Chapter 103: A New Journey

Chapter 103: A New Journey



The top 50, or even the top 100 students in the provincial rankings, would be fiercely sought after by the recruitment teams of the Top Five Universities.

After all, for a Martial Arts University to thrive, the first is to secure continuous funding, and the second is to produce a large number of Origin Martial Artists and even Sky Soaring Martial Artists.

Powerful martial artists often give back to their alma mater, either by direct donations or providing care within their sphere of influence.

Alumni also form a network... But no university approached Li Yuan.

Li Yuan's reputation as a martial arts genius had long spread throughout Jiangbei, and his status as the actual top scorer in the Jiangbei Province Martial Arts exam was known to all the major universities' recruitment teams.

However, the fact that Kunlun Martial University had already signed him with an S-Class Contract was also common knowledge.

The S-Class Contract, combined with the effort required to convince Li Yuan to breach the contract and offer a better one, made the overall cost too high, leading the other top universities to choose to give up.

...On June 17th, in the afternoon, at the fishing pond in the neighborhood.

"Uncle, why am I not catching anything today?" Li Yuan sat on a stool, unable to hold back his question.

"Your beginner's protection period is over," Li Changzhou said with a grin. "Look at how many fish you caught the other day, more than me."

"It's good that you didn't catch anything today, or else your aunt will keep saying there's too much to eat."

"It's clearly because my technique is better..." Li Yuan was about to retort when he suddenly felt his smart ring vibrate. He looked down, and his eyes lit up.

"Uncle, my admission letter is here," Li Yuan said, waving the letter.

"Oh? Let me see." Li Changzhou stood up immediately.

Suddenly—

"Uncle, look, the float!" Li Yuan quickly pointed to the distance, where the fishing float had completely sunk.

"It's a big one! Double happiness!" Li Changzhou hurriedly bent down to grab the fishing rod.

...After putting the fish in the box, Li Changzhou sat down and looked at the admission letter Li Yuan had sent him. A smile formed on his lips.

"Uncle, which academy should I choose?" Li Yuan asked casually. "The Sixth Academy or the Eighth Academy?"

The Sixth Academy was where President Li was located.

The Eighth Academy was where Instructor Zhao was, and it was he who had recommended Li Yuan to Kunlun Martial University. This Instructor Zhao was also Wan Qinghe's senior.

Therefore, in Li Yuan's mind, he would only choose between the two.

"I suggest the Sixth Academy," Li Changzhou said. "Martial artists also have their own circles. The university you attend is a big circle, the academy you're in is a smaller circle, and then the circle expands as you choose your martial temple, enter the military, or join a large corporation."

Li Yuan listened attentively.

A martial artist with broad connections would have a smoother path in their cultivation.

Li Yuan had no intention of going solo.

"Different circles may still intersect," Li Changzhou said. "Instructor Zhao from the Eighth Academy seems to have a closer relationship with you. He was the first to recommend you."

"But has he contacted you these past few months?" Li Changzhou smiled enigmatically. "Has he given you any guidance?"

Li Yuan shook his head.

"He definitely knows your situation and still has a connection with you, but he hasn't reached out, which shows that he doesn't really care that much," Li Changzhou said.

Li Yuan nodded slightly. The other party was a powerful Origin Martial Artist, a 29th-level cultivator.

Not contacting him didn't necessarily mean he looked down on Li Yuan.

It could be his personality, or perhaps he wasn't too concerned with mentoring juniors.

"On the contrary, President Li has always been concerned about you," Li Changzhou said. "Before the National College Entrance Examination, he even called you personally."

"It was him who offered the S-Class Contract."

"In a sense, if you enter Kunlun Martial University, he will be your direct mentor," Li Changzhou said. "This is a very rare relationship."

Li Yuan understood what Li Changzhou meant.

Rather than entering an unfamiliar circle that might not value him, it was better to stick with what he knew.

"President Li is a good man," Li Yuan nodded. "Uncle, I want to send him a V-Communication first."

"You should!"

"However, the admission letter already has an option to apply for a preferred academy, so choose the Sixth Academy," Li Changzhou said. "Then send him the V-Communication, he'll be even happier."

"Okay."

...

Li Yuan filled in his preferred academy as the Sixth Academy and then directly sent a V-Communication to President Li.

Just as Li Changzhou had predicted.

"President Li," Li Yuan said directly. "I've received the admission letter and filled in the Sixth Academy as my choice."

"Do you think that's suitable?" President Li asked with a smile on the light screen. "Not considering the Eighth Academy?"

"The Eighth Academy is great, but these past few months, you and Instructor Fan Jin have guided me so much. Without your help, I wouldn't have made such great progress," Li Yuan said sincerely. "I feel that cultivating under your guidance is the best choice."

"Haha, good!" President Li's voice carried a hint of laughter, "Rest assured, your choice will not be in vain. I will arrange everything and ensure that you become a Source Martial Artist at the fastest speed in the next two years."

Li Yuan could tell that President Li was very satisfied with his decision.

"During this half-month vacation, you can relax a little," President Li said, "But don't neglect your cultivation either. I will expedite your admission review as soon as possible."

"By then, you will be able to enter the 'Kunlun Space' and the resources for the S-Class Special Training Contract will be issued to you," President Li instructed.

"Understood."

"I will not let you down, Dean," Li Yuan replied, "I will bring glory to our Sixth Institute during the practical combat assessment at the end of July."

"Good, then I shall eagerly await it," President Li listened to Li Yuan's reference to 'our Sixth Institute' and felt very pleased.

...

That evening, Wan Qinghe and Li Yuan communicated via V-Chat.

"Have you considered the Eighth Institute?" Wan Qinghe asked.

"Uncle, I'm very grateful to Dean Zhao," Li Yuan seemed a bit embarrassed, "But Dean Li has been guiding my cultivation, and when he asked about my intentions, I couldn't refuse, so I applied for the Sixth Institute."

"I've always remembered Dean Zhao's kindness, even though we belong to different institutes, we are still part of Kunlun Martial University. Once we're in school, I will definitely visit Dean Zhao," Li Yuan assured.

"Haha, alright." Wan Qinghe chuckled, "Don't worry, I will explain to Dean Zhao, and he won't blame you."

Wan Qinghe knew how to address his 'Ninth Senior Brother's' potential dissatisfaction with Li Yuan.

...

"Ninth Senior Brother."

"Li Yuan said that he proactively applied to join the Sixth Institute, but I feel like he was hesitant, there might be something else going on." Wan Qinghe sighed, "Before, Li Yuan often expressed his gratitude to you, and many times he said that he would visit you once he enters Kunlun Martial University."

"You know as well."

"No matter how talented he is, he's still just a half-grown kid, how can he bear so much pressure?" Wan Qinghe sighed, "If anyone's to blame, it's me, for not explaining things clearly to him earlier, and he doesn't know your attitude either."

"This is my fault," Wan Qinghe said with an apologetic expression.

"I understand."

"It's not your fault, and Li Yuan is not to blame either," Dean Zhao's tall figure appeared on the light screen, his face carrying a hint of anger, "It's definitely that rascal Li Yang's doing."

President Li's real name was Li Yang.

"What about Li Yuan?" Wan Qinghe asked at the right moment.

"Let him focus on his cultivation, and tell him that it doesn't matter whether he enters the Sixth or Eighth Institute," Dean Zhao instructed, "Once you're in Kunlun Martial University, you can also come and attend my classes if you have time."

"Senior Brother has a broad mind and doesn't get hung up on institutional differences, in this aspect, he surpasses President Li by far," Wan Qinghe praised.

...

There was only one Martial Arts University in each province.

Above that, there were only five famous universities in the entire country, so the national and provincial admission lines were very clear.

The top 10,600 ranks in the martial arts stream were the provincial admission line.

The top 520 ranks were the national admission line.

This had been the case for many years.

However, admissions for cultural universities were much more complicated.

Therefore, it wasn't until June 22nd that the admissions for all universities in the entire Xia Kingdom finally concluded.

On June 22nd, Class 2 of Grade 12 held a graduation dinner, but only less than sixty students were able to attend.

"The day I checked my scores, I cried, and my mom hugged me and cried as well. Finally, senior year is over."

"I cried too, but it was because my parents beat me up."

"Brother Li is truly amazing."

"He even got into Kunlun Martial University and was selected for the special training list! That's so impressive."

"Brother Li, I'll toast to you."

"Brother Li." Li Yuan was almost the center of attention among his classmates.

These students, who had just graduated from senior year, were already learning some etiquette in their clumsy adult social interactions.

"Li Yuan, thank you." Li Tianyou poured a glass of beer.

His eyes were slightly red, and he spoke to Li Yuan with great solemnity, "If not for you, I might not have made it in the end."

Li Tianyou had narrowly passed the provincial martial arts stream with a rank of 9900+, and it was quite a close call to get into Jiangbei Martial University.

"It has nothing to do with me."

"It's all the result of your hard work," Li Yuan smiled, calming his emotions.

"Don't worry, the money I owe you, I will definitely find a way to repay it as soon as possible," Li Tianyou said in a low voice.

"I trust your character," Li Yuan smiled, "But there's no need to rush, once you enter university, cultivation should still be your priority."

Li Yuan still didn't say anything like 'the money is a gift for you.'

Li Yuan understood that insisting on repaying the money was Li Tianyou's way of upholding his dignity to the best of his abilities.

Why would he trample on that?

"Brother Li, I'll have another drink with you," Zhou Qi came over with a glass.

This time, he performed well and was admitted to a C9 university.

As time passed, many classmates gradually became tipsy.

Li Yuan remained clear-headed, observing many who were quite familiar half a month ago, but now seemed slightly unfamiliar.

He understood that besides Zhou Qi and Li Tianyou, many of his classmates were probably seeing each other for the last time in this life.

His youth had truly come to an end.

Quietly, Li Yuan settled the bill and left.

...

June, and it wasn't yet scorching.

After the reunion.

During the following vacation days, Li Yuan often spent his mornings fishing with his uncle, gardening with his aunt, and accompanying them to the mall to buy clothes.

On weekends, the whole family of five would go to Beihu Moshan for a stroll.

Since junior high, Li Yuan had never felt as relaxed as he did in June.

It was only at night that Li Yuan would focus on his martial arts training.

"After the college entrance exam, I've spent much less time practicing gun techniques and martial arts," he thought.

"But, my gun technique seems to be improving faster?" Li Yuan noticed this phenomenon.

This led him to some introspection.

"Efficiency."

"To succeed in something, the energy and time invested are crucial." Li Yuan mused, "Just like in any ordinary profession, the 10,000-hour rule makes sense."

"However..."

"When you reach a certain level in something, simply piling on more time isn't necessarily the best approach."

"These days, I've been more relaxed, and during my free time in the mornings, I have more opportunities to think and experience different things."

"These changes have calmed my mind."

"On the contrary, it has made my gun technique practice more efficient, with fewer distractions, and even my spirit seems purer and more serene." Li Yuan vaguely understood this principle.

Cultivation is like life; sometimes, the more you crave something, the more elusive it becomes.

A moment of enlightenment can surpass years of cultivation, but this kind of enlightenment cannot be achieved through mere 'internal strife'.

"Spiritual cultivation!"

"In the past, I only pursued time and craved greater efficiency." Li Yuan suddenly smiled, "It's just as Uncle said, if you stay tense for too long, you need to occasionally loosen up."

And so.

Li Yuan began to enjoy his time more as he accompanied his uncle and aunt.

On June 29th, at around 10 PM.

"Clang!" "Clang!" Li Yuan practiced with his spear, his movements graceful as he slashed through the air, creating dazzling arcs of light and leaving behind a trail of afterimages.

Gradually.

Li Yuan's practice became more relaxed, and he immersed himself in his gun technique, even to the point of enjoyment.

"Boom~" "Boom~" The combat sandbags reverberated with each powerful strike.

"So refreshing," Li Yuan thought as countless scenes flashed through his mind, making him feel as if the sandbag in front of him was a formidable expert.

His spear techniques became faster and faster.

They also grew more stable, and each explosive strike seemed to have become second nature.

Suddenly, at one particular moment.

"Whoosh!" Li Yuan's heart was filled with joy, and with a powerful strike, his entire body surged forward, and the spearhead moved at an unbelievable speed.

It slashed through the air.

"Boom~" The incredibly resilient sandbag was pierced by the unsharpened spear, causing it to burst open.

Numerous special sand particles flew out, raining down wildly.

[Your Gun Technique Realm has advanced from Fourth Stage 36% to Fourth Stage 42%]



[Your Fist Technique Realm has advanced from Fourth Stage 39% to Fourth Stage 44%] Two consecutive Divine Palace prompts flashed.

Li Yuan stood in place, allowing the sand to bury his ankles.

"The third form of Starlight Gun Technique, 'Dawn Piercing Cloud', can finally be fully executed," Li Yuan silently recited.

Soon.

Li Yuan called the staff of the Martial Hall to replace the sandbags and clean up.

...

The leisurely vacation days eventually came to an end.

July 2nd marked the last day of registration at Kunlun Martial Arts University, and it was also the day Li Yuan would leave home.

"Xiao Yuan, go to the Martial University and focus on your cultivation. Don't worry about home," Li Changzhou instructed. "I'll take care of everything here."

"Once you're at the university, let us know," Auntie, always concerned about Li Yuan's safety, reminded him, even though Li Yuan had already become a ranked martial artist.

"Okay, Uncle and Auntie, it's windy. You should go back inside," Li Yuan said with a smile as he carried his backpack.

A small flying vehicle hovered in the air.

Whoosh! Li Yuan leaped over two meters high and directly into the vehicle, which then closed its doors.

The vehicle rose into the sky, heading towards the Heavenly River Airport, where they would transfer.

Li Changzhou and Chen Hui stood outside the villa, waving continuously until the vehicle disappeared into the rain and mist.

Li Yuan!

Embarked on his university journey.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end