Chapter 455: Chapter 37: The Debate at the Academy
Wang Sheng spent the better part of a year healing his injuries.
Especially the injuries to his Five Internal Gods, which seemed to be of the Five Elements in the confrontation with the black clouds, but because the Hanhai Dragon King had diverted his attention elsewhere, the injuries to the Five Internal Gods were not light—in fact, they were quite severe.
The Five Internal Gods were dim and lacked luster, let alone nurturing flying swords, even the suppression in the Spirit World had encountered problems, leading to upheavals akin to an earth dragon turning over.
Had it not been for the fact that he hadn’t reached his limit, he estimated that his Spirit World would have been forced to shut down once again.
Now, his injuries had finally healed.
“Another world, indeed powerful!”
He didn’t believe that the black clouds represented the full strength of the enemy from that other world.
Even so, they had managed to harm him, and if their true body had come, he probably wouldn’t have stood a chance.
Of course, part of the reason he was injured this time was due to his insufficient combat methods. Now that his wounds had healed, he could finally start researching his martial arts and Divine Skills.
Before he even started, Huangtian appeared at Qingshan Village through the Teleportation Array to find him.
“Sir, the Martial Arts Academy has been completed. It is located near the Three Counties, and it is called Datong College.”
A very plain name.
But to name it after the Datong nation, one could see Huangtian’s significance at a glance.
“Already completed? Everything?”
Although Huangtian had previously mentioned that he would speed up the completion, Wang Sheng had not expected it to be this quick.
Not to mention the location, finding something like teachers was not an easy matter.
“We mobilized over a dozen Great Grandmasters, hundreds of Grandmasters, a multitude of Martial Artists, as well as national sages. It took us more than a year to complete the academy, and everything is ready, including the hiring of teachers.”
The statutes had already existed; the important part was the manpower.
“Only you all could mobilize so many Great Grandmasters and Grandmasters to build an academy!”
The Datong is different from the dynasties. Although the royal families are strong in dynasties, it is impossible for them to mobilize Great Grandmasters to help build academies; it would be a humiliation.
The Datong’s system is entirely different; it can mobilize Great Grandmasters and Grandmasters.
However, mobilizing so much manpower and resources, the academy must not be as simple as imagined.
“Show me your academy’s plans!”
“Yes, Sir!” Huangtian had prepared them long ago.
Datong College had set up two main divisions: the Martial Arts Institute and the Wen Dao Academy.
Under the Martial Arts Institute, there were Qi Blood Martial Arts Branch, Spiritual Martial Arts Division, and Physical Martial Arts Branch, representing the three current cultivation paths, clearly with Zhu Xiao’s support.
Wen Dao Academy was divided into the Mechanical Technique Branch and the Wen Dao Department. The Wen Dao Department was for traditional academic learning, and the Mechanical Technique Branch was for studying Mechanical Techniques.
In principle, both institutes held the same status, with no distinction between them, though in reality, the Martial Arts Institute would likely be more popular.
However, Wang Sheng found this division method very good, particularly the Mechanical Technique Branch.
“How did you think of the Mechanical Technique Branch?”
“Sir has rightly asked!” Huangtian had known early on that the Sir placed great emphasis on Mechanical Techniques, and it seemed so indeed.
However, his decision to establish the Mechanical Techniques Branch was not to please the Sir, but rather a serious consideration after seeing the potential of Mechanical Techniques.
“Sir, as you said, the knowledge of Mechanical Techniques should not be limited to weaponry; there is much that can improve the livelihood of the people. Some creations could significantly enhance national power; many training tools in Datong College were derived from Mechanical Techniques.
Limiting Mechanical Techniques to merely weaponry would be a tremendous loss. I even vaguely feel that this path of Mechanical Techniques may not be inferior to the martial path. The four basic Mechanical Technique manuals simply cannot encompass the mysteries within…”
Huangtian spoke freely, genuinely praising Mechanical Techniques.
Hearing these words, Wang Sheng’s smile was unstoppable, and Huangtian was increasingly to his liking.
He truly saw the potential of Mechanical Techniques.
In this world, Mechanical Techniques represented not just mechanisms; many among them could be termed Artifact Refining or, to put it in another way, technology!
Technology differs from science; it’s an offshoot of science. Science is a broader concept. For example, in this world, even Qi Blood Martial Arts could be considered a form of science.
Mechanical Techniques are the scientifically derived technologies.
If allowed to develop, it would certainly not be simple.
“Well done, you’ve seen the true potential of Mechanical Techniques. To be honest, establishing an institute specifically for Mechanical Techniques is something I hadn’t thought of, but I must say, it’s an excellent idea.”
This was the first time Huangtian had seen the Sir praise him so much.
He was also thrilled inside; it’s always delighting to receive praise from a respected mentor.
“Sir, this is not just my accomplishment.”
Wang Sheng didn’t say anything; whose achievement it was didn’t matter to him.
Of course, he also had something to remind him of.
“Huangtian, who do you plan to recruit for the Mechanical Techniques and Wen Dao?”
“Of course, some ordinary people or Low-level Martial Artists who have no hope in martial arts.”
This idea didn’t seem to have any flaws, as that’s what most people in this world would think.
However, Wang Sheng didn’t share this view.
“Mechanical Techniques need to be taken seriously, but don’t forget about martial arts. Martial arts and Mechanical Techniques are not separate; they are closely connected. Perhaps in the future, someone who studies Mechanical Techniques will also be a powerful Martial Artist. Think about it, was everyone in Mechanical City, which once developed the essential Mechanical Technique, just ordinary people?”
“And so it is with the Scholarly Path, which has great potential and may even reach the heavens in the future!”
Mechanical Techniques and Martial Arts are inseparable indeed. If all ordinary people were to research them, they might reach the pinnacles of achievement, but it would certainly take a longer time.
Because in this world, science is Martial Arts, and as a branch of science, how could Mechanical Techniques be separated from Martial Arts?
Wang Sheng’s comments on the Scholarly Path were vague, mainly because Zhu Xiao’s presence led him to some speculations, but he wasn’t certain, merely reminding Huangtian to verify these guesses.
“Sir, do you mean that the Mechanical Department and Wen Dao Academy should also recruit some Martial Artists?”
“Yes, but there’s no need to force it. Resources are what matter most. Forcing it is not as good as choosing willing ordinary people.”
“I understand, Sir.” Huangtian generally accepted all Wang Sheng’s opinions.
“Alright, I’ve said almost enough. Tell me the purpose of your visit!” Wang Sheng knew that Huangtian wouldn’t have come here just to notify him.
If he really wanted to announce something, it should have been a bit before the academy’s official opening after its complete establishment.
“As expected, I cannot hide my intentions from Sir. Indeed, I came to seek guidance on a certain matter.”
“Speak!” Wang Sheng was in a good mood.
“Sir, could you bestow upon me something to test a Martial Artist’s talent?”
“Testing talent?”
“Yes, Sir. Even I have to admit that there is a disparity in Martial Arts talent among people. Some have much stronger talent for Martial Arts and advance rapidly in their cultivation, while others struggle to make any significant achievements.
The Scholarly Path is presently manageable; according to our plans, it only requires some nutrition. But Martial Arts are different. The resources required for Martial Arts cultivation are exponentially more difficult to come by than food.
If resources were abundant, perhaps we could train everyone. But at present, Datong is just starting, and our resources are limited, so we have to select the most talented people to cultivate.”
This was the helpless situation Huangtian faced.
Datong was indeed powerful, but still found it challenging to cultivate Martial Artists on a large scale.
Wang Sheng understood.
And talent was indeed a real thing.
People have varying degrees of intelligence; some are simply smarter at studying, and the same goes for cultivation. It’s nature’s way of placing limits on cultivators.
Testing talent is harsh, but it’s also the reality.
However, Wang Sheng did not agree with this approach–at least not with the blatant testing of talent.
“Huangtian, you are an academy, not a family or a sect. Testing for talent is possible, but it cannot be the ultimate criterion.”
“Sects can select the cream from the top, step by step, but your founding of an academy is meant to give everyone a chance. Once you set a precedent with talent as a restriction, the very nature of the academy might change.”
These words struck Huangtian, awakening him to the realization that this approach would not work. “Please teach me, Sir!”
“In truth, talent is indeed a cruel measure, but an academy shouldn’t operate that way. You can use assessments to select candidates, including age, cultivation level, combat abilities, etc. This not only gains public acceptance but also subtly screens for talent.”
“But wouldn’t this potentially miss out on truly talented individuals? Some might come from ordinary families without means to cultivate.” This was Huangtian’s concern.
These words made Wang Sheng realize that he, too, had overlooked some things.
But soon he had an idea.
“Huangtian, your initial selection was supposed to be for young people, right?”
“Yes, choosing individuals under eighteen years of age.”
“Have you ever considered establishing subordinate academies under Datong College and recruiting everyone? Then provide foundational training, and after a while, carry out assessments. Those who pass can then enter Datong College.”
“The resources for foundational training should be sufficient, right?”
Basic training might not need to bring students to the level of Martial Artists.
Put plainly, it is akin to testing.
But it can reveal certain qualities.
Huangtian quickly understood and immediately expressed his gratitude: “Thank you, Sir. However, this will mean waiting another year before opening.”
“The academy is the foundation of our nation and cannot be rushed.”
“I understand, Teacher!”
In fact, Huangtian agreed for another reason: the political significance. As a national academy, Datong College could not lead the way in talent-based differentiation, as it would have a negative impact.
But selecting based on cultivation achievements could avoid many troubles.
This was precisely the reminder Wang Sheng intended to convey, though neither of them spelled it out.
After concluding this matter, Huangtian brought up another issue.
“Sir, may I establish an academy within the Spirit World?”
Huangtian also acutely sensed the importance of the Spirit World to the academy.
Wang Sheng naturally had no objections.
“No problem. Give me your plan, and I’ll help you establish it.” He wouldn’t find it troublesome if it was something beneficial to him.
Huangtian was overjoyed.
With both matters resolved, Huangtian departed. Not long after, as Wang Sheng was about to return, he sensed a familiar presence.
“It seems the Dragon Clan has accepted my advice!”