Su Long was gone.
Gone cleanly.Gone decisively.
Su Yu, however, felt strangely hollow.
His father had left just like that—no warning, no transition period, not even time for proper emotional buffering.
On one hand, Su Yu worried about his father's safety on the frontlines.On the other, he was already worrying about his own future.
He had grown used to being taken care of.Used to having his old man around.
Living alone all of a sudden?
Yeah… that felt weird.
"…Dad," Su Yu muttered to himself, forcing a laugh,"you left without washing the dishes."
Dark humor was his specialty.
Some things, he refused to think about. Once he did, panic followed immediately. The Battlefield of the Heavens was no joke. He was genuinely afraid that if he thought too much, he'd chase after his dad and drag him back home.
"Civilization Academy…"
He didn't bother with the dishes. Instead, he collapsed onto the sofa, staring at the ceiling.
Before leaving, his father had kept nagging him to apply for the Civilization Academy. And honestly? That had been his plan.
But now…
"If you weren't going to the Battlefield of the Heavens, I'd happily go Civilization," Su Yu grumbled."But noooo. You had to charge straight into danger."
"Gone for years, maybe never back, and I'm supposed to sit safely in the rear worrying about you every day?"
"You're old enough to know better, aren't you?"
He rubbed his temples, headache forming.
"Fine. You forced my hand."
"Since you're not home, I'm not applying for Civilization Academy anymore."
"I'm applying for the War Academy."
Su Yu clenched his teeth.
The Civilization Academy was great.Deciphering the languages of myriad races.Analyzing cultivation techniques.Studying alien civilizations.
Civilization researchers were treasures—safe, respected, and far from the battlefield.
The War Academy?
That place existed for the frontlines.
He had spent years grinding through alien languages precisely so he could stay in the rear and keep his father company.
And now?
That old man ran off first—straight into the most dangerous battlefield in existence.
Civilization graduates rarely saw combat.
War Academy students?
Practical courses often took place on the Battlefield of the Heavens.
"War Academy…" Su Yu muttered."That requires actual strength."
And that was the problem.
The War Academy wasn't something you casually applied to. Strictly speaking, it was harder than the Civilization Academy—at least for him.
Civilization didn't demand much combat power.
The War Academy absolutely did.
The Human cultivation system was simple:Opening Origin → Thousand-Pound → Ten-Thousand-Stone.
The human body wasn't naturally suited for cultivation. One had to open the Nine Origin Apertures to connect with vital energy and truly step onto the path.
Seven natural apertures—mouth, nose, eyes, ears.Plus two hidden ones—Shenque (navel) and Baihui (crown).
Only by opening all nine could one absorb vital energy, temper the body, strengthen bones, and become a true warrior.
"I've only opened three—mouth and nose," Su Yu sighed."The ear apertures haven't reacted yet."
"Origin Opening Third Layer… that's not nearly enough for the War Academy."
The War Academy existed to cultivate elites. Resources there were expensive. They didn't waste them on the weak.
To be safe, one needed at least both ear apertures—Origin Opening Fifth Layer.
Sixth or seventh layer? Practically guaranteed admission.
As for anyone who opened Shenque or Baihui?
Instant special recruitment.
Anyone under twenty who opened all nine apertures could walk straight into any War Academy without question.
"And I'm only at Third Layer…"
Not terrible.But definitely not impressive.
At Nanyuan Secondary Academy, there were nine preparatory classes—750 students.
Over a hundred were at Third Layer.More than ten were above it.
Based on past admissions, War Academies took fewer than twenty students from Nanyuan.
Fourth Layer had strong odds.
Third Layer?
One in a hundred.
And War Academies weren't equal. Those willing to accept Third Layer students were… not exactly top-tier.
At that point, Civilization Academy honestly made more sense.
"…Three months left," Su Yu muttered."War Academy—let's see when the time comes."
If his dad was unreliable, then he had to be the reliable one.
Who runs off to the Battlefield of the Heavens at that age anyway?!
"Haah—!"
Late at night, Su Yu jolted awake again.
Cold sweat soaked his back.
"Another damn dream… Dad…"
He called out instinctively.
In the past, his father would rush in immediately.
Tonight, the room outside stayed silent.
Su Yu froze.
Only then did it sink in—his father had already left.
"…Sigh."
He turned on the light and checked his communicator.
3 a.m.
Still early.
"Over ten years," he muttered."Not a single peaceful night."
Nightmares for over a decade—anyone would lose their mind.
He leaned against the bed, lost in thought.
Doctors had said it was trauma-induced psychological shadow.
The problem was—Su Yu couldn't remember ever being traumatized.
"Every time… chased."
"By monsters. Demons. Things that weren't even human."
Different creatures. Same ending.
Being hunted.
For over ten years.
Who exactly did he offend?
His father once suspected Dream-Eater race techniques—but this was the Human Realm. If such beings had operated here for over a decade, they'd have been hunted down long ago.
Spending ten years tormenting a normal person?
That'd be either idiocy—or legendary stupidity.
"This is exhausting."
He exhaled.
"At least Dad said once I reach Thousand-Pound, evil can't invade and sickness disappears."
"Maybe then… the dreams will stop."
With that hope, time slipped by unnoticed.
Light crept through the window.
Morning.
Life went on.
And today wasn't a holiday.
After washing up and grabbing a quick bite, Su Yu shouldered his backpack and headed downstairs.
A buzz-cut teen was already waiting.
"Ah Yu," the boy blurted out,"My dad said Uncle Su yesterday—"
"Yeah."
Su Yu cut him off.
The boy panicked."Why would Uncle Su do that? At his age, going to the Battlefield of the Heavens is practically—"
He stopped himself.
"—looking for trouble," was what he wanted to say.
"I couldn't stop him," Su Yu forced a smile."Besides, millions of soldiers are there. Plenty of Human invincibles too."
"I know, but Uncle Su is only Thousand-Pound!" the boy insisted."That's strong for us, but on that battlefield? That's the starting line for the myriad races!"
"I know."
"Aren't you worried at all?!"
"Would worrying help?"
Su Yu sighed.
"Let's go to school. Less talking."
"…School?"
The boy stared.
"What, should I stay home crying and wait for bad news?" Su Yu rolled his eyes."School's recommending academy candidates soon. I'm going to register."
"You already registered," Chen Hao said."You went with me last week."
"Civilization Academy," Su Yu replied."This time—it's War Academy."
Chen Hao froze.
"W–What?"
"Move."
Su Yu didn't give him a chance to argue.
He had already decided.
At Nanyuan Secondary Academy, Registration Office.
The teacher frowned at the screen.
"Su Yu, didn't you apply for Civilization Academy? You've mastered eighteen alien languages—top-tier even by Great Xia standards. Why War Academy?"
Normally, dual applications meant lack of confidence.
But Su Yu?
Brilliant mind. Tireless effort.
Eighteen languages.
Even Great Xia Civilization Academy would welcome him with open arms.
Su Yu smiled politely.
"Just being safe, sir. Dual applications are allowed."
"Well, true," the teacher chuckled."But you really don't need it."
"The academy already submitted your records. Even if you mess up the unified exam, you might get a second chance."
Chen Hao looked green with envy.
"Sir… do I have a record too?"
The teacher glanced at him."Yes. Logistics Academy."
Chen Hao's face collapsed.
Logistics Academy.
The Four Academy Systems:War, Civilization, Research, Logistics.
Logistics covered everything from mechanics to cooking, driving, administration, entertainment—
Not bad.But for teenagers?
Last resort.
The teacher ignored his despair and finished Su Yu's registration.
"Focus on Civilization studies," he advised kindly."Learn another language or two. As for cultivation—Thousand-Pound is enough for Civilization Academy."
Su Yu nodded, smiling.
But deep down…
He knew his cultivation training needed to get serious.