On the way, Su Yu felt a bit dizzy.
Watching the essay of willpower, capturing divine texts, and observing the original techniques of the Thousand Jun realm... all of these activities consumed a lot of willpower.
Especially capturing divine texts, Su Yu had actually meditated for a long time, and by the time he left the academy, it was almost dark.
However, today's gains were truly immense!
Bai Feng had opened up a whole new world for him, showing him how vast the sky beyond Nanyuan was, how big the world was, and how wonderful the human realm was.
Divine texts, willpower, original techniques of the myriad races, nurturing, Soaring, Shanhai...
Too many terms filled Su Yu's mind.
It turned out that the real world of cultivation was like this, and that the civilization academy was like this.
Those realms he once thought were unattainable, such as the Thousand Jun and Ten Thousand Stones, now seemed merely so-so!
A single word can create a world, and divine texts can suppress all heavens.
Even a civilizing teacher can be powerful enough to make all the heavens tremble.
"So I am actually very weak, with only 10% of my willpower filled."
He had always thought he was talented and had some pride in his heart.
Teacher Liu Wenyan had always wanted him to enter the Civilization Academy, giving him the illusion that not going there would be a loss for the academy.
But looking back today, it seemed somewhat laughable.
"The genius from the Great Zhou Prefecture must be top-tier, reaching the third level of Soaring in half a year. Bai Feng probably intended to shock me, but even so, the Great Xia Prefecture surely does not lack students in the nurturing stage."
Nurturing, with a 50% filled willpower.
Su Yu's willpower was only one-fifth of that, a significant gap, considering he had been chased in his dreams for years and thought his willpower wouldn't be weak.
As he walked, he sensed the "blood" character in his mind.
After its previous burst, the text now seemed somewhat dim.
Obviously, the previous burst consumed a lot of the divine text's power.
"Divine texts need willpower to nurture..."
Su Yu remembered Bai Feng's reminder and slowly tried to nurture this character with his mind.
...
Back home, it was extremely quiet.
Su Yu sat dazed for a while before feeling unbearably hungry. He hadn't eaten at noon, went to the academy in the morning, and after meditating for a while, it was already afternoon when he returned, and now it was dark. He was starving.
Not in the mood to cook, he hastily made some noodles and wolfed them down, barely satiating his hunger.
After eating, Su Yu quickly went to his room.
"The 'Kaiyuan Art', original bone fragments of the Thousand Jun realm, and vitality liquid."
These were today's gains, and they were substantial.
Having consumed a lot of willpower today, Su Yu didn't plan to continue his cultivation. However, Bai Feng's written 'Kaiyuan Art' and that drop of vitality liquid could be used for physical cultivation.
"After reading Bai Feng's 'Kaiyuan Art', I feel that even without using blood essence to activate the atlas, I can quickly reach the fifth level of Kaiyuan!"
The 'Nayuan Art' activated by blood essence was not very suitable for human cultivation after all.
"What if I use blood essence to activate the atlas, actively absorb vitality, and then use vitality liquid? What would the result be?"
Su Yu thought about this. When activating the 'Nayuan Art', he could actively absorb vitality.
Although the vitality in Nanyuan wasn't very abundant, what if he placed himself in a place with abundant vitality?
Would his cultivation be faster?
He still had two drops of Ironwing Bird blood essence. After yesterday's cultivation, he felt he was close to reaching the fifth level of Kaiyuan.
"I'll cultivate to the fifth level of Kaiyuan first, then use the vitality liquid to cultivate!"
With a decision made, Su Yu acted swiftly, swallowing a drop of Ironwing Bird blood essence and activating the 'Nayuan Art'.
...
This time, as he activated the 'Nayuan Art' and actively absorbed vitality to temper his acupoints, Su Yu felt a completely different sensation.
In his mind, the 'Kaiyuan Art' appeared, with Bai Feng's figure in his memory practicing every move of the 'Kaiyuan Art', deeply ingrained in his memory, enhancing Su Yu's understanding of the Kaiyuan realm significantly.
"The 'Nayuan Art' is too crude, not as refined as the 'Kaiyuan Art'. Perhaps it's due to the physical differences between demons and humans."
Previously, Su Yu let the 'Nayuan Art' run on its own. Today, after some thought, he actively guided the vitality. He hadn't dared before, fearing bodily harm, but now he had fewer reservations.
The vitality began to concentrate on tempering his right ear acupoint, causing a rumbling in his right ear.
Rumble!
A series of sounds only he could hear reverberated, the vitality shaking in his right ear acupoint, and the fifth acupoint was about to open.
At this moment, the "blood" character in his mind also trembled slightly. Su Yu quickly noticed the anomaly, realizing that the "blood" character was also drawing vitality.
"Hmm? Do divine texts also need vitality for tempering?"
Su Yu was taken aback. He thought only willpower was needed to temper divine texts, not expecting that vitality was also required.
He didn't bother about the "blood" character stealing vitality. After all, his current need for vitality wasn't that high.
After about 20 minutes, a thunderous rumbling echoed in Su Yu's right ear.
Boom!
A loud noise echoed in his ear, inaudible to others. Su Yu's body trembled slightly from the shock, but he was overjoyed!
"The fifth acupoint has opened!"
Kaiyuan Level Five!
He had reached Kaiyuan Level Five!
From the time his father went to the battlefield of the heavens until today, it had been exactly ten days.
In ten days, he had advanced from Kaiyuan Level Three to Kaiyuan Level Five. It was incredibly fast.
Su Yu was delighted. While Kaiyuan Level Five might be insignificant to others, it was among the top in Nanyuan Academy. People like Bai Feng, who had seen a lot, were familiar with students from middle-level academies who had reached Kaiyuan Level Nine, but that was Bai Feng.
If news of Su Yu reaching Kaiyuan Level Five got out, it would at least cause a small sensation at Nanyuan Middle Academy.
His hearing had improved again, making Su Yu feel entirely different.
Previously, when his left ear acupoint opened, he felt slightly unbalanced, with one ear being much more sensitive than the other, often causing a sense of disorientation. Now that feeling was gone.
"This is great!"
"I've reached Kaiyuan Level Five!"
Su Yu couldn't contain his joy. He hadn't even used the vitality liquid yet.
Today was April 19th. Higher academy exams were usually held on June 25th, with results released at the end of June, admission confirmations in early July, and enrollment in early August.
This was the upcoming schedule.
There were a bit more than two months left until the exams. While the Civilization Academy didn't care much about one's Kaiyuan level, Su Yu cared.
Without reaching the Thousand Jun realm, Kaiyuan levels hardly provided any significant combat power.
Having killed members of the myriad races sect, Su Yu had a high pursuit of combat power. He didn't want to die in vain at the hands of those sect members. Over ten academy students had died previously, serving as a lesson.
Even if he could use blood essence to activate martial arts skills, it was ultimately borrowed power. Su Yu hoped to possess such power himself.
...
After breaking through to Kaiyuan Level Five, Su Yu didn't rest.
He resumed his previous study plan: cultivating, reading, and sleeping.
This time, his reading material was no longer ordinary books but the "Kaiyuan Art" given to him by Bai Feng.
As for the original bone fragments of the Thousand Jun realm, Su Yu didn't look at them. It wasn't that they were stronger than the "Kaiyuan Art," but the "Kaiyuan Art" was more suitable for his current state.
He read to familiarize himself with the entire Kaiyuan realm, fighting against his willpower.
This kind of reading was truly challenging.
Su Yu experienced what Chen Hao and others felt when reading, wanting to sleep after just a few lines.
The struggle against willpower was akin to a poor student holding a thick literature book.
He read until close to midnight, washed up briefly, and then went to sleep, preparing to await his dreams. He now somewhat looked forward to his dreams, as it was also a form of willpower battle.
"If one day, my willpower becomes strong enough to kill the monsters in my dreams, maybe... there will be different rewards!"
The myriad races atlas was activated using blood essence.
Su Yu often wondered, if he hadn't thought of using blood essence, how would he have activated the atlas and ended the dream?
By fighting back!
He speculated that if he could kill the monsters in his dreams, there might be different results, different rewards.
...
That night's dream was unusual.
So unusual that Su Yu had never expected it!
That night, a monster chased Su Yu in his dream, and although he was quickly killed, he discovered that he could outline a divine script in his dream!
Yes, a divine script!
The character for "blood" appeared in his dream!
Su Yu outlined the character for "blood," and a phantom Iron Wing Bird pounced. Su Yu was puzzled as to why it was an Iron Wing Bird, but it probably had something to do with his subconscious.
Regardless, he had somehow managed to grasp the use of the divine script in his dream, marking a completely different beginning.
...
The next day, Su Yu woke up, deep in thought.
He pondered a question: was the divine script in the dream real or fictional?
Did the "blood" character from his mind enter his dream, or was it a dream-constructed "blood" character?
It was a convoluted thought, but Su Yu wanted to understand it because it was crucial.
If the real "blood" character entered his dream, it implied that his dream was not just a dream but a special space that might interact with the divine script. This meant the myriad races atlas might have deeper functions yet to be discovered.
Sensing the "blood" character in his mind, Su Yu noticed that the previously dim character had started to emit a faint glow again.
Whether it was because of a night's sleep or spending the night in the dream, he couldn't tell.
...
Quickly getting up and washing, Su Yu didn't delve into the matter further.
Today, he was going to the academy.
Although Bai Feng had said yesterday that there was nothing more to teach today, warning against taking on too much at once, Su Yu still intended to visit the academy.
...
Nanyuan Middle Academy.
At the academy gate.
Su Yu rushed over without waiting for Chen Hao.
At the gate, a few more people had gathered today.
It was still early, and most students had not yet arrived.
Bai Feng, dressed in white robes, looked elegant, standing out among the others with a smile, drawing all the attention.
Beside him were the old headmaster, the centurion of the city guard, the head of the arrest division, and Liu Wenyan.
Bai Feng was chatting with them when he saw Su Yu hurrying over and smiled.
"Didn't I say no classes today? Why did you come?"
Su Yu, slightly out of breath, greeted the teachers and said, "I came to see you off, Mr. Bai, and to thank you for yesterday's guidance."
Bai Feng was leaving today. Although he hadn't mentioned it, Su Yu had figured it out from yesterday.
With his business in Nanyuan concluded, Bai Feng naturally wouldn't stay long.
He had taught everything he needed to, and there was no point in staying since Su Yu and the others couldn't learn the rest yet.
Bai Feng chuckled and didn't respond to Su Yu.
Turning to Liu Wenyan, he said, "Uncle-Master, you have manifested your will. The doors of the Civilization Academy are always open for you! If you don't want to get the Flying Tiger's essence blood yourself, I will send it to you later."
Liu Wenyan frowned slightly, "No need. I'm getting older; there's no need to use precious essence blood. I can use some ordinary essence blood to temper my body. The Flying Tiger's essence blood..."
Liu Wenyan glanced at Su Yu without finishing his sentence, then said softly, "Save it for someone who needs it later."
Bai Feng smiled, understanding Liu Wenyan's intention.
Since Su Yu was going to enter the Civilization Academy, even though it might take years for him to manifest his will, he would need powerful essence blood to temper his body by then.
Flying Tiger's essence blood was very potent.
It came from a top fifty ranked strong race!
Even if the academy had such powerful essence blood, how many people were there in the academy?
Could everyone get a share?
Impossible!
Su Yu came from an average family. His father was a Thousand Jun realm practitioner; where would he get strong essence blood for Su Yu?
Only the academy and his teachers could provide it.
Even if Bai Feng took Su Yu as his student, it didn't mean he would prepare essence blood for his body tempering.
The Flying Tiger's essence blood belonged to Bai Feng's teacher and Liu Wenyan's junior, and now Bai Feng intended to give it to Liu Wenyan. If Liu Wenyan passed it on to Su Yu, Bai Feng's teacher likely wouldn't refuse.
Liu Wenyan didn't mention it, and Bai Feng understood. He didn't bring it up either.
Body tempering wasn't urgent; they could discuss it when Su Yu entered the academy.
"As you wish, Uncle-Master." Bai Feng said, then turned to Su Yu, speaking lightly, "Su Yu, fate and the future are in your own hands!"
"Nanyuan may be small, but it doesn't mean strong individuals can't emerge from here!"
"Background, family, and talent give an advantage initially, but the journey is long, and the road is winding. Who will go the distance, who will stand proud among the heavens, who will compete with the myriad races? Only time will tell!"
"I'll be waiting for you at the Civilization Academy. Nanyuan is too small; the outside world is far more exciting!"
"Farewell!"
Bai Feng laughed heartily, taking a step forward and disappearing in the blink of an eye, several dozen meters away.
Dashing and free!
The few Nanyuan powerhouses beside him watched with envy.
Bai Feng, a genius of the Civilization Academy, might soon step into the Lingyun realm. Such a prodigy was rare even in the Great Xia Prefecture.
Zhang Yun, the centurion of the city guard, sighed a few words, then looked at Su Yu and smiled, "So this is Su Long's son?"
The old headmaster smiled, "It's him."
"Like father, like son! Researcher Bai's parting words show he has high hopes for you." Zhang Yun looked at Su Yu, smiling, "Work hard. Nanyuan may be small, but a small place can still produce strong individuals!"
"I know about your father. Don't worry too much. Though we have many enemies on the battlefield of the heavens, our human race still advances with unstoppable force!"
"We get news from Nanyuan's soldiers from time to time. When news comes from the battlefield of the heavens, I'll make sure to send it to you."
Zhang Yun finished speaking, and Su Yu quickly thanked him, "Thank you, Lord Zhang!"
"No need to be so polite."
Zhang Yun laughed heartily, "Speaking of which, we're practically family. Your father is an honest man, not one to scheme. Even when he went to the battlefield of the heavens, he stayed in the overseer's office and refused to leave."
"A few years ago, I invited your father to join the city guard as a centurion, but he declined. Otherwise, he might have broken through to the Ten Thousand Stone Realm by now. With his courage, he could have become a deputy general in the city guard."
"Though it's a pity, your father made the right choice. I greatly admire him!"
Zhang Yun spoke candidly, then continued seriously, "You have a good teacher. Instructor Liu is the guardian of civilization in Nanyuan! You have a good headmaster. Headmaster Wang may not be strong, but for forty years, he has dedicated himself to Nanyuan Academy."
"Nanyuan is small, but it is sincere! I've seen many geniuses from Nanyuan. They went to the Great Xia Prefecture, and even other great prefectures, but in the end... they got lost halfway!"
"I hope you will be different because you are a soldier's son! Your father may not be strong, but he is worth learning from. Stay true to yourself, don't forget who you are, don't overestimate yourself, but don't underestimate yourself either. Just do your best!"
Zhang Yun laughed, "We Nanyuan people are not afraid of being weak, only of being cowardly! Don't be a coward. When you go out, let your strength speak for you, let your bravery speak for you. If things don't work out and you feel there's no way forward, come back. There's always a place for you in the city guard!"
Su Yu thanked him again. Beside him, Liu Wenyan said grumpily, "Stop rambling! If you can't make it outside, coming back would be embarrassing! And teaching students is our job, not yours to give a pep talk!"
"..."
Zhang Yun scratched his head, then laughed loudly and quickly left.
Nearby, the head of the arrest division also chuckled, greeted the others, and left quickly.
Watching their interaction, Su Yu couldn't help but smile.
Just as Zhang Yun said, Nanyuan may be small, but it has a great atmosphere.
The teachers here aren't indifferent, the generals aren't harsh, and the headmaster... is indeed weak.
The old headmaster's beard was already twitching with anger. Zhang Yun had just been mocking him.