Chapter 315: The first day of the Imperial College

Imperial Academy started, and Li Qi was finally able to attend school normally.

However...

The first day of school was unexpectedly... peaceful.

It was truly too peaceful.

Li Qi had thought his arrival would cause some uproar or that something big was waiting for him.

But in reality, he went to class early in the morning, followed the schedule sent out by the System, and naturally joined in.

There wasn't a single ripple.

It was just that his classmates were a bit cold, as if all of them knew him and were avoiding him.

Even the teachers seemed to be like this; besides teaching, they didn't seem to want to talk much with him.

But Li Qi didn't care about this.

He didn't know about Nanshan Academy and simply assumed it was because of his identity as the Young Master of Shaman God Mountain.

It was just that he didn't care about these things anyway, mainly because these people weren't his targets for making connections; they were just passersby, so whether he built relationships or not didn't matter.

What he valued most now was learning the knowledge within Imperial Academy.

Thus, the day went smoothly, and Li Qi attended nine classes.

The content covered a lot.

First were four classes on policy and classic interpretation, which goes without saying, and they all discussed the core logic of the Human Dao's operation, with no intention of holding back any secrets.

Of course, holding back secrets would be useless, because these things are the foundation of the Human Dao; if they aren't explained clearly, you simply can't learn anything else about the Human Dao.

Moreover, theoretically speaking, these things are indeed very important; if they were overturned, the entire Human Dao would collapse with them.

But how could it be so easy to overturn? This thing is the foundation of the entire Human Dao, like the earth, incredibly solid.

To give an example, it's like a class where they teach you relativity, and the first lesson is 'the constancy of the speed of light' and the 'principle of relativity'.

These two are the foundations of relativity; if you overturn them, you've overturned relativity. Now, go ahead and try.

Try what? It's already good enough if you can understand it; you want to overturn it?

It was the same now; Li Qi didn't think about anything else, just listened attentively.

Such lectures were still very beneficial to him.

He was able to understand the Human Dao more systematically and logically, and under the Tai Xue Doctor's lectures, he could more smoothly sort out the operational parts of the Human Dao within his body.

Just listening to these four classes greatly benefited his cultivation and gave him a deeper understanding of how to sort out the miniature heaven and earth of the human body.

To be honest...

It was the first time Li Qi had ever seriously listened to someone explain how to cultivate...

He had never had such treatment before.

However, Yan Ke and Bo Yue, who were in class with him, seemed uninterested, even yawning while listening.

They simply didn't care about the operational logic of the Human Dao; they couldn't be bothered with it.

However, while they weren't interested in the classic interpretation, once the course moved to practical application techniques, they immediately perked up and began to listen attentively.

The principles might not matter, but how to respond is of utmost importance; if they encounter someone from the Human Dao in the future, this will be a form of foundation, which can easily affect life and death.

Besides policy and classic interpretation, Li Qi's other five elective courses were 'Brief Explanation of Medical Practitioners,' 'Cultivation and Breeding of demon beasts,' 'Introduction to Artisans,' 'Introduction to the Military School of Thought,' and 'Introduction to the Yin and Yang Family.'

He took Medical Practitioners and Artisans for the rabbit. Medical Practitioners was for having some common topics in the future and also to help understand the miniature heaven and earth of the human body, which would be beneficial for cultivation.

Artisans was for carving the sixth-grade raw jade in his arms. He hadn't started carving it yet, so he wanted to learn more to avoid messing it up, otherwise Li Qi couldn't afford a second piece of sixth-grade raw jade.

The cultivation and breeding of demon beasts was to lay the foundation for cultivating Shamanic Silkworm Artifact; he still needed to learn it. It could also be combined with his knowledge of Gu in his mind, perhaps sparking some new inspiration.

Introduction to the Military School of Thought and Introduction to the Yin and Yang Family were Li Qi's own interests. He felt that these two Hundred Schools of Human Dao might be useful to learn, so he specifically chose these two courses.

They were all introductory courses, not difficult, and he understood them easily. Moreover, the teachers' levels were not low.

The classrooms were all miniature heaven and earths, and the explanations started from practical operations, going from simple to profound, narrating eloquently, with very high efficiency.

However, because the students were all Geniuses, the teachers' pace was very fast, never explaining a knowledge point a second time. Li Qi saw many classmates recording the lessons.

Fortunately, he didn't need to do this; he basically understood after listening once. This efficiency even made the teachers frequently look at him sideways, reminding him multiple times to pay attention to taking notes.

Fortunately, Li Qi would always stand up and repeat the knowledge points, showing in the astonished eyes of his classmates that he had truly learned it and was unlikely to forget it.

But generally, there were no major ripples; the day's classes passed quickly, and soon only the last class remained.

The last class was Introduction to the Military School of Thought.

Li Qi immediately arrived at the classroom for this class.

Upon entering the classroom, he was surprised to find that this time it wasn't a miniature heaven and earth.

Previous classes were all held in miniature heaven and earths or Grotto-Heavens, which had a complete set of facilities, such as a demon beast breeding farm or something similar.

But this time, upon entering, it was just an ordinary room, with a sandbox placed in front of each desk, divided into black and white sides.

It seemed like they were going to team up? Two people per table, acting as opponents for practice?

It looked a bit interesting.

Li Qi simply found a seat and sat down, waiting for the lecture to begin.

However, not long after, another person sat down opposite him at the same table.

It was someone he knew.

Li Lieqi, the woman who practiced Dual Cultivation in both military and martial arts, who had entered with him in the same batch.

Li Lieqi walked in, and upon seeing Li Qi, she didn't even hesitate, walking directly to the seat opposite Li Qi and sitting down.

At this point, there were still a few minutes until class began.

"Classmate Li Qi, we meet again. I didn't expect you to come and learn the Military School of Thought's methods," Li Lieqi said to Li Qi immediately after sitting down.

Li Qi was a little surprised, and at the same time, a little wary.

This was the first person today who had taken the initiative to speak to him.

Before, everyone seemed to be wary of his identity as a Young Master, avoiding him.

Therefore, this person's initiative to strike up a conversation must have a purpose.

Thus, he sized up Li Lieqi.

She was wearing a black, red-trimmed tight-fitting outfit, with her long hair tied in a ponytail. She was still as heroic, but being a beautiful woman, at such close proximity, her heroic Aura diminished significantly, making her seem somewhat girlishly tender instead.

Indeed, less muscle means no sense of oppression. This is how it is for women who practice martial arts.

But she seemed to follow the Human Dao's Military School of Thought, not a pure Martial Artist.

Thinking these thoughts, Li Qi didn't act impolitely. Instead, he immediately cupped his hands and said, "Hello, classmate. It's just a slight interest, merely an introduction, not a deep study."

"I can tell," Li Lieqi nodded, indicating understanding.

Li Qi's appearance was refined and gentle. Although he was much sturdier than those Confucian scholars due to being a Shaman, he was still too delicate compared to those muscular men who specialized in martial arts.

Li Qi then began to chat idly: "I've long heard that the Imperial Academy's Military School of Thought teachings are quite interesting. Learning them is a good thing."

He could tell that this Li Lieqi had something to discuss with him.

However, she seemed unsure how to start, so she merely exchanged pleasantries.

Li Qi didn't want to hear what she had to say, so he also started rambling.

He was quite skilled at this. Seeing how clumsy Li Lieqi was with words, if she picked up Li Qi's thread of conversation, she probably wouldn't get to the main point until class was over.

However, she seemed to realize something and simply slammed her hand on the table.

With a bang, all eyes in the class turned towards them.

Li Qi's words were naturally interrupted. He unconsciously glanced around.

Therefore, the others quickly averted their gaze.

But correspondingly, they quickly perked up their ears.

There was nothing to be done about this; they were all young people. When they encountered the famous Li Qi, and there was a woman slamming the table opposite him, it was hard not to attract attention.

But Li Lieqi successfully interrupted Li Qi's words. She seemed to have realized that rambling wouldn't get them to the topic, so she simply stated directly: "Classmate Li Qi, I saw that Imperial Academy’s Chancellor personally taught you the Dao. How does it compare to the outside?"

Hearing this, Li Qi suddenly understood.

So it was about this!

What did I think it was? You scared me to death, you silly girl.

Li Qi was truly a bit startled. After all, ever since he came to school, so many people had kept their distance from him. Suddenly, someone striking up a conversation indeed required some caution.

Upon hearing this question, Li Qi carefully considered his words, then replied: "If you ask how... actually, for you all, it should be inferior to the outside. Imperial Academy’s Chancellor taught me a set of Bushi Technique (Divination Technique), and nothing else besides that."

"The lectures outside discuss the fundamental Dao, depending on how much you can comprehend. They are vast and profound, capable of meeting the needs of a million people listening to the Dao."

"Inside, Imperial Academy’s Chancellor only imparted methods to me; he did not guide me on my Dao path."

Li Qi did not hide anything, frankly telling her the situation of the lecture inside.

Actually, Imperial Academy’s Chancellor's approach was better, because Li Qi's Dao path was not something a third-grade official of Tang Nation could comment on. If anyone were to guide him, it would be Zhu Fengdan, so imparting methods without imparting the Dao was the smart person's approach.

However, this answer clearly didn't satisfy Li Lieqi very much.

The girl frowned after hearing it: "Imperial Academy’s Chancellor only imparts methods? Is Classmate Li Qi trying to fob me off?"

Li Qi immediately cupped his hands: "Absolutely no falsehood, it is indeed so."

"Fine, Imperial Academy’s Chancellor's lecture is indeed important, so I won't ask anymore," Li Lieqi sighed and sat up straight, saying so.

But her eyes were filled with defiance, as if she felt that if she had the chance in the future, she would definitely figure out what Imperial Academy’s Chancellor had said to Li Qi.

Li Qi felt a headache coming on.

Damn it, what an idiot.

Forget it, there are idiots everywhere; I'll stay away from her in the future.

A few minutes quickly passed, and soon, the teacher for the Introduction to the Military School of Thought class arrived.

However, this time the teacher was not a Dr. Tai Xue, but a Youqi General of Tang Nation, a fifth-grade official.

He wasn't wearing armor, but casual clothes.

His muscles bulged, he was twelve feet tall, extremely burly, with a large bushy beard, a tiger's back and a bear's waist, and a face that commanded respect without needing to show anger.

As soon as he entered, Li Qi felt a sense of oppression.

Although this General had already restrained his Aura, the slightest bit that leaked out still made everyone in the classroom gasp for breath.

Fortunately, Li Qi was already a seventh-grade, and a deep breath was all it took to no longer be affected.

But the other students all felt the pressure increase, and even grow stronger.

The burly teacher not only didn't stop, but deliberately increased his Aura.

Li Qi frowned.

What in the world was going on?

Then, the burly man spoke: "Today's class is Introduction to the Military School of Thought."

"A soldier, by observing numbers, knows reason; by examining tools, discerns victory. One who does not understand military power will impoverish their country on the day they raise an army, and even if they win the battle, the country will have already lost. Therefore, the first step in introduction is counting."

Li Qi, uh, uh.

It seemed a bit different from what he imagined.

But it also seemed to make sense.

In military affairs, the most important thing is not how to use troops, but 'observing numbers to know reason, and examining tools to discern victory.' Those who don't understand these things, as soon as they raise an army, will impoverish their country. Even if they win on the battlefield, the country will have already lost.

Therefore, the first lesson in Introduction to the Military School of Thought is mathematics, teaching you how to settle accounts first.

Only after learning how to settle accounts are you qualified to talk about leading troops.

So, the introduction to military strategy is counting; this is the foundation of all military strategy.

The General continued: "However, I know that you are all Geniuses of the heavens. You must have dabbled in ordinary arithmetic, and some of you may even be proficient, as there are not a few people from the Yin and Yang Family among you. This certainly won't be difficult for you."

"Therefore, to understand your specific level, I will first test you."

"Presumably, you have already felt my pressure. The content of this test is precisely that."

"Endure my pressure, and then, plan and calculate a batch of military rations. They are in the sandbox in front of you. Your sandboxes have already been arranged with different numbers of soldiers, some more, some less, each different."

Upon hearing this, Li Qi looked down.

Indeed, some numbers of soldiers appeared on the sandbox, but before Li Qi could see clearly, the next second, Li Qi suddenly felt something pulling him!

Unable to resist at all, his body was instantly pulled into it!

True Knowledge Dao Resonance immediately sensed something familiar.

It was the Aura of the Grotto-Heaven barrier.

When the pulling force ended, Li Qi looked again and found that he had already arrived in a Grotto-Heaven.

This Grotto-Heaven...

"Is it the sandbox from just now?" Li Qi immediately looked up at the sky.

Above was a barrier, and beyond the barrier... was the ceiling.

That table was a miniaturized Grotto-Heaven, and he had now entered the Grotto-Heaven.

At this moment, the General's voice came from above: "Now, within this Grotto-Heaven, gather your military rations, by any means necessary. Remember, your deskmates are on the same sandbox as you. You cannot use your own Divine Ability; you can only use your wisdom."

"Within the sandbox, there are your soldiers, as well as civilians, towns, and also desolate wilderness and mountain forests. Endure my pressure, and then raise half a year's worth of military rations. This is this test."

"If you fail this test, I will suggest that you abandon the Dao of the Military School of Thought, because you are not suitable."

"Now, begin!"

As soon as the words fell, Li Qi noticed something was amiss.

True Knowledge Dao Resonance was trembling.

Originally, Li Qi just thought this was another ordinary class, but he felt an indescribable something resonating within this classroom.