Chapter 81: Full Marks (1)
While looking through Su Yu's profile, the middle-aged man frowned and said, "A student accepted by Bai Feng is indeed not ordinary. To assist in the fight against an Infinite Strength cultivator, he must have used a Divine Character. Otherwise, a Source Opening cultivator like him wouldn't even be qualified to participate in the fight..."
"Divine Character!"
That term caught the attention of the nearby bureau head from the Talent Fostering Bureau and the commander from the Devil Subduing Army. Both of them looked at the middle-aged man.
The middle-aged man smiled, "Don't look at me. Just study the profile and think about it. Do you think a Source Opening cultivator can help in a fight against an Infinite Strength cultivator with his physical strength? Or perhaps the assistance is in the form of long-range attacks? The arrows of Source Opening cultivators are harmless to Infinite Strength cultivators. Nanyuan also isn't desperate enough to get a Source Opening kid to help with an Infinite Strength cultivator.
"Therefore, the only possibilities are either a strong willpower or a Divine Character. I checked the record. His willpower was previously 10 percent full. I doubt he has more than 20 percent now. He can't be any stronger than that."
"In that case, Divine Character is the only answer."
"No wonder."
The middle-aged man let out a long breath. Eighth-stage Source Opening Realm wasn't an impressive cultivation level. Even the ninth-stage wasn't anything special. The Great Xia War Academy had plenty of such students.
Even if that made Su Yu an incredible student in Nanyuan, that alone would not help him stand out in the capital. That was not incredible enough for him to be considered a true genius.
After all, Su Yu wasn't a regular student. His mentor was a Skysoar cultural researcher. Nobody was surprised that he could reach the eighth-stage. Nobody knew if Liu Wenyan had given him a lot of help privately.
But the formation of Divine Characters was not something Liu Wenyan could help with. He had just achieved willpower materialization not long ago. He would have been able to write only a single willpower text to Su Yu so far. Bai Feng had not stayed long during his previous visit either. Thus, Su Yu would have witnessed no more than two willpower writing sessions.
The head proctors instantly understood what was going on.
Bureau Head Sun smiled and said, "In that case, he is a genius in Divine Character cultivation? Compared to that, his breakthrough into the ninth-stage isn't anything special. He has obtained a lot of source qi liquid recently. If he has a Divine Character that can help with his cultivation, he can really reach the ninth-stage."
According to the profile, Chen Hao's father had given Su Yu three drops of source qi liquid. Coupled with what Su Yu bought himself and what Liu Wenyan gave him. It was clear that Su Yu did not lack cultivation resources.
"He has purchased a lot of blood essence..." The middle-aged man saw a certain description in the profile and said, "Is his Divine Character related to blood?"
He looked at Wu Wenhai.
Wu Wenhai shook his head, "I'm not sure. Old Liu kept that under wraps. I can't really go and ask the kid myself, right?"
The middle-aged man was linking the blood essence and Su Yu’s Divine Character together. The gap between each blood essence purchase was short, and Su Yu had only been purchasing a lot recently. In other words, his rate of purchase had only increased after his Divine Character formation.
"His Divine Character might really be related to blood. It might be able to increase his strength through blood absorption..."
The middle-aged man analyzed. The updated profile had given him a lot of previously unknown information.
"Genius Divine Character cultivator..." The middle-aged man muttered. "The Divine Character must ?be complete. Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to make use of its unique property.
"He took only a few months to form a Divine Character from scratch. If we calculate from the day Bai Feng came, he had only taken two months to complete the Divine Character. Prior to that, Liu Wenyan wasn't even in the Skysoar Realm yet so he wouldn't be able to provide Su Yu with any willpower texts. Neither does Su Yu have the background to get himself some willpower texts..."
Liu Wenyan's network was disregarded as before willpower materialization, he wouldn't give Su Yu any willpower text as it was too early.
"Only two months." The middle-aged man repeated with a heavy tone.
He stood up and said, "I'll go take a look..."
The commander from the Devil Subduing Army was already on his way to Su Yu. While walking, he said, "There is no need for the war academy to recruit that kid. The cultural research academy is the most suitable for him. Of course, life is still too peaceful in the cultural research academy. He should go straight to the army instead.
"His father is a member of the Devil Subduing Army. He has broken through after returning to the army and is now a 100-man commander. He's not serving under me, but I knew him from many years ago..."
Everyone snorted with contempt upon hearing his words. Who was he trying to trick? Su Long had retired 18 years ago. At that time, this commander wasn't even in the army yet. Why was he pretending to be friends with Su Long?
Bureau Head Sun smiled and said, "Everyone, we need to ensure that a talented student receives proper guidance. Since he has caught Bai Feng's eyes, just let him enter the cultural research academy. Why mess with his path?"
The middle-aged man shook his head, "You can't say that. Since he's taking part in the war academy exam, he will be able to become a high-tier student after reaching the ninth-stage. A high-tier student will receive great care in the war academy. He is too young. He still doesn't know what his future looks like. He needs to be given a chance to pick his path."
They all knew that the cultural research academy was more suitable for Su Yu. But he was going to become a ninth-stage Source Opening cultivator. With that cultivation, he could also obtain great support from the war academy.
Even though the war academy focused on physical cultivation, that didn't mean that they completely disregarded willpower cultivation. It was only a matter of prioritization. Wu Wenhai did not mind where Su Yu went. He was all smiles as only a genius that was fought over could be considered a true genius. This would only benefit Nanyuan.
It was up to Su Yu where he wanted to go. In any case, he would receive great support regardless of his choice. Looks like Nanyuan would no longer have the same embarrassing examination results this year.
...
Rumble!
The air above Su Yu cracked as rumbling sounds rang out while source qi converged. All nine of his acupoints shone brightly. The next moment, his nine acupoints opened.
"This kid..."
Old Xie clicked his tongue in praise. This kid was really only a step away from the ninth-stage. No wonder he was so confident. Su Yu had completed his breakthrough.
The convergence of source qi was the characteristic of someone who had opened nine acupoints. At that point, the cultivator would be able to start passively absorbing external source qi.
Simply put, the difference between someone in the ninth-stage and prior to that was the difference between a true cultivator and a pseudo cultivator. At that level, one was finally able to absorb source qi.
At that point, as long as Su Yu absorbed enough source qi and practiced a proper Great Strength cultivation method to open more acupoints and temper his body, he would be able to enter the Great Strength Realm.
When Su Yu opened his eyes, Old Xie checked the time and smiled, "There's no rush. Adapt to your new strength. It has only been three hours since the exam started. You still have one hour. The next test will only take you several minutes. You have enough time."
Right after saying that, Old Xie's eyes flickered as he sensed someone approaching them.
They're so fast!
Old Xie cursed inwardly. Outwardly, he nonchalantly said, "Su Yu, of the various academies, which academy do you think is the safest?"
Su Yu looked at Old Xie doubtfully. What was he trying to say?
"The Great Xia War Academy and Great Xia Cultural Research Academy have long histories. The environment within the two are too complicated. Nobody knows how many Myriad Race Cult spies are hidden within the two academies. There are even some undiscovered spies among their higher ups.
"The Martial Dragon War Academy is different. Almost everyone in there are retired veterans from the Martial Dragon Guards. That is the purest academy. The Myriad Race Cult has barely any spies in the academy. The few spies in there are some unimportant individuals. Why? Because we have a short history.
"Even though the Myriad Race Cult spies are mainly focused on hiding their identities, they would still make reprisals toward some geniuses who had killed their people. As a Source Opening cultivator who was involved in killing an Infinite Strength cult member, even if you were merely playing a supportive role, you will still become their target. For the cult, someone like you must be killed.
"And once you're dead, you would no longer be able to achieve anything. Your talent, your wealth, all of them will be worthless."
Old Xie sighed, "Therefore, think carefully before making your choice. You understand what I'm trying to say."
Old Xie was beating around the bush, but he had spoken enough that he might as well have been speaking frankly. He was basically telling Su Yu that after killing an Infinite Strength cult member, the cult would not spare him. He should join them. Their academy was the safest place for him.
Su Yu did not say anything. While familiarizing himself with external source qi, he contemplated. After a while, he said, "Teacher Xie, is the Myriad Race Cult capable so unrestrained even in the capital?"
Old Xie hesitated to speak. After a while, he found himself speechless. If he answered yes, he would basically be saying that Great Xia was useless. But if he answered no, then he would contradict his previous words. This kid was obviously digging a trap for him!
At that realization, Old Xie laughed. What an interesting kid. That was some quick thinking. It was good for him to be smart. At least he wouldn't die so easily.
"For us, the cult poses zero threat. But for a Source Opening cultivator like you...even Great Strength cultivators can threaten your life."
Su Yu smiled, "That's hard to say. I've killed a Great Strength cultivator before. They are middle-stage Great Strength cultivators. You should know that, teacher."
"..."
In truth, Old Xie was completely unaware of that. He only knew that this kid had helped with an Infinite Strength cultivator.
"You killed a middle-stage Great Strength cultivator alone before?"
"Yes. With my Divine Character." At this point, Su Yu knew that this person must be already aware of his Divine Character, so he decided to speak frankly. "Therefore, the capital isn't really that dangerous for me."
"..."
Old Xie was truly speechless. With a sigh, he said, "Suit yourself. But your only options are the Great Xia War Academy, Great Xia Cultural Research Academy, and Martial Dragon War Academy. There are pros and cons to joining any of them.
"You kids are more opinionated the more talented you are. Nobody can change your mind once made. I believe you'll be able to make the proper choice."
Old Xie seriously said, "If you wish to walk the path of warrior, the Martial Dragon War Academy will be better. If you wish to walk the path of cultural research, the Great Xia Cultural Research Academy will naturally be the best choice.
"The Martial Dragon War Academy is safer and less dirty. It will also be relatively easier for you to get the resources you need. It is a lot more competitive in the Great Xia Cultural Research Academy."
Old Xie stopped trying to put the other academies down. Instead, he started analyzing, "Things are getting worse now that Wan Tiansheng is finally active again. He has been silent for 50 years. With the prefect in seclusion, Wan Tiansheng has gained a lot of influence. The Great Xia Cultural Research Academy has become the center of the storm for the entire Great Xia, the entire Human Realm, or even the myriad realms.
"With all that attention, all sorts of people will appear in that academy. Chaos will reign.
"I know, chaos is the best environment for a hero to rise. I understand that if the cultural research academy survives this chaos, they might be able to create one or even multiple additional super experts. But the danger involved in that...you're a smart guy. You should understand."
Su Yu nodded, "Teacher, I am only a Source Opening cultivator. All that is really unrelated to me for now."
"True. In fact, those with the highest chance to rise from all this chaos are Bai Feng and his peers. That group of young Skysoar cultivators will have the chance to step into the Cloudbreach Realm, the Mountainsea Realm, or even a higher realm through this chaos."
Old Xie sank into a short melancholy. However, he recovered quickly and smiled, "I'll stop here. Think for yourself, kid. If you're not joining our academy, then there is definitely no reason for you to join the Great Xia War Academy as well. Both of us have the same focus but we're more reliable than them."
Su Yu nodded without saying anything else.