Chapter 418 (2/2)

After that, there were debates between Yi and Xia people, for example on the ratios of the metals, the best mining season etc. However, one side reasoned using theory while the other relied on actual experience.

The Xia people’s main values involved having actual experience and practice. They had a natural talent in casting and forging, far exceeding other tribes. Talent and consistency created very impressive products.

On the other hand, the Yi people were intelligent and sensitive to numbers and divination, always making calculations. They could calculate the ratio of bronze and tin in an alloy up to ten decimal points.

One emphasised on real-life experience, the other on theory. One loved physical activity, the other encouraged mental exercises.

One Xia person said: Yi people like beating around the bush, they think they can change the world if they move their lips.

A Yi person rebutted: This is called rigour, it is where true capability lies.

Xia: Dear Yi people, quit daydreaming or you’ll go insane. Move your hands! You’re all as thin as chickens, can you even hold a hammer?

A Yi person scoffed: I’m smart, I’m so much more powerful than you idiots banging your hammers. We only need to use our brain to squash you all! No matter what, we are one of the Great Six. We are more superior compared to the scattered, weak Xia people.

Xia: We are willing to sacrifice entire lifetimes to devote ourselves to the art of craftsmanship. We are able to utilise the core seed to its full potential, changing the world. What can you all do? You think you’re so smart because you can draw circles? Such a waste! Absolute idiots! It’s no wonder you were all conquered by the Ji tribe! Go back to ‘observing the life and death of plants, the waters and the rocks!’

…

Shao Xuan almost died from laughter as he read their debate. He took out a scroll and copied everything down. There was a lot of useful information in this, not just the complicated formulas and diagrams drawn by the Yi people but also the little details revealed in the debate. For example, the Yi people were physically weaker- they had the core seed but were not good at forging. They mostly relied on theories and calculations. Also, there was information on the Xia people’s history that Gongjia Heng hadn’t mentioned.

The argument mentioned techniques related to casting and forging. They were all very useful tricks so Shao Xuan copied every word down.

Shao Xuan had just witnessed a war of words spanning a thousand years.

The other wall could still be considered a scientific debate. While they were passionate people, they were mostly Xia people answering. The words used were a lot calmer. As for this part, if the people were physically here, spit would be flying everywhere.

Shao Xuan had understood the origins of the core seed, plus its uses. He also learned about the distribution of metals and techniques for forging. They were all recorded in his animal skin scroll. He remembered people putting stonewares around the core seed in the desert. Different stonewares would affect the core seed differently too. Shao Xuan had to look for more answers on this aspect.

Shao Xuan went looking for other walls but the carvings were all very casual. They were mostly by outsiders and useless. Most of them were to express the person’s frustrations. They had been through so much hardship to arrive here, just to be stopped outside the Gongjia Mountain. He wanted to destroy this place but could not fight against the protective properties here.

In general, Shao Xuan was still very satisfied with the knowledge he received from this trip.

During the next few days, while restoring his power of inheritance, he dug up all the useful things in the valley and also spent his time studying the complicated diagrams left behind by the Yi people. It didn’t matter if they were by the Yi or Xia people, they were all useful. Shao Xuan probably could merge their principles- merging theory and practical- and his casting skills should improve a lot.

Gongjia Heng occasionally came out, though he was often in a hurry. He would pluck some fruits and then, as if he was in a daze, he’d enter again. He ignored everything else in the outside world. Shao Xuan once noticed his arm jerked while plucking fruit. The fruit was squashed into pulp but he did not notice.

This man was too immersed in his world.

Ten more days passed. Shao Xuan felt most of his power of inheritance restored. He planned to try triggering the power within his ornaments once again.

To avoid creating too many craters, he planned to attempt again in the same crater.

This time, since he already had experience, he was more familiar with the process. Borrowing the pressure coming from the Xia shaman’s powers, he moved the power of inheritance within him to the ornaments so the flame giant appeared again. Shao Xuan tried walking but like before, he could not move much other than take a small step.

Then, the crater that was originally ten meters wide, one palm deep was now twenty meters wide and half a meter deep.