Strive On, Young Man!

More than ten minutes later.

Liu Wenyan returned.

Su Yu stole a few glances at him but did not notice anything amiss.

Liu Wenyan looked utterly calm. "Bai Feng went back into seclusion as soon as he returned. I couldn't contact him. You should have told me about this earlier. Next time, say what you need to say in one go. Stop hemming and hawing—you don't have the bearing of a cultivator at all!"

Liu Wenyan reprimanded him, somewhat dissatisfied. "Whether one is a Civilization Master or a warrior... Warriors are what cultivators of the physical body path call themselves. The strong all share certain traits: decisiveness and steadfastness are essential. It was such a small matter, yet you kept it bottled up for a whole month. Don't you think that was far too hesitant?"

Liu Wenyan slapped the table, nearly smashing it apart!

The more he spoke, the more he felt that he was absolutely right!

"Next time, if you encounter an army of Gods and Devils on the Battlefields of the Heavens, are you going to hem and haw for a month before reporting it?"

"Are you planning to collect the corpses of the human soldiers?"

"Even if your commanding officer doesn't give you a chance, you have to create one yourself and speak up!"

Liu Wenyan wore an expression of hating iron for not becoming steel. "I thought you were composed. Who would have thought that you weren't composed—you were indecisive! I'm very disappointed!"

"..."

Su Yu wanted to speak but held back. Then he felt that doing so might make him seem even more indecisive, so he hurriedly said, "Teacher, I was wrong. I won't do this again."

"Good!"

Only then did Liu Wenyan smile. He secretly took a breath. At last, he had recovered some of his dignity as a teacher.

"Activate your Divine Script and let me see it."

The instant he finished speaking, the "Blood" character erupted in Su Yu's mind.

The illusion reappeared!

This time, it was not Iron Winged Birds. Hundreds of Demon Race soldiers charged over instead, their advance rumbling like thunder.

Liu Wenyan focused his gaze and frowned slightly.

These Demon Race soldiers were very lifelike, though there were still some flaws.

"Did this evolve from the Demon Race corpses you saw at the Xia Family Merchant Guild?"

"Yes."

"It's fairly realistic, but what you saw were corpses in the end, lacking vitality. Some Qianjun Realm cultivators who have never been on a battlefield might fall for it. Those who have truly fought on the battlefield would realize it soon enough."

Liu Wenyan offered a few comments, then added, "Not bad. At the very least, ordinary Qianjun Realm cultivators might be bluffed by you. Of course, only for a moment."

He nodded. A faint gleam flickered in Liu Wenyan's eyes, and the illusion vanished instantly.

Su Yu's face turned slightly pale, but he was not greatly affected.

"Not bad. Your Willpower isn't particularly strong, but it's sufficiently tenacious, as though tempered a thousand times over..."

After saying that, Liu Wenyan looked at Su Yu with slight puzzlement. "Logically speaking, you've never been on a battlefield and haven't experienced any great upheavals. Your Willpower shouldn't be this resilient. When I destroyed your illusion, you should have suffered some backlash."

Even if Su Yu's Willpower was weak and the backlash would not be serious, his face should not merely have gone pale. That was the sign of excessive exhaustion, not backlash.

Su Yu immediately said, "I often watch the Academy Head chop off people's heads. I don't know whether that has anything to do with it."

"..."

Liu Wenyan could not help wanting to complain. You often watched Xia Longwu chop off people's heads... Did you record it and replay it every day?

How perverted were you?

This kid... wasn't developing perverted tendencies, was he?

Liu Wenyan gave him a suspicious glance but said nothing, continuing, "Didn't you say you wanted to suck blood? Do it once and let me see."

"There's no blood..."

"You don't need blood. Use your consciousness to command the Divine Script to suck my blood!"

Su Yu tried, then shook his head. Little Blood seemed uninterested.

Liu Wenyan considered it, then suddenly cut his own finger. A drop of blood welled out.

"Continue!"

"Teacher... this..."

"Hurry up. What are you hesitating for?"

Su Yu did not dare delay and once again commanded the "Blood" character to suck blood.

This time, Little Blood reacted. The Divine Script in his mind trembled, and in the next instant, a suction force erupted. The drop of blood on Liu Wenyan's finger was struggling free of his control.

Liu Wenyan's eyes shifted slightly. "That's enough!"

He did not let the blood escape, merely nodding. "Not bad. This is the path of offense! Earlier was the path of illusion!"

"Your Divine Script... is rather interesting. Though it's very weak, it has quite a few functions."

"Under normal circumstances, a Divine Script may have several functions, but usually one is primary and the others are supplementary. Yours... does it have any other functions?"

Liu Wenyan looked at Su Yu. "In battle, once your Divine Script becomes strong, if your opponent is injured and has a wound, when your Divine Script erupts, their blood may flow without end until they die from excessive blood loss. That is why I say it is a path of offense."

Su Yu nodded, then shook his head. "For now, it seems it can only create illusions and suck blood. I haven't discovered anything else."

"Then that makes two functions..."

"No!"

As he spoke, Liu Wenyan hesitated. A drop of essence blood appeared in his hand. "This is Qianjun Realm Fire Porcupine essence blood. Try absorbing it..."

After speaking, he shook his head. "No, wait here. I'll get some ordinary demon beast blood. Try absorbing it after I return."

As soon as his words fell, he disappeared.

Very quickly, Liu Wenyan returned carrying a bottle. "This is ordinary blood from a Wild Bull. Try absorbing it."

Su Yu once again commanded Little Blood to get to work. The blood inside the bottle trembled slightly, then a wisp of blood vanished into thin air.

Su Yu sensed that Little Blood, the "Blood" character in his mind, had suddenly changed color, becoming deeper than before.

"Absorb more!"

Su Yu did not delay either and continued absorbing it.

The blood in the bottle gradually vanished, evaporating away. Soon, the entire small bottle of blood had disappeared.

Meanwhile, the "Blood" character became even more vividly crimson.

"How does it feel?"

"The Divine Script seems to have become a little stronger. I don't feel anything else."

"It became stronger?"

Liu Wenyan sank into thought, then soon said, "Then this Divine Script can strengthen itself with blood. That's a good thing. Divine Scripts can generally only be strengthened through Willpower, but some special Divine Scripts can be strengthened in other ways."

"Your Divine Script has only just been outlined, yet it can use blood to strengthen itself. It counts as a special Divine Script."

"Very good!"

"For your first Divine Script to have such a trait will be of great help to its growth."

Liu Wenyan nodded repeatedly. Su Yu's Willpower was still weak, making it difficult for him to strengthen a Divine Script at this point. Yet his Divine Script could absorb blood to strengthen itself, which was excellent.

"Teacher, then can I condense essence blood?"

Su Yu hurriedly said, "I heard that some people's Divine Scripts can condense essence blood."

"Yours cannot."

Liu Wenyan shook his head. "Your Divine Script is too weak, and it strengthens itself by absorbing blood. Therefore, the power within the blood is consumed rather than gathered together."

"Of course..."

Liu Wenyan smiled. "It may not be impossible. The Divine Script is still weak now. Once it becomes strong, it may no longer need to devour the power within weaker blood. At that point, it might be able to devour blood and refine essence blood from it."

"You can't try that now, nor is there any need to. Wait until you reach the manifestation stage, or the late Nourishing Nature stage. Even if you could refine it now, at your absorption speed, you might need ten days to half a month to condense a single drop of essence blood. The gains wouldn't cover the losses."

Upon hearing this, Su Yu immediately felt somewhat disappointed. It looked like his dream of getting rich had shattered, while his dream of going bankrupt was about to come true.

This thing really only sucked blood and did not make money!

"Illusions, blood sucking, strengthening—three traits!"

Liu Wenyan nodded again. "Not bad."

As for refining essence blood, nothing could be determined for now. It was not some major function anyway, so Liu Wenyan did not care too much.

Hearing this, Su Yu asked happily, "Teacher, three traits—does that mean this Divine Script is very strong?"

He had heard Liu Wenyan say that many Divine Scripts had only one trait.

"Very strong?"

Liu Wenyan smiled faintly. "The number of traits doesn't really represent anything. Let me give you a simple example. I have a Divine Script that specializes in breaking an enemy's Sea of Will. It has only that one trait! Which do you think is better, that Divine Script or yours?"

"..."

Su Yu felt awkward. That was true. Breaking the Sea of Will was an overwhelmingly powerful trait.

"So don't look at the number. Look at the effect, at whether it is powerful."

"Take the Fourth Generation Academy Head of the Civilization Academy. He left behind a 'Origin' character that can only absorb origin qi, forming the Origin Qi Treasure Realm. Let me ask you, is that function strong or weak?"

Liu Wenyan smiled. "Actually, it's very weak. In battle, would you become formidable just because this Divine Script absorbs origin qi and lets you recover faster than others? Yet to the entire human race, the value of that Divine Script exceeds that of a Shanhai Realm expert!"

"No matter how strong you are in the Shanhai Realm, you are only one strong person. But the Origin Qi Treasure Realm can benefit countless students of the Civilization Academy. So tell me, is that Divine Script strong or not?"

Su Yu understood. He nodded slightly and said, "I understand what Teacher means. Strength and weakness do not depend on the number of traits, but on how and where they are used. The 'Origin' Divine Script is not worth mentioning in combat, but when used for support, it is a priceless treasure!"

"Correct!"

Liu Wenyan smiled. "So there's no need to care too much about how many traits there are. Having many traits in the early stages is actually not bad, but in the later stages, one generally pursues specialization. A Divine Script specializing in one trait is easier to nurture to the utmost limit."

As he spoke, he tossed the Fire Porcupine essence blood from earlier to Su Yu. "Try absorbing the essence blood again. It's Qianjun Realm essence blood. As an Origin Opening cultivator, you can't use it, but Divine Script absorption doesn't care about that. I'm more worried that you won't be able to endure it."

Su Yu did not stand on ceremony and continued controlling Little Blood to absorb it.

This time, it was difficult and slow!

Su Yu could clearly feel his Willpower being consumed. Little Blood was trembling too, like a person trying to drink water through a tube dozens of meters long. It was incredibly difficult.

Little Blood, which had bounced about excitedly upon seeing the essence blood earlier, wilted this time.

When it was truly given something to absorb, it could not suck it up!

After exerting the strength of nine oxen and two tigers, Su Yu felt as though his head was about to explode. The Fire Porcupine essence blood before him only trembled slightly, with no major change.

Liu Wenyan, however, noticed something different and smiled. "It absorbed roughly one percent of the essence. It seems the power of its blood sucking is still very weak."

At this moment, Su Yu sensed that Little Blood in his mind was wrapped in a bloody glow. He did not know whether to laugh or cry. You're not sucking anymore?

It had just absorbed a little essence blood, and this thing was already playing dead, as though it had been exhausted beyond measure.

I thought you were so impressive. Turns out you're this weak!

From one drop of Qianjun essence blood, you absorbed one percent. What were you bouncing around for earlier?

"Teacher, can sucking blood make the Divine Script grow stronger?"

"It should be able to. That depends on your Divine Script's traits!"

Liu Wenyan nodded, then warned him, "Don't go around absorbing things recklessly. It isn't good for a Divine Script to become too strong either! If your strength is insufficient and your Willpower isn't strong enough, then once a Divine Script truly reaches a certain level of power and you cannot suppress it with your Willpower, it will backlash against you!"

"Backlash is the mild outcome. What you should fear is... it sucking your Willpower dry outright!"

Liu Wenyan said gravely, "Among that group back then, several died this way! Those idiots blindly strengthened their Divine Scripts. Some were like you, able to strengthen their Divine Scripts through an Outer Dao. They paid enormous prices to strengthen their Divine Scripts, only for the strengthened Divine Scripts to demand vast amounts of Willpower to nurture them in return..."

"And then it was over. Their Willpower wasn't strong enough, and it was drained dry in an instant. Their Seas of Will collapsed, and they were finished on the spot!"

Liu Wenyan said sternly, "Therefore, once you feel that you can't bear it and your will is under pressure, immediately stop strengthening your Divine Script! Divine Scripts and Willpower complement each other. It's fine if your Willpower is stronger than your Divine Script, but if your Divine Script is stronger than your Willpower, then nine times out of ten, you'll die. Even if you don't die, you'll be crippled!"

Su Yu nodded solemnly.

He had considered it before, wondering whether, after his Divine Script grew stronger, he might be able to suck a Soaring Realm cultivator dry outright...

But after Liu Wenyan's explanation, he immediately understood the danger involved.

When he had first outlined the "Blood" Divine Script, he had fought it many times.

If the Divine Script grew too strong, it would backlash against him as well.

"These are all common principles, and the Civilization Academy will teach them. But you are somewhat special, having outlined a Divine Script in advance. In Nanyuan, only I know a little about these matters. If there's anything you don't understand, you must come ask me. Never experiment recklessly on your own."

Liu Wenyan's tone was incomparably stern. "Never try things carelessly! Also, since you have outlined your first Divine Script, you may outline a second. That is fine, but it must remain within what you can bear!"

"When you feel that you can no longer endure it, even if a Divine Script is floating right before your eyes, do not outline it, lest greed cost you your life!"

"More Divine Scripts are not always better. Many but miscellaneous, few but refined. You can't even withstand focusing on nurturing one, much less many."

Su Yu nodded again. These were words drawn from his teacher's experience. As a complete novice, he needed to remember them carefully.

Liu Wenyan continued speaking, telling Su Yu everything he knew.

He had not taught these things for many years, but his experience remained.

By the end, Liu Wenyan said with some regret, "After all, I have only just manifested, and I've stayed in Nanyuan for too long. In truth, I've fallen somewhat behind the times. The times are changing, and so is the path of cultivation. There are things you can only learn at the Civilization Academy."

"For the next month, do not outline any more Divine Scripts. Focus on one. Also, strengthen your Willpower—Willpower is the foundation!"

"Teacher, I understand."

"And..."

Liu Wenyan hesitated, then considered his words. "Your talent in Willpower is actually ordinary, but you outline Divine Scripts very quickly. I don't know whether that is a good thing, but it is an extraordinary talent nonetheless."

"With your talent, if it is exposed, you should be able to find a good teacher to nurture you once you reach the Civilization Academy."

"Bai Feng said earlier that he wanted to take you as his student. Before, I thought that was your good fortune, but now... your teacher is actually in a difficult position."

Su Yu revealed a puzzled expression. Liu Wenyan smiled bitterly. "Just now, I considered whether I should tell Bai Feng's teacher about your circumstances. If I tell him, he might take you in."

"But... he may not necessarily be better than Bai Feng."

Liu Wenyan sighed. "He has many students and is very powerful himself, so he may not spend much time at the academy. He may not have much attention to spare for teaching you either."

"He is a Shanhai Realm Civilization Master. He goes to the Battlefields of the Heavens, to the Sea Realm, and to many other places... So throughout the year, the time he can spend teaching you is limited."

"Bai Feng is only in the Soaring Realm, but he spends more time at the academy at this stage, and he can offer you greater help in the early stages. As for later... once you reach the Soaring Realm, his teacher will guide you as well, because you would count as his grand-disciple. Geniuses are valued wherever they go."

He had been angry before, but after thinking carefully, there were matters he had to consider for Su Yu's sake.

Bai Feng was weaker than his teacher, but Bai Feng had no students and spent more time at the academy, so he could give Su Yu more help.

Once Su Yu became stronger, as Bai Feng's student, he could naturally follow Bai Feng's teacher as well.

After considering further, Liu Wenyan slowly said, "Actually... there is another way! You could take Bai Feng's teacher as your master, then have his teacher order Bai Feng to guide you as a senior brother... Of course, that is assuming Bai Feng is willing and doesn't beat you to death."

Su Yu coughed dryly and smiled bitterly. "Teacher, I think I would be beaten to death. Teacher Bai Feng was preparing to take me as his student, but I suddenly become his junior brother and still make him guide me. Isn't that... a bit too much?"

Liu Wenyan said indifferently, "That is your own problem. Of course, how you choose is up to you! Bai Feng would be fine too, but that fellow... it's hard to say. He is about to break through to the seventh level of the Soaring Realm, and may even soon prepare to break through to the Lingyun Realm. You need to think this through. He may not have much time either."

Su Yu nodded. That was true.

"There's no rush regarding taking a master. Bai Feng and his teacher aren't the only researchers at the Civilization Academy." Liu Wenyan pondered for a while, then added, "Don't tell outsiders that you've outlined a Divine Script. Treat it as your trump card."

"Even during the examination, there's no need to display it. Or you can say that you succeeded in outlining it, but there is only one stroke or two strokes, and the foundation has been laid. That would work too."

"The Civilization Academy, the War Academy... no matter which academy it is, it may not be peaceful."

Liu Wenyan sighed. "Su Yu, remember this: the human heart is unfathomable! Most humans are fighting the myriad races, but that does not mean everyone is. If that were the case, the Ten Thousand Races Cult would never have come into being!"

"The Ten Thousand Races Cult has many branches, and some people are deeply embedded. It is more cost-effective to kill weak geniuses. You must reveal your talent appropriately! Otherwise, you won't gain attention or receive cultivation."

"But keeping something up your sleeve is also essential!"

Liu Wenyan said solemnly, "Keeping something in reserve can save your life! You can show yourself and prove to everyone that you are worth cultivating, but you must leave yourself some trump cards, so that at a critical moment, you can turn around and strike back!"

"Teacher, I understand!"

Su Yu hurriedly nodded. He understood that.

"As long as you understand."

Liu Wenyan smiled approvingly. "Then go back and cultivate. Also... since you have mastered a divine rune, for the next month... come with me to Jifeng Hall."

"Jifeng Hall?"

"That's right. Although we crushed the Ten Thousand Races Cult's last operation and everyone who came was killed, some of the troublemakers outside the city escaped. Even now, they haven't all been captured."

"Their hands are stained with the blood of innocent people. They cannot be allowed to live!"

Liu Wenyan looked at him and slowly said, "Act with Jifeng Hall. Capture them, kill them! I want you... to see blood! It was good that you killed one person at the academy last time, but that wasn't enough. Before you enter the Civilization Academy, I want you to stop getting nervous at the sight of blood."

"Civilization Masters kill people too—many people. Civilization Masters who do not kill are the lowest, most ordinary, most useless kind. I don't want you to become that sort of person. I want you to become a future powerhouse, someone preparing to walk the road of the strong!"

"Other than revealing that you can inscribe divine runes in a single day, you can reveal everything else. In the assessment, steal the limelight, stand alone at the head of the ao, draw the academy's attention, and obtain the treatment you deserve. That is what you should do, because you have no Shanhai Realm elders to rely on!"

"Crush those geniuses from the prefectural cities beneath you, charge forward all the way, and rise!"

Liu Wenyan looked at Su Yu with a smile. "There isn't much your teacher can do for you, so... work hard! The harder you work now, the greater your future gains will be!"

Su Yu shivered a little. Whenever his teacher spoke like this, he felt as though he was about to suffer.

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