When Yi Tianxing looked at the scholar before him, scenes of Ming Dynasty officials and censors flashed through his mind.
Each one seemed to live only to oppose the emperor, stubbornly arguing even the smallest of issues to the death. When subjected to caning in court, they weren't afraid — in fact, they hoped to be beaten to death, so their names could be remembered for eternity. In the Ming Dynasty, this madness had become a trend. Countless ministers rushed to die for a cause, charging headfirst down a path of self-destruction.
It was absurd to the extreme.
Yi Tianxing found it bizarre just thinking about it — a group of eccentric emperors matched by an equally eccentric bunch of officials.
Eternal fame? What nonsense. To this day, how many people can actually name anyone who was beaten to death in the Ming court?
But the man before him was different.
This was someone defending the Jixia Academy, the sacred ground of all scholars, and even of all human civilians. Dying to protect this place would earn eternal honor. Yi Tianxing could understand that deeply.
"Brother, may I ask how many people are currently inside the academy?" Yi Tianxing inquired.
"Roughly twenty to thirty thousand," the scholar replied slowly, a trace of worry flashing in his eyes. "They're all humans who appeared nearby when the Myriad Worlds merged. They've gathered in the academy, relying on its power to protect their lives."
"So many…" Yi Tianxing's heart sank slightly. "Now that the academy is under siege, just feeding this many people must be extremely difficult. Supplies must be terribly scarce. Life here must be very hard."
Food, clothing, shelter, and transport — the essentials of life. And among them, food reigned supreme. No one could live well on an empty stomach.
"It is tough. Fortunately, we have experts from the Agricultural School who specialize in their unique cultivation techniques, trying to grow as much grain as possible. Right now, we can barely keep up with demand," the scholar explained, with a note of admiration in his voice. "But there isn't much land suitable for farming here. Grain is rationed. I've heard the Agricultural School possesses a powerful divine ability called—'Pulling Sprouts to Help Them Grow' (揠苗助长)—which can force crops to ripen quickly. But mastering that ability is extremely difficult."
Yi Tianxing nodded, impressed. The scholar, who introduced himself as a man from the Song Dynasty, clearly held deep reverence for Jixia Academy. Even though the original scholars and teachers were gone, the tomes they left behind still conveyed the brilliance of that golden age when the Hundred Schools flourished, their ideologies clashing and illuminating the world.
Each school held its own unique powers.
The Agricultural School, for example, was especially gifted in cultivating grains, spiritual plants, and medicinal herbs — with techniques that defied belief.
"Look, over there. That's the farmland being tended by disciples of the Agricultural School. Only ten mu of arable land — the largest extent we can manage here. The rest of the region simply isn't fit for cultivation. And of these ten mu, much of it has to go toward vegetables and fruits."
He led Yi Tianxing into the academy, where a golden rice field gleamed before their eyes. Many Agricultural disciples dressed as farmers were busy weeding the fields. With a wave of their hands, they summoned rainclouds above, sending drops of spiritual rain to nourish the crops. Under this magical downpour, the rice grew more vibrant, its golden hue becoming even more enticing.
✴ Agricultural Technique – Minor Cloud & Rain Technique (小云雨术)A spell that condenses spiritual energy into localized rainclouds to water crops. Though its area of effect is limited, it significantly boosts plant growth.
In truth, this was only a preliminary spell. The true divine technique was:
✴ Agricultural Divine Technique – Spring Wind Brings Rain (春风化雨)Requires opening a life aperture (命窍). Before that, it can only be mimicked via talismans. While weaker than its full form, it still nourishes all living things.
"Impressive," Yi Tianxing thought. "This Minor Cloud & Rain Technique uses one's cultivation to draw in heaven and earth energy and transform it into spiritual rain. Its area is small and the duration brief, but it's one of the best ways to accelerate plant growth."
Even their hoeing methods were special.
Each strike of the hoe wasn't just brute force — it contained a mysterious energy that shattered the soil beneath, evenly distributing nutrients across every inch. It even killed and buried pests like snakes, rats, and bugs, turning them into fertilizer.
This process was silent and invisible. Without careful observation, no one could tell anything was out of the ordinary. It was a testament to the Agricultural School's incredible mastery.
"Xiao Linzi, what brings you here? And who is this? I don't recall seeing him before. A newcomer?"
An elderly farmer looked up from the field, smiling kindly.
"Uncle Mu, this is someone who just arrived at the academy. He's one of us, not from a different race. I'm taking him to meet Master Cai," the scholar explained respectfully.
There was no disdain in his tone — only genuine respect.
The Agricultural School was one of the Hundred Schools. Without them, everyone else would starve. No one survived without food, and in the academy, they were considered the parents of sustenance — held in high regard.
"Elder, I'm Yi Tianxing. It's an honor to meet you."
"I'm Mu Sen, but everyone just calls me Old Man Mu. These old bones can't fight anymore, so I do what I can by digging up some food. Just trying to contribute a bit."
The old man's tone was equally friendly. In the academy, there didn't seem to be any struggle for power.
Everyone came from all over — even different worlds — and they had one shared goal: survival. For that, all else could be set aside. No one was foolish enough to turn their blade on their own people.
"Oh, right. I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Lin Hai. I'm just a low-level student here at the academy. Since you've come, we're classmates now — comrades who'll fight side by side," the scholar said with a laugh.
"Brother Lin, earlier you said the original scholars and teachers were gone. The academy is now run by a certain Master Cai. May I ask who this Master Cai is?" Yi Tianxing asked, curious.
One could not lightly be called a Great Scholar. The title wasn't self-appointed — it had to be earned through recognition by the masses, by fellow scholars and literati. To be called such in the Jixia Academy meant the individual had both great learning and immense virtue.
There were not many Cai-named Great Scholars in history. But with the fusion of worlds, anything was possible.
"It's Master Cai Yong," Lin Hai said reverently.
"Cai Yong?" Yi Tianxing was stunned, as if a wave had surged through his heart.
Cai Yong? My father-in-law?
Even thinking it felt surreal.
✴ Cai Yong (字伯喈): A renowned scholar, writer, and calligrapher of the Eastern Han Dynasty. Father of the famous Cai Wenji. His titles included Zhonglang General and "Master Cai the Middle Lieutenant."He was a polymath — accomplished in literature, music theory, and especially calligraphy. He collected rare texts, amassing over ten thousand volumes in his lifetime — a staggering feat in an era when books were written on bamboo slips.
His "Flying White" script influenced generations. His moral integrity was equally lauded — he once cared for his sick mother without removing his robes for seventy days and lived in mourning beside her grave.
Even among other great scholars, Cai Yong's status was peerless.
Compared to him, even Huang Chengyan would have to yield in prestige and recognition.
"Is this fate?" Yi Tianxing thought. "To encounter my father-in-law here — what a pleasant surprise. With our connection, persuading him should be much easier. Controlling Jixia Academy is now more than halfway assured."
He drew a deep breath, eyes glinting with joy.
This was an unexpected gift.