High Martial Arts Era 28

Li Yuan hung up the video call with Zhong Cheng.

He thought for a moment, fearing he might disturb his uncle Li Changzhou’s rest, and didn’t immediately video call him. Instead, he left a message, briefly explaining the situation.

Just five minutes later, Li Changzhou called back, and Li Yuan immediately answered.

“Uncle.” Li Yuan looked at the video projection of Li Changzhou, covered in dust, as if he had just finished a strenuous task.

“I know the gist of it.” Li Changzhou’s face didn’t show the joy Li Yuan had expected, but instead, he furrowed his brow. “If Stellaluna Martial Temple ultimately only offers a D-Level contract, then you can decide if you want to sign it or not later.”

“Oh?” Li Yuan was slightly confused.

The Martial Arts Hall’s special recruitment had always been Li Yuan’s top priority. Yet, he hadn’t received any news for over a month.

In truth, initially, Li Yuan hadn’t been very eager to sign with a Martial Temple early. But these past few days, Li Yuan had searched online for a lot of information. He knew that overall, early signing with one of the major Martial Temples was a good thing. Aside from a greater sense of binding, there were no major downsides.

Most importantly, as long as one signed early, regardless of the level, it would indeed significantly reduce the family’s financial pressure.

One could even receive cash rewards and provide financial assistance to their family.

Li Yuan felt a sense of debt towards his uncle and aunt.

He always felt that his uncle’s risky trip to the Northern Border Province was because of him.

“I’ve used some connections to get to the bottom of this.” Li Changzhou patiently explained. “Over the years, the early signing contracts of the three major Martial Temples are categorized into five tiers, from low to high: D-Level, C-Level, B-Level, A-Level, and S-Level.”

“The terms for contracts of the same level across different Martial Temples are pretty much the same.”

Li Yuan nodded slightly. So, in the eyes of Stellaluna Martial Temple, he was considered the lowest tier?

But, to be able to sign early was already a sign of exceptional talent.

“A D-Level contract provides one million Blue Star Coins per year for a total of six years.” Li Changzhou said in a low voice. “It sounds great, but you need to know.”

“The resources you need for your cultivation now are different from the ones you’ll need after entering university and becoming a Wujia.”

“For example, a basic Qi and Blood Medicine costs only 2000 Blue Star Coins. You only need to spend 20,000 Blue Star Coins a month now.”

“Once you become a Wujia, even just the first-tier Basic Qi and Blood Medicine that first-tier Wujias use costs 10,000 Blue Star Coins per bottle. You’ll need at least ten bottles a month, maybe even twenty to thirty.” Li Changzhou said solemnly. “Just for this most basic item, you’ll need at least a million Blue Star Coins per year.”

“Then there are ‘auxiliary spirit-nurturing treasures,’ which are essential if you aim to become a second-tier Source Warrior in the future. It costs at least a few million Blue Star Coins a year…”

“Then there’s therapy…”

“And then you have to buy weapons, various auxiliary equipment. Wujias have to fight against Star Realm creatures, how could their equipment be ordinary? It’s expensive and breaks easily.” Li Changzhou looked at Li Yuan. “One million is a lot for you now.”

“If you’re not interested in Martial Arts, if you want to pursue other majors in university.”

“Then you don’t need to spend much money on Martial Arts, you can cultivate slowly at university, and strive to become a 15-level Wujia in the future. This contract could even be considered generous. You might even be able to save a few million Blue Star Coins.” Li Changzhou said. “After you graduate, according to the contract, Stellaluna Martial Temple will also give you a job.”

“Then, like your Uncle Zhong, you can work as a regular member of the Martial Temple, and enjoy various benefits no worse than a civil servant.”

“If Stellaluna Martial Temple actively terminates the contract, and doesn’t give you a job, you’ll still be able to find another job with a few million Blue Star Coins. It’s a win-win situation.”

“This is a path to a comfortable life, a path where you can simply relax and enjoy.” Li Changzhou stared at Li Yuan.

Li Yuan was surprised.

He hadn’t expected this kind of approach.

“But Li Yuan, are you truly content with being an ordinary person? An ordinary Wujia?” Li Changzhou stared at Li Yuan.

Li Yuan fell silent.

“You’re not satisfied.” Li Changzhou shook his head, sighing. “I’ve watched you grow up, how could I not understand? Your relentless cultivation, besides wanting to help your family, the most important reason is because you have a warrior’s heart.”

“From second year of junior high to third year of high school, have you ever rested for even a single day on weekends, or during summer or winter break? Even during Chinese New Year, you were cultivating.”

“You are harsh on yourself.”

“This ruthlessness, I’ve never seen it before. I can’t compare to you, your father couldn’t compare to you either.” Li Changzhou said slowly.

Li Yuan’s eyes moved slightly. Over the years, his uncle had rarely spoken this much, and never mentioned his deceased father.

“Your aunt has always wanted you to take the civil service exam in the future and become a teacher. She always blames me, thinking I shouldn’t support you.”

“Why don’t I oppose you becoming a full-time Wujia?” Li Changzhou’s voice held a hint of excitement. “I don’t want you to regret it like I did when I was forty.”

Li Yuan was startled, and looked at his uncle in shock.

“Being a full-time Wujia is dangerous.”

Li Changzhou smiled readily. “But since ancient times, which good men have not yearned to conquer battlefields and pursue the ultimate limit of Martial Arts?”

“To truly become like gods, with a human body! To explore the limits of life.”

“I’ve lost my chance.”

“But you still have yours.” Li Changzhou smiled at Li Yuan. The helmet on his head was covered in mud, making him look slightly unkempt.

Li Yuan held his breath, listening.

“If you want to take the path of a full-time Wujia, this amount of money, the money from this contract, is far from enough.” Li Changzhou continued. “But your future will be tied down by this contract.”

Hesitating for a moment, Li Yuan couldn’t help but say, “Uncle, according to the information I found, as long as you perform well enough, Stellaluna Martial Temple will upgrade your contract.”

“But what if Stellaluna Martial Temple doesn’t upgrade it?” Li Changzhou countered. “Why should you give others control over your own destiny?”

Li Yuan realized.

“Your Uncle Zhong is a good man, but many things are beyond his control as a regular member.” Li Changzhou said. “Moreover, as far as I know, once you sign an early contract with a Martial Temple, your future development in Wudao University will be restricted.”

“Restricted?” Li Yuan was taken aback. This was a point he hadn’t considered.

“For example, the top five universities in Xia Nation are funded by the government.” Li Changzhou said. “If you sign an early contract with a Martial Temple, you are destined to join the Martial Temple after graduation… Do you think that when it comes to choosing between you and another special recruitment student from the Martial Arts Hall for special resources in the university, which student will the university choose?”

Li Yuan’s eyes flickered.

Signing an early contract with a Martial Temple was indeed a form of restriction in a way.

“This contract…”

“Go to the Martial Temple on Sunday, get some information from your Uncle Zhong. If you can upgrade it to C-Level and have a clause for passive upgrade, such as automatic upgrade to B-Level or even A-Level if you reach a certain standard by a certain age, then signing it wouldn’t be bad.” Li Changzhou patiently explained.

“If you want to be a full-time Wujia, the Martial Temple is indeed a better choice. But if the restrictions are too great, then don’t sign it.”

“Li Yuan, I know what you’re thinking, you want to help your family.” Li Changzhou stared at Li Yuan. “But remember, your uncle is still alive.”

“It’s not time for you to completely shoulder the weight of this family.”

“At least until you go to university, don’t worry about it. All you have to do is devote yourself completely to your cultivation, understand?” Li Changzhou said solemnly.

“Yes, Uncle.” Li Yuan nodded vigorously.

“I believe in you, I won’t be wrong.” Li Changzhou looked at Li Yuan.

“The fact that Starfire Martial Temple and Stellaluna Martial Temple are not signing you now is because they lack foresight.”

“When your college entrance exam results come out, or even when you enter university, you will naturally receive better contracts.”

“You can sign later.”

…

His uncle Li Changzhou’s words made Li Yuan completely calm down and think about the situation more rationally.

“Uncle is right.”

“What’s the rush? In the end, they’ll be the ones in a hurry.” Li Yuan smiled slightly.

He continued to cultivate.

In a blink of an eye, two days passed. It was Saturday, and Li Yuan continued his usual routine, going to school and returning home.

On Saturday afternoon.

All the high school seniors were in the Martial Arts classroom for their Martial Arts class.

At the school gate.

Several black cars slowly arrived, and six figures got out of the cars.

Five of them were wearing black suits, while only one middle-aged man was wearing a black Tang suit. He seemed ordinary, but gave off an inexplicable aura.

“Wan Temple Lord.”

“Wan Temple Lord, welcome to our school.” Principal Tan Zhenlong and several other vice-principals walked forward, smiling to greet him.

“Iron Tower.” The middle-aged man looked directly at Xu Bo, who was standing at a distance, and smiled. “It’s been a long time since we last met in the Star Boundary.”

“Old Wan.” Xu Bo finally walked forward, grinning. “I never thought the new Temple Lord of the Guanshan Branch of Starfire Martial Temple would be you.”

“Welcome!”

(End of Chapter)

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