"What an ancient architectural style. This isn't a modern academy—it's the architecture of the Spring and Autumn period. A true academy of that era."
The moment Yi Tianxing laid eyes on the buildings before him, he immediately felt an aura of deep history envelop him. The architecture exuded an ancient and solemn charm that commanded quiet reverence. He couldn't help but feel a natural sense of respect rising within him.
What was even more astonishing was the distinct atmosphere of culture and wisdom that permeated this place—a scholarly aura filled with the scent of books. Unlike the strange fragrances found in the mist, this was a pure, scholarly essence that seemed to invigorate the mind.
Just one breath of it, and Yi Tianxing felt his thoughts becoming more active, his mind clearer. Ideas began flowing like a spring.
"This is indeed a holy land where sages and scholars once gathered. Even the scent of books here can stimulate the mind and fuel creativity. Studying and seeking knowledge in a place like this would no doubt accelerate one's learning and cultivation. What a sacred place of study."
Yi Tianxing inwardly praised the place.He couldn't help but feel a yearning and curiosity toward the academy before him. What kind of institution could possess such profound power? It clearly wasn't an ordinary academy—no academy without a long, deep history could have such effects.
But he still didn't know—what academy was this exactly?
"This clearly isn't a complete academy," he quickly realized.A closer look revealed the truth. What stood before him was merely a part of a greater whole, perhaps just a fragment of the original institution. The buildings showed clear signs of damage and age. Many other structures were missing altogether.
He could only see a few remnants: broken dormitories, crumbling classrooms, a ruined library… It was clear that a large portion of the academy had vanished.
"Brother, how did you appear here? How did you get past the foreign races' guards? Hurry inside—the academy is protected by the power of the sages and guarded by their teachings. The foreign races cannot enter."
Just as Yi Tianxing stepped onto the stone path of the academy grounds, a young scholar in long robes leapt out from behind a ruined wall and called out to him urgently.
The scholar immediately looked at Yi Tianxing's feet, and when he saw no reaction from the ground, his expression relaxed.
This was no ordinary place. Every inch of land in this academy was imbued with the aura of sages. Should any foreign being approach with ill intent, the land itself would react and manifest anomalies. Yi Tianxing's peaceful step confirmed that he was human.
"The serpent folk outside are in heat—all of them are busy mating. I walked straight through without drawing their attention," Yi Tianxing replied, his eyes flickering with curiosity.
This wasn't an ordinary scholar. The man had cultivation, possessed righteous qi, and exuded scholarly energy—clearly, he had set foot on the path of cultivation.
This academy… it was anything but ordinary.
"The foreign races are in heat? You're really lucky then. In any case, now that you're here, you're safe." The scholar looked stunned at first but quickly regained composure. This was a major development—he would have to report it to the head of the academy.
"Why can't the foreign races enter this area?" Yi Tianxing asked.
"Our academy is blessed with the teachings of sages—some once studied and lectured here, and their words left behind remnants of sage power. These words resonate with the righteous qi of heaven and earth. For the foreign races, this place is a deadly forbidden zone. If they approach, not only will their strength be suppressed, but they will also be attacked by the power of the sages.
The foreign races have besieged the academy for over a year, yet they've never broken through."
The scholar spoke with utmost confidence.
"I don't suppose… this academy is…?" Yi Tianxing hinted.
"This is part of the Jixia Academy." The scholar said the name with pride and reverence.
"What? This is the Jixia Academy?"
Even Yi Tianxing, despite his composure, couldn't help but exclaim aloud in disbelief.
He had guessed at many possibilities—perhaps the Lizheng Academy, the Donglin Academy, the Ying Tian Academy, the Yuelu Academy, or even the White Deer Cave Academy—but never had he imagined it could be the legendary Jixia Academy.
What was the Jixia Academy? It was the most famous academy in all of Chinese history. The first great institution of higher learning.
According to records, the Jixia Academy—also known as the "School of Jixia"—was a state-sponsored institution established in the Warring States period by the state of Qi. It was located near the capital Linzi, by the Jixia Gate.
"Jixia" referred to this very location.
It was the world's first state-sponsored but privately-run academic institution, and it became the central hub of the "Hundred Schools of Thought." The royal house of Qi officially supported Huang-Lao philosophy, but the academy welcomed all philosophies, creating a vibrant intellectual scene.
Many important works were written here, such as The Works of Song Zi, Tian Zi, Wo Zi, and Jie Zi—though many are now lost. Other key texts, such as the Guan Zi, Yan Zi Chunqiu, Sima Fa, and Zhouguan, were compiled with the help of scholars from Jixia.
The academy played a critical role in shaping the intellectual and cultural landscape of pre-Qin China.
At its height, it attracted around a thousand of the era's finest minds, including Mencius, Chunyu Kun, Zou Yan, Tian Pian, Shen Dao, Shen Buhai, Jie Zi, Ji Zhen, Juan Zi, Peng Meng, Yin Wenzi, Tian Ba, Er Shuo, Lu Lianzi, Zou Shi, and Xunzi.
This was the most glorious period of Chinese thought and learning—a golden age for scholars. An era of open debate and prolific scholarship.
The academy was the cradle of civilization. To found a school of thought, one first had to be recognized within the academy. Only then could a scholar travel the lands and spread their philosophy, gather disciples, and establish their own school.
Yi Tianxing was overwhelmed.
"I can't believe this is the Jixia Academy. A sacred land beyond imagination. Destroyed in history, yet now reappearing before my eyes. This is a treasure—one that cannot be measured by any standard."
He knew all too well the value and significance of this academy.To countless scholars, the Jixia Academy was sacred. Its prestige couldn't be expressed in words. It was the birthplace of culture, the cradle of philosophical schools.
According to legend, only once your philosophy had been accepted by the Hundred Schools within Jixia could you leave to spread your teachings across the world. Only then could you formally establish a school and take on disciples.
Yi Tianxing's view of the academy ruins changed entirely. He had initially only planned to rescue any surviving students—but now, he was determined to take the ruins themselves.
"With these ruins, I could rebuild an academy even more powerful and profound than Jixia itself. Standing on the shoulders of the sages, I could reach even higher."
He took a deep breath, the seed of ambition firmly planted in his heart.
"I wonder how many scholars and teachers still reside in the academy. Are any of the Hundred Schools still intact?" he asked with anticipation.
"When the academy descended, it was already in a state of ruin. Most of the original teachers and students vanished—whether scattered or disappeared, no one knows. Now, the academy is overseen by Master Cai.
The current members are a mix of people drawn from the myriad worlds during the fusion: scholars, commoners, former xiucai (scholar candidates), farmers, doctors, and more. All have come here to study the sages' texts."
The scholar smiled.
"Though we lacked formal teachers at first, the academy preserved countless cultivation methods: Confucian techniques, medical cultivation methods, and more. Everyone can choose a school they resonate with and begin practicing from the texts left behind.
That's how we've been able to stand against the foreign races and protect the Jixia Academy."
By the end, his eyes were burning with passion.
This academy was more than a place of learning—it was their spiritual foundation. Just the thought of protecting Jixia, even a fragment of it, filled them with boundless resolve.
Even if they died in the process, they would be remembered. They would live forever in history.
After all, what does every scholar dream of?
Immortality through fame.
To be remembered for a thousand years—that was a desire no one could easily resist.