Chapter 110: The Dean as a Teacher

Chapter 110: The Dean as a Teacher



"The Human Martial Elite Battle?" Li Yuan's eyes lit up.

He had heard of this competition, which was extremely popular on the virtual network.

There were many rumors, but most were just textual messages. It was rare to find specific combat videos online, as if all videos were controlled and not allowed to be shared.

"Can only fourth and fifth-year students participate?" Li Yuan couldn't help but ask.

"Haha, not exactly." President Li laughed, "In fact, both of these competitions have age restrictions, with September 1st as the cutoff, similar to the Blue Star Youth Rankings."

"For example, to participate in the next Global University Martial Arts Tournament, one must be born after September 1st, 2022."

"For the next Human Martial Elite Battle, only those born after September 1st, 2020, are eligible to compete." President Li smiled, "Over the decades, it has become a tradition for freshmen and sophomores to participate in the global tournament."

"Juniors and seniors compete in the Human Martial Elite Battle."

Li Yuan understood.

This was in line with the current college entrance examination system, where the admission age was strictly cut off at September 1st, with no exceptions for early or late admissions.

For cultural universities, students could retake the entrance exams.

But for martial arts universities, one must be at least 17 years old and not yet 18.

"In fact, even if you don't get into a martial arts university, you can still participate as long as you meet the age requirement."

"However, over the past few decades, there have been very few martial arts geniuses who emerged without attending a martial arts university, so it gradually became a competition among the various martial arts universities." President Li explained with a smile.

Li Yuan nodded slightly.

The idea of hidden masters among the common people was mostly just a fantasy in most cases.

The strongest talents were born from the combination of the best mentors and the finest cultivation resources.

"Normally, the champions of the Human Martial Elite Battle are sophomores, as they have a natural advantage due to their longer cultivation time." President Li said, "However, there have been some extraordinary geniuses in history who participated early and claimed the championship."

"Really?" Li Yuan was curious.

"Quite a few." President Li smiled, "This tournament has been held for over sixty years, and in our Xia Nation, there was a genius who won the championship during his sophomore year."

"Who?"

"Someone you might not have heard of, but he is very famous among high-level martial artists. At the age of 16, his technique reached the fifth stage."

"Fifteen years old? Fifth-stage technique?" Li Yuan was stunned.

Was this guy a freak?

"Unfortunately, his achievements were not that remarkable." President Li shook his head, "He only became a Skysoaring Martial Artist."

Li Yuan was taken aback. Was becoming a Skysoaring Martial Artist considered a low achievement?

"You don't understand."

"At the age of 17, he was accepted as a personal disciple by Dongfang Ji, who had high hopes for him, believing that he could surpass the Skysoaring level and even rival Dongfang Ji himself." President Li sighed, "Unfortunately, he encountered a bottleneck and remains at the Skysoaring level to this day."

Li Yuan sighed inwardly, feeling envious of such talent.

"So, don't be arrogant."

"Your talent in technique is indeed among the top in the history of Kunlun Martial University over the past thirty years." President Li said, "But in the two-hundred-year history of Kunlun Martial University, you wouldn't even make it to the top hundred."

"Top hundred?" Li Yuan was surprised.

So low?

"In the earliest days, without the three top-tier martial arts schools, the top geniuses in our Xia Nation stayed in the country." President Li explained, "Do you understand?"

Li Yuan nodded in understanding.

Just like himself, his spear technique, while outstanding among this year's Xia Nation students, was still comparable to a batch of others.

In the past, these top geniuses would enter the Top Five Universities.

But in recent decades, the strongest talents of each batch have mostly gone to the three top-tier martial arts schools.

Those who enter Kunlun Martial University are mostly second-tier students.

Therefore, it is natural for him to stand out at Kunlun Martial University.

"Don't be too concerned about temporary strengths and weaknesses. Starting early doesn't guarantee becoming a Skysoaring level martial artist. Many achieve greatness through gradual accumulation."

"I have high hopes for you to become a Skysoaring Martial Artist." President Li smiled, "Li Yuan, you have two main goals right now."

Li Yuan listened attentively.

This was a task given by an elder.

"First, strive to pass the fifth mountain of Kunlun Nine Mountains before next February." President Li said, "If you succeed, I will allow you to participate in the virtual battle of the Global University Martial Arts Tournament in February."

"Passing the fifth mountain represents achieving the fourth stage advanced technique."

"Passing the sixth mountain represents achieving the fourth stage perfect technique."

"Passing the seventh mountain represents entering the fifth stage technique." President Li said solemnly, "In theory, a fourth-stage technique is enough to participate in the virtual battle, but if your strength is insufficient, it will only lead to embarrassment."

"So, sophomores are usually allowed to compete." President Li explained, "If you achieve this, I will let you go and broaden your horizons as a freshman."

"Pass the fifth mountain? Fourth-stage advanced technique?" Li Yuan muttered to himself, not finding it too difficult.

After all, Li Yuan's goal was to reach the fourth-stage advanced technique threshold by September.

Only by doing so could he earn the 20 million Blue Star coins reward.

"The second goal is even more important, which is the Ten Academy Freshman Tournament in October this year." President Li said, "Your goal is to rank first, or at least make it to the top four."

"Ten Academy Freshman Tournament?" Li Yuan was puzzled, "Which ten academies? Does it include our Xia Nation's Top Five Universities?"

"Yes."

"It also includes the top five martial arts academies in Asia Minor, such as Sakura Nation and Tushita Nation. This year, the tournament will be held in our Xia Nation."

"Every year, the top ten martial arts academies hold a competition with generous rewards." President Li smiled, "The top sixteen will receive a reward of 20 million Blue Star coins."

Li Yuan's eyes lit up.

That was a significant amount.

"Money is just one aspect."

"The Seven Star Alliance will prepare a celestial treasure for the top four participants in this freshman tournament. That's the most important part.

President Li looked at Li Yuan and said, "These treasures mostly originate from mysterious star realms, and their value is immeasurable."

"If you were to sell them, you could easily fetch several billion Blue Star Coins."

"Each of these treasures was specially prepared for your personal needs. Do you understand?" President Li asked.

"I understand," Li Yuan replied, his breath catching in his throat.

Celestial treasures? Anything associated with such a term was extraordinary.

The last time he had heard of something like this was when Yang Province's Palace Master promised him a Stellar Essence Crystal.

However, the requirements were so outrageous that Li Yuan didn't see any hope of obtaining it anytime soon.

On the other hand, the 'Ten Academy Freshman Tournament' in October seemed much closer and more achievable.

"Don't be careless."

President Li reminded him, "Just as our school has you, the other four top academies in Xia Nation also have their geniuses."

"The five top academies in Asia Minor also produce geniuses every year... In any case, it will be challenging to secure a spot in the top four."

"I'll do my best," Li Yuan nodded earnestly.

A fighting spirit ignited within him.

This 'Ten Academy Freshman Tournament' seemed to be about more than just personal rewards; it also involved national honor.

Although the Seven Star Alliance had been established for over a hundred years, and the threat of foreign civilizations was immense, the Blue Star Nations no longer experienced wars among themselves.

However, the competition during peaceful times and the pursuit of national honor never ceased.

...

Li Yuan and President Li continued their conversation, and Li Yuan gained a deeper understanding of Kunlun Martial University's various cultivation systems.

"You'll personally teach me techniques?" Li Yuan was surprised.

"What, am I not qualified?" President Li smiled enigmatically.

"No, no," Li Yuan laughed, "I'm just a bit overwhelmed. I thought I'd be following one of the other teachers."

Li Yuan had learned about this from the school's introduction.

The school's curriculum was divided into four main categories: General Education, Technique, Cultivation, and Combat.

Each category had different teachers.

Among them, the most important was the Technique course, followed by the Combat course.

"Normally, freshmen would choose to follow a teacher for cultivation. For example, if you're practicing the spear, you'd follow a spear technique instructor."

"Those who practice the saber would follow a saber technique instructor," President Li explained.

"There are over three hundred technique instructors alone."

"Each teacher would guide anywhere from twenty to nearly a hundred students."

"The technique instructors are at least 26th-level Origin Martialists, and their skills are all at the fourth stage of perfection, the Micro Level. Teaching students at the second or third stage is quite easy." President Li smiled.

Li Yuan held his breath.

So, Kunlun Martial University had at least three hundred instructors who were 25th-level Origin Martialists or higher? This teaching force was indeed formidable.

"Once a student's martial arts skills reach the fourth stage, it becomes difficult for ordinary teachers to provide guidance," President Li said. "The associate dean must take over."

"In our academy, there are currently nearly 1,100 students."

"Including you, there are 52 students with technique skills at the fourth stage or higher."

"The weapon I cultivate is the spear, which happens to be my specialty, so I can teach you," President Li smiled. "For the next period, you'll be learning from me."

"Great," Li Yuan was delighted.

Before coming, Li Yuan had discussed this with Wan Qinghe.

High school teachers and martial arts university instructors were two different concepts.

The technique instructors at the university were more like ancient apprenticeships.

Without hesitation, Li Yuan stood up and respectfully performed a deep bow, saying, "Li Yuan pays his respects to the teacher."

The title of 'teacher' felt much more intimate than 'president.'

"There's no need for that; it's not like we're in ancient times," President Li said as he stood up and reached out to help Li Yuan up.

But Li Yuan was quicker, and he completed the bow without a hint of hesitation.

From start to finish, there was not a moment of uncertainty.

"There's no need for such formality in modern society," President Li said, but his smile revealed his genuine pleasure.

Etiquette might seem like a superficial act, but it represented a form of respect.

If one couldn't even manage the surface-level work, how could they expect to achieve anything substantial?

...

At 2:00 p.m., in the Black Dragon Building, on the seventh floor, there was a massive martial arts room where eighteen students, already dressed in their martial arts uniforms, were waiting.

Most of these students were practicing long weapons, primarily long spears.

"The teacher is here."

"He's here."

"Looks like he brought someone with him," over a dozen students said as they took their seats.

They turned to look at Li Yang, who had just entered the martial arts room, followed by Li Yuan.

"Sit here," Li Yang pointed to an empty seat.

Li Yuan obediently sat down, feeling the gazes of those around him.

In his mind, he activated the Divine Palace Probe and scanned four people consecutively, all of whom were martial artists, and one was even an Origin Martialist.

"Let me introduce you," Li Yang said.

"This new classmate is Li Yuan, a freshman in our Sixth Academy. He is the senior brother among the freshmen, and from today onwards, he will also be your junior brother." President Li spoke slowly, "Don't underestimate him. In terms of physical fitness, he has already entered the realm."

"As for his technique level, he is already at the fourth stage, which places him in the middle ranks." President Li's gaze swept over his students.

"Entering the realm at seventeen? That's truly impressive!"

"Is he Li Yuan?"

"I heard about it. Yesterday's admission competition was dominated by Li Yuan, and our Sixth Academy took first place, breaking the historical records."

"Isn't he even more impressive than Jin Huguo?"

"This year, our Sixth Academy will rise to prominence!" The students exchanged words of admiration, and those who were unaware of Li Yuan's achievements quickly learned about his remarkable feat from the previous day.

They all looked at Li Yuan with genuine respect and admiration.

Li Yuan nodded back politely, his heart knowing that these eighteen seniors were mostly seniors and juniors, and after graduation, with a few years of physical training, they were almost guaranteed to become Origin Martialists.

In terms of martial arts skills alone, several of them were stronger than him.

"Alright, everyone, pay attention and listen up," Li Yang said.

"Today, I'll be teaching the Starlight Gun Technique. Listen carefully." President Li intentionally glanced at Li Yuan.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end