Chapter 25: News from the Martial Palace
Chapter 25: News from the Martial Palace
After lunch, students strolled in pairs and groups along the tree-lined paths, heading towards the Martial Arts Tower.
The senior year was exhausting, but during the rare leisure time at noon, most students still wore bright smiles, brimming with youthful vigor and infinite aspirations for the future.
In stark contrast to the weary office workers heading home after their shifts.
Li Yuan and Wan Xiao walked towards the Elite Building.
Zhou Qi and Yan Zhou? They had different routes, so they parted ways after lunch.
"Is that Li Yuan, right?"
"Seems so."
"Wan Xiao was in the same class as Li Yuan before, and they're always together. That other guy must be Li Yuan."
"Is he the one who defeated Lin Lan Yue?"
"I heard he likes Lin Lan Yue, and he didn't hold back during the fight." Many students from Senior Year Class 1 noticed Li Yuan and Wan Xiao as they walked by.
They turned their heads to look.
"Li Yuan, after this battle, you've truly become famous." Wan Xiao whispered with a smile, "There were quite a few people watching you in the cafeteria just now."
"Your reputation is spreading throughout the entire grade, even among the juniors and sophomores." Wan Xiao exaggerated.
"Jealous? It's not like you didn't spread the news yourself." Li Yuan glanced at him, "Do you want to spar again?"
Wan Xiao was speechless.
Yesterday on the Starry Sky Combat Network, he had been 'sparring' with Li Yuan for three rounds.
It was a nightmare.
"I told you, it wasn't me who spread it, it was Zhou Qi..." Wan Xiao shook his head repeatedly.
"You're the instigator, he's just spreading it further." Li Yuan was clear about it.
Suddenly, Wan Xiao changed the topic, "By the way, Li Yuan, do you really have no interest in Lin Lan Yue? I see many guys in the Elite Class who like her, but not many dare to confess. Is it because she's not pretty enough?"
"Lin Lan Yue is quite pretty." Li Yuan replied casually, not paying attention to his surroundings.
After all, there were many people passing by, and it was impossible to be constantly aware.
Suddenly, two girls walked by Li Yuan and Wan Xiao. One of them wore a training uniform, had a tall figure, and her hair was neatly pinned up. She glanced at Li Yuan from the corner of her eye.
It was Lin Lan Yue.
"Did she hear that? That Wan Xiao is such a kidder." Li Yuan instantly understood.
"Li Yuan, don't be shy, if you like her, just say it out loud." Wan Xiao shouted.
He then burst into laughter and ran towards the girls.
Li Yuan shook his head helplessly, not bothering to chase after Wan Xiao. Instead, he waved his hand and greeted Lin Lan Yue casually.
This made Lin Lan Yue pause for a moment.
Just now, she had indeed heard Li Yuan's words, but she never expected Li Yuan to take the initiative to greet her.
Looking at Li Yuan's smiling face, Lin Lan Yue couldn't help but think of yesterday's virtual battle. Subconsciously, she touched her chest.
"Lan Yue, he's greeting you." The girl beside Lin Lan Yue had waist-length hair, and she winked and nudged Lin Lan Yue, "Qiqi, let's go."
"Qiqi," Lin Lan Yue said softly, her youthful fingers straightening the strands of hair by her temples, and she quickened her pace.
She didn't respond to Li Yuan.
Nor did she look at Li Yuan again.
"This Lin Lan Yue, she was so polite the first time we met, but today she doesn't even acknowledge my greeting." Li Yuan smiled.
He wasn't the type to be intimidated by a beautiful girl.
He watched Lin Lan Yue and the other girl enter the Elite Building.
"Li Yuan, how was my assist?" Wan Xiao suddenly appeared from somewhere.
"Well done."
"To thank you, let's go to my Martial Arts Room first, and I'll give you some free training." Li Yuan placed his hand on Wan Xiao's shoulder, and the powerful grip prevented him from breaking free.
"Li Yuan, let go of me, I'm not interested in you."
...
As it approached two o'clock.
401.
Li Yuan stood by the window, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon.
A thin layer of sweat seeped through his skin.
Li Yuan had just finished half an hour of basic cultivation, and his physical condition had improved slightly.
Suddenly,
"Ding!" The smart wristband sounded.
Li Yuan walked over and picked up the wristband, his face lighting up, "Uncle?"
He answered the call.
A buzzing sound filled the air, and a holographic screen appeared in front of Li Yuan.
On the screen was Li Changzhou, wearing a helmet.
"Uncle." Li Yuan smiled, a hint of worry disappearing from his heart.
"Little Yuan."
"Auntie called and told me everything."
"You've done well, my boy. After all these years, I've never reached 500 points in the Golden Rank on the Starry Sky Combat Network."
"Li Yuan's heart warmed, not because he had surpassed his uncle, but because of the recognition he received from him.
'Uncle, how are you doing over there?' Li Yuan asked.
'It's fine, don't worry,' Li Changzhou smiled. 'The Stellar Combat Palace has received a large number of new members, and I reckon they'll launch a major counter-attack in a few days... I'm calling to tell you about this, and also something else related to you.'
'Go on, Uncle,' Li Yuan urged.
'It's about Zhong Shu. He called me personally.' Li Changzhou looked at Li Yuan. 'From what I understand, he wants to recruit you into the Stellar Combat Palace.'
'Join the Stellar Combat Palace?' Li Yuan was slightly taken aback.
Human civilization has three major Combat Palaces: the Stellar Combat Palace, the Blackstone Combat Palace, and the Starfire Combat Palace.
The Starfire Combat Palace was founded by the strongest warrior in human civilization, Dong Fang Ji.
The Blackstone Combat Palace was established by the second strongest, Lant.
The Stellar Combat Palace is no less formidable than the other two.
These three Combat Palaces represent the three most powerful factions among warriors and are the primary force against the Star Gate creatures.
Their influence extends across the seven major planets.
According to Li Yuan's analysis of information from the virtual network and books, in the Seven Star Alliance's highest council, the authority of the three Combat Palaces subtly surpasses that of the major nations on each planet.
Within Xia National territory, only the Stellar Combat Palace and the Starfire Combat Palace hold immense power.
'Can't only warriors join the three Combat Palaces?' Li Yuan asked, puzzled.
'First, you become a probationary member,' Li Changzhou explained. 'Your Zhong Shu probably found out through some channel that you've become a member of the Bluestar Youth Rankings... This kind of thing is quite common.'
Li Yuan listened attentively.
His uncle, Li Changzhou, is a warrior, and as far as Li Yuan knows, his uncle was also a member of the Stellar Combat Palace in his early years, so he is very familiar with its workings.
'There are three ways to join a Combat Palace.'
'One is to become a registered member, which is just a formality. It doesn't come with any benefits or privileges. I, for instance, am still just a registered member of the Stellar Combat Palace.'
'In theory, all warriors in human civilization should join one of the Combat Palaces, but most warriors maintain this kind of relationship with their respective Combat Palaces.'
'Being a registered member doesn't prevent warriors from joining other major groups, warrior organizations, the military, or special government departments.'
Li Yuan nodded in agreement at the mention of registered membership.
'The second type is an internal member,' Li Changzhou continued. 'It's like being an employee of a company. You have to sign a contract with the Combat Palace, receive a salary from them, and be cultivated with their resources. During critical moments, you must also follow the Combat Palace's orders to fight.'
'Zhong Shu is an internal member of the Stellar Combat Palace,' Li Changzhou stated.
Li Yuan nodded slightly.
Zhong Shu had a good relationship with his uncle, Li Changzhou.
Whenever Li Yuan purchased basic Vital Energy Potions, he did so through Zhong Shu, who could offer a 5% discount as an employee.
'Internal members also have varying ranks. If one's strength is too weak, like below level 15, the assessments can be extremely strict. It's not as easy as you might think to become an internal member.'
Li Yuan could understand this.
Just like how major corporations recruit employees, they often require high educational qualifications, work experience, and interviews... It's normal for the Combat Palaces to have high standards for their internal members.
'The third type is a probationary member.'
'You can sign a contract in advance, and these are often talented martial artists.' Li Changzhou smiled. 'Zhong Shu's interest in you shows that he has high hopes for you.'
'The benefit of being a probationary member is early access to a large number of cultivation resources, guidance from master instructors, Vital Energy Potions, and more, all for free.'
'Free?' Li Yuan's eyes lit up.
'Let me finish,' Li Changzhou said. 'There's no such thing as a free lunch. There's always a price to pay for what you gain.'
'Once you sign a contract as a probationary member of a Combat Palace, when you become a warrior, you must join the Combat Palace as an internal member.'
'Furthermore,' Li Changzhou added, 'ordinary warriors can join a Combat Palace as internal members and can leave with some compensation. But if you sign a contract in advance, the conditions for leaving will be much harsher.'
'So, you must consider this carefully,' Li Changzhou emphasized.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
