22: Chapter 22 Elite Contract

"Actual combat?" Fang Yu was slightly confused.

"What's the difference between this and the practical combat assessment?" Wang Mo was also curious.

"Vocational martial arts colleges have poor students who generally can't reach Level 20, so they don't offer practical combat teaching," Teacher Yan Fu explained. "Undergraduate universities are different. For example, Huguang Martial Arts University has a five-year system. Even the weaker students, by their fifth year, mostly reach Level 20. The stronger ones can reach Level 20 in their third year or even earlier."

Fang Yu and Wang Mo couldn't help but nod.

Vocational martial arts college students who reach Level 20 before graduation are rare as hen's teeth, but among undergraduate martial arts students, reaching Level 20 is very common, or even ubiquitous.

Undergraduate students generally have higher talent, stronger Star Phases, better teachers, better cultivation environments, and longer cultivation time... naturally, the overall strength of the students is much higher.

Subconsciously, Fang Yu thought of Jiang Chenyi, whom he had met before.

Just finishing his freshman year, he was already above Level 25, a true Prodigy... Of course, Jiang Chenyi was a student at Crescent Martial Arts University, far beyond what students of Huguang Martial Arts University could compare to.

Across the entire Blue Moon Alliance.

Crescent Martial Arts University, the ten key martial arts universities of New Moon, 30 top-tier martial arts universities on Blue Star, 220 ordinary martial arts universities, and 5,000 vocational martial arts colleges... these were five clearly defined tiers of higher martial arts education.

A top martial arts scholar like Jiang Chenyi would at least go to one of the top ten key universities of New Moon.

The goal Fang Yu set for his younger brother and sister was also the top ten key universities of New Moon.

"Level 20."

"One becomes qualified to go to Primal Star and become a true warrior," Teacher Yan Fu said with emotion. "Why does Blue Moon Civilization give Martial Artists such high treatment? The core objective is to encourage Martial Artists to go to Primal Star."

Fang Yu was deep in thought.

"So, in martial arts universities, all students who reach Level 20 are encouraged to participate in actual combat?" Fang Yu couldn't help but ask.

"Smart." Teacher Yan Fu nodded. "From February 20th to March 20th, and August 20th to September 20th every year, those are the two 'combat periods' of Huguang Martial Arts University."

"All students whose physical technique has reached the Micro-level and whose life level is Level 20 must participate in battles on Primal Star... Since you became a direct-admission student, you will definitely receive special cultivation and have sufficient strength. There is a high probability you will be required to participate in battle, and then return to school for advanced study in late September."

"Well, people like Wang Mo and Zhang Tao are qualified to participate in battle, but they haven't received special cultivation, plus they are newly enrolled... If they aren't willing to go, they won't be forced the first time."

"Actual combat involves truly fighting Vicious Beasts on Primal Star, and even battling powerful experts from alien worlds. The mortality rate is very high."

Fang Yu roughly understood.

The release date of the second direct recommendation list was set for August 15th, and the vocational-to-undergraduate practical combat assessment was set for September 15th... Both were likely tied to Huguang Martial Arts University's academic schedule.

"Then what about the vocational-to-undergraduate practical combat assessment?" Wang Mo asked curiously.

"The so-called practical combat assessment is just fighting some weak Vicious Beasts in the 'Safe Zone' next to Starry Sky Base, mainly to give new students some practice," Teacher Yan Fu smiled. "In fact, it only requires Level 15."

"To ensure safety, our vocational colleges require participating students' techniques to reach at least Micro-level physical movement. Therefore, only 70 students are arranged to participate each year to ensure the final mortality rate does not exceed 1%..."

Fang Yu and Wang Mo looked at each other.

So, limiting the number of participants in the practical combat assessment wasn't to control costs as they had guessed, but for safety.

"Teacher, what happens if I refuse?" Fang Yu asked.

"You can still enroll normally," Teacher Yan Fu said. "It's just that the extra cultivation efforts for you will probably be reduced or even canceled."

"Is that fair?" Wang Mo couldn't help saying. "Our vocational college has very few courses about Primal Star. Fang Yu's strength is indeed good, but requiring actual combat right off the bat? Isn't that too absurd?"

"It is indeed unfair."

"But in this world, where is there so much fairness?" Teacher Yan Fu shook his head. "Requiring actual combat is not only to temper students, but also one of Blue Moon Alliance's assessments for each university. The universities must have students complete enough kills on Primal Star to pass the assessment and receive the corresponding funding allocations."

"As elite students receiving special cultivation and enjoying a lot of extra resources, yet not wanting to bear the risks and responsibilities... how could there be such a good deal in this world?"

Fang Yu understood completely.

Behind many seemingly unreasonable rules, there were practical considerations.

For vocational martial arts colleges, the annual assessment mainly focused on the students' Level 15 rate, Micro-level technique rate, etc... which were all safe and risk-free.

Undergraduate martial arts universities received more resource allocations from Blue Moon Alliance, but their assessments were also harsher. Naturally, students had to bear responsibility, facing greater danger and higher mortality rates.

"Actually, Wu Ya rejected Huguang Martial Arts University's contract," Teacher Yan Fu suddenly said. "As far as I know, in his sophomore year, Huguang Martial Arts University wanted to recruit him directly."

"Direct admission?" Fang Yu was curious.

"Your ability to become a direct-admission student is likely because of your Micro-level Blade Technique," Teacher Yan Fu said. "Whereas Awakening an Upper Astral Constellation makes getting a direct-admission slot very easy... After all, among martial arts students in ordinary undergraduate universities, few awaken an Upper Astral Constellation."

Fang Yu couldn't help but nod.

Most of those who awakened an Upper Astral Constellation did so before the age of eighteen. With such a powerful Star Phase, as long as their talent in technique wasn't ridiculously poor, it generally wasn't difficult to enter first-tier martial arts universities like Modu Martial Arts University or Yandu Martial Arts University.

How could Huguang Martial Arts University get a chance with them?

"But Wu Ya rejected it," Teacher Yan Fu smiled.

"Then his recommendation this time..." Wang Mo asked curiously, "Does he still have to go to Huguang Martial Arts University?"

"Of course not," Teacher Yan Fu shook his head. "He was recommended directly to 'Modu Martial Arts University'... The news just wasn't made public."

"Just like how your Micro-level Blade Technique wasn't made public either."

Fang Yu and Wang Mo realized.

"Teacher, what is your suggestion?" Fang Yu looked at Teacher Yan Fu.

"From my personal interest, it's best if you can sign. My performance bonus would be higher," Teacher Yan Fu said. "However, the risks of actual combat are indeed very high... That's why I wanted to clarify things with you in advance."

Fang Yu nodded.

Actual combat represented the unknown... In the past, because of his mother, Fang Yu had also searched for a lot of information about Primal Star.

Even though much of the information online was blocked, from just the leaked portion, one could infer a lot. That place was extremely dangerous... In history, even Starry Sky Martial Artists had died on Primal Star.

"Fang Yu, there's no need to take risks," Wang Mo said in a low voice. "At least enter the university first to Cultivate for a while and take the relevant courses."

"Mm, let me think about it," Fang Yu said.

...

Soon, Wang Mo and the others left first.

Fang Yu followed the initial female teacher directly to the ninth floor of the building. Normally, this floor was a heavy restricted area of the school, and students were not allowed up.

It was also Fang Yu's first time here.

Coming to an office door, the female teacher pushed the door open first and entered, saying with slight respect, "Professor Tang, I brought Fang Yu."

"Hmm? Professor?" Fang Yu was secretly surprised. Those who could serve as teachers in a vocational martial arts college were at least Senior Martial Artists.

To make a Senior Martial Artist so respectful, who was the other party?

"I am an associate professor, so call me Associate Professor. Don't play petty tricks; remember it next time," a mild voice sounded. "Come in first."

"Associate professor? A woman?" Fang Yu was surprised.

"Yes." A trace of embarrassment flashed across the female teacher's face as she led Fang Yu into the office.

Fang Yu glanced around. There were six figures inside the office. Leading them was a young woman in gray martial arts robes, appearing around 25 years old. Her looks were above average, but she was full of heroic vigor. At this moment, her face was calmly looking at Fang Yu.

At the same time.

Fang Yu also noticed a medium-build middle-aged man beside the woman, looking at him with a smile.

Without needing the female teacher to remind him, Fang Yu directly greeted respectfully, "Greetings, Associate Professor Tang."

"Mm."

"Fang Yu, you are indeed talented. To reach Micro-level Blade Technique at such a young age shows high artistic talent," the young woman in gray looked at Fang Yu. "However, regarding whether to specially recruit you, us six teachers had a dispute... I personally held an opposing view."

Fang Yu was slightly surprised.

From the brief contact, he could feel that this Associate Professor Tang's character was different from ordinary people.

"It was Teacher Jiang Wei who overcame all objections and used his special approval quota to recruit you." The young woman in gray pointed at the middle-aged man beside her. "You should thank him."

"Thank you, Teacher Jiang," Fang Yu said gratefully.

He understood that his ability to become a 'direct-admission student' was entirely due to Teacher Jiang Wei's insistence; otherwise, he probably would have just been normally recommended.

"No need to thank me. It's because you are outstanding enough yourself," Teacher Jiang Wei smiled.

"Our Huguang Martial Arts University provides 300,000 Star Coins in cultivation funds annually for ordinary undergraduates," the young woman in gray said. "For outstanding students, we increase cultivation efforts and sign a special contract."

"Special contracts are divided into three levels."

"Elite Contract, Earth Contract, Sky Patrol Contract..." the young woman in gray said. "According to school regulations, vocational students admitted through special approval all receive the Elite Contract."

"The Elite Contract, besides some special school resources, includes 1 million Star Coins in cultivation funds annually... Since you are transferring from vocational to undergraduate, you will directly become a senior student. Therefore, the cultivation funds you missed from freshman to junior year, along with the senior year funds, will be reissued to you all at once."

"Subtracting the 300,000 cultivation funds you received during your three years in vocational college."

"You will be given 3.7 million Star Coins in a lump sum."

"Now, sign it." The young woman in gray pointed to a document on the table.