## Chapter 85: Jade Within the Stone (4000 Monthly Ticket Bonus Chapter)
“星辰地髓晶?” Wan Qinghe’s eyes flickered with doubt, “What is that?”
He had heard of a few kinds of “髓晶” (髓晶: literally “marrow crystal,” a type of high-grade mineral used in martial arts cultivation).
But he had never heard of one with this name.
On the other hand, the black-robed elder, Fei Qian, was startled: “星辰地髓晶? Sir, are you serious?”
Fei Qian had only heard other Feitian Wujia (Feitian Wujia: Heavenly Flight Warrior, a martial artist who can fly) mention this treasure casually.
He had never seen it before.
“Are you questioning my decision?” A cold female voice came from the screen.
“My subordinate dare not,” Fei Qian quickly said, lowering his head involuntarily.
As the city lord of the provincial capital and one of the top five figures in the Jiangbei Branch of the Xinghuo Martial Temple, he was an absolute figure of power in the eyes of ordinary people.
But even the other three deputy provincial temple lords had to bow their heads before Yang, the provincial temple lord.
No other reason! Just strength!
A 29th-level Source Warrior is worlds apart from a Feitian Wujia.
Human Source Warriors are powerful, with bursts of speed that can reach the speed of sound. A single battle could level a small town, but ultimately they cannot fly, and their Source Power is not infinite. With a large number of conventional weapons, it is possible to kill them.
But Feitian Wujia?
Bullets? Missiles? They might not even be as fast as a Feitian Wujia’s flight speed.
Besides super-large-scale weapons of mass destruction, such as nuclear weapons, conventional weapons are basically ineffective.
The key is to ambush them!
Otherwise, if a Feitian Wujia sees them from a distance, as long as they escape the center of the nuclear explosion, they will not die.
A walking nuclear weapon, indeed.
“Beep~”
The communication was cut off.
“Whew!” Fei Qian finally let out a sigh of relief and sat back down, glancing at Wan Qinghe, who looked anxious.
“My esteemed Wan Temple Lord,” Fei Qian leaned back and put his legs on the desk, “Are you trying to say that I’m senile, or that I don’t value talent? Keep going, I’m listening.”
One second!
A smile spread across Wan Qinghe’s face, and he leaned forward, taking the initiative to pour tea: “Elder Fei, you’ve misunderstood me. As you and I have just discussed, you are always insightful.”
Wan Qinghe knew that after receiving Li Yuan’s information, Fei Qian must have reported to Yang, the provincial temple lord.
Otherwise, the provincial temple lord wouldn’t have contacted him so quickly.
“My visit today is about Li Yuan, but I mainly wanted to report to you about the recent preparation work for the Guan Shan Branch’s Martial Artist Convention…” Wan Qinghe started talking immediately and respectfully offered the teacup: “Elder Fei, this tea smells like good tea.”
“This was brewed last night.”
“I was lazy this morning and just added some boiling water.” Fei Qian took the teacup and placed it aside.
“You are referring to the previous pot,” Wan Qinghe chuckled: “This pot was brewed again when you went out just now.”
“You little rascal,” Fei Qian shook his head with a smile, “You must have cursed me out eight hundred times in your heart, right?”
“I dare not.”
“If I didn’t know you were wise and generous, how dare I come directly?” Wan Qinghe declared righteously.
“Let’s not beat around the bush,” the black-robed elder, Fei Qian, said seriously: “This Li Yuan you mentioned is indeed remarkable. Before his information was passed to me, I had already received notification that he had entered the ‘Falling Star Level’ on the Stellaluna Fighting Network.”
“Falling Star Level?” Wan Qinghe nodded, not surprised.
“Combined with your information,”
“Giving him an A-Rank Contract is pretty much fitting,” Fei Qian chuckled, “But I chose to apply for an S-Rank Contract for him. Do you know why?”
Wan Qinghe shook his head.
As the city lord, Fei Qian could directly decide on an A-Rank Contract.
But an S-Rank Contract? It must be approved by the provincial temple lord, or at least two deputy provincial temple lords.
“Speed of progress,” Fei Qian said the four words.
Wan Qinghe pondered.
“Martial arts prodigies generally follow two paths,” Fei Qian smiled: “The first is like Jing He, who shows their brilliance at a young age and rises to prominence all the way. Tian Dazhuang, who was signed by the Martial Arts Hall this year, also has this flavor.”
Wan Qinghe nodded. He had heard of Tian Dazhuang.
In fact, in the assessments of various high-level forces, Tian Dazhuang was slightly higher than Wu Dongdong.
Physical fitness is indeed important.
But Tian Dazhuang’s poor physical fitness is mainly due to insufficient resources. Once he gets more resources later on, he might not be able to keep up with Wu Dongdong.
“The second is ‘Fang Hai’,” Fei Qian said: “Initially, he was dazzlingly incredible, but as he went…he wasn’t as strong.”
Wan Qinghe nodded.
Fang Hai was a name that had been recorded in Xia’s martial arts history and even on Blue Star’s martial arts history. At fourteen, he reached the fourth level of skill, at sixteen, he reached the fifth level… an absolute prodigy.
He was once considered by the Xinghuo Martial Temple to be a peerless genius with the potential to rival the Grand Temple Lord, ‘Dongfang Ji.’
Later… while his achievements were still quite good, they were far lower than the minimum expectations.
“There are also a very few who follow a third path, different from these two, the ‘Jade Within the Stone’,” Fei Qian chuckled.
“Jade Within the Stone?” Wan Qinghe savored the metaphor.
“Initially, it is like a rough stone, as the stone shell gradually wears away, it will gradually reveal its true form,” Fei Qian said with a faint smile, “And the more it is carved, the more brilliance it radiates, ultimately becoming a masterpiece.”
Wan Qinghe held his breath: “Elder Fei, you mean Li Yuan?”
“It’s too early to say for sure,” Fei Qian smiled, “However, judging from his junior high school information alone, you can only say he is a decent junior high school student.”
Wan Qinghe nodded.
“In high school, his rate of progress accelerated; in high two, it was even faster,” Fei Qian said, “In the last half year of high three, it was even more terrifying. In terms of rate of progress, it was even more exaggerated than other S-Rank students.”
Wan Qinghe nodded: “Elder Fei is wise.”
“Whether he is a jade or not still needs to be seen,” Fei Qian chuckled, “But at least it’s a piece of jade.”
“Yang, the provincial temple lord, is probably considering something similar, which is why he promised the星辰地髓晶.”
“星辰地髓晶, what is it?” Wan Qinghe couldn’t help but ask.
“Don’t ask.”
“Wait until Li Yuan comes back… Not today. I have to go to the Xia headquarters and won’t be back until twenty days later,” Fei Qian said, “Your application has been approved. Sign it on my behalf. When I get back, you can bring him to see me.”
“Yes.” Wan Qinghe nodded.
“Go ahead.” Fei Qian said, “Pay close attention to Li Yuan. Report any changes immediately. Handle some minor things as you see fit.”
“Yes.”
…
Wan Qinghe left Fei Qian’s office and went straight to the third floor.
He entered one of the offices.
“Old Wan, what brings you here?” A chubby middle-aged man was flipping through some files.
“Tiger, Elder Fei asked me to find you about something,” Wan Qinghe whispered.
The chubby middle-aged man immediately understood it was a private matter.
“What?” He also lowered his voice.
“That house in the Xinghuo Nanhu District, isn’t it vacant now?” Wan Qinghe bumped the chubby middle-aged man’s arm and winked.
The chubby middle-aged man stood up, went to the door, looked left and right, closed the door, and then said, “Which one?”
“The one in District One?”
“You got the news fast,” the chubby middle-aged man said, “For who?”
“For a kid who is about to sign an A-Rank Contract. According to the contract level, he can stay in District Two for free,” Wan Qinghe said in a low voice, “Elder Fei meant to upgrade him to District One.”
“District One, at least you need to be a Source Warrior or have an S-Rank Contract,” the chubby middle-aged man frowned, “Or you need a special approval document from the city lord.”
“Don’t we have enough special approval quotas this year? If we could get one, why would Elder Fei ask me to find you?” Wan Qinghe chuckled, “Tiger, I’ve sent you the information. Elder Fei asked you to figure something out.”
“I’ll wait for good news. I’ll treat you to dinner next time.”
With that, Wan Qinghe didn’t wait for the other man’s reply, turning, opening the door, and closing the door.
All in one go.
“A-Rank Contract?”
“The review time was five minutes ago?” The chubby middle-aged man muttered, glancing at Li Yuan’s information in the contract, “Li Yuan? Isn’t his Martial Spirit even awakened yet?”
The information didn’t have Li Yuan’s recent situation.
The middle-aged man wasn’t worried that Wan Qinghe was lying.
He had just reviewed the A-Rank Contract, meaning Elder Fei had just reviewed it, and then Wan Qinghe came to him immediately… The answer was obvious.
“Is he Elder Fei’s illegitimate son? Hey, he looks quite a bit like him.”
The middle-aged man looked at the information more and more intently.
…
At Jiangbei Wudao University, after lunch, everyone went back to their dorms to pack.
“Auntie.”
Li Yuan received a video call from his aunt, Chen Hui.
“Hmm? Was Uncle in Base Three? Wasn’t he in Base Seven?”
“Was Base Three evacuated? Good! That’s good!” Li Yuan pretended to have just found out, looking excited and reassuring his aunt.
He had exchanged messages with his aunt twice in the past few days.
“Auntie, I got first place in the practical exam yesterday,” Li Yuan said with a smile, “I performed very well in this event. Jiangbei Wudao University and the military jointly awarded me 3.5 million Blue Star Coins. Everything is great. Don’t worry.”
“I will be home tonight.” Li Yuan also shared some good news from the past few days with his aunt.
As for reaching the Falling Star Level?
He hadn’t directly upgraded to an A-Rank Contract yet, so Li Yuan didn’t want to reveal too much for now.
He hung up the phone.
“According to Lin Lan Yue, she knows more than what’s on the news. Base Three should be safe,” Li Yuan sighed, “But there’s still no news.”
“I wonder how things are.”
All morning, he had been flipping through the war news about the Lubo Sea, but there was nothing new.
“Li Yuan, let’s go,” Gu Qiang Han shouted, carrying his bag.
“Okay, alright.”
…
At two in the afternoon.
At Jiangbei Wudao University, a large number of flying vehicles were parked on the huge running track.
“Li Yuan, hope to see you online sometime,” Tian Dazhuang said with a smile, greeting Li Yuan.
“Okay.” Li Yuan waved goodbye with a smile.
The two had already added each other on V-Chat. Although they had only just met and interacted a few times, they both admired each other and felt a sense of kinship.
Soon.
“Li Yuan, I’m going too. Come visit my house sometime,” Wu Dongdong showed his small canine teeth.
“No problem,” Li Yuan said with a smile. Wu Dongdong was a very easy-going person, getting along well with others.
Soon.
Li Yuan, Lin Lan Yue, and the others also boarded a flying vehicle and flew to the “Guan Shan District” of Jiang City.
They arrived at the school at three in the afternoon.
The principal, several vice-principals, Xu Bo, and others were already waiting for Li Yuan and the others by the playground.
“Haha, good! Li Yuan, Lin Lan Yue, the school knows about your performance. We are all very happy for you,” Principal Tan Zhenlong said with a beaming smile.
The other school leaders also wore bright smiles.
They all felt that this year’s “college entrance exam performance” was becoming more and more stable.
“The school has decided,”
“To award Li Yuan a scholarship of 200,000 Blue Star Coins,” Tan Zhenlong said solemnly, “To award Lin Lan Yue a scholarship of 100,000 Blue Star Coins.”
“Other students will also…”
The fake smiles on the faces of Li Yuan, Dong Hai Feng, and the others finally turned into genuine smiles.
Money is the real deal!
…
The welcome ceremony ended, and Lin Lan Yue, Dong Hai Feng, and the others went to their martial arts rooms.
Only Li Yuan was called aside by Xu Bo.
“Teacher.” Li Yuan said respectfully.
“You did a great job this time. You made me proud,” Xu Bo smiled.
“It’s all thanks to your guidance, teacher,” Li Yuan said seriously.
“Haha.” Xu Bo laughed.
His view of Li Yuan was different from other students.
Other students were just students.
But Li Yuan was considered his half-disciple.
“Alright, come with me to my office. Wan Temple Lord has been waiting for you for a long time,” Xu Bo said.
“Wan Temple Lord?” Li Yuan was slightly puzzled, “What’s the matter?”
“It should be about upgrading your contract, but it seems it’s not just a simple A-Rank Contract,” Xu Bo said, “He wouldn’t tell me much.”
“Upgrade my contract?” Li Yuan was surprised. He hadn’t even met the requirements for an A-Rank Contract yet.
“Right!”
“There’s one more thing,” Xu Bo’s expression suddenly became serious, “My friend just gave me some news. The first group of people from Base Three has been rescued.”
“Your uncle’s name is on the list.”
“But he seems to be injured, and the situation doesn’t look good,” Xu Bo hesitated before saying, “You need to prepare yourself mentally.”
(End of Chapter)
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