Chapter 71: I've Decided
"A truly strong person needs to be able to withstand loneliness." Su Yu then smiled, "Uncle Xie. I'll be frank. I'm mainly focused on willpower cultivation. I've gathered some information about the Martial Dragon War Academy before. It has a cultural researcher course as well. However..."
He did not finish his words, but Old Xie understood his meaning.
Old Xie smiled, "That's in the past. Things are different this year. Since Liu Wenyan is your mentor, you should understand the difference between the different ranks of researchers. Naturally, the ranks were given by the cultural research academies to differentiate their researchers. However, you can also see the ranks as the acknowledgment of a researcher's strength.
"This time, over a dozen intermediate researchers and several senior researchers from the Martial Dragon Guards will be returning. We're winding down our activities on the Allheaven Battlefield so these people will start teaching in the academy instead. In our academy, there are very few cultural research students. One full researcher will be in charge of teaching only ten students.
"I admit that the Great Xia Cultural Research Academy is much stronger in terms of cultural research cultivation. But they also have a lot of students. Including the graduates, the undergraduates, the old students living on stipends, and so on, they have tens of thousands of people below the Skysoar Realm."
The old man seriously said, "However, they have less than three hundred researchers teaching in the academy. A researcher will be in charge of teaching a hundred students on average.
"Su Yu, do you really think you can learn more there? The competition is very stiff there. Everyone is busy scheming against each other for benefits and resources. With the recently opened Foreign Student Faculty, things are even more chaotic there.
"Years might pass before you see your first full researcher. And even after meeting one, the researcher might not necessarily be willing to teach you.
"Things are different in the Martial Dragon War Academy. You're from a military family. From that alone, the academy will view you differently. Since you're decently talented as well, you might even get a senior researcher personally teaching you. That is completely different from what you would receive at the cultural research academy."
Old Xie spoke earnestly, "I am very optimistic about your future. Why? Because I believe that the descendents of soldiers are the best..."
Su Yu was somewhat speechless. There were millions of soldiers in Great Xia, and there were even more descendents of soldiers in the prefecture. Thus, his words were essentially pointless.
"Uncle Xie, I'll think about it."
"Don't think. Just join. Why even waste your time with the exam? I'll make an exception and accept you directly."
Old Xie promised generously, "The exam is pointless for you. We're family. I can make you a special recruit student. You can even get additional benefits in the academy. You will receive 100 merit points directly. It will take you years to earn that much in the cultural research academy.
"Without merit points, you will have to perform odd jobs to make a living in the academy. You would eventually miss your golden window of cultivation by spending years doing odd jobs at the academy. Your future will be essentially ruined then."
At that time, Chen Hao's eyes lit up as he asked in excitement, "Am I getting that as well?"
"..."
Old Xie really wanted to tell Chen Hao to look in the mirror.
He was on the verge of saying exactly that before he swallowed his words and smiled, "If Su Yu joins, I'll give you a middle-tier yellow-grade saber as a gift. What do you think?"
Chen Hao's mouth was agape. A saber like that was worth more than 100,000 dollars. Was the Martial Dragon War Academy really that rich?
But Chen Hao immediately realized what was going on. He felt somewhat disheartened at the realization that the gift was contingent upon Su Yu joining them. However, Su Yu would not join them. He was already an eighth-stage Source Opening cultivator. Why would he even join them? He would be better off joining the Great Xia War Academy.
Although Su Yu could grow rapidly in the Martial Dragon War Academy, that academy did not have enough history. The Great Xia War Academy, on the other hand, was different. That was an old academy with rich history and deep accumulation of wealth and resources. Even if all other factors were ignored, the Great Xia War Academy still had more Mountainsea experts than the Martial Dragon War Academy.
Seeing that Su Yu was still indifferent, Old Xie went straight to the point, "Su Yu, think it through. A hundred merit points, ten drops of source qi liquid, and one visit to a secret grotto. That is the best the Martial Dragon War Academy can offer. I doubt any academy can give you a better offer.
"Even some geniuses at the ninth-stage Source Opening Realm and completed Divine Character would not receive such an offer. Only by receiving a special permission from the academy can a student enjoy such benefits.
"That will be the same in all academies. If you join the cultural research academy, even after forming a Divine Character, your willpower is still too weak for them to offer you that much.
"With the limited authority I have, I am giving you the best benefits a student can get. Also, I'm not lying when saying that the cultural research academy is very chaotic. You can ask your mentor. Ask him how things are within the cultural research academy right now."
Su Yu nodded, "Thank you for the advice, Uncle Xie. I will think it through."
"Think carefully. If you join us, you can even visit your father. The Devil Subduing Army is starting to pull back and their soldiers will be rotated in and out of the battlefield. You can visit your father at any time. That is not a benefit you can get from any other academy."
The final offer actually moved Su Yu.
He sank into silence. After a while, he said, "I'll think it through."
"I'll be taking my leave then."
Old Xie was disappointed to see that Su Yu was still not agreeing. But since he had already offered everything he could, it was pointless to keep wasting his time there.
...
Uncle Qian was only here as Old Xie's proof of identity. Thus, Su Yu did not need to worry too much about him.
After the two left, Chen Hao looked at Su Yu enviously and said, "Yu, are they here to recruit you before the exam?"
"Yes."
"So is this the kind of treatment top students enjoy?"
Chen Hao had a sour face. He recalled how he was still worrying about passing the examination while his friend was already being recruited directly. The treatment was so good that he almost felt like stealing the chance from Su Yu if possible. However, Su Yu still refused to agree.
Su Yu smiled, "The capital does not lack geniuses. The Martial Dragon War Academy is probably here because of some other reason."
They were definitely not here because of his certified languages or his cultivation level. The Martial Dragon War Academy did not lack similar students. What they treasured more was his participation in the Windcatcher Department's operation. Through his actions during the operation, Uncle Xie must have guessed that he had completed his Divine Character.
Although Team Leader Liu had promised that his participation would be kept secret from outsiders, it wasn't surprising for those in the military to know about it. After all, the Martial Dragon Guards was the strongest faction within Great Xia's military.
"Martial Dragon Guards..."
Su Yu muttered with a complicated mood. In the past, his biggest wish was to join the Martial Dragon Guards. His father shared the same dream. But now, a Skysoar cultivator from the Martial Dragon Guards was here to personally recruit him. Even Xia Bing had tried to recruit him before.
Sure enough, he could only rely on his own ability to get what he wanted. If he was still the same third-stage Source Opening cultivator from before, nobody would bother recruiting him. Su Yu did not feel that it was unfair. If you weren't valuable enough, why should others place any importance to you?
The so-called descendent of a soldier was merely an excuse they used to start a conversation with him. If one wished to rely on the status as the child of a soldier to obtain the support of the military, one might as well forget about it. There were plenty of people with the same status in Great Xia.
But the value of that status would change considerably the moment one demonstrated value. If there was a second person with the exact same accomplishments as Su Yu, the Martial Dragon Guards might not even bother sparing that person a look if that person wasn't a child of a soldier. On the other hand, they would treat Su Yu favorably due to his birth.
That was a benefit he naturally enjoyed due to his birth.
Su Yu knew all that. However, that wasn't what he was thinking about at the moment. Instead, he was wondering if he could fight for more resources after entering the cultural research academy.
Instructor Liu told him to perform well without forgetting to hold back a trump card. Which trump card should he hide? Would the book in his mind count? He could unleash the offensive prowess of a seventh-stage Great Strength cultivator. That should count as a trump card, right? He had two Divine Characters completed. If he used only one, the other could be considered a trump card, right? After thinking about it, he realized that he actually had quite a lot of trump cards!
"The better I perform, the more benefits I'll get. Unconditional love does not exist in this world. If you're completely hopeless, nobody will bother sparing you a second look. Only by showcasing how outstanding you are will others try to recruit you to their cause."
Su Yu spent a long time contemplating. When he was done, he looked up at Chen Hao and asked, "Hao, what do you have in your mind?"
"What?"
"Do you want to join the Great Xia War Academy or the Martial Dragon War Academy?"
"I...don't know," Chen Hao answered blankly. "I guess I'll join whichever I can. Both of them are good enough for me. I'm just afraid that I can't get through their assessment."
"You will be fine. If you want to enter the Great Xia War Academy, with their reduced requirements for Nanyuan students, you will be able to get in. But there, you'll be one of the weaker students. You won't be the weakest, but you'll definitely be weak enough to be considered a deadweight by some of them.
"If you enter the Martial Dragon War Academy, you can become a mid-tier student if you're able to perform decently."
Su Yu seriously said, "However, the Great Xia War Academy has more to offer. They have a deep accumulation of knowledge and resources. After all, they were founded by the Great Xia King himself. They also have a lot of experts in their ranks.
"Of course, there are benefits to joining the Martial Dragon War Academy as well. They are backed by the Martial Dragon Guards and have been growing rapidly since their establishment."
Chen Hao had a sad face as he said, "Stop analyzing. You're making my head hurt. I'm even more confused now. Yu, where do you think I should go?"
"Both have their benefits...but you should join the Martial Dragon War Academy."
"Huh? I thought you said that the Great Xia War Academy is better?"
Su Yu rolled his eyes. "Stupid. The Martial Dragon War Academy has a better environment. They are fully under the military’s control so things will be more fair there. Since it is still a relatively new academy, there aren't that many factions in it either. Thus, there will be less discrimination inside.
"The Great Xia War Academy is too crowded. There are legacy students whose families have been there for generations. Someone without a background and without a top-notch talent like you will only end up as someone's little brother there. Or worse, they won't even accept you as a little brother because you're too dumb."
Chen Hao felt aggrieved. Was he really that dumb?
"So I should join the Martial Dragon War Academy?"
"Yes." Su Yu answered, "I suggest that you join the Martial Dragon War Academy. That will be better for you. If you're someone with a backer, with talent, or with intelligence, I'll suggest that you join the Great Xia War Academy. That place can help you go further. But you have neither of those...so you're better off joining the Martial Dragon War Academy."
"Sounds like I'm completely useless. Yu, is there really nothing good about me?"
"Yes there are," Su Yu answered seriously. "You can go run an errand for me and buy something to eat. You're good for that."
Chen Hao had a sour face. That was too mean!
Su Yu laughed and teased, "I was joking. You have your strengths as well. When you're at the Martial Dragon War Academy, don't worry too much. You can maintain a low profile. You can also show off as much as you want. That's up to you. The only thing you must do is to remain...sincere."
"What?"
"Don't change. Stay to your true self. The military likes that the most." ?Su Yu smiled, "Like my father, he loves you. Do you think that's because you're handsome or you're dumb? No. Don't be too dumb. You only need to look dumb and honest. Be obedient and listen to the instructors and the academy. You'll be fine."
Chen Hao was confused. However, he still nodded solemnly and said, "I understand. How about you?"
"I'm joining the cultural research academy. The Great Xia Cultural Research Academy."
"What?" Chen Hao was astonished. "I thought you said that you wanted to..."
"I wasn't serious," Su Yu laughed. "The Great Xia Cultural Research Academy is the true center of Great Xia’s cultural researchers. There, numerous races are gathered. There, countless geniuses converged. If I only hope for a smooth and safe growth, I won't go there. However...I want to go further!
"I'm also a genius! Bai Feng said that I'm not one. The instructor said that I'm not one either. But I am a genius! One of the best of my generation! Otherwise, why would the Martial Dragon War Academy try to recruit me?
"They're all afraid that I would lose myself in my arrogance. But that won't happen. I know myself. I won't overestimate myself, but neither would I underestimate myself.
"Hao, prior to willpower materialization, cultural researchers are weak. The world is a dangerous place for them. During that time, I'll be relying on you to protect me. Cultivate well. Us brothers will have the chance to fight side by side at the Allheaven Battlefield one day!"
"Weak?" Chen Hao looked at Su Yu before looking at himself.
You're at the eighth-stage while I'm only at the fifth-stage! Yes, you're frail. You're shorter and smaller than me. But you can probably beat 10 of me without any issues! How are you weak?
Chen Hao had a mournful expression at the realization that he couldn't even beat someone trying to be a cultural researcher.
"Yu, will I still be at the Source Opening Realm by the time you materialize your willpower?"
Chen Hao felt like crying. He was too weak.
"No. You can reach the Great Strength Realm quickly. It won't take you longer than a year. However, I doubt I can materialize my willpower in one year."
After comforting Chen Hao, Su Yu added, "In a year, I will probably reach only the eighth-stage Great Strength Realm. At most, I'll be at the Infinite Strength Realm. Don't you worry about it."
"..."
Chen Hao decided that he wasn't going to talk to Su Yu anymore. Seeing Chen Hao's reaction, Su Yu laughed again. He took a deep breath as he thought about the ongoing chaos at the capital. All that was unrelated to him.
His current focus was to showcase his talent during the entrance examinations and step onto a bigger stage. He did not wish to remain a nobody.
"Even if I have to hold back my trump cards, I'm still a genius! Don't worry, Instructor. I won't grow arrogant. My goal is far higher than this.'
The book in his mind was still awaiting his exploration. How was he supposed to do so without killing a couple of divines and devils?