"Injured? Prepare myself mentally?" Li Yuan's expression changed slightly.
"Teacher." Li Yuan immediately asked, "Teacher, what exactly happened to my uncle?"
"Calm down and listen to me," Xu Bo said, "Based on the information I just received, the battles at Base Three these past few days have been extremely brutal. Several times, the alien forces almost breached the fortress defenses."
"Your uncle, in these battles, could have been reinforcing the defensive fortifications with all his might, and seems to have made considerable contributions. He has been awarded the Third Class Silver Medal," Xu Bo said solemnly.
"Third Class Silver Medal?" Li Yuan held his breath.
To boost morale, the state awards medals to those who have rendered meritorious service. Although there are numerous titles, they are generally classified, from highest to lowest, as the National Defense Medal, Gold Medal, Silver Medal, and Bronze Medal, with each category subdivided into First Class, Second Class, and Third Class.
Four ranks, twelve levels.
A Third Class Silver Medal may not seem much, but for an ordinary middle-to-lower level manager in a state-owned enterprise, it is an incredible achievement.
Uncle, what on earth did you do?
"The situation at the frontline is urgent; I don't understand the specifics as I only found out twenty minutes ago," Xu Bo said gravely, "your uncle seems to have been poisoned by some special toxin, and his condition is deteriorating."
"The second temporary hospital lacks doctors, medication, and equipment to treat him."
"The Star Realm environment is complex and totally different from Blue Star, with various peculiar toxins."
"The methods of powerful Star Realm creatures are often beyond comprehension."
"To save your uncle, we must rush him back to Jiang City to see specialists as soon as possible, to find a solution."
"If we delay by another two or three days, I'm afraid there won't be a chance left."
"But at the moment, although Base Three's danger has been temporarily averted, arranging for personnel and a flyer to airlift a single person from the temporary hospital there isn't easy," Xu Bo sighed helplessly, "none of the people I know have that capability."
Li Yuan's heart quivered as if struck by thunder.
He sensed from Teacher Xu Bo's words that this poison was no ordinary matter.
It might not even be poison!
"Uncle." Li Yuan's heart felt as if pricked by a needle.
Was the figure who, like a father, had loved and guided him from a young age, in such grave danger now?
Li Yuan wished he could fly immediately to the Rob Sea frontlines and bring his uncle back.
"Li Yuan, listen to me, there's still a chance," Xu Bo, observing Li Yuan's emotional changes, said somberly, "Now, meeting Lord Wan is the opportunity to save your uncle."
"Please speak, Teacher," Li Yuan struggled to calm himself.
He remembered his uncle's teachings.
In critical moments, before making any decision, one must remain calm.
"Getting your uncle immediate treatment isn't a matter of money," Xu Bo looked at Li Yuan, "it's about the priority of medical treatment. The people I know are unable to increase your uncle's medical priority, understand?"
"Ask Starfire Martial Hall to help me?" Li Yuan said softly, suppressing the anxiety in his heart.
"Now, the senior management of Starfire Martial Hall is taking note of you, probably to help you upgrade your contract," Xu Bo nodded, seriously, "You are already on a B-level contract. Once upgraded, it would be an A-level contract."
"An A-level contract signifies that Jiang City's Hall Master has recognized you."
"Thus, if the higher-ups of Starfire Martial Hall intervene, there is hope to quickly airlift your uncle back," Xu Bo continued, "Though the war is urgent, Base Three has been relieved, so squeezing out a flyer is possible."
"The frontlines are governed by a decision-making layer collectively formed by Starfire Martial Hall, Starry Sky Martial Hall, and the military."
To quickly bring his uncle back, someone with sufficient authority needed to speak on his behalf.
"Teacher, take me to meet Lord Wan," Li Yuan urged.
Now, Li Yuan did not want to waste a single minute.
Xu Bo did not enter; it was Li Yuan who came in alone.
"Li Yuan, congratulations. Your impressive performance in the challenge event was truly eye-opening," said Wan Qinghe, dressed in a Tang suit, with a smile, "Please, take a seat and we'll talk at leisure."
"Lord Wan," Li Yuan managed a strained smile, his heart urgent, yet he also knew he couldn't blurt out his request.
Wan Qinghe observed Li Yuan.
He felt, after not seeing him for several months, that Li Yuan's physical qi and blood, along with his spiritual power, had greatly improved. Most importantly, there was an incredibly mysterious aura about him.
It was very faint, but Wan Qinghe, with his cultivation in spiritual secret techniques, could sense it.
A taste honed by the baptism of slaughter.
"Li Yuan, given your outstanding performance in the challenge event and your rise to the Fallen Star rank on the Starry Skies Fighting Network," Lord Wan smiled faintly, "I reported to Fei Qian first thing this morning, that is, Jiang City's Hall Master."
"I formally requested to upgrade your contract to an A-level contract."
Jiang City's Hall Master? Li Yuan understood; this was a real VIP.
"Haven't I still not met the standards yet?" Li Yuan couldn't help but say.
"Your performance in other areas has been excellent, which is sufficient," Lord Wan smiled, "Moreover, with your rate of improvement, you will undoubtedly meet the standards before turning eighteen; why delay?"
Li Yuan nodded slightly; there were still five months until his eighteenth birthday.
"Take a look at the terms of the A-level contract," Lord Wan tapped on his smart bracelet.
Li Yuan felt a slight vibration on his wrist as he received a document and quickly opened it to review.
He swiftly flipped through the pages.
Compared to the B-level contract, the terms of the A-level contract had no changes, except for the resources provided.
A B-level contract offers 1.5 million in cash and 1.5 million points annually, along with 3 million cultivation points.
The A-level contract, however, provides 6 million in cash and 6 million points annually, as well as 12 million cultivation points.
That's a fourfold increase.
The total value of the contract, just in cash and points, amounts to 72 million Blue Star Coins.
Of course, it is distributed over six years.
Once signed, Starfire Martial Hall would immediately settle the difference for the first year of the two contracts.
The terms of this contract are nothing short of astonishing.
It is hardly inferior to the 'S-level Special Training Contract' of Kunlun Martial University, and in some ways, it's even better.
Because, if the pace of progress does not meet the expectations of Kunlun Martial University's special training contract, it can be downgraded.
But with Starfire Martial Hall's contracts, once signed, they will not be downgraded.
"A 20% increase in benefits every year?" Li Yuan was surprised when he saw the additional clause at the end of the contract.
"Yes, this is an order specially given by Lord Yang of the Province after understanding your situation. The Provincial Hall Master pays a lot of attention to you," Wan Qinghe said with a smile.
Seeing Li Yuan's confusion.
"The Provincial Hall Master, that is, the Hall Master of the Jiangbei Provincial Hall," Wan Qinghe reminded, "can only be held by a Flying Heaven Warrior."
"Provincial Hall Master? Flying Heaven Warrior?" Li Yuan held his breath; this was definitely an existence at the pinnacle of power and martial might in Xia Country.
Usually, one would only hear about them in major news.
Such a person, paying attention to him?
In Li Yuan's mind, even a Prime Warrior was already a significant figure.
"Don't underestimate yourself," Hall Master Wan said with a smile. "Your talent is certainly worthy of the Provincial Hall Master's attention."
Upon hearing this, Li Yuan felt a stir in his heart.
"The Provincial Hall Master has promised that if you manage to break through to the 5th Rank in your skills before the age of 20, you'll be eligible for an S-class contract and receive a 'Stellar Earth Marrow Crystal,'" Wan Qinghe said with a smile. "Once you officially sign electronically, this clause will be added to the 'special contract' in the Starfire Space."
"Stellar Earth Marrow Crystal? What is that?" Li Yuan was puzzled.
"A priceless treasure," Hall Master Wan spoke vaguely: "After you sign the contract, you will receive an explanation about the treasure when the time is right."
In fact, Hall Master Wan himself did not fully understand it.
But in his opinion, any treasure specially mentioned by the Provincial Hall Master must be an extraordinary treasure, beyond monetary measurement.
"Of course, that's provided you meet the requirements."
"The S-class contract of the Martial Hall, in terms of difficulty and compensation, although not as good as the SS-class special training contract of universities, is still far superior to the S-class special training contract of universities," Hall Master Wan said with a laugh.
"Understood," Li Yuan nodded. Merely from the treatment of this A-class contract, one could glean its significance.
"Willing to sign?" Hall Master Wan appeared relaxed as he looked at Li Yuan.
"Thank you for the cultivation the Martial Hall has provided me," Li Yuan said without hesitation. "And thank you, Hall Master, for your help. Without your assistance and recommendation all along, the City Hall Master and the Provincial Hall Master would definitely not have offered me this contract."
Hesitation is not loyalty; loyalty does not hesitate.
This was a lesson Uncle Li Changzhou had taught Li Yuan many times.
Once such a decision akin to taking a side is made, there can be no hesitation.
Moreover, Li Yuan truly felt grateful to them.
"Good," Hall Master Wan showed a satisfied smile: "I didn't help much; it's all because you have been diligent enough."
"I have applied for a villa for you in the 'No.1 district' of the South Lake Starfire Community, with a twenty-year residence right, free for the first ten years, and then just a property management fee annually for the next ten years," Wan Qinghe said with a smile. "It should be suitable for your family to live in."
"In a couple of days, the move-in notice and related instructions will be sent to your Starfire Space. You can arrange to move when you find the time." Wan Qinghe did not bring up Fei Qian at all.
This was his personal favor.
"South Lake Starfire Community?" Li Yuan was surprised; that was one of the top communities in Guan Mountain District.
It was also known as the safest villa community.
One villa, to rent for a year, probably cost hundreds of thousands of Blue Star Coins, not to mention the eligibility to reside there.
Even with money, one couldn't buy the eligibility to live there.
"Hall Master, me?" Li Yuan didn't know how to start.
If you add it all up, the value of this A-class contract was indeed extremely high.
"Don't worry, just live in peace."
"It has always been the philosophy of our Starfire Martial Hall to allow top talents to pursue the ultimate in the Martial Path without distractions and to contribute to the entire human civilization," Wan Qinghe said, feeding Li Yuan some inspirational words. "I believe in you, that in the future, you will definitely secure an S-class contract, or even become a Flying Heaven Warrior."
Li Yuan took a deep breath and said earnestly, "Thank you, Hall Master."
"Do you have any other requests?" Wan Qinghe asked with a smile. "Anything I can solve, I will help you resolve."
"If I can't resolve it, I will report it upward and try my best to help you."
He looked at Li Yuan sincerely.
"Hall Master, I do have something I need help with from the Martial Hall," Li Yuan said, as if he had made a tough decision.
Quickly, Li Yuan recounted the situation regarding his uncle to Hall Master Wan.
"A Third-Class Silver Medal?"
"Your uncle? The Second Temporary Hospital?" Wan Qinghe nodded repeatedly, "Okay, I've noted it down. I will immediately contact the warriors of the Starfire Martial Hall in Rob Sea and try my best to arrange it."
"I can't fully guarantee it," Wan Qinghe looked at Li Yuan.
"Thank you, Hall Master," Li Yuan's eyes reddened slightly.
After sending off Hall Master Wan.
"Hall Master Wan agreed?" Xu Bo entered the room and asked.
"Yes, but he also didn't dare to fully guarantee it," Li Yuan nodded and managed a weak smile: "Teacher, I'll head back to the Martial Arts Room for now; I want some time alone."
"Okay, let me know if you need anything," Xu Bo said, knowing the relationship between Li Yuan and Li Changzhou.
Not father and son, but closer than most.
Back at Martial Arts Room 4011.
Li Yuan pondered for a while before he decided to dial a V-call number on his smart ring.
"Li Yuan? Have you returned to Jiang City?" A rough voice with a hint of laughter came from the other end of the call.
"President Li, there is something I'd like to ask for your help with," Li Yuan said directly.
A few minutes later, after hanging up the call with President Li, Li Yuan dialed another V-call number.
"Li Yuan?" a gentle voice came from the call: "What can I do for you?"
"Senior Ji, I'm sorry to disturb you," Li Yuan started, "I have an urgent matter and I would like to consult you."