Chapter 30: B-Level Contract
"6.9? Three months ago, it was only 6.0? A month ago, it was 6.5? His physical fitness improved so quickly?" Principal Tan Zhenlong was also extremely surprised.
Due to Xu Bo's multiple recommendations and the summary of Li Yuan's special recruitment information a few weeks ago, Tan Zhenlong had a deep impression of Li Yuan. However, he had only expected Li Yuan's physical fitness to reach about 6.6. After all, normally, the further one progresses in training, the slower the improvement in physical fitness.
"Two months to improve from 6.0 to 6.5?"
"And in just over a month, another 0.4 increase?" Several vice principals and martial artists from the Martial Hall were all shocked.
A physical fitness level of 6.9 alone wasn't enough to shock anyone. Among the people present, aside from the few students like Li Yuan, almost everyone else was a martial artist. Even the school leaders had a minimum physical fitness level of 9.8. In this era, the probability of martial artists holding high positions was much greater than that of non-martial artists. Even compared to students, there were several in the elite class with physical fitness levels above 7.0. The strongest, Lin Lanyue, had reached 8.5.
But what shocked people about Li Yuan was his rapid improvement. After all, everyone present knew that Li Yuan had not awakened his martial arts spirituality. Could his physical fitness improve so quickly just by practicing basic techniques?
"Good." Xu Bo's eyes lit up. He had often observed Li Yuan through surveillance and knew that Li Yuan's physical fitness had improved significantly, but he hadn't expected it to be this remarkable.
"Li Yuan," Xu Bo's voice was like a bell, "Continue with the other two tests. Focus."
"Yes." Li Yuan wasn't foolish; he could tell from everyone's reaction that he had performed well. He also realized that regardless of which Martial Hall this mysterious palace master came from, this was an opportunity for him.
"Today is likely the annual inspection by the Martial Hall that I heard about before," Li Yuan thought, "But in the past, they only inspected the elite classes. This opportunity was fought for by Teacher Xu. Many times, good opportunities come only once or twice."
Without further thought, Li Yuan stepped into the punch strength testing area, positioned himself, adjusted his stance, and then suddenly threw a powerful punch.
"Boom~" With a dull thud, his fist struck the large sensor bag.
Instantly, the screen above the punch strength testing area displayed: "454 kg (movement qualified)."
After completing the punch strength test, Li Yuan didn't stay long. He made a slight adjustment and went to the starting point of the runway. A 40-meter-long testing runway! Under the white light from above the classroom, the dark red metal runway gleamed.
"Whoosh!" Li Yuan adjusted himself, took a deep breath, and then sprinted out with full force. Like a shadow, he dashed across the runway and hit the cushioning wall at the end.
Beep!
The electronic display screen at the end of the runway showed the data: "15.1 meters/second."
"What a fast speed."
"Did the life blood detection instrument make a mistake?"
"How can Li Yuan's actual data be so high?" Low whispers were heard, as the school leaders and five martial artists from the Martial Hall were all surprised.
Why were they surprised? Because Li Yuan's punch strength and burst speed data had both exceeded the 7.0 standard set by the Seven Star Alliance: 15 meters per second and 450 kg punch strength. Normally, a slight deviation in either direction was acceptable. But for both metrics to be above standard? Unusual.
"Good." Xu Bo and Tan Zhenlong exchanged a glance and smiled.
"Teacher Xu, I finished the tests." Li Yuan walked back to the center of the classroom.
"Old Wan." Xu Bo looked at Hall Master Wan.
"Don't rush." Hall Master Wan smiled mysteriously and turned to the others behind him. "Instructor Xing, what do you think? Is he qualified?"
The five martial artists from the Martial Hall exchanged glances.
"Hall Master," Instructor Xing said in a deep voice, "This kid has good physical talent. Becoming a martial artist shouldn't be difficult, but without awakening his martial arts spirituality, signing him early might need more consideration."
Instructor Xing could see the close relationship between the Hall Master and Xu Bo, so he didn't give a definitive answer. But everyone present could infer his true meaning: not qualified enough.
"No rush, let's keep watching." Hall Master Wan smiled, then looked at Xu Bo. "Iron Tower, I believe your student is best at martial arts techniques... let's test that."
"You noticed?" Xu Bo smiled.
"The life blood detection instrument usually doesn't make mistakes." Hall Master Wan smiled. "But his ability to exceed in strength and burst speed indicates he has high body control, and his strength manipulation is likely near perfect."
"From his walking posture, his basic boxing techniques should be almost perfect."
"I suspect his martial arts skills are the best among your students, probably by a significant margin."
Xu Bo and Principal Tan exchanged smiles.
"As expected of Old Wan, sharp eyes." Xu Bo laughed.
Xu Bo knew that Hall Master Wan had only been in office for less than a week. Without checking previous records, he probably didn't know about Li Yuan's inclusion in the Blue Star Youth List.
"Li Yuan, take out your spear." Xu Bo called to Li Yuan. "Let's conduct a skills test."
"Yes." Li Yuan walked over to the weapons cabinet nearby. He had already prepared his weapon in this classroom at Xu Bo's instruction earlier.
Meanwhile, Li Yuan couldn't help but glance again at the middle-aged man in the Tang suit. "What sharp eyes."
Li Yuan had also heard Hall Master Wan's deductions.
...
With his spear in hand, the martial arts skills test had begun. Numerous instruments in the classroom activated.
Li Yuan, holding his spear, stood facing Xu Bo.
"Come, attack me, and show your spear skills to the fullest," Xu Bo said, holding a long staff.
"Yes." Li Yuan nodded, knowing his teacher intended for him to showcase his abilities.
Without hesitation.
"Boom!" Li Yuan moved like lightning, launching a fierce spear thrust.
"Clang!" The staff met the spearhead in a powerful collision.
If this had been over a month ago, just this clash might have overwhelmed Li Yuan. But now, his spear skills had advanced further.
"Swish~" The spear shaft slid downward, the rear hand retracted, and the front hand quickly touched, creating a swirl that seemed to produce dozens of spear shadows in an instant.
"The teacher's physical fitness seems to be around level 7, attack." Li Yuan attacked fiercely.
It is said, "The spear fears shaking." This means that when the spear body shakes, making the spearhead unpredictable, it is when the spear's attack is most terrifying.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
One thrust after another, continuously and swiftly, aimed at Xu Bo with precision and power.
This was Li Yuan's newly created ultimate move—Mountains and Valleys.
A confusing attack method, also suitable for group combat.
"Haha, not bad." Xu Bo laughed, wielding his staff in his left hand, each strike accurately hitting the spearhead, preventing Li Yuan from fully utilizing his strength.
In the blink of an eye, they exchanged dozens of moves.
"Li Yuan, be careful." Xu Bo suddenly roared, his steps shifting, and his staff thrust forward like a spear.
The timing was perfect.
This thrust came just as Li Yuan was retracting his spear after a failed attack.
"Not good." Li Yuan's spear techniques shifted from offense to defense, his skillful transitions surprising the onlooking martial artists.
Without hesitation.
Li Yuan executed 'Foundation Pillar,' turning himself into a rock, fiercely defending against Xu Bo's attacks.
After several more exchanges.
"Good, stop," Xu Bo suddenly retreated, creating distance between himself and Li Yuan, and smiled.
Li Yuan stopped, his blood surging.
The teacher's attacks were fierce, precise, and relentless, making it hard for him to keep up.
"But at least I defended for so long, much better than last time." Li Yuan took a deep breath.
Xu Bo tapped his smart wristband and said, "Skills test completed."
Beep—
The classroom's rear screen displayed a score: "374 points (college entrance exam standard)."
"374 points?"
"So high!"
"College entrance exam standard, over 370 points?"
"I remember Lin Lanyue scored 361 points earlier."
"Last year, the top martial arts skill score in Jiang City was just over 380 points." Several vice principals were thoroughly shocked.
Lin Lanyue: 361 points.
Li Yuan: 374 points.
The difference seemed like just a few points, but in martial arts, a few points could signify a significant gap in skill.
Exceeding 360 points.
A difference of even 5 points indicates a clear disparity in martial arts skills.
A 10-point difference means that in a virtual battle, the outcome would be almost certain.
"Could our school produce a city-level top scorer? There's still time before the college entrance exam."
"Our district's education quality has never been top-notch in the city." The vice principals exchanged glances, each contemplating this possibility.
Especially the vice principal in charge of 'teaching,' who smiled the brightest.
"Alright, Li Yuan, put your weapon back," Xu Bo said.
Li Yuan obediently put his spear away.
"Old Wan, what do you think?" Xu Bo put his staff aside and walked over.
"Instructor Xing? What do you think?" Hall Master Wan smiled, still not giving a direct answer.
The martial artists exchanged glances.
"If he can awaken his martial arts spirituality, he meets the C-level contract standard; without it, he's still lacking, but he qualifies for a D-level contract." Instructor Xing hesitated.
In his mind, Li Yuan was slightly below the D-level contract standard.
High martial arts skills?
Without awakening martial arts spirituality, it was a significant drawback.
"D-level contract?"
Hall Master Wan nodded slightly and then said, "Iron Tower, Principal Tan, I'd like to speak with Li Yuan alone. Is that okay?"
Speak alone?
Principal Tan and Xu Bo exchanged glances, each deep in thought.
"Sure." Principal Tan smiled, "It's a good thing that Hall Master Wan wants to talk to Li Yuan alone."
"Let's go outside." Principal Tan led the other school leaders out of the classroom.
"Speak alone?" Li Yuan, who had just walked over, was a bit confused.
What's going on?
"Li Yuan, this is Hall Master Wan Qinghe from the Guanshan Branch of the Starlight Martial Hall. Have a good talk," Xu Bo whispered.
Starlight Martial Hall Guanshan Branch Hall Master? Li Yuan was surprised but remained calm. This was a significant figure in his eyes.
Soon, the school leaders, martial artists, and the other three students left the classroom, leaving only Li Yuan and Hall Master Wan.
The classroom door closed.
"Li Yuan, my name is Wan Qinghe." Hall Master Wan smiled.
"Hall Master Wan." Li Yuan felt anxious, unsure of the other's intentions.
"I want to invite you to join the Starlight Martial Hall with an early contract." Hall Master Wan smiled at Li Yuan, "A B-level contract with a passive upgrade clause."
"Once you awaken your martial arts spirituality, it will immediately upgrade to an A-level contract."
"What do you think?"