Xia Longwu

It was the 18th of April, 350 Anping Era.

This was the second to last day for Su Yu and his group to leave Nanyuan. Tomorrow morning, they would all gather and depart Nanyuan under the escort of the City Guard and experts from the Daxia Civilization Academy.

Morning.

Su Yu had just woken up. The moment he opened his eyes, he was startled to see a figure standing by his bed.

"Awake?"

Liu Wenyan asked abruptly. Su Yu suppressed his thoughts, feeling a bit helpless. The old gentleman was quite the early riser and prone to startling people.

"Teacher, you're awake too."

"I'm old, I woke up long ago."

Liu Wenyan smiled. "Get up and eat. After you eat, come with me to the academy, but don't stay with me today..."

"Hm?"

Su Yu's eyes flickered. "Teacher, you mean..."

"If the Ten Thousand Races Cult had a plan, when do you think they would make their move? Before tonight, people from the Daxia Civilization Academy will arrive. By tonight, they won't have another chance."

Su Yu's heart trembled slightly. That was true. If he were a member of the Ten Thousand Races Cult, he would either act today or wait until they left, when the City Guard numbers were even fewer.

Therefore, it was highly likely that the Ten Thousand Races Cult would show themselves today.

"Following me is too dangerous!"

Liu Wenyan still wore a smile. "Those guys are worried about my Will Manifestation. If they make a move, they'll definitely target me first, kill me beforehand to prevent my Will Manifestation and stepping into the Soaring realm."

"So don't stay with me today, and don't stay with any other experts. Just stay with teachers in the Qianjun Realm. Someone will protect you."

"Teacher..." Su Yu quickly got out of bed. "They really dare to attack Nanyuan Academy?"

"Of course they dare! The people of the Ten Thousand Races Cult, some fear death, some cling to life, some are crazy, some have become demons. But even the ones who fear death and cling to life won't hesitate to draw their blades to achieve their goals!"

Liu Wenyan sighed lightly. "These people are very strange! You say they fear death, but sometimes they are more fearless than us. If you send them to the Battlefields of the Heavens to face races like gods and demons, they'll be scared out of their wits. But when you let them attack their own kind, they become fearless."

"Perhaps they feel that since they are all humans, there's nothing to fear. The Myriad Races are the truly terrifying ones. When their blades fall upon humans, they won't hesitate at all."

Su Yu frowned upon hearing this. Indeed, these people from the Ten Thousand Races Cult seemed very strange to him.

If you sent them to the Battlefields of the Heavens, these people would be scared to death.

In terms of courage, they had almost none.

But if you let them cause trouble within the human race, these guys were bolder and crazier than anyone else. Even if they were beheaded daily, it wouldn't deter them.

"Is this considered bullying within the group?"

Su Yu thought about it and came up with a term.

Liu Wenyan chuckled. "It's not. We don't consider them human, so it's not bullying within the group. But you're right, that's their nature. Weak externally, cold-blooded internally. In fact, there are many such people, appearing throughout history."

"And such people are not unique to the human race; they exist in all races."

"When they betray their own race, to prove that their choice was correct, to prove themselves, they will strike their former compatriots faster and more ruthlessly!"

Liu Wenyan was unfazed. "Humans... actually have a group of such Myriad Races!"

Liu Wenyan looked at Su Yu with a smile. "Humans actually harbor such Myriad Races. When they lose confidence and hope in their own race and defect to humanity, they will be very vicious towards their former compatriots."

Su Yu found it somewhat difficult to understand, but he had read a lot and knew that such people did exist.

He didn't ask further and got out of bed to wash up.

Soon, at the dining table, Su Yu ate for a while and then said, "Teacher, so they will make a move today? There are so many students in the academy, why not give us a holiday today?"

"We can't. You can't guard against thieves for a thousand days. If we give you a holiday, it will alert those guys, and they won't show up."

"But..."

Su Yu was a little worried. If they really attacked, wouldn't so many students be affected?

"We have made preparations, and someone will protect you," Liu Wenyan sighed. "Don't think we are cold-blooded and using you as bait. Hesitation leads to disaster!"

"Su Yu, remember this: if one day you go to the battlefield and become a commander, then... you will have to make choices!"

"On one side are 1,000 soldiers, and on the other are 10,000. You can choose to save the 1,000, or you can choose to let these 1,000 tie down the enemy, and use 10,000 to annihilate a 10,000-strong legion of a major race. At this moment... how would you choose?"

"I..." Su Yu hesitated for a moment before saying, "I... don't know."

"You actually know, but you can't bring yourself to say it. You have wisdom, you should understand how to choose. On the Battlefields of the Heavens, how important it is to annihilate a 10,000-strong legion of the Myriad Races, it can even affect the local battle situation."

Liu Wenyan said softly, "This is choice, this is the choice that human experts and wise men must make! Sacrificing 1,000 people to annihilate 10,000 is for the sake of fewer people dying later, because that 10,000-strong legion might cause even greater slaughter."

"Isn't that cruel?"

Su Yu nodded silently. He had never considered this problem. When Liu Wenyan asked just now, he felt it was too realistic, too cruel, too heartless.

"Su Yu, this is war!"

Liu Wenyan looked up at him. "Remember, this is war! It involves the survival of billions of humans, so we must make choices. Perhaps you will say, how innocent are those thousand people? Yes, they are too innocent. They are our comrades, our brothers-in-arms, but... this is war!"

"Just like today, we know that the Ten Thousand Races Cult is likely to attack Nanyuan Academy today, but we still have to make a choice..."

"In the past two days, it's been a bit chaotic outside the city. Several villages have been attacked, and many people have died, hundreds of people!"

"We're stretched too thin, the city guard's forces are scattered. This isn't sustainable. Only by concentrating our efforts to wipe them out can Nanyuan be truly stabilized. So... we have to make a choice now."

"Should we have the students take more risks, or should we continue to wait, waiting for them to slaughter more people!"

"In my eyes, the students are naturally more important. But the people outside the city are also lives. Su Yu, all of you students are reserve warriors. So... we've decided to let you take on more risks. This is also the path you'll take in the future."

Su Yu nodded slightly and said in a deep voice, "Teacher, I understand. I was just a little worried. As you said, we are all warriors. Even though we are weak, the day we entered the academy, we actually became warriors. Your choice, and the Academy Head's choice, is not wrong."

"It's good that you understand. If you didn't, there would be no need to understand," Liu Wenyan said softly. "If one day you reach a higher level, and you feel that sacrificing one Nanyuan City can kill ten or a hundred times more enemies, I hope you will choose to do it."

"Even if you have to bear some infamy, don't hesitate."

Su Yu didn't say anything and continued eating. After he finished, Su Yu looked up at Liu Wenyan and said, "Teacher, in the end, it all comes down to us not being strong enough. If we were strong enough to crush the enemy, then no choices would exist, right?"

Liu Wenyan suddenly smiled, a smile of relief.

"Well said, that's exactly it. But we... are still not strong enough."

"We will be. I believe we will be, because humanity is getting better and better, and there are more and more powerhouses."

Liu Wenyan also nodded slightly. It was indeed true.

The two said nothing more. After finishing their meal, they walked towards the academy together.

"A'yu!"

Chen Hao hadn't seen Su Yu for two days. He knew Su Yu was studying with Liu Wenyan, but he was still very happy at this moment. "I thought Liu Jiaojiao had kidnapped you. You're finally back. These past two days, I feel like I'm almost at the fourth level of Kaiyuan..."

"Mm."

Su Yu nodded slightly. At this moment, outside the classroom, several teaching instructors seemed to be passing by unintentionally. In reality, Su Yu knew they were patrolling.

Once the fighting started, these instructors would immediately lead the students to evacuate.

"Haozi, stay with me today. Don't go anywhere."

"What for?" Chen Hao asked blankly, then quickly nodded. "Okay, but what if I need to go to the bathroom?"

"..."

Su Yu couldn't be bothered with him. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Go to the practical training building later and get two sabers. We'll have a practical combat exercise today."

"Huh? A'yu, aren't you afraid of getting beaten?"

Chen Hao asked strangely. "You still can't beat me. You get beaten every time."

"I think I can beat you now!"

Su Yu shot him a look. "Stop the nonsense and do as you're told!"

"Okay, I'll listen to you!"

Chen Hao grinned. He didn't like to think for himself. Following Su Yu around meant Su Yu would come up with the ideas.

Su Yu still had a drop of vital blood in his hand. After considering it, Su Yu quickly got up and walked towards the resource department with Chen Hao.

"Teacher, I want to exchange for two drops of Iron Winged Bird vital blood."

"Su Yu, you're exchanging for this again?" The teacher at the resource department felt sorry for Su Yu. "Did the previous research fail?"

"Mm."

"Then..."

"Teacher, I think I'm close to figuring something out. I'll exchange for two more drops."

"Then... alright!"

The managing teacher was helpless. Such a young child, he doesn't know the gravity of the situation, it's too wasteful! When he goes to a higher academy later, he'll regret it.

After exchanging for two more drops of vital blood, Su Yu now had 3 drops of vital blood in his hand, but he only had 7 merit points left.

After wandering around the academy for a while, Su Yu soon had a saber in his hand, and Chen Hao also held a saber.

Chen Hao felt that Su Yu was acting strangely today. He got the sabers but didn't go to cultivate or practice martial skills. He didn't know what this guy was up to.

At this moment, it was already noon.

Su Yu held the 3 drops of vital blood in his hand, pondering the problem. 3 drops of vital blood could sustain an explosive burst for about 15 minutes. However, last time his arm swelled after just 5 minutes. If he really sustained it for 15 minutes, his arm might be ruined.

"15 minutes, it shouldn't take that long. Even if the Ten Thousand Races Cult attacks, they wouldn't dare to fight a prolonged battle here. If it takes too long, they won't be able to leave."

"However... I can't let anyone know that I'm using vital blood to burst my power, otherwise it will be troublesome. Unless it's absolutely necessary, I shouldn't use vital blood. Moreover, even if I burst my power to have Qianjun combat strength, it won't change anything."

The academy wasn't short of teachers in the Qianjun Realm. The key was still Wanshi, and Tengkong.

Su Yu looked around, his eyes flashing slightly. There were many unfamiliar people in the academy. Although they weren't wearing armor, Su Yu guessed they were from the city guard, and some were from Jifeng Hall.

It seemed that Nanyuan was also prepared. The enemy would either attack Nanyuan Academy or the City Lord's Mansion.

As Su Yu was thinking, Chen Hao's communicator rang. Chen Hao quickly answered it, replied a few times, then hung up the communicator and looked at Su Yu. "My dad called. He said I should be careful today and not leave the academy. The Ten Thousand Races Cult has arrived. Many people have died outside the city these past two days..."

As Chen Hao spoke, he cursed, "These beasts! If I ever meet them, I'll kill one with a single saber!"

"You?"

Su Yu glanced at him but didn't speak. Chen Hao's face turned red with anger. "Not now, but later? When I get to the War Academy, I'll reach Kaiyuan in one year, Qianjun's ninth level within three years, Wanshi within five years, and Soaring within ten years..."

"Only geniuses can do that. Are you... sure?"

"Get lost!"

Chen Hao looked dejected, realizing it was a bit difficult.

Soaring in ten years was the treatment for a genius.

However, twenty years should be fine, right?

Before the age of 40, people are considered in their prime for cultivation. If they haven't reached Soaring by 40, their chances are slim.

It's not entirely hopeless, but as the body begins to decline, the chances are very small.

There are far too many people stuck at Wanshi's ninth level for their entire lives.

Su Long is almost 50. He has hope of advancing from Qianjun to Wanshi, but from Wanshi to Soaring, he likely has no hope.

Su Yu smiled and looked out of the academy. Has it begun?

The other party had caused quite a commotion outside the city, naturally to make the City Guard and even the Dragon Martial Guard leave. The higher-ups in Nanyuan knew this, but they had to send people over.

Otherwise, countless people would die outside the city.

"As expected, a bunch of bottomless beasts!"

Su Yu cursed under his breath. He couldn't help but wonder what the situation was like in Great Xia Prefecture. Couldn't even a few Soaring experts be sent to support them?

The Ten Thousand Races Cult seemed somewhat reckless, causing such a large disturbance. The remaining two thousand main forces of the Dragon Martial Guard hadn't even come to investigate.

Were they tied up?

Was the Ten Thousand Races Cult's power that immense?

At the same time.

Great Xia Prefecture.

Xia Longwu, fully armored, exuded an imposing aura as he sat on his throne.

Soon, a Dragon Martial Guard quickly entered, announcing loudly, "Report! Prefecture Head, Nanyuan, Tianshui, Kaishan, Longmen... 12 cities have all reported unusual activity. The Ten Thousand Races Cult has appeared!"

"All prefectures have sent requests for reinforcements. Shall we send reinforcements?"

Xia Longwu's expression remained unchanged. He calmly replied, "Send reinforcements. Fifty men per team, heading to the 12 cities. Also, send people to the other 16 cities as a precaution."

"Understood!"

The Dragon Martial Guard quickly retreated.

At this moment, an old man dressed as a scholar below softly said, "Prefecture Head, this is a diversionary tactic. Their target is likely still Great Xia Prefecture."

"I know."

"Over a thousand Dragon Martial Guards have already been dispatched, and a large portion of the prefecture army has also left. Great Xia Prefecture is now..."

Before the other could finish, Xia Longwu calmly said, "It's fine! If they don't hurt until it pains them, they'll have plenty to fuss about later! If the Dragon Martial Guard doesn't leave, these guys won't dare to show themselves."

With that, Xia Longwu stood up. "Their target is probably me. The Dragon Martial Guards around me have been drawn away, and even the experts from the various academies have been pulled away for different reasons. Now, ninety percent of the experts in Great Xia Prefecture are gone..."

"Prefecture Head, perhaps we should request aid from Great Ming Prefecture..."

"Ridiculous, embarrassing!"

Xia Longwu snorted coldly. "Our Great Xia Prefecture ranks higher than Great Ming Prefecture. Why would we ask them for help? Besides, it's not necessary! They're just a bunch of sneaky fellows. I'd like to see which beasts from the God Race have infiltrated this time. Without the support of the God Race, how would those guys have the guts!"

The old man frowned. "The God Race has infiltrated?"

"It's inevitable! Otherwise, the Ten Thousand Races Cult wouldn't dare to run wild in Great Xia Prefecture? Good, Great Xia Prefecture has used up its divine blood reserves. It's just as well they delivered themselves. I was wondering if I should go to the Battlefields of the Heavens these past few days, but it seems I don't need to travel now."

Xia Longwu remained calm. "Later, you guard the prefecture city. I'll go outside the city and kill a few beasts before returning!"

"Prefecture Head..."

"Don't say another word!"

Xia Longwu's eyes sharpened. "A few mere God Race beasts, and they think they can do anything to me? I was just worrying that the Dragon Martial Saber hasn't tasted blood in a while, and now I finally have an opportunity!"

With that, Xia Longwu strode out of the hall, his voice resounding, "Once the God Race is dead, the Dragon Martial Guard will lead the prefecture army to conquer all the Ten Thousand Races Cult members within Great Xia Prefecture. Capture them alive and drag them to Great Xia Prefecture for public execution! Tomorrow, I want to see ten thousand heads fall!"

"Understood!"

A low shout echoed!

To cooperate with the Ten Thousand Races Cult's actions and lure out the God Race, Xia Longwu had allowed the situation to become volatile these past few days, fearing he would scare away the God Race.

Now, it was time to cast the net.

All the experts who should have been transferred from Great Xia Prefecture had been transferred. Now, they should appear, right?

The Dragon Martial Guard had less than a thousand remaining in the prefecture city, unable to form a thousand-man battle formation. They should be satisfied, right?

"You want to come and kill me? I'll satisfy you. I'd like to see if you can kill me!"

A scoffing laugh echoed as Xia Longwu took to the air, transforming into a golden beam that vanished instantly from the City Lord's manor. In the blink of an eye, he was outside the city.

"Xia Longwu!"

As the golden light flickered and disappeared, a cold snort sounded outside the prefecture city.

How audacious!

They had thought this fellow wouldn't dare to come out, or would continue to wait for other powerhouses from the Great Xia Prefecture to return. They had anticipated needing to increase their efforts to force Xia Longwu to appear, but they never expected him to come out so directly.

"Go, surround and kill Xia Longwu!"

A low command was given, and the next moment, someone said indifferently, "Surround and kill? The heads of all the major higher academies have left. Xia Longwu is nothing special. Do we still need to surround and kill him? Today, I shall take his head!"

"Foolish! Remember, surround and kill! Give it your all, do not be careless!"

Someone in charge shouted coldly, "Xia Longwu might have already stepped half a foot into that realm. Whoever wants to die, I won't stop them!"

"Impossible, he's only cultivated for so many years, how could he..."

"Therefore, he must die! The Battlefields of the Heavens does not need another invincible human powerhouse!"

"Good!"

Several people quickly reached an agreement. They would surround and kill Xia Longwu. That guy might have already stepped half a foot into that realm, and they couldn't let him continue to grow stronger.

Several beams of light of different colors vanished instantly, chasing after the golden light and disappearing near the Great Xia Prefecture.