Chapter 648: Good Planning

Chapter 643: Strategic Planning

They had now entered the second courtyard, where the main buildings of the academy stood. Each structure was grander and more solemn than any government office, and there was even an exquisite halberd gate. Sun Fuling said that Panlong City had invested immense effort in constructing the academy, intending for every scholar who entered to understand the gravity of knowledge.

"It's this late, and I can't believe there are still so many people at the academy."

The academy used to close promptly at dusk. Later, after Panlong City established trade cooperation with the Cave Spiders, fluorescent spores from the Ghost Needle Stone Forest were also brought into the academy. From then on, the academy began offering evening classes. As a result, most of the enrolled students were adults who worked during the day and came to the academy at night for lectures. Thus, even under the night sky, the academy remained brightly lit, with teachers and students coming and going continuously.

Sun Fuling chuckled, "This is nothing. I've heard that the academy in Beijia's capital attracts scholars from all directions. Sages give lectures and debates daily, and it's bustling with activity all day long. I'd truly love to see it." Lingxu City was renowned worldwide, attracting talented individuals daily, year-round, who came to study and seek wisdom.

He Lingchuan chuckled, "Its grand reputation is hard to live up to." On second thought, during his time in Lingxu City, he had been preoccupied with infighting. Aside from visiting a few scenic spots and entertainment venues, he hadn't had the chance to observe the capital carefully. Madam Sun's words reminded him: having finally entered the foremost city in the world, how could he leave empty-handed? Having existed for six hundred years, Lingxu City, despite its accumulated problems, must also possess numerous advantages to continuously attract talent from across the world.

Sun Fuling said sternly, "Do not criticize your enemy's strengths. Undermining an enemy's strengths does not make you stronger; it only makes you more blind." He Lingchuan retorted sheepishly, "Madam is right."

Past the Bell and Drum Tower was the third courtyard, which served as the academy's administrative area. Entry was restricted to unauthorized personnel. Upon entering, the air suddenly grew quiet.

Sun Fuling led him into a tutor's office and said, "The main hall is up ahead. I'll go find the dean; you wait here." With that, she walked through the back corridor and quickly exited. Next to it was the Ancestral Hall courtyard, featuring a lotus pond, snow pines, and various sculptures. Among them was a sculpture of a wide-mouthed monkey, covering one ear with a hand, grinning at people, and missing a large tooth. Fluorescent spores hung from the treetops in the courtyard, casting a soft glow on the monkey sculpture.

He Lingchuan felt a sense of familiarity upon seeing it. After a second look, he suddenly remembered: he had seen this monkey sculpture before, when he entered the ancient city ruins in the Panlong Desert with Sun Fuping, Nian Songyu, and others! At the time, he thought the monkey's smile was lewd and had even kicked it, which left a deep impression. So, he realized, the location he had been in back then was none other than the Suming Academy! The scene of scholars reading aloud and peaceful times today would, centuries later, be replaced only by desolate sands and the wailing of the wind. He Lingchuan let out a long breath and looked up at the night sky. The Star of Heavenly Net was there, twinkling brightly at him.

Shortly after, Sun Fuling returned, followed by a high-capped scholar – Xu Shichu, the Dean of Suming Academy. He Lingchuan had attended his public lecture at the Immortal Inquiry Hall, so he stepped forward and cupped his fists, saying, "Dean Xu!" "It's you!" Xu Shichu was startled as he looked at him, then smiled, "We've met, um, at, at..." "The Immortal Inquiry Hall." "Yes, yes, at the Immortal Inquiry Hall. You even asked me about Zuju!" Xu Shichu nodded repeatedly. "There are many children who enjoy wielding weapons, but few who can sincerely pursue knowledge. Little Sun said you have something to ask me?"

Sun Fuling interjected, "You two talk first. I have an evening class to teach, so I'll be going now." "Go, go," Xu Shichu waved her off. Sun Fuling smiled at He Lingchuan and turned to leave.

He Lingchuan did not beat around the bush and asked directly, "Dean Xu, may I inquire if the path of the Star of Heavenly Net can be calculated?" "The Star of Heavenly Net?" Xu Shichu was surprised and looked up at the night sky. "Oh, how did the Star of Heavenly Net appear tonight?" "If one were to calculate its path in real-time, what methods would be available?" "It has always been a hidden star. As long as it remains hidden in the night sky, there's no way." Xu Shichu shook his head. "The Star of Heavenly Net has appeared a negligible number of times. From the literature I've read, research on it is not thorough." It's difficult to observe, making statistical analysis impossible, and thus hard to study.

He Lingchuan's heart sank upon hearing this. If he couldn't use an aerial route, would he have to find a way to infiltrate the Star-Plucking Tower? There should be a teleportation array directly to the core of the Spirit Gathering Grand Formation, but infiltrating it under the watchful eyes of the Sky God and the Capital Envoy would likely be an over five-star difficulty, wouldn't it?

"What if the Star of Heavenly Net continues to twinkle in the night sky?" He Lingchuan pondered, "Could you calculate its bearing and distance relative to the Nine Stars of the Big Dipper?" "Relative to the Nine Stars of the Big Dipper?" Xu Shichu smiled. "What's difficult about that? It's merely a bit of calculation. However, if your reference point is the Nine Stars of the Big Dipper, it's akin to changing perspectives, no longer observing from our ground-level position, right?" "Exactly!" Truly worthy of a dean, he grasped the key point immediately. "It's like standing on the Nine Stars of the Big Dipper to determine the distance and position of the Star of Heavenly Net." "Then it would require some calculation." Xu Shichu mused, "The Nine Stars are separate, essentially nine different starting points, all needing careful calculation. The method is the same, actually; if you replace the Star of Heavenly Net with any other star, you can calculate it using the same formula. What specific purpose does your question serve?" "I encountered a formation during a mission. It was set up according to the Ten Stars of the Big Dipper, with the Star of Heavenly Net as its core," He Lingchuan said gravely. "To break the formation, I need to find the position of the Star of Heavenly Net." "Quite ingenious. But how do you know when the Star of Heavenly Net will remain continuously bright?" He Lingchuan lowered his voice, "It's hard to elaborate, but General Hong has a method." "Alright, I understand." As soon as he used General Hong as a shield, Xu Shichu indeed didn't press further. He simply looked up at the stars again. "While it's currently bright, I'll try to deduce it. Including time for verification... hmm, in a few days, I'll write down the formula and have Little Sun bring it to you." He Lingchuan was delighted and bowed deeply to him, "Dean, you are truly learned and profound!" Then he presented a gift. Xu Shichu smiled upon seeing the cloud cake and aged tangerine peel tea. "Did Little Sun tell you to buy these?" "Uh, yes." Sun Fuling had mentioned that Dean Xu was recently obsessed with new tea. "She seems quite concerned about your matters," Xu Shichu scrutinized him again.

Is even a refined old scholar so gossipy? He Lingchuan puffed out his chest, but then immediately remembered something else: "Dean, I have another matter to consult you on. If a defensive formation was designed by a Sky God and could utilize vast amounts of spiritual power or profound crystals, is there any possibility for us to break it?" "Designed by a Sky God?" Xu Shichu chuckled, "Compared to human designs, it's merely a bit more intricate. But no matter how profound a formation is, its strength is ultimately limited."

Xu Shichu continued, "In the current environment, ancient grand formations are unlikely to reappear. The spiritual energy of heaven and earth has diminished and cannot support the spiritual power they require." "If this formation is crucial, couldn't it be sustained with profound crystals?" "Perhaps for a short time, but the materials for constructing formations are far inferior to those of the past, even if you possess vast amounts of profound crystals. For instance, the ancient immortal sect, the Ethereal Sect, used barbarian dragon bones to build their mountain-protecting grand formation. Where would you find such material now?" Xu Shichu chuckled, "How many ancient rare treasures are left today? Looking across the world, which of those famous formations from antiquity and today still exist? If Sky Gods wish to build formations in the human realm, they must abide by the realm's laws," Xu Shichu continued. "They might be able to destroy heaven and earth in their own worlds, but in the human realm, they must also consider practical circumstances. I believe constructing a top-tier grand formation with top-tier materials is nothing remarkable. Creating a stable and sustainable formation with limited materials and controllable costs—that's true skill. Therefore, no formation in the human realm is truly unbreakable." He Lingchuan replied solemnly, "I am enlightened!"

Xu Shichu was very busy and departed after their discussion. He Lingchuan, meanwhile, strolled leisurely around the academy until Sun Fuling's class finished.

By then, the bright moon hung high, and the night was deep. Before He Lingchuan could approach, he heard another tutor say to Sun Fuling, "Madam Sun, shall I escort you back?" It was a tall, pale-faced man, smiling very solicitously. Before Sun Fuling could reply, He Lingchuan swiftly appeared by her side and slipped an oil-paper package into her hand. "Been waiting long? Shall we go?" It was warm to the touch. Sun Fuling looked down to see warm, fluffy Poria cocos cake, topped with several plump dates. "I asked Auntie Pang for the piece with the most dates." Sun Fuling smiled. "Tutor Qian, see you tomorrow." She nodded to the tutor and turned to leave. The helpless Tutor Qian stood rooted to the spot.

Seeing Tutor Qian staring fixedly at him, He Lingchuan waved goodbye, flashing a ridiculously wide smile with his big white teeth. *You little rascal, you shouldn't even be thinking that!* Tutor Qian could still hear him say to Sun Fuling, "Share a date with me, will you?" "Take one yourself." Tutor Qian could even see the young man take a really big piece of Poria cocos cake and put it into his mouth—it was indeed a huge piece! "..." Sun Fuling looked down. Only a third of the soft cake remained, and only one plump date was left, nestled forlornly in a corner. "Why don't you eat the rest?" Tutor Qian realized that Madam Sun, who was usually distant and kept others at arm's length—had suddenly changed her demeanor!

The next day, before dawn, He Lingchuan awoke. He was woken by the Soul-Capturing Mirror, which was loudly buzzing in his ear: "Hey, hey, hey, stop sleeping! How can you sleep so long at your age!" He Lingchuan shielded his forehead with his arm and slapped the mirror's surface. "You'd better have something important!" His eyes were hazy with sleep, and he was in a terrible mood from being woken up.

"Look out the window, look at the sky!" The mirror's voice was distorted with excitement. "It's bright! It's bright! The Star of Heavenly Net is shining endlessly!" Bright? He Lingchuan was startled, scrambled out of bed, and pushed open the door. It was almost dawn; most stars had already faded, but the Big Dipper still held its position in the night sky. He Lingchuan counted them, one to ten.