Li Qi chatted with Brother Pot for half an hour, meticulously recording every detail before Brother Pot reluctantly let him leave.
Before parting, he kept repeating: "Brother Li, from now on, consider me your elder brother. Here at the academy, I've got your back!"
"Come eat here anytime! No charge, and if you get into trouble outside, just say I'm your brother."
"Good brother, remember to visit often! Eat more!"
Saying these words, he bid Li Qi a reluctant farewell.
Leaving the kitchen, Li Qi returned alone to the outer world of gourmet delights.
Outside, Liu Canzhi, his face still purple and stiff from vomiting, barely managed to clean himself up and was waiting for Li Qi.
"Brother Li..." He was loyal, even though he could hardly stand, he didn't run away.
Seeing this, Li Qi felt embarrassed and apologized repeatedly: "Sorry, truly sorry. I didn't expect such an incident, causing you so much trouble."
Liu Canzhi shook his head helplessly, knowing no one was to blame, and sighed: "Forget it, there's nothing we can do about it. By the way, Brother Li, did you really find that stuff tasty?"
"Yes, I thought it was pretty good," Li Qi nodded.
"...Are you human? Not some kind of plague demon?" Liu Canzhi scrutinized Li Qi, his expression quite peculiar.
"I suppose... I am?" Li Qi wasn't sure how to explain it, as he didn't fully understand himself.
"Alright... After all, you're a special admission, having some unique abilities is normal. Let's go, Brother Li, we should explore other parts of the academy."
Li Qi was surprised by his reaction: "Brother Liu, aren't you going to ask more?"
"Why ask? We're classmates, not blood brothers. Do you know my background? We're here to study, not investigate each other's backgrounds. I only know your artifact helped me greatly. What else needs to be known?" Liu Canzhi shrugged, indifferent.
At the academy, everyone was at Rank Eight, considered prominent figures in the outside world, not lacking intelligence.
Why ask so many questions? Are you law enforcement?
Even law enforcement needs credentials; classmates don't need to pry.
"You're right, let's go check out other parts of the academy," Li Qi agreed, nodding.
"Alright, we've seen the cafeteria, next let's check out the classrooms. Let's start with the mandatory courses. First up... first aid class. Let's go!"
Revitalized, Liu Canzhi led the way.
After a few steps, he stumbled, immediately bending over.
"Gah!!"
Well, the aftereffects were still lingering.
Ignoring Liu Canzhi's condition, Li Qi toured the entire academy.
The mandatory courses included first aid, defense, history, and general knowledge. Everyone had to take these four courses, while elective courses varied based on individual paths, but at least eight electives were required.
Each classroom was its own small world or cave heaven, equipped with suitable facilities or environments conducive to learning.
For students with unique origins, specialized teaching methods were provided.
Instruction was scientific, formal, and rigorous, avoiding foolish practices like throwing students into dangerous situations to force growth.
People can learn things they haven't experienced through proper education. Learning to avoid pitfalls doesn't require stepping into them, and understanding that jumping off a cliff will kill you doesn't mean you need to jump.
Those who rely solely on mistakes to learn are simply fools without brains.
The academy didn't accept such idiots.
Methods like tossing students into jungles or extreme training weren't used here.
Teachers precisely measured students' limits, using precise methods to guide their progress, never pushing them to break through recklessly.
Everything was meticulously calculated.
Even Martial Dao followed this principle. During his tour, Li Qi saw martial artists practicing sword techniques.
They weren't practicing through mystical insights like feeling the sword or natural elements, but through formulas...
A group of muscular men studying formulas...
A teacher seemed to be explaining what a fixed-length rectangular geometric body moving most efficiently through complex space meant, along with rapid mental calculation methods for torque.
Regarding this, Liu Canzhi commented: "Isn't this the benefit of having teachers? Practicing swords independently would require accumulating experience. Now, the results are calculated, and muscle memory takes over. Why waste time endlessly practicing swords? That's just dumb."
Though counterintuitive, Li Qi realized it made sense.
Under the guidance of Rational Dao, achieving such precision was possible.
Mastering sword skills didn't require accumulating battlefield experience; methods and results could be directly taught, then ingrained through muscle memory.
This approach was even more effective than seasoned swordsmen, whose experiences might be flawed, whereas calculations couldn't be wrong.
Past experiences might deceive, but mathematics wouldn't.
Quite practical.
Including physical conditioning, calorie calculation, combat techniques, and even more esoteric concepts like "killing intent" and "sword intent," there were complete and feasible methods.
However, Li Qi mostly observed Martial Dao, seeing little of other paths.
Martial Dao had no breaks; students practiced during holidays, working tirelessly.
Missing a day of practice could result in noticeable gaps, reflected in physical parameters, easily spotted by teachers.
Practitioners needed to train daily until it became as natural as breathing.
Martial Dao prioritized resources and perseverance.
Resources weren't a concern; the school provided ample food tailored to their needs.
Perseverance depended on the individual; even during holidays, others went home to relax, while these diligent students continued training.
Li Qi felt fortunate.
Thankfully, he had abandoned his Martial Dao cultivation.
What a relief.
Yet, he developed interest in Tang Kingdom martial artists.
After observing their training, he approached some sparring martial artists, leaving Liu Canzhi's side, and greeted one sitting: "Hello, I'm a new student. Are you free now?"
"Free enough, why? New student? You're also cultivating? Your physique isn't up to par," the muscular man glanced at Li Qi.
"No, I came early to see the school. I don't cultivate Martial Dao..." Li Qi smiled.
"No, I see your strong qi and blood, refined organs, and long breaths. Clearly, you've trained, with a solid foundation. Did you give up?" The man looked up, staring at Li Qi.
Li Qi awkwardly nodded: "I trained for a while, but didn't persist."
The martial artist nodded, understanding.
His eyes showed slight disdain, possibly finding those who gave up amusing.
But Li Qi didn't mind; he wanted to observe true genius martial artists.
He continued: "May I ask, does practicing martial arts and physical techniques conflict with your 'Dao'?"
This puzzled Li Qi from the start.
If Martial Dao was about self-cultivation, learning mathematical formulas seemed odd. Did it align with their Dao?
Hearing this, the resting martial artist understood Li Qi's curiosity.
He must be a young scholar.
Putting aside his disdain, he assumed Li Qi had tried Martial Dao briefly for research purposes.
He despised quitters but welcomed those curious about experiencing Martial Dao.
Li Qi noticed his smile.
Then, he said: "Student, if you have this doubt, let me ask, what is Martial Dao?"
Li Qi pondered and replied: "Martial means weapons and movement, stopping violence with weapons, referring to fighting techniques, later developing into attacks, warfare, and grandeur. Using Martial as the name implies both combat skills and grandeur, pursuing ultimate techniques and indomitable spirit."
The martial artist smiled: "Scholar, do you think Martial Dao is so superficial?"
Li Qi bowed: "Please enlighten me."
Better to ask than guess.
"Stopping violence with weapons refers to advancing," the martial artist declared.
Li Qi suddenly understood, impressed.
Advancing, meaning...
"Guns are weapons, toes represent advancement, so Martial means advancing with weapons—conquest! In ancient times, humanity was weak, oppressed by gods. Shamans negotiated with friendly deities, while warriors fought evil gods, giving rise to Martial Dao!
"Martial Dao signifies conquest itself! Techniques, methods, spirit, and realms—all tools for conquest!
"Martial artists train bodies, hone skills, temper willpower, not for themselves but to fight, to conquer! Our ancestors conquered gods, and now we conquer the heavens! This is the true essence of Martial!"
"So, scholar, your understanding is too shallow. Training isn't the goal, just a means."
Li Qi understood: "Thank you for the explanation. But I have another question: How do you differ from Bingjia (school of military thought)?"
The martial artist anticipated this: "Difference? Huge difference. Bingjia is part of Human Dao, while Martial Dao isn't."
Surprising, yet logical.
The School of Military is a branch of humanism, specifically the humanistic approach to warfare.
Martial Dao stands alone, clearly with its principles and ideology, not a branch of any path.
"Bingjia gathers collective strength, forming military momentum, clearly Human Dao methods. Martial Dao focuses on personal skills, weapons, even fists and body as the most reliable. Only oneself can be absolutely trusted," the martial artist declared.
Li Qi frowned, realizing this differed from Tang Kingdom's understanding of Martial Dao.
Normal, differing interpretations lead to different paths.
So, Li Qi asked: "You're not from Tang Kingdom?"
The martial artist nodded: "Tang's Martial Dao blends with Bingjia, most martial artists join the military. My views make me unlikely to be from Tang."
He added: "I'm a demon from the Southeastern Islands, studying abroad in Tang."
Li Qi was surprised; another international student?
Southeastern Islands, between mountains and seas, hot and rainy, dense forests, home to demons under great demon sages, occupying one of the nine regions.
Li Qi nodded: "I understand now."
"Anything else? If not, I should continue training," the martial artist stood, stretching.
Only then did Li Qi notice the tiger tail behind him, previously hidden by his seated position.
"That's all, but I have a request. I've never fought a martial artist, heard you excel in direct confrontation, so... I'd like to try," Li Qi requested.
The martial artist raised an eyebrow, scanning Li Qi.
"Wanna get beaten? Just say so. Perfect for training. That open area over there, let's go?" He pointed.
Li Qi bowed: "Please guide me."
They headed towards the open area, while Liu Canzhi lingered nearby.