Before even approaching the spacious hall specially constructed for this purpose, the sounds of lively chatter were faintly audible.
Unlike the clamor of the workshop area, here it was all about heated debates and red-faced arguing.
Displaying his waist badge for access, Li Yan walked lightly into the grand hall, and was imdiately greeted by a remarkable scene:
In the center of the hall, a massive wooden platform took up most of the space, on which lay a giant silk map, halfway drawn, with the veins of mountains and rivers already taking shape, marked by countless colorful lines and dense symbols.
Several scholars, dressed in gorgeous Confucian robes, were gathered around the table, pointing at the map from ti to ti, quietly debating the ancient and modern nas of certain rivers or the precise elevation of certain peaks, holding heavy ancient books or freshly organized survey records.
The scent of ink and old parchnt, mixed with the aroma of sandalwood incense, perated the air.
Around the giant map, there were several other groups of people.
Several elders clad in blue robes were fiddling with compasses, jade congs, or tools shaped like beast horns.
All of them were Earth Masters, specializing in the study of Fengshui and topography, arguing endlessly over key points marked on the map, shouting at each other with faces flushed.
"Nonsense! The Luoshu Nine Palaces simulation is completely unfeasible here! Just look at the Dragon Gate crossing—left sand lies low like a sick snake, right bank cliffs jagged like a broken blade, clearly a 'Golden Knife Cutting Water' ominous setup! According to the 'Shaking Dragon Scripture,' this place should be marked 'Earth Vein Circulation Halted,' how can you forcefully impose your '24 Mountain Directions' theory here?"
"Bullshit! How can worldly transformations be recklessly judged by the naked eye? Here, the Xu and Qian intersect, with the positions of the seven luminaries presently between the Kui and Lou lodges! According to the Flying Stars modeling, under the lower epoch of Jiazi, the Evil Qi here has dissipated, instead forming an 'Tan Lang Enters Kan' auspicious configuration! You cling to ancient texts, have you ever calculated the changes in Astrology?"
"Humph! Both of you shut up! Who cares about auspicious or inauspicious Qi? My sect has been drilling this region for three generations, deep underground, there are nine layers of 'Dragon Scale Overlapping Soil'! The 'Burial Scripture' states, 'The weight of the soil corresponds with the movent of the Qi.' This is clearly the Earth Aperture of a resting dragon! The map must mark the hidden niche, otherwise on the day of geological upheaval, which one of you will take the bla?"
In the midst of their quarreling, each was clutching a compass, seemingly ready to knock the others out.
Upon witnessing this, Li Yan's eyelids twitched, as he walked along the side of the grand hall.
Qiankun Academy gathers scholars from across the land, naturally, it has its advantages as well as disadvantages.
For instance, these Earth Masters, from schools of Shape, Elental Flow, Green Bag Sect, Eight Houses Sect are all present.
In ordinary days, upon eting each other, they would courteously address each other as Daoists.
But in the drawing of this map, a grand event unseen in a thousand years in the Divine State, none wishes to fall behind, and each must strive for the reputation of their sect, leading to constant argunts.
It was said that two Earth Masters even got into a fistfight two days ago, both ending up in the Hundred Herbs Hall.
Avoiding these Earth Masters on the brink of desperation, Li Yan glanced towards the back corner.
Over there, a few were engaged in a quiet discussion, although all wore academy-issued blue robes, their appearances varied greatly.
So were small-statured with faces showing lifelessness; so had thick flesh resembling butchers; others appeared ordinary, like old farrs, holding either probes of ancient designs or rubbing several oddly colored stones, discussing quietly.
These, were Hidden Treasure n from various veins.
Zhao Lvzi's familiar figure was also among them, carefully organizing a stack of moldy ancient manuscripts.
But the most conspicuous was undoubtedly the white and plump Lin Yu.
He had a smiling face, occasionally glancing at those Earth Masters, in case they started fighting again.
Seeing Li Yan, Fatty Lin's eyes lit up, bringing Zhao Lvzi to run over.
"Ah, Young Hero Li!"
Fatty Lin's face still bore that enthusiastic smile, "What brings you here? I'm researching the treasures hidden within the 'Nine Curves Golden Scale Vein' at the Yellow River Source with several seniors. We're talking about seeking help from the Twelve Primordial Spirits in the future."
Zhao Lvzi smiled honestly, saying nothing.
"Brother Zhao, feeling at ho here?"
Li Yan nodded slightly, looking towards Zhao Lvzi.
"Very well."
Zhao Lvzi's complexion was clearly better than before, answering, "The academy is great, Mr. Yan takes good care of us, Yan'er is preparing to open a cellar to brew anew, and she's already pregnant…"
At this point, his smile could no longer be concealed.
After a series of life-and-death battles, life at the academy, evidently peaceful, satisfied him greatly.
"That's good."
Li Yan patted his shoulder, then turned to Fatty Lin, "Young Master Lin, I need to ask you a favor."
"Just say it."
Fatty Lin's small eyes spun, imdiately smiling.
The Jiangsu and Zhejiang Lin Family was a renowned aristocratic family in Jiangnan, yet this young man showed no airs of a young master.
"Looking for so materials."
Li Yan did not stand on ceremony, explaining the trouble, "As soon as possible, preferably in the next few days."
"Next few days?"
Lin Yu furrowed his brow upon hearing this, "I can get what you need, but transporting it from Jiangnan, the quickest takes a month…"
He spoke seriously, "I will ask the president of the Jiangzhe Chamber of Comrce in the Capital to pay attention, check with other Chambers, but that's not secure either. If you need it urgently these few days, I do know one place."
"Where?"
"Imperial Palace Vault."
"That's absurd…" Li Yan was speechless at the suggestion.
Fatty Lin shrugged, "Then there's nothing else can be done. If you ask , the Imperial Palace Treasure Vault surely holds it. Your connections in the Capital aren't small, that's the quickest way."
Li Yan rubbed his brow, "Let's see, I'll find a way, you also keep an eye out."
Based on Fatty Lin's suggestion, Li Yan imdiately took action, sending ssages to familiar contacts.
Luo Mingzi, Yuan Feng, Bai Chenshan, Pei Zongti, Dong Cunshan of the Trigram Sect…
As it were, he had already set up quite a network during his short ti in the Capital.
Unexpectedly, the first to respond was the Golden Swallow Sect…
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