```
"Special Scholarship?" Principal Tan, who was going through documents, had his smile freeze on his face.
He doubted his ears, "Xu Bo? Did you say special?"
"What else?" Xu Bo glared, "Old Tan, cut the chatter and just hurry up and approve it."
Principal Tan felt a headache coming on.
As a principal, his power was substantial; in theory, all teachers were his subordinates... but Xu Bo had a special status.
"Xu Bo, it's not that I don't want to approve it for you." Principal Tan lifted his eyelids and said helplessly, "A Special Scholarship isn't just a First Rank Scholarship. A First Rank Scholarship is only a hundred thousand Blue Star Coins, which I can approve directly."
"A Special Scholarship is five hundred thousand Blue Star Coins. Even if I agree, it still has to be reported up to the Education Bureau."
"I know." Xu Bo nodded as if it were a matter of course, "After you approve it, I'll give Director He a call."
Principal Tan was startled.
The Director He that Xu Bo mentioned was his immediate supervisor.
Principal Tan understood that Xu Bo wasn't terrifyingly powerful; after an injury, his Physical Quality was just at the level of 19, but having survived in the Star Realm for over twenty years and still coming back alive... his connections were unfathomably deep.
To Principal Tan's knowledge, when Xu Bo first came to Guan Mountain District's Number One High School, it was Director He who personally escorted him.
"Xu Bo." Principal Tan shook his head, "If you want me to agree, you at least have to tell me why. Which student is it? Or is it a promising seedling from some middle school?"
Principal Tan knew Xu Bo well.
He was very strict in teaching students, but equally responsible, often considering the students' welfare.
He was the school's leading star teacher.
Otherwise, even with Xu Bo's extensive connections, Principal Tan wouldn't care much about him.
As for suspecting that Xu Bo would embezzle the five hundred thousand Blue Star Coins? That had never crossed Principal Tan's mind.
You see, Xu Bo's office... he had spent millions of Blue Star Coins to renovate it himself... the wealth accumulated by a powerful Martial Artist who had wandered the Star Realm for many years is quite astonishing.
"There is a promising seedling, but not from middle school." said Xu Bo, "He's from the third year of high school."
"A high school third-year promising seedling worthy of a Special Scholarship?" Principal Tan was slightly surprised.
He didn't recall such a student.
The scholarship took into account many aspects like academic performance, family background, talent, and political connections.
"I'll send you the information." Xu Bo said.
Soon enough, Principal Tan received the online data and immediately began reviewing it. With over fifty years of experience working in the education field... his capabilities were strong.
"Xu Bo, this Li Yuan is indeed a promising seedling with great potential. It's to your credit that you discovered him." Principal Tan first praised Xu Bo's eye for talent.
Immediately afterward, he switched tones, "But to be nominated for a Special Scholarship? To be honest, Li Yuan is still lacking a bit."
"What is he lacking?" Xu Bo's face showed displeasure, "Didn't you see his Spear Technique video?"
"I saw it, it's impressive."
Principal Tan shook his head, "But the scholarship is issued by the state, and it's not just up to me and Director He to approve, the Intelligent Supervision Bureau also has to pass it."
"The Intelligent Supervision Bureau doesn't have manual reviews, they only acknowledge official exam results, and whether Martial Spirit has awakened is also a significant indicator."
"In the last term exam, he just made it into the top thirty of his year, and he hasn't awakened his Martial Spirit... it'll be difficult to pass the final review." Principal Tan explained.
"With his current strength, he has the potential to break into the top twenty of his year." Xu Bo glared.
"That's your claim." Principal Tan shook his head, "The Intelligent Supervision Bureau only recognizes official exam results; we'd at least have to wait until the January re-examination."
"January re-examination?" Xu Bo showed displeasure, "That's still several months away, the iron's going to get cold."
"Old Tan, you're also a Martial Artist, you know how important this age is." Xu Bo said, "What resources can you directly allocate now?"
"Now?"
Principal Tan thought for a moment, "Second Class Scholarship, I can directly approve that."
"Fifty thousand Blue Star Coins? Not enough." Xu Bo flatly shook his head.
"That's all the authority I have on hand." Principal Tan spread his hands and then added, "Alright, how about this, I'll also give him access to an independent Martial Arts Room, which is the treatment for the top ten in the grade."
Xu Bo frowned, seemingly still not satisfied.
"Xu Bo, that's enough."
"For a third-year high school student, fifty thousand is enough to buy two or three months' worth of basic vitality fluid." Principal Tan said, "Wait until the January re-examination, if he can break into the top twenty of his year, I'll help apply for a First Rank Scholarship."
"Top twenty of his year? Old Tan, I have to say, you really undervalue people." Xu Bo shook his head, "Li Yuan has a complete chance of breaking into the top ten by the January re-examination."
This time, Principal Tan laughed.
"He hasn't awakened his Martial Spirit."
"It's almost impossible for him to aim for the top ten of his year," said Principal Tan with a laugh, "If he can really do it... well, I'll do my best to help him apply for the Special Scholarship."
"If the application doesn't go through, I'll sponsor some of it out of my own pocket." Principal Tan laughed.
"It's a deal."
Xu Bo's eyes lit up, revealing a sly gleam, "You said it, and I've recorded it... Alright, I've already sent the Second Class Scholarship application to you, hurry up and approve it."
"I have other things to attend to, so I'll hang up now."
"Beep—"
Xu Bo had hung up the video.
Leaving Principal Tan in his office, who hadn't quite recovered, staring at the 'pending approval document' that had just appeared on his work screen.
He paused for a moment.
Principal Tan needed no further explanation.
He had been outmaneuvered.
If Xu Bo truly intended to apply for a Special Scholarship, why would he send a Second Class Scholarship application in a split second?
It was clearly prepared in advance.
Xu Bo's real target was the Second Class Scholarship... mentioning the Special Scholarship was just an opening gambit to highball.
"This Xu Bo..." Principal Tan smiled wryly and said, "Number Nine."
"Open the pending approval document."
"Approved."
...
In the office building, inside Xu Bo's office.
"Special Scholarship?" Xu Bo revealed a cryptic smile, "Call Director He? I'm not that foolish."
Xu Bo knew clearly that, with Li Yuan's current situation, there was no chance of passing the Intelligent Supervision Bureau's review.
"That's enough."
"And I even earned an independent Martial Arts Room." Xu Bo chuckled, "This old Tan, he's just too rigid, always hemming and hawing when it's time to release some funds."
```
"It's like he treats the government funding as his secret stash of money tucked away behind his wife's back, as if I would waste it..."
"Hmm? Agreed?"
"He was quite agreeable this time." Xu Bo thought for a moment and said, "Black Dog, send a smiley face to Principal Tan."
"Oh no, send that selfie with my smile I saved last time."
"Yes, Master."
…
9 o'clock in the evening.
The sounds of the evening self-study session were echoing through the campus as students gradually left.
Inside the Martial Arts Room of Class 3-2.
Only Li Yuan and Li Tianyou remained, both practicing with cold weapons.
"Li Yuan, aren't you leaving?" Li Tianyou couldn't help but shout.
"It's fine, you go ahead." Li Yuan smiled and said, "I'm going to practice a bit longer."
Li Tianyou was stunned for a moment.
He had arrived at school at 5:45 this morning, thinking of going home early to rest tonight... but now he hesitated.
"Li Yuan arrives earlier than me and leaves later." Li Tianyou gritted his teeth, "I can't match his talent, but surely I can match his effort?"
"Continue practicing."
In the distance, Li Yuan hadn't noticed the change in Li Tianyou's expression; he was examining the data on the Divine Palace panel.
—
[Life Level: 6.7 (Unranked)]
Physical Quality Index: 74 (A comprehensive measure of explosive power, endurance, speed, physique, spiritual power, and many other aspects.)
Fist Strength: 445 kilograms
Speed: 14.7 meters per second
Spiritual Power: 12.9
Physical Body Cultivation Method: "Solid Rock Cultivation Method"
Spiritual Cultivation Method: "Observing the Great Sun Starry Sky Scripture"
Skill Realm: Spear Technique (Third Stage 46%), Movement Technique (Third Stage 29%), Fist Technique (Third Stage 94%)
[Note: A certain higher Spiritual Nature is hidden within the body, not yet awakened]
—
"Compared to the beginning of the month, both my physical quality and spiritual power have been steadily improving." Li Yuan was quite satisfied.
He firmly believed that if he persisted in his cultivation like this,
one day, he would become a powerful Martial Artist.
What excited him most today was creating the unique move 'Dragon Hidden in the Gorge'.
"Just created, it's not very smooth to execute yet."
"These next few days, I need to ponder over it more." Li Yuan was deep in thought.
Suddenly.
"Li Yuan." A cold voice, like a resounding bell, came from inside the classroom.
Li Yuan and Li Tianyou both turned their heads.
"Teacher Xu?" Li Yuan was slightly surprised.
"Come to my office." Xu Bo spoke gravely, then turned and walked away, disappearing into the night.
"Tianyou, I won't be coming back to the classroom later," Li Yuan said hurriedly, placing the spear back in the weapons cabinet.
He grabbed his bag and quickly left the classroom.
"This late."
"Teacher Xu has come to find Li Yuan?" Li Tianyou's eyes flashed with envy, "No wonder Li Yuan was in no hurry to leave, was Teacher Xu planning to give him special guidance?"
Li Tianyou shook his head and muttered to himself, "Li Tianyou, oh Li Tianyou, don't worry about others."
"Focus on yourself!" His gaze sharpened and he earnestly began practicing Sword Technique again.
…
Inside Xu Bo's office.
"A Second Class Scholarship? 50,000 Blue Star Coins?" When Li Yuan heard this good news, he was first stunned, then filled with endless joy.
Even with his composure, he could hardly contain his exhilaration.
For Li Yuan, the 50,000 Blue Star Coins could not only help relieve his family's financial pressure,
but also ease the pressure in his heart.
It could alleviate some of the guilt he felt towards his uncle and aunt.
"This happy?" Seeing Li Yuan's unabashed joy, Xu Bo was quite surprised.
Xu Bo instantly realized that this scholarship was probably more important to Li Yuan than he had anticipated.
"It's so important to Li Yuan,"
"yet he hasn't come to me without so much as a word for more than half a month, quite steady." Xu Bo thought to himself, his estimation of Li Yuan rising a notch.
Once Li Yuan had completely composed himself,
"Thank you, Teacher Xu," Li Yuan gratefully said.
Li Yuan was aware that his scholarship being upgraded from Third Class to Second Class was likely the reason Xu Bo had taken so long.
"The scholarship will be transferred to your account next Monday," Xu Bo said, "Also, I have two more pieces of good news for you."
"Good news?" Li Yuan listened intently.
More good news?
"First, I begged the principal with this face of mine five or six times before he agreed to allocate a separate Martial Arts Room for you, so you can concentrate on your cultivation," Xu Bo said seriously.
A separate Martial Arts Room? Li Yuan was shocked; this privilege was nearly exclusive to the top ten students in the grade with hardly any exceptions.
"Teacher, you've gone to great lengths." Li Yuan felt increasingly grateful.
"Second, the principal has agreed that if you can break into the top ten in the grade during the January exams, I can help you apply for a First Rank Scholarship, 100,000 Blue Star Coins," Xu Bo looked at Li Yuan, "If you can reach the top five, there's a chance to apply for the Special Scholarship."
"The Special Scholarship is 500,000 Blue Star Coins!"
"The opportunity is given to you."
"Whether you can seize it is up to you."