A Reputation Precedes Him

While Su Yu was cultivating diligently to achieve his three goals, far away at the Great Xia Civilization Academy, life moved at its own bustling pace. It was a massive institution. Pavilions and multi-story towers stretched endlessly across designated sectors: a commercial district, a residential district, an academic district, a secret realm district, an exchange district... Each division was so vast that the academy resembled a self-contained city. At the admissions office. Bai Feng had just emerged from secluded cultivation. For the first time in over a month, he stepped out of his residence to breathe in the fresh air. He strolled lazily through the entrance of the admissions office. It was not yet the official admissions season, but the place was already bustling with activity. It wouldn't be long before the entrance examinations commenced across the various cities. "Old Zhou, cut me some slack! That's my nephew. I'll admit him into my own research group and guide him personally! His grasp of All-Races languages isn't bad at all, he has talent for divine characters, and his willpower isn't weak either. Just look out for him a bit when the time comes..." "Out of the question!" Amid the crowd, a middle-aged man snapped, "It wouldn't matter if you guided him yourself! If he can't pass the fundamental requirements, nobody's nephew gets a pass!" "Old Zhou, are you deliberately trying to stonewall me?" "Spare me the act. Tianfeng City sent over his preliminary files. Your nephew spent five years in secondary academy and barely mastered three basic All-Races languages, and you have the nerve to call that 'not bad'? Who are you trying to fool! Without talent, coming here is just a waste of resources. If you can't bear to let him go, take him home and teach him yourself!" "You!" "'You' what? What, you want to hit me?" "I..." "'I' what? You're just a junior researcher. You think you can pick a fight with an intermediate researcher like me?" "..." Noise boiled through the hall. Bai Feng shook his head. In the entire Civilization Academy, this place was probably the loudest. Some came to pull strings through backdoors, while others came to recruit talents from various cities in advance. In a place like this, an ordinary person really couldn't keep things under control. Bai Feng didn't push his way toward the commotion. Instead, he found a window with fewer people and waited a short while until it was his turn. "Check Su Yu from Nanyuan Secondary Academy for me. See if his profile has been updated recently." The young woman behind the counter blushed slightly upon seeing Bai Feng and hurriedly said, "Assistant Bai, I'll look that up for you right away." Bai Feng wore a pleasant smile, but inwardly thought, *This girl won't do. I'm not coming to her counter next time!* What was with "Assistant Bai"? Couldn't she call him "Researcher Bai"? "Su Yu, student in the preparatory examination class at Nanyuan Secondary Academy. Eighteen verified All-Races languages, fifth stage of Kaiyuan, accumulated twenty-one merit points, recommended by Instructor Liu Wenyan of Nanyuan. Overall evaluation score: three hundred points, low-medium." "Low-medium?" Bai Feng gave a slight nod. This was the Great Xia Civilization Academy's internal rating, calculated based on the recommendations submitted by various cities. Low-medium wasn't great, but it wasn't terrible either. "For this year's assessment, around two hundred points should be enough to pass, right?" The girl answered quickly, "That hasn't been finalized yet, but based on past records, two hundred points should be roughly sufficient." Mastering and verifying one All-Races language was worth ten points. The first three stages of the Kaiyuan Realm were worth ten points per stage. The middle three stages were worth thirty points per stage. As for merit points, excluding the ones awarded for language mastery, each additional merit point was counted as ten points. With an overall score of three hundred points, Su Yu would have no trouble gaining admission. Naturally, candidates weren't informed of their exact scores during testing. If an applicant suffered an unexpected mishap, they would be granted a second chance. That was the advantage of being an officially recommended talent from the cities—they didn't need to fear a single mistake. Under normal circumstances, reaching the third stage of Kaiyuan and mastering seventeen languages guaranteed entry. For those who earned extra merit points, the requirements were even lower; mastering around fifteen languages would suffice. Alternatively, reaching the fourth stage of Kaiyuan meant needing only fourteen languages to pass. Thus, back when Su Yu had mastered eighteen languages and reached the third stage of Kaiyuan, his admission had already been practically set in stone. In Nanyuan, Su Yu had been considered a genius for being virtually guaranteed entry into the Civilization Academy. However, his academy rating at the time had been low tier. A low rating meant that after entering, hardly any researcher would accept him as a student. Now, at low-medium, he was considered passable. With some luck, an assistant researcher might take him on to run errands and help with minor tasks. Bai Feng pondered for a moment before saying, "Assign Su Yu under my name. Don't I still have two student slots? Give one to him." "Ah?" The girl gasped softly, wondering if her ears were playing tricks on her. "Assistant Bai, his overall evaluation is only low-medium." "Is there a problem?" Bai Feng maintained his smile. "Low-medium isn't bad. He was recommended by Nanyuan, and Instructor Liu Wenyan is my martial uncle. Is there an issue with me taking him as a student?" "No, that's not it..." The girl grew anxious on his behalf. While a low-medium rating was decent enough for ordinary people, for someone of Bai Feng's stature, wasting one of his precious student quotas was far too regrettable. "Assistant Bai, before you are promoted to a full researcher, you only have two student slots at most. Su Yu hasn't even enrolled yet, and with a low-medium evaluation, the help he can offer you in daily research will be very limited..." "Thank you, I'm aware. Give the slot to him." Bai Feng kept smiling. The girl meant well, but he didn't need the reminder. "Well then..." The girl looked regretful, but since Bai Feng was the one making the decision, she had no grounds to refuse. Just as she was about to register the assignment, a chuckle came from the side. "Bai Feng, you want to take a student, yet instead of choosing from within the academy, you pick a newcomer. Fine, a newcomer is one thing, but choosing one with a low-medium evaluation? What are you thinking?" "Just among the reported applicants this year, there are plenty with high evaluations, and several with top-high ratings." "Once the actual examinations begin, even more might show up." Bai Feng turned to look, his brow furrowing slightly. He had intended to keep a low profile, finish his business, and leave, yet this fellow had to come along and stir up trouble! "Liu Hong, does who I recruit as a student have anything to do with you?" A few meters away, a young man stood with his arms crossed, watching him with a mocking grin. "It has nothing to do with me. But... I do enjoy watching a good show!" "If it has nothing to do with you, shut your mouth!" Bai Feng couldn't be bothered to engage. He turned back to the counter. "Is the registration finished?" "It's done, Teaching Assistant Bai." "Bai Feng!" Seeing that Bai Feng was ignoring him, Liu Hong spoke up again. "Are you really taking a new student?" "None of your business!" Bai Feng turned to leave. Liu Hong frowned and raised his voice. "It might not be my business, but Bai Feng, have you thought about how many people will be displeased if you take this newcomer today?" Bai Feng narrowed his eyes at him. "Last year, my younger brother wanted to join your research group, but you refused. Fine. If you had kept refusing everyone, or if you had taken a few top-high geniuses, I wouldn't have said a word—it would just mean my brother was useless." "Yet this year, you take someone with a low-medium evaluation. Bai Feng, tell me yourself: how do you think my brother will react when he finds out? How will my family react?" Bai Feng sneered with utter disdain. "What the hell does that have to do with me!" "Bai Feng, you're right, it has nothing to do with you," Liu Hong said solemnly. "I don't care, and whether my family cares doesn't truly matter either. But my brother wasn't the only one who wanted to enter your tutelage. Many people did." "There were even top-high geniuses whom you refused to accept." "Now you suddenly take a low-medium student. How do you think they'll feel?" "Sure, it's none of your concern, but have you considered that you're painting a massive target on this new student's back? Others will wonder: why did Bai Feng reject them only to take a mediocre fool instead? Are they inferior to him? Or what?" Bai Feng replied coldly, "And so what if they do?" "Nothing much. Taking him is fine, but you still have another slot. Having only one student draws too much attention. Why not take one more?" "Your brother?" "No, he has already joined Researcher Hu's group. I'm talking about Wu Qi's younger sister. Her evaluation is mid-high, which is quite impressive. Previously, you showed no interest in taking students, so neither Wu Qi nor I approached you. Since you're in the mood this year, guiding one isn't any different from guiding two. What do you think?" "I think... you can fuck right off!" Bai Feng's face was full of impatience. "What's so great about a mid-high rating? What's so special about Wu Qi? Does having a sister make her royalty? I'll recruit whoever I damn well please!" "As for trouble... go ahead and bring it on if you want!" "As long as you don't cripple or kill him, suppress him however you like!" Bai Feng couldn't care less, sneering inwardly. *Suppress him? If you have the ability, go right ahead!* "Who I take as a student is none of your fucking business! Get lost, Liu Hong. Stop trying to act familiar with me, and drop the schemes! That goes for you, Wu Qi, and everyone else. If you want students, recruit them yourselves. If any of you keep eyeing my slots, don't blame me for being ruthless!" Bai Feng's voice was loud. He had originally wanted to keep things quiet, but with Liu Hong making a scene, plenty of onlookers had turned their attention toward them. Bai Feng didn't hold back either, declaring clearly, "Who I take as a student is my own freedom! Even if I recruit a cripple, as long as he passes the entrance exam, I dare to take him! What, you think you can dictate what Bai Feng does?" "Don't play these useless games with me!" With that, Bai Feng turned and walked away. The hall fell silent for a moment before hushed murmurs broke out. "Bai Feng is taking a student?" "What's got into him? For the past two years, so many people approached him and got turned away. Why the sudden change of heart?" "I heard Liu Wenyan recommended him..." "Liu Wenyan recommended people before, and Bai Feng never took them." "Who knows, then? But... once word of Bai Feng's decision spreads, he's bound to face some trouble. Quite a few eyes are fixed on Elder Hong's side." "Not just Elder Hong's side—those young talents have their eyes on Bai Feng too. The contest for the quotas in three years... Bai Feng will definitely compete. There's also the promotion to full researcher; those slots are limited, and he'll be fighting for one as well." An older man chuckled. "Plenty of people are curious about what that kid has been tinkering with lately. When he suddenly takes a student, how could anyone ignore it? Besides, Elder Hong has plenty of prized treasures tucked away. Who wouldn't covet them?" "True enough." Someone chuckled softly. "Still, it's good to have a show to watch. The academy gets dull when it's too quiet. Every ten years marks a cycle. The quota battle seven years ago caused quite a stir. I figured we'd have to wait another year or two for the excitement, but it looks like the show is starting early." "The Great Xia Prefecture only gets twenty spots in total, and our academy won't receive more than five or six. Bai Feng has strong competitiveness, but it depends on whether he can hold his ground." "He's at the seventh stage of Tengkong. It shouldn't be too big a problem." "Hard to say. Who can be certain of these things? Besides, those young competitors aren't pushovers either. This year's contest might be fiercer than ever." "..." As the crowd buzzed with discussion, Bai Feng had already left the hall. Inside, Liu Hong watched his departing figure without another word. After a moment's contemplation, he walked over to the counter and requested Su Yu's dossier. *** A short while later, Liu Hong entered a small villa in the residential district. "Wu Qi, Bai Feng is recruiting a student this year." In the living room, a young woman was using a brush to trace a divine character. Without looking up, she replied, "If he wants to recruit, let him. What does that have to do with me?" "It's an applicant with a low-medium evaluation. I recommended your sister, and Bai Feng told me to... fuck off." Liu Hong said softly, "That fellow has reached the seventh stage of Tengkong. He's considerably more arrogant than before." "When has he ever not been arrogant?" Wu Qi remained composed. "Aside from that time a few years ago when that person from the War Academy beat him until he spat blood, he's never stopped acting arrogant." Speaking of that, Wu Qi let out a faint chuckle. "I'm still waiting to see the aftermath. In a few years, when he reaches the ninth stage of Tengkong, he'll definitely try to reclaim his face. That person had better not break through to the Lingyun Realm too quickly, or there won't be any show left to watch." Liu Hong pressed urgently, "Now isn't the time to watch a show! He took a student, and that creates an opportunity! Elder Hong is always elusive and rarely seen, but the research laboratory is still under Bai Feng's control. If someone enters Bai Feng's tutelage, that research lab alone would be more than enough to feed us well." "Hmm?" Wu Qi looked up, her expression turning frosty. "Get out!" "Wu Qi, you..." "Get out!" She let out a cold snort, a hint of disdain surfacing in her eyes. "I, Wu Qi, have no need for such underhanded methods. Bai Feng is no match for me. Whether it's this year's assessment for promotion to full researcher or the quota battle in three years, I... will definitely be there!" "Liu Hong, don't pull your petty schemes around me, or you'll end up suffering the consequences!" Liu Hong clenched his fists and said in a heavy voice, "If I truly wanted to rely on underhanded schemes, I wouldn't have come to you! Fighting for opportunities and fortunes—I don't care what others think, or whether they know. None of that matters!" "An opportunity is right before my eyes. Striving for it is my right!" "Bai Feng controls Elder Hong's research institute. If I want to compete for that chance, even Elder Hong wouldn't object if he found out; he would merely acquiesce. If Bai Feng loses, it simply proves I am stronger than him. There is no arguing with that. Wu Qi, do you really think this is vile?" Wu Qi looked up once more. "You're right, that is your right. But... what does that have to do with me?" "Don't you want your sister to secure better resources and a brighter future?" "Even if I do, I would negotiate with Bai Feng myself. It's not your place to interfere." "Approaching him won't work. He's completely obstinate. The only way is to force him into a corner where he has no choice but to swallow his pride and accept. You can't achieve that alone." Wu Qi scrutinized him for a long moment before saying, "If you want me to lend you a hand, fine. Lend me your 'Force' divine character to study for three months!" "..." Liu Hong nearly ground his teeth to dust. "That's too much!" "It isn't too much at all. If you disagree... go play on your own. I have no interest in entertaining such low-level games with you. You haven't even reached the seventh stage of Tengkong; you don't even have the qualifications to participate in this." Liu Hong inhaled deeply and quickly made his decision. "Fine!" A faint smile appeared on Wu Qi's lips. "Speak. What's your plan?" "Simple: lower Bai Feng's clearance!" "Oh?" "If his student fails three monthly exams, ranks dead last in the academy during quarterly exams, and falls behind in every annual exam, Bai Feng will be docked three hundred merit points and drop a clearance tier after one year! Over three years, Bai Feng won't even qualify to register!" "We won't even need three years. After one year, I can apply to take charge of Elder Hong's research institute because Bai Feng's clearance will be lower than mine. Even though he is Elder Hong's student, the institute was funded and built by the academy. If Bai Feng loses the institute himself, nobody will have anything to say." "By then, he'll be forced to recruit new students to raise his clearance rating—and they'll have to be top-tier ones! As long as we lay the groundwork in advance, he'll have no choice but to accept the people we push his way. Mediocre applicants won't do; he'll only be able to pick the outstanding ones, and the outstanding choices will be narrowed down to just that one... or a few. What do you think he could do then?" Liu Hong spoke rapidly. "This is an open scheme. Bai Feng brought this upon himself, and he even arrogantly claimed we could do whatever we wanted. In that case, I have no reason to be polite!" Wu Qi glanced at him, then lowered her head to resume tracing her divine character. After a moment, she said, "It's quite crude, but the results should be decent. You brought me into this because you want me to block Bai Feng's retaliation for you, don't you?" "Yes. That fellow is wild. If he actually suffers a loss, he won't sit still. I'm worried... he'll attack me directly and injure me severely to force me out of the running." "That does sound like something he would do." Wu Qi smiled. "At least you have some self-awareness and know you're inferior to him. If you ask me, you'd be better off giving up. Still, if you want to fight, this is indeed an opportunity. When he makes a move, he'll issue a formal challenge... How about this: when he challenges you, I'll challenge him first and wound him beforehand. What do you think?" "Deal!" Liu Hong was overjoyed. This had been his primary goal in seeking out Wu Qi. Those stronger than Wu Qi looked down on him, while those weaker lacked the ability to stand up to Bai Feng. As for the experts of the Lingyun and Shanhai realms, they were all high-ranking figures who wouldn't meddle in the squabbles of juniors. Besides, Elder Hong was not someone to be trifled with. "By the way, if Bai Feng's student keeps failing his exams, Bai Feng will definitely recruit a new student to balance out his evaluation. If my sister joins his group, she will do everything she can to pull his score back up. On that point... I won't allow my sister to deliberately sabotage anything. That would ruin her entire future!" "Of course!" Liu Hong laughed. "The more outstanding your sister is, the better! The more remarkable she is, the more of Bai Feng's resources will naturally tilt toward her. That is the rule. Meanwhile, his other student will only perform worse and worse, dragging Bai Feng's rating down even further. Even if your sister can make up for some of it, Bai Feng won't be able to prevent the penalty of having his clearance lowered." Wu Qi nodded slightly, agreeing with his assessment. *** While the two were plotting, Bai Feng was strolling through the academy grounds when he suddenly chuckled. "A bunch of fools! Trying to lower my clearance level?" He hadn't overheard their conversation, but he had already deduced what Liu Hong intended to do. "When the time comes, there'll be quite a show to watch." Bai Feng muttered to himself, then shook his head. Once Su Yu enrolled, he was bound to face some trouble. But... that was good. How could anyone become a true talent without enduring trials? If that kid didn't face a little suppression, how would he understand that the Civilization Academy was full of geniuses, and that he was nothing special here? "Tracing a divine character in a single day... I hope Liu Hong can put some decent pressure on him, or this whole thing will be tricky to handle. That idiot Liu Hong won't just serve himself up on a platter, will he?" Bai Feng smiled and shook his head. Well, that wouldn't be his problem. "Wu Qi, Xia Yuwen..." Murmuring a few names, Bai Feng cast thoughts of Liu Hong aside. The guy hadn't even reached the seventh stage of Tengkong, so Bai Feng couldn't be bothered with him. Those other names were his true rivals. Not to mention that he was now at the seventh stage of Tengkong; even when he had been at the sixth stage, he had never paid Liu Hong any mind. The fellow was clearly no match for him. "Su Yu!" Finally, Bai Feng uttered Su Yu's name, muttering softly, "Kid, you'd better be dependable! It would be best if you can crush the students of those rivals of mine. Only then will I have the chance to become a full researcher ahead of schedule and lead the team as an official researcher..." As an assistant researcher, there were simply too many restrictions. Without sufficient clearance, there were countless places he couldn't even enter.