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"That's right, Uncle Ning, the Academy should also begin its preparations."
Although he had developed the existence of the Mountain of Books and Sea of Learning, Su Wen still needed to establish a physical base for his power.
The "other form" he had discussed with Xiao Zhan was actually something akin to the internet of his previous life—or even a step further, the existence of a virtual world.
Unfortunately, the current Su Wen was not yet capable of developing such a high-level virtual network.
For now, he could only start by establishing a headquarters.
"Mhm, I also feel it is time for you to concern yourself with these matters," Ning Fengzhi said. "Rest assured, while you were out hunting soul beasts, I have already prepared everything for you within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."
Su Wen's eyes lit up.
Ning Fengzhi took out a map of the area surrounding Heaven Dou City and pointed to a suburban region.
"The area surrounded by these three mountains is the site I have selected for your Academy. Preliminary development has already been completed. If you don't have any special architectural requirements for the Academy, construction can begin immediately."
Three mountain peaks formed a triangular formation, cradling the central area within.
"Uncle Ning, this place is excellent." Su Wen nodded, having no objections.
If the environment was suitable, those three peaks could also serve as the foundation for a protective formation array he planned to arrange in the future.
The Douluo Continent did not possess the path of formations, but Su Wen could research it himself. By applying the principles of his Boulder Array to the three mountains, as long as there were enough Soul Masters stationed there in the future, they could exert a suppressive force over the entire central area where the Academy was located.
As long as it was arranged properly—not suppressing friendly personnel but only the enemy—it would be equivalent to weakening the enemy by an entire rank out of thin air.
And if Su Wen could develop buff-type formations, the combined effect of strengthening allies and weakening enemies would result in a gap of two whole ranks.
"Uncle Ning, the Academy's most important mission is still theoretical research, so the main buildings should consist of research institutes and personal laboratories."
"For the Academy as a whole, I temporarily plan to divide it into the Martial Soul Hall, the Soul Skill Hall, and the Cultivation Hall, with research as the primary focus."
"The three major halls will be responsible for researching theories regarding Martial Souls, the principles of soul skills (including promoting the development and popularization of self-created soul skills), and researching cultivation methods related to soul power and even mental power."
"Aside from the three major halls, a General Hall will be established to manage and coordinate all existing and future branches of the Academy."
"An Inspection Department will oversee the operation of the entire Academy, while an Enforcement Department will be responsible for law enforcement and maintaining order within the Academy."
Su Wen was not a specialist in political science and didn't have much theory on the subject; he could only propose a framework based on his own ideas as best as he could.
In truth, the three major halls were only for the present. In the future, he wanted to establish a Soul Tool Hall, but theory regarding soul tools was too scarce. Su Wen hadn't even collected enough theory from the databases of various major powers; it was as if all soul tools truly were mere relics passed down from the continent's ancient era.
"Additionally, beyond these functional divisions, the Academy will also establish a Mission Hall to track the contribution points of members and a School for training newcomers."
"..."
Ning Fengzhi nodded upon hearing this, not finding it particularly strange.
This structure was actually quite common. The only thing that caught his eye was Su Wen's establishment of an Inspection Department. Based on Su Wen's description, it seemed intended to monitor every improper detail of the Academy's operation, wielding immense power.
It wasn't an organization built for personal gain; it seemed designed to ensure the entire entity could endure for a long time and develop strictly according to plan.
"The operation of the Academy cannot function without professional staff. I'll have to trouble you with that, Uncle Ning."
Ning Fengzhi nodded and smiled. "Don't worry, I have already selected the manpower for you in that regard."
Su Wen nodded.
He continued to supplement his ideas regarding the construction of the Academy.
"..."
Leaving the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Su Wen couldn't help but marvel at Ning Fengzhi's brilliance in sect management.
Though his experience was built upon the current noble class and feudal system, it didn't mean Ning Fengzhi was rigid.
Regarding many of Su Wen's planning ideas, Ning Fengzhi was able to provide a wealth of managerial advice.
In particular, regarding the construction of an incorruptible Inspection Department, Ning Fengzhi refined many aspects for him.
Of course, in the end, everything depended on the people rather than the system.
Su Wen headed directly to the Academy's site.
Construction on the Academy began, while he cultivated nearby.
"Currently, the most important thing missing from my vision of the completed Academy is the virtual network."
Su Wen had already achieved the simulation technology for the terminals—the Mountain of Books and Sea of Learning was a preliminary success.
But what he needed now was to complete a wide-coverage interconnection.
Otherwise, it could only be used in the archive rooms of the Academy headquarters, and the true advantages of the Mountain of Books and Sea of Learning would never be fully realized.
"Connecting the entire continent..." Su Wen thought of Blue Silver Grass.
If one wanted to complete signal transmission across the entire continent using existing mediums, Blue Silver Grass was a relatively suitable choice.
However, although Su Wen had replicated the Blue Silver Emperor Martial Soul, it was ultimately just a juvenile form; his authority over Blue Silver Grass was not high.
Even ignoring the technical development of how to use Blue Silver Grass for signal transmission, this path was not very suitable for Su Wen. He could not maintain control over all Blue Silver Grass at all times. Once he lowered his guard, other experts with Blue Silver Grass could mobilize the plants to intercept information.
Intercepting information was actually somewhat acceptable.
Given Su Wen's philosophy for the Academy, theories and data were meant to be shared. If they were intercepted midway, the loss of data was a small matter; the impact on the popularization of the theory was the bigger concern.
Moreover, the ability to intercept information also meant the ability to sabotage it from within.
Destruction is often much easier than construction.
And aside from Blue Silver Grass, Su Wen couldn't think of any other medium for the time being.
"Unless I build signal transmission base stations now?" An idea came to Su Wen.
Such an idea was fine in principle, but it didn't fit the current developmental stage of the Douluo Continent.
Just as Su Wen was about to dismiss the thought, a flash of inspiration suddenly struck him.
"Wait."
"Who says a base station has to be a building? Or a construction project?"
Su Wen looked at the Heavenly Book in his hand, looking at the pages of his Martial Soul.
"If, in the future, the Mountain of Books and Sea of Learning in every branch of the Academy is established using my book pages as a foundation... then, with the connection between these pages spread across the continent, could it support the opening of a massive virtual world?"
Because the scope involved was too vast, even though Su Wen seemed to have ideas for developing various methods, the overall goal was so large that it made him hesitate.
There were dozens of large cities across the entire continent, and even more medium and small cities. If a branch were established in each of these cities, Su Wen's Book Martial Soul would have to split off hundreds or even thousands of pages.
With these thousands of pages distributed all over the continent, Su Wen would have to maintain them so they wouldn't naturally dissipate...
"Sure enough, after the replication of soul skills, another massive soul power consumer has arrived?"
(End of Chapter)