High-Level Martial Era
Chapter 43: 41 Why is he a B rank when I'm only a C rank?

Half an hour later.

Li Yuan finally felt the rampaging, dominant, and scorching energy coursing through his body gradually fade away.

"Each time I take an Origin Power Essence Pill, my body undergoes noticeable changes," Li Yuan mused inwardly. "Today, my life level has actually improved by 0.1 level."

Feeling the amazing transformation of his body step by step was indeed exhilarating.

"In just over half an hour, my maximum fist strength has advanced further, reaching 732 kilograms?" Li Yuan glanced at the Divine Palace panel.

The effects of the Origin Power Essence Pill had not been fully digested, but had become hidden within him.

For the next ten days or so, Li Yuan would have to practice diligently to ensure his muscles and bones fully absorbed it, without wasting even a bit.

"I wonder if I can raise my physical quality to 7.9 levels before the January evaluation exams," Li Yuan thought to himself.

From mid-October to now, over two months.

It seemed his physical quality had only improved by 0.9 level, apparently the same speed as before taking the Origin Power Essence Pill.

But the improvement of life levels is not linear, the further you go, the more astonishing the gap between each level.

The standard for fist strength at physical quality level 6 is 300 kilograms.

The standard for fist strength at physical quality level 7 is 450 kilograms.

And the standard for fist strength at physical quality level 8 is 800 kilograms.

In other words, in just over two months, Li Yuan's fist strength had increased by nearly 300 kilograms.

"Up to level 10 of physical quality, the gap from level 7 to level 8 is the largest, and the data indicators for various attributes almost double," Li Yuan said to himself. "Many students at Martial Arts University, if they do not awaken their Martial Spirit, might not even reach level 8 by the time they graduate."

Interacting with many Martial Artists at the hall gave Li Yuan more insight.

Over eighty percent of Entry Rank Martial Artists have awakened their Martial Spirit.

"My improvement has been so quick."

"The Origin Power Essence Pill has the greatest effect," Li Yuan thought. "The capacity of my body to endure and digest... Although it's not as strong as what Teacher Xu said, digesting one every month, being able to digest one every twenty days is quite astonishing."

Over the past two months.

Li Yuan had ingested four Origin Power Essence Pills.

The cost was enormous, but its effects were outstanding.

Without the Origin Power Essence Pills, just taking basic blood and energy potions, Li Yuan estimated his physical quality would now be around level 7.3 or 7.4.

"Teacher Xu wasn't wrong."

"Once the physical quality is strong to a certain extent, it's not just about continuing to improve—just maintaining it is difficult," Li Yuan suddenly swung his hand.

"Whoosh!"

His hand, like a blade, tore through the air.

Since breaking through to life level 7.5, Li Yuan clearly felt the effects of the Origin Power Essence Pill weakening.

Eating nutritional meals? Taking basic blood and energy potions? The effects were even weaker.

Li Yuan could foresee.

Once he became a Martial Artist, if he only ate nutritional meals and took basic blood and energy potions, it would be difficult to continue improving his physical quality.

By then, the auxiliary effect of the Origin Power Essence Pill in cultivation would be reduced by more than half... The more powerful the body, the more energy consumed in cultivation and combat.

Continuous rapid improvement? Firstly, you need to use higher grade treasures, and secondly, your body has to be able to withstand it.

"Martial Spirit!"

"If I could practice high-rank cultivation methods, I would be able to directly absorb the Origin Power from the universe," a flicker of light passed through Li Yuan's eyes. "No wonder, this parameter of Martial Spirit is considered so crucial by the Seven Star Alliance."

Practicing high-rank cultivation methods would greatly save on resources.

Not just for the individual, but for the entire human civilization as well.

Thinking of this.

Li Yuan raised his smart ring to check the balance of his National Bank and Martial Hall accounts.

Bank Balance: 1,125,124 Blue Star Coins

Martial Hall Points: 1,946,880

Martial Hall Cultivation Points: 750,000

...

At nine o'clock in the evening, Li Yuan changed his clothes and left the Martial Arts Room, heading toward the elevator.

"Li Yuan, you're leaving now?"

"Uncle Wang."

"Brother Liu."

Martial Artists greeted Li Yuan from time to time with enthusiasm, and he responded to each one.

"Li Yuan, heading back? Your brother and sister just went downstairs," said a young man in an instructor's uniform with cropped hair, who happened to walk by and greeted Li Yuan with a smile.

"Alright, thanks, Brother Liu," Li Yuan replied with a smile.

The cropped-haired youth had just graduated from Martial Arts University and had not long become a Martial Artist. He was responsible for teaching the public free martial arts classes.

Li Qianqian and Li Muhua were both his students.

As a result, he had a close relationship with Li Yuan.

Over the past two months, in the Martial Artist circles of the Starfire Martial Hall's Guanshan branch hall, basically everyone knew that Li Yuan was a B-level Martial Path talent signed in advance by the Martial Hall.

A B-level contract indicated that the future was at least that of a level 16 Martial Artist with a certain chance of becoming a Prime Warrior. His potential was enormous.

Furthermore, every time Instructor Xing, the head instructor, met Li Yuan, he was extremely enthusiastic and polite, let alone these ordinary Martial Artists and instructors?

"In the past, I was just an ordinary student. When I came to the Martial Hall building, I couldn't even get through the door, and no one would give me the time of day," Li Yuan thought to himself.

"Now? When Brother Liu points out something for Qian Qian and Muhua during their practice, he is more enthusiastic than when teaching other junior high students."

When one is powerful, everyone around becomes friendly and kind.

...The elevator doors opened, and as Li Yuan was about to enter, his gaze suddenly sharpened.

There was a familiar face.

"Li Yuan?" The girl standing in the elevator also seemed surprised.

"Lin Lanyue, long time no see," Li Yuan greeted her cordially.

A few months ago, their virtual match at school had caused quite a stir.

But as time passed, Li Yuan had made no further moves, and with the increasing demands of their senior year studies, all the rumors had dissipated.

Instead, the two would greet each other when they occasionally met at school.

Today, Lin Lanyue wasn't wearing her Martial Arts uniform. Instead, she was in casual clothes, a cashmere long coat covering her upper body and a form-fitting turtleneck sweater underneath, showing off her fair, blush-tinged skin. She wore pale blue jeans that outlined her long and beautifully curved legs.

The attire was markedly different from her usual student look.

"Li Yuan, what are you doing at the Martial Hall?" Lin Lanyue asked, slightly puzzled.

"Just some stuff," Li Yuan said with a smile, without going into detail.

The fact that he had signed with Starfire Martial Hall ahead of time wasn't mentioned by either the principal or Teacher Xu Bo.

It wasn't spread around the school at all.

Li Yuan did not want to attract unnecessary attention with matters that brought him no advantage, so naturally, he wouldn't discuss them.

"Yue Yue, is this your classmate? I feel like I haven't seen him before." A young woman in her thirties, clad in a mink coat, eyed him with a hint of wariness.

She remembered Lin Lanyue rarely took initiative to greet male students.

"He's from Class 3 (2)," Lin Lanyue explained.

"Class 3 (2)?" The young woman frowned slightly.

A student from a regular class?

How did they get to know each other?

"Li Yuan, this is my aunt," Lin Lanyue introduced him proactively.

Lin Lanyue internally approved and admired Li Yuan for his prowess in Martial Arts Skills, having been beaten by him herself.

Moreover, Li Yuan had never approached her again over the past few months, making Lin Lanyue realize that he was indeed different from those other boys who tried to pursue her.

"Hello, Auntie," Li Yuan greeted her as it was natural to do so.

The young woman was taken aback. Auntie?

Do I really look that old?

Ding~ The elevator doors opened.

"I've got something else to do, so I'll be going now," Li Yuan said with a smile. "See you at school later."

He stepped out of the elevator.

"See you at school," Lin Lanyue nodded, then leisurely walked out of the elevator with the young woman.

They weren't in a hurry to leave but watched Li Yuan walk away.

"Yue Yue, you should minimize contact with ordinary class boys in the future," the young woman said with a frown.

Lin Lanyue was momentarily startled, then she laughed and said, "Auntie, do you remember when I was defeated on the Starry Skies Fighting Network last time?"

"Hmm? Xiao Qiang has mentioned it," the young woman recalled. "Was it him?"

"Yes," Lin Lanyue nodded, watching Li Yuan leaving. "His Spear Technique is formidable; I'm no match for him in virtual combat."

"So what if his skills are strong?"

"Without a Martial Spirit, the best he can do is to get into Jiangbei Martial Arts University. Does he think he can get into one of the top five academies?" The young woman snorted.

Lin Lanyue smiled and made no retort.

She knew that her aunt's temperament was not to underestimate Li Yuan, but she was simply dissatisfied that Li Yuan had called her 'Auntie.'

"Oh, there's Instructor Xing over there," the young woman suddenly brightened up. "Come on, let's go and say hello."

"Oh," Lin Lanyue nodded.

She seldom came to the Starfire Martial Hall and didn't really care about any instructor.

Suddenly.

"That boy?" The young woman raised her eyebrows in confusion. "Instructor Xing stopped to greet him?"

"Really?" Lin Lanyue was also surprised and looked over.

Not far away.

Instructor Xing had stopped Li Yuan and was smiling as he talked with him, giving off the impression, to outsiders, more of a peer-to-peer exchange rather than a senior interacting with a junior.

After a while.

Instructor Xing waved as he saw Li Yuan out of the building and then moved towards the elevator.

The young woman, dragging Lin Lanyue along, greeted him proactively.

"Instructor Xing," the young woman said with a bright smile.

"Ms. You," Instructor Xing recognized the young woman and smiled back. "Are you here for physical therapy again today?"

Instructor Xing looked at Lin Lanyue. "You... must be Hall Master Lin's daughter, Lin Lanyue, right?"

"You know me?" Lin Lanyue asked, surprised.

"I remember."

"When Hall Master Lin was in Jiang City, I met you when you were a child," Instructor Xing said with a smile. "I was present at your school for an inspection last time, but there were too many people, so I didn't greet you."

"Later on, our Martial Hall sent you a Class C contract invitation, which you didn't accept."

Lin Lanyue couldn't help but smile.

Her father was a member of Starry Sky Martial Hall, so naturally, she wouldn't accept an advance contract invitation from Starfire Martial Hall.

"Instructor Xing, that boy just now, who is he?" The young woman pointed at Li Yuan, who had just left the building.

"Oh?"

"You mean Li Yuan?" Instructor Xing looked back and said with a smile. "He goes to the same school as Xiao Lin. Don't you know him?"

"Not really," Lin Lanyue shook her head.

"He's a Class B contract member of our Martial Hall," Instructor Xing said with a smile. "This young man is quite outstanding."

...

Instructor Xing got into the elevator.

"Yue Yue."

"You're lying to me? Didn't you say he was from a regular class? How could he have a Class B contract with Starfire Martial Hall?"

The young woman was stunned for a moment and looked at Lin Lanyue with a skeptical expression: "Is there something going on between you two? Otherwise, why would you lie to me?"

"Auntie, I really didn't lie to you," Lin Lanyue said, her bright eyes also filled with confusion, and she asserted, "Li Yuan really is from Class 3 (2)."

"I've never heard of someone who hasn't awakened their Martial Spirit securing a Class B contract in advance," the young woman shook her head. "Your grades are so good, and even on the last assessment, you just qualified for Class C."

Lin Lanyue was too lazy to respond to her aunt anymore; she lowered her head and frowned, lost in thought.

Yeah, I'm only Class C!

Why would Li Yuan sign a Class B contract?