Have a Bigger Heart

The master and disciple walked back, leaving early and returning late; this was their recent state.

Once they entered the city, they went their separate ways.

Su Yu went home, and Liu Wenyan went to the academy.

At the entrance of the residential area.

Chen Hao was dejected, squatting on the ground counting ants.

When he heard footsteps, he quickly looked up. Upon seeing Su Yu, he immediately complained, "A'yu, why are you only getting back now!"

Seeing him waiting there, Su Yu couldn't help but smile, "What are you doing here?"

"Waiting for you, what else!"

Chen Hao complained, "You and Instructor Liu have been going out every day recently, what are you doing! Instructor Liu is really biased. He's not a private tutor, yet he's only taking you out. The classmates have been gossiping."

As he spoke, he sounded full of envy and jealousy.

"Soaring Realm! He's specifically taking you alone. A'yu, why don't you talk to Instructor Liu and ask him to take me along too!"

Before, Liu Wenyan's will hadn't materialized. An instructor in the Qianjun Realm, even with excellent knowledge of the Myriad Races, was just an ordinary instructor.

But after Liu Wenyan's will soared, in the blink of an eye, he became one of the most prominent figures in Nanyuan City.

Nanyuan City's Lord, Wu Wenhai, was only at the second level of Soaring, and Liu Wenyan had killed a cultivator at the second level of Soaring before this. This matter had already spread throughout the small Nanyuan.

Now, every student at Nanyuan Academy hoped to have more contact with Liu Wenyan.

Even if the students didn't understand, didn't their parents?

Chen Hao's father would scold him every day when he returned, calling Chen Hao inferior to Su Yu. "Look at Su Yu, Liu Wenyan is personally mentoring him as his direct disciple. But you, you're good friends with Su Yu, yet you can't even get close."

"Are you sure you want me to bring you along?"

Su Yu chuckled, "If you're sure, I'll tell Instructor Liu tomorrow."

"Forget it!"

Chen Hao, who had been indignant moments ago, instantly deflated. He said dryly, "I wouldn't dare. I tremble just standing next to Instructor Liu. Instructor Liu is much fiercer than before."

"He's not fierce; his will just materialized, and his physical body hasn't been tempered yet, so he can't quite control himself."

Su Yu still offered an explanation. This guy was all talk.

Liu Wenyan wasn't actually fierce. The key was that after his will materialized, his physical body hadn't been tempered. He had just entered the Wanshi Realm, and he couldn't quite control his will, making him appear somewhat imposing.

As a result, to these rookies like Chen Hao, he naturally seemed fierce.

Chen Hao didn't quite understand what he heard, but he didn't care. He instantly dropped the previous topic and walked with Su Yu, saying cheerfully, "A'yu, I'm almost at the fourth level of Kaiyuan!"

"I feel like my ears have been ringing lately. Do you think I'll be able to open my acupoints soon?"

"So you found me just to show off?"

"No way!"

Chen Hao cried injustice, "Even if I'm at the fourth level of Kaiyuan, aren't you also at the fourth level of Kaiyuan? I didn't find you to show off. It's my dad. He wants to treat you to a meal. Didn't you get the credit for that previous contribution?"

"I said I killed them, and my dad beat me, saying I was talking nonsense! Then... I said we did it together, and he believed it, saying you were smart and that you instructed me. He's been saying he wants to treat you to a meal, but you've been running around all month, and we couldn't catch you."

Chen Hao put on a pitiful look. He had been beaten badly by his dad last month.

His dad was really something. A'yu was also only at the fourth level of Kaiyuan.

Why didn't his dad believe him when he said he killed them, but when he said Su Yu was present, he immediately assumed Su Yu did it? It was unfair!

He almost believed it himself, that he had killed them. But after being beaten a few times by his dad, he suddenly came to his senses and remembered that it wasn't him who killed them, but A'yu. It was strange, why did he always feel like he was the one who killed them.

"Why is Uncle Chen being so polite?"

Su Yu chuckled, "Didn't you spend money? Over ten thousand. You also gave me the merit points. An extra 30 points isn't useful to me."

"I told you, we're family, no need to be polite. My dad insisted on treating."

Chen Hao said carelessly, "Then let's just have a meal. Anyway, Uncle Su isn't home, and you'll just eat instant noodles when you get home."

"Alright then."

Su Yu didn't stand on ceremony anymore. He was quite familiar with Chen Hao's father; he had met him quite a few times when his own father was home.

However, since Su Long left, Su Yu had been frequently associating with Liu Wenyan and hadn't visited the Chen family.

Chen Hao didn't say much more and continued walking with Su Yu, asking as they walked, "A'yu, have you improved your strength by going out with Instructor Liu?"

"Improved a bit."

"How much longer until you reach the fifth level of Kaiyuan?"

Chen Hao sounded a bit stifled, "Some people in the class are speaking ill of you, that Zhou Chong. Wasn't he at the fourth level of Kaiyuan before? You haven't been around these days, and he's actually reached the fifth level of Kaiyuan. They say you rely on your petty cleverness and just try to please Instructor Liu. Even if you get into Civilization Academy, you won't be much."

Su Yu was indifferent, "Why bother with him? Use that time to cultivate properly."

"A'yu, you can't say that!"

Chen Hao was displeased, "I'm planning to challenge him. The gap between the fourth and fifth levels isn't that big anyway. Once I reach the fourth level, I'll go find him and settle the score. He'll know what it's like to badmouth people behind their backs!"

"If you hadn't stopped me, I would have told everyone you killed Qianjun. What's so great about him anyway!"

He was still indignant. So what if he was only at the fifth level of Kaiyuan?

Was that impressive?

A'yu had killed two people at the seventh level of Qianjun!

Righteously indignant, he cursed a few times. Seeing that Su Yu didn't seem to care, Chen Hao couldn't help but ask, "You're covered in wounds. Have you been training hard recently? Have you reached the fifth level of Kaiyuan?"

Su Yu's appearance was indeed not good. There were still many bloodstains on his cheeks.

Hearing Chen Hao ask again, Su Yu couldn't help but smile, "Fifth level of Kaiyuan? Haozi, can't you broaden your horizons a bit!"

"What do you mean?"

"The sky in Nanyuan... is too low!"

To this close friend, Su Yu spoke a few honest words, sighing, "Nanyuan is too small, the sky is too low, and everyone's horizons are too low! Kaiyuan... what is Kaiyuan?"

"In Great Xia Prefecture, there are quite a few at the ninth level of Kaiyuan, all waiting to enter the Qianjun Realm."

"Let alone Kaiyuan... Some people have been studying for half a year and have already killed those at the fifth level of Soaring!"

"Haozi, Soaring! The sky in Nanyuan only reaches as high as Soaring!"

"The City Lord is only at the Soaring Realm. But in Great Zhou Prefecture, a student who has been studying for half a year can kill someone at the Soaring Realm, which is stronger than the City Lord. You tell me... what's the point of competing in Nanyuan!"

If it were in the past, Su Yu would have argued with that Zhou Chong.

But now, he really couldn't be bothered.

Fifth level of Kaiyuan?

Yes, it was impressive in Nanyuan, but the sky in Nanyuan was terrifyingly low. After seeing Bai Feng and hearing about the deeds of that genius from Great Zhou Prefecture, how could he still be interested in arguing?

Liu Wenyan and Bai Feng had opened a door to another world for him, allowing him, a bumpkin born and raised in Nanyuan, to witness a greater world.

At this moment, hearing Chen Hao talk about these things again, he only found it amusing, with no other thoughts.

"A'yu..."

Chen Hao was a bit confused. "What you're saying has nothing to do with us. The geniuses of Great Xia Prefecture and Great Zhou Prefecture are their own business, it has nothing to do with us, right?"

Su Yu's words were too distant for Chen Hao.

Does it have anything to do with us?

"Why doesn't it?"

Su Yu turned his head to look at him. "Are you content with mediocrity your whole life? We're all human, can't we become geniuses in the eyes of others?"

"But..."

Chen Hao wanted to say something but found himself speechless, and said with some frustration, "That's too far away. I just asked if you were at the fifth level of Kaiyuan, why are you telling me all this."

"I'm at the seventh level of Kaiyuan."

Su Yu said with a light smile, "I plan to break through these two days and see if I can reach the eighth level of Kaiyuan."

"..."

Chen Hao was stunned. He wanted to reach out and touch Su Yu's head, but Su Yu slapped his hand away.

"I'm not dreaming, I'm really at the seventh level of Kaiyuan."

Su Yu walked into the building, saying as he walked, "There are still 24 days until the assessment. It shouldn't be a problem for me to reach the eighth level. Reaching the ninth level might be a bit difficult. However, there's still a month after the assessment, so there's hope for me to reach the ninth level of Kaiyuan before I enroll in the academy."

"This is even with me spending a lot of time on other things recently. Otherwise, I should have advanced faster."

"Haozi, do you understand what I mean now? Zhou Chong is at the fifth level of Kaiyuan, which is really nothing in my eyes. If you want to enter the War Academy, become stronger in the future, and have a better life, you need to put in more effort."

"Don't just stare at the Kaiyuan Realm all day. Look further ahead."

Chen Hao was in a daze. After a while, he said, "But even if I stare at Soaring, I won't be able to reach it."

"Your vision determines your future. If you focus solely on Kaiyuan, Kaiyuan becomes the sky in your eyes, and you lose the motivation to move upwards."

Su Yu said seriously, "Before, I thought that reaching Wanshi in this lifetime would be enough, stronger than my dad! Or reaching Soaring, maybe I could become a City Lord in Nanyuan. But since I've seen and heard more, I now think that Soaring is just the beginning. My ambitions have grown."

"Actually, in this past month, I've worked harder than before because I know that I'm not that special. Am I a genius? Not really, at most I have a bit of talent. If I were thrown into Great Xia Prefecture, I'd just be an ordinary person, nothing to be proud of."

The diagrams in his mind were one part, driving Su Yu to want to become stronger.

But ever since he heard more about the world from Liu Wenyan and the others, Su Yu had indeed changed. He had learned 18 languages of the Myriad Races before, and he thought he was very formidable, very excellent. He had originally planned to relax for these two months.

But ever since he learned about the world of Civilization Masters and the world of geniuses, he was no longer satisfied with his previous thoughts.

Soaring was not the end, but just the beginning!

So, for the past month, no matter how bitter or tired he was, he never complained, because he knew it was necessary.

Others had better family backgrounds and stronger talents. If he didn't work hard to catch up, how could he rise?

"A'yu, you've changed."

Chen Hao mumbled, "You changed after Uncle Su left. Does that mean... after Dad left, you became more motivated? Maybe... I should split from my dad..."

"..."

Su Yu stared at him blankly. "I said so much, and you concluded that you need to split from your dad? What's going on in that head of yours?"

"Rotten wood cannot be carved!"

Su Yu cursed.

Liu Wenyan had also cursed him like this often these past few days. He felt fortunate that Liu Wenyan hadn't brought Chen Hao along, otherwise the old man would have exploded from anger.

Chen Hao ignored him and muttered, "You're really at the Seventh Level of Kaiyuan, about to reach the Eighth? That's impossible. You were only at the Fourth Level of Kaiyuan last month. How did you jump to the Seventh Level so quickly?"

"Nothing is impossible!"

Su Yu thought for a moment. "If you want to suddenly become strong, the chances are slim, but you can prepare yourself. For example, starting now, spend an extra hour every day practicing martial skills. Once you reach the Eighth Level of Kaiyuan, you'll save time on practicing martial skills."

"Read more books. Not to mention anything else, have you truly comprehended the 'Kaiyuan Jue'?"

"Read it dozens of times a day until it's etched in your heart. You'll find your cultivation smoother."

"I have a copy of the 'Kaiyuan Jue' here, written by Teacher Bai Feng. Its power has weakened considerably, but it's just right for you. You can read it more when you have time."

If it were at the beginning, Chen Hao wouldn't have been able to read Bai Feng's 'Kaiyuan Jue' because his willpower wasn't strong enough.

But now, as its power gradually dissipated, Chen Hao could indeed read it.

Although it wasn't as potent as when it was first written, it still contained some Soaring Realm power. If he could gain something from it, his cultivation in the Kaiyuan Realm would at least be twice as effective.

Chen Hao scratched his ears and cheeks, feeling a bit excited yet also troubled. "I'm afraid of reading. I get sleepy as soon as I start..."

"Then endure it!"

Su Yu opened the door and said impatiently, "I'm giving you a chance, and you're not cherishing it. Then don't even think about getting stronger. Just muddle along until you reach the Qianjun Realm and return to Nanyuan! Don't go to the Battlefields of the Heavens to die! Guys who don't seize opportunities when they're handed to them don't deserve to talk about getting stronger!"

"I don't want to be the one collecting your corpse on the Battlefields of the Heavens one day!"

"Pfft!" Chen Hao mumbled, "If anyone's collecting a corpse, it'll be my parents..."

"I..."

Su Yu couldn't even be bothered to curse anymore. This guy was hopeless!

"A'yu, thank you!"

Chen Hao suddenly said, a hint of dejection in his voice. "I am a bit slow, not as smart as you. You're right, I really am rotten wood. You're so smart, and yet you work even harder than me. I want to catch up to you... it's probably as my dad said, there's no hope in this lifetime."

"Then I'll listen to you. From now on, I'll spend an extra hour every day practicing martial skills, and another hour... reading!"

Chen Hao said it with some difficulty. An extra two hours every day was agonizing!

Practicing martial skills was fine, but an extra hour of reading... it was killing him!

"How about... an hour and a half for martial skills, and half an hour for reading?"

He hesitantly looked at Su Yu, asking for his opinion.

Su Yu felt weary. "Brute!"

"Stop the nonsense. You can read here with me. You read, I cultivate, and I'll keep an eye on you. It'll be beneficial for you!"

When he cultivated, he consumed vital blood, which could gather Qi. This was indeed beneficial.

He could cultivate in his room from now on, and Chen Hao could read outside. The surrounding Qi would be denser while Chen Hao was reading, which would help him awaken his potential.

Moreover, he was planning to consume that half-drop of Qi Liquid these past few days. The Qi would be even denser then.

"Okay, then. I always fall asleep when I read by myself..."

"That's why you're only at the Third Level of Kaiyuan, and I'm about to reach the Eighth!"

Su Yu rolled his eyes and entered the bathroom to wash up. While changing his clothes, he said, "Don't talk too much about me being at the Seventh Level of Kaiyuan to outsiders. It's meaningless. Also, next time Zhou Chong badmouths me, go beat him up."

"Ah?"

Chen Hao was stunned. Didn't they just agree not to hold grudges?

"What 'ah'? It's for practicing combat skills!"

Su Yu said matter-of-factly, "A free target delivered to your doorstep. Someone at the Fifth Level of Kaiyuan is perfect for you! Beat him until his nose is bruised and his face is swollen, beat him until he's afraid to talk nonsense, until he fears you when he sees you! Do you expect me to step in?"

"Me, someone who has killed a Qianjun expert, bullying a child?"

"Anyone in the academy who dares to talk nonsense again, you go challenge them. Fight one after another. Don't be afraid of getting hit; getting hit is also a form of training!"

"If you don't even have a little courage, how can you cultivate the Dao!"

Su Yu was quoting Liu Wenyan's words. Speaking of which, it felt pretty good to have a subordinate to do his bidding.

Chen Hao nodded blankly and murmured, "Some girls say that too..."

"Beat them!"

Su Yu said sternly, "Are there men and women on the battlefield? Don't the women of the myriad races of gods and demons kill? Won't they kill you? Just fight them. Just don't beat them too badly!"

"Oh..."

Chen Hao felt something was off, but what A'yu said seemed to make sense.

"You need to beat the girls properly too. If they don't study well and only gossip about this and that, if you don't beat them, they'll think you're a coward. Haozi, men and women are the same. Anyway, whoever talks badly about me, you go beat them up. That way, there won't be any problems!"

"Oh, then... what if they call their parents?"

"What are you afraid of? You called your parents. Someone in the Qianjun Realm dares to bully you? Tell them the academy is here to cultivate strong individuals. Anyone below Kaiyuan Eighth Level, feel free to come at me. I'm invincible in one-on-one fights. Whoever's scared is a coward! If they have the guts, let them find someone in Kaiyuan Seventh Level to beat you up. Even if you get beaten badly, don't call your parents. It's embarrassing!"

Su Yu offered advice, egging him on. "A Kaiyuan Seventh Level fighter's combat power is just so-so. As long as you don't back down mentally, they might not be able to defeat you. If you, a mere Kaiyuan Third Level, can subdue someone in the Seventh Level, who would dare provoke you? Will your parents have anything to say? If they still have something to say, report it to the Academy Head. Is it justified to bully the weak?"

"Your dad is, after all, the deputy director of the Disciplinary Department. Those people wouldn't dare do anything to you, would they? Kids fighting, who takes it seriously?"

Chen Hao nodded repeatedly, finding Su Yu's words very reasonable.

"Then... I'll start fighting tomorrow?"

"Yes, when you get to the academy tomorrow, beat up Zhou Chong first. After you're done, shout out for anyone who's not convinced to come find you. Maybe they'll actively offer themselves up for you to beat. These are all good opportunities for practical combat. You don't get these chances usually. Aren't free sparring partners a good thing?"

Su Yu finished washing up, changed his clothes, and walked out of the bathroom, continuing, "Let's go eat. Oh, right, if your dad asks, don't say I told you to do it. Say you wanted practical combat yourself. Otherwise, your dad might cause trouble for me. Betraying a friend isn't the way of a good cultivator!"

"Don't worry, I definitely won't say a word."

Chen Hao patted his chest. A real man tells his parents everything? Do you think I'm a child?

Su Yu gave him a thumbs-up and chuckled, "Right, when you're fighting, find a coach to watch. Otherwise, you might not hold back. If the coach speaks up, just say you're training for practical combat, and the academy won't stop you."

"Okay."

"Also, when you fight girls, shout out that both genders are cultivators. You're not bullying women. If they don't want to fight one-on-one, then stop complaining. Otherwise, it'll look bad if you make a girl cry."

"Okay, I've noted it down."

"Right, when you fight girls one-on-one, don't hit their faces. Otherwise, it'll be hard to explain."

"Oh, anything else?"

"And... absolutely don't say I taught you!"

"I won't, don't worry!"

"..."

Su Yu gave instructions for a long time, and soon, they arrived at the Chen family's residence.

Chen Hao felt he had benefited greatly and was itching to start. Tomorrow, he would officially begin his practical combat training!

He, Chen Hao, would fight his way through Nanyuan Academy. Free sparring partners! According to Ah Yu, finding one sparring partner would cost 100 yuan per hour. If he fought for three hours a day, he'd earn 300 yuan!

Chen Hao figured he'd earn at least 10,000 yuan in a month. He'd just use it as pocket money to pay for sparring partners!

As expected, Ah Yu was truly smart and good at calculating.