I became a martial arts saint while playing games.

"A-level contract?"

Dean Li looked at Zhong Ding in surprise.

Grade A is the highest level of contract that the Weapon Academy can offer. Students who receive Grade A contracts should be carefully reviewed and should not be offered contracts lightly.

Dean Li thought for a moment, then flipped through Gu Yan's file again, and shook his head, saying, "It's a bit of a stretch. This student is indeed amazing, and it's admirable that he has reached this level in the humanities. But when I look through his file, his innate talent seems to be only average."

The bells and tripods remain silent.

Indeed, Gu Yan's inferior physical constitution is his biggest weakness.

It must be understood that in the path of martial arts, innate talent is of paramount importance. While comprehension can determine a martial artist's speed of progress in the short term and greatly aid in early training, with current medical technology, there are already drugs in the world that can stimulate the human brain and enhance thinking in a short period of time, which is equivalent to enhancing comprehension. However, such drugs are not only short-lived but also very expensive.

In theory, as long as you have enough money and resources, you can also boost your comprehension with medicine.

However, physical constitution is innate, and there are currently no methods to improve it through training. Moreover, since ancient times, physical constitution has been regarded as the decisive factor in a martial artist's potential.

Those with inferior innate talent are destined to never learn many martial arts. Forcing themselves to cultivate these skills will not only be useless, but will also damage their very foundation. Moreover, the higher one's level with inferior innate talent, the more difficult it becomes to progress.

Some geniuses with exceptional comprehension make rapid progress when they first enter the world of martial arts, but due to limitations in their innate abilities, they remain stuck at a certain level for the rest of their lives and find it difficult to make any further progress.

Such a genius, lacking innate talent but possessing exceptional comprehension, might be suitable for receiving some resources and support to become a second-tier martial artist. However, investing top-tier resources in such a talent might not be worthwhile.

Dean Li said, "But this student is indeed a promising talent; there's no problem including him in the elite development program. I think the best we can offer is a B-level contract."

But Zhong Ding did not give up: "The vice president of the Martial Arts Association, Shi, was also of inferior talent in the past and was rejected by all the top universities when he was young. But now he is a grandmaster who is admired by thousands."

While innate talent usually determines one's potential, nothing is absolute. In all the years of martial arts development, there have been geniuses with mediocre innate talent who have risen to prominence, but the proportion is so low that they are generally not considered.

"Oh? You think highly of this kid?"

Dean Li smiled and didn't argue with him further, only saying...

"Since you truly believe this student deserves such high regard, then use your points to redeem him. With the points you've accumulated over the years, securing a contract to upgrade a student from B-level to A-level shouldn't be difficult."

This is a professor's privilege. Professors earn points for their teams' achievements and contributions to the college. These points can then be used to acquire resources for their students and teams.

Zhong Ding serves as the head of the swordsmanship department at the Weaponry Academy, and his team is among the best in the academy, resulting in a substantial number of points for his students. Other professors wouldn't be so extravagant as to offer such a lavish package to their students.

Zhong Ding replied without hesitation, "Alright. I already had this idea, but I would appreciate the Dean's approval at that time."

Dean Li laughed heartily, "You earned these points yourself, so you can spend them however you want. Of course, I allow it. But even for you, these points must be quite a lot. So it seems you really think highly of this student?"

"Yes."

Zhong Ding put away his phone and smiled slightly.

"I have a feeling that this investment... will be profitable."

...

...

Gu Yan returns to the game.

He plays games to improve his life, but it is precisely because he wants to gain more from real life that he needs to focus on games even more.

His trip to the gambling den has raised his potential points to nearly three thousand. This is a huge fortune for a beginner's village, but it's not enough for Gu Yan.

Because he plans to break through to the Qi Control Realm soon. That's a realm that players would normally find difficult to reach in the beginner's village, according to the normal game progression, and the potential required would naturally be far greater than before.

Three thousand potential points are more than enough for the Solidifying Yuan Realm, but for Gu Yan's next stage of plans, he still needs to earn another sum.

Shen Qinghan had already returned to her room at the inn to rest. But after Gu Yan booked a room, he didn't go to bed. After quickly tidying up, he went out again.

This time, however, he didn't go through the main entrance. Instead, he climbed over the wall of the inn's back courtyard. He bypassed the main entrance and went into a restaurant diagonally opposite the inn, heading straight to the second floor.

On the second floor, near the window, a constable dressed in official robes was looking out, staring at the entrance of the inn across the street, as if he were keeping watch.

Upon closer inspection, who else could it be but Constable Li Shun?

Gu Yan stepped forward and patted him on the shoulder. Li Shun was startled and jumped up from his chair, his hand on the hilt of his knife, seemingly ready to draw it instinctively.

But upon recognizing Gu Yan, Li Shun's wariness and fierce look vanished instantly, replaced by a smile: "Who do we have here? It's Lord Gu. You must be tired from your journey and have been busy all night. Why don't you go and rest?"

"Lord Shen is resting, I'm just taking a stroll," Gu Yan said. "But you, instead of going back to rest, what are you looking around for? Are you perhaps spying on us?"

"How dare I?" Li Shun laughed. "It's just that I think you two are new to this place and unfamiliar with the area. Last night you also killed that nest of local lynxes. If there are still demons around Qingxi, they might take advantage of your rest to seek revenge."

Although my martial arts skills are meager and I can't be of much help in exorcising demons, I can still do my job as a lookout. If there's anything unusual happening around the inn, I can inform you two immediately to be on your guard.”

"Oh, that's very kind of you," Gu Yan said. "Then I thank Officer Li in advance."

Li Shun said, "I would never dare to accept such praise. You two gentlemen have rid Qingxi County of demons and upheld justice; it is I who should be thanking you. If there is anything I, Li, can do to help, please do not hesitate to ask."

"Alright then," Gu Yan said. "I was just about to go out, so please accompany me again, Officer Li."

Li Shun hurriedly agreed and called to the waiter to settle the bill.

The waiter seemed to have never seen a constable pay for his food in this Qingxi area before, so he didn't dare to step forward and stammered that the bill would be on the restaurant's behalf and that it was free.

Li Shun was used to it, so he ignored him, left a few coins on the table, and then followed Gu Yan out with his knife.

Gu Yan didn't tell him where they were going, but simply headed north. The two gradually left the city gate and headed towards the outskirts of Qingxi County.

As the two passed by, the villagers did not recognize Gu Yan, who was dressed in ordinary clothes. However, upon catching a glimpse of Li Shun's official robes, many villagers' eyes immediately filled with resentment and anger.

It is evident that in the eyes of the people of Qingxi, government officials and their servants were like wolves and tigers. The county government was usually cruel and tyrannical, and had lost the hearts of the people. In their eyes, they were no different from bandits who occupied the mountains and plundered.

Normally, Li Shun could tolerate being looked at like this by the people, but now that he was traveling with Gu Yan, he felt somewhat ashamed to be looked at as if he were a bandit or a ferocious monster.

The two arrived at a stream and saw a village woman washing clothes by the water. Gu Yan approached her and asked, "Auntie, I have a question. I heard that there's a haunted building around here?"

Upon hearing this, the village woman stopped what she was doing, looked up, and her face showed fear.

She glanced at Gu Yan, then at Li Shun's official robes beside her, and her fear immediately turned into indignation.

"They said before that haunted building was haunted and killed Old Man Wang, so they reported it to the authorities," the village woman said angrily. "When your county officials came, they saw Old Man Wang with seven stab wounds in his back and immediately determined it was suicide, that there were no ghosts here. Now you're asking about some haunted building?"