https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-49-The-Invitation-from-the-Martial-Arts-University/12972710/
Chapter 50: Recognition on the Main Stage
Chapter 50: Recognition on the Main Stage
Li Yuan exited the virtual network pod and began his daily martial arts training, starting with the basic cultivation technique before practicing the gun technique.
This had become Li Yuan's routine.
It wasn't until 3:30 in the afternoon that Li Yuan, after taking a hot shower in the restroom, finally left the martial arts room.
Just as Teacher Chen had instructed earlier in the morning.
At 4:00 p.m., a school-wide assembly for teachers and students was to be held, and everyone had to gather in the gymnasium, with no room for tardiness.
Li Yuan had just closed the door to the martial arts room.
"Li Yuan?" A cheerful voice called out from not too far away, "You're still in the martial arts room. Hurry up, I thought I was the only one left."
"Qiang Han, you're still here?" Li Yuan immediately spotted the handsome youth at the end of the hallway.
Whether it was for meals, using the restroom, going to the gymnasium, or after school, students often liked to find partners.
The same went for the boys.
After almost a semester, Li Yuan and Gu Qiang Han often bumped into each other.
Their relationship had become quite familiar.
The more they interacted.
Li Yuan had long noticed that Gu Qiang Han seemed carefree, but in reality, he had no ill intentions, and his emotions were written all over his face, making him a good candidate for friendship.
"You're called Gu Qiang! Gu Qiang!" Gu Qiang Han stomped his foot, "That's what my sister calls me!"
"If your sister can call you that, why can't I?" Li Yuan smiled as he approached, "Let's go, let's head downstairs."
"Of course, my sister can call me that," Gu Qiang Han walked ahead on the stairs, glancing back at Li Yuan, "Why should I let you call me 'Qiang' just because you're not my brother-in-law?"
"So what if I call you that?" Li Yuan smiled, "What's the big deal?"
"This time, for the raw martial arts score, you seem to be lower than me."
Gu Qiang Han was taken aback.
Indeed!
He had seen the score report and was already aware of Li Yuan's terrifying score on the Lunar Month Exam, placing second in the grade... and by a significant margin.
From a practical combat perspective, the higher the raw martial arts score, the greater the advantage and the higher the win rate.
"Hmph!"
Gu Qiang Han suddenly raised his middle finger, "So what if my raw score is lower, I have a spirituality bonus, and my total score is second in the grade. You're only..."
Seeing that Li Yuan didn't respond.
"Forget it." Gu Qiang Han suddenly realized that he shouldn't have said that, and waved his hand, feigning generosity, "I forgive you for lying to me during the exam. Just remember to call me 'Qiang Han', and not 'Qiang'."
"I'll remember, Qiang~~~Han." Li Yuan deliberately dragged out the pronunciation.
"Damn, you'll never have friends." Gu Qiang Han rolled his eyes.
...
Li Yuan and Gu Qiang Han continued their 'friendly greetings' as they walked onto the gymnasium together.
At this moment, it was only two minutes to 4:00 p.m.
Most of the students from various classes were already standing in an orderly manner.
The Senior Three Class One and Senior Three Class Two were standing side by side.
"Lan Yue, look," Peng Qi Qi, the slightly plump girl, nudged Lin Lan Yue's hand, "Your brother seems to get along well with Li Yuan. Why are they so late?"
"Is Li Yuan trying to secretly pursue you?" Peng Qi Qi winked and nudged her, "First, he'll get close to your brother, then he'll chase after you."
"Peng Qi Qi, have you been reading too many romance novels?" Lin Lan Yue reached out and pinched her best friend's neck, causing Peng Qi Qi to giggle.
Many boys around couldn't help but glance over.
In the martial arts class, Lin Lan Yue had quite a few admirers.
However, no one dared to confess.
"Hehe." Peng Qi Qi tried to stop Lin Lan Yue's hand while whispering, "Then why is he so close to Gu Qiang?"
"Don't you know Gu Qiang's personality?" Lin Lan Yue shook her head lightly, "If you can beat him in combat several times, he'll willingly be your friend."
"Did Gu Qiang and Li Yuan spar?" Peng Qi Qi was surprised.
"Yeah, their independent martial arts rooms are next to each other." Lin Lan Yue nodded, "They've fought in virtual combat several times, and Gu Qiang lost each time."
Peng Qi Qi seemed to understand, "That's right, Li Yuan's raw martial arts score is second this time, over 900 points, not much lower than yours."
"28 points lower." Lin Lan Yue emphasized.
In truth, she was quite concerned about Li Yuan's score.
In the morning, the academic class teacher had immediately informed her of Li Yuan's score and ranking, as well as the news that Li Yuan had achieved the first place in the district and second place in the city for the skills score.
At that moment, Lin Lan Yue was shocked by Li Yuan's terrifying improvement speed.
However, in front of her best friend, she naturally didn't want to admit it.
"You remember his score so clearly."
Peng Qi Qi giggled, "Oh, and you said that only those who stand on the main stage are worthy of your admiration. I think that next time, Li Yuan's raw score might even surpass yours."
Lin Lan Yue blinked her long lashes, "Let's wait and see if he surpasses me."
"Even if his raw score surpasses yours, his total score is still lower. The one who stands on the main stage is the one with the highest total score, not the highest raw score." Lin Lan Yue said calmly.
Subconsciously, she felt that Li Yuan had a chance to surpass her raw score.
"You're just being stubborn." Peng Qi Qi stuck out her tongue, "Look, Teacher Xia is coming."
Teacher Xia was the academic class teacher for Senior Three.
...
"Today, we have several esteemed guests joining us. They are Director Zhang from the Guanshan District Martial Arts Bureau, the Guanshan District Education Bureau... the left branch master of the Starfire Combat Palace's Guanshan Branch, and the branch master of the Stellar Combat Palace's Guanshan Branch, Song Dianzhu..." The host teacher introduced the guests on the main stage.
There were over ten of them.
Standing in the lineup, Li Yuan looked at the brown-haired woman on the stage with a hint of surprise.
Logically, for an internal school assembly, why would so many leaders attend?
Even representatives from the two combat palaces had come.
"Brother Yuan, haven't you noticed something?" Yan Zhou whispered, gesturing towards the long and short cannons on either side of the main stage. "It seems like there are quite a few of them here today."
"Oh, yeah," Li Yuan nodded, having arrived at the gymnasium a bit later and not noticing it before.
"Respected leaders and teachers..." Principal Tan Zhenlong began his enthusiastic speech.
As Principal Tan read from his script, he looked out at the thousands of students below, as if witnessing a vibrant scene of flourishing life.
Time passed.
As the leaders took turns speaking, the students below started yawning.
Finally, the most important part of the day began—the commendation ceremony.
"In this city's Yuan Month assessment, our senior students bravely competed, achieving outstanding results... Wan Qingling... and ten other students ranked in the top ten in the cultural total score."
"Lin Lan Yue, Gu Qiang Han... Li Yuan... and ten other students ranked in the top ten in the martial arts total score. Let all teachers and students congratulate these outstanding students, and let's learn from them," the host teacher said passionately.
A sparse round of applause echoed from the students below.
Most of the students had completely lost interest and just wanted to leave and return to their classrooms.
Especially the first and second-year students, many of whom felt they were there as cheap 'NPC audience' and secretly sent friendly greetings to the leaders.
Below the stage.
"Lan Yue, it's your turn to go up," Peng Qi Qi whispered. "Come on."
As per tradition, the first-place students in both cultural and martial arts scores would go on stage to receive special recognition and take photos with the school leaders.
Lin Lan Yue remained calm.
She had experienced similar events many times during her three years in high school and was familiar with the process.
However, the host teacher on stage did not introduce the two top students as expected by Lin Lan Yue and most of the senior students. Instead, he handed the microphone back to Principal Tan Zhenlong, who had stepped forward.
"Today's assembly..."
Principal Tan spoke solemnly, "In addition to summarizing the senior students' Yuan Month assessment and praising outstanding students, there is also a very special recognition."
This sentence immediately caught the attention of many students.
"All students should know that just a week ago, our Guanshan District suffered a severe attack from Star Gate creatures..." Principal Tan's voice was low and restrained.
At this moment, the somewhat dull atmosphere was lifted, and many students couldn't help but look towards Principal Tan, all of them curious.
Special recognition? What does it have to do with the Star Gate creature attack? Even students like Lin Lan Yue and Gu Qiang Han were quite curious.
"...But when the advanced Star Gate creature charged towards the crowd."
"At this critical juncture, a seventeen-year-old high school student happened to pass by. Disregarding personal safety, he picked up a crude weapon nearby and stood between the Star Gate creature and the innocent crowd..." Principal Tan narrated passionately about the 'epic battle' that had taken place not long ago.
The thousands of students below listened with great interest.
They felt this was much more interesting than the previous leaders' speeches.
"Wow! Fighting an advanced Star Gate creature? Who is it?" Peng Qi Qi, standing in the crowd, was surprised and whispered, "Lan Yue, is it you?"
In fact, not only Peng Qi Qi but also the elite class and other senior students from various classes had their eyes on Lin Lan Yue.
All the students realized that since Principal Tan was giving such a speech, the student who fought the Star Gate creature must be from their school.
In the students' cognition, probably only Lin Lan Yue could barely fight against an advanced Star Gate creature.
Aside from Lin Lan Yue, no one else could do it.
"It's not me," Lin Lan Yue shook her head, and a hint of curiosity flashed in her eyes. "Who is it?"
In fact, she had fought Star Gate creatures before, but it was in a controlled environment, and the creatures were not advanced.
Engaging in a direct fight with an advanced Star Gate creature?
Lin Lan Yue asked herself if she had the courage and strength to do so.
"Finally, after a bitter and arduous battle..." Principal Tan continued, "This seventeen-year-old student managed to kill the Star Gate creature, saving the lives of many innocent people."
"To recognize this student, the Jiangcheng Martial Affairs Bureau, Education Bureau, Starfire Combat Palace Jiangcheng Branch, and Stellar Combat Palace Jiangcheng Branch have jointly decided to award him the 'Youth Hero' model title." Principal Tan's voice was filled with passion, and his eyes shone, "Please welcome senior student Li Yuan to the stage to receive the model title."
"Wow!"
"Clap, clap, clap!" In an instant, the entire gymnasium erupted in a wave of applause.
The first and second-year students stretched their necks, full of anticipation, looking towards the main stage.
They wanted to see which senior student was so impressive.
Several classes near the senior class, who had been watching the boy slowly emerge from the class line, were all staring with wide eyes.
In the spotlight, the boy walked calmly towards the stage with a balanced physique and a dignified expression.
..."Lan Yue."
"Li... Li Yuan, he's actually on the main stage!" Peng Qi Qi stared with wide eyes and whispered, "Do you really think Li Yuan is not good enough? If you don't want him, you can't compete with me."
"We'll talk later." Lin Lan Yue's gaze remained fixed on the stage, unmoving.
(End of Chapter)
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