Chapter 80: Be More Sincere (3)
Before long, it was Su Yu's turn.
For the 50-meter target, Su Yu was able to see the center clearly. He drew his bowstring and released his arrow, easily hitting the center of the target. The same scene repeated for the 100-meter target.
Even when Su Yu wasn't actively using his willpower, his analytical ability would still be greatly enhanced due to his willpower cultivation. Thus, he was able to easily hit the center of the first two targets. But the final target was somewhat challenging.
Like Chen Hao, Su Yu drew his bowstring, aimed, and paused to think. Unlike Chen Hao, he did not sweat. After all, he was an eighth-stage Source Opening cultivator. Then, he released the arrow.
Old Xie paid close attention to the arrow. After a moment, he exhaled in relief. However, he also felt somewhat regretful, "What a pity. It's only a little bit off the center. He will probably have around three to five marks deducted."
Su Yu's arrow had deviated from the center by less than a centimeter. He would have a few marks deducted from his score. With this, he would no longer be able to get a high-tier evaluation.
Old Xie was relieved to save his 10 merit points. But he was also regretful that Su Yu couldn't get a high-tier evaluation. That would result in a great difference in treatment after joining an academy. However, this kid could probably be re-evaluated as a high-tier student after entering the academy due to his willpower.
The guest students near Su Yu were also paying attention. When they saw him missing the center, some were regretful while some were relieved.
‘So this Nanyuan student was no big deal, after all.’
There were quite a lot of guest students who had gotten full marks in this test. Su Yu was not regretful. Instead, he felt much more at ease. He was happy just hitting the target. He had not spent much time on archery practice, so he had to rely on his eye acupoints and willpower to even hit the target. In terms of archery skills alone, he wasn't even as good as Chen Hao. That fellow had hit his targets relying purely on his archery skills.
"You no longer have any chance of getting a high-tier evaluation."
Old Xie said to Su Yu with a regretful tone. Su Yu merely smiled calmly. He was a tiny bit away from reaching the ninth-stage Source Opening Realm.
He had activated the book in his head for over 10 days in a row. He could feel his ninth acupoint loosening up during his previous cultivation session. He had only stopped because he was almost out of blood essence.
But now, since he would be getting a free 20 merit points, he might as well use more blood essence and push himself to the next stage. Source qi liquid could be purchased at 100,000 per drop. When using merit points, one only needed five merit points per drio.
Su Yu still had seven merit points with him. The rewards from killing the Great Strength and Infinite Strength cult members were still untouched.
"Teacher Xie, is the practical combat test the test for the eighth-stage Source Opening Realm?"
"You're right." Old Xie nodded, "At the eighth-stage, a Source Opening cultivator will start gaining true combat strength. Thus, the test for eighth-stage students will be different. The other students only need to demonstrate their known martial technique while you guys will need to engage in real combat. Five proctors will be supervising the combat and each will give you a score for your performance. The average of all five scores will be taken as your final result for the test."
Su Yu nodded. Beside him, Wu Lan asked, "Are you trying to place first in the war academy exam? I'm the only eighth-stage student here. I'm not taking that test so you don't need to take it either. You can still place first, I think. Don't waste your energy. If you get yourself injured, that might affect your exam in the afternoon."
She and Su Yu were probably the only two eighth-stage students here. The other students from Wu Lan's group earlier were here for the cultural research examination. In any case, Wu Lan had not seen any other eighth-stage students around. Then again, those at that level could simply take the examination in the capital.
Su Yu said, "If a seventh-stage student has higher marks than me at the language test and full marks at the archery test, I won't be able to place first. Also, since I'm already at the eighth-stage, why shouldn't I take the test?"
Wu Lan couldn't understand Su Yu's logic. She was advising him out of kindness. Wasn't he going to take the cultural research examination as well? The combat test for those at the eighth-stage involved real combat. Was he not afraid that he would injure himself and fail to participate in the next examination?
"Suits you." She decided to say nothing else to him.
Su Yu looked at Old Xie and said, "Teacher Xie, what's the test for ninth-stage students?"
"Huh?" Old Xie looked at Su Yu and confirmed that this kid was still at the eighth-stage. He smiled and answered, "No such test has been prepared in Nanyuan this time."
"So if there's really a ninth-stage student here, will he be skipping the test?"
"Not really. The eighth and ninth stages are quite similar. For example, if you're a ninth-stage student, your strength can be displayed in combat as well. Your proctor during the test will merely use a stronger strength when dealing with you. Based on your judgment and performance during combat, you will receive your marks for both the eighth and ninth stages. You will only need to take the test once."
Su Yu nodded. He seriously said, "Teacher, can you arrange a ninth-stage test for me as well? I'm taking both tests together."
"You...eighth-stage Source Opening..."
Old Xie was about to say something when a bottle appeared in Su Yu's hand. He said, "Give me a few minutes. I'm near the ninth-stage. This drop of source qi liquid will probably be enough for me. If not, I'll just take the eighth-stage test."
"..."
Old Xie was left speechless for a long time before he cursed inwardly. Were all Nanyuan kids so rich nowadays? Where did he get the source qi liquid? But that wasn't even the point. This kid was going to break through? Was he really progressing so fast? He had checked Su Yu's profile before. This fellow was only at the third-stage a few months ago.
'Is this kid perhaps a super genius in physical cultivation that has been led astray by language studies? Liu Wenyan had ruined him! As a cultural researcher, he had delayed the growth of a genius physical cultivator! That fellow should be dragged out and beaten to death!'
Old Xie cursed inwardly. He was both vexed and expectant. Could this kid do it? If he did it, would he be able to gain a high-tier evaluation? The 10 merit points he would lose was no big deal. The bigger deal was the fact that a local Nanyuan student would become a high-tier student.
'Damn! If he really manages to get a high-tier evaluation, the Great Xia War Academy will definitely try to snatch him from us!'
Old Xie grabbed Su Yu and dragged him into a nearby room. Once in the room, he solemnly said, "Be careful. I'll keep watch for you. Be wary of the Great Xia War Academy. They are fond of scheming against each other and they dislike seeing the rise of new geniuses. That fellow from earlier is someone who can hold a grudge for a long time. The moment he knows you're breaking through to get a high-tier evaluation and claim the 10 merit points he promised, he'll try to ruin your breakthrough."
Su Yu blanked out. "Will he even go so far..."
"You're too young!" Old Xie gravely said, "You don't know how dangerous the world is. Do you think everyone is as kind as me? Some people can't let anything go. Some people don't like to see others doing well. Their biggest wish is for everyone to be a mediocre talent. That fellow from earlier is one such person.
"People like them have ruined the Great Xia War Academy. But don't worry. With my protection, nobody can touch you!"
Old Xie had a serious expression as he said, "Trust me and you'll be fine. Also, don't get close to that fellow lest he tries something against you. He's a sixth-stage Skysoar cultivator. A single hidden energy current is all he needs to cripple your acupoints. Keep a distance of no less than five meters from him at all times. Walk toward me the moment you see him approaching. I'll be keeping an eye on him."
Su Yu's expression turned serious as well. Was that for real? This was an examination venue. Would the Great Xia War Academy go so far? For only 10 merit points, they were going to ruin an outstanding student? That was too scummy!
Old Xie was afraid that Su Yu would misunderstand completely so he coughed and explained, "Not everyone is like him. As a whole, the Great Xia War Academy is not that bad. But that fellow is incredibly narrow-minded. Just stay away from him."
'Yes, just stay away from that fellow so that he wouldn't have the chance to use his recruitment pitch on you!'
Su Yu looked at Old Xie suspiciously.
I might be young, but don't lie to me. Are you even telling the truth? To recruit more students, you guys are slandering each other. Is this proper? Can't you treat a fellow human being with more sincerity and trust?
Su Yu was tired. He was actually quite doubtful of Old Xie's words, but since he wasn't planning to join a war academy, it ultimately didn't matter. He decided to just walk away after getting the 20 merit points and three drops of source qi liquid.
…
Su Yu did not take Old Xie's words seriously. There were definitely people out there who were jealous of talented individuals. But this was an examination hosted by the city. No matter how dirty the Great Xia War Academy played, they wouldn't go too far here. Naturally, there was no saying what they would do in a more private setting.
Su Yu didn't really care. He used the drop of source qi liquid in preparation for a breakthrough. He was on the cusp of the ninth-stage. If it wasn't for the lack of time, he would have been able to break through with a single activation of the book in his mind. That would save him about four merit points since blood essence was cheaper.
But compared to the 20 merit points and the rewards for placing first, it was worth breaking through immediately.
...
At the same time.
Some proctors started passing the news to the other head proctors. When the middle-aged man from the Great Xia War Academy heard the news, he was somewhat surprised. All the other head proctors were present as well.
Bureau Head Sun from the Talent Fostering Bureau, the 1000-man commander from the Devil Subduing Army, and a few other individuals all received word of what was happening.
"Ninth-stage Source Opening Realm?" The middle-aged man muttered to himself. He looked at Wu Wenhai who had just arrived for inspection and said, "Mayor Wu, this Su Yu's father is only a ninth-stage Great Strength cultivator, right?"
"Yes. Su Long has been stuck at that level for years. Due to a lack of resources, he hasn't been able to break through."
Wu Wenhai knew both Su Long and Su Yu. After all, Su Yu was Liu Wenyan's favorite pupil.
"He was still a third-stage Source Opening cultivator a few months ago. But now, he's already breaking through into the ninth-stage..."
The middle-aged man sank into thought. After a while, he said, "Mayor Wu, if possible, can you give us an updated profile of Su Yu?"
Wu Wenhai naturally had no objection. That was actually good since it proved that everyone was starting to pay attention to Su Yu. A genius student might really rise from Nanyuan this year. That student would be a local, not a guest student from the capital. Wu Wenhai ordered someone to retrieve the requested information. After a few minutes, he received the updated profile.
"He earned seven merit points half a month ago!"
The middle-aged man was astonished. What did Su Yu do to earn seven merit points? The previous profile only indicated that Su Yu had earned 10 merit points outside of his language certifications. The points he received as gifts would not be counted. That was a decent number of merit points, but it wasn't surprising for some students to be rewarded after assisting the local Windcatcher Department with some missions.
It would be perfectly normal for someone to spend several years to earn 10 merit points. But now, the profile indicated that Su Yu had obtained seven of the points in one go. One ought to know that even by killing an early-stage Infinite Strength cultivator, one would only receive 10 merit points if there were no other bonus rewards.
"Seven merit points at once..." The middle-aged man looked at Wu Wenhai and asked, "Mayor Wu, have any major battles broken out in Nanyuan recently? Were any Infinite Strength cultivators killed?"
When Wu Wenhai hesitated, the middle-aged man smiled, "We can get that information if we want. I just want to save time, mayor."
Wu Wenhai smiled and nodded, "Half a month ago, a Myriad Race Cult hideout was wiped. An Infinite Strength ringleader was killed."
"I see."
The middle-aged man finally understood. If he had not bothered investigating, he wouldn't notice anything. But once he started paying attention, he was able to guess the source of Su Yu's merit points.
The kid had definitely helped in the fight against the Infinite Strength cultivator. Moreover, his contribution was definitely not inconsequential. Otherwise, he wouldn't have received seven merit points so easily. Of course, there was also a possibility that he had killed two Great Strength cultivators alone.