Chapter 450: Darker And Darker (1)
"The victory goes to Liu He's team."
Su Yu had the urge to laugh when he heard that. Beside him, Liu He's face was flushed red.
His elder brother had actually named the team after him... He wished there was a hole for him to bury himself in. That was too embarrassing.
The tournament had taken an entire day. Apart from standing around like a background decoration, he had not done anything.
The nerve of him. Was his brother not embarrassed? But Liu Hong was shameless enough to not care about that.
After announcing the winner, he said, "The team in first place will be given five slots to the Willpower Grotto. The other teams will also be receiving their rewards shortly. Those not in the top ten, do not lose heart. The teams that have performed admirably will also be receiving some rewards even if you're not in the top ten."
"As for the students who have performed well this time, if you are without a teacher, the researchers of the Character Faculty will be accepting some of you as their students. Of course, the selection criteria are entirely up to them. This will apply to even those above 30 years old."
A clamor erupted from the crowd. Accepting new students? Was the single character faction running out of cannon fodder?
Elder Sun and the other elders had remained silent while Liu Hong was talking. Clearly, that was the decision the elders had made. Even with the possibility of being used as cannon fodder, a lot of people were still interested.
Someone amid the crowd asked, "Teacher Liu, what are the requirements to join?"
"That is up to each researcher to decide. After all, they are the ones that will be accepting the students. At the very least, they need to be satisfied with the students they are accepting, right?"
Liu Hong was basically babbling nonsense.
Without enough talent or strength, could someone even earn the attention of a researcher?
However, a lot of people were still tempted by the announcement.
While Liu Hong was talking, Su Yu nonchalantly moved off the ring, ignoring the announcement. He was in the middle of conversing with Chen Yong when Liu Hong talked about the recruitment of new students. Upon hearing that, he softly said a few words to Chen Yong.
Chen Yong frowned as he thought for a bit before eventually nodding in agreement.
With Chen Yong's agreement, Su Yu wasted no time and loudly said, "The multiple character faction has been canceled, so we won't be able to accept new members. But we are planning to start offering private classes after this tournament. I'll be perfectly honest. We're doing this to get some momentum going for our faction with some numbers. If you're interested, contact me to sign yourself up."
"Head Manager Chen of the books depository is an intermediate researcher who is experienced and knowledgeable. If you are interested and not afraid of being suppressed, feel free to give our class a try. Naturally, you might need to do something small for the multiple character faction if you do end up joining, but don't worry. We won't be asking you to throw your lives away. You might only be asked to run some small errands like purchasing some materials, gathering some data, and so on."
Su Yu was speaking over Liu Hong. After giving the kid a glance, Liu Hong merely smiled and ignored him.
Interesting.
They were basically doing this to get more people on their side. After so many years of decline, the multiple character faction did not have a lot of members remaining. This time, Su Yu was actually trying to remedy that for the multiple character faction. But would the members recruited in this manner even be useful?
Su Yu continued his announcement, "I'll be straightforward. We don't have any benefits to offer. We don't have any merit points to offer. Don't join the class before complaining about the lack of benefits. Knowledge in itself is invaluable. Come if you're still interested. Only those with a similar mindset are worth befriending."
Someone from the crowd asked, "Do we get to cultivate the character techniques of the multiple character faction in this class?"
Su Yu smiled, "To do that, you need to form at least 10 characters before the Skysoar Realm. This isn't something everyone can do. I won't lie. Those capable of doing so will most likely be allowed to learn our character techniques after getting through our test and inspection. If that is not something you can do, we won't be delaying your advancement into the Skysoar Realm by making you cultivate a character technique. It's pointless. Everyone can see how we have declined. The main reason for our decline is the strict requirements for cultivating character techniques. Of course, the stricter requirements also mean stronger combat strength.
"My offer extends to even those genius students with teachers. If you are confident you can form at least 10 characters before the Skysoar Realm, you are free to apply for a chance to learn a character technique.
"The multiple character faction is inclusive. As long as you can get through our test and inspection, you will be allowed to learn from us. We won't impose any restrictions based on your background.
"After mastering a character technique, you are free to deny any relationship with us. We are not doing this to recruit new students. We are only doing this to spread the fire of culture."
Finally, Su Yu looked at the single character faction students and said, "This applies to the students of the single character faction. You are free to learn from us as well. That is especially true for those who have formed their own character systems. I believe these students will be able to gain an increase in strength after learning about character techniques from us."
The moment those words were said, Elder Sun and the other elders focused on Su Yu before looking at Chen Yong.
Their expressions were unsightly.
Classes? No! That was them spreading their influence indirectly. That was them increasing their headcount indirectly.
Elder Sun coldly said, "According to the academy rules, those who are not a part of a registered faction are not allowed to spread their teachings in private—"
Su Yu interjected, "Yeah, I know that. Like I said, we are not passing on the legacy of our faction to anyone, which is forbidden by the rules. Nobody will need to join the multiple character faction. We are merely offering everyone some free benefits. There is no doubt that the character wall belongs to the multiple character faction. We are merely sharing this wall with some people we consider friends. This is basically a gift between friends. Elder Sun, this offer extends to even your students. If they want to learn from us, I'll welcome them."
Su Yu had a gentle smile on his face.
Come. They were more than welcome to learn the character techniques of the multiple character faction. How would the multiple character faction be wiped out? That would never happen. As long as this thing called ambition existed, the multiple character faction would continue to exist.
Bai Feng's discovery of a way to continue completing a character technique at the Skysoar Realm and beyond was basically a lifesaver.
With this new method, they could take a few years to observe the students learning from them. It wouldn't matter even if these students ended up reaching the Skysoar Realm before completing their character techniques. The multiple character faction could freely continue observing these students. After verifying the loyalty of these students, they could then help these students complete their character techniques.
Expansion. This was what Su Yu had been doing the entire day.
Of course, he wasn't recruiting direct members to their faction. They were not able to do that since officially, their faction was no longer a thing. Additionally, this wasn't a decision he could make on behalf of the faction. He had merely asked Chen Yong for permission to rope in some allies. Even if they couldn't rope these people into their side, they could at least ensure that these people stay neutral.
Only geniuses would bother with learning character techniques. And most geniuses were people with strong backgrounds. If even the descendants of these big shots were cultivating these character techniques, would these big shots continue suppressing the teachings of the multiple character faction?
Elder Sun frowned as he loudly said, "A lot of people must have forgotten about what happened 50 years ago. Do not make the wrong choice and ruin your future. If you wait too long below the Skysoar Realm, will you still be able to advance when you want to do so? More than 10 characters and countless willpower texts. This is what you need to cultivate character techniques. History has already proven that the so-called character technique is nothing but baggage in your path of cultivation."
Su Yu smiled and said, "Maybe he's right. That was why the first, third, and fifth principals of our academy were all from the multiple character faction. My grandteacher is only a pseudo Sunmoon. Perhaps the multiple character faction is really worthless. That is all we amount to..."
"..."
Elder Sun felt like coughing blood. That little bastard was using the past principals as an example. What else could he say?
While Elder Sun was simmering in rage, Liu Hong said, "Everyone can make their own choice. All of you can see how strong Su Yu is. But as someone below the Skysoar Realm, he alone had consumed resources worth tens of thousands of merit points for his cultivation. Not everyone can afford to spend that much money in cultivation."
Those words shocked countless people.
What?
Tens of thousands of merit points?
Holy shit!
Did that fellow eat merit points for breakfast or something?
A lot of people were also relieved to hear that. No wonder that fellow had been growing so fast. So that was why. Some of them even started thinking that they would be able to do the same with that much money.
Su Yu wasn't bothered. He smiled, "Yeah. I really need to thank Teacher Liu and Manager Zhou for their merit points. Without them, I wouldn't have been able to get so many merit points I can use for my cultivation. By the way, I know that private merit point transactions are technically illegal, but I have already used up all my merit points. Please don't investigate me, Hall Master Huang."
With a look of reverence, Su Yu bowed to Liu Hong and said, "Thank you, Teacher Liu! Without you, I wouldn't have been able to get so much money. Without you, I wouldn't have gotten a Willpower Grotto slot."
Su Yu increased the volume of his voice, "Thank you for your help, Teacher Liu! Today, I have repaid you for your favor. Brother Lin and the others have all obtained a slot into the grotto as well. I am very happy that I can finally repay you for all the help, Teacher Liu!"
Liu Hong glared at Su Yu! Had the kid forgotten that he was supposed to be a spy in the single character faction? Had the kid forgotten that they were on the same side? Why was the kid still trying to screw him over?
Su Yu had a smile on his face. Spy his ass! According to his grandteacher, there was no such thing! This Liu Hong was completely shameless!
Thousands of people were watching as the show unfolded. They all knew that Su Yu was putting on an act, but a lot of them still couldn't resist looking at Liu Hong in astonishment. So all the merit points Su Yu had used were provided by Liu Hong?
What?
How?
Why couldn't he give them some as well?
They didn't even need tens of thousands of merit points. They would be happy with only a hundred merit points!
Liu Hong said, "You should be careful of what you say, Su Yu. I have most certainly done nothing like that. Don't you know that transferring merit points privately is illegal?"
"That's a lot of merit points. Once proven, all your accounts will be frozen," Old Huang gave a lazy reminder.
He could guess that all those merit points must have been transferred through private transactions. As for the purpose of those transactions...he didn't even want to ask.
A transaction that large had most certainly involved something extremely important. Clearly, the experts of both factions knew about the transaction. Since they had not been caught red-handed, there was no point in pursuing that offense after the deed was done.
The academy itself had a policy of closing one eye to these private transactions. There was no denying that some things could be bought cheaper in the black market.
The academy had a limited amount of resources. Thus, the black market could actually be considered an additional source of resources for them. As long as the academy could still keep things in check, the existence of the black market could be tolerated.
Su Yu smiled and did not insist on pursuing the matter.
Looking at Lin Yao and the others, he smiled, "Guys, the multiple character faction welcomes you as well. Feel free to sign up if you're interested in learning from us. Also, be careful with the grotto slots. You don't want to get your slots taken away from you after all this, right? Don't make the mistake of thinking that some people won't be shameless enough to take from you. That's especially true for you, Brother Lin. Since your cultivation is a tad bit weak, some people might even find an excuse to take your slot from you."
Lin Yao looked at Su Yu blankly. Was it proper for Su Yu to give him this reminder so openly? Wouldn't that make it obvious that they were quite close? But soon after, a realization hit him.
Su Yu was doing this deliberately to dispel the doubts others might have over their relationship! When it became too obvious, people would suspect that Su Yu was merely putting up a show!
Wasn't this the exact play Su Yu and his teacher had been putting up? Who would believe that his teacher and Brother Su were actually on the same side?
The enlightened Lin Yao shouted, "Why do you care? Even if I do end up giving the slot away, that will be something I do voluntarily!"
Su Yu smiled, "Sure. I doubt you can keep the slot anyway. I do hope to see you in the grotto. After all, you're...quite weak. You could use some growth."
"You!"
Lin Yao put on a furious look on his face and looked at his teacher, Liu Hong.
Upon seeing that, Liu Hong cursed inwardly. Did the kid really think that he wasn't aware of the secret friendship between the kid and Su Yu?
Liu Hong said nothing, but Elder Sun coldly said, "Su Yu, there is no need to trouble you about this. As a genius student of the single character faction, Lin Yao will certainly get to keep a slot he has obtained with his own ability. The single character faction does not lack slots. We don't need to steal from our own."
Trying to sully their reputation with something like this?
Dream on!
That was only a slot. And it was a slot that they had given out for the tournament. Since Liu He had gotten the slot back, they could even save the slot they were planning to give Liu He before this.
As for Lin Yao, yes, he was too weak. Elder Sun had indeed considered taking Lin Yao's slot. But that would ruin his own reputation, and Lin Yao's grandfather was also a rather important member of their faction.
In that case, there was no need for him to go through so much trouble just for a single slot. Furthermore, now that Lin Yao had gotten a slot, the faction would no longer need to give Lin Yao's grandfather a slot.