Elite Contract

"Actual combat?" Fang Yu was slightly puzzled. "How does that differ from the practical combat assessment?" Wang Mo was curious as well. "Because students at martial junior colleges are relatively weak and generally can't reach Level 20, we don't conduct actual combat instruction," Yan Fu explained. "Undergraduate programs are different. Huguang Martial University, for instance, has a five-year curriculum. Even weaker students will mostly reach Level 20 by their fifth year, while more capable ones can hit Level 20 by their third year or even earlier." Fang Yu and Wang Mo nodded in understanding. Martial junior college students who reached Level 20 before graduating were rare as phoenix feathers, but among martial undergraduates, reaching Level 20 was common—practically the standard. Undergraduate students generally possessed greater talent, stronger Star Aspects, superior faculty, and better cultivation environments, along with more years to train... Their overall strength was naturally on a completely different tier. Subconsciously, Fang Yu thought back to Jiang Chenyi, whom he had encountered earlier. Fresh out of his first year, he was already past Level 25—a veritable monster... Of course, Jiang Chenyi was a student at New Moon Martial University, far beyond anyone at Huguang Martial University. Across the entire Blue Moon Alliance: New Moon Martial University, the New Moon Top Ten key martial universities, Blue Star's thirty first-class martial universities, two hundred and twenty standard martial universities, and five thousand martial junior colleges... These formed five clearly demarcated tiers of higher martial education. A martial arts zhuangyuan like Jiang Chenyi would attend the New Moon Top Ten at the very least. The goal Fang Yu had set for his younger brother and sister was also the New Moon Top Ten. "Level 20." "That's when you qualify to head to the Primordial Star and become a true warrior," Yan Fu remarked with emotion. "Why does Blue Moon Civilization grant martial artists such lavish treatment? The core objective is to encourage them to go to the Primordial Star." Fang Yu fell into thought. "So in martial undergraduate programs, every student who reaches Level 20 is encouraged to take part in actual combat?" Fang Yu couldn't help asking. "Sharp," Yan Fu nodded. "Every year from February 20th to March 20th, and from August 20th to September 20th, are Huguang Martial University's two 'practical combat periods.' "Any student whose physical technique has reached Entering the Minute and whose Life Level is 20 must participate in combat on the Primordial Star... As a direct-pass student, you'll definitely receive specialized training, and your strength is sufficient, so you'll very likely be required to take part. In late September, you would return to the university alongside the others to continue your studies. "Wang Mo and Zhang Tao also qualify to participate, but since they aren't on specialized training tracks and are newly admitted... if they don't want to go, it won't be mandatory for their first time. "Actual combat means fighting to the death against the ferocious beasts of the Primordial Star, and even powerhouses from alien worlds. The mortality rate is very high." Fang Yu had a general grasp of the situation now. The release of the second batch of the recommendation list was set for August 15th, while the Junior-College-to-Undergraduate Upgrade practical combat assessment was set for September 15th... These were presumably tied to Huguang Martial University's academic schedule. "Then what about the upgrade practical combat assessment?" Wang Mo asked curiously. "The so-called practical combat assessment just involves fighting a few weak beasts in the 'safe zone' next to the Star-Sky Base, mainly to give new students some hands-on experience," Yan Fu said with a chuckle. "In reality, the requirement is only Level 15. "Junior colleges like ours require participating students' technique to reach physical Entering the Minute purely for safety. That's why we only send seventy students each year, keeping the final mortality rate under one percent..." Fang Yu and Wang Mo exchanged a look. So the quota cap on the practical combat assessment wasn't about cost control as they had assumed, but about safety. "Teacher, what happens if I refuse?" Fang Yu inquired. "You can still enroll as normal," Yan Fu replied. "However, the extra training and resources allocated to you would likely be reduced, or even cancelled." "Is that fair?" Wang Mo couldn't help chiming in. "Our junior college barely offers any coursework on the Primordial Star. Fang Yu is undeniably capable, but demanding actual combat right off the bat? Isn't that absurd?" "It certainly isn't fair. "Then again, how much of this world is fair?" Yan Fu shook his head. "Demanding actual combat isn't just about tempering students; it's also one of the criteria the Blue Moon Alliance uses to evaluate universities. Their students must achieve a sufficient quota of kills on the Primordial Star for these martial universities to pass their evaluations and secure their respective funding allocations. "As an elite student receiving special nurturing and enjoying abundant additional resources, you can't expect to take zero risks or shirk responsibility... Where in the world could you find such a free ride?" Fang Yu understood completely. Behind many rules that seemed unreasonable on the surface lay practical considerations. For martial junior colleges, annual evaluations centered mainly around metrics like the percentage of students reaching Level 15 or the rate of students achieving Entering the Minute—all safe, risk-free milestones. Martial undergraduate programs received far more resource allocations and funding from the Blue Moon Alliance, but their evaluations were correspondingly harsher. Naturally, the students had to shoulder responsibility; the stakes were far more dangerous, and the mortality rate significantly higher. "Actually, Wu Ya rejected Huguang Martial University's contract," Yan Fu said suddenly. "From what I know, Huguang Martial University wanted to admit him via direct pass back in sophomore year." "A direct pass?" Fang Yu asked, intrigued. "You became a direct-pass student most likely because of your saber Entering the Minute," Yan Fu said. "Meanwhile, awakening an Upper-Rank Star Aspect makes securing a direct-pass spot effortless... After all, even among martial arts students in standard undergraduate programs, very few awaken Upper-Rank Star Aspects." Fang Yu nodded in agreement. Most who awakened an Upper-Rank Star Aspect did so before age eighteen. With such a powerful Star Aspect, as long as one's technical talent wasn't shockingly abysmal, getting into first-class institutions like Modu Martial University or Yandu Martial University wasn't difficult at all. When would Huguang Martial University ever get a chance at them? "Yet Wu Ya turned it down," Yan Fu smiled. "Then what about his recommendation this time?" Wang Mo asked curiously. "Isn't he still going to Huguang Martial University?" "Of course not," Yan Fu shook his head. "He received a recommendation to Modu Martial University... The news simply hasn't been made public. "Just like how your saber Entering the Minute hasn't been made public, Fang Yu." Fang Yu and Wang Mo came to an understanding. "Teacher, what do you recommend?" Fang Yu looked at Yan Fu. "From the perspective of my personal interests, it'd be best if you signed—my performance bonus would be higher," Yan Fu said. "However, actual combat carries tremendous risks... That's why I wanted to make things clear to you beforehand." Fang Yu nodded. Actual combat meant stepping into the unknown... In the past, because of his mother, Fang Yu had looked up a vast amount of information about the Primordial Star. Even though much of the information on the network was censored, one could infer plenty from the fragments that slipped through. It was an extraordinarily perilous place... Throughout history, even Star-Sky Martial Artists had perished on the Primordial Star. "Fang Yu, there's no need to take that risk," Wang Mo said in a low voice. "At the very least, enter the university and train for a while, take the proper courses first." "Yeah, let me think about it," Fang Yu said. ... Before long, Wang Mo and the others took their leave first. Fang Yu followed the female instructor from earlier straight to the building's ninth floor. On ordinary days, this floor was a restricted zone where students were not permitted. It was Fang Yu's first time here as well. Arriving outside an office, the female instructor pushed the door open, stepped inside, and spoke with deference: "Professor Tang, I've brought Fang Yu." *A professor?* Fang Yu was inwardly startled. Anyone serving as an instructor at a martial junior college was at least an Advanced Martial Artist. Who could command such deference from an Advanced Martial Artist? "I am an associate professor, so address me as Associate Professor. Don't play petty tricks; remember that next time," a mild voice sounded. "Come in." *An associate professor? And she's a woman?* Fang Yu was taken aback. "Understood." A flicker of embarrassment crossed the female instructor's face as she led Fang Yu inside. Fang Yu swept his gaze across the room. There were six figures inside, led by a young woman in a form-fitting gray martial arts uniform. She looked to be around twenty-five, with looks that were above average at best, but radiated a formidable, valiant presence. At the moment, she was looking calmly at Fang Yu. At the same time, Fang Yu noticed a middle-aged man of medium build standing beside her, looking at him with a warm smile. Without needing any prompting from the female instructor, Fang Yu bowed respectfully and said, "Greetings, Associate Professor Tang." "Mm. "Fang Yu, you truly are a talent. Reaching saber Entering the Minute at such a young age demonstrates exceptional technical gift," the young woman in gray said, studying Fang Yu. "However, regarding whether to grant you special recruitment, our panel of six instructors was divided... I personally voted against it." Fang Yu felt a flicker of surprise. From this brief encounter alone, he could tell Associate Professor Tang possessed an unconventional temperament. "It was Teacher Jiang Wei who overrode all objections and used his own special approval quota to recruit you," the young woman in gray said, gesturing toward the middle-aged man beside her. "You have him to thank." "Thank you, Teacher Jiang," Fang Yu said gratefully. He understood that becoming a direct-pass student was entirely due to Teacher Jiang Wei's insistence; otherwise, he would have merely received an ordinary recommendation. "There's no need for thanks; you earned it through your own excellence," Jiang Wei said with a smile. "At Huguang Martial University, standard undergraduate students receive three hundred thousand Star Coins annually in training funds," the young woman in gray explained. "For outstanding students, we increase our investment and sign special contracts with them. "These special contracts are divided into three tiers: "The Elite Contract, the Earth Contract, and the Sky-Patrol Contract..." the young woman in gray said. "According to university policy, junior college students admitted through special approval receive the Elite Contract. "Under the Elite Contract, in addition to certain exclusive university resources, you receive one million Star Coins per year in training funds... Since you're transferring via the Junior-College-to-Undergraduate Upgrade, you will enter directly as a fourth-year senior. Therefore, the training funds you missed out on from your freshman through junior years will be paid out all at once alongside your senior year's allocation. "Deducting the three hundred thousand Star Coins in training funds you received during your three years at junior college, "you will be issued a lump sum of 3.7 million Star Coins. "Now, sign it," the young woman in gray said, pointing to a document on the desk.