Chapter 69

Yue Heng sat in the single-person mobile vehicle, circling around, pausing at each hexagram position, with the sun about to set.

After much hesitation, Yue Heng finally fixed his gaze on a spot, his mind stirring. This place was just perfect, and he clapped his hands, "Hey! This is it!"

The development of the Zhongyuan world before the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods was still systematic. The Fuxi Eight Trigrams had evolved through several eras, from the Fuxi先天八卦 of the ancient times, to the Lianshan Yi of the Xia Dynasty, the Guicang Yi of the Shang Dynasty, and then to the Zhou Yi of the Zhou Dynasty, as well as the Yin-Yang and Five Elements theory added during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods. After the divine punishment, the Fuxi Eight Trigrams became increasingly complete.

The place Yue Heng chose was right in the center of the Eight Trigrams Academy, where Yin and Yang intersected, and the eight palaces converged. It was also the control point of the Fuxi Eight Trigrams array.

"The so-called potential attribute test, in scientific terms, is to see which knowledge you understand better. Then, under the influence of the Fuxi stars, you choose freely, trying to find what you know best and leverage your strengths. This can increase the success rate of nurturing literary symbols and make the literati stronger. All this mysticism is actually just that."

"Liu Jingtang gave me a 'none' evaluation based on my understanding of knowledge. Except for the theistic theories I couldn't find a scientific explanation for, any natural ability is just a different form of the same thing. So, my best method of cultivation should be comprehensive, not biased towards any one field, after all, the Fuxi stars don't exist on Earth!"

"Yin and Yang intersect, the eight palaces converge. This should be the most harmonious place. Whether it's a useless array point or a gathering place of Fuxi power, it's the most balanced place for me. Heaven has destined me to choose here."

Yue Heng muttered to himself, slowly walking to this spot, looking around. From here, the distance to each academy was equal. He sighed, "The feeling of being the center of attention is great. I'll choose this place. The stone tablet doesn't say I can't choose the center!"

There was no building at the array point, only a circular stone platform about a foot high, with nothing around it.

Yue Heng stood on the stone platform without hesitation, facing due south, which corresponded to the Qian position. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and tried to open the divine palace to the Qian position. He felt a vast life force coming from the distance, resonating with the "Spring" and "Life" literary symbols in his body. The two literary symbols in the divine palace vibrated joyfully, becoming brighter.

"The Qian position is pure Yang, full of vitality and righteousness. It seems that the students evaluated for the Qian position are likely to cultivate righteous energy, such as healing literary symbols and various power-enhancing literary symbols."

Yue Heng turned to face due north, the Kun position, and repeated the same actions.

"As expected, the Kun position is pure Yin. It's likely that more negative literary symbols, such as debuffs, are produced here. Not all are debuffs; perhaps the more gentle, slow, and continuous damage literary symbols receive more stimulation from the Fuxi stars here."

There should be many negative literary symbols associated with the Kun position, and Yue Heng could recall two in his memory.

One is "Wang," an oracle bone script shaped like a broken weapon.

The other literary symbol is "Bai," a hand holding a stick that has cracked a golden tripod. Both imply negative things, extending to death and decay.

But powerful negative literary symbols are not easy to nurture. According to the literature, only the literary master Ji has nurtured these two literary symbols. Most students in the Kun position likely focus on cultivating other small debuff literary symbols, and more women practice in this position.

There's no need to try the other positions. It's clear that the Fuxi Eight Trigrams and Fuxi oracle bone script are somehow linked, all of which exceeds Yue Heng's scientific knowledge.

These mysterious, indescribable, yet real phenomena, he dare not speculate recklessly, knowing that there are truly deities in the sky.

Yue Heng took out the stone tablet from his Qiankun bag. This was the identity proof for students, used to activate the stone tablet for riding the beast soul single-person mobile vehicle, eating, entering and exiting the teaching area, and renting training grounds.

For purchasing materials and trading items, the academy students could choose to use gold and silver to settle in the ordinary market of Qicheng or use the academy contribution points for internal transactions.

The sources of academy contribution points are numerous. Yue Heng carefully read the terms in the stone tablet, and several were applicable to him. Creating poetry and prose would earn rewards based on their quality, completing academy tasks would earn contribution points, winning in various internal competitions, donating materials from demon beasts and rare treasures, and receiving monthly rewards, among others.

"It seems I'm not too poor. The Qicheng literary department gave me five thousand contribution points. Let me calculate, a resonant literary work or battle poem is worth a thousand? Damn, literary works that benefit the human race are so cheap, so stingy!"

No more thinking, first fill his stomach, and then set up a simple tent for the night.

Yue Heng put away the stone tablet and slowly drove the single-person mobile vehicle, following the map in the stone tablet to leave the literary academy and head to the market near the academy gate.

This place was originally the intersection of the three major academies, a place for gatherings and socializing, which later evolved into a trading market with a closed trading pavilion.

The pavilion was mostly controlled by different factions and groups within the academy, with items clearly priced, a wide variety, and a large supply. The prices were slightly higher than outside but more reliable, handling the majority of the market's transactions.

Outside the pavilion, individual vendors set up stalls, selling one or two treasures obtained from travels or wholesale low-tier materials. Vendors could quickly make deals with a few words and pack up when done, making it convenient for everyone.

"Large quantities of Dragon Blood Grass, Barbarian Bull Fruit, and Phoenix Cry Flower for sale!"

This vendor was a Level 2 Warrior, looking exhausted, with dark bloodstains on his clothes and unhealed wounds on his face, likely just returning from the demon beast mountains. He had a pile of miscellaneous items, mostly common things except for a couple of medicinal herbs. Yue Heng curiously looked at them, listened to others haggling, and left without a word.

"Made by Yue Kingdom craftsmen, high-quality knives and swords, good and cheap, welcome to buy! Lower grade starts at thirty contribution points, middle grade at two hundred contribution points, recommended by Warrior Academy instructors, no cheating!"

Another vendor shouted, with a few Level 2 Warriors from the Warrior Academy demonstrating knives, swords, and spears, and selling some defensive gear. They shouted for a long time but made few sales.

"Hey! Those are just defective weapons made by Level 1 Craftsmanship Academy apprentices. They can trick a few new students during the enrollment period."

"Exactly! Many warriors can forge their own weapons, who would buy these scrap? The craftsmen mostly produce mass-produced goods, only outsiders and those without money would buy them."

Yue Heng accidentally overheard a senior student's commentary and almost laughed out loud.

It turned out that the different professions still had some intersections. For example, battle poems can be written by literati and sung by warriors, each with its own unique effects. Martial skills are also similar; literati can cultivate both literature and martial arts, and warriors can be military literati.

For example, in forging, the weapons and armor made by craftsmen may not be the best, but their success rate is definitely the highest. Warriors can make weapons that fit them best, but they might fail every time.

As for magical arrays, the high-level primitive arrays of the Fuxi temple are mostly carved by senior craftsmen, but the creative new arrays are mostly provided by literati, as they have a deeper understanding of literary symbols and Fuxi star power.

"Accepting any custom orders below Level 3 Craftsman, offensive or defensive, all-inclusive, no refusal, fastest delivery from the academy, door-to-door service, lowest price in Qicheng!"

Another shout, and Yue Heng saw a fat man near the entrance of the pavilion, his neck stretched out, one foot on a wooden box, standing out from the crowd, shouting loudly.

His stall had nothing ready, but his slogans were loud, attracting many people to watch. Literati and warriors might not know, but the craftsmen themselves were skeptical. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be an acquaintance, and everyone laughed.

"It's you, Fat Lei. I heard the delayed bombs you made injured several students?"

"Damn! The delayed bombs I made can control the explosion time. Those fools were chased by demon bears and panicked, wasting their escape time. Is that my fault?"

Fat Lei had a look of frustration, shaking his head at the thought of it, his cheeks jiggling. Yue Heng almost laughed out loud.

Another voice shouted, "Fat Lei, I heard the girls from the Peony Tower in Qicheng first fainted at the academy gate's stone pillars, then went to the Qicheng literary department to drum and file a complaint, saying you sold them fake goods?"