Chapter 32: The Ultimate Sincerity
Chapter 32: The Ultimate Sincerity
Insult?
Li Yuan never expected Grandmaster Wan to use such a term to describe the Starlight Combat Palace.
In fact, from the moment they met, Li Yuan had a very positive impression of Grandmaster Wan, who, as the head of a Martial Hall and a powerful Origin Warrior, treated him, a mere high school student, with near equality.
The terms of the contract he offered were, in Li Yuan's eyes, an astronomical sum.
His uncle, who had been working abroad in the most dangerous areas for several years, only earned around a million Blue Star Coins annually.
"Grandmaster Wan..." Li Yuan hesitated slightly, "But it was only the Starlight Combat Palace that was willing to sign me in advance."
Li Yuan was indeed grateful to the Starlight Combat Palace and to Zhong Shu.
"Haha, it seems you truly don't understand the Starlight Combat Palace's true nature." Grandmaster Wan laughed, "Let me have your teacher explain, and he'll understand immediately."
Grandmaster Wan indeed wanted to show his importance to Li Yuan by belittling the Starlight Combat Palace.
But he also knew that to win over a genius like Li Yuan, offering a lucrative contract was just the first step. Ideally, they should develop a genuine emotional connection.
It wouldn't look good if he were to reveal the truth himself.
Soon, Grandmaster Wan invited Xu Bo and Principal Tan over.
In front of Li Yuan, Grandmaster Wan quickly explained the situation to the two, directly mentioning the B-Class contract, Li Yuan's exceptional Spiritual Energy talent, and the Starlight Combat Palace's private negotiation with Li Yuan.
"Exceptional Spiritual Energy talent? A B-Class contract?" Principal Tan was extremely shocked, looking at Li Yuan in disbelief.
As a 16th-level First Rank Martial Artist, he understood the importance of Spiritual Energy for Origin Warriors.
Exceptional Spiritual Energy talent? Principal Tan had only heard of such a thing and had never encountered it before. It was extremely rare.
"Grandmaster Wan, are you offering a B-Class contract? Did the Starlight Combat Palace privately contact Li Yuan and only offer a D-Class contract?" Xu Bo's expression changed upon hearing this, and a hint of anger flashed across his face, "Most likely it was that woman, Song Yi!"
"Song Yi? The Vice Palace Master of the Starlight Combat Palace?" Grandmaster Wan seemed to ponder, as he had only recently taken office and had only met the main Vice Palace Master of the Starlight Combat Palace's Guanshan Branch.
"Mhm." Xu Bo nodded. Having spent several years in the Guanshan area, he was well-acquainted with the local leaders.
"Li Yuan."
Xu Bo looked at Li Yuan, who was still trying to piece things together, and said in a low voice, "You entered the Bluestar Youth Rankings so quickly... Was it because you had consecutively fought in over a hundred matches on the Starry Sky Combat Network?"
"Yes," Li Yuan replied, beginning to understand.
"When you entered the Bluestar Youth Rankings, the Martial Hall and the Starfire Combat Palace only knew this news, but they didn't have access to your detailed data on the Starry Sky Combat Network." Xu Bo explained directly, "But the Starlight Combat Palace would have this information because they directly control the Starry Sky Combat Network."
The Starlight Combat Palace?
The Starry Sky Combat Network?
Li Yuan instantly understood and suddenly realized why only the Starlight Combat Palace was willing to sign him.
So, it was a matter of information asymmetry?
"Li Yuan, I'm your Martial Arts class teacher, and I thought you had exceptional physical talent. I never expected you to have an exceptional Spiritual Energy talent..." Xu Bo shook his head, "If it was indeed Song Yi, based on what I know of her, there's a high probability that during the negotiations, she would have appeared and upgraded your contract to a C-Class contract."
"In that case..."
"You would naturally feel grateful to her, and most likely, you would have signed it immediately." Xu Bo looked at Li Yuan, "Once you sign, even if you find out the truth in the future, first, she wouldn't have mistreated you, and second, she would be considered your mentor, and she could find numerous excuses, so you wouldn't really do anything about it."
Li Yuan held his breath.
He had never imagined that there could be so many schemes behind a single contract.
But Xu Bo was right.
If the Starlight Combat Palace had indeed intended to do this and there hadn't been any complications, he would have likely agreed to the contract.
"This Song Yi, she's used to playing mind games, and now she's trying to play them with my student." Xu Bo's face grew colder.
Despite his injury, his extensive connections made him well-respected among the Second Rank Origin Warriors in the Guanshan area.
In Xu Bo's eyes, Song Yi's actions were a slap in the face.
"Li Yuan."
Grandmaster Wan remained calm and smiled, "I invited your principal and teacher here only to let you understand... the contract terms I've offered are my ultimate sincerity."
"I believe that even if your principal reports this to the Martial Hall, the special recruitment conditions of the Martial Hall will still be difficult to reach a B-Class contract." Grandmaster Wan spoke with confidence.
Li Yuan nodded slightly.
"Li Yuan, I will report your situation again, but based on my experience, the Martial Hall will most likely only offer a C-Class contract." Principal Tan nodded and said, "The special recruitment of the Martial Hall usually undergoes much stricter scrutiny... The decision ultimately lies with you."
The special recruitment of the Martial Hall is much stricter? Li Yuan pondered.
"Li Yuan, don't worry. I'll give you time to consider and discuss it with your family," Grandmaster Wan smiled and said, "I'll have Teacher Xu Bo send you the detailed contract terms later tonight."
"Within a month, as long as you're willing, contact me anytime."
"My virtual V number is..." Grandmaster Wan smiled.
"Li Yuan, did you write it down?" Teacher Xu Bo asked.
"Yes." Li Yuan quickly opened his smart wristband and jotted it down, adding Grandmaster Wan as a friend.
Immediately, Li Yuan realized that this was not Grandmaster Wan's work V number, but his personal number.
"Okay."
"Principal Tan, Iron Tower, I've invited both of you here, and I believe you understand my intentions," Grandmaster Wan smiled.
Principal Tan and Teacher Xu Bo exchanged a glance.
"Mhm." Teacher Xu Bo nodded, "Don't worry, I'll keep it confidential."
"You can trust me, Grandmaster Wan," Principal Tan said solemnly.
"Alright, I have something else to attend to, so I'll take my leave first."
"By the way, Principal Tan, Iron Tower, regarding Lin Lan Yue, if she's willing, our Starfire Martial Palace can offer her a C-Class contract, but her family..." Grandmaster Wan smiled and said, "I'll leave it to you to deliver the message."
"Rest assured, Grandmaster Wan," Principal Tan smiled.
Grandmaster Wan nodded and turned to Li Yuan, "Li Yuan, I hope to see you cultivating in the Starfire Martial Palace."
Then, he left the martial arts classroom and headed out of the school.
After seeing the other party off, Teacher Xu Bo took Li Yuan back to his office.
"Li Yuan, the treatment Grandmaster Wan offered is quite good," Teacher Xu Bo said after some thought, "Your exceptional spiritual energy talent will definitely attract special recruitment from the Martial Hall, but the treatment won't be this favorable."
"Teacher, why?" Li Yuan couldn't help but ask.
Logically, shouldn't it be similar?
"You don't understand," Teacher Xu Bo smiled, "The special recruitment of the Martial Hall involves taxpayers' money, and the official audit is very strict... Those people at the Martial Hall don't really care if you receive the best cultivation. They want to take credit for successful recruits, but they are even more reluctant to take responsibility. So, the students they specially recruit are those with absolute potential to succeed."
Li Yuan understood. Without having awakened his martial spirit, his potential was uncertain.
The Martial Hall would not easily take such a big risk.
"In reality..."
"Grandmaster Wan's willingness to offer you a B-Class contract is most likely related to his recent appointment," Teacher Xu Bo smiled, "He's new to the position and definitely wants to make some achievements."
"Your contract has an element of risk."
"If you don't reach the 16th rank as a martial artist before the age of 30, he'll be held accountable."
"Of course, with his capabilities, he won't mind. But if you choose to sign, you must strive to live up to it."
"Early signing will only accelerate your martial arts journey." Teacher Xu Bo advised.
"I understand," Li Yuan nodded.
If Teacher Xu Bo hadn't mentioned it, Li Yuan wouldn't have known about the complex relationships behind this.
Ding!
Li Yuan's smart wristband vibrated, indicating an incoming document.
"This is the B-Class contract sent by Grandmaster Wan. He just sent it to me. He truly values you, and this is his greatest sincerity. I believe he must have ordered it to be drafted as soon as he got into the car," Teacher Xu Bo sighed, then looked at Li Yuan, "It's almost dinner time."
"After dinner, don't go to your evening self-study session. Make a decision as soon as possible."
"Of course, if you want to wait for the results of the Martial Hall's special recruitment, or if you want to discuss it further with the Starry Sky Martial Palace..." Teacher Xu Bo hesitated, not fully persuasive.
After all, he was just Li Yuan's homeroom teacher, not his personal master.
Such a significant decision in life couldn't be made on Li Yuan's behalf.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
