidst the complex gazes of the crowd.

"Junior Li."

Just as Duanmu Weicai left, another person took the initiative to walk over.

This person had an average appearance, far less handsome than Duanmu Weicai, but his bearing was extraordinary; one look and it was clear he was someone accustomed to being in a high position. Although young, he already carried a hint of majesty.

"I am Bian Songnian, President of the Heart-Martial Society."

The newcomer bowed to Li Fei.

"Greetings, Senior Bian."

Li Fei returned the bow.

Last night while eating, he had heard Li Tianyu introduce the Ten Great Societies of the Martial University and those prominent figures.

Bian Songnian is the youngest son of the current Datong Fucheng Garrison Commander, and the Heart-Martial Society he founded is currently the strongest society in the Martial University.

"My purpose in coming is the same as Duanmu Weicai's: to recruit you, Junior. However, my father is an upright official, so I cannot bring out that much money to recruit you."

Bian Songnian said to Li Fei with a smile.

Li Fei said neither humbly nor arrogantly: "Senior Bian is too polite."

"Wealth is a good thing, but there are some things in this world that are more useful than wealth. Do you know what they are, Junior?"

Bian Songnian looked into Li Fei's eyes and asked this.

Compared to Duanmu Weicai's approachability and lack of airs as a scion of a noble family, this youngest son of the Garrison Commander, even while trying to restrain himself, still carried a hint of superior arrogance in his words and demeanor.

Li Fei calmly met his gaze: "Senior Bian means to say, power?"

"Exactly, power!"

Bian Songnian emphasized his tone and said very directly:

"I know that your foster father is now the acting Chief Inspector of Xingcheng. I can give you a promise: as long as you are willing to join the Heart-Martial Society, I guarantee that the word 'acting' before your father's title can be removed within half a year!"

Li Lei is already the "acting Chief Inspector," and although everyone knows that as long as no accidents occur, Li Lei is certain to become the official Chief Inspector in the future.

But as long as the word "acting" is not removed for a single day, there is a possibility of variables existing.

Back when Lu Sheng was the captain of the First Brigade, it was also a certainty that he would become the Deputy Chief Inspector, yet an accident happened in the end.

In officialdom, as long as it is not "in the bag" for a day, no one dares to say they are absolutely secure.

Under normal circumstances, Li Lei would have to be "acting" for at least several years before having the opportunity to be confirmed and become the true Chief Inspector.

But Bian Songnian promised Li Fei that he could let Li Lei remove the word "acting" within half a year.

With so many people present, the recruitment of Li Fei by both Duanmu Weicai and Bian Songnian was surprisingly naked.

One used money!

The other used power!

(End of chapter)