My Mind Is Made Up!

"Knock, knock, knock!"

Su Yu was talking with Chen Hao when someone knocked on the door.

"Who is it?"

"Is Student Su Yu home?"

Su Yu was somewhat puzzled. He stood up and walked to the door, casually taking his blade with him. Without approaching the door, he asked again, "Who is it?"

Beside him, Chen Hao stared at him waiting by the door with a blade, rather dumbfounded. Was that really necessary?

"Your father's comrade-in-arms!"

Outside, Old Xie laughed. "You're quite vigilant, kid. I'm a Soaring Realm cultivator. That blade of yours won't do you any good."

Su Yu felt a little awkward and had nothing to say.

The man had actually sensed it directly. Even if he was not in the Soaring Realm, he was far stronger than Su Yu.

Su Yu put down his blade and opened the door.

Two people stood outside. Old Xie was in front, while the other looked vaguely familiar to Su Yu. After a while, he finally recognized him and hurriedly said, "Uncle Qian, you're here."

The middle-aged man called Uncle Qian smiled and nodded. "A-Yu, it has been nearly a year since we last met."

"Come in, Uncle Qian!"

Su Yu immediately welcomed him in. This was his father's friend, though Su Yu had not had much contact with him.

He was also one of his father's old comrades, though they had not served in the same batch. He had merely been a soldier in the Demon Suppression Army.

Su Yu had forgotten what exactly he did in Nanyuan. He was probably some minor leader in a certain organization.

Old Xie walked right in and laughed heartily. "Not bad, kid! You've got good vigilance! Just like those of us who served in the army. Worthy of being military family! Looks like your father taught you well, both by word and example. You haven't disgraced the military!"

Su Yu smiled without speaking, then looked curiously at Uncle Qian. Who was this man?

Uncle Qian coughed lightly and introduced him. "A-Yu, this is Lord Xie from the Dragon Martial Guard."

"Don't be so formal. I'm only a few years older than you. Just call me Uncle Xie!"

Old Xie spoke to Su Yu, then wandered around the room as if it were his own home. Looking at Chen Hao, he laughed. "This is your friend... Chen Hao?"

Chen Hao looked completely lost. He did not know the man, but hearing that he was from the Dragon Martial Guard, he said excitedly, "I'm Chen Hao. Mister, you're with the Dragon Martial Guard?"

"That's right. I was in the Demon Suppression Army back then too, and later joined the Dragon Martial Guard. Dragon Martial and Demon Suppression are one family. We're all family!"

Old Xie laughed loudly, lacking any of a soldier's usual sternness.

"Su Yu, aren't you going to invite us to sit?"

Only then did Su Yu snap out of his daze. He hurriedly invited the two to sit, then kicked Chen Hao. "Go make some tea!"

"A-Yu, there isn't any tea in your house!"

"..."

Su Yu cursed inwardly. Couldn't he just muddle through it and bring out some plain boiled water?

Old Xie chuckled. "It's fine. We don't need tea."

As he spoke, he waved Su Yu over. "Sit down and chat. It's your own home, so don't be polite or restrained. We're all family here."

Su Yu sat down, still somewhat confused.

His father was not home, yet these people had come to visit him... Why did this feel a little off?

"Oh, looking through the admissions process?"

Old Xie suddenly noticed the form on the table and smiled. "Where are you two planning to apply? We're all family. Are you planning to go to the Dragon Martial Academy? Makes sense. Once you're at the Dragon Martial Academy, you'll have family there to look after you."

Standing to the side, Chen Hao said awkwardly, "I might not get in."

"Who said that?"

Old Xie laughed. "Of course it's hard for outsiders to get into the Dragon Martial Academy, but for family, isn't it as easy as turning over a hand? Little Chen, you have thirty bonus points, right? You're at Kaiyuan Fifth Stage, so getting into the Dragon Martial Academy will be easy. I said so—you've been admitted!"

"..."

Chen Hao looked utterly confused. He had been admitted?

What was going on?

Mister, were you here to tease them?

At that moment, Su Yu seemed to understand. He could not help laughing bitterly as he coughed lightly. "Uncle Xie is... from the Dragon Martial Academy?"

"Oh, you figured that out too?"

Old Xie smiled. "That's right. I'm currently a training instructor at the Dragon Martial Academy. I'm also one of the proctors for your Nanyuan assessment this time, so if I say you can get in, then you can definitely get in!"

"We're all family. You're the descendants of Demon Suppression Army brothers. How could I not look after you?"

Chen Hao desperately wanted to say that his father had not been in the Demon Suppression Army!

Su Yu did not give him the chance. With a light smile, he said, "Then I'll thank you on Chen Hao's behalf, Uncle Xie!"

After saying that, he looked at Chen Hao. "Haozi, if you don't get into the Great Xia War College, then go to the Dragon Martial Academy. Uncle Xie knows the place well, and you'll have someone there to look after you."

"..."

Old Xie chuckled but said nothing. Interesting.

This kid was even trying to set him up.

Still, with Chen Hao's grades, barring any accident, getting into the Dragon Martial Academy should not be much of a problem.

He said nothing more. Only after Su Yu finished did he say, "Aren't you two brothers going together? Once you get to the academy, you can look after each other. In an unfamiliar place, having someone by your side means you won't be lonely."

"The strong can endure loneliness."

Su Yu said that, then smiled. "Uncle Xie, to be honest, I mainly cultivate the path of civilization. I've looked into the Dragon Martial Academy before. It seems you have courses for Civilization Masters, but..."

He did not finish, but Old Xie understood.

Hearing this, Old Xie could not help smiling. "That was before. This year is different! Since Liu Wenyan is your teacher, you should know what a researcher's rank means. Of course, that's the Civilization Academy's classification, but you can roughly understand it as strength."

"This time, more than ten mid-level researchers and several senior researchers from the Dragon Martial Guard will return. With the fighting on the Battlefields of the Heavens easing, these people will all teach at the academy! And our academy has very, very few Civilization Master students. It can be said that for every ten students, there is one official researcher guiding them!"

"As for the Daxia Civilization Academy, I admit that they are very strong in that respect. But they also have many students—graduates, current students, retirees—altogether tens of thousands of people below the Soaring Realm!"

Old Xie said seriously, "Their academy has fewer than three hundred researchers still teaching, with each one responsible for an average of a hundred students! Su Yu, do you really think you can learn much at the Civilization Academy? The competition there is immense, with people deceiving and scheming against one another. Especially now that they are about to establish the Myriad Races Training Institute—the place is a tangled mess!"

"After you go there, you might not see a single official researcher for years. And even if you do, they may not pay you any attention."

"It would be different at the Dragon Martial Academy. You're from a military family, so they would naturally feel closer to you. You're talented too. Once you're there, a senior researcher might even personally take you under their wing. That is a completely different level of treatment!"

Old Xie spoke sincerely and sighed. "I think highly of you too, because I believe that the descendants of soldiers are the finest..."

Su Yu did not know whether to laugh or cry. If he said that out loud, there were millions of soldiers in Great Xia Prefecture, with even more descendants. It was as good as saying nothing.

"Uncle Xie, I'll think it over some more."

"Don't think it over. Just come directly. Why take any assessment at all? I'll specially recruit you!"

Old Xie spoke with great magnanimity. "There's no need for that assessment stuff. We're family, so just come in directly. Special recruits receive additional rewards after entering the academy—one hundred Merit Points straight away. If you go to the Civilization Academy, you won't earn that in years!"

"Without Merit Points, you'll just be an errand boy at the Civilization Academy. After running errands for years, you'll be older and past the golden period for cultivation. By then, you'll be finished."

At those words, Chen Hao's eyes lit up. He hurriedly asked, "Do I get that too?"

"..."

Old Xie really wanted to tell him to have some self-awareness.

But the words reached his lips and were swallowed back. He smiled. "If Su Yu goes to the Dragon Martial Academy, how about I give you a Mid Yellow Tier war blade?"

Chen Hao's mouth fell open. More than a hundred thousand!

Was the Dragon Martial Academy really that rich?

The next moment, Chen Hao came to his senses and looked disappointed. He was not stupid—Su Yu had to go for him to get it, and Su Yu definitely would not go. He was already at Kaiyuan Eighth Stage. Who would go to the Dragon Martial Academy?

Wouldn't the Great Xia War College be far more appealing?

Although the Dragon Martial Academy had risen rapidly, it had been established too recently. It still could not compare with the Great Xia War College's deep foundations. To say nothing else, the Great Xia War College had far more Shanhai Realm experts than the Dragon Martial Academy.

Seeing that Su Yu remained unmoved, Old Xie stopped beating around the bush and said directly, "Su Yu, think it over carefully! One hundred Merit Points, ten drops of Qi Liquid, and one chance to enter a secret realm—this is the highest treatment offered by the Dragon Martial Academy, or even all academies in Great Xia Prefecture!"

"Even some geniuses at Kaiyuan Ninth Stage who have fully outlined a divine character cannot receive such treatment. Only with special academy approval can some people enjoy these benefits."

"Every academy is the same. Even if you tell the Civilization Academy that you've outlined a divine character, your Willpower is still too weak. I'm afraid they won't give you such a starting opportunity!"

Old Xie said seriously, "Within the scope of my authority, I have fought to secure the greatest benefits and best treatment for you! And I wasn't lying when I said the Civilization Academy is in chaos. You can ask your teacher what the Civilization Academy is really like right now."

Su Yu nodded. "Thank you for your concern, Uncle Xie. I'll think it through."

"Think carefully. If you come to us, you'll also have a chance to visit your father. The Demon Suppression Army rotates its posts. Once your father withdraws from the front line, you'll be able to see him whenever you have the chance. Other places can't offer that..."

Those words struck Su Yu where it hurt.

Su Yu fell silent for a while, then said again, "I'll think it over carefully!"

"Then I won't disturb you any longer!"

Seeing that Su Yu was still not moved, Old Xie felt somewhat disappointed. But he had already said everything that needed to be said. There was no point in continuing to pester him.

Old Xie left. Uncle Qian had come with him merely to prove his identity, so Su Yu did not need to think too much about it.

After they left, Chen Hao looked envious. "A-Yu, did they come specially to recruit you in advance?"

"Yes."

"Is this what it's like to be a top student?"

Chen Hao looked miserable. They were so pitiful—they still had to worry about whether they could pass the assessment, while someone else had already been specially recruited. The offered treatment made him want to rob someone, yet Su Yu still would not agree.

Su Yu smiled and said, "Great Xia Prefecture doesn't lack geniuses. The Dragon Martial Academy came looking for me... probably because of something else."

It was not simply because he knew many Myriad Races Languages, nor because he was at Kaiyuan Eighth Stage. There would be no shortage of people like that at the Dragon Martial Academy.

The key was that he had assisted Jifeng Hall in killing a Ten Thousand Stones cultivator. They had probably guessed that he had completed the outlining of his divine character.

Captain Liu had said it would not be leaked, but it was not surprising for the military to know.

The Dragon Martial Guard was the true representative of Great Xia Prefecture's military.

"Dragon Martial Guard..."

Su Yu murmured inwardly, feeling emotional. In the past, his greatest wish had been to enter the Dragon Martial Guard. His father's wish had been the same.

But today, a Soaring Realm cultivator from the Dragon Martial Guard had come to recruit him. Xia Bing had mentioned this before as well.

Sure enough, everything had to be fought for with one's own hands.

If he were still at Kaiyuan Three Stages as before, no one would have come to recruit him.

Su Yu did not think there was anything wrong with that. If you had no value, why should anyone regard you more highly?

Being from a military family was merely a stepping stone.

It naturally gave one a little more affinity. To expect to accomplish anything solely through that identity was the dream of a fool. Great Xia Prefecture lacked nothing less than descendants of military families.

But once you had value, that identity became very useful.

With two geniuses of the same realm and equal talent, if one was like Su Yu—a descendant of the Demon Suppression Army—and the other was not, the Dragon Martial Guard might not even bother with the other person. But they would certainly view Su Yu differently.

That was the natural sense of belonging that came with one's identity.

Su Yu understood all that clearly. But at this moment, he was not thinking about it. He was thinking about whether he could fight for more resources after entering the Civilization Academy.

His teacher had told him to perform well, but to keep something up his sleeve.

Keeping something up his sleeve... did keeping the illustrated book hidden count as a powerful trump card?

He could unleash killing power at the Qianjun Seventh Level. Did that count as keeping something up his sleeve?

He had mastered two divine characters. If he used only one, did that count as keeping something up his sleeve?

By that measure, he had actually hidden quite a few cards!

"The better you perform, the better the treatment. There is no love in this world without cause. If you're mud that cannot be plastered onto a wall, no one will think highly of you. Only by showing your excellence will people take the initiative to draw you in."

Su Yu thought about many things. After coming back to himself, he looked at Chen Hao. "Haozi, what do you think?"

"About what?"

"Great Xia War College or Dragon Martial War College?"

"I... don't know!" Chen Hao said blankly. "Whichever one I get into is fine. Both are good. I'm still afraid I won't get into either."

"More or less. If you go to the Great Xia War College, their lowered-standard assessment should not be a problem for you. But once you're there, you'll be at the bottom of the class. Maybe not the weakest, but still someone dragging everyone down."

"If you go to the Dragon Martial Academy, though, and perform a little better, you'll at least be an average student."

Su Yu said seriously, "But the Great Xia War College has greater potential because its foundations are deep. King Daxia established it back then, and it has many experts."

"Of course, the Dragon Martial Academy has its advantages too. It is backed by the Prefecture Lord and the Dragon Martial Guard, and it has developed at an astonishing pace these past dozen years."

Chen Hao looked aggrieved. "Stop analyzing it. Your analysis is giving me a headache, and now I have even less idea how to choose. A-Yu, where do you think I should go?"

"Each has its own merits... Go to the Dragon Martial Academy!"

"Huh? Didn't you say the Great Xia War College was better?"

Su Yu snapped, "You're too stupid! The Dragon Martial Academy has a better atmosphere. It's run by the military, so it's fairer and more just! It hasn't existed long, so the internal factions aren't obvious, and the academy's resources are distributed more fairly. The Great Xia War College has many people, and some families have passed down their legacy within the academy for generations. If a guy with no backing like you goes there without standing out, unless you become someone's lackey, people will just think you're too stupid to bother with!"

Chen Hao looked even more aggrieved. Was he really that stupid?

"Then I'll go to the Dragon Martial Academy?"

"Yes!"

Su Yu said seriously, "I recommend the Dragon Martial Academy. It will suit you better! If you had connections, talent, and intelligence, then I would recommend the Great Xia War College. It could take you farther. But you don't... so go to Dragon Martial!"

"Listening to you, it sounds like I'm completely useless. A-Yu, don't I have any strengths at all?"

"You do!" Su Yu said seriously. "Go downstairs and run an errand for me. Buy something tasty and bring it up. That's one of your strengths."

Chen Hao looked despairing. This was bullying!

Su Yu laughed and teased, "Just kidding. You do have strengths. Once you get to the Dragon Martial Academy, don't worry too much. Whether you keep a high profile or low profile is fine. The only thing you need to do is... be straightforward!"

"What?"

"Don't change. Just stay true to yourself! Military people like that."

Su Yu smiled. "My dad likes you a lot—not because you're handsome, but because you're stupid. Don't be too stupid, but just make people think you're stupid. Be a little honest and simple. Once you get there, be obedient. Just listen to the academy instructors."

Chen Hao could not understand some of it, but he understood other parts. He nodded solemnly. "I understand! A-Yu, what about you?"

"I'm going to the Civilization Academy, the Daxia Civilization Academy!"

"Huh?"

Chen Hao was somewhat surprised. "Didn't you say a few days ago that you didn't want to go..."

"I was just saying it casually." Su Yu smiled lightly. "That place... is the center of Great Xia's Civilization Masters! The myriad races gather there, and heaven's favored elites converge there. If all I sought was stability and peace, then I should not go."

"But I... want to go farther!"

Su Yu murmured, "I'm a genius too! Bai Feng said I wasn't, and my teacher said I fell a little short, but in truth, I am a genius! One of this generation's proud sons of heaven! If I weren't, why would the Dragon Martial Academy come recruit me?"

"They're afraid I'll become arrogant, but I won't. I know exactly how much I weigh. I won't overestimate myself, nor will I underestimate myself."

"Haozi, before a Civilization Master can materialize, their body is frail and weak. It is dangerous to travel outside. When the time comes, I may need you to block blades for me. Cultivate well, and maybe one day, we brothers can take a trip together to the Battlefields of the Heavens!"

"My body was frail..."

Chen Hao looked at him, then at himself.

"You were at the eighth level, while I was at the fifth!"

"Yes, you were frail. You weren't as tall as me, nor as sturdily built—but you alone could beat ten of me!"

"How... were you weak?"

Chen Hao wore a mournful expression. He could not even beat someone applying to the Civilization Academy; his mentality was about to collapse.

"A-Yu... you said you'd manifested it. Would I still be at the Body Opening Realm?"

Chen Hao felt like crying. He was too weak.

"No. The Thousand Jun Realm comes quickly. At most, it'll take a year. Within a year... I probably won't have much hope of manifesting it."

Su Yu smiled and comforted him, then added, "Within a year, I'll at most reach the eighth or ninth level of Thousand Jun. At the absolute limit, Ten Thousand Stones. Don't worry!"

"..."

Forget it. Chen Hao did not want to talk to him anymore.

Su Yu laughed again and took a deep breath. Great Xia Prefecture was a place where winds and clouds surged and rose, but none of that had anything to do with him.

Right now, he ought to make a name for himself in the higher examinations, let his blade show for the first time, and step onto that stage!

He did not want to be some nameless passerby!

"Keep something up my sleeve... I'm a genius too!"

Su Yu muttered to himself. Teacher, don't worry. I won't get arrogant. My goal lies far beyond this.

The atlas in his mind was still waiting for him to unlock it. How could he unlock it without killing a few Gods and Devils?

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