Chapter 109: The Dean as a Teacher
"Human Martial Arts Elite Battle?" Li Yuan's eyes lit up. He had heard of this competition, which was very popular in the virtual network. There were many rumors about it, but most were just written messages. It was rare to find specific battle videos online, as all videos seemed to be controlled and not allowed to be disseminated.
"Can only fourth- and fifth-year students participate?" Li Yuan couldn't help but ask.
"Haha, not at all," Dean Li laughed. "Actually, these two competitions have age restrictions based on the cut-off date of September 1st, similar to the Blue Star Youth Ranking."
"For example, to participate in the next Global University Martial Arts Competition, participants must be born after September 1, 2022."
"And for the next Human Martial Arts Elite Battle, participants must be born after September 1, 2020," Dean Li smiled. "Over the decades, it's become a tradition for first- to third-year students to participate in the global competition and fourth- and fifth-year students to compete in the elite battle."
Li Yuan realized that this was similar to the current college entrance examination system, where the cut-off date for enrollment age is strictly enforced as September 1, without allowing early or late entries.
"You can repeat the college entrance exam for cultural universities. But for martial arts universities, you must be at least 17 years old and under 18."
"In fact, even if you don't get into a martial arts university, as long as you meet the age requirement, you can still participate. However, over the past few decades, it's become clear that very few martial arts geniuses rise without the training from a martial arts university. This has gradually become a competition among various martial arts universities," Dean Li explained.
Li Yuan nodded lightly. The idea of "masters among the common folk" was often just a fantasy. The strongest talents, combined with the best teachers and the best cultivation resources, produce the strongest geniuses.
"Under normal circumstances, the champions of the Human Martial Arts Elite Battle are usually fifth-year students, who naturally have an advantage with more years of training," Dean Li said. "However, there have been some extraordinary geniuses in history who won the championship early."
"Really?" Li Yuan was curious.
"Quite a few," Dean Li smiled. "This competition has a history of over sixty years. In our country, there's a genius who won the championship in his third year."
"Who?"
"Fang Hai." Dean Li smiled. "You may not have heard of him, but he's very famous among high-level martial artists. He reached the fifth stage of technique at the age of 16."
"16 years old? Fifth-stage technique?" Li Yuan was stunned.
"Yes, unfortunately, his achievements later on were not high. He only became a Sky Warrior," Dean Li shook his head.
Li Yuan was speechless. Becoming a Sky Warrior was considered not high achievement?
"You don't understand. At 17, he was personally accepted as a disciple by Dongfang Ji, who had high hopes for him, believing he could surpass the Sky Warrior level and even rival Dongfang Ji. But he encountered a bottleneck and is still at the Sky Warrior level," Dean Li sighed.
Li Yuan was amazed. Comparisons can be disheartening.
"So, don't be arrogant. Your talent in martial arts techniques is indeed one of the best in the recent thirty years of Kunlun Martial Arts University. But in the two hundred years of Kunlun Martial Arts University, you wouldn't even rank in the top hundred."
"Top hundred?" Li Yuan was surprised. Was his rank that low?
"In the early days, when there were no three top martial arts universities, our country's top talents all stayed domestically," Dean Li explained.
Li Yuan understood. Just like him, pure talent in spear technique made him the top among this year's students in the country, but there were still many who could rival him. In the past, these top talents would enter the five major universities. In recent decades, the strongest talents have mostly gone to the three top universities. Those who enter Kunlun Martial Arts University are usually second-tier students. Hence, he naturally stands out at Kunlun.
"Don't focus too much on immediate strength. Early advancement doesn't mean reaching the Sky Warrior level. Many succeed through steady progress."
"I have high hopes for you to become a Sky Warrior," Dean Li smiled. "Li Yuan, you have two main goals right now."
Li Yuan listened attentively. This was an elder giving instructions.
"First, strive to clear the fifth mountain of Kunlun Nine Mountains before February next year," Dean Li said. "As long as you clear it, I will allow you to participate in the virtual battle of the Global University Martial Arts Competition in February next year."
"Clearing the fifth mountain means your technique has reached the high level of the fourth stage."
"Clearing the sixth mountain means your technique has reached the complete fourth stage."
"Clearing the seventh mountain means your technique has reached the fifth stage." Dean Li said solemnly. "In theory, the fourth stage is enough to participate in the virtual battle, but if the strength is not enough, it's just an embarrassment to go."
"So, it's generally allowed for second-year students to participate." Dean Li said. "If you reach it, I'll let you go in your first year to gain experience."
"Clearing the fifth mountain? High-level fourth stage?" Li Yuan muttered to himself, not thinking it too difficult.
Li Yuan had set a goal for himself to reach the high level of the fourth stage by September. Only then could he get the 20 million Blue Star coin reward.
"The second goal is more important. It's the Ten School Freshman Battle in October this year," Dean Li said. "Your goal is to be first, at least in the top four."
"Ten School Freshman Battle?" Li Yuan was puzzled. "Which ten schools? Including our country's five major universities?"
"Yes. And the other five major martial arts universities in Asia, like Japan and India. The Ten School League is held in our country this year."
"Every year, the freshmen from the ten major martial arts universities compete, and the rewards are generous," Dean Li smiled. "The top sixteen get a reward of 20 million Blue Star coins."
Li Yuan's eyes lit up. That's a lot.
"Money is just one aspect. The Seven Star Alliance prepares a treasure for the top four, tailored to each individual. These treasures are priceless."
"If sold, they could easily fetch billions of Blue Star coins."
"Each treasure is specifically prepared for your situation," Dean Li said. "Understand?"
"Understood," Li Yuan held his breath.
Treasures? Anything that could be labeled as such was extraordinary. The last treasure he encountered was the Stellar Earth Marrow Crystal promised by Provincial Hall Master Yang, but the conditions were extreme, and he saw no hope in the short term. In contrast, the Ten School Freshman Battle in October was closer and more achievable.
"Don't be careless," Dean Li reminded. "Just like our school has you, the other four major universities in our country have their talents. The other five major universities in Asia also produce talents every year. In short, it's challenging to be in the top four."
"Okay, I'll try my best," Li Yuan nodded heavily, feeling a surge of motivation.
This Ten School Freshman Battle not only involved personal rewards but also national honor. Although the Seven Star Alliance had been established for over a hundred years and the threat of alien civilizations was immense, competition and national honor contention had never ceased during peaceful times.
...
Li Yuan and Dean Li continued their conversation, deepening Li Yuan's understanding of Kunlun Martial Arts University's various training systems.
"You'll personally teach me techniques?" Li Yuan was surprised.
"Why, am I not qualified?" Dean Li smiled.
"No, it's not that," Li Yuan smiled. "I'm just a bit overwhelmed. I thought I would be following some teacher."
Li Yuan had learned from the school's introduction that courses were divided into four main categories: general knowledge, techniques, cultivation, and combat training. Each category had different teachers, with technique and combat training being the most important.
"Normally, first-year students would choose a teacher to follow. For example, if you practice spear, you would follow a spear technique teacher."
"For blade techniques, you would follow a blade technique teacher," Dean Li explained.
"There are over three hundred technique teachers in the school."
"Each teacher has at least twenty or thirty students, and some have nearly a hundred."
"Technique teachers must be at least 26th-level Source Warriors, with techniques at the peak fourth stage, making it easy to teach second- and third-stage students," Dean Li smiled.
Li Yuan held his breath. This meant Kunlun Martial Arts University had at least three hundred 25th-level Source Warriors? This level of faculty strength was indeed terrifying.
"Once a student's technique reaches the fourth stage, ordinary teachers find it hard to guide them," Dean Li said. "They must be taught by a vice dean."
"For example, our academy has nearly 1,100 students."
"Including you, there are 52 students with techniques above the fourth stage."
"My weapon is the spear, so it's fitting that I teach you," Dean Li smiled. "For the next while, you'll learn under me."
"Great," Li Yuan eagerly accepted.
Before coming, Li Yuan had discussed with Wan Qinghe. High school teachers and university martial arts teachers were entirely different concepts. University technique teachers were more like ancient mentors. Without hesitation, Li Yuan stood up, respectfully performed a formal bow, and said, "Li Yuan greets the teacher."
"Teacher" was a much more intimate term than "dean."
"No need, we're not in ancient times," Dean Li reached out to help Li Yuan up. But Li Yuan was quicker, insisting on completing the formal bow without any hesitation.
"Why bother, it's modern times. Don't be so rigid," Dean Li said, though he couldn't hide his pleased smile.
Etiquette may seem superficial, but it represents respect. If one can't even show surface respect, how can they discuss substance?
...
At 2 PM, in a large martial arts room on the seventh floor of the Black Dragon Building, eighteen students dressed in martial arts uniforms were already waiting. Most were practicing long weapons, primarily spears.
"The teacher is here."
"And he brought someone with him." The students sat up straight, looking at Dean Li and Li Yuan as they entered the room.
"Sit here," Dean Li pointed to an empty seat.
Li Yuan obediently sat down, feeling the gazes of the surrounding students. He activated his Divine Palace Detection and found that all four people he scanned were warriors, including one Source Warrior.
"Let me introduce you. This new student is Li Yuan, a first-year and the new senior brother of our academy. Starting today, he's also your junior classmate," Dean Li said slowly. "Don't underestimate him. In terms of physical strength, he's already at the entry level."
"In terms of technique, he's at the mid-level of the fourth stage, ranking in the middle among you." Dean Li glanced around at his students.
"Seventeen and at the entry level? Impressive!"
"His name is Li Yuan?"
"I've heard about him. In the entry competition yesterday, he led our academy to first place and broke the entry competition's historical record."
"Isn't he better than Jin Huguo?"
"Is our academy rising this year?" The seniors exchanged whispers, quickly learning about Li Yuan's achievements.
They gave him friendly and even admiring looks. Li Yuan nodded back politely, understanding that most of these seniors were fourth- and fifth-year students, destined to become Source Warriors after a few more years of body tempering. In terms of martial arts technique, several were stronger than him.
"Alright, everyone, focus and listen to the lecture."
"Today, I'll be teaching the 'Starry Spear Technique.' Pay close attention," Dean Li said, giving Li Yuan a meaningful look.