557 Divine Technique (2/2)
This was the work of the witch blood flowing through his veins. His Ultimate Witch Body was growing stronger.
Fang Yuan took a look at his stats board:
”Name: Fang Yuan
Essence: 50 (100)
Spirit: 50 (100)
Magic: 50 (100)
Profession: ???
Cultivation: ???
Technique: Ultimate Witch Body (90%)
Skill: [Medicine (Level 3)], [Botany (Level 6)(Peak)], [Fiery Golden Eyes (Level 1)], [Body Seal (Ultimate form)]”
”Even though I want all my special abilities to be on my stats board, this is not the time to restore the Pangu Eagle Body technique. I have to stick to the power systems of this world and level up by utilising the native energy. It will be slower this way but I won't encounter any bottlenecks before I reach the True Divine stage!”
”Also, because of the purity of the old witchcraft dao, the Fiery Golden Eyes divine technique has levelled up!”
Fang Yuan was looking at the runes of the Fiery Golden Eyes technique when a message surfaced:
”[Fiery Golden Eyes (Level 2)]: Divine Technique of the Witches, converted to this technique from the Dacheng Fiery Eyes (Level 5). Unlocks astrological and geomantic abilities. Able to identify changes in the six energies and to expose future perils! Currently Level 2!”
”Every world has its unique charm and culture. To suppress these would be to ruin something beautiful and might even lead to a backfire...since the Ancient Realm has already accepted me, I shall make use of its pathways...for the sake of smoothness and efficiency!”
Fang Yuan's face shone with happiness upon seeing that one of his skills had levelled up.
The Fiery Golden Eyes technique was not just any simple divine technique. It had evolved from the Level 5 Dacheng Fiery Eyes technique, making it practically a Level 7 technique! This exceeded even his skill in Botany, which had already peaked!
Fang Yuan had high hopes for his special abilities. After all, even the world could not suppress the imprint of his true aura!
Later, Fang Yuan noticed a magnificent city standing in the distance.
As the capital city of the Shang Dynasty, Shangyi had a breathtaking splendour that was unrivalled in the world.
The huge walls, the imposing armed guards, the fluid crowds and the farming slaves were all unique features of the Pre-Qin canvas.
Fang Yuan saw more than that.
”Is this...tribal energy?”
With his Fiery Golden Eyes, Fang Yuan could see plumes of black energy rising from the Shang capital. They stretched on for miles and were ever-changing, even vaguely forming the shape of a gigantic mysterious bird. Fang Yuan knew for sure that this was the tribal energy of the Shang! A skilled energy reader would be able to derive the foundations and destiny of the Shang by observing this sight!
Except that it was not possible for common energy readers to see something like that, or there might be divine retribution!
Nonetheless, Fang Yuan was able to see everything easily.
”To identify changes in the six energies and to expose future perils...not so far-fetched after all!”
Fang Yuan gave a small sigh. Suddenly, a look of uncertainty crept across his face.
The skies above the Shang capital were filled with dark tribal energy that became bright and colourful when they descended onto the city. This was supposed to be normal.
However, numerous purple energy rays were shooting upwards into the skies. One of the rays took the form of a blazing sword while another took the form of a shining scroll. They all moved independently and looked like they were pitting themselves against the Shang tribal energy.
The last energy ray played it safe and concealed itself. Fang Yuan would not have noticed it if he did not have the Fiery Golden Eyes ability. Thus, he had become wary of this particular ray.
”The purple energy is vast and mighty. This indicates that a sage is present!”
Fang Yuan sighed internally.
”The purple energy ray isn't more than 6 miles in length, which means that the person it represents has not yet reached the level of a True Divine. Nevertheless, he is at least a 'Sir' among the Hundred Schools of Thought, or perhaps a 'Sage'?”
As Fang Yuan occupied himself with his thoughts, the army set up camp outside the city gates. Later, Senior Fang and the other officials were summoned into the palace by the Shang King.
Fang Yuan inhaled sharply and calmed himself down as he followed the unit into the city. They were now in the heart of the Shang Dynasty.
”I feel like...the crowd here is a little too small!”
Meng Kuo scanned their surroundings tentatively.
Nevertheless, he was a man of influence and went about asking questions. He returned cheerfully a short while later.
”Jie...today is a day of festivity. The Sword Sage Sir Cao has set up a school in Shangyi and is accepting students. Nearly half the city has gone over to check out his school!”
”Besides, I heard that the Legalists, Confucianists, Mohists and many other schools of thought have organised discussion forums to share their philosophies as well as to recruit disciples. We are lucky to have entered the city at this time!”
”The Hundred Schools of Thought?!”
There was a strange look on Fang Yuan's face.
”It's too early...alright, I knew this isn't the normal Pre-Qin era.”
There was indeed a hazy impression on Jie's memories.
Many of these schools were influential and world-renowned. They had disciples all over the empire and were recruiting aggressively, making them forces to be reckoned with.
Fang Yuan was wary of their power and influence.
In the previous world, the Hundred Schools of Thought only surfaced during the chaotic Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods where royal authority had declined severely. The various feudal states were competing for hegemony and needed intellectuals to serve as their advisers on matters of government, war and diplomacy. Thus, they encouraged the free discussion of a broad range of thoughts and ideas and created conditions that were ripe for the rise of the Hundred Schools of Thought.
However, in this world, the Shang Dynasty reigned supreme. How could the King not worry about these powerful and unregulated organisations?
”Throughout history...powerful organisations would definitely incur the paranoia and suspicion of the hegemon...the fact that these schools of thought could survive this long and grow in strength means that there is something fishy going.”
Fang Yuan laughed grimly.
”There must be another organisation backing these schools up. Or they might even have garnered the support of the feudal states. The reason for this is simple...they want to usurp the Shang!”