Chapter 321: Arrangement

With the clues provided by Peng Hai Cauldron, Li Qi suddenly saw the light!

He suddenly understood one thing: why he couldn't find any records of these boundaries in any ancient texts he searched.

Because this thing, by its very nature, possessed a certain secrecy; only a select few understood it, making it an esoteric concept.

Therefore, it was very difficult for him to hope to discover such practical things in those Daoist texts.

If he wanted to obtain enlightenment, information, or more fundamental insights about the boundaries, there were only two methods.

First, he had to rely on his own exhaustive enumeration and slowly research it.

Second, he could seize this opportunity to gain enough information within this Grotto-Heaven, thereby saving hundreds of years of research time.

Li Qi felt that choosing the second option was very necessary.

For no other reason than that a few hundred years was simply too long.

Li Qi was not yet thirty years old; although it was said he had achieved longevity, he felt no real sense of it and had not yet developed the time concept that a long-lived person should possess.

To put it bluntly, a few hundred years was still somewhat unbearable for him. Since there was a shortcut right in front of him, why not take it? It would save hundreds of years!

Thus, Li Qi asked Guo Peng Hai, “A demon dragon? There’s such a thing? Brother Guo, why don’t you tell me more about it in detail.”

Guo Peng Hai smiled, “Actually, there’s nothing much to elaborate on. It’s a very simple matter. After that demon dragon was slain, its horns, scales, hide, and bones—the hard parts—were used as materials to refine Spiritual Artifacts, its blood and essence were used for Alchemy, and the small world within its body was cut up and made into those dozens of desks. Nothing extraordinary.”

Li Qi listened to the other party's nonchalant tone and shook his head.

Guo Peng Hai was a Fourth-Rank, so this was naturally nothing extraordinary to him, but it was not the case for Li Qi.

“My question is, what was that demon dragon’s foundation? To still possess even a trace of vitality and not be completely dead even in such a state, that piques my interest. Brother Guo, could you elaborate on that aspect?” Li Qi immediately pressed.

“Oh, you’re asking about that. That’s nothing, actually, and it’s not much of a secret. Do you know what a demon dragon is?” Peng Hai Cauldron asked.

Li Qi nodded, indicating that he knew.

Throughout their lives, demons have one opportunity to transform, gaining some characteristics of their transformed form. This is their inherent nature.

This is not a transformation technique, but a genuine change in their fundamental essence, so the choice of transformation is made with great caution.

Over countless years, the demons themselves have also summarized an optimal solution for transformation.

This optimal solution varies depending on the region. Demons choose different forms based on their birthplace.

For example, in the Central Plains and Southwest regions, which are the territories of the Tang Nation and Shaman God Mountain, where the Human Race is dominant, demons tend to transform into humans.

In the East Sea, demons are more inclined to transform into Dragons.

This type of demon that transforms into a Dragon is a demon dragon.

In contrast, True Dragons are born as Dragons.

“This demon dragon, I remember, originally called himself a ‘Earth Dragon.’ He was something neither quite worm nor beast, with remarkably tenacious Life Qi, and he also mastered a truly profound Divine Ability of Clone,” Peng Hai Cauldron continued.

Li Qi nodded, searching his mind for records about the Earth Dragon.

Earth Dragon…

An earthworm?

Li Qi stammered.

No wonder its Life Qi was so tenacious. Could an earthworm’s Life Qi not be tenacious?

So, the four-legged snake phantom he saw was just this earthworm’s transformed Dragon appearance?

And it called itself an Earth Dragon… one could only say it seemed there was indeed no problem; it should be called an Earth Dragon.

Then he heard Peng Hai Cauldron continue to introduce: “I haven’t really understood its specific foundation, but this Earth Dragon’s Clone Divine Ability was quite remarkable. It is said that he had eighty-four thousand segments on his body, and each segment could transform into a Clone. Each Clone possessed a complete Spirit Soul and consciousness. If taken out individually, some would even believe it to be an independent life form.”

“The most crucial thing is that this Clone Divine Ability allows him to separate and combine at will. When separated, they look one way, and when combined, they look another, with no resemblance whatsoever,” Guo Peng Hai continued to explain.

Upon hearing this, Li Qi immediately became energetic, pricking up his ears, ready to listen carefully!

Wasn't this characteristic of differentiation and aggregation precisely the ‘boundary’ that Li Qi sought?!

Water is composed of countless water molecules. Water molecules are water molecules, and water is water. Water molecules do not possess the properties of water.

When did these water molecules, when stacked together, transform into water?

How many water molecules must a substance be composed of to be called water?

What is that boundary?

This was the question Li Qi wanted to ask!

And it was also the ability displayed by this Earth Dragon.

Each of his Clones was a water molecule, and he himself was water. How many Clones had to aggregate to form him? What was the relationship between him and his Clones? What exactly was the ‘boundary’ in between?

Li Qi pricked up his ears, ready to listen carefully, but Guo Peng Hai said, “Besides that, there’s nothing else remarkable. Later, he was killed and turned into material.”

Li Qi was stunned for a moment.

Uh… it seemed he hadn't said anything wrong.

“Is there nothing else you know, Brother Guo?” he asked, somewhat unwillingly.

“Yes, I’m just a cook. It’s already quite good that I know this much. Besides, isn’t this enough?” Guo Peng Hai spread his hands, indicating some bewilderment.

If this wasn't enough, what exactly did Li Qi want to know? Did he want to know the Earth Dragon’s specific Clone method?

That was really wishful thinking. That was the other party’s unique secret method; how could Guo Peng Hai possibly know it?

Li Qi also knew this in his heart, realizing that he wouldn't get anything more by asking. So he nodded: “Then thank you, Brother Guo. This is already a lot and helps me greatly!”

Guo Peng Hai chuckled, “As long as I can help you, that’s good. When you taste the food later, you must give me some thoughtful feedback.”

“That’s natural, absolutely!” Li Qi readily agreed.

After that, it was the usual routine: eating, chatting, and then writing down thoughts and records to prepare analysis plans for Peng Hai Cauldron.

All this was completed in less than half an hour, quickly done.

Li Qi bid farewell to Peng Hai Cauldron and, ignoring everyone else on the way, rushed straight back to his own home.

Back home, Li Qi began to plan.

This earthworm… no, the Earth Dragon.

This Earth Dragon wasn't completely dead because he possessed the nature of a Clone. Even if his entire body was cut up like that, his essence wasn't destroyed.

So, if he pieced together the Earth Dragon's corpse fragments, could he awaken him?

Even if he couldn't gather all the parts, he should be able to do it by collecting most of them, right?

Then, when he awakens, wouldn't he be able to directly observe the process of ‘Clones’ aggregating into the ‘main body’?

This way, it would be equivalent to witnessing the moment of crossing that ‘boundary’ with his own eyes!

This would save him an unknown amount of time that would otherwise be spent on exhaustive enumeration.

The more Li Qi thought about it, the more feasible it seemed, and he didn't mind taking some risks for it.

Because this was truly very important to him.

His human body’s small world was undergoing the transformation from illusion to reality, evolving from ethereal Qi into tangible matter, even constructing a real world.

Thus, if he grasped the mystery of this boundary, he could actively accelerate or regulate this process, which would greatly benefit his stabilization of Seventh-Rank strength, as well as his subsequent development at Seventh-Rank.

Li Qi even felt that this might be something he needed to thoroughly study throughout his entire Seventh-Rank. His foundation at Seventh-Rank should be built from this direction.

Since he had thought it through, he would do it.

Li Qi was not a procrastinator. He immediately decided to piece together the Earth Dragon’s corpse fragments.

Starting with those forty-nine desks… no, forty-nine Grotto-Heavens!

How could he piece these desks together? Physically piecing them together certainly wouldn't work, nor could he ask the Imperial Academy to help him, as these were public property and approval would be impossible.

In fact, he couldn't even tell the Imperial Academy about this matter.

Because this was his foundation.

If he told the Imperial Academy about this, it would mean that humanity would know that the foundation of his Seventh-Rank was this ‘boundary.’

That would be truly too dangerous, no different from suicide, so he had to do this quietly by himself and couldn't tell anyone else.

So… he had to first understand the nature of those Grotto-Heavens, and then figure out how to piece them together.

Understand the nature…

Hmm…

Got it.

Isn't this in the Military School of Thought course?

As long as he used reasons like duels, exams, or sparring to get the teacher to agree to let him enter different Grotto-Heavens, wouldn't the matter be settled? Then he could actually understand the nature of these Grotto-Heavens.

After understanding them, he could then slowly consider how to piece them together. Doing it progressively like this would make it possible to complete.

Li Qi made his arrangements and choices, immediately deciding to proceed this way.

Therefore, he did not attempt exhaustive enumeration that night, but instead went to bed early.

The next day, he first went to find Liu Canzhi.

He told the young master of the Liu family that the development of the Shamanic Silkworm Artifact could Reboot, as Li Qi now had free time.

Since Li Qi decided to temporarily abandon exhaustive enumeration, the extra energy could be put into this.

Liu Canzhi was overjoyed, immediately stating that they could Reboot at once and that he was always ready; whenever Li Qi came, they would begin.

After bidding farewell to Liu Canzhi, Li Qi resumed his normal classes.

Of course, he only attended compulsory courses and Military School of Thought classes.

Compulsory courses, meaning those classical texts.

As for other courses besides these, he would deal with them later… he could catch up slowly later.

Having freed up enough energy, he spent a day preparing with full vigor, ready to shine in the Military School of Thought class.

He had to first thoroughly defeat his deskmate, and only then would he have a reason to challenge other students.

This was his preparation.

One by one, he would challenge all the students who were studying the Military School of Thought course.

Because this kind of challenge was comprehensive, the Military School of Thought required surveying terrain and even measuring Feng Shui. Li Qi could also use the excuse that he possessed Shamancraft methods, which could give him a strategic advantage.

This way, he could meticulously survey all the Grotto-Heavens within each desk and obtain all the data!

With detailed data, it would be much easier to formulate a plan for how to piece them together.

Thinking about these things, Li Qi pushed open the classroom door in the evening.

Abandoning his usual hurried, deadpan expression, Li Qi revealed a brilliant smile today and sat down next to Li Lieqi.

That expression sent a chill down the spine of the already annoyed Li Lieqi.

The Martial Artist’s sixth sense told her that something bad seemed to be about to happen.

Nothing should happen… right?

This was the Imperial Academy, after all.

Regardless of that, Li Qi quickly took the initiative and said, “Student Li Lieqi, starting today, we should be learning about two armies facing off, right?”

As he spoke, Li Qi even rubbed his hands, looking eager.

“Yes… after the march is completed, we will begin the confrontation between two armies. Why?” Li Lieqi said cautiously, scrutinizing Li Qi up and down.

Li Qi’s appearance made Li Lieqi stop being angry and instead feel somewhat uncertain.

What was going on?

Before, Li Qi always had a busy, Sima-like expression, looking as if he was ‘busy to death and only sparing time to humor you lot.’

How could he show this face after just one day?

“That’s good. Actually, I’ve always found the previous exercises too boring. I’ve had some exposure to them, but I haven’t had any actual combat experience. Today, I can finally have a real battle,” Li Qi said with an excited but gentle smile.

Upon hearing this, the other students, including Li Lieqi, all nodded.

This made sense.

Li Qi’s previous good grades were because he was already familiar with this set of skills, which was why he was unenthusiastic but still performed well.

But now, the actual combat drill was completely new and unfamiliar to him, no wonder he suddenly became excited.

Everything was so natural.

Li Lieqi understood this and said, “I see. So, today you want to stay for review and extra practice, to exchange knowledge?”

“That’s natural. I’ve finished all the things I was busy with the past few days, and now I can fully dedicate myself to the Military School of Thought course,” Li Qi immediately said.

Upon hearing this, Li Lieqi’s anger had almost completely subsided.

Since the other party had a reason, it was not appropriate to blame him. A few days' delay was nothing; as long as progress could be made normally afterward, that would be fine too.

The two sides agreed.

Then, the class began.

After class, the teacher once again engaged in a cramming-style lecture.

For less capable students, this kind of cramming teaching was basically useless; they couldn't digest what they heard anyway, and it would be forgotten in a few days, never truly learned.

But for students with incredibly high aptitude, like those at the Imperial Academy, this was actually the most suitable method.

Everyone was intelligent; they didn't need slow explanations. The teacher could just be direct, and the students could go research it themselves.

The cramming ended.

The marching was also almost complete. Although it was said to be three days, everyone's skill level was already sufficient to complete such a march in one day, so in reality, no one gained much advantage.

Entering the Grotto-Heaven, they each arrayed their troops.

A direct confrontation was about to begin.

Li Lieqi was very confident. As someone who could achieve a Grade A- in the test, she wouldn't lose to a novice on the battlefield.

— — — — — — — —

After one class.

She stared wide-eyed in bewilderment.

How… how did she lose?