Three Goals

Chen family.

The four-bedroom, two-living room house was not in Su Yu's neighborhood, but in the adjacent one, not far away.

This was why Chen Hao often appeared downstairs at Su Yu's place; it was quite close.

A few years ago, both families lived in the same neighborhood. Later, Chen Qinghe was promoted and bought a slightly larger house in the adjacent complex.

As soon as Su Yu entered, Chen Qinghe, who was watching TV, immediately got up and said with a laugh, "Ah Yu is here, sit down. Dinner will be ready soon. It's been a while!"

"Uncle Chen, is Auntie in the kitchen?"

From the kitchen, Chen Hao's mother replied with a smile, "Ah Yu, watch TV for a bit. Dinner will be ready soon. I specifically made your favorite braised pork today."

Su Yu smiled and thanked her. As for the braised pork... his father made too much, and he found it bothersome before. Now that his father wasn't home, he actually missed it a little.

When Su Yu sat down, Chen Qinghe's smile vanished as he watched his son about to sit down. He berated him, "Go pour some tea! Have some awareness!"

Chen Hao mumbled a few words and reluctantly went to pour the tea.

After Chen Hao left, Chen Qinghe's expression quickly softened. He looked at Su Yu and said, "Ah Yu, thank you for what you did for Haozi. This kid is a bit slow on the uptake. Taking credit for his accomplishments is no small matter. If it were anyone else... we wouldn't accept this merit."

"But you and Haozi grew up together. Since this was your idea, Uncle doesn't worry about any problems."

"You're sharp and have been smart since you were little. You have more ideas than your dad, more than me."

Su Yu said softly, "Uncle Chen, this won't be a problem. I'm just worried if adding extra points to help Haozi get into the War Academy... was the right thing to do."

Chen Qinghe sighed, then quickly shook his head. "I thought about this issue before, but then I reconsidered. I can't stop him. You know that kid's personality; he's stubborn. If he wants to go to the War Academy, even if he can't get into the Great Xia War College, he might go to a weaker one."

"Instead of letting him go to another War Academy, it's better to go to a better one. At least there will be more opportunities and better security."

Chen Qinghe looked at Su Yu and said seriously, "I've wanted to treat you to this meal for a long time. On one hand, it's to thank you, and on the other... it's a request! You're definitely going to the Great Xia Prefecture. Even if it's not the same academy as Haozi, Uncle believes that once you reach the Great Xia Prefecture, you'll go further and fare better than Haozi..."

"On the battlefield, you'd be the commander, and Haozi would be cannon fodder charging ahead. Uncle wants to ask you to look after him a bit."

Su Yu quickly said, "Uncle Chen, don't worry. Of course, I will. Haozi and I have known each other for so many years."

Chen Qinghe waved his hand slightly and sighed again. "Once or twice is fine, but after a long time, even the best relationship won't last. So, it ultimately depends on Haozi himself. If he's incapable, let him return to Nanyuan after graduation. Nanyuan is actually quite good."

"If he has some ability and can make a name for himself in the Great Xia Prefecture, and doesn't become a burden to you then, he can be your follower..."

"Uncle Chen, these words are too..." Su Yu was about to speak when Chen Qinghe interrupted, "He's only fit to be a follower, and it depends on who he follows. This brat is a bit reckless. If he really follows someone else, he might become cannon fodder one day without even knowing how he died."

"It's not like home out there. The Myriad Races eat people, and people eat people too."

Chen Qinghe's tone was bleak. "Ah Yu, Uncle can only entrust him to you. You're the same age, and Uncle trusts your judgment, but Haozi really isn't capable. I've wanted to teach him over the years, but I can't. It's useless even if I try."

Su Yu had nothing more to say and could only nod.

At this moment, Chen Hao also came over with the teacups. Seeing them, he laughed and said, "Dad, what are you guys talking about?"

Chen Qinghe glanced at him and said irritably, "Talking about how stupid you are and when you'll finally grow up!"

Chen Hao looked dejected and fell silent.

"If you were a girl, that would be great! I'd directly tell Su Long to betroth you to Ah Yu. But you're a big, burly boy, and you've grown so tall for nothing!"

Chen Hao bared his teeth, and Su Yu shivered.

Imagine Chen Hao as a girl... Never mind, don't think about it. It's too terrifying.

After chatting for a while, Chen Hao's mother had finished cooking, and the dishes were served. The three of them moved to the dining room together.

It wasn't the first time Su Yu had eaten at the Chen family's house, so he wasn't feeling awkward.

He hadn't eaten a decent meal in days, so Su Yu ate quite a bit this time.

After dinner, they chatted for a while longer, and Su Yu decided it was time to head home.

When they got outside, Chen Qinghe, who had a box in his hand at some point, took Su Yu's hand and slipped it into his palm. He said softly, "Take this. This isn't a thank you gift for what happened earlier. For that, let Haozi thank you himself later..."

"This is a thank you gift from Uncle for asking you to look after him. I say I don't care, but in my heart, I'm truly afraid... afraid that one day he'll be gone."

"Ah Yu, please!"

Su Yu didn't know how he felt. Chen Qinghe was, after all, a deputy director in the Supervisory Department, a cultivator in the Qianjun Ninefold Realm, and was even about to be promoted to director.

Yet now, for his son, he was more polite to Su Yu than before, even somewhat subservient.

Su Yu was only in the Kaiyuan Realm, and he attended the Civilization Academy. Su Yu didn't quite understand why Chen Qinghe trusted him so much.

Chen Qinghe pressed the box into his hand, and Su Yu thought about it before not refusing. He'd keep it for now.

Su Yu quickly left the Chen family.

As soon as he left, Chen Hao couldn't help but say, "Dad, why were you so polite to Ah Yu today? It felt awkward."

"What do you know!"

Chen Qinghe couldn't be bothered to deal with him. Chen Hao said unhappily, "What do you mean I don't know! Ah Yu and I have known each other for so many years. You don't need to say it, our relationship is solid."

"Looking after you once or twice is friendship. Three or four times is a favor. Any more than that is ingratitude!"

Chen Qinghe said with a cold face, "With your personality, you'll cause trouble sooner or later! If it happens too many times, Su Yu isn't your father. Why should he keep looking after you? When the friendship runs out, will you shamelessly cling to him?"

"Dad, don't you trust me too much?"

"Yes."

Chen Qinghe answered crisply, then added, "If you really go to Great Xia Prefecture, don't cause trouble for me. Just focus on cultivating! As for Su Yu, don't bother him unless you have to. If you can't solve a problem, then go ask for his help."

"Ah Yu is going as a student, just like me. He's not going to be some high official..."

"You!"

Chen Qinghe sighed, "Can it be the same? Not to mention he's naturally smarter than you, but who is Liu Wenyan? He's a Civilization Master in the Soaring Realm, with extensive connections at Daxia Civilization Academy. He has high expectations for Su Yu. Su Yu's situation there will be different from yours."

"And that Bai Feng who came last time, I inquired about him. He's an assistant researcher and seems to be on the verge of breaking through to the seventh level of the Soaring Realm!"

"When he left last time, he asked Su Yu to look for him at the academy... The Commander Zhang of the City Guard was present then. What does that represent? It means they think highly of Su Yu. You, on the other hand... why didn't you seize that opportunity!"

"With Liu Wenyan's connections at Daxia Civilization Academy, and Bai Feng looking out for him, plus his own intelligence, in a few years, you'll still be a grunt, while he might already be someone of importance in Great Xia Prefecture!"

"Also, that guy Su Long, he's at the ninth level of the Qianjun Realm, true, but he comes from the Demon Suppression Army, unlike your father and me."

Chen Qinghe lamented, "What is the Demon Suppression Army? It was the grand army commanded by Lord Xia himself back then! Many of the current commanders in the Dragon Martial Guard originated from the Demon Suppression Army!"

"Su Long isn't a big shot in the Demon Suppression Army, but coming from a military unit, he has old comrades!"

"A large portion of the high-ranking officials in the Dragon Martial Guard and the Prefecture Army came from the Demon Suppression Army. As long as Su Yu isn't foolish, he can leverage this connection. These two major forces will be his backing!"

Chen Hao shook his head, "This works? Dad, Uncle Su is in the Qianjun Realm, and he knows those important people?"

"It's not about knowing them or not!"

Chen Qinghe said irritably, "You don't understand the military. If Su Yu genuinely needs help and goes to them, mentioning his father was from the Demon Suppression Army, and a returning veteran at that, the military will naturally feel three parts more goodwill. The military is very protective of its own. At the very least, they won't let Su Yu be bullied by anyone."

"It won't bring him immense benefits, but in Great Xia Prefecture, ordinary people won't dare to bully Su Yu. There have even been instances where Lord Xia personally intervened when major trouble arose."

Chen Qinghe didn't say more. These things had happened before.

Xia Longwu was a battle-hardened God of War who valued camaraderie.

Especially those veterans who fought alongside him on the battlefield twenty years ago, many of them were now high-ranking generals in the Dragon Martial Guard and the Prefecture Army.

It was a pity for Su Long. If he hadn't retired and returned, and if he were still alive, his status would probably be quite high now.

The Qianjun Realm was still too weak. If Su Long were in the Wanshi Realm, he probably would have joined the Dragon Martial Guard back then.

Compared to Su Yu, his own son was truly alone and helpless going to Great Xia Prefecture.

He wasn't like Su Long. He was a prominent figure in Nanyuan, but in Great Xia Prefecture... who would recognize him, Chen Qinghe?

Chen Hao felt a headache coming on and stopped thinking about it. He muttered that Uncle Su was truly amazing... and then returned to his room.

Chen Qinghe didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He could probably guess what his son was thinking now.

Why isn't my dad from the Demon Suppression Army?

This was probably what the kid was thinking right now!

Su Family.

Returning home, Su Yu opened the box that Chen Qinghe had given him.

As he opened it, Su Yu's expression changed.

The box was not small, and it contained more than just one item.

Inside the box were several small bottles, plus a piece of bone.

A complete bone fragment!

"This... this is... an original Myriad Races cultivation technique?"

Su Yu was a little surprised. As for the bottles, he saw three of them. He opened one and took a look. It was Qi Liquid!

One drop per bottle!

3 drops of Qi Liquid!

"What a generous gift!"

Su Yu clicked his tongue!

3 drops of Qi Liquid were worth 300,000 in market price.

But that wasn't the main point; it was the original Myriad Races cultivation technique.

Even if it was just an original Qianjun Realm cultivation technique, its value was astonishing.

Last time, Bai Feng had given Su Yu a fragment, which was only a third of the original, and even that was considered a treasure. Liu Yue had been envious when she saw it.

This kind of item couldn't be bought with money; it required merit points.

Su Yu wasn't a complete novice anymore.

Nanyuan Middle Academy did not exchange original cultivation techniques. However, one could exchange for them at Great Xia Prefecture.

An original Qianjun Realm cultivation technique, regardless of whether it was a cultivation method or a martial skill, or which race it belonged to, the most basic one started at 30 merit points!

If it were an original cultivation technique from powerful races like the Divine or Demon races, its value would be even higher, much higher!

At least 30 merit points and above!

"This..."

Su Yu felt that Chen Qinghe wouldn't be stingy this time, but he didn't expect it to be a matter of generosity. He suspected that Chen Qinghe had used all the merit points he had accumulated over the years to exchange for this original cultivation technique!

"This is..."

Su Yu really didn't know what to say.

300,000. Chen Qinghe, as the head of the Supervisory Department, definitely earned more than his father, but it was difficult for him to casually produce 300,000.

Merit Points. Based on their annual benefits, Chen Qinghe could only get about 5-10 points per year.

Su Yu didn't know how many merit points he had spent, but this single box was probably Chen Qinghe's entire savings for six or seven years!

Including his salary, benefits, and merit points, he had poured everything into it!

"Uncle Chen thinks too highly of me!"

Su Yu gave a wry smile. He understood that this was an investment, not by Chen Qinghe himself, but for Chen Hao.

The hope was that if Su Yu did well in Great Xia Prefecture, he would be able to look after Chen Hao.

The crucial point was that he had truly made a significant sacrifice.

Chen Qinghe didn't know that Bai Feng had already taken him as a student, nor that he had already reached the seventh level of Kaiyuan. Based on some previous incidents, he was giving him such a valuable item. Wasn't he afraid it would all be in vain?

"Sigh!"

Su Yu sighed slightly. It was all for the sake of the child. Haozi probably didn't know about this. If he did, he would probably come to snatch the item.

Su Yu knew that Uncle Chen wouldn't accept it if he tried to return it.

After thinking about it, he decided not to return it.

Since Chen Qinghe had exchanged for this original cultivation technique, and he himself couldn't use it or read it, it was clear that he intended to give it to Su Yu. Moreover, he had probably inquired about many things beforehand.

As for the 3 drops of Qi Liquid, Su Yu considered that he might not need so much.

He still had half a drop on him, and he had already accounted for the 3 drops during the assessment.

Qi Liquid was of great help in the Kaiyuan Realm, and it was also useful in the Qianjun and Wanshi Realms, but its effect wouldn't be as good as it was now.

Su Yu was currently at the seventh level of Kaiyuan and probably wouldn't use that much.

"When Haozi comes to cultivate, I'll give it to him."

"After Dad left home, my savings have actually been increasing."

Su Yu couldn't help but laugh and cry. When his father left, he had left over 300,000. Su Yu had thought he would go bankrupt quickly when he bought the essence blood.

Now, his family's fortune had actually grown.

300,000 worth of Anping Coins and gold coins, 3.5 drops of Qi Liquid, one complete Qianjun original technique, one incomplete one, one copy of the Kaiyuan Jue, two drops of essence blood, and 13 merit points.

The merit points included the one he earned today. The remaining two points were earned a few days ago by assisting the Jifeng Hall in apprehending Ten Thousand Races Cult members.

Calculating it this way, Su Yu realized he was quite wealthy now.

"I'm rich, time to reward my little brother 'Blood'!"

Su Yu smiled. The two drops of essence blood he had captured last time were not from the Iron Winged Bird, and he hadn't used them randomly. Instead, he had saved them for the "Blood" divine script to absorb.

Although the divine script didn't absorb much each time, it would eventually grow if it absorbed slowly.

"In the coming period, I'll kill a mid-stage Qianjun expert as my graduation assessment, and also break through to the eighth level of Kaiyuan!"

"In terms of willpower, I'll strive to reach 20% fullness soon!"

Su Yu set his goals. These were his objectives before participating in the higher academy assessment.

At this moment, there were less than 24 days until the assessment.

With three goals, he believed he could achieve them all!