Chapter 65 – A Bold Idea

  Transtor: Krukist

  Crackle, crackle…

  The special parchment burned in the copper basin. Chen Shuitian observed Lin Yu, noting the stark contrast between the young man before him and the one from seven days ago. The change was so pronounced that even Chen Shuitian was taken aback. Lin Yu now exuded a sharp, almost piercing aura.

  “Perhaps I never truly saw him as a child before, which is why I mistook his calm demeanor for maturity. After all, he’s not even twenty yet…”

  Chen Shuitian murmured to himself before looking up at Lin Yu with a smile. “Congratutions. The hardest part of your training is over. I received a letter from Cao Tong. He didn’t have to write to me—after all, he’s not my subordinate but serves another master.”

  “Yet, not only did he write, but he also praised you extensively. Unless you’ve somehow bribed him, I can only conclude one thing… You must have learned a great deal from him.”

  Lin Yu smiled. “Senior Cao gave it his all. Though it was only seven days, he completely won me over. I even considered asking him to take me as his disciple.”

  Chen Shuitian ughed heartily. “He mentioned that in his letter, but his response was the opposite. He doesn’t want to take you as his disciple…”

  Lin Yu’s expression faltered, and he lowered his head slightly. “Did I not perform well enough? Or does Coach Cao have some issue with me?”

  He mentally reviewed the past seven days but couldn’t pinpoint any mistakes or actions that might have offended Cao Tong.

  Could it be that Cao Tong’s master has some grievance against me? Or… is it because I’m too talented?

  While Lin Yu’s thoughts raced, Chen Shuitian picked up a brush from his desk and began writing on a thick sheet of green-glowing paper. Without looking up, he said, “He cims he’s not worthy to be your teacher… I find that rather curious.”

  “What exactly did you do to earn such respect from Cao Tong?”

  “Cao Tong isn’t just any Body Forging Instructor… He’s a proud man. In all my years, I’ve never seen him bow to anyone outside the royal family. Yet, this time, he bowed to you.” Chen Shuitian’s tone carried a hint of amusement.

  “Just that alone is something you can be proud of.”

  Relieved, Lin Yu smiled and turned his attention to Chen Shuitian, who was still writing. “Sir Chen, the first phase of training is over. What’s next?”

  Instead of answering, Chen Shuitian pointed to the wall behind Lin Yu. Turning, Lin Yu saw a rge scroll hanging there, filled with names. Among them, he spotted Lin Ling’er’s name, ranked around seventieth or eightieth.

  Beside her name was a note: Primary Academy. Not yet First Rank, but possesses First Rank combat ability.

  Lin Yu’s eyes narrowed. “Is this the ranking of Heavenly Cloud Academy’s students?”

  Chen Shuitian replied calmly, “To be precise, it’s the ranking of the Outer Academy.” He handed Lin Yu the paper he had been writing on. “This is the ranking of the Inner Academy.”

  For the first time, Lin Yu learned that Heavenly Cloud Academy was divided into Inner and Outer Academies. As he took the paper, his eyes immediately nded on Han Ya’s name.

  Confused, Lin Yu looked up. Isn’t Han Ya a mentor? Why is she listed as a student?

  Chen Shuitian seemed to anticipate his question. “The Inner Academy has only three mentors and fewer than thirty disciples.”

  “The reason I’m showing you these rankings is to make one thing clear: Your goal next month is to defeat He Wu, but your ultimate goal at Heavenly Cloud Academy isn’t just to defeat him.”

  “These two lists contain a total of one hundred and twenty-three names. You must crush every one of them under your feet. Only then will you obtain what you truly desire.”

  Lin Yu fell silent, his eyes flickering with unspoken thoughts. It wasn’t hard to guess that the three mentors of the Inner Academy were likely the three nominal Vice Directors of Heavenly Cloud Academy, while the disciples were the kingdom’s true prodigies.

  Why is Heavenly Cloud Academy the most prestigious institution in the Heavenly Cloud Kingdom? Because the most talented individuals are concentrated here. Because the strongest cultivators throughout history have all emerged from this academy.

  That’s why it’s called the strongest academy.

  Yet Lin Yu couldn’t understand why Chen Shuitian was telling him all this. He looked up, trying to keep his expression calm. “Sir Chen, ten days ago, I was just an ordinary person.”

  “Because of a single Spirit Feast, I became the Vice Pavilion Master of the Dining Pavilion under your command. But that’s all. I’m not even a student of Heavenly Cloud Academy…”

  “That’s exactly the effect I want,” Chen Shuitian said, his eyes gleaming. “Heavenly Cloud Academy has been dominant for too long. Whenever people talk about cultivation, they immediately think of Heavenly Cloud Academy. It’s as if the academy represents the entire cultivation world in the Heavenly Cloud Kingdom.”

  “This isn’t a good thing…”

  Lin Yu understood Chen Shuitian’s reasoning. The situation was simir to how, in his previous life, people would immediately think of Harward and Oxford University when discussing higher education. But there was a key difference—while Harward and Oxford were revered, people still acknowledged that better universities existed elsewhere in the world.

  In the Heavenly Cloud Kingdom, however, people believed Heavenly Cloud Academy was the only cultivation academy that mattered.

  If this continued, other academies would gradually decline, leaving Heavenly Cloud Academy as a monopoly. Such a monopoly would inevitably become a tool of the royal family—something Chen Shuitian clearly wanted to avoid.

  Lin Yu said, “You want me to crush Heavenly Cloud Academy’s pride under an outsider’s identity. But Sir Chen, have you considered one thing…”

  “I know this is unfair to you, but I also know you’ll agree,” Chen Shuitian interrupted, gesturing toward the scroll on the wall. It floated into his hand. “This list has a hundred names. Start with them.”

  “For every person you defeat, I’ll provide you with the cultivation resources you need. Your physique requires an immense amount of spiritual energy, and I can supply you with suitable cultivation techniques for your Spirit-Devouring Physique, as well as powerful martial skills.”

  Lin Yu still hesitated. “The things you’re offering… I might be able to obtain them through my own means.”

  “Lin Ling’er will also receive corresponding resources,” Chen Shuitian added with a smile. “I know you have your ways, but Lin Ling’er doesn’t…”

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