Chapter 21 full of malice

"Yi Shen Jue - Qian Jun Chapter" and "Blood Condensing Blade."

A cultivation method and a martial technique, these were the secrets Su Yu obtained this time.

Su Yu glanced at "Blood Condensing Blade" and discarded it. This martial technique was of a low grade, commonly found in academies, and not worth his time.

Both cultivation methods and martial techniques are divided into four grades: Heaven, Earth, Mysterious, and Yellow, with each grade further divided into top, high, middle, and low levels.

These 16 tiers define the classifications of cultivation methods and martial techniques among the myriad races.

"Blood Condensing Blade" was of the middle Yellow grade. Though not the worst, it was still considered mediocre, with many such techniques available in mid-level academies. Su Yu didn't bother with it.

However, despite only having the Qian Jun chapter, Su Yu spent a long time studying the "Yi Shen Jue."

Bai Feng claimed that "Yi Shen Jue" was trash, but that was from his perspective and position.

A cultivation method that could tempt the strong of the myriad races' cults and establish a major sect within these cults could hardly be considered trash.

"Mysterious grade, top level!"

That was the level of this cultivation method, though Su Yu only had the Qian Jun chapter.

Cultivation methods are said to be divided into Heaven, Earth, Mysterious, and Yellow grades, but they actually encompass the techniques of all the myriad races. Su Yu wasn't entirely sure, but many invincible human powerhouses seemed to be practicing Earth or Mysterious grade methods.

Over 300 years ago, during the Anping calendar's inception, humans didn't have many powerful methods to choose from.

"Yi Shen Jue..."

Su Yu read it repeatedly, noting its method for refining the flesh and absorbing elemental energy to temper the body.

"The human body relies on acupoints connected to elemental energy, using it to temper the body. The more acupoints opened, the more energy absorbed and stored."

"The Nine Apertures of the Foundation are the base. Upon this, Qian Jun opens other acupoints to absorb energy and temper the body."

"Yi Shen Jue's Qian Jun chapter opens 72 acupoints. Once these 72 acupoints are opened and filled with energy, one reaches the ninth level of Qian Jun!"

This wasn't Su Yu's first encounter with Qian Jun level cultivation methods. He had previously come across the military's basic Qian Jun method - "Qian Jun Jue."

It was simple and crude.

Most of the military personnel practiced this. It wasn't that there weren't better methods, but practicing these required energy support and a strong body to support the opening of more acupoints.

Ordinary cultivators, even if given Heaven grade methods, couldn't practice them successfully.

Insufficient energy, at least not enough in the human realm, to support their cultivation.

A body not strong enough, a foundation not solid, opening too many acupoints would be overwhelming, causing the body to collapse and be destroyed by the energy.

"Qian Jun Jue" could open 36 acupoints, making it a top-level Yellow grade method.

It was quite good, rapidly enhancing soldiers' combat power and enabling quicker progression with fewer resources.

Some people, despite having stronger methods, eventually switched to "Qian Jun Jue" because it allowed easier progression and longevity.

"Yi Shen Jue" in the Qian Jun realm could open 72 acupoints, storing energy, making it a relatively powerful method.

Opening acupoints isn't done haphazardly.

"Yi Shen Jue" detailed the process of opening the 72 acupoints, their sequence, and the formation of an energy cycle. Randomly opening acupoints could disrupt this cycle, leading to energy dispersal or even death from an energy explosion.

Su Yu studied it for a long time, confirming it was indeed much more profound and marvelous than "Qian Jun Jue."

Reaching the ninth level of Qian Jun through it would make one significantly stronger than those practicing "Qian Jun Jue," with greater strength and a more powerful body.

However, in actual battlefield encounters, victory would depend on combat experience and willpower. Greater strength and a stronger body didn't guarantee a win.

"Opening 72 acupoints is indeed a valuable asset."

Su Yu didn't plan to practice it, but understanding it could enhance his knowledge base.

His study of myriad races' languages was also part of his research.

For instance, knowing the positions of the 72 acupoints in "Yi Shen Jue" allowed him to target and disrupt the energy cycle of followers of the Tian Yi Shen sect.

Thus, cultivation methods must not be easily revealed.

The 72 acupoints are the source of their strength and also their weakness.

Not all acupoints are weaknesses. If some of these acupoints are destroyed, it can result in the same fate as the Tengkong fourth-level hall master, causing energy to disperse and backfire, leading to immediate death.

This is why Bai Feng could kill the opponent so easily.

Bai Feng killed Hall Master Chen in less than 10 seconds. Half of that time was spent talking, and the rest was spent destroying the opponent's crucial acupoints, allowing him to kill quickly.

If it were a pure strength battle, even if Bai Feng could kill him, it wouldn't have been so easy.

Of course, the Tengkong realm's "Yi Shen Jue" is more complex, with more acupoints opened. Many of the weaknesses at the Qian Jun level are no longer weaknesses, which shows that Bai Feng has also studied the "Yi Shen Jue - Tengkong Chapter" in depth.

Su Yu studied the cultivation method for about two hours before putting it down.

He couldn't cultivate Qian Jun-level methods yet, so he just studied it. If he became strong enough, he might be able to infer the Tian Yi Shen clan's cultivation methods. Of course, this wasn't something Su Yu could do, nor could Bai Feng.

"At my current stage, cultivation methods and martial techniques aren't of much help. Blood essence, on the other hand..."

Su Yu examined the three drops of blood essence. Blood essence contains a remnant of the creature's will before its death, a kind of image that can roughly determine its type.

"One drop of Iron-winged Bird blood essence, one drop of Fire Pig blood essence, and the remaining one should be Bloodthirsty Rabbit blood essence."

The three drops of blood essence were from common races, with no divine or demon blood, and no blood essence from powerful races...

This was to be expected!

A Qian Jun-level cultist from the myriad races couldn't get hold of powerful blood essence. These common blood essences were used to aid their cultivation.

Blood essence provides abundant energy, strengthens the body, and is very beneficial for Qian Jun-level cultivators.

Human Qian Jun-level cultivators mainly use blood essence and pills for cultivation.

Although these weren't rare treasures, the three drops of blood essence would sell for at least 150,000 at the Xia Family Trading Company.

"Not bad, the blood essence is worth 150,000, the body-refining pills are worth 150,000, and ten gold coins make it 400,000 Anping coins!"

Su Yu was quite satisfied, as wealth comes from taking risks.

Although it was dangerous this time, he gained over 400,000. If he handed over the cultivation methods, there would be some rewards. Even if humans had these methods, they would still reward him because it meant he had killed a cultist from the myriad races.

Calculating his assets, his net worth instantly exceeded 700,000.

Su Yu grinned. If his father knew, he wondered if he would feel inferior, as Su Yu earned more in a day than his father had saved in 18 years.

...

That night, Su Yu started dreaming again.

The dreams continued.

When Su Yu opened the Iron-winged Bird blood essence catalog, he didn't dream again that day, but the next day he did. However, his dreams weren't continuous. Sometimes, he dreamt every other day, and sometimes every two days.

The dreams didn't continue to open, leading Su Yu to suspect that his previous dreams had almost covered all the races.

Now, the dreams were probably showing the remaining races, supplementing the catalog every few days.

Su Yu didn't see or remember many common races. He suspected that the weaker races would be revealed later because they were too weak and were pushed to the back of the catalog.

The monster he dreamed of that night seemed vaguely familiar to Su Yu.

It resembled the Xuan Turtle recorded in the myriad races' catalog. He considered buying a drop of Xuan Turtle blood essence to verify, but Su Yu thought it might not be useful now.

He decided to wait and see, as continuously consuming blood essence was overloading his body.

Su Yu identified three races: the Snake Fish, Iron-winged Bird, and Xuan Turtle. This indicated that the races he encountered were becoming more common, and his knowledge was increasing.

If he hadn't read extensively, it would have been difficult for him to identify these races from vague details and blurry figures.

...

Nanyuan Middle Academy.

On the way, Su Yu had already learned about yesterday's results from Chen Hao and felt a bit worried. However, the matter was settled, and since Chen Hao wanted to join the War Academy, Su Yu couldn't just watch the opportunity slip away.

So he let Chen Hao go to claim the credit, as this was Chen Hao's chance to get into the War Academy.

With some apprehension, Su Yu had just entered the classroom when he was called away by an instructor.

...

Instructor's Office.

The instructor had already left. At this moment, only Liu Wenyuan and a young man, Bai Feng, were in the office. Liu Wenyuan was reading a book, and Bai Feng was also reading.

Bai Feng was squatting on the side, holding a thick book, looking very pleased. He was squatting, not sitting, and his face was beaming as if he had found something fascinating. There was no sign that he was a strong person who could easily kill a Tengkong fourth-level expert.

When Su Yu entered, neither of them greeted him.

Su Yu greeted them and stood aside, a bit nervous, not knowing why the teacher had called him.

Having reached the Tengkong realm, Liu Wenyuan's willpower was even stronger. He secretly scanned Su Yu and nodded silently.

Indeed, he was at Kaiyuan fourth level. Previously, when his willpower hadn't materialized, he hadn't felt it.

Not only was he at Kaiyuan fourth level, but there was also a faint energy fluctuation in his right ear acupoint, suggesting he was close to Kaiyuan fifth level.

After a moment of silence, Liu Wenyuan looked up and said indifferently, "Have you been cultivating these days?"

"Yes."

"Have you been reading?"

"A bit slack." Su Yu said sheepishly, "I've been worried since my father left, so I've focused most of my energy on cultivation."

"Being vigilant in peace is good, and striving to cultivate is also good, but..."

Liu Wenyuan said unhappily, "Reading is also a form of cultivation! Reading thousands of books, one can suddenly enter Tengkong. Cultivating, the teacher does not stop you, it is necessary, but reading cannot be neglected."

"You previously signed up for the War Academy, so I know your intentions, but I also said before, how long will it take you to reach Tengkong by focusing only on physical cultivation?"

"But if you are well-read, it will be completely different."

"You have seen this person, Bai Feng, an assistant researcher at the Civilization Academy, 28 years old, has been at the Civilization Academy for 9 years. In terms of both physical strength and willpower, he is at Tengkong sixth level, but his actual combat power is even stronger because his willpower is powerful... Ordinary Tengkong seventh level might not be able to beat him."

Liu Wenyuan said solemnly, "He is just one of the many mediocre talents at the Civilization Academy, and even he has cultivated to this level in 9 years. You can be even stronger!"

Bai Feng: "..."

Bai Feng, who was reading, looked up, glanced at Liu Wenyuan, and then continued reading.

Say whatever you want, old man. He was using himself to teach the student a lesson; what could Bai Feng say?

Am I mediocre?

Can a mediocre person become a researcher?

Although I'm not among the most monstrous talents at the Civilization Academy, I'm still among the top!

Reaching Tengkong sixth level before the age of 30, and possibly reaching an even higher level in the next two years, is that considered mediocre?

Does the master have some misunderstanding about mediocrity?

Su Yu hurriedly said, "Teacher, don't worry. I will focus on both aspects from now on. I have been reading for many years, and I won't give up now."

"As long as you understand."

Liu Wenyuan said earnestly, "You cultivate quickly, having not paid much attention before. Now that you are focused, you have quickly reached Kaiyuan fourth level, almost fifth level. You might have a misconception that you are more suited for the War Academy, the path of physical cultivation..."

"But I must tell you, even if you go to the War Academy, reaching Kaiyuan ninth level in a year, and then Qianjun ninth level in three years, and Wanshi ninth level in five years, would be considered talented. It would take 9 years to reach Tengkong realm."

"But you must understand the gap between Tengkong first level and Tengkong sixth level. You might be stuck in Tengkong realm for decades."

"Kaiyuan fourth level is just the beginning. Don't have the misconception that you are very talented and amazing! We are just a small town, and if Nanyuan can produce a fourth or fifth level talent, what about other cities?"

"What about the Xia family?"

Bai Feng, smiling, said, "I have been paying attention to other cities. Several Kaiyuan seventh-level geniuses have been reported. Of course, seventh level is already unattainable for Nanyuan, but there are quite a few seventh-level talents in the Xia family, even some at eighth level!"

Kaiyuan eighth level, having opened the Zique acupoint, officially starts cultivating martial arts, and energy can barely be used coherently. At this stage, the cultivator has some combat power.

"There are even those at Kaiyuan ninth level, just a step away from Qianjun, though they haven't advanced yet, waiting to join the academy."

This time, Liu Wenyuan didn't interrupt him. He looked at Su Yu and sighed, "It's not that the teacher insists you apply to the Civilization Academy, but you need to understand that your talent isn't in the path of physical cultivation. Even if you have talent, the gap is still significant."

"The path of physical cultivation consumes a lot of resources, requiring rare treasures, blood essence, pills, battles, and weapons... 'Rich in literature, poor in martial arts!'"

"Su Yu, as an ordinary person, if you didn't have talent in the literary path, I would be very happy for you to enter the War Academy and seize an opportunity!"

"But you do have this talent. I hope you can go further and achieve greater heights!"

"The Civilization Academy doesn't value these things in the early stages, and the consumption won't be too high. Even if you don't have money or combat power, you still have a chance to reach Tengkong. But in the War Academy... it will be very difficult!"

Liu Wenyuan looked at him and said softly, "Do you know why I don't persuade others? Not even Liu Yue? Even if Liu Yue applies to the War Academy, I wouldn't persuade her! Because her family is wealthy and can support her future cultivation."

"Su Yu, this is why I hope you can take the path of civilization. I don't want you to end up being ordinary due to a lack of material resources. Even if you have talent, resources won't be handed to you for free, and there won't be pies falling from the sky!"

"There are many geniuses in the War Academy, and you are not outstanding among them, so it will be harder for you. I hope you can have a smoother path."

Su Yu nodded vigorously, feeling a bit moved. He knew this was his teacher's heartfelt advice.

For someone from a common background like him, it is indeed difficult to afford certain things. If his future was just to reach Qianjun or Wanshi, it would be fine, but aiming to quickly reach Tengkong, his family clearly couldn't support that.

"Teacher, I understand. I didn't think that deeply before, but I will work hard from now on."

"As long as you understand."

Liu Wenyuan smiled, "In the next few days, let Bai Feng guide you. If you have any questions or don't understand something, you can ask him. Although he is not outstanding at the Civilization Academy, he is more than enough to guide you."

Bai Feng: "..."

After being described as unremarkable so many times, Bai Feng was starting to doubt himself.

Am I really not outstanding?

I, Bai Feng, am somewhat famous even in the Xia family, right?

I have the potential to reach beyond Tengkong before the age of 30, and I'm one of the few assistant researchers under 30...

Why do I feel so insignificant here?

Why?

Bai Feng felt extremely depressed. Master, when you call me mediocre, think about yourself. You manifested your will at over seventy. Why belittle yourself?

Glancing at Su Yu and seeing that he seemed to agree with Liu Wenyuan, Bai Feng smiled. Young people just have limited vision.

When you enter the Civilization Academy, you'll understand what kind of person your brother Feng is.

You'll realize how difficult it is to reach my level!

Don't tell an ant about the enormity of an elephant; an ant's imagination is limited, and it can't comprehend it.

Only by standing at a certain height can the ant understand that the elephant's enormity is beyond imagination.

"I'll be staying at Nanyuan Academy for the next two days. I'll be leaving in two days. You can come to me anytime."

Bai Feng left this message, holding his book, and left with a smile.

After he left, Liu Wenyuan suddenly whispered, "Study well. Treasure the next two days! Use your greatest wisdom to exploit him, to empty him out. Although you won't be able to, this is the maximum time I can secure for you. Even if you reach the Civilization Academy, you might not have this chance, understand?"

"Understood!"

Su Yu was slightly shaken. Did the teacher mean that even in the Civilization Academy, he might not have a researcher to guide him?

"An assistant researcher's course costs 5 points of merit per class!"

"One class, one hour!"

Liu Wenyuan said softly, "Two days, 48 hours, don't sleep, just study! After you finish, that's 240 points of merit. It might take you years to earn that much. Go, the teacher believes in you!"

"Thank you, teacher!"

At this moment, Su Yu's eyes lit up!

The teacher and student looked at each other and both smiled brightly.

In the distance, Bai Feng suddenly felt a sense of overwhelming malice. He shivered and looked back, muttering under his breath, was the master planning to exploit him?

How to exploit me?