Chapter 276: Showtime (2)
Su Yu nodded. He gave no reply and continued walking silently. Those were beautiful words. It is better to squash enmity than keeping it alive. But as far as he was concerned, this so-called third party was basically a new single character faction in the making.
These people were unhappy with the current status quo. They wanted to change. But when they grew enough, they might turn into a new single character faction. The thing about conflicts in cultivation was that in the end, all conflicts originated from things like resources, status, fame, and power.
If Wan Mingze and the people behind him had no ambitions, why would they even bother with creating such a third party? Naturally, the third party was not founded by Wan Mingze. He was only a new student. This third party was probably backed by some academy elders as well.
Su Yu did not support them. But he did not have anything against them either. The only thing he couldn't accept was being in the same faction as Huang Qifeng. He had been wanting to teach that bastard a lesson for a very long time.
He also believed that Wan Mingze and his people were too optimistic. Huang Qifeng was Elder Zheng Yuming's student. He could get resources, status, guidance, and other benefits from the single character faction. Why should he join the so-called third party?
And that was also the case for Su Yu himself. In the multiple character faction, Bai Feng might have neglected him. But without Bai Feng, how would he have gotten his first batch of mountainbreak bull blood essence. How would he have gotten his character technique?
Without Bai Feng, he would have gotten himself caught and investigated the day he used his blood essence ability. Without Chen Yong, without the weight of Hong Tan's name, would Liu Hong have bothered paying him back after swallowing more than half of the merit points from the scam?
Would Zheng Yunhui have bothered talking nicely to him about the Skybreak Technique? Would Zheng Yunhui have bothered working with him to scam the single character faction? The multiple character faction might be a burden, but it also brought him numerous benefits.
Without this backer, even after reaching the ninth-stage Great Strength Realm, Su Yu wouldn't have dared to reveal his strength for fear of catching more attention than he could handle. Otherwise, he might die without even knowing what happened.
But thanks to the eighth-stage Mountainsea standing behind him, nobody dared to touch him even after he revealed some of his trump cards. After joining the so-called third party, would they actually put all their effort into supporting him?
Su Yu did not think so.
"Huang Yao...so he's from this faction. The so-called commoner's faction is merely a mask for them to hide under."
Since even Wan Mingze was a member of this faction, it was naturally no longer a commoner's faction.
And there were also people like Xia Yuwen and Wu Qi. Perhaps these people were only being classified as a part of the third party because they couldn't be bothered to participate in the internal conflicts and were only focused on their own cultivation. These so-called faction members might not really be actual members or allies of the faction.
...
Having thought of all that, Su Yu decided to ignore Wan Mingze's offer. Wan Mingze could only sigh and stop talking.
All geniuses were prideful creatures. Since Su Yu had not accepted the invitation, he had basically rejected it.
Wan Mingze slowed down. When Su Yu was further ahead of him, Hu Qiusheng caught up to him and smiled, "He rejected you?"
"Yeah."
Hu Qiusheng wasn't surprised, "That's normal. He has never suffered much. Why would he leave the multiple character faction when he is doing so well? Not only would he lose the trust of Bai Feng and the others, he might even receive less resources. All that for the sake of avoiding some trouble that might or might not arrive? It's not worth it."
Wan Mingze frowned, "I understand all that. But I'm also offering this for his sake. The single character faction is clearly getting ready to target him. He is very talented. I don't wish to see a genius ruined for something this petty."
"For his sake..." Hu Qiusheng laughed, "Don't say that ever again. I'll be frank. You're not him. He has his own thoughts. What you think is good for him might not be something he actually wants."
"Perhaps...he enjoys fighting those people? Who knows?" Hu Qiusheng laughed, "None of that is important. Factions are not important as well. When all these people enter the Allheaven Battlefield, these internal conflicts will naturally be taken care of. For now, we should only focus on the Top 100 Ranking."
Wan Mingze said nothing else. He still felt somewhat regretful.
After a while, he said, "I hope he can think it through and distance himself from these conflicts as soon as possible. The multiple character faction has already been completely exterminated in many academies. The single character faction is starting to produce Sunmoon experts. The moment they produce their first Eternal, their path would be proven right. At that time, the multiple character faction would face total elimination."
"Are you referring to that person from Great Zhou?"
"Yeah." Wan Mingze nodded, "The multiple character faction there has been completely shut down. They are no longer accepting students. Their character technique wall has been opened to the public while their faction has been merged into the single character faction."
Hu Qiusheng's face turned solemn, "Is this the work of that person?"
"Yes." Wan Mingze sighed, "That person is too much of a freak. He cultivates only one Divine Character, but he was able to defeat numerous multiple character faction teaching assistants in the same cultivation level. The sole multiple character faction elder of Great Zhou Cultural Research Academy personally supervised those fights. All his students suffered a crushing defeat. Disappointed and tired, he announced on the spot that they would no longer accept new students. Thus, the multiple character faction has been reduced into history in Great Zhou."
Hu Qiusheng's mood turned heavy as he said, "What a pity."
"Yes. The multiple character faction is not completely useless..." said Wan Mingze. "Unfortunately, this rivalry between the two has lasted too long. That person is traveling the Human Realm and visiting the various academies to challenge the multiple character faction experts of the same cultivation level. He aims to prove that the single character faction is stronger. After all, he is unrivaled in the same cultivation level.
"Just a few days ago, a multiple character faction's sixth-stage Skysoar from the Great Shang Cultural Research Academy was defeated by him."
Wan Mingze sighed, "He's already a sixth-stage Skysoar. He was still a new student last year. But now, he is already stronger than even multiple character faction experts of the same cultivation level. He is stronger than them in terms of martial techniques, Divine Characters, and willpower. His strength has definitely not been exaggerated.
"And he is only 19 years old. When he reaches the eighth-stage Skysoar Realm, he would definitely appear here to challenge Assistant Bai. If Assistant Bai ends up defeated, the prestige of Great Xia Cultural Research Academy's multiple character faction would fall apart. Perhaps that would also be the end of the multiple character faction."
Wan Mingze sighed regretfully. What was the trademark of the multiple character faction? Being unrivaled in the same cultivation level.
As a seventh-stage Skysoar, Bai Feng had defeated Hu Wensheng with one move. Thus, the multiple character faction could confidently claim that in the same cultivation level, their path was the best path for geniuses.
Bai Feng was a genius. But that person was also a genius. And Bai Feng was even older. If Bai Feng was defeated by that person, a member of the single character faction, what would others think? Would there still be a need for the multiple character faction to continue existing?
After exhausting far more resources than their peers, they ended up not being a match for someone in the same cultivation level. Would they not be too ashamed to accept more students?
"Sixth-stage Skysoar...he might need a little bit more time to reach the seventh stage. But that fellow would be here in less than a year." Wan Mingze looked at Hu Qiusheng, "At that time, the multiple character faction would be fully suppressed. If Su Yu's hostility with them is too high, it would be too hard for him to adapt to an academy without the multiple character faction. You tell me. Am I doing this for his sake?"
Hu Qiusheng frowned. After a while, when they reached the Secret Character Hall, he said, "The Great Zhou is being quite domineering this time. Our prefecture might not give a shit about them. If that fellow really does come, others might challenge him before Bai Feng could even do anything."
Wan Mingze did not say anything. That was possible. But who could be that person's match?
Secret Character Hall.
The moment Su Yu entered the building, he felt several gazes on him. With his trademark honest smile, he looked forward and saw that there were many researchers present. Some he knew, and some he didn't.
He didn't mind them and bowed slightly at the researchers with a smile before heading toward the rest of the students. At the sight of Su Yu, many researchers started conversing through voice transmissions.
"Is this Bai Feng's student?"
"Yes. His name is Su Yu. He defeated Hu Wensheng's student not long ago."
"He looks quite honest and genial. In fact, he is much more pleasing to the eye than Bai Feng."
...
At the same time.
Wu Lan was also talking to someone, "Elder Sister, it's him! He's stronger than me! What should I do to become stronger than him?"
Wu Qi nonchalantly replied, "By defeating him."
"..."
Wu Lan gloomily replied, "If I can defeat him, why would I ask you this question?"
Wu Qi calmly said, "Since you can't defeat him, he will remain stronger than you. What is there to ask?"
"..."
She really didn't know how to deal with this younger sister of hers. After a while, she said, "Since you want to be stronger than him, you need to be harsher on yourself. Spend 20 hours per day cultivating, 2 hours reading, 10 minutes for your meals, and the rest of your time resting. If you maintain this pace, it is only a matter of time before you surpass him."
Wu Lan hesitated for a while before softly asking, "Can I cultivate only 18 hours per day, reading 1 hour per day, and the rest of the time sleeping?"
"Cough, cough..."
Liu Hong nearly choked on the tea he was drinking. When he saw Wu Qi looking at him, he dryly said, "The tea was too hot. In truth, it isn't very hard to surpass Su Yu..."
Wu Lan instantly looked at him doubtfully.
Not hard?
In that case, why would his student be so weak?
Liu Hong seemed to have guessed what Wu Lan was thinking. He was rendered speechless. And he couldn't be bothered to explain himself. He smiled and said, "Lan, you are still quite talented. You are as talented as him. And you are willing to work hard too. This is great. You only lack one thing. A proper understanding."
"What?"
"He cultivates his physical body due to his weak willpower. He has no choice if he doesn't want to fall behind others. I heard that you have been focusing on your physical body cultivation as well. That is only going to slow down your willpower cultivation. That is basically the same as competing against him in something you're bad at but he is good at. You should focus on your willpower and reach the Skysoar Realm as soon as possible instead. It won't be too late to forge your physical body after reaching the Skysoar Realm."
Wu Lan then looked at her elder sister. Wu Qi expressionlessly said, "This is your own path. You have to make your own choice. Opinions of others will forever remain opinions. Nobody knows you more than yourself. If you find your current path smooth, keep walking. If you find it not smooth, stop."
"Sister!”
Wu Lan was feeling very gloomy. Her elder sister had been repeating these words to her. But she was starting to feel that even Liu Hong was a much better teacher than her elder sister.
Wu Qi ignored her.
Wu Lan was already an adult. And she had received a good education. Apart from her lack of experience, she was already taught everything she should know. In terms of cultivation, Wu Qi would only supervise her and nothing else. Wu Lan would have to rely on herself in her path of cultivation.
When Wu Qi's gaze landed on Su Yu and saw the genial smile that was eternally plastered on his face as he conversed with the other students, she frowned and looked at Liu Hong. Liu Hong was also smiling while conversing with a nearby researcher.
Wu Qi then looked at Su Yu. For some reason, the two looked remarkably similar.
She turned to look at Liu Hong again...
Finally, Su Yu and Liu Hong noticed her gaze.