High Martial Arts Era 24

Chapter 24: Deposit! Joy!

July 31, 2024

Chapter 24: Deposit! Joy!

Eight o’clock in the morning, Guanshan District No. 1 High School.

Li Yuan furrowed his brow, turning the pen in his hand as he worked on the math exam in front of him. He felt a throbbing headache. Derivatives, limits, continuity, indefinite integrals, linear transformations… over a century-old university content had now become a part of the college entrance examination math questions.

People of this era had much stronger physical constitutions and higher learning efficiency, leading to higher exam difficulty.

“Math, so hard.”

“Memorizing history and biology is much easier than this,” Li Yuan muttered to himself, but he was still working diligently on these math problems.

Since the start of his sophomore year, Li Yuan’s spiritual power had been steadily improving, resulting in significant enhancements to his thinking speed and memory… As a result, even though he only dedicated 4 hours each day to cultural studies, his academic scores were still on par with his classmates.

In fact, his overall academic ranking within the entire grade had even improved.

Keep in mind that Guanshan District No. 1 High School was a key high school. The average students here would be considered academic stars in ordinary high schools.

However, this was nearly the limit of Li Yuan’s academic learning capacity.

Increased memory had significantly boosted Li Yuan’s scores in subjects that required rote memorization, such as language, history, and biology… but subjects like math and physics remained challenging.

Unfortunately, in the current college entrance examination, math and physics carried the highest proportion of marks.

“I still have to study diligently and aim for full marks in the basics of math, physics, and chemistry,” Li Yuan resolved to himself.

Just then.

Buzz~

Li Yuan’s smart ring vibrated, twice in a row.

“Hmm?” Li Yuan glanced at it with the corner of his eye, his pupils widening.

“Your account ending in 1486 received Blue Star Coins 50000.00… transferred from account ending in… Balance 83124.64 Blue Star Coins.”

“Your account ending in 1486 received Blue Star Coins 50000.00… transferred from account ending in… Balance 133124.64 Blue Star Coins.”

Two payments, one of 50,000 was the reward from the Stellaluna Fighting Network.

Another 50,000 was the second-place scholarship award.

“Good.” Li Yuan couldn’t help but clench his fist. If he weren’t in class, he might have even jumped for joy.

100,000 Blue Star Coins!

Li Yuan had never received such a large sum of money in his life.

Most importantly, in a way, this was a reward Li Yuan had earned through his own efforts.

It was fundamentally different from what his uncle and aunt had given him.

Just like how many people, upon entering the workforce, would deeply remember their first paycheck, even if they later earned ten or a hundred times that amount… nothing could replace the significance of their first salary.

The first time is always special.

“Yuan Ge, what’s up? You seem so happy? Did you get the big question right?” Yan Zhou, who sat next to him, muttered while staring at his own exam paper. “Let me see.”

“No.”

Li Yuan calmed down, subconsciously raising his head slightly to look at the teacher, wanting to see if the teacher had noticed him. “I only ever do the first question.”

Suddenly.

“Some students, don’t think the teacher can’t see you, it’s just that they don’t want to call you out.” A cold voice rang out: “Do it yourself! Can you cheat during the college entrance exam?”

Li Yuan and Yan Zhou simultaneously lowered their heads and shut their mouths.

…

Nine o’clock in the morning, the principal’s office.

Principal Tan Zhenlong, who was working at his desk, suddenly looked up, his eyes fixed on the shimmering holographic projection nearby.

“Master, it’s the ‘Wang Director’ from the Education Bureau.” A gentle voice echoed.

“Nine, answer.” Principal Tan put down his pen. “Activate guest mode.”

“Yes.”

Whoosh~ Tan Zhenlong’s office instantly transformed. Rays of light swept across the space, significantly changing the style of the entire office. The changing lights created a visually more comfortable experience.

“Director Wang.” Principal Tan smiled.

In the projection, a young man wearing a jacket appeared, looking to be about thirty years old.

“Principal Tan, I apologize for the interruption.” Director Wang smiled. “There’s something I need your help with, regarding one of your students.”

“A student?” Principal Tan was instantly confused.

“Well, this morning, the City Martial Arts Bureau notified us and requested information on one of your students named Li Yuan. He should be a senior, right?” Director Wang said. “He just broke into the Blue Star Youngsters Leaderboard yesterday…”

“Li Yuan? I know this student, he’s a good prospect.” Principal Tan nodded repeatedly. “I understand, I’ll gather his information and send it to you immediately.”

Having worked in education for decades, he had encountered similar situations countless times.

Principal Tan understood the cause and effect and knew what he should do.

“Okay, it’s just a formality. I won’t bother you any further.” Director Wang smiled. “You keep busy.”

The video call ended.

“Li Yuan?”

“Blue Star Youngsters Leaderboard? He climbed it so fast?” Principal Tan sat behind his desk, secretly astonished.

Yesterday, he was invited to witness Lin Lan Yue and Li Yuan’s duel and had a feeling that Li Yuan might potentially ascend the Blue Star Youngsters Leaderboard.

But he hadn’t expected it to happen so quickly.

After giving it some thought.

“Nine, contact Teacher Xu Bo.” Principal Tan said, and the connection was quickly established.

“Old Tan, you’re looking for me?” Xu Bo appeared on the video, smiling. “What’s up? Tell me quickly, don’t delay my cultivation.”

“You’re cultivating during work time?” Principal Tan glared.

“There are no Martial Arts classes in the morning, what else should I do?” Xu Bo retorted confidently. “I’m putting in effort to cultivate so I can properly work, you know.”

Principal Tan chuckled helplessly. “Okay, alright, let’s not joke around. I need to talk to you about something.”

Swiftly.

Principal Tan explained the situation.

“Blue Star Youngsters Leaderboard? Martial Arts Bureau? It must be the special recruitment by the five renowned academies.” Xu Bo shook his head gently. “Based on my experience, I doubt he’ll get the special recruitment qualification.”

In this era, the Martial Arts Department, responsible for managing martial artists across the Xia Kingdom, held immense power.

Its subordinate Martial Arts Halls and Martial Arts Bureaus were also incredibly influential.

“Mm, I think so too.” Principal Tan sighed. “Without awakening his Martial Spirit, it means he’s not compatible with any high-level cultivation methods. His future physical progress will lag far behind other martial artists. It’s indeed difficult to be directly recruited into the five renowned academies.”

Xu Bo nodded slightly, without saying more.

While he had his suspicions, Li Yuan’s impressive physical progress and actual talent… were just his guesses.

Over the years, not just within the entire human civilization, but even just within the Xia Kingdom, there had been countless students like Li Yuan: strong in martial arts skills, with decent physical fitness, yet they never awakened their Martial Spirit…

Very few of them ultimately emerged as standouts.

“Just focus on cultivating him well.” Principal Tan pondered. “Even if he doesn’t get the special recruitment, his grades are good enough to get into a Martial Arts University. His future won’t be bad.”

“Maybe he’ll catch up to you someday,” Principal Tan suddenly joked.

“Hope so,” Xu Bo changed the subject. “By the way, Old Tan, since the special recruitment screening is already happening, why don’t you go ahead and…”

Before Xu Bo could finish his sentence.

“Nine!” The smile on Principal Tan’s face vanished, and he waved his hand. “Hang up.”

…

“Special recruitment?”

Xu Bo, wearing his martial arts uniform, stood in his office and pondered. “Forget it, it’s a long shot. I won’t tell Li Yuan, it’ll just make him anxious.”

Xu Bo continued practicing his basic cultivation method.

“After losing my arm, the nerve toxin wasn’t completely eliminated, my Source Power circulation is hindered, and my dantian is also damaged, my physical fitness has dropped by 4 levels.” Xu Bo thought silently to himself. “For so many years, I’ve only been able to barely maintain level 19.”

“But at least, I’m still alive.”

“As long as I don’t give up, there will always be a glimmer of hope.” Xu Bo’s eyes held a glimmer of light.

…

Li Yuan was completely unaware of the special recruitment qualification screening he was being considered for.

Noon break.

“Old Zhou, you guys go to the cafeteria first, I have something to do.” Li Yuan told Zhou Qi and the others to go ahead.

The students left one after another until only Li Yuan remained.

Reaching the classroom door, he glanced at the corridor, confirming that both classrooms on either side were empty.

Li Yuan could no longer hold back. He immediately activated his smart ring: “Xiao Yu, connect me with Auntie.”

“Beep——Beep——”

A full six seconds.

Buzz~ A holographic projection materialized in front of Li Yuan. Only he could see it… an anti-peeping screen.

“Xiao Yuan, what’s wrong? You’re calling me so urgently?” Li Yuan’s aunt, Chen Hui, looked at him anxiously. Based on the background, she seemed to be in her office.

Chen Hui was a middle school teacher.

“Auntie, put on your earphones.” Li Yuan smiled. “I have some good news for you.”

“Good news?” Li Yuan’s aunt, Chen Hui, was taken aback.

She quickly put on her earphones.

“Auntie, it’s about the scholarship and…” Li Yuan immediately explained the situation, emphasizing in the end: “Auntie, rest assured, I’m not lying to you, the money has already been deposited into my account.”

As he spoke, Li Yuan sent his aunt a screenshot of his account balance.

“100,000 Blue Star Coins?” Chen Hui’s mouth slightly agape, she was somewhat surprised.

That was almost equal to her annual salary.

“Good!”

“Good!” Chen Hui repeated the word “good” twice. Her eyes were slightly moist, and she instructed, “Xiao Yuan, go eat first, remember to call your Uncle after you finish eating. Call before 1 o’clock, they’re taking their lunch break from 1 to 2.”

“He knows, he’ll be very happy.”

Since her son and daughter entered middle school, plus Li Yuan, these past few years, Chen Hui had felt immense financial pressure.

Especially this month, her husband, Li Changzhou, had gone to the warfront in Beijiang Province for a hefty compensation.

Chen Hui often worried, staying awake all night, fearing that she would suddenly receive a tragic news.

However, she couldn’t let her children see this.

Chen Hui knew that Li Yuan’s 100,000 Blue Star Coins wouldn’t solve their family’s problems.

But at this moment, Chen Hui finally saw a glimmer of hope.

… After hanging up with his aunt.

Li Yuan tried calling his uncle, Li Changzhou, on video call, wanting to share the good news.

Beep——Beep——

No answer.

“No answer?” Li Yuan was startled, a hint of worry crept into his mind, but he immediately comforted himself. “Uncle and the others must be busy.”

He left a message on the communication platform, detailing the situation and sending a screenshot of his deposit balance to Li Changzhou.

With everything taken care of.

Li Yuan finally relaxed a bit and walked out of the classroom.

The late September sun shone on the corridor, falling on Li Yuan as well.

Warm and cozy.

“The sunshine today is so nice.” Li Yuan smiled, walking downstairs towards the cafeteria.

(End of Chapter)

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