April 16th, 2:00 PM.
Li Yuan took leave and, accompanied by Wan Qinghe who arrived to pick him up at school, rode a low-altitude flyer to the interview location.
“Uncle, is the interview set at the City Martial Hall?” Li Yuan had just sat down in the flyer when he heard Wan Qinghe’s words, which surprised him.
“That’s right,” Wan Qinghe said with a smile: “It’s because Elder Fei came back early today.”
“He found out about this and decided to set the interview location at the City Martial Hall.”
“So…”
“After the interview, we’ll go to meet Elder Fei,” said Wan Qinghe.
“Okay.” Li Yuan’s heart was still full of anticipation, the City Hall Master, after all, was from the capital city.
In terms of status and power, he was probably even higher than President Li.
“Have you memorized all the interview content?” Wan Qinghe casually inquired.
“Memorized it. Following your guidance, uncle, I even practiced several times in front of the mirror. I should be able to come across naturally,” Li Yuan said. “Do you want me to give you a couple of sections?”
In actuality, the interview script was only given to Li Yuan this morning; where would there have been time to memorize it?
He had just skimmed through it hastily.
“Let’s see it then,” said Wan Qinghe.
Soon, Li Yuan performed roughly what he remembered from the content.
“Not bad.” Wan Qinghe was won over by Li Yuan’s ‘acting’ and laughed: “I glanced through the original script, some parts were too official. Your performance is more natural, and some of the rougher words you used make it seem even more real.”
“The changes were good.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Li Yuan nodded repeatedly; how could he not make changes? He hadn’t memorized it completely.
“That’s also good.”
“Song Yi has decided to donate ten million to the association, after taxes,” said Wan Qinghe nonchalantly.
“Ten million?” Li Yuan was shocked; he suspected he had heard wrong.
“Yes, she just V-chatted me this morning.”
“It must be because she heard about your breakthrough of 300 points on Fallen Star, ranking you within the top 10 of the Blue Star’s young talents of Xia Country,” Wan Qinghe said with a smile: “You’re quite quick, probably gave her a real scare.”
“Or perhaps, she wants to form a good relationship with you.”
“Form a good relationship?” Li Yuan doubted his ears, his relationship with Song Yi wasn’t that of enemies.
But it didn’t seem to be that good either.
Logically, after taking a large sum from her, she should hate him.
“Friend and foe, right and wrong, are never absolute,” Wan Qinghe said with a smile: “You and Song Yi don’t have unresolvable grudges, so why can’t you be friends?”
“On the contrary.”
“Becoming friends with Song Yi would actually highlight the authenticity of this program,” Wan Qinghe said with a smile: “So, I answered on your behalf and agreed for you to have dinner together tonight.”
“Dinner together tonight? Uncle, isn’t that too hasty?” Li Yuan hesitated: “After all, she was involved with this program…”
“What program of hers?” Wan Qinghe shook his head: “This program is my doing, aimed at making your accomplishments widely known to motivate more youths to diligently cultivate. It has nothing to do with her.”
“Her donation is unrelated to you, and the production and promotion of this episode are also unrelated to her.”
“Your dinner with her tonight is just a coincidence.”
“Do you understand?” Wan Qinghe lectured Li Yuan.
“Got it, uncle!”
…
The interview for the program took place in a conference room of the Starfire Jiang City Martial Hall, fully equipped for the event.
The host was very professional.
It was even a locally famous program in Jiang City.
A group of professional spectators came, and the two-hour-long interview performance by Li Yuan was highly professional.
…
By 5:00 PM, Li Yuan and Wan Qinghe finally arrived at the central building of the City Martial Hall.
Upon entry.
“These decorations, tsk tsk,” Li Yuan privately marveled.
Li Yuan didn’t understand much about interior design, but he could sense that despite their seemingly humble ancient-style, these decorations exuded luxury at a glance.
“Old-fashioned and elegant, it truly reveals taste,” said Wan Qinghe with a light smile: “Elder Fei has been in charge of the City Martial Hall for twenty years and has always valued this aspect a great deal.”
Li Yuan nodded and couldn’t help but ask, “Uncle, what is Lord Fei of the City Hall like as a person?”
“He should treat you quite nicely,” Wan Qinghe said with a smile: “Also, in front of Elder Fei, address me as Lord Wan.”
“Understood,” Li Yuan responded, pondering the significance of the change in address.
Soon, after passing through a security check, the two arrived at the highest floor’s City Hall Master’s office.
It was quite spacious.
The door was already open, and an elderly man in a black robe was leisurely practicing fist techniques, as if for health preservation, yet the invisible aura he emitted was very special.
From a distance, Li Yuan instinctively sensed a hint of danger and became vigilant.
This was the magnetic field caused by the life force of a strong being.
“Elder Fei, Li Yuan has arrived,” Wan Qinghe said respectfully from the doorway.
Li Yuan followed closely behind.
“He’s here? Qinghe, bring Li Yuan inside,” Fei Qian stopped his practice and turned around, his gaze landing on Li Yuan with a smile: “Hello, Li Yuan.”
Li Yuan felt the other’s gaze to be gentle and not sharp, but it was as if he saw right through him.
Very powerful.
“Hall Master Fei,” Li Yuan greeted respectfully.
“No need for formalities, given our age difference I could be your grandfather. Just call me Elder Fei or Grandpa Fei,” Fei Qian said with a smile.
“Grandpa Fei,” Li Yuan knew which option to choose.
The three of them sat down, and Wan Qinghe began with a few necessary reports about recent work as a formality.
“Today, Li Yuan happens to be doing a program. He mentioned that he has always admired you. Just now, before I could even talk to him, he brought you up himself,” Wan Qinghe said smilingly.
“Is that so? Then he’s thoughtful,” Fei Qian said with a laugh.
Li Yuan maintained a polite smile on his face.
Admiration? He had never said such a thing; Uncle Wan was playing off-script.
“I’ve heard of many of your deeds, Grandpa Fei. My uncle has been mentioning them for years, saying that you were his lifesaver,” Li Yuan blurted smoothly: “During the chaos at Xiang River 34 years ago, my uncle was in the Xiang River area maintaining the engineering projects and encountered an attack from Star Realm Creatures.
At that time, it was Grandpa Fei who led the team and arrived just in time to rescue my uncle and the others.”
“My uncle always told me and my siblings to remember you,” Li Yuan said earnestly.
When praising someone, it’s best to pinpoint something good or small they’ve done; it easily wins their favor.
Wan Qinghe looked at Li Yuan in surprise, wondering how he had such a deep connection with Old Fei.
“The chaos at Xiang River? That was nearly ten years ago, a major disaster. I saved many people at that time.” Fei Qian’s eyes revealed a reflection of memories, and he sighed, “I never imagined that I had also saved your uncle. That’s quite the fate.”
“Speaking of which.”
“Had Grandfather Fei not saved my uncle back then, it would have been difficult for me to embark on the Martial Path,” Li Yuan said with a smile. “And today, it would have been very unlikely for me to meet Old Fei.”
“With that said, it’s not too far-fetched for Li Yuan to call Old Fei ‘Grandfather,'” Wan Qinghe said with a smile.
Fei Qian responded modestly, “As a Hall Master, saving people is my duty.”
But the smile at the corner of his mouth was very obvious.
The scene was harmonious and warm for a moment.
Li Yuan’s mind was clear as a mirror.
Save his uncle? During the great disaster at Xiang River nine years ago, his uncle was indeed working locally, but tens of kilometers from the epicenter.
In fact, Li Changzhou hadn’t faced any danger that time.
However, over the years, whenever Li Changzhou watched the news, he would often say, “Hall Master Fei Qian of Jiang City is impressive.”
Li Yuan, knowing he would meet Fei Qian yesterday, had spent 15 minutes looking up his profile.
He had noted many of his accomplishments, and his mind was filled with suitable conversation topics.
“I’m aware of your uncle’s situation.” Fei Qian continued smoothly, “There were indeed some oversights in handling the front lines, and I will help look into it… Also, I just returned from the capital and happened to meet a Level 29 Prime Warrior who is very adept at the spiritual secret technique.”
“I’ve already made an arrangement with him; he will take the time to come to Jiang City in three days, to assist with the ‘Consciousness Awakening Device’ and perform an awakening for your uncle,” Fei Qian said solemnly. “Hoping for success on the first try.”
“A Level 29 Prime Warrior skilled in spiritual secret techniques? Coming especially for my uncle?” Li Yuan held his breath.
“Li Yuan,” Wan Qinghe explained softly, “Level 29 Prime Warriors are all Fifth Stage experts, who from the inside out, achieve Unity of Heaven and Man and can begin to leverage the power of the elements gradually.”
“Among them, those adept at spiritual secret techniques have a very high success rate in waking coma patients, even without the assistance of technological devices,” Wan Qinghe said. “Inviting such an expert has cost Old Fei quite a favor.”
“Thank you, Grandfather Fei,” Li Yuan expressed his sincere gratitude.
No matter if the other party was genuinely optimistic about him or had other motives, one should judge by actions, not intentions.
As long as his uncle could be awakened, Li Yuan would remember it in his heart.
“Favors are of no particular concern, your uncle is a hero who deserved to be saved,” Fei Qian lamented. “Such determination and courage are beyond ordinary people.”
“If everyone had your uncle’s courage and perseverance, the many wars we fight against the Star Realm Creatures would be much easier to win.”
Li Yuan and Wan Qinghe both nodded in agreement.
This was indeed true.
“Li Yuan, there’s another matter I need to inform you about, concerning the ‘Stellar Earth Marrow Crystal’ that Lord Yang of the Province promised you,” Fei Qian said gravely. “You must do everything in your power to acquire it.”
“Grandfather Fei.”
“What exactly is this Stellar Earth Marrow Crystal?” Li Yuan couldn’t help but ask.
Wan Qinghe was curious as well.
“It’s a very special treasure related to the use of Origin Power,” Fei Qian explained. “If you have it, Li Yuan, the success rate of your Law Creation could increase by at least twenty percent.”
Fei Qian had also obtained news about the Stellar Earth Marrow Crystal from his visit to the capital, where he specifically inquired about it.
“Increase by twenty percent?” Li Yuan was somewhat surprised.
According to what President Li had said, with his talent, the normal success rate for Law Creation was forty to fifty percent.
And this mysterious Stellar Earth Marrow Crystal could increase it by another twenty percent?
It seemed almost too good to be true.
“Lord Yang of the Province thinks highly of you, which is why he made such a promise,” Fei Qian said with some emotion. “Otherwise, even for Flying Heaven Warriors, it would not be easy to obtain such Heavenly Materials Treasures.”
“To acquire it,”
“there is just one condition, you must reach the threshold of Fifth Stage Skill by the age of twenty,” Fei Qian looked at Li Yuan.
Li Yuan felt the pressure, Fifth Stage Skill?
Normally, this was the Skill Realm of Level 29 Prime Warriors.
What about him? He had just approached the Intermediate Rank of Fourth Level Skill.
The more he understood the gap between Fourth and Fifth Stages, the clearer Li Yuan became about how difficult this step would be.
“Take it step by step, the Provincial Hall Master made that promise because he believes you have the potential.”
“Your growth rate has also been accelerating,” Fei Qian said with a smile. “Add my private V number, and if you have any questions about cultivation in the future, you can directly message me.”
“Thank you, Grandfather Fei,” Li Yuan said respectfully, and they added each other on V chat.
…
At dinner, Li Yuan and Song Yi had a very enjoyable conversation. After the feast, Wan Qinghe and Li Yuan returned to Guan Mountain Martial Hall.
Watching Li Yuan return to his Martial Arts Room, Wan Qinghe also returned to his top-floor office.
“Old Fei is Old Fei.”
“I thought he might try to close the gap with Li Yuan by sponsoring him,” Wan Qinghe sighed inwardly. “I didn’t expect him to invite such a special Level 29 Prime Warrior to save Li Yuan’s uncle.”
“Indeed.”
“Simple money and goods, at Li Yuan’s stage, continuing to give may not necessarily lead to heartfelt gratitude,” Wan Qinghe realized. “Being too deliberate in courting favor can easily backfire.”
Many things can’t be resolved with just money.
It takes heart.
…
The Seven Star Alliance represents the most powerful force of human civilization, overriding nations.
Its headquarters is located on Feixing, which is also the most powerful among the Seven Great Planets of the Human Race.
Early in the morning, within the floating giant sky city.
Gazing downward from the sky city, one could see a towering volcano in the far distance, its peak perennially covered with snow.
Inside a Martial Arts Room.
“Swoosh!” “Swoosh!” Swoosh! Streaks of sword light cut through the Vast Sky, exceedingly sharp.
“Little sis, you’re up so early for cultivation? It’s just six o’clock,” a figure in a black robe entered the Martial Arts Room and stared at Lin Lanyue in surprise.
“Brother, is six o’clock still considered early?” Lin Lanyue sheathed her sword and looked toward the courtyard entrance.
“Is six o’clock not early?” The figure in the black robe was taken aback.
“If practicing at six o’clock is regarded as early, then what about those who start cultivating at four o’clock or even earlier every day?” Lin Lanyue gently shook her head. “Brother, did you need something?”