My Mind is Made Up!

"Knock, knock, knock!"

As Su Yu was talking with Chen Hao, there was a knock on the door.

"Who is it?"

"Is Su Yu at home?"

Su Yu was a little confused. He stood up and walked to the door, putting his saber back on as he did. He didn't get too close to the door and asked again, "Who is it?"

Beside him, Chen Hao watched him wait at the door with his saber drawn and was a bit astonished. Was he being that dramatic?

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

Outside the door, Old Xie chuckled, "You're quite vigilant, young man. I'm at the Soaring Realm. Your saber is useless."

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

The other person had actually sensed him directly. This strength was far superior to his own, even if they weren't at the Soaring Realm.

He put down his saber and opened the door.

Two people stood outside. The one in front was Old Xie. Su Yu found the other one somewhat familiar. After a moment, he recognized him and quickly said, "Uncle Qian is here."

The middle-aged man called Uncle Qian smiled and nodded, "Ah Yu, it's been almost a year since we last met."

"Uncle Qian, please come in!"

Su Yu immediately invited them in. This was his father's friend, though he hadn't interacted with him much.

He was also an old comrade-in-arms of his father, though not from the same batch. He had only served in the Demon Suppression Army.

Su Yu had forgotten what he did in Nan Yuan, but he was probably a minor leader in some organization.

Old Xie walked straight in, laughing heartily, "Young man, your vigilance is good! Just like us who served in the army. You truly are a child of the military! Your father must have taught you a lot, he hasn't disgraced the military!"

Su Yu smiled and didn't say anything. He looked at Uncle Qian curiously, wondering who this was.

Uncle Qian cleared his throat and introduced, "Ah Yu, this is Lord Xie from the Dragon Martial Guard."

"Don't be so formal. I'm just a few years older, you can call me Uncle Xie!"

Old Xie spoke to Su Yu and, acting like an old friend, wandered around the room. He looked at Chen Hao and chuckled, "Is this your friend... Chen Hao?"

Chen Hao looked bewildered. He didn't recognize the man, but upon hearing he was from the Dragon Martial Guard, he became a little excited. "I'm Chen Hao. Uncle, are you from the Dragon Martial Guard?"

"Yes, I was in the Demon Suppression Army back then too. Later, I went to the Dragon Martial Guard. Dragon Martial and Demon Suppression are inseparable; we're all family!"

Old Xie laughed heartily, showing none of the sternness of a soldier.

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

Su Yu finally snapped out of his daze and quickly invited them to sit. He kicked Chen Hao, "Go pour some tea!"

"Ah Yu, you don't have any tea leaves at home!"

"..."

Su Yu cursed inwardly. Couldn't you just pretend and pour some plain water?

Old Xie chuckled, "It's fine, I don't need tea!"

As he spoke, he beckoned Su Yu, "Sit down and chat. This is your home, don't be polite, don't be reserved. We're all family."

Su Yu sat down, still feeling a bit confused.

His father wasn't home, and these people came to visit him... it felt a little strange.

"Oh, looking at the enrollment process?"

Old Xie suddenly noticed the process 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? That's right, if you go to the Dragon Martial Academy, you'll be family, and it'll be easier to help each other if anything comes up."

Chen Hao stood by the side, looking sheepish. "I might not get in."

"Who says?"

Old Xie smiled, "Of course, it's hard for outsiders to get into the Dragon Martial Academy. But for family, it's simple! Xiao Chen, you have a 30-point bonus, right? I see you're at the Kaiyuan Fifth Level. The Dragon Martial Academy will be easy for you. I'm telling you, you're accepted!"

"..."

Chen Hao looked bewildered. He was accepted?

What was going on?

Uncle, are you kidding us?

At this moment, Su Yu seemed to understand and couldn't help but feel amused. He coughed lightly and said, "Uncle Xie is... from the Dragon Martial Academy?"

"Oh, you know that too?"

Old Xie smiled, "Yes, I'm currently a training instructor at the Dragon Martial Academy. I'm also one of the invigilators for your Nan Yuan assessment this time. So, if I say you can get in, you definitely can!"

"We're all family, descendants of Demon Suppression Army brothers. How could I not take care of you?"

Chen Hao really wanted to say that his father wasn't from the Demon Suppression Army!

Su Yu didn't give him a chance to speak and said with a light smile, "Uncle Xie, then I'll thank you on behalf of Chen Hao!"

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

"..."

Old Xie chuckled, saying nothing. Interesting.

He's even trying to use his usual tactics on me now.

But with Chen Hao's grades, if nothing unexpected happens, getting into the Dragon Martial Academy shouldn't be a problem.

He didn't say anything, and only spoke after Chen Hao finished. "Aren't you two brothers going together? Once you get to the academy, you can look out for each other. It's a new place, and you won't be alone if you have each other."

"The strong can endure loneliness."

Su Yu said, then smiled. "Uncle Xie, to be honest, I'm mainly cultivating the Way of Civilization. I've paid attention to and learned about the Dragon Martial Academy. It seems they have courses for Civilization Masters, but..."

He didn't finish, but Old Xie understood.

Hearing this, he couldn't help but laugh. "That was before. This year is different! Since you have Liu Wenyan as your teacher, you should know what the Researcher level means. Of course, that's the classification for the Civilization Academy, but you can generally understand it as strength."

"This time, over ten mid-level researchers and several high-level researchers from the Dragon Martial Guard will be returning. With the decrease in fighting on the Battlefields of the Heavens, these individuals will be teaching at the academy! And in our academy, there are very, very few Civilization Master students. You could say that for every ten students, there's one formal researcher guiding them!"

"As for the Daxia Civilization Academy, I admit they are very strong in this regard, but they also have many students. Those who have graduated, are graduating, or are retired, total tens of thousands, yet none of them have reached the Soaring Realm!"

Old Xie said seriously, "The researchers still teaching at their academy are less than 300. On average, each is responsible for a hundred students! Su Yu, do you really think you can learn anything at the Civilization Academy? The competitive pressure there is immense, filled with deceit and treachery. Especially with the upcoming opening of the Myriad Races Training Institute, it's become a complete mess!"

"If you go there, you might not see a single formal researcher for years, and even if you do, they won't pay attention to you."

"It's different at the Dragon Martial Academy. You're a child of the military, so you already have a closer connection, and your talent is good. Once you're there, you might even have a high-level researcher specifically mentor you. This is a completely different level of treatment!"

Old Xie spoke sincerely, sighing, "I have high hopes for you too, because I believe that the descendants of soldiers are the most outstanding..."

Su Yu was speechless, a mix of amusement and exasperation. If you say that to everyone, with millions of people in the Great Xia Prefecture's army and even more descendants, it's like saying nothing at all.

"Uncle Xie, I'll consider it."

"No need to consider it, just come directly. Why bother with an assessment? I'll recruit you specially!"

Old Xie said grandly, "There's no need for assessments. We're family. Just come in, and special recruits get additional rewards upon entering the academy. You'll get 100 merit points directly. If you go to the Civilization Academy, you won't earn that in years!"

"Without merit points, you're just a handyman at the Civilization Academy. After a few years of doing odd jobs, you'll be too old, past the prime time for cultivation, and then you'll be finished."

As soon as he said this, Chen Hao's eyes lit up, and he quickly asked, "Do I get some too?"

"..."

Old Xie really wanted to say, Do you have any self-awareness?

But he swallowed the words and said with a smile, "If Su Yu goes to the Dragon Martial Academy, how about I give you a mid-grade Yellow-tier saber?"

Chen Hao's mouth fell open. That's over a hundred thousand!

Is the Dragon Martial Academy that wealthy?

The next moment, Chen Hao sobered up, feeling a bit disappointed. I'm not stupid. He only wants Yu to go. Yu definitely won't go. He's already at the eighth level of Kaiyuan, who would go to the Dragon Martial Academy?

Wouldn't it be better for him to go to the Great Xia War College?

Although the Dragon Martial Academy has risen rapidly, it was established too recently and still can't compare to the deep foundation of the Great Xia War College. If nothing else, the Great Xia War College has far more experts in the Shanhai Realm than the Dragon Martial Academy.

Seeing Su Yu unmoved, Old Xie stopped beating around the bush and said directly, "Su Yu, think about it carefully! 100 merit points, 10 drops of Qi Liquid, and one chance to enter a secret realm. This is the highest treatment offered by the Dragon Martial Academy, and even all academies in the Great Xia Prefecture!"

"Even some geniuses at the ninth level of Kaiyuan who have fully outlined Divine Script cannot receive such treatment. Only with special approval from the academy can some individuals enjoy such benefits."

"It's like this in any academy. If you go to the Civilization Academy, even if you've outlined Divine Script, your willpower is still too weak, and they probably won't give you such a starting opportunity!"

Old Xie said seriously, "Within my authority, I will fight for the greatest benefits and the best preferential treatment for you! And when I say the Civilization Academy is chaotic, it's not a lie. You can ask your teacher about the current situation at the Civilization Academy."

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

"Think about it carefully. If you come to us, you'll have the chance to see your father. The Demon Suppression Army rotates, and once your father is withdrawn from the front lines, you'll have opportunities to visit him at any time. That's not possible elsewhere..."

These words struck a chord with Su Yu.

Su Yu was silent for a while, then said again, "I will consider it carefully!"

"Then I won't disturb you further!"

Old Xie saw that he wasn't moved and felt a bit disappointed. However, having said all that, there was no point in pestering him further.

Old Xie left. Uncle Qian accompanied him just to prove his identity, so Su Yu didn't need to overthink it.

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

"Yeah."

"Can straight-A students get this kind of treatment?"

Chen Hao looked dejected. We're so miserable. We still have to worry about passing the assessment, while others are specially recruited and offered treatment that makes me want to rob them, and yet Su Yu still won't agree.

Su Yu smiled and said, "The Great Xia Prefecture isn't lacking in geniuses. The Dragon Martial Academy found me... probably for another reason."

It wasn't just because he knew a lot of Myriad Races languages, nor was it because he was at the eighth level of Kaiyuan. Those things wouldn't be uncommon at the Dragon Martial Academy.

The key was that he had assisted the Jifeng Hall in killing a Wanshi, and they could probably guess that he had completed his Divine Script outline.

Although Captain Liu said he wouldn't leak it, it wasn't surprising that the military knew.

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

"Dragon Martial Guard..."

Su Yu murmured in his heart, feeling a sense of emotion. In the past, his greatest wish was to join the Dragon Martial Guard, just like his father.

But today, the Dragon Martial Guard's Soaring Realm experts were recruiting him. Xia Bing had also mentioned this matter before.

Indeed, everything had to be fought for on his own.

If he were still at the third level of Kaiyuan, no one would have come to recruit him.

Su Yu didn't feel anything was wrong with this. If you don't have value, why would anyone look highly upon you?

The so-called military offspring were merely stepping stones.

They naturally possessed some affinity, but relying on this identity to achieve anything was a fool's dream. Great Xia Prefecture was never short of military offspring.

However, once you have value, this identity becomes very useful.

For the same genius, at the same realm, if someone had the same background as Su Yu, Su Yu being a Demon Suppression Army descendant and the other not, the Dragon Martial Guard might not even bother with the other person. But they would definitely look at Su Yu with a different perspective.

This was the inherent attribute of identity.

Su Yu understood these matters clearly. At this moment, he wasn't thinking about these things, but rather, if he went to Civilization Academy, could he secure more resources?

His teacher told him to perform well, but also to hold something back.

Holding something back... Did holding back the illustrated book count as holding back significantly?

He could unleash the killing power of the Qianjun Seventh Level. Did that count as holding back?

He had mastered two Divine Scripts. Did using one count as holding back?

Thinking about it this way, he had actually held back a lot!

"If you perform well, you'll get good treatment. There's no unearned love in this world. If you're useless, no one will think highly of you. Only by demonstrating excellence will people actively try to win you over."

Su Yu thought about many things. After regaining his clarity, he looked at Chen Hao and asked, "Haozi, what do you think?"

"What?"

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

"I... I don't know!" Chen Hao replied blankly. "Whichever one I get into, they're both good. I'm just afraid I won't get in."

"It's similar. If you go to Great Xia War College, they'll assess you at a lower level, and you should be fine. But if you go there, you'll be at the bottom. Not the weakest, but definitely a drag on the team."

"If you go to Dragon Martial College, and perform a bit better, you'll at least be an average student."

Su Yu said seriously, "But Great Xia War College has greater potential because their foundation is deep, established by King Daxia himself, with many strong individuals."

"Of course, Dragon Martial College also has its advantages. Backed by the Prefecture Lord and the Dragon Martial Guard, its development speed has been extremely rapid over the past decade."

Chen Hao looked wronged. "Stop analyzing, you're giving me a headache and making me even more unsure. Yu, where should I go?"

"Each has its own merits... You go to Dragon Martial College!"

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

Su Yu said exasperatedly, "You're too dumb! Dragon Martial College has a better atmosphere. The military is in charge, so it's fairer and more just! It was established recently, so internal factions are not obvious, and resource allocation within the college is more equitable. Great Xia War College has more people, and some families have been in the college for generations. If you, with no backing, go there and aren't outstanding, unless you become someone's subordinate, they'll find you too stupid!"

Chen Hao felt even more wronged. Was he that stupid?

"Then I'll go to Dragon Martial College?"

"Mm!"

Su Yu said seriously, "I suggest you go to Dragon Martial College. It will be better for you there! If you had background, talent, and intelligence, then I would suggest Great Xia War College, where you could go further. But you don't... so go to Dragon Martial!"

"After you put it like that, I sound useless. Yu, don't I have any strengths?"

"Yes!" Su Yu said seriously. "If you go down there and run errands for me, buy some good food and bring it up, that's a strength."

Chen Hao looked desperate. This was too much bullying!

Su Yu chuckled and teased, "Just kidding. You do have strengths. When you get to Dragon Martial College, don't worry too much. Be high-profile or low-profile, it doesn't matter. The only thing you need to do is... be straightforward!"

"What?"

"No need to change, just stay true to your original intentions! Military people like that."

Su Yu smiled. "My dad likes you a lot, not because you're handsome, but because you're a bit slow. Don't be too slow, but appear slow. Be honest and sincere. When you get there, be obedient, listen to the instructors at the college."

Chen Hao didn't understand some of what was said, but understood other parts. He nodded solemnly, "I understand! Yu, what about you?"

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

"Ah?"

Chen Hao looked surprised and asked curiously, "You said a few days ago you didn't want to go..."

"Just saying," Su Yu chuckled lightly. "That place... is the center of Daxia Civilization Masters! Myriad Races gather there, and heavenly talents converge. If I were seeking stability and peace, I shouldn't go."

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

Su Yu murmured, "I am also a genius! Bai Feng said I wasn't, and my teacher said I was a bit lacking, but in reality, I am a genius! One of the contemporary heavenly talents! If that weren't the case, why would the Dragon Martial College come to recruit me!"

"They're afraid I'll become arrogant, but I won't. I know my own capabilities. I don't overestimate myself, nor do I underestimate myself."

"Haozi, before Civilization Masters materialize, our physical bodies are weak, and it's very dangerous when we're out. At that time, I might need you to shield me. Cultivate well, brother. If we have the chance, we'll go to the Battlefields of the Heavens together!"

"My physique is weak..."

Chen Hao looked at him, then at himself.

You're at the eighth level, I'm at the fifth!

Yeah, you're weak. You're not as tall as me, not as strong as me, but you can take on ten of me!

How are you weak?

Chen Hao looked utterly dejected. I can't even beat someone who's trying to get into Civilization Academy. My mental state is about to collapse.

"Ayu... you say you've materialized. Will I still be at Kaiyuan?"

Chen Hao felt like crying. I'm too weak.

"No, you'll reach Qianjun very soon. At most a year. Within a year... my chances of materializing are slim."

Su Yu smiled and comforted him, then added, "Within a year, I'll at most be at Qianjun eighth or ninth level. At most Wanshi. Don't worry!"

"..."

Forget it. Chen Hao didn't want to talk to him anymore.

Su Yu smiled again, took a deep breath. The Great Xia Prefecture was in turmoil, but it had nothing to do with him.

Right now, he needed to stand out during the higher-level assessment, show his initial brilliance, and step onto that stage!

He didn't want to be just a background character!

"Hold something back... I'm a prodigy too!"

Su Yu thought to himself, Teacher, don't worry, I won't get arrogant. My goals are far beyond this.

The atlas in his mind was still waiting for him to unlock it. If he didn't kill some gods and demons, how could he unlock it?

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