High-Level Martial Era

Gu Qianghan went to the rest area.

Li Yuan, on the other hand, took a long spear from the nearby weapon cabinet and began to practice the spear technique.

Most of today was spent on the move.

He hadn't been able to calm down and cultivate.

"I'll practice the spear for one hour, then the cultivation methods for two hours," Li Yuan decided. "After that, I'll cultivate the 'Observing the Great Sun and Stars Technique.'"

The path of cultivation allows for no relaxation, even for a single day.

"Others are willing to be friendly towards me and show goodwill, not because I'm handsome with a kind heart," Li Yuan thought very clearly to himself. "It's because I have enough value."

To have value is to solidify mutual feelings.

Not to mention interacting with others; even between parents and children, it is the same.

"Hu!"

"Hu!" The long spear moved like a dragon; a casual thrust from Li Yuan could mobilize all the vigor in his body.

In fact, while practicing with the spear, Li Yuan was also pondering.

"I've signed the contract."

"For the college entrance exam, as long as I hit the score thresholds of the top five universities, that will be enough?" Li Yuan thought to himself.

He could not say with 100% certainty that he would reach this threshold; therefore, he mustn't slacken his cultivation.

"Starfire University." Li Yuan shook his head slightly.

Before his senior year, Li Yuan had never even considered Starfire University or Starry Sky University.

The gap was too great at that time.

However, people's ambitions are always changing. After the January mock exams, as his scores improved, Li Yuan occasionally thought about Starfire University.

"Recognize reality." Li Yuan suddenly swung the long spear, the shaft striking the sandbag forcefully.

"Beng~" The sandbag erupted with an astonishing boom.

"Almost a century ago, Dongfang Ji managed to reach the pinnacle of the Martial Path from Kunlun Martial University," Li Yuan reflected. "Good or bad universities do not determine everything."

Whether it's high school or university, both are just stages in a martial artist's journey.

Not to mention that Kunlun Martial Arts University is not bad at all.

Even Jiangbei Martial Arts University, where the students' average talents are much lower, has seen many students transform during their university years. Historically, a large number of Prime Warriors have emerged, and more than one Flying Heaven Warrior was born.

As for Kunlun Martial University? In terms of the total number of Flying Heaven Warriors, it isn't far behind Starfire University.

"Now, the conditions at Kunlun Martial University must be even better than in Dongfang Ji's time," Li Yuan was filled with ambition.

"Law Creation? Many predecessors have successfully created new techniques in history."

"In the future, I too will be able to create laws and become a Flying Heaven Warrior."

[Your Spear Technique realm has increased from the Fourth Level 2% to the Fourth Level 3%] The Divine Palace panel suddenly flashed a notification.

…

The invitations for the second and third days were quite ordinary, with discussions, lectures, and 'one-on-one' interactions with elite students from Martial Arts Universities.

There were also some tests, such as Fist Strength and Burst Speed assessments.

The news of Li Yuan signing with Kunlun Martial University in advance and securing an S-grade contract gradually came to the notice of the observers from the top five universities.

Some felt it was a pity.

Others thought Li Yuan was not worth an S-grade contract.

However, Li Yuan himself was unaware of these opinions.

The news had not spread among the students.

After Gu Qiang found out, he only told Lin Lanyue. Both kept it secret, not even letting Wu Dongdong know.

On the third day, after dinner, thousands of students gathered in a large conference hall.

"The combat assessment against Star Realm Creatures starts first thing tomorrow morning?"

"We have to sign a death waiver?"

"There's a 1.2% death rate for the combat assessment?" The thousands of elite students burst into an uproar upon hearing the female teacher's explanation from the main platform.

"Silence!"

A deep voice exploded like a bell, instantly suppressing all the chatter.

The conference room fell completely silent.

All students looked at the main platform, where next to the female teacher, a tall, burly man clad in a blue Martial Path uniform had appeared.

Standing over two meters tall with a formidable presence, especially as his icy eyes swept over, very few students dared meet his gaze.

"A 1.2% death rate makes you panic, afraid?" said the man in blue with an icy tone. "Then, in the future, when you truly venture deep into the Star Realm and have to fight Star Realm Creatures, facing missions with over a 50% death rate, are you going to turn tail and run?"

The entire conference hall was as silent as a graveyard.

"A 1.2% death rate?" Li Yuan stood among the crowd, listening quietly.

He was not afraid of the death rate; he was just a bit surprised.

After all, they were supposedly here just as students participating in an event.

Could there be a possibility of death?

On the stage, a stalwart man in blue nodded to the female teacher, signaling for her to continue.

"The location of the combat assessment will remain confidential for the time being."

The female teacher's voice was very gentle, "In the combat assessment, the majority of what you'll face will be unranked Star Realm creatures, with the strongest being only level 12."

"They have all been carefully selected."

"Throughout the assessment process, we from Jiangbei Martial University, in cooperation with the military, will protect you all the way, striving for zero casualties."

"However, it's a fight to the death with cold weapons."

"No matter how good the protection is, accidents can still happen, so we don't mandate that everyone must participate," said the female teacher. "If you are unwilling, then fill out the 'Voluntary Combat Assessment Waiver Form'."

All the students listened, and only when they heard 'full protection' did they feel somewhat reassured.

Hearing that they could opt out, many students started harboring their own thoughts.

"However."

The female teacher changed her tone, "Those who do not participate in the combat assessment, or do not meet the minimum requirements during the assessment, will not be eligible for the special training contracts from the five top schools."

"Moreover, even if you pass the college entrance examination and are admitted into one of the top five schools, you will still need to participate in the combat assessment to get on the special training list and must pass it."

Whoo~

A buzz of astonishment swept through the crowd, as most students had not been aware of this regulation before.

"To be selected for special training, one must go through combat assessments?" Li Yuan was equally surprised.

"It's a new rule," Lin Lanyue whispered beside him. "In the past, there were combat assessments, but they weren't linked to the special training list."

"The Martial Arts Department just issued the notice; it will officially be implemented this year and hasn't been publicly announced yet, so it's normal that it hasn't spread widely."

Li Yuan suddenly understood.

"There will also be corresponding rewards for the combat assessment," the female teacher continued. "The student ranked first in points will be rewarded with 2 million Blue Star Coins."

"Those ranked 2 to 10 will receive a reward of 500 thousand Blue Star Coins."

"Those ranked 11 to 100 will receive a reward of 200 thousand Blue Star Coins."

"For rankings beyond 100, as long as they pass the combat assessment, they will likewise receive a reward of 50 thousand Blue Star Coins."

Many students' eyes lit up.

The rewards for the combat assessment were clearly higher than those for the skills assessment, with the first place receiving a direct reward of 2 million Blue Star Coins.

Forget the rewards for the top ten.

Just by meeting the standard, there was at least 50 thousand Blue Star Coins, which was already quite a lot.

"This is a wide-ranging subsidy," Li Yuan couldn't help but remark.

"Those who can participate in the event are all elite students from a province; it's very normal for a batch of Prime Warriors to emerge in the future," Lin Lanyue said with a soft laugh. "So, having gone to great lengths to invite them here, Jiangbei Martial University will always disburse some money widely to curry favor and leave some goodwill."

Li Yuan pondered for a moment.

In a certain sense, this was Jiangbei Martial University's investment in networking.

By accepting this reward, one has implicitly accepted a favor from Jiangbei Martial University.

On the stage.

"Whether to participate in the combat assessment is for you to decide," said the female teacher. "After returning to your dormitory, you will find the contract documents on the virtual network. You can simply sign to agree or waive in your personal space."

...

Thousands of students filed out of the meeting room in succession, and it was not yet dark.

"Li Yuan, will you participate?" Lin Lanyue asked.

"Going," Li Yuan smiled. "I've already signed the special training contract; I have to go."

The day before yesterday, the S-level special training contract I signed clearly stated that I must participate in the combat assessment.

Not participating would be a breach of contract.

If I participate but fail the assessment, it's not a breach of contract, but I would have to retake it upon entry to the school.

If I fail the assessment twice, my treatment will be reduced.

"There's a risk of death; are you not afraid?" Lin Lanyue asked with a teasing tone.

"Afraid of what? I have an honor title," Li Yuan laughed. "If we're talking about danger, the last encounter was even more perilous."

"That's true," Lin Lanyue smiled sweetly.

Then she lowered her head, opened the smart bracelet, and clicked on the holographic screen.

Ding~

Li Yuan's smart bracelet immediately vibrated, and looking down, he saw that Lin Lanyue had sent him a video file through V-Chat.

"What is this?" Li Yuan asked, puzzled.

"Never mind, there are too many prying eyes here," Lin Lanyue laughed. "Watch it on the virtual network when you get back, and you'll understand. See you tomorrow."

Lin Lanyue left directly.

Suppressing the curiosity in his heart, Li Yuan did not open it and walked towards his dormitory building with Gu Qianghan.