High-Level Martial Era
Chapter 52: 50: Recognition on the Podium

He exited the virtual reality pod.

Li Yuan began today's Martial Path training, starting with the Basic Cultivation Method and then practicing his Spear Technique.

This had become Li Yuan's routine.

It wasn't until three-thirty in the afternoon, after taking a hot shower in the rest room, that Li Yuan left the Martial Arts Room.

As Mr. Chen mentioned this morning.

At four o'clock in the afternoon, there would be a school assembly for all teachers and students. Everyone was required to gather at the sports field on time, with no exceptions for tardiness.

Just as he closed the door of the Martial Arts Room.

"Li Yuan?" A rather happy voice came from not too far away: "You're still in the Martial Arts Room? Hurry up, I thought I was the only one left."

"Gu Qiang, you haven't left yet?" Li Yuan said with a smile, spotting the handsome young man at the end of the hallway.

Whether it's mealtime, bathroom breaks, heading to the sports field, or after school, students always liked to pair up.

Boys were no exception.

Approaching the end of the term, Li Yuan and Gǔ Qiánghàn had run into each other quite often.

They had become quite familiar with each other.

Through frequent interactions.

Li Yuan had long noticed that despite Gǔ Qiánghàn's seemingly impulsive nature, he was actually quite straightforward with no ill intentions—his face always gave away his thoughts. He made for a pretty good choice as a friend.

"It's Gu Qiang! Gu Qiang!" Gǔ Qiánghàn hopped, protesting: "That's what my sister calls me."

"If your sister can call you that, why can't I?" Li Yuan walked closer with a smile: "Come on, let's go downstairs."

"Of course my sister can call me that." Gu Qiang led the way down the stairs, glancing back at Li Yuan: "You're not my brother-in-law, why should you call me little Qiang?"

"So what if I call you that?" Li Yuan chuckled: "You can't beat me anyway."

"This exam, in terms of bare Martial Path scores, I seem to remember you weren't as high as me."

Gǔ Qiánghàn suddenly felt stuck.

Indeed!

He had seen the score report and knew about Li Yuan's terrifying score in the January assessment—second in the grade... and far exceeding the third place.

From a practical standpoint, whoever has a higher bare Martial Path score often has a greater advantage and a higher probability of winning in actual combat.

"Tch!"

Gǔ Qiánghàn suddenly raised his middle finger: "So what if your bare score is higher than mine? I have extra points for Spiritual Nature, and my overall score is second in the grade while you're only..."

Seeing that Li Yuan didn't respond.

"Forget it." Gǔ Qiánghàn suddenly realized it was inappropriate to continue and waved his hand magnanimously: "I forgive you for tricking me during the exam. From now on, remember to call me Gu Qiang, 'little Qiang' is not for you to use."

"Got it, Gu Qiánghàn," Li Yuan purposely elongated the sound.

"Oh my, you won't have any friends if you keep this up," Gǔ Qiánghàn glared.

…

Li Yuan and Gǔ Qiánghàn, exchanging 'friendly greetings' all the way, walked into the sports field together.

At that moment, there were only two minutes left until four o'clock.

The majority of the classes from the whole school had already assembled in an orderly fashion.

The lineups for class three-year-one and class three-year-two were right next to each other.

"Lanyue," the slightly plump girl Peng Qiqi nudged the hand of the girl next to her, Lin Lanyue: "Look, why is your brother so close with Li Yuan? They're coming over so late together."

"Could it be that Li Yuan is trying to take a shortcut?" Peng Qiqi winked: "First he gets on good terms with your brother, then chases after you."

"Qiqi, have you been reading too many romance novels?" Lin Lanyue extended her hand, pinching her best friend's neck, causing Peng Qiqi to giggle.

Many boys around couldn't help but glance over.

In the Martial Arts class, there were quite a few who had a crush on Lin Lanyue.

However, no one dared to confess.

"Hehe." Peng Qiqi tried to block Lin Lanyue's hand while muttering softly: "Then you tell me, why is he so close with Gu Qiang?"

"Don't you know what kind of person Gu Qiang is?" Lin Lanyue shook her head gently: "If you could pin him down and beat him up repeatedly, he'd also be willing to be friends with you."

"Gu Qiang and Li Yuan had a sparring match?" Peng Qiqi asked in surprise.

"Yeah, they both have individual Martial Arts Rooms next to each other," Lin Lanyue nodded: "They've fought several times in virtual battles, and Gu Qiang lost every time."

Peng Qiqi mused: "Right, Li Yuan's bare Martial Path score this time was second, exceeding 900 points, not much lower than yours."

"He's 28 points lower," Lin Lanyue emphasized.

She was actually very concerned about Li Yuan's score.

In the morning, the homeroom teacher from her culture class informed her of the scores and rankings right away, and also told her about Li Yuan being the first in 'skill score' in the Guan Mountain District and second in the entire city.

At that time, Lin Lanyue was shocked by Li Yuan's incredible rate of progress.

However, she naturally didn't want to admit it in front of her best friend.

"You remember his score quite well, huh."

Peng Qiqi giggled: "By the way, you said before that only someone on the podium would be worthy of your affection. I think next time, Li Yuan's bare score might surpass yours."

Lin Lanyue blinked, her long eyelashes fluttering: "Let's wait until he surpasses me, then we'll talk."

"Even if his bare score surpasses mine, his total score is still lower. The ones who get on the podium are the ones with the highest total score, not the highest bare score," Lin Lanyue said indifferently.

In her subconscious, she felt that Li Yuan had a chance of surpassing her bare score.

"You're just a sore loser," Peng Qiqi laughed, suddenly sticking out her tongue: "Here comes Mr. Xia."

Mr. Xia was the homeroom teacher for class three-year-one.

…

"Today, we are honored with the presence of the following leaders at our school. They are the Director of the Guan Mountain District Martial Arts Bureau 'Director Zhang', representatives from the Guan Mountain District Education Bureau...

the Deputy Hall Master of the Starfire Martial Hall's Guan Mountain branch, Hall Master Song of the Starry Sky Martial Hall's Guan Mountain branch..." the host teacher introduced the guests seated at the podium.

There were more than a dozen in total.

"The Hall Master Zuo is here?" Standing among the ranks, Li Yuan looked up at the woman on stage with her brown curly hair and face full of valor, slightly surprised.

Logically, how could so many leaders be present at an internal school assembly for teachers and students?

The representatives from both major Martial Halls had arrived.

"Brother Yuan, haven't you noticed? There seem to be quite a few reporters here today," Yan Zhou whispered, pointing to the long spears and short cannons on either side of the podium.

"Oh," Li Yuan nodded. He had arrived at the playground rather late and hadn't noticed until now.

"Respected leaders and teachers..." Principal Tan Zhenlong had started his spirited speech.

As Principal Tan read from the papers, his eyes swept over the thousands of students below, as if seeing a scene brimming with vitality and flourishing life.

Time passed.

As one leader after another spoke, the students below had started to yawn.

Finally.

The most important part of today's agenda began—the commendation ceremony.

"In this citywide January examination, our senior year students fought valiantly, achieving outstanding results again... Wan Qingling and ten other students ranked in the top ten for total academic scores."

"Lin Lanyue, Gu Qianghan... Li Yuan... and ten other students ranked in the top ten for total Martial Path scores. Please join me, all teachers and students, in congratulating them and hope everyone will learn from them," the presenting teacher said with passion.

Scattered applause broke out from below.

Most of the students had lost all interest and just wished to leave the assembly and return to their classrooms swiftly.

This was especially true for the first and second-year students, who mostly felt like they were merely cheap 'NPC audiences,' sending their friendly regards to the leaders in private.

Down below.

"Lanyue, it's about time for you to go on stage," Peng Qiqi whispered softly, "Good luck."

The first in both academic and Martial Path scores, as per tradition, are to go on stage for special recognition and a photo with the school leaders.

Lin Lanyue was quite indifferent.

Events like this she had experienced many times over her high school years and was very familiar with the process.

However.

The teacher hosting on stage did not introduce the two top-ranked students of the year as Lin Lanyue and most senior students had expected; instead, he handed the microphone back to Principal Tan Zhenlong who had stepped forward.

"Today's assembly,"

Principal Tan Zhenlong said solemnly: "Apart from summarizing the January exams for the senior year and commending excellent students, there is also a very special commendation."

A special commendation? These words immediately piqued the interest of many students.

"All students should be aware."

"Just a week ago, our Guan Mountain District had just suffered a serious attack by Star Realm Creatures..." Principal Tan's voice was low and somber.

At this moment, the somewhat stale atmosphere was revitalized, and many students couldn't help but look up at Principal Tan, all curious.

A special commendation connected to a Star Realm Creatures attack?

Even Lin Lanyue and Gu Qianghan were quite curious.

"...However, when an Entry Rank Star Realm Creature charged towards the crowd,"

"At such a critical moment, at such a crucial time, a seventeen-year-old high school student who happened to pass by, disregarding his own safety, picked up the crude weapon nearby and stood bravely between the Star Realm Creature and the innocent crowd..." Principal Tan recounted the 'fierce battle' that took place not so long ago with deep emotion and vivid detail.

The thousands of students below were also quite engrossed in listening.

It was much more interesting than the previous leaders' speeches.

"Wow! Fighting with an Entry Rank Star Realm Creature? Who is it?" Peng Qiqi was surprised and whispered, "Lanyue, was it you?"

In reality, not only Peng Qiqi but also many students from the Elite Class and other classes in the senior year looked towards Lin Lanyue.

All the students realized.

If Principal Tan was delivering this speech in such a manner, the student who battled the Star Realm Creature must certainly belong to their school.

In their eyes, perhaps only Lin Lanyue had a chance of barely contending with an Entry Rank Star Realm Creature.

Besides Lin Lanyue, who else could it be?

"It wasn't me," Lin Lanyue shook her head, a trace of curiosity flashing in her eyes, "Who then?"

Indeed, she had fought against Star Realm Creatures before, but it had always been on controlled grounds against Unranked Star Realm Creatures.

Initiating a battle with an Entry Rank Star Realm Creature?

Lin Lanyue admitted to herself that she did not yet possess that courage or strength.

"In the end, after a strenuous and arduous battle." Principal Tan continued to speak: "This seventeen-year-old student managed to kill the Star Realm Creature, saving the lives of many innocent people."

"To commend this student for his bravery and outstanding contribution during the Star Realm Creature attack,"

"Jiang City's Martial Arts Hall, the Education Bureau, Starfire Martial Hall of Jiang City, Starry Sky Martial Hall of Jiang City... have jointly decided to award him the 'Young Hero' role model title," declared Principal Tan, his passion burning and eyes shining bright: "Now."

"Let's invite Li Yuan, a student from the senior year, class 3-2, to come up on stage,"

"and receive the honor of the role model title!"

"Wow!"

"Applause~" Instantly, the entire playground erupted with a wave-like surge of clapping.

First and second-year students stretched their necks, full of anticipation, looking towards the direction of the podium.

Eager to see which senior was so impressive.

Several classes close to the senior year, class 3-2, were already staring wide-eyed at the young figure slowly stepping out from the class lineup.

Dressed in white Martial Arts attire, the boy with a well-proportioned body and noble bearing.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, the young man walked calmly to the podium with a slight smile on his face, composed and collected.

..."Lanyue."

"Li... Li Yuan, he's actually gone up to the podium," Peng Qiqi stared wide-eyed at the white-clad figure, somewhat mesmerized, then suddenly whispered, "Do you really think Li Yuan isn't good? If you don't want him, don't fight with me for him, okay?"

"We'll talk about that later," Lin Lanyue's gaze was fixed on the podium, unflinching.