Chapter 264: Mystique of the Ancient Academy

A genius appears among the people!

After about two minutes, the correct answer finally showed up in the live comments: ‘Jixia Academy’ – those four ancient seal characters mean Jixia Academy.

“Jixia Academy? So Mingsha City actually built a Jixia Academy? Unbelievable.”

The citizens of Long Kingdom watching the screen couldn’t help but gasp.

Foreigners might not know what Jixia Academy is, but there’s no way they could be oblivious.

Earlier, while meandering through the Ancient Architecture Complex, Li Shaoqing had been explaining that the Third Exhibition Zone was an ancient academy. He mentioned that it not only showcased finished ancient architecture but would also serve as a museum for Mingsha Academy in the future.

This introduction led many netizens to subconsciously believe that the Third Exhibition Zone was none other than the leaked Yuelu Academy.

Yet who would have guessed that Mingsha City had erected a Jixia Academy! What a concept—completely incomparable to an academy like Yuelu Academy; they’re simply on different levels.

“Hello, welcome to our Third Exhibition Zone – Jixia Academy! Jixia Academy is the world’s earliest state-run institution of higher learning, as well as Long Kingdom’s first institute for social sciences and a governmental think tank. Founded during Duke Tianwu’s reign of Qi Huan, this place once witnessed the flourishing of a hundred schools of thought, with revered Confucian scholars like Mencius and Xunzi debating profound ideas.”

On camera, Li Shaoqing turned to the reporter and began his introduction.

“So it’s Jixia Academy!”

The reporter, struck by the imposing main gate, felt a surge of reverence and let out a long, relieved sigh.

Simply put.

That familiar feeling had returned! Although, she hadn’t noticed that Li Shaoqing had intentionally emphasized the Confucian element.

“Now, please take your camera inside and give our viewers a detailed tour.”

The reporter quickly snapped back to reality.

In her mind, as long as the displays in the Third Exhibition Zone were breathtaking enough, they would easily offset any awkwardness in the Second Exhibition Zone. Even minor flaws there could be redeemed.

“Alright, this way please.”

Li Shaoqing nodded and stepped into Jixia Academy without delay.

“Hello everyone, Jixia Academy has been built in Mingsha City based on historical records. It’s divided into three courtyards – the front, middle, and rear. The front was where students practiced and studied, the middle housed the Forum Hall, and the rear served as living quarters for the scholars.”

He continued, “The front courtyard is further subdivided into areas dedicated to Confucianism, Legalism, eminent figures, military studies, agriculture, and yin-yang principles.”

Inside, Li Shaoqing pointed to the various small side rooms lining the front courtyard as he explained.

Unbeknownst to him, the reporter, having just entered, was utterly stunned by the scene. Even the camera crew was mesmerized – she couldn’t catch a single word he said.

Inside, soft mists floated serenely around the ancient structures, blending with the subtle aroma of old books. Scanning the surrounding corridors and training grounds, one could almost see scholars poring over bamboo slips or quietly debating—a scene that was enchantingly mystical.

“What an impressive Jixia Academy!”

Coming back to reality, both the reporter and the crew now regarded the academy as the real deal. The ethereal atmosphere and the lingering scent of books were mesmerizing – nothing else had ever stirred such feelings, not even yesterday’s Lutai or Zhaixing Pavilion.

Yesterday, upon reaching Lutai, the first impression was one of grand majesty!

But here, the initial sensation was one of mysticism, with a hint of stepping into an ancient scholarly sanctuary.

“Next, let’s head to the Forum Hall.”

Having visited Jixia Academy countless times, Li Shaoqing was unfazed as he led the dazed reporter to the middle courtyard.

The front courtyard was just as expected.

Upon arriving at the middle courtyard, as the Forum Hall came into view, the reporter spontaneously asked, “Hello, may I bow in respect to the great forefathers of Long Kingdom here?”

In truth,

it wasn’t only the reporter and crew who felt that way – even those watching at home did.

Although separated by a screen, the stunning impact of Jixia Academy and the Forum Hall was undeniable. At that moment, the live comments exploded with discussion about the academy, and nobody even mentioned the Second Exhibition Zone.

“I’m impressed! Truly impressed! Mingsha City is still the same Mingsha City!”

“I never expected an academy to evoke such deep emotions.”

“And the best part is, the mist within Jixia Academy – especially in the middle courtyard around the Forum Hall – is simply enchanting!”

“This is truly the pinnacle of Long Kingdom’s ancient architecture!”

“No! To be precise, this is what buildings from the Pre-Qin period were really like. Lutai and Zhaixing Pavilion are rather conservative. If they too had that ethereal mist, they’d feel almost celestial.”

“Heh, after seeing our Jixia Academy compared to H Country’s Master Carpenter and Confucian Academy, I wonder how thick-skinned they must be to claim heritage status for those two, which barely qualify as minor details in comparison.”

“Don’t even mention H Country’s Confucian Academy and Master Carpenter – they simply aren’t in the same league as Jixia Academy.”

Before anyone knew it,

the comment section was filled with awe and praise. Most netizens believed the mist in Jixia Academy was natural; if it had been staged, it wouldn’t have felt so lively and organic.

Of course, a few netizens argued that the mist could be explained scientifically – it might be the aromatic smoke from the two bird-and-beast-shaped incense burners in front of the Forum Hall. The smoke blended so seamlessly with the building that it created a unique spectacle.

Even some viewers from H Country were so stunned by Jixia Academy that it took them a while to recover.

Just as other commenters noted, after experiencing Jixia Academy and then H Country’s ancient exhibits, one couldn’t help but feel a sense of inferiority – the two were simply not on the same level.

How can they even be compared? Fortunately, H Country’s netizens haven’t forgotten the mishaps of the Second Exhibition Zone. They continuously posted online, trying to steer attention back there in hopes of redeeming it. Otherwise, how would H Country ever have the face to mention their Master Carpenter and Confucian Academy again? Once those two are mentioned, people inevitably think of Long Kingdom’s Jixia Academy as the only legitimate one.

“We won’t deny that Jixia Academy is beautifully built, but isn’t the feng shui layout of the Second Exhibition Zone a bit overdone?”

“Exactly! Now, can the reporter head out? Let’s see how many visitors have gathered at the entrance of Jixia Academy.”

“Exactly!”

In reality, it wasn’t only H Country’s netizens snagging faults with the Second Exhibition Zone. After Li Shaoqing guided the reporter through the middle and rear courtyards of Jixia Academy, she spoke up once again.

“Hello, can we now head outside to the academy entrance and check out the visitors at the Second Exhibition Zone?”

The reporter from Long Kingdom TV meant no harm; she simply believed that the earlier they left Jixia Academy, the fewer visitors would gather, which would neatly prove the theory of Long Kingdom’s ancient feng shui. A few quick interviews with the visitors would ensure the sub-venue exhibition was a resounding success.

Especially since Jixia Academy had elevated the entire exhibition to a whole new level.

But if visitors lingered too long inside the academy, then upon exiting, the small square might be so packed with people that it would undermine the feng shui design of Long Kingdom’s ancient architecture. “Alright!”

Li Shaoqing didn’t overthink it; he simply nodded.

One minute. Two minutes.

The reporter hurried along, worried about delays, silently hoping that few visitors would appear in the small square at that moment.

That was her wish.

Both the viewers and the citizens of Long Kingdom were on edge.

Especially when they heard the reporter mention heading back to the academy entrance – they could almost guess her plan.

“Wouldn’t it be better if there were no Second Exhibition Zone at all?”

Even some Long Kingdom netizens couldn’t help but sigh.

To them, this ancient building exhibition in Mingsha City was unnecessarily complex – simply maintaining the First and Third Zones would have easily outshined H Country.

The overall layout of Jixia Academy wasn’t that complicated.

Before long,

Li Shaoqing and the reporter reappeared at the entrance of Jixia Academy.

“No one here.”

When the reporter looked around the square, her face instantly registered shock – the small square was just as empty as when they first arrived.

“How can there not be a single visitor?”

Glancing at her watch, the reporter instinctively looked over at Li Shaoqing.

In her mind, as long as the visitor count was low, it would be a success. But to her dismay, not a single visitor had appeared – this was beyond reason.

“As I mentioned earlier, this is the feng shui design of our Long Kingdom’s ancient buildings. Without clear signage, visitors would hardly manage to reach the Third Exhibition Zone. So it’s normal that there are no visitors here.”

Li Shaoqing smiled as he explained.

“So you mean all the visitors are now at the Second Exhibition Zone?”

The reporter took a deep breath.

At that moment, her focus shifted entirely to the Second Exhibition Zone – it was now more about capturing visitor experiences than the exhibition itself. As the camera panned over the deserted square, the final variable for the sub-venue exhibition had completely evaporated.

“In that case, why don’t you explore the Second Exhibition Zone on your own and then come back? This time, I won’t guide you!”

Li Shaoqing added.

“Alright, that gives me a chance to interview the visitors.”

The reporter nodded and turned towards the camera.

“Dear viewers, after our host introduced the Third Exhibition Zone, we noticed that no visitors have arrived. So we’re off to the Second Exhibition Zone to capture their experiences.”

Time flew by, and before they knew it, it was nine in the evening.

In H Country, Park Qi Ye, after watching his computer screen, finally couldn’t hold it in – BAM! A fist crashed down on his desk.

“This is all an act. Long Kingdom must be staging something. There’s no way such a mystical place exists. A live reporter and her crew getting lost inside the exhibition – who would believe that? It must be deliberate performance,” he fumed.

He vented his anger.