Tribulation of Myriad Races

After a while, Su Yu wiped the nonexistent sweat on his head. This Great Ming Cultural Research Academy was too interesting, to the point he wondered if he had arrived at some sort of a theme park.

Before long, a massive door appeared before him.

“Multiple Character Fusion Faculty.”

The name of the faculty was written in a flamboyant cursive font. Before he could step through the door, he heard someone inside shouting, “Let’s go! Big Ball has just given birth! Let’s take a look!”

Then, a few students rushed outside the faculty. The student leading the group nearly ran the fastest and nearly collided with Su Yu.

He stopped and asked, “Student, Big Ball has given birth. Have you seen it?”

“…”

What an energetic lad. This was unlike the multiple character faction in Great Xia where all its members were struggling bitterly.

Su Yu didn’t know what to say. He wondered if he could really gain the support he needed here before returning to Great Xia to get his revenge.

“No…”

“Oh! We’re going there right now! Are you coming?”

“No thanks.”

The students then ignored him and ran off. After a while, one of them asked curiously, “Is that…Su Yu?”

“I guess so?”

“Oh. We’ll look at Big Ball first before coming back to look at Su Yu. He’s already here so we have plenty of chance to look at him in the future. It’s rarer for Big Ball to give birth!”

“True.”

They ran off while discussing loudly among themselves. Su Yu was getting more and more tired. It would seem like even a beast was more interesting than him. Stepping through the door, he was faced with an elegant garden filled with beautiful flowers and gentle creeks.

Suddenly, a middle-aged woman walked over, smiled, and asked, “Is this Su Yu?”

Su Yu bowed and said, “Greetings, Teacher.”

This was a teacher. Su Yu could sense that she was a Cloudbreach.

The middle-aged woman smiled and said, “Don’t be too stiff. The multiple character faction is small so everyone knows each other. I’m Huang Feng, a third-stage Cloudbreach and a junior researcher. Speaking of, we actually have the same researcher level. The faculty head is waiting for you.”

“Thank you, Teacher Huang.”

Su Yu started following beind Huang Feng. While walking, she said, “Are you thinking that Great Ming Cultural Research Academy is very different from Great Xia Cultural Research Academy?”

“Yeah.”

Huang Feng smiled and said, “That’s not surprising. Great Xia is filled with war fanatics. They spend all their time in wars. Meanwhile, Great Ming does not engage in a lot of wars. And in the event of a war, the warriors will be the ones to fight. Us cultural researchers don’t really participate in wars.

“Some might say that we are too carefree. Some might say that we will decline after forgetting how to fight. But nobody can deny that Great Ming has enjoyed a long period of peace. In Great Ming, cultural research academies are viewed differently than they are in Great Xia. Even our principal has a different philosophy than the other principals. He is our first principal. When he founded the academy, he defined the academy as a place where research specialists are produced. The cultural researchers of Great Ming are only responsible for research and creation. We will only fight when Great Ming itself is in danger. In short, the Great Ming Cultural Research Academy is a supportive academy, not a combat academy.”

Su Yu nodded. That was a very clear explanation. And since the first principal was still around, those under him would naturally abide by his principles.

“Thank you for the explanation, Teacher.”

Huang Feng said, “But as I said, we will decline if we forget completely how to fight. Principal Niu is aware of that as well. Thus, we have a combat faction in the academy as well. And the multiple character faction is one of the pillars of the combat faction.”

Su Yu nodded.

Seeing that Su Yu was remaining silent, Huang Feng said, “Are you thinking that the multiple character faction here might not be that strong?”

“No.”

Huang Feng laughed and said, “It’s normal to think that. But you are not getting the whole picture yet. The multiple character faction here is quite strong. Even our faculty head is not as weak as he seems. Many years ago, Elder Hong of Great Xia came and challenged the faculty head. The fight ended with his defeat.”

Su Yu was in disbelief. When Huang Feng saw that, she said, “I’m telling the truth. You can ask the others about this. Sure, the multiple character faction is good at combat. But that is not the only thing we can do. Some unique and exotic abilities are also capable of securing victory in combat.

“Our faculty head has a spatial character capable of manipulating space, allowing him to teleport everywhere. Elder Hong spent six hours chasing after him before conceding due to excessive exhaustion.”

“…”

Su Yu asked in disbelief, “The faculty head has a spatial character?”

“Yeah. He wouldn’t have started that research of his otherwise. If it wasn’t for this research, he would have probably reached the Sunmoon Realm by now.”

Huang Feng said, “Offensive strength is not everything for cultural researchers. If that is your focus, you are better off becoming a warrior. The true strength of cultural researchers comes from the numerous tricks we have up our sleeve. I saw some recordings of your previous fights. The blood essence you used gave you all sorts of abilities. That is the essence of a true cultural researcher. People like Hong Tan, Bai Feng, Chen Yong, and a lot of cultural researchers in Great Xia have actually strayed from the real path of cultural researchers.”

Huang Feng said, “You might think that the cultural researchers of Great Xia are stronger, but they might not prevail in a true fight against other cultural researchers. Of course, there is no doubt that through combat, the cultural researchers of Great Xia are able to grow at a much faster rate. Great Xia has double the Mountainsea cultural researchers we have. That is mostly due to the militaristic nature of Great Xia.”

Su Yu nodded.

Huang Feng said, “I’m telling you all this because I want you to know that what you learn in Great Xia might not be everything cultural researchers are about. Do not let a single leaf obscure you from the entire forest. Do not believe that Great Ming’s cultural researchers are weak. If you let that impression linger in your mind, you will no longer be able to learn anything useful here.”

Huang Sheng solemnly said, “You’re not only here for shelter, right? You could have stayed in Great Xia otherwise as at this point, they won’t touch you anymore. I believe you’re here for your own goals. You are here to get something you can’t get in Great Xia, right?”

Su Yu nodded, “You’re right, Teacher.”

“In that case, you need to see things clearly. Don’t think that you have nothing to learn just because you are capable of killing Cloudbreach cultivators.” Huang Feng said, “Ability blood essence is an external help. Using things created by other cultural researchers is also the same as relying on external help. You’re not the only Mental Tempering Stage cultivator capable of killing Cloudbreaches. For example, we have a poison specialist in the academy who had once killed a Cloudbreach. Sure, that isn’t as shocking as killing in direct combat like you did, but is there really a difference?”

Su Yu thought about it and shook his head, “They’re both the same. The end goal is to kill the enemy.”

“Exactly.” Huang Feng said, “It’s good that you understand this. You’re not like the other Great Xia fellows who would always look down on us and call what we do petty tricks. Those idiots believe that direct combat is the only way to display your strength. Does the ability to create a poison capable of killing Cloudbreaches not require talent as well? Is that not strong as well? Don’t make the mistake of thinking that only Great Xia’s way is correct.”

Su Yu said, “You’re right. Don’t worry, Teacher. I can see things clearly. I am still very weak. I won’t look down on anyone. Even Mental Tempering Stage students might be able to kill me. I understand this very well.”

Huang Feng smiled and said, “Don’t be too modest. You’re very strong. No one can deny that. You’re very talented. And nobody can deny that as well. We are happy to see you here. With you here, we can learn from each other and improve on our respective weak points. Everyone should learn to do this instead of looking down on those who are different.

“Do you know why the conflict between the single and multiple character factions does not affect Great Ming much? Because as a whole, the cultural researchers of Great Ming are looked down upon by the other cultural researchers. Those from the other prefectures believe that we’re not doing what we should. None of them see us as one of them. In that case, we might as well mind our own business and ignore them.”

Su Yu asked in astonishment, “Are the cultural researchers of the other prefectures the same as Great Xia’s cultural researchers?”

“There are a lot of similarities.” Huang Feng explained, “Even the Knowledge Seeking Realm, the so-called holy land of all cultural researchers has strayed from the path of research. Instead, they have been focusing on combat. And they judge the value of a cultural researcher through the cultural researcher’s strength in combat. But let me ask you something. Is this Acupoint Fusion Art of you comparable to a Mountainsea in value?”

Su Yu nodded, “I think so.”

“How do you think the masses are viewing you after that creation? Are you as important as an elder for them?”

Nope.

Su Yu sank into silence.

“One needs to be a Mountainsea to be promoted into an elder. In special circumstances, those at the Cloudbreach can be promoted as well. But have you been promoted into an elder despite your contribution? Has anyone suggested that you apply for a promotion?”

“No.”

“Why do you think so?” Huang Feng said, “Because you’re not strong enough. For a lot of people, your Acupoint Fusion Art is impressive, but you as a person are not impressive enough. Thus, you’re unworthy of being an elder. But that is not the case in Great Ming.”

Su Yu blanked out. What?

“Even Great Ming has to follow the rules of the Knowledge Seeking Realm. But we don’t follow all their rules. Our Principal Niu does not like these rules. Thus, we have some honorary elders in our Great Ming Cultural Research Academy.”

Huang Feng said, “If you can create another good cultivation method and disseminate it to benefit a large number of people, you can become an honorary elder, enjoying all the benefits of a proper elder. Of course, those outside Great Ming might not acknowledge this status of yours, but everyone in Great Ming will definitely acknowledge it.

“We have fourteen elders in the academy, but we also have eight honorary elders. These honorary elders come in different cultivation levels, such as the Skysoar Realm, the Cloudbreach Realm, or even the Mental Tempering Stage.”

“…”

Su Yu exclaimed in shock, “Mental Tempering Stage?”

“Yeah.” Huang Feng said, “Naturally, that Mental Tempering Stage elder is not young. He’s nearly a hundred years old. He’s very weak in terms of combat. Both of us can easily defeat him. But he has an important contribution. Thirty years ago, he created the rapid transit beast shrinking technology.

“Those little boxes containing these rapid transit beasts were created by him. Back then, all our puppets came in large sizes. They were very troublesome to carry around. The same applies to regular mounts. But after his invention, we no longer need storage rings, storage talismans, and beast space to store our mounts. His invention swept through the entire Great Ming in no time. That is what I call a contribution. In your opinion, is that a major contribution?”

Su Yu nodded, “Yes. In fact, I’m tempted to get some of these rapid transit beasts as well.”

“That’s right. We don’t have a lot of traditional mounts such as cloudrush horses, earthdragons, and so on in Great Ming. For those beasts, we need to capture, raise, and tame them. But with these rapid transit beasts, there is no need for all that.”

Su Yu exclaimed in admiration, “Mental Tempering Stage elder…”

He was truly impressed.

“Does that elder have a voice in Great Ming?”

“Of course.” Huang Feng said, “At the very least, his voice holds a lot of weight within the academy. He has a vote during a meeting of elders as well. He basically enjoys the same level of power as a Mountainsea elder.”

Su Yu’s eyes flickered as he said, “If I can produce something good, would I be able to apply for a promotion as well?”

“Yeah.” Huang Feng said, “If you had created that Acupoint Fusion Art in Great Ming, you would definitely be able to apply for a promotion. As long as the other elders and the principal agree with it, you will be promoted. In essence, that Acupoint Fusion Art would serve as a key to the position of an elder.”

Su Yu swallowed. An elder was still a big deal. At the very least, it granted him the power to get involved in some of the decision-making in the academy. How surprising. He hadn’t read anything about this even after spending a few days reading.

“Teacher, are there any rules here preventing higher-ranked cultivators from challenging weaker cultivators?”

“No.”

“…”

Huang Feng said, “Rules only exist to restrict people. But some of the rules are pointless. For example, if someone stronger challenges you, just surrender if you don’t want to fight. Who would waste their time pestering you after that?

“If you, as a Mental Tempering Stage, start running your mouth against a Mountainsea, is the Mountainsea supposed to tolerate you? No. That Mountainsea should beat you up. That’s understandable. Should we restrict that Mountainsea with rules?

“This rarely happens in the academy. If that really happens, just surrender and apologize if you’re really at fault. The matter will end there. If you remain stubborn even if you’re at fault, you deserve a beating.”

Su Yu nodded and said, “But at times, right and wrong are hard to judge.”

“It’s easy here. We have an arbitration system in the academy.”

So in the end, it was still up to the rules? The only difference was that things were a lot more flexible here in comparison.

As they talked, they arrived at a large building. It was a six-story building.

Xiansheng Research Center.

What a simple name. Was this going to be his future research center?

Su Yu looked up at the building. At this time, Hu Xiansheng appeared with a complicated expression on his face. Noticing Su Yu’s gaze, his mood dropped. What was the kid looking at? This building was his! At the very least, it was still his for now!