A Broader Mind (Please Vote)

The master and disciple headed back together. Leaving early and returning late—this had been their routine lately.

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

Su Yu went home, while Liu Wenyan returned to the academy.

At the entrance to the residential complex.

Chen Hao was in low spirits, squatting on the ground and counting ants.

When he heard footsteps, he hurriedly looked up. The moment he saw Su Yu, he immediately complained, "A-Yu, why are you only getting back now?"

Seeing that he had been waiting here, Su Yu could not help smiling. "What are you doing here?"

"Waiting for you. What else could I be doing?"

Chen Hao complained, "You've been running around outside with Instructor Liu every day lately. What are you doing? Instructor Liu is really playing favorites. He isn't a private tutor, yet he only takes you along. Everyone in class has been gossiping about it."

His words dripped with envy and jealousy.

"A Soaring Realm expert! He specifically takes only you with him. A-Yu, how about you talk to Instructor Liu and have him take me too?"

Before Liu Wenyan's Willpower had manifested, he had merely been a Qianjun Realm instructor. Even if he was excellent at Myriad Races Language, he could only be considered an ordinary instructor.

But once Liu Wenyan's Willpower soared into the sky, in the blink of an eye, he became one of Nanyuan City's foremost figures.

City Lord Wu Wenhai was only at the second level of the Soaring Realm, while Liu Wenyan had even killed a second-level Soaring Realm expert before this. The matter had long spread throughout tiny Nanyuan.

Which student at Nanyuan Academy did not wish to have more contact with Liu Wenyan now?

Even if the students did not understand, would their parents not?

Chen Hao's father came home every day and scolded him, saying Chen Hao was inferior to Su Yu. Look at Su Yu—Liu Wenyan was keeping him by his side and training him as a direct disciple. Yet Chen Hao had such a good relationship with Su Yu and still could not even get a foot in the door.

"You're sure you want to come along?"

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

"Forget it!"

Chen Hao, who had just been full of indignation, instantly wilted. He said dryly, "I wouldn't dare. I start trembling just standing beside Instructor Liu. He's much fiercer than before now."

"He isn't being fierce. His Willpower just manifested, and his body hasn't been tempered yet, so he can't fully restrain it."

Su Yu still spoke up to explain for him. This fellow was all bark and no bite.

Liu Wenyan really was not fierce. The key was that after his Willpower manifested, his body had not been tempered. He had only just entered the Ten Thousand Stones Realm, so he could not fully rein in his Willpower and appeared somewhat imposing.

To rookies like Chen Hao and the others, that naturally made him seem frighteningly stern.

Chen Hao did not really understand, but he did not care about that. He instantly tossed aside the previous topic and followed Su Yu with a beaming smile. "A-Yu, I'm almost at the Kaiyuan Fourth Stage!"

"My ears have been rumbling lately. Do you think I'm about to open an acupoint?"

"So you came looking for me just to show off?"

"No way!"

Chen Hao cried injustice. "Even if I reach the Kaiyuan Fourth Stage, haven't you reached it too? I wasn't planning to show off when I came to find you. It's my dad—he wants to treat you to a meal. Didn't you let me claim that merit before?"

"I said I killed it, and my dad beat me up, saying I was talking nonsense! Then... I said we did it together, and he believed me. He said you were smart, that you were the one who told me what to do. He's kept saying he wanted to treat you to a meal, but you've been running all over the place this month. He couldn't catch you at all."

Chen Hao wore a pitiful expression. His father had beaten him terribly last month.

His dad really was something else. A-Yu was only at the Kaiyuan Fourth Stage too.

Why did his father not believe him when he said he had killed it? But once he said Su Yu had been there, his father immediately decided Su Yu had done it. There was no justice in the world!

He had almost believed it himself—that he had been the one to kill it. Then after being beaten a few times by his father, he suddenly woke up and remembered. It had not been him. It had been A-Yu. How strange—why had he always felt that he had killed it himself?

"Why is Uncle Chen being so polite?"

Su Yu chuckled. "Didn't you spend money? More than ten thousand, too. You also gave me the Merit Points. An extra thirty points are useless to me anyway."

"I said so too. We're practically family, no need to be polite. But my dad insists on treating you."

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

"Alright, then."

Su Yu did not stand on ceremony anymore. He was fairly familiar with Chen Hao's father. When his own father had been home, they had seen each other often.

But ever since Su Long had left, Su Yu had often gone around with Liu Wenyan and had not visited the Chen family again.

Chen Hao did not say much more. He continued following Su Yu as they walked. "A-Yu, have you improved after going out with Instructor Liu?"

"A little."

"Then how long until you reach the Kaiyuan Fifth Stage?"

Chen Hao said gloomily, "Someone in class has been badmouthing you. That Zhou Chong—wasn't he at the Kaiyuan Fourth Stage before? While you were gone these past few days, he actually reached the Kaiyuan Fifth Stage. He said you only know how to curry favor with Instructor Liu by relying on a little cleverness, and that even if you got into the Civilization Academy, you still wouldn't amount to much."

Su Yu said indifferently, "Why lower yourself to his level? You'd be better off spending that time cultivating."

"A-Yu, you can't put it that way!"

Chen Hao said unhappily, "I'm planning to challenge him to a duel. The difference between the fourth and fifth stages isn't that great anyway. Once I reach the fourth stage, I'll go settle the score with him. All he knows is how to badmouth people behind their backs!"

"If you hadn't told me not to say anything, I would have said you killed a Qianjun Realm expert. What's he so smug about?"

He was still indignant. So what if Zhou Chong had reached the Kaiyuan Fifth Stage?

Was that such a big deal?

A-Yu had even killed two Qianjun Seventh Level experts!

After cursing angrily for a few more sentences, Chen Hao saw that Su Yu truly did not seem to care and could not hold back anymore. "You've got wounds all over you. Have you been undergoing special training lately? Have you reached the Kaiyuan Fifth Stage?"

Su Yu truly did not look good at the moment. There were still plenty of bloodstains on his cheeks.

Hearing Chen Hao ask again, Su Yu could not help laughing. "Kaiyuan Fifth Stage? Haozi, can't you set your sights a little higher?"

"What do you mean?"

"Nanyuan's sky... is too low!"

Su Yu still spoke a few heartfelt words to this close friend. With a sigh, he said, "Nanyuan is too small, and its sky is too low. Everyone's horizons are too narrow! Kaiyuan... what does the Kaiyuan Realm amount to?"

"In Great Xia Prefecture, there are plenty of people at the Kaiyuan Ninth Stage, all waiting to enter school and break into the Qianjun Realm."

"And it isn't just Kaiyuan... Some people have been enrolled for half a year and can already kill fifth-level Soaring Realm experts!"

"Haozi, the Soaring Realm! Nanyuan's sky only reaches that high!"

"The city lord is only in the Soaring Realm, but in Great Zhou Prefecture, a student who has been enrolled for half a year can kill Soaring Realm experts and is stronger than the city lord. Tell me... what is there to fight over in Nanyuan?"

If this had been before, Su Yu truly would have argued with Zhou Chong.

But now, he really could not muster any interest.

Kaiyuan Fifth Stage?

Yes, it was impressive in Nanyuan, but the sky over Nanyuan was frighteningly low. After meeting Bai Feng and hearing of that Great Zhou Prefecture genius's deeds, how could he still be interested in fussing over it?

Liu Wenyan and Bai Feng had opened the door to another world for him, allowing this country bumpkin born and raised in Nanyuan to see a broader heaven and earth.

Now, hearing Chen Hao talk about these things again, he only found them amusing. He had no other thoughts.

"A-Yu..."

Chen Hao was somewhat confused. "What do the things you're saying have to do with us? The geniuses of Great Xia Prefecture, the geniuses of Great Zhou Prefecture—that's their business. It has nothing to do with us, right?"

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

What did they have to do with them?

"Why do they have nothing to do with us?"

Su Yu turned his head to look at him. "Are we supposed to accept mediocrity for the rest of our lives? We're all human. Why can't we become the geniuses others look up to?"

"But..."

Chen Hao wanted to say something, only to find himself at a loss for words. Feeling somewhat frustrated, he said, "That's too far away. I only asked whether you'd reached the Kaiyuan Fifth Stage. Why are you telling me all this?"

"I'm at the Kaiyuan Seventh Stage."

Su Yu smiled lightly. "I'm preparing to break through in the next couple of days and see whether I can reach the Kaiyuan Eighth Stage."

"..."

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

"I'm not dreaming. I really am at the Kaiyuan Seventh Stage."

Su Yu entered the apartment building as he spoke. "There are still twenty-four days until the assessment. Reaching the eighth stage shouldn't be a problem. The ninth stage might be a little difficult. But there'll still be a month after the assessment, so I have hope of reaching the Kaiyuan Ninth Stage before enrolling."

"That's only because I've spent a lot of time on other things lately. Otherwise, I should have advanced even faster."

"Haozi, do you understand what I mean now? Zhou Chong reaching the Kaiyuan Fifth Stage truly means nothing to me. If you want to enter the War Academy, become stronger in the future, and make something of yourself, then you need to put in more effort."

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

With a blank expression, Chen Hao took a while before saying, "But even if I stare at the Soaring Realm, I still can't reach the Soaring Realm."

"Your horizons determine your future. If you fix your eyes solely on the Kaiyuan Realm, then Kaiyuan becomes the sky in your eyes, and you'll lose all motivation to climb higher."

Su Yu said seriously, "Before, I thought reaching the Ten Thousand Stones Realm in this life would be enough—stronger than my dad! Or perhaps the Soaring Realm. In Nanyuan, I might even become city lord. But after seeing more and hearing more, I now feel that the Soaring Realm is only the starting point. I want much more."

"Actually, over this past month or so, I've worked harder than before, because I know I'm not really anything special. Am I a genius? No. At most, I have a little talent. Toss me into Great Xia Prefecture, and I'd just be an ordinary person. There's nothing to be proud of."

The atlas in his mind was one reason driving Su Yu to become stronger.

But ever since hearing more about the world Liu Wenyan and the others spoke of, Su Yu had indeed changed somewhat. Previously, he had learned eighteen Myriad Races Languages and thought himself very impressive, very outstanding. Originally, he had planned to relax a little over these next two months.

But after learning of the world of Civilization Masters and the world of geniuses, he was no longer satisfied with his previous aspirations.

The Soaring Realm was not the finish line. It was merely the starting point!

That was why, over this past month or so, no matter how bitter or exhausting things became, he had not complained once. He knew it was necessary.

Others had better family circumstances and greater talent than him. If he did not work hard to catch up, how could he rise?

"A-Yu, you've changed."

Chen Hao muttered, "You changed after Uncle Su left. Could it be... once a dad leaves, a person becomes more hardworking? Maybe... I should split up with my dad too..."

"..."

Su Yu stared at him blankly. After saying all that, this was the conclusion he had reached? How exactly had this guy's brain grown?

"Rotten wood cannot be carved!"

Su Yu cursed!

Liu Wenyan had often cursed him the same way these past few days. Su Yu felt fortunate that Liu Wenyan had not brought Chen Hao along, or the old man might have exploded from rage.

Chen Hao ignored him and muttered again, "You really reached the Kaiyuan Seventh Stage and are about to reach the eighth? That's impossible. You were only at the Kaiyuan Fourth Stage last month. How did you suddenly get to the seventh stage?"

"There's nothing impossible about it!"

After thinking for a moment, Su Yu said, "If you want to suddenly become very strong, that probably won't happen. But you can make preparations. For example, starting now, spend an extra hour every day practicing martial techniques. Once you reach the Kaiyuan Eighth Stage, you can save the time you would otherwise spend practicing martial techniques."

"Read more books too. Forget anything else—have you truly figured out the Kaiyuan Jue?"

"Read it dozens of times every day until you know it by heart. You'll find your cultivation much smoother."

"I have a copy of the Kaiyuan Jue written by Teacher Bai Feng. Its power has weakened greatly by now, but that makes it just right for you to read. When you have time, read it more."

At first, Chen Hao would not have been able to read the Kaiyuan Jue Bai Feng had written. His Willpower had not been strong enough.

But now that its power was gradually dissipating, Chen Hao could read it.

Though it was not as good as when it had first been written, there was still some Soaring Realm power within it. If he could gain anything from it, then at the very least, his Kaiyuan Realm cultivation would yield twice the result with half the effort.

Chen Hao scratched his head and ears, a little excited yet somewhat troubled. "I'm scared of reading. The moment I read, I start getting sleepy..."

"Then endure it!"

Su Yu opened the door and said irritably, "If you don't cherish an opportunity when it's handed to you, then don't think about becoming stronger. Just muddle through until the Qianjun Realm and return to Nanyuan! Don't go to the Battlefields of the Heavens to throw your life away! Anyone who doesn't know to seize an opportunity delivered to their doorstep has no right to talk about becoming stronger!"

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

"Pah!" Chen Hao muttered. "If anyone's collecting it, it'll be my parents..."

"I..."

Su Yu could not even be bothered to curse him. This guy was beyond saving!

"A-Yu, thank you!"

Chen Hao suddenly said, somewhat dejected, "I am a little stupid. I'm not as smart as you. You're right, I'm just rotten wood. You're so smart and work even harder than I do. If I want to catch up with you... it's probably just as my dad says. 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 techniques, and another hour... reading!"

Chen Hao said it with some difficulty. Two extra hours every day—it was painful!

Practicing martial techniques was fine, but reading for another hour... that was murder!

"How about... an hour and a half practicing martial techniques, and half an hour reading?"

He looked at Su Yu hesitantly. What did he think of that?

Su Yu felt exhausted. "Brute!"

"Enough nonsense. Read here at my place. You read while I cultivate. I'll keep an eye on you, and it'll benefit you too!"

When Su Yu cultivated and devoured essence blood, qi would gather around him. It truly would benefit Chen Hao.

In the future, Su Yu could cultivate in his room while Chen Hao read outside. The qi nearby would be denser while he read, helping him open acupoints.

Besides, Su Yu was planning to take that half-drop of Qi Liquid in the next few days. The qi would be even denser then.

"Alright. When I read alone, I end up falling asleep..."

"That's why you're at the Kaiyuan Third Stage, while I'm about to reach the eighth!"

Su Yu rolled his eyes, entered the bathroom, and began washing up. As he changed clothes, he said, "Don't tell others too much about me being at the Kaiyuan Seventh Stage. There's no point. Also, if Zhou Chong badmouths me again next time, go beat him up."

"Huh?"

Chen Hao was stunned. Had Su Yu not just said he would not bother with it?

"What do you mean, 'huh'? Train your combat ability!"

Su Yu said matter-of-factly, "A target delivered right to your doorstep. Kaiyuan Fifth Stage—he's perfect for you! Beat him. Beat him until his nose is bruised and his face is swollen. Beat him until he doesn't dare spout nonsense again, until he's afraid whenever he sees you! Do you expect me to do it?"

"I've killed Qianjun Realm experts before. Should I bully some little kid like him?"

"If anyone at the academy dares to talk nonsense again, go challenge them. Fight every one you meet. Don't be afraid of taking a beating. Getting beaten is training too!"

"If you don't even have a bit of courage, what path are you cultivating?"

Su Yu had borrowed all of Liu Wenyan's words. He had to say, it felt quite satisfying to order a lackey around.

Chen Hao nodded blankly and muttered, "But some girls say things like that too..."

"Hit them!"

Su Yu said solemnly, "Does the battlefield distinguish between men and women? Do the women of the Gods and Devils and Myriad Races not kill people? Do they not kill you? Just hit them. Just don't injure them too badly!"

"Oh..."

Chen Hao always felt something was off, but what A-Yu said seemed to make sense.

"Girls especially need a good beating. They don't study properly and only know how to whisper behind people's backs, gossiping about this and that. If you don't hit them, they'll think you're a coward. Haozi, men and women are the same. Anyway, if they badmouth me, go beat them up. Then there won't be a problem!"

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

"What were you afraid of? Call your parents—would someone in the Qianjun Realm still dare bully you? Tell them the academy exists to cultivate the strong. Anyone below Kaiyuan Eighth Stage can come at you however they like. You're invincible in a one-on-one fight; whoever's scared is a grandson! If they've got the guts, find a Kaiyuan Seventh Stage to beat you up. No matter how badly you get beaten, don't call your parents. You can't afford to lose that face!"

Su Yu offered advice, egging him on. "A Kaiyuan Seventh Stage's combat strength is only so-so. As long as you're not cowardly in your heart, they might not be able to beat you. If you, a Kaiyuan Three Stages, beat even the Seventh Stages into submission, who would dare provoke you afterward? Would their parents still have anything to say? And if they still do, report it to the Academy Head. Bullying the weak with strength and they still think they're in the right?"

"Your dad is at least the deputy director of the Discipline Office. Would those people really dare do anything to you? Kids fighting—who would take it seriously?"

Chen Hao nodded again and again. It really made sense.

"Then I... start fighting tomorrow?"

"Mm. When you get to the academy tomorrow, beat Zhou Chong up first. Afterward, shout that anyone unconvinced can come find you. Maybe they'll even deliver themselves to you to be beaten. These are all great opportunities for real combat. You normally wouldn't get chances like this. Aren't free sparring partners great?"

Su Yu finished washing up, changed into his clothes, and walked out of the bathroom. He continued, "Come on, let's eat. Oh, right—if your dad asks, don't say I told you this. Say you wanted real combat yourself, or your dad will come looking for trouble with me. A cultivator who pits his friends against trouble isn't a good cultivator!"

"Don't worry, I definitely won't say anything."

Chen Hao patted his chest. A real man told his parents everything? Did he think Chen Hao was a child?

Su Yu gave him a thumbs-up and said with a chuckle, "Oh, right. Find an instructor to watch when you fight, or you might not know your own strength. If the instructor says something, just say you're training through real combat. The academy won't stop you."

"Alright."

"Also, when fighting girls, shout that men and women are both cultivators. You're not bullying women. If they aren't willing to fight one-on-one, then they shouldn't keep yapping. Otherwise, if you make a girl cry, it won't look good."

"Okay, I'll remember that."

"Oh, and when you fight girls one-on-one, don't hit their faces. It'll be hard to explain otherwise."

"Oh, anything else?"

"There is... Under absolutely no circumstances can you say I taught you this!"

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

"..."

After Su Yu instructed him for quite some time, they soon arrived at the Chen family home.

Chen Hao felt he had benefited greatly, and he was already itching to try. Starting tomorrow, he would officially begin real combat!

He, Chen Hao, would fight his way through all of Nanyuan Academy. Free sparring partners—according to A-Yu, hiring one sparring partner cost a hundred yuan an hour. If he fought for three hours a day, that meant he earned three hundred yuan!

If he kept fighting for a month, he would earn at least ten thousand yuan! He could treat it as private savings and use it all to hire sparring partners!

Sure enough, A-Yu was the smart one. He knew how to do the math.