Chapter 85: The Enemies Are Here (1)
After enjoying the free meal from Chen Hao, Su Yu walked to Nanyuan Secondary School's residential building. He wanted to see Liu Wenyan before the cultural research examination.
He had been in seclusion during the period before the examination so it had been days since he last met Liu Wenyan. He would take this chance to consult his mentor on some things as well.
...
Residential building.
Even after breaking through into the Skysoar Realm, Liu Wenyan still maintained a low profile and stayed in the same dormitory unit. When Su Yu knocked on the door, Liu Wenyan was reading on the balcony. Instead of walking over to open the door, he used his willpower to do it.
"You did well in the morning exam."
Liu Wenyan waited until Su Yu was inside before praising him. "But there is really no need for you to break through on the spot. It is risky to take the ninth-stage test. If you injure yourself, you might even miss the next exam.
"You need to learn to give up when required. Consider the pros and cons of every choice carefully. In fact, that has been the consistent theme for the entire exam."
Su Yu nodded, "I understand, Instructor. I did consider my options. Ultimately, I decided that placing first will bring me more benefits. Even if I miss the next exam, I can still take the makeup exam."
"..."
That rendered Liu Wenyan speechless. Su Yu was actually right. He had almost forgotten that an outstanding student like Su Yu would be given another chance to take the examination. This kid...
Liu Wenyan did not know how to evaluate Su Yu's choice. After letting out a long breath, he said, "It's good that you know what you're doing. What are you doing here instead of preparing for your next exam?"
"I want to ask your opinion about something. If I need to reveal my two Divine Characters to get the first place, should I do so?"
Liu Wenyan gave it some thought and said, "If you're only doing it to place first, it's not worth it. Make your choice based on the situation. You're still young. Do not lose your vigor just for the sake of being safe.
"I did try to keep your talent hidden, but after some thought, I realized something. You're still 18. If you fail to place first just because you're holding back, it might not be good for your mental state. That might affect your future accomplishments as well. Therefore, make your own choice. If you can't stand holding back, or if you think there is a need to do something, do it. I told you to hold back not because I want you to live with your head lowered.
"If someone asks about your Divine Characters..." Liu Wenyan paused shortly before continuing, "Just say that you got five willpower texts from me over the past few months. Don't tell them that you got your first Divine Character from your first willpower text."
Su Yu asked, "Instructor, will they believe that?"
Liu Wenyan raised his brow, "Why not? Are you trying to say that they won't believe that I can get my hands on five willpower texts?
"Those people are all short-sighted. They look down on everyone and think that only their academy can take out many willpower texts. If I want, I can easily write five willpower texts a day!"
Su Yu had a feeling his mentor was bragging again, but too bad he didn't have any proof. He naturally wouldn't tell Liu Wenyan to prove it by writing five willpower texts in front of him. That would be too awkward. Since his mentor was being so serious, he would just choose to believe in his mentor.
After a short chat, Su Yu was ready to leave. Before leaving, he hesitated slightly before saying, "Instructor, they all said that it is very messy inside the academy. Even the higher ups are aware of that. In that case, why don't they change anything? An academy is a place of education. Shouldn't such a place have a pure environment?"
"Change?" Liu Wenyan had a faint smile on his face. "Why should they? This is an environment they have personally created. The academy hasn't always been like this. Decades ago, the academy was clean. Thus, many of our people were killed in action. The academy also hasn't been able to produce as many experts before.
"Remember this, Su Yu. We’re not living in a peaceful era. This is a chaotic era!"
"Hard choices need to be made during an era of strife!" Liu Wenyan said, "The academy is only a tiny furnace while the world is a large furnace. If one can't even survive the academy, how is one supposed to survive the world? The academy's environment might be cruel for newbies, but that's only for the sake of building a better future for all of you."
Su Yu didn't know if he should agree to that. He had too little experience so he wasn't qualified to make a judgment on that. With a nod, he turned around and left.
...
Great Xia Cultural Research Academy.
Bai Feng was walking out of the research center with a tired look on his face. He kept yawning while he walked.
After a few steps, he spoke with an impatient tone, "Liu Hong, it's you again. What do you want this time?"
Liu Hong walked out from the back of a tree not far away. With a smile, he said, "Congratulations. Your student placed first in the war academy exam."
"Oh, not bad." Bai Feng was indifferent.
Liu Hong smiled and said, "By the way, the cultural research exam is starting soon. Wu Qi's little sister is there as well."
Bai Feng ignored him. So what if she was there? Why was this fellow telling him about that?
"Bai Feng, I'm going to reach the seventh-stage Skysoar Realm soon."
"Are you here to show off?" Bai Feng raised his brow, "Where were you when I reached the seventh-stage?"
"..."
Liu Hong felt like cursing. This fellow had just reached the seventh-stage not long ago. Why was he acting all cocky here?
"Bai Feng, when I reach the seventh-stage, both of us will be on an equal playing field. The academy will undergo a series of reforms soon. There really isn't a big grudge between us. Why don't we shake hands and squash our beef?"
"I don't care." Bai Feng indifferently said, "I've never seen you as a rival. You...are not qualified."
"..."
Liu Hong's face turned stiff. "Are you determined to become my enemy?"
"Quit being so shameless," said Bai Feng. "Stop overestimating yourself. I told you. You're not qualified to be my enemy."
"..."
Liu Hong really wanted to give this guy a beating. Unfortunately, he still wasn't Bai Feng's match. He could only clench his teeth in fury and said, "I am not interested in competing against you. The slots, the promotion to a full researcher, and even the research center. None of them are things I intend to take for myself."
Bai Feng looked at Liu Hong with a flabbergasted expression. Was this a joke? Why was Liu Hong bothering him every single day then?
Liu Hong took a deep breath and said, "Bai Feng, you're a smart guy. Let's speak bluntly. I need to compete against you. Competition can be good. I don't mind losing once in a while. But I can't keep losing. I need to have hope in winning. Or to be precise, some people need that.
"I need a couple of victories against you. If I keep losing...my value will drop. Those people will no longer find me worthy of support."
Bai Feng frowned. After a while, he said, "What is this bullshit?"
"Yes, but I have no choice." Liu Hong had a gloomy tone. "Bai Feng, since I'm not as talented as you, I can only look for alternatives to catch up with you."
"That's your business. How is that related to me?" Bai Feng did not want to get involved in that mess.
Liu Hong took a deep breath and said, "You think that's unrelated to you? If that's the case, why would I target you? Will I gain more support just because I can defeat you?"
"Because I'm too outstanding." Bai Feng declared confidently. "Since I'm so outstanding, you can prove your worth by winning against me."
"That's one of the reasons. But that's not the main reason. The main issue is..." Liu Hong paused. "Some matters related to you, some things, and some people. You understand. You don't need to act clueless in front of me."
Bai Feng raised his brow, "So what are you trying to say here?"
"I want to win, but I found it too difficult." Liu Hong stopped to breath. "That student of yours has probably formed a Divine Character. I had thought that the student was an opening you intentionally left for me. But I was mistaken.
"He is your student. He will be a part of your faction. He will definitely be targeted after entering the academy. The suppression will come from unknown individuals. If you have only me as your opponent, at least I'm an opponent you can see.
"Do you want to ruin your student because of your selfishness? He is Liu Wenyan’s student. If something really happens to him, do you think you'll escape unscathed?"
Bai Feng frowned.
"Let's cooperate." Liu Hong suggested, "I've been thinking. Perhaps cooperation will be the best option for both of us. Let me win a few times. Let me gain some value. Let those people believe that I can still compete against you. In other words, keep an opponent you know close. That will benefit yourself as well.
"If I can continue competing against you, then no new trouble will arise for you. The scope of the competition will remain within our control.
"Let me win a few times. I can share some of what I gain with you. The only thing you lose is a little bit of reputation. However, you will obtain tangible benefits. Both of us will benefit from this cooperation.
"You're not at the Cloudbreach or the Mountainsea Realm. If you get a new opponent now, do you think things will remain this smooth for you forever? Bai Feng, I am the reason you have been able to cultivate peacefully. Without me, things wouldn’t have been so easy for you. You can't deny this."