"The benefits have been explained, so what price do we need to pay?"
After calmly listening to Deans Office Teacher Sun Qian's explanation, Yu Yan asked a question the other party hadn't even mentioned.
There is no such thing as a free lunch in this World; if joining the Balak Kingdom grants benefits, it must also carry a price.
Yu Yan was a person who valued sentiment and loyalty; he couldn't accept favors without repaying them, which was the true reason he was unwilling to join other factions prematurely.
With a Companion Spirit that transcended the current era, purple qi and Moonlight to accelerate his Cultivation, and the advantage of foresight, Yu Yan was confident he could become a powerhouse in the future.
In the worst-case scenario, he could just take Xiao Wu and go into hiding; once she became a Titled Douluo, they would be worry-free for a lifetime.
Hearing Yu Yan's question, Sun Qian was momentarily stunned. When recruiting children of this age in the past, none had ever thought in this direction; they only cared about what benefits they would receive.
"Becoming a Spirit Master of the Balak Kingdom naturally means accepting the Balak Kingdom's arrangements one hundred percent and working for the Balak Kingdom."
Sun Qian hesitated for a moment but eventually stated the price of accepting the benefits. Yu Yan and Xiao Wu's talent was far superior to his; deceiving them would bring no personal benefit to Sun Qian.
"What happens if we encounter something we are unwilling to do?"
Xiao Wu, who originally thought this was a good thing, frowned and asked another lethal and critical question after hearing the price Sun Qian mentioned.
"Naturally, you must obey the King's orders."
Having already decided to speak out, Sun Qian answered Xiao Wu's question without any hesitation.
"I'm sorry, Teacher Sun Qian, but Xiao Wu and I are still young. We don't even know what our future will be like, so we are not prepared to join the Balak Kingdom for the time being."
Yu Yan refused the invitation again, but he didn't burn his bridges.
He and Xiao Wu were still on the Balak Kingdom's territory, and neither of them was powerful yet, so they couldn't act too decisively or speak too absolutely.
"Fine, then. Think more about my proposal."
"Actually, for a commoner Spirit Master to be able to join the Balak Kingdom and become a Noble with a territory is already a very good path."
Sun Qian was a commoner Spirit Master. He had been young once and had seen many high-spirited commoner Geniuses at the Balak Junior Soul Master Academy. He could understand these youngsters' thoughts, yet few truly grew into powerhouses in the end. After a final piece of advice, Sun Qian asked again:
"Since you are unwilling to join the Balak Kingdom, would you be willing to join the Balak Academy's Reserve Team Member Plan?"
"Teacher Sun, what is this Reserve Team Member Plan?"
Since Sun Qian proposed this Reserve Team Member Plan knowing they were unwilling to join the Balak Kingdom, it likely wouldn't be like the former, so he was interested in learning about it.
"Do you know about the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament?"
Sun Qian didn't explain the plan immediately; he first brought up a competition Yu Yan was very familiar with.
"I know about that competition. It's a contest between the younger generation of Spirit Masters across the whole continent. The winners gain immense honor and substantial rewards."
While answering the question, Yu Yan was also explaining the situation to Xiao Wu, who didn't know what the competition was.
"It's good that you know. Balak Academy is qualified to participate in this competition, and the Reserve Team Member Plan is a Genius training program prepared for the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament. You two have great talent and are qualified to join."
"The Reserve Team Member Plan doesn't require you to pay a heavy price. As long as you Cultivate hard and are qualified to join the Balak Team before the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament begins, you just need to join the Balak Team and represent the academy in the competition."
"In exchange, the academy will provide you with certain Cultivation resources and conveniences, allowing you to practice better within the academy."
Sun Qian briefly explained the background of the Reserve Team Member Plan and the benefits of becoming a reserve member.
For Yu Yan and Xiao Wu, this was a beneficial arrangement with no downsides.
"Teacher Sun, I am willing to join this plan."
Yu Yan gave Xiao Wu a look and took the initiative to say he was willing.
Receiving Yu Yan's look, Xiao Wu also nodded vigorously, indicating her willingness to join the plan.
"Good, I will submit both of your names. Once the Balak Academy's approval comes through, someone will discuss the specific benefits and treatment with you."
At least one thing was accomplished; today wasn't a waste. This was the first step toward success.
After recording the information, Sun Qian looked at Yu Yan and Xiao Wu: "By the way, can I see your first spirit rings?"
"Sure."
Yu Yan was the first to display his Spirit and spirit ring—the circling Ice and Fire Twin Fish and the yellow spirit ring moving up and down rhythmically.
After Yu Yan, Xiao Wu displayed her own Spirit and her hundred-year spirit ring.
Seeing that both of their first spirit rings were hundred-year yellow spirit rings, Sun Qian nodded with satisfaction and left. If their spirit rings had been white spirit rings, they might not have passed the Balak Academy's approval.
"Teacher Sun was right about one thing: for commoner Spirit Masters to be able to join the Balak Kingdom and become Nobles with a fief is indeed a very good path."
Once Sun Qian left, Fang Chunlan, who had been quiet, prepared to further advise these two young ones who didn't know the heights of the heavens or the depths of the earth.
"Teacher Fang, I know you mean well, but we really have no intention of joining the Balak Kingdom for now."
Yu Yan smiled and repeated his earlier response. After chatting with them for a bit, Fang Chunlan stood up and left.
"Yu Yan, why do you think Teacher Fang keeps trying to persuade us to join the Balak Kingdom? Clearly, after joining, we'd have to do things we don't want to. That's obviously not a good thing. It's so annoying!!"
Watching Sun Qian and Fang Chunlan walk away, Xiao Wu, full of doubts, was the first to speak about what she disliked the most.
Before this, Xiao Wu had a good impression of Fang Chunlan.
"Everyone's life experiences are different, everyone's talents are different, and the perspectives from which they view things will also differ."
"Joining the Balak Kingdom to become a Noble is a good thing in their eyes. They gave us advice out of kindness; we can choose not to accept it, but we shouldn't think they aren't being well-intentioned."
"Believe it or not, if Grandpa Yu were here, he would probably want to agree on our behalf immediately. He cares for us, yet he also hopes we join the Balak Kingdom to become Nobles; there is no contradiction between these two things."
Wanting to change Xiao Wu's outlook on life, Yu Yan broke down his views and explained them to her, even using Old Man Yu as an example, hoping she could understand these principles.
After hearing Yu Yan's words, Xiao Wu pondered for a long while and understood what he was trying to express.
"I understand now. Yu Yan, you're right."