Sunrise Academy wasn't the largest or the most extravagant institution, but it stood unrivalled as the top academy in the entire Eastern Continent. Countless academies were scattered across the land, yet none could compare to Sunrise Academy when it came to producing geniuses.
Most believed this was due to the headmaster, a mysterious man who had arrived from the Central Continent with his wife, claiming to spread the Dao while seeking enlightenment.
Within this academy, students still stuck in the Qi Refining Realm were considered bottom tier if they had not reached Foundation Establishment by the age of sixteen.
Those who managed to reach Peak Foundation Establishment at that age were regarded as true prodigies.
Such individuals were eligible to participate in the disciple recruitment held by the major sects of the Central Continent, unless they already possessed a recommendation letter.
Gu Ming and Xu Mei were both Peak Foundation Establishment cultivators. On top of that, they held recommendation letters and enjoyed abundant cultivation resources thanks to their powerful backgrounds.
This was one of the main reasons they looked down on Su Wen so much… the other being his humble village origins.
Two years ago, when Su Wen had first met Xu Mei and Gu Ming, things had been completely different.
In his eyes, Xu Mei had been a bright and cheerful girl, though her confidence often crumbled whenever people criticized her violin performances, calling them unworthy of the richest merchant family in the city.
At times like those, Su Wen would quietly sit beside her, offering silent comfort and steady support when she was at her lowest.
He always had this belief from his previous life that hard work mattered more than talent. Talent could grant someone a head start, but true growth came from the effort one was willing to put in.
He encouraged her to play with her heart, to feel every note, and to transform her music from mere sound into something truly her own.
She practiced for hours, sometimes producing sudden pitch changes that made him wince, or snapping strings that startled him in the middle of his studies.
Yet he never complained… not once. He simply stayed by her side, supporting her in the quiet, unwavering way he always had.
Over the next two years, her efforts began to bear fruit. She not only grew in confidence but also became one of the finest violinists in the academy. Her music, graceful yet powerful, filled the halls with warmth and light.
Before long, she became a star… the shining face of Sunrise Academy, naturally drawing the attention of everyone around her.
Gu Ming, like Xu Mei, had first met Su Wen two years ago during calligraphy classes. More of a brute than a scholar, he was far more interested in Spearmanship, with scholarly pursuits never truly being his passion.
He had initially approached Su Wen simply to help him earn some academic achievements. As the son of the City Lord, he needed to maintain appearances… at least enough to avoid embarrassing his background.
Su Wen accepted the request casually and helped him during classes. Through these sessions, the two grew close, forming a bond much like that of brothers… at least in Su Wen's eyes.
They began sharing drinks together, practicing not only poetry but also martial arts. Gu Ming favoured the spear, while Su Wen wielded the sword. They sparred regularly, pointing out each other's flaws and refining their techniques together.
With his abundant resources, Gu Ming's cultivation rose rapidly, far surpassing Su Wen's. Last month, he broke through to the Peak Foundation Establishment realm.
Furthermore, he comprehended Second Grade Spear Intent, a feat that firmly established him as one of the academy's top geniuses.
Despite his growing reputation, to Su Wen, Gu Ming was still the same as ever… a straightforward brute with very little brain power. A brother, but utterly hopeless at anything that required thinking.
It was Su Wen who introduced the two to each other, as they were his closest companions among the academy students. At first, everything seemed harmless. They exchanged polite greetings, made small talk, and appeared to get along well.
Seeing his two closest companions become friends put Su Wen at ease. But as the weeks passed, subtle changes began to appear in the way they treated him.
Su Wen noticed it all, yet chose to remain silent. The faint condescension in their eyes, the way they stood farther from him during gatherings, whispering to each other while pretending he wasn't there.
During academy events, they deliberately brought up topics like political alliances, noble banquets, and rare luxury treasures. They spoke loudly enough for Su Wen to hear, their voices laced with mockery, as if reminding him that he was nothing more than a poor country bumpkin compared to them.
Su Wen desperately hoped he was simply overthinking things. After all, they were his closest companions… they wouldn't truly betray him.
That fragile hope was utterly shattered this very morning, when he received the final stab to his heart.
Lost in thought, Su Wen walked toward the headmaster's office.
'Those ungrateful fools!… if they knew about my achievements, especially in Alchemy and Medicine… and the real reason I'm still stuck in the Qi Refining Realm, would they still look at me the same way?'
He paused for a moment, then shrugged.
'Anyway… not that I care anymore. They're not worthy.'