On the way to the Imperial Academy.
Li Qi contacted Liu Canzhi directly through the name card.
The name card was not just for viewing; it also included terminal contact information, so it was quite easy.
The Imperial Academy and the Lang Guards were gathering places for geniuses of Humanism.
Similar to the young masters of Wu Deity Mountain, they were all top talents of the next generation.
The Human Sovereign's Lang Guards specialized in training military talent. Not only were they extremely combat-capable, but they could also lead troops into battle, serving as one of the cornerstones of Humanism's expansion. Countless famous generals had emerged from the Lang Guards. Within the Lang Guards, the ability to command troops and personal combat strength were the only two pursuits, with no other requirements.
As for the students of the Imperial Academy, their future paths were broader. Whether engaging in research, becoming officials, or rising to become backbone or even top experts in a certain field, anything was possible. They were more like technical and research talents.
This was the division between the civil and military factions of Humanism.
Wu Deity Mountain did not have such a detailed division. The Grand Shamans each took on disciples and trained them according to their own methods, very loosely. Some taught by example, while others left their disciples to fend for themselves—it all depended on the master's choice.
But within Humanism, such free-range training was almost impossible. Training was almost entirely centralized, with no specific mentors. Instead, a group of top-tier teachers provided collective instruction and evaluations.
Outwardly, people would generally say they were students of the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy. All Imperial Academy students were considered students of that Chancellor.
When Li Qi arrived at the Imperial Academy by carriage again, it was already noon.
At the entrance of the Imperial Academy, Li Qi gazed at the large gate.
In ancient times, those who taught had private schools in homes, communal schools in clans, sequential schools in towns, and national academies in states.
This was the national academy of the Tang Kingdom.
It was the essence of the inheritance passed down through generations in the Tang Kingdom.
A stone stele stood before the gate, inscribed with large characters: "If one follows the Dao, one attains it; if one strays, one loses it."
Its surroundings were clean and elegant, stretching thirty li horizontally.
In other words, this Imperial Academy covered an area of 225 square kilometers, nearly the size of a small city.
Yet, there were only slightly over a thousand people inside, including teachers and students. Outsiders were not allowed to enter, whether servants or anyone else.
Thus, including teachers, there were only so many people, and most of the area was dedicated to students' research and learning.
"Less than ten students are admitted each year, and about ninety percent graduate," Li Qi muttered as he looked at the gate.
Ninety percent—sounds high, doesn't it?
But think about what kind of people can enter the Imperial Academy?
Only the most extraordinary geniuses, the top among the elites, are admitted. And among these ultra-elite individuals, selected from countless millions, ten percent still fail to graduate!
What kind of academic pressure is this?
Just then, a voice reached Li Qi's ears: "This is a restricted area of the Imperial Academy. If you have no urgent matters, please do not loiter or crowd around. Don't stand at the entrance—leave soon. Otherwise, someone might come to chase you away. If you have business, leave your visiting card at the gatehouse."
Following the direction of the voice, Li Qi saw a plainly dressed scholar approaching him with a reminder.
His tone was not harsh, nor overly familiar, likely just a polite warning, which remained quite friendly.
"Thank you for the reminder. I'm just here to take a look at my future school. I'll leave after walking around a bit," Li Qi cupped his hands in gratitude for the advice.
Upon hearing this, the scholar paused and scanned Li Qi.
Then he asked, "Future? Are you a new student this year? Hmm… your aura is quite strange. What cultivation method are you practicing?"
Because of the distinctiveness of Wu Dao techniques, practitioners generally blend into nature and do not emit any particular aura.
However, this lack of emitted aura itself was the strangest aspect, making practitioners of other paths feel uneasy.
"I am indeed a new student. I came today to see what the school looks like. As for the technique… well, I'm afraid it's not convenient to discuss," Li Qi replied politely.
"A new student, eh? Have you completed all the procedures?" the scholar stopped and asked Li Qi.
"All procedures were handled through the terminal. I'm just waiting for enrollment," Li Qi answered.
The scholar nodded and said, "I see. Then you should already be registered. Although it's still during the vacation, there are still many classmates inside cultivating. If you want to get familiar with the place early, just check in at the gatehouse."
"Thank you, Master, for the reminder," Li Qi cupped his hands in gratitude.
"No problem. Remember, coming to the Imperial Academy is not your endpoint but your starting point. Your Dao has only just begun," the scholar advised before walking off to attend to his own matters.
Li Qi watched him leave, pondering their brief meeting.
The style here was quite good.
From start to finish, the attitude remained consistent, neither diminishing because he was a bystander nor changing due to him being an Imperial Academy student.
This scholar must be one of the teachers inside, right?
His cultivation level… far surpassed Li Qi's, making it hard to gauge. However, judging by his inability to identify Li Qi's Wu Dao aura, it seemed he wasn't too advanced.
Around Rank Five?
If the teachers here were only at Rank Five, then the teaching quality of the Imperial Academy seemed to lag behind that of Wu Deity Mountain.
After all, the young masters of Wu Deity Mountain had Rank Three teachers personally designing their study plans, often providing one-on-one instruction. Occasionally, there were small groups, but usually no more than three students.
Did this mean Wu Deity Mountain placed greater emphasis on nurturing successors?
Not necessarily. It would be better to experience it firsthand before drawing conclusions.
After registering at the gatehouse, Li Qi noted that there were no human attendants here—all processes were automated. He wondered if it was artificial intelligence or something else…
For some reason… Li Qi couldn't help but feel that Humanism might have incorporated someone's Spiritual Essence into the gates. That wouldn't be artificial intelligence—it would mean directly turning a living person into a gate.
Was he overthinking it?
After verifying his identity, Li Qi stepped inside.
With just one step forward, the surrounding world changed completely.
Fortunately, Li Qi was already accustomed to this type of magical technique where the scene shifted instantly. He didn't know the principle behind it yet, but it seemed cool, practical, and worth studying.
Had the space been expanded internally?
Upon entering, Li Qi could see that the sky above the Imperial Academy was covered by a massive visible array. The runes of the array swirled above, exuding profound mystery while providing both defense and surveillance.
Ahead, a neatly arranged cluster of palaces greeted him.
The halls stretched east and west, resplendent and radiant.
The eaves soared elegantly, golden columns standing in rows.
The towering structures were majestic, their architecture reaching toward the heavens.
This was an incredibly striking palace complex, but it was eerily quiet, with almost no sound.
Perhaps it was because it was vacation time, so few people were walking around. Only occasionally could one spot someone passing by, whether a student or teacher.
Li Qi was one of these rare passersby.
However, his purpose was clear. Taking out his name card, he focused on Liu Canzhi's name and followed the terminal map's navigation toward the Second Refining Masters' Institute.
Since luck had brought him an acquaintance ahead of time, it was a good opportunity to make contact and learn about routes and landmarks.
When he finally arrived at the Second Refining Masters' Institute, Liu Canzhi, who had been waiting, was already standing at the entrance. Seeing Li Qi arrive, he waved enthusiastically: "Hey, Brother Li! Over here! Over here!"
Liu Canzhi had changed into a different outfit. Though no longer the garish pink from before, it was close—a pale green silk robe with reflective sheen. He still wore flowers in his hair, but instead of red peach blossoms, he now sported white magnolias. His flamboyance had not diminished—if anything, it had increased.
Honestly, it was eye-searing, but also attention-grabbing.
Li Qi naturally spotted him, but being naturally reserved, he walked over quietly and quickly interrupted Liu Canzhi's loud shouting to avoid drawing attention.
Approaching, Li Qi hurriedly said, "Alright, alright, Brother Liu, keep it down. Don't disturb others."
Liu Canzhi, who had come to greet Li Qi, laughed heartily: "Don't worry, Brother Li. How can we disturb anyone out here? It's the rest period now. Even if there are people still in the academy, they're probably in their rooms and won't be disturbed."
"In their rooms and won't be disturbed? Is there soundproofing?" Li Qi asked curiously.
Liu Canzhi looked puzzled: "Huh? Why would you ask that? There's no such thing as external data here. Think of it this way: every door in the academy with a plaque leads to a separate pocket dimension. If it's a large classroom, it's a small world. In total, there are 1,112 of them. When school starts, you'll receive a chart indicating which world corresponds to which class for real-world teaching."
"Ah, so that's how it works…" Li Qi nodded.
It was similar to Wu Deity Mountain, where each mountain peak served as a gateway leading to another realm.
Slapping Li Qi on the shoulder, Liu Canzhi said, "By the way, Brother Li, why didn't you mention earlier that you're a new classmate? You kept it hidden from me until now! Come on, let's walk and talk. I'll take you to the cafeteria first. Food comes first! For new students, visiting the academy always starts with the cafeteria!"
On the way, Li Qi had already exchanged some pleasantries with Liu Canzhi, so this outgoing and lively guy had already started referring to Li Qi as a brother, though Li Qi still felt somewhat awkward about it.
However, this enthusiasm wasn't without reason. The magic treasure Li Qi had given him seemed to greatly benefit his path, so Liu Canzhi clearly held Li Qi in high regard.
"Alright, alright, wait—stop pulling me…" Li Qi sighed, removing Liu Canzhi's hand from his neck.
Sir, I'm married, stop this buddy-buddy behavior—it doesn't look good.
Of course, Li Qi would never say that aloud. Instead, he said, "Brother Liu, let's walk properly. This behavior is unbecoming."
"Tch, why do you sound like those scholars? Fine, let's go. It's noon now, time to eat. I'll show you the cafeteria, then give you a tour of the various institutes," Liu Canzhi shook his head but withdrew his hand and led the way.
"By the way, Brother Li, where did you come from before entering the Imperial Academy? How did you get in?" Liu Canzhi asked curiously as they walked.
"Oh, I wasn't admitted through exams. I was directly recruited," Li Qi replied.
"Direct recruitment? Oh, I see. Like that guy last year who came from a Rank Seven world. The Grand Minister of Rites personally brought him back, saying his talent was extraordinary. He was even granted the title 'Plague Lord.'" Liu Canzhi explained.
"'Plague Lord'? Why grant such a title? That character doesn't sound good," Li Qi asked.
"Because the Plague Lord himself represents an unconventional path. His origins are extremely unique, rare across the myriad worlds," Liu Canzhi casually replied.
"Ah? What do you mean?" Intrigued by the similarly unconventional recruitment and peculiar title, Li Qi pressed further.
"Well, I heard that a plague swept through his world, infecting everything—humans, animals, plants. But life, you know, is incredibly resilient. In fighting against the plague, life became stronger and stronger, repeatedly defeating the disease."
"But every time, the disease returned. Fighting the plague became the main theme of that world."
"After countless years, perhaps millions, what was once an unranked world rose to Rank Seven through the struggle between disease and life."
"However, afterward, the disease underwent a change." Here, Liu Canzhi paused, looking expectantly at Li Qi.
Seeing his expression, Li Qi understood the implication.
He needed a straight man for the conversation.
So he immediately asked, "What kind of change?"
With Li Qi feeding him lines, Liu Canzhi continued contentedly: "The change was the Plague Lord."
"Those diseases, after countless evolutions, gained an extremely rare trait—'Divine Wisdom.'"
At this, Li Qi was truly shocked.
Divine Wisdom!?
Viruses gaining Divine Wisdom?
Seeing Li Qi's expression, Liu Canzhi smirked proudly: "Yes, Divine Wisdom! Everyone knows that the essence of disease lies in countless tiny creatures. As the saying goes, 'In a single drop of water, Buddha sees eighty-four thousand creatures.' Buddhism long ago recognized this truth."
"But normally, these tiny creatures act purely on instinct. After this change, however, they developed a way to communicate and coordinate with each other, instantly and without delay, even across vast distances."
"This trait—doesn't it resemble the countless neural connections in our brains?"
At this, Li Qi immediately understood why he was called the 'Plague Lord.'
Countless viruses, through this communication, gave rise to a kind of 'collective intelligence.'
Was this the true form of the Plague Lord?
Such origins were indeed rare.
At this point, Liu Canzhi leaned closer to Li Qi: "Now you understand, right? By the way, since you, Brother Li, were also directly recruited like the Plague Lord, what kind of origins do you have? Surely not less extraordinary than the Plague Lord?"
"Uh, uh… well…" Li Qi scratched his face.
How should he explain?