Chapter 28: Li Changzhou, I'm Not Dead Yet
Chapter 28: Li Changzhou, I'm Not Dead Yet
After ending the video call with Zhong Cheng, Li Yuan contemplated for a moment. He didn't want to disturb his uncle, Li Changzhou, so instead of calling him directly, he left a message.
In his message, Li Yuan briefly explained the situation.
Just five minutes later, the video call rang, and Li Changzhou initiated the connection. Li Yuan immediately answered.
"Uncle," Li Yuan addressed the video projection of Li Changzhou, who looked dusty as if he had just finished a busy task.
"I have a general idea," Li Changzhou said, his expression lacking the joy Li Yuan had expected. Instead, his eyebrows were tightly knit. "If the Starlight Martial Palace only offers a D-level contract in the end, we'll discuss whether you should sign it at that time."
"Oh?" Li Yuan was slightly puzzled.
The special recruitment of the Martial Hall had always been Li Yuan's top priority, but he hadn't received any news in the past half a month.
Initially, Li Yuan wasn't that eager to sign a contract with a Martial Palace in advance.
However, over the past few days, Li Yuan had searched for a lot of information online and learned that the early contracts offered by the major Martial Palaces were generally good, except for the significant restrictions.
Most importantly, signing a contract in advance, regardless of the level, could significantly reduce the financial burden on his family.
It could even provide cash rewards and help the family.
Li Yuan felt a sense of indebtedness to his uncle and aunt.
He always felt that his uncle's adventure to Beijiang Province was partly because of him.
"I've used some connections to find out the details," Li Changzhou patiently explained. "Over the years, the early contracts offered by the three major Martial Palaces are divided into five levels, from D-level to C-level, B-level, A-level, and S-level."
"The terms of the same-level contracts between different Martial Palaces are similar."
Li Yuan nodded slightly. From the perspective of the Starlight Martial Palace, he belonged to the lowest level. However, being able to sign a contract in advance was already an exceptional achievement.
"The D-level contract provides one million Blue Star Coins annually for six years," Li Changzhou said gravely. "But you should know that the cultivation resources you need now and the resources required after entering university to become a Martial Artist are two different concepts."
"For example, a basic Qi Blood Potion only costs 2,000 Blue Star Coins, and you only need to spend 20,000 Blue Star Coins per month now."
"After becoming a Martial Artist, even a First Rank Martial Artist requires at least 10,000 Blue Star Coins for a single bottle of the most basic Qi Blood Potion, and a month's supply can range from ten to twenty or thirty bottles." Li Changzhou spoke solemnly. "Just this most basic item will cost at least one million Blue Star Coins per year."
"And if you aspire to break through to the Second Rank Origin Martial Artist in the future, a Spirit-Nourishing Treasure is indispensable, and spending several million Blue Star Coins annually is the bare minimum..."
"There's also the purchase of weapons and various auxiliary equipment. Martial Artists need to fight Star Gate Creatures, so their equipment must be top-notch, which means expensive and prone to damage." Li Changzhou looked at Li Yuan. "One million is a significant amount for you now."
"If you have no real passion for the Martial Dao and want to pursue other majors in university, then there's no need to spend too much on it. You can cultivate slowly in university, aiming to become a 15th-level Martial Artist. This contract can even be considered generous, and you might be able to save up several million Blue Star Coins." Li Changzhou continued, "By the time you graduate, according to the contract, the Starlight Martial Palace will also provide you with a job."
"At that time, you can be an ordinary member in the Martial Palace, just like your Uncle Zhong. The benefits and welfare will be no less than those of a civil servant."
"If the Starlight Martial Palace initiates the termination of the contract and doesn't provide a job, you can still take the millions of Blue Star Coins and find another job. It's a safe and profitable path to a comfortable life."
Li Changzhou stared at Li Yuan.
Li Yuan was surprised.
He never imagined there could be such a strategy.
"But, Little Yuan, are you content with being an ordinary person? An ordinary Martial Artist?" Li Changzhou fixed his gaze on Li Yuan.
Li Yuan fell silent.
"You're not satisfied," Li Changzhou shook his head and sighed. "I've watched you grow up, and I understand. Your relentless cultivation is not just to help your family, but also because you have the heart of a martial artist."
"From the second year of middle school to the third year of high school, have you ever rested, even on holidays or during the Chinese New Year? You've been relentless."
"This determination is something I've never seen before. I can't compare to you, and your father couldn't keep up with you back then." Li Changzhou spoke slowly.
Li Yuan's eyes flickered slightly. It had been many years since his uncle had spoken so much, and he had never mentioned his late father.
"Your aunt has always wanted you to take the civil service exam and become a teacher. She keeps blaming me, thinking I shouldn't have supported you."
"Why didn't I oppose you becoming a full-time martial artist?" Li Changzhou's voice carried a hint of excitement: "I don't want you to regret it like I did when I was forty."
Li Yuan's heart trembled as he looked at his uncle in shock.
"Being a full-time martial artist is dangerous."
Li Changzhou smiled frankly: "But since ancient times, which brave man hasn't dreamed of charging across the battlefield and pursuing the limits of martial arts?"
"To truly rival the divinities with a human body! To explore the limits of life."
"I have no hope for this in my lifetime."
"But you do." Li Changzhou smiled at Li Yuan, his helmet covered in mud, making him look a bit disheveled.
Li Yuan held his breath, listening intently.
"If you want to walk the path of a full-time martial artist, the money from this contract is far from enough." Li Changzhou continued: "But your future will be limited by this contract."
After a moment's hesitation, Li Yuan couldn't help but say: "Uncle, from the information I found, as long as I perform well, the Stellar Combat Palace will upgrade the contract."
"But what if the Stellar Combat Palace doesn't upgrade it?" Li Changzhou countered: "Why should you give the initiative of your own fate to others?"
Li Yuan suddenly realized.
"Zhong Shu is a good person, but many things are not within his control as a regular member." Li Changzhou said: "Moreover, as far as I know, once you sign a contract with the Martial Palace in advance, your future development at a martial university will be restricted."
"Restricted?" Li Yuan was taken aback; this was something he didn't know.
"Like the Xia Nation's Five Great Academies, which are funded by the state." Li Changzhou explained: "If you sign a contract with the Martial Palace in advance, you are destined to join the Martial Palace after graduating from university... Do you think the school will choose you or another student specially recruited by the Martial Bureau when it comes to allocating special resources?"
Li Yuan's eyes flickered.
Signing a contract with the Martial Palace in advance was indeed a kind of constraint in a way.
"This contract."
"Go to the Martial Palace on Sunday and talk to Zhong Shu first. If it can be upgraded to a C-Class Contract and has automatic upgrade clauses, such as reaching certain standards by a certain age, automatically upgrading to B-Class or even A-Class, then it's fine to sign." Li Changzhou said patiently.
"If you want to be a full-time martial artist, the Martial Palace is indeed a better choice, but if the restrictions are too great, there's no need to sign."
"Li Yuan, I know your thoughts; you want to help the family." Li Changzhou stared at Li Yuan: "But remember, your uncle isn't dead yet."
"It's not time for you to take full responsibility for this family yet."
"At least, before you go to university, don't have any worries. Your job is to focus entirely on cultivation, understand?" Li Changzhou said solemnly.
"Yes, Uncle." Li Yuan nodded heavily.
"I believe in you; I won't be wrong about you." Li Changzhou looked at Li Yuan.
"Now, if the Starfire Combat Palace and the Stellar Combat Palace don't sign with you, it's because they lack foresight."
"Once your college entrance exam results are out, or even when you enter university, you will naturally receive better contracts."
"It's not too late to sign then."
...
Uncle Li Changzhou's words made Li Yuan completely calm down, allowing him to think about this matter more calmly.
"Uncle is right."
"Why rush? In the end, the ones who will be in a hurry will be them." Li Yuan smiled slightly.
He continued his cultivation.
In the blink of an eye, it was two days later, Saturday. Li Yuan, as usual, went to school and returned home.
Saturday afternoon.
All senior year students were taking their martial arts classes in the martial arts classroom.
At the school gate.
Several black cars arrived slowly, and six figures got out of the cars one by one.
Five of them were wearing black suits, while the only middle-aged man in a black Tang suit looked ordinary but gave off an intangible aura.
"Grandmaster Wan."
"Grandmaster Wan, welcome to our school." Principal Tan Zhenlong and several vice-principals all walked forward, smiling and welcoming him.
"Tie Ta." The middle-aged man directly looked at Xu Bo, standing in the distance, and smiled: "It's been a long time since we last met in the Star Realm."
"Old Wan." Xu Bo then walked forward, grinning: "I didn't expect the new head of the Guanshan Branch of the Starfire Combat Palace to be you."
"Welcome!"
(End of Chapter)
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