Bab 34: Chapter 35
The assessment time for the higher academy is getting closer and closer.
The next day, when Su Yu arrived at the academy, he felt the tense atmosphere.
The pre-exam class students were walking faster than the others, hurriedly coming and going. The single challenges had ended quickly, and at this moment, the students had no mind to fight anymore.
Su Yu originally wanted to find Liu Wenyan, but halfway there, he encountered someone unexpected.
Xia Bing!
The squad leader of the Dragon Martial Guards, the head of the Dragon Martial Guards stationed in Nanyuan.
Except for the time when the Ten Thousand Races Sect attacked, the Dragon Martial Guards were stationed at the Nanyuan Academy. At other times, the Dragon Martial Guards were not at the Nanyuan Academy, and few people in Nanyuan knew their exact location.
A strong expert at the second level of the Soaring Realm, on the same level as the city lord Wu Wenhai.
Su Yu naturally knew the strength of the Dragon Martial Guards. He had always wanted to join the Dragon Martial Guards, and in fact, even now, he still had that thought.
However, it was hard to join the Dragon Martial Guards. His father had longed for it for many years but never succeeded.
Su Yu saw Xia Bing, and Xia Bing naturally saw him too.
Originally in a hurry, Xia Bing suddenly stopped when passing by Su Yu.
Turning his head to look at Su Yu, Su Yu felt the gaze and quickly stopped, bowing, "Lord Xia."
Xia Bing nodded slightly, looked at him for a while, and revealed a hint of surprise, "Already at the eighth level of Kaiyuan?"
Su Yu was slightly surprised and quickly said, "I just broke through yesterday."
"Very fast."
Xia Bing said and continued, "I originally thought you would quickly reach the seventh level. Reaching the eighth level of Kaiyuan was a bit beyond my expectations."
Su Yu didn't know how to respond. Was Xia Bing paying attention to him?
He had no interaction with Xia Bing.
Xia Bing, not one to speak much, continued, "Bai Feng's 'Kaiyuan Art' is only half-baked. You can quickly step into the eighth level, which shows you have good talent in the way of warriors."
"I know your father. He has come to our station quite often over the years, but he is not qualified to join the Dragon Martial Guards."
Su Yu felt a bit awkward and didn't know how to respond.
Xia Bing didn't care about his reaction and continued, "I am also from the Demon Suppression Army, but I joined later than your father. When your father retired, I had just joined. Six years ago, I was transferred back to the Dragon Martial Guards, serving as the squad leader of the Dragon Martial Guards stationed in Nanyuan."
Su Yu still didn't respond. He didn't know why Xia Bing was telling him this.
"The Civilization Academy is not as good as you think. There is intrigue and scheming. If you don't manifest your will, you won't stand out."
"I don't like people from the Civilization Academy. I prefer the War Academy and the Dragon Martial Guards... Of course, this has nothing to do with you."
When Xia Bing said this, his face was serious, "Your father said he couldn't join the Dragon Martial Guards, but he hopes his son can join one day and continue to follow the General in battle!"
"The Dragon Martial War Academy, you can consider it. It's... cleaner than the Civilization Academy!"
"Lord..."
Su Yu was a bit surprised. Was Xia Bing recruiting?
Xia Bing said calmly, "The Dragon Martial Guards are stationed in various cities and are also responsible for selecting reserves! You didn't qualify before, but now you do. Of course, I'm just suggesting, not forcing you."
"Originally, I shouldn't say so much, but your father is an old soldier of the Demon Suppression Army, so I say a few more words. Now... the Civilization Academy is much more complicated than before. Internally, it's not peaceful, with factions everywhere. A group of people who originally only did research now have many thoughts and ideas, making it a mess."
"Your teacher Liu Wenyan, the one who wants to take you as a student, Bai Feng, and Bai Feng's teacher, Researcher Hong... They belong to the same faction. The internal situation is more complicated than I said. In short, getting involved now is not good for you."
Su Yu was confused and didn't know what to do, saying softly, "Lord, I don't quite understand. I am just a student of the middle academy who hasn't been assessed yet."
"You will understand sooner or later!"
Xia Bing said firmly, "Remember one thing, the Great Xia Mansion is still the Great Xia Mansion!"
After saying this, Xia Bing turned and left.
Su Yu fell into deep thought, then smiled bitterly and walked away.
He really didn't understand Xia Bing's meaning.
Of course, Xia Bing's words also had a warning. Going to the Civilization Academy might not be a good thing; the Dragon Martial War Academy might be purer.
If it were in the past, Su Yu would be very happy.
But now, he had made up his mind to go to the Great Xia Civilization Academy. Just talking about the cultivation of willpower, the War Academy was definitely not as good as the Civilization Academy.
Moreover, Liu Wenyan had been teaching him for so long, and he originally wanted to go to the Civilization Academy, only worried that the Civilization Academy wouldn't help much with his combat power.
...
In the office.
This time, Liu Wenyan wasn't reading but writing. Liu Wenyan's handwriting was very good, at least Su Yu thought so, much better than his own.
"Do you have something on your mind?"
Liu Wenyan continued writing without looking up, but he felt Su Yu's hesitation.
"No, I just met Squad Leader Xia..."
"He wants you to go to the Dragon Martial Academy?"
"Yes."
"Ignore him."
Liu Wenyan didn't seem angry, just a bit sentimental, "Did he say the Civilization Academy is not suitable for you, or that it has deteriorated?"
"Well..."
"It's okay. He's not the first to say that. In fact, many in the Dragon Martial Guards say that."
Liu Wenyan said calmly, "He's telling the truth. The Civilization Academy is indeed different from the past. The fifth-generation head fell, and the sixth-generation head took over. After that, the Civilization Academy entered a period of rapid development, which also brought some bad influences."
"Fifty years ago, the Civilization Academy wasn't as strong as it is now, but it wasn't as chaotic either."
"This is inevitable. When people become powerful, they naturally have other thoughts."
"Intrigue, deception, competition for interests... This must be experienced and is also a kind of training. Whoever can rise in such an environment is the real strong one."
Su Yu frowned, "Teacher, is the Civilization Academy really chaotic?"
"Not very chaotic. It's still under control. Of course, there are some disputes in the dark."
Liu Wenyan looked at him, this student he was quite satisfied with, and said calmly, "The Dragon Martial Guards are somewhat dissatisfied with the Civilization Academy, stemming from the Lord of the Xia Mansion."
"Ah?"
Su Yu was surprised, "The Lord of the Xia Mansion... is dissatisfied with the Great Xia Civilization Academy?"
"Sort of."
Liu Wenyan sighed softly, "This is something that is still far from you and not something you need to worry about too much. But since Xia Bing brought it up, I'll say a few words. The Lord of the Xia Mansion... it's hard for me to evaluate him, but everyone has a perception of him: iron-blooded, powerful, and stubborn!"
"These three words sum up the Lord of the Xia Mansion."
"Stubborn?"
Su Yu caught the key point and quickly asked, "What do you mean by stubborn?"
"Exactly what it sounds like."
Liu Wenyan put down his pen, "It's not necessarily a criticism, but the Lord of the Xia Mansion has some political views that differ from many others. Back in the days on the Battlefield of the Heavens, this led to considerable resistance."
"Why?"
"Too stubborn. On the Battlefield of the Heavens, the various races compete. Some races are mortal enemies and must be killed, but others can be recruited or at least kept neutral."
Liu Wenyan shook his head and sighed, "However, during the Lord of the Xia Mansion's command of the Demon Suppression Army, he ambushed and killed several armies of different races, causing several previously neutral races to become hostile towards the Human Race. So he was removed from his position, and the Demon Suppression Army was no longer under his command."
Su Yu hesitated but quickly made up his mind and said, "Teacher, those so-called neutral races are just waiting for the right moment. Once the Human Race weakens, they will swarm in to invade our territories! My father told me about several major battles of the Demon Suppression Army, and I think those races deserved to be killed!"
"You're not the only one who thinks so." Liu Wenyan smiled lightly, "Many people support Xia Longwu, including many on the front lines. I didn't say Xia Longwu was wrong, but... it's normal for there to be internal disagreements within the Human Race. What do you think?"
Liu Wenyan looked at his student, smiling. It's good to have one's own opinions. Blindly agreeing with others and not thinking for oneself is truly bad.
"People have different opinions, and you can't make everyone share the same will. No one says the Lord of the Xia Mansion is absolutely wrong, but it's undeniable that the wars sparked by his actions have increased compared to before. In some regions, the conflicts are more intense and frequent."
Su Yu disagreed, "At least it deterred some neutral races!"
"That's true."
Liu Wenyan nodded, "But let's not discuss this for now, as it's a front-line issue. The Lord of the Xia Mansion's dissatisfaction with the Civilization Academy stems from some ideas proposed by people at the academy... Know thyself and know thy enemy. The Civilization Academy wants to open its doors to all races!"
"What?"
Su Yu was shocked!
"Recruiting students from other races!"
Liu Wenyan said in a serious tone, "The current head of the Civilization Academy is a capable person! He suggested that instead of letting the Human Race struggle to decipher the civilizations of other races, why not let those civilizations enter the academy? Who can understand their own civilization better than themselves?"
"Know thyself and know thy enemy, and you will never be defeated. Let them analyze themselves, let them contribute their own civilization's knowledge..."
Su Yu exclaimed, "But wouldn't that mean opening up Human Race civilization to them as well?"
"Yes!"
Liu Wenyan said seriously, "The other races are not foolish. They wouldn't just give us methods to deal with them for free. The Human Race wants their knowledge, and they want to understand the Human Race more deeply."
"So this is a double-edged sword and has been unsuccessful for many years due to much opposition and support."
"The Lord of the Xia Mansion doesn't agree, which has led to some disagreements."
"The Lord of the Xia Mansion even... well, let's not talk about that."
Su Yu became anxious. Stopping halfway was too tantalizing.
"Teacher, what did the Lord of the Xia Mansion do?"
Liu Wenyan looked at his anxious student and laughed, "This... is hard to say. It's kind of a dark history. When you get to the Great Xia Civilization Academy, don't mention it."
"Of course, I won't."
Liu Wenyan smiled and shook his head, "Twelve years ago, the Great Xia Civilization Academy proposed this idea again. The Lord of the Xia Mansion didn't show up, and the Great Xia Mansion remained silent."
"The current head thought silence meant consent."
"So he contacted several small races to make an attempt and enrolled a few students from these small races into the Great Xia Civilization Academy..."
"But shortly after they arrived, a battle broke out on the Battlefield of the Heavens. The Lord of the Xia Mansion led the Dragon Martial Guards to raid these small races, directly wiping out their strongholds and seizing a large amount of their techniques, secrets, and other resources."
"The Lord of the Xia Mansion didn't come to the Civilization Academy but had the Dragon Martial Guards deliver tens of thousands of books... The message was clear: what you are striving for, I am willing to take directly on the battlefield!"
Liu Wenyan sighed, "This completely shattered the plan to admit other races into the academy! After their homes were destroyed, who else would dare to come?"
"The current head's years of efforts were completely ruined in an instant."
As Su Yu listened, his blood suddenly boiled, and he said in a muffled voice, "Isn't this... great?"
I'll take what I want myself!
Better to take it directly than to beg indirectly!
"I didn't say it was bad, but it indeed caused some apprehension." Liu Wenyan said softly, "The Human Race cannot defend against all other races alone, Su Yu, you need to understand this."
"Small races, weak races, they can be won over."
"Contacting those small races meant they could be brought over. But they were wiped out, making other small races feel threatened!"
"Once they are pushed to the opposing side, one race can't defeat the Human Race, but what about ten or a hundred races joining forces?"
"You can't kill them all!"
Su Yu nodded slightly. He understood this, but Xia Longwu's actions were indeed inspiring.
"So, disagreements arose!"
Liu Wenyan sighed, "The Lord of the Xia Mansion is very stubborn. He believes decapitation is the best way to deter the other races! But many people think this makes the Human Race's situation more difficult. Fortunately, the Lord of the Xia Mansion was ordered not to appear on the Battlefield of the Heavens anymore, which calmed many small races."
Su Yu said reluctantly, "So the Lord of the Xia Mansion can't go to the Battlefield of the Heavens anymore? Isn't that tying our hands?"
"Not really."
Liu Wenyan laughed, "It's just some compromises and concessions made by the front-line powerhouses to appease the small races. Actually... if the Lord of the Xia Mansion really wants to go, as long as it isn't made too public, who would care?"
"Who would keep a top-level powerhouse in the rear for retirement?"
"And... it may not be a bad thing to give him some time to refine his own realm. He was advancing too quickly at that time. A period of relaxation and tension will help him take that crucial step forward."
Liu Wenyan explained, "This is not a bad thing. The Lord of the Xia Mansion himself knows this. Otherwise, with his temperament, do you think he would obediently stay in the Great Xia Mansion if told to do so?"
Liu Wenyan chuckled, "You underestimate our Lord. Just because he hasn't appeared on the Battlefield of the Heavens much these past years doesn't mean he hasn't been there at all. The Battlefield of the Heavens is vast. Who would constantly keep an eye on him? The Dragon Martial Guards frequently appear on the battlefield, and the mansion troops are often taken out for training. Thus, the combat power of the Great Xia Mansion is among the top in all the mansions!"
Su Yu nodded silently, beginning to understand what Xia Bing meant earlier.
Liu Wenyan exhaled softly and continued, "These matters are just for listening. It's not something you should be concerned with. Even Bai Feng, or even his teacher, doesn't have a say in this. This is another level of issue, one that doesn't really concern us."
"Xia Bing thinks you have some talent and might be influenced when you go to the Civilization Academy. In reality... I hope you will be influenced."
Liu Wenyan slowly said, "Life is full of experiences and everywhere is a lesson! A pure environment is suitable for soldiers. The military needs purity, but... a strong person needs to be knowledgeable and experienced! Without understanding the dangers of human nature, without experiencing schemes and plots, without going through intrigue and deceit, you might fall for a small trick on the battlefield."
"Xia Bing doesn't understand. If the Lord of the Xia Mansion truly disliked the Civilization Academy, why wouldn't he restrict it? Instead, he allows the academy to grow stronger."
"He is stubborn, but he is not foolish. The Great Xia Mansion also needs different voices and to cultivate strong individuals in different directions. Otherwise, the major military corps wouldn't have experts from the Civilization Academy, many of whom lead troops in battles."
Su Yu nodded again, beginning to understand.
Of course, he was still very weak and ordinary. These deep-level conflicts were something he could only listen to as a bystander for now. When he was truly in that situation, his feelings and thoughts might be different.
"Teacher, my father is in the Demon Suppression Army. He won't be in any danger, will he?"
"No, there are several invincible powerhouses on the front lines. Who would dare target the Demon Suppression Army on the front line?"
Liu Wenyan shook his head, "The competition is only in the rear. The front line is vital! No one dares to fight there; it has to be much more disciplined. War is war. Even if they fight like mad dogs in the rear, orders must be strictly followed on the front line!"
"Even the Lord of the Xia Mansion, unless acting privately, must report any large-scale military actions to the invincible powerhouses and get their approval."
Su Yu's eyes sparkled, "So the Dragon Martial Guards and the Demon Suppression Army ambushing various race armies were approved?"
"Of course."
Liu Wenyan smiled, "Do you think the Lord of the Xia Mansion would dare to start a conflict without permission? There are many invincible powerhouses who support him."
"I see!"
Su Yu breathed a sigh of relief. He had been worried that Xia Longwu might be targeted. Now he realized... he was really overthinking!
He was a mere beginner, worrying about a mansion lord-level powerhouse. That was ridiculous.
"Let's not talk about this anymore."
Liu Wenyan smiled, "What you need to know, you will learn in the future. What you shouldn't know won't do you any good, except to confuse you."
"You have reached the eighth level of the Kaiyuan stage. I can sense the fluctuations of Yuan Qi around you. It seems your progress is good."
Liu Wenyan was very satisfied and said, "Prepare yourself. In the afternoon, I will write an essay of will for you: the 'Thunder Origin Blade' in the Thousand Pound stage. Study the translation this morning to understand its content."
Su Yu was overjoyed, "Teacher, is it a martial technique?"
"It is."
Seeing his joy, Liu Wenyan said indifferently, "But you might not gain much from it. Even if you do, it might not be significant. After all, you've only opened eight acupoints, which is too few. Even if you learn it, you might not be able to use it. The Thunder Origin Blade requires many acupoints."
"Yes, I understand."
Su Yu nodded eagerly, still unable to contain his excitement. He knew the benefits of an essay of will, which provided immersive teaching that felt entirely different.
Of course, this also required the writer to have a deep understanding of the martial technique. Otherwise, the written essay would only convey the writer's shallow comprehension. Even if you understood it, it would be of no use.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone