High-Level Martial Era

"People from the five prestigious schools are observing?" Li Yuan was somewhat curious, "Is Jiangbei Martial Arts University willing?"

"Haha, naturally they're not too keen on the idea, but they can't stop it," Xu Bo revealed a smile, "After all, those five schools are much more powerful than it."

"Moreover, even if they could stop it, what would it matter?"

"Do you think the top five hundred Martial Artist Students from the provincial exams would actively choose to enroll at Jiangbei Martial Arts University?" Xu Bo asked.

Li Yuan nodded slightly.

That's right!

To become a student in the Martial Arts class at Jiangbei Martial Arts University, the resources and cultivation efforts received could be comparable to those of ordinary students at the top five prestigious schools.

But of the millions of students taking the exam province-wide, how many would believe they would be the bottom at one of those top five schools?

Like Li Yuan himself, he also believed that despite not having a suitable High Rank Cultivation Method in the short term, as long as he could get into one of the top schools, he could rise step by step.

"Teacher, what primarily do the top five schools observe?" Li Yuan asked curiously, "Normally, isn't it based on the score?"

"Not the same!"

"Have you seen the specific itinerary?" Xu Bo asked, "Inside, there's a Combat Assessment."

"I've seen it," Li Yuan said.

"There are specialized skill exchanges, Combat Assessments, and other special tests," Xu Bo said, "Do you understand the purpose of the country and even the entire Seven Star Alliance in training Martial Artists?"

"To kill the enemy, to protect the nation," Li Yuan instinctively said.

"Right," Xu Bo nodded firmly, "The purpose of training Martial Artists is practical combat, to nurture powerful warriors who can fight for human civilization."

"Thus, many things cannot be discerned by scores alone, they must be teased out through various events and actions."

"Take the simplest example."

"Some people have high talent and strong physical quality, but their mentality is flawed. They falter in life-and-death struggles, unable to display even a tenth of their strength during critical moments. Could they be a focus for key cultivation?" Xu Bo said with a smile.

"High scores but low ability?" Li Yuan immediately understood.

"Then there are some who seem to have extreme talent, but are very selfish, considering only themselves in everything," Xu Bo said somberly, as if recalling something, "If cultivated, they could potentially threaten human civilization for their own gain."

"For their own benefit, to the threat of human civilization?" Li Yuan held his breath.

"Don't be shocked," Xu Bo shook his head, "Looking back in history, were such things rare? Everyone has their own selfish desires, but there's a limit which must not be exceeded."

"Those who are extremely selfish, if detected by those above, will be approached with great caution regarding their cultivation."

Li Yuan nodded gently; he very much agreed with this point of view.

"As for these tests and observations, I'm not worried about you," Xu Bo looked at Li Yuan, "I consider myself quite accurate in judging people."

Over time, Xu Bo's recognition and fondness for Li Yuan only grew stronger.

"Teacher," Li Yuan couldn't help but touch his head, a bit embarrassed.

"According to the information I've received, just from Jiang City alone, more than three hundred people will attend. For the entire province, I estimate it will be over a thousand people," Xu Bo continued.

"That many?" Li Yuan was somewhat surprised.

It was much larger in scale than what Teacher Chen had mentioned.

Organizing an event for over a thousand people, selecting individuals from all over the province, involves a tremendous amount of manpower and resources.

The attention given by those above to this invitation event became apparent.

"The tentative time is in March, which is before your April adjustment exam," Xu Bo said, "You have three months, enough time to further enhance your strength."

Li Yuan listened attentively.

"What you need to do is focus on cultivating and strive to perform well during the event, aiming to secure an invitation to the special training offered by the top five schools," Xu Bo said earnestly.

"Special training invitation?" Li Yuan recalled what Teacher Chen had mentioned.

"Martial Artist Students are different from academic students."

"Academic students go to university in September and are then slowly cultivated," Xu Bo said, "But for Martial Artist Students, from the moment they fill out their preferences, as soon as the universities send out their acceptance notices around late June, the state will start distributing various resources to aid in cultivation."

Li Yuan nodded slightly.

This was common knowledge.

Why does Xia Country only recruit a little over two hundred thousand Martial Artist Students each year? Doesn't the nation want to train more?

The reality is that the resource subsidies for each Martial Arts University student are an exorbitant figure.

For academic university students, the state subsidizes tens of thousands of Blue Star Coins per year.

But for Martial Arts University students, it starts at ten times that amount.

Not just in Xia Country, but across all Seven Great Planets, a vast majority of resources from human civilization are poured into the Martial Arts Universities.

"Students at the top five schools start their schooling in early July," Xu Bo said, "But normal initiation into cultivation and special training are different."

"The special training is for those recognized as elites and will receive many resources exclusive to the university," Xu Bo said, "If you can be selected for special training from the beginning, your chances of becoming a Second Rank Prime Warrior will greatly increase."

Li Yuan held his breath and listened.

Many things are subject to information asymmetry.

This knowledge wouldn't be a secret for families of Martial Artists who graduated from the top five schools.

Li Yuan? He certainly wasn't clear on this.

After all, his uncle, Li Changzhou, had only been an ordinary student at Jiangbei Martial Arts University.

"In the invitation event, those who perform excellently will be invited?" Li Yuan pondered.

"Correct."

Xu Bo said earnestly, "In a sense, this is also your biggest opportunity."

"Biggest opportunity?" Li Yuan was taken aback.

"The normal list for special training still considers scores," Xu Bo explained, "For example, the top fifty in the provincial exams are a must for the special training list without exceptions; this is mandated by the national policy to prevent any personal manipulation."

Li Yuan nodded slightly, agreeing that using scores as a criterion is the right approach.

Not letting the decision be solely at the discretion of the schools.

Only a well-established system can ensure long-term stability and peace.

"If you don't awaken your Martial Spirit, even with a bonus of 20 points, are you confident about breaking into the top fifty in the province?" Xu Bo looked at Li Yuan.

Li Yuan thought for a moment and shook his head: "No confidence."

Indeed, no confidence.

According to the experience of previous years, the overall scores of the top fifty in the province usually exceed 1,000 points.

"The number of independent places offered by the prestigious schools isn't that many," Xu Bo said. "Therefore, you must cherish this opportunity and show off your strengths."

"For example, spiritual power, martial arts skills, actual combat... strive to sign a special training contract in advance."

"Your newly acquired 'Young Hero' title is also a boost, it will add quite a bit of luster to your profile," Xu Bo said with a smile.

This morning, when Xu Bo learned that Li Yuan had received this honor, he was very surprised and delighted.

"It was also a fluke," Li Yuan said, touching his head again.

"A fluke? But you still need strength," Xu Bo shook his head. "When the opportunity comes, only those who are well prepared can seize it."

"If it were other students, would they be able to seize it?"

"Surviving without being killed by Star Realm Creatures is already quite good," Xu Bo remarked with emotion.

Li Yuan nodded slightly.

"After the invitation event ends, sign up with whichever school is willing to give you a special training spot. Don't just fixate on Kunlun Martial Arts University," Xu Bo said.

"Yes," Li Yuan nodded.

He had long heard that many students who performed exceptionally well in the January and April assessments were fought over by the top five prestigious schools to sign a targeted contract for college entrance preferences.

"Thank you for the guidance, Teacher," Li Yuan expressed his gratitude.

If Xu Bo hadn't mentioned it, Li Yuan might not have paid much attention to this event, and he could have missed the opportunity.

"No need to thank me."

"Only those who break into the top ten of their grade are eligible for this event," Xu Bo said with a smile. "The opportunity was fought for by yourself."

"If you're going to thank anyone, thank the hard-working you of the past."

"I, am merely fulfilling the responsibilities of a teacher."

"Alright."

"It's past five, go eat first to avoid having to queue up later," Xu Bo waved his hand.

...

At night, in the Wan Hua Platinum Mansion where his family lives.

"Mom, mom, look quick! Brother is on TV!!" Li Qianqian tugged at Chen Hui's hand, eagerly pointing to the distant projection screen.

"I'm watching, I'm watching," Chen Hui said.

"Brother looks so cool," Li Muhua's eyes widened at the projection, which showed the day's award ceremony as reported by the Jiang City television station.

The segment wasn't long, just over twenty seconds, but it was enough to explain the entire event.

"Brother, I want to be a young hero too someday; brother, you're really cool," Li Muhua looked up at Li Yuan with admiration.

Li Yuan was about to speak.

Smack~ a slap landed on Li Muhua's buttocks.

"You want to be what kind of hero? Do you have the strength your brother has?" Chen Hui scolded with a frown. "Just take care of yourself, understand? If you want to be a hero, talk about it after you become a Martial Artist."

Smack~

Another slap landed on Li Muhua's buttocks.

"Mom, that's enough, I got it, take care of myself, immediately distance myself and report to authorities in case of danger, don't join in on the chaos, don't go to crowded places, stay away from the riverbank, and the lake..." Li Muhua chuckled as he jumped up, reciting the 'Li family maxims.'

Li Yuan and Li Qianqian couldn't help but laugh as well.

"And you."

"Xiao Yuan, such a big event, why didn't you tell me earlier?" Chen Hui looked at Li Yuan with full concern: "If your teacher hadn't sent me a message, I would have had no idea."

"Auntie, didn't I come out alright?" Li Yuan said repeatedly: "I thought there was no need to worry you if I was fine, so I didn't mention it. I'll definitely be more careful next time."

"You're thinking there will be a next time?"

"How would I explain it to your uncle if something happened to you?" Chen Hui unleashed her words like a machine gun: "You were lucky this time; the Star Realm Creature you encountered wasn't strong. Can you guarantee next time that..."

Li Yuan smiled and comforted his aunt.

He knew his aunt meant well, worried for his safety.

...

Late at night, the house was quiet, and Li Yuan had entered the virtual network.

Inside the Starfire Space.

Li Yuan glanced at the two screens before him, one for his bank account, the other for points:

Bank balance: 1,885,340 Blue Star Coins

Martial Hall Points: 1,714,280

Martial Hall Cultivation Points: 700,000

...

"The Martial Hall actually rewarded me with 200,000 Blue Star Coins this time?" Li Yuan looked at his bank account balance.

He had received three transfers that day.

He then checked the message from the Left Hall Master.

"This solves the pressing needs," Li Yuan thought to himself. "The next few months are for vigorous cultivation."

"Before the invitation event, increase my strength as much as possible."