"Back then during that exhibition, why did Nanhua Academy of Fine Arts choose to send that kind of collection piece for the exhibition? My master was the dean, and knowing full well that 'Tan Xian's Walking Stick Painting' was a replica he made, why did he still decide to send it?"
He Kao put down the wine glass and said, "Yeah, why indeed?"
No matter how meticulous a person's thoughts may be, there's always something that gets overlooked. He Kao had just been wracking his brain analyzing the case, yet he had a somewhat impure purpose, and he missed such an obvious flaw.
Two years ago, during the nationwide tour exhibition, the theme was "Ancient Mysterious Culture of Eastern Country." The exhibits were collected from various collection units across the country, with 'Tan Xian's Walking Stick Painting' sent by the Library of Nanhua Academy of Fine Arts.
Zhang Yanfei was still the dean at the time. If he didn't want that piece to go, he certainly could have stopped it. What was he planning?
During such a large-scale exhibition, visitors came from all over the country. Was Zhang Yanfei afraid that his switch wouldn't be discovered, or did he have too much confidence in his own skills?
But even with confidence, that's not how it's played!
He Kao's puzzlement clearly scratched Wu Yanjun's itch. He drank another large glass of beer, wiped the foam from his lips, and said, "Refining skill, advancing from Tier Two Scholar to Tier Three Appraiser requires a ritual.
This ritual involves creating something with one's own hands to replace the original, and gaining everyone's approval in public.
Although my master didn't explicitly say so, this was his designed promotion ritual. But in my judgment, that's how he intended it... What a pity, otherwise he might have succeeded."
If that's the case, Zhang Yanfei's actions seem to be reasonably explained. He Kao curiously pursued, "If the exhibition had no issues, and your master's 'Tan Xian's Walking Stick Painting' deceived all the visitors, would he have succeeded?"
Wu Yanjun slightly shook his head and replied, "That's uncertain; it might succeed or might not succeed. But in my view, the possibility of success is quite high, otherwise, the master wouldn't have taken such a risk."
He Kao: "Why might it still not succeed?"
Wu Yanjun: "What kind of object is suitable, what kind of occasion in public, how many people are considered everyone, and what kind of approval counts as recognition? These all need precise handling.
The contents of the promotion ritual in the Magic Sect legacy are only principled requirements, and perhaps the conditions in ancient times differ from those in modern times. My master also mentioned that overall, he personally feels it should be easier in modern times and harder in ancient times.
Throughout the Magic Sect's history, many have designed rituals well but failed several times, unable to assert where the problem was, and just kept trying different ways."
This intrigued He Kao even more: "Then there must be successful examples. Are you aware of any?"
Wu Yanjun: "Indeed I've heard of it. My master's master, my grandmaster. It's said that when he advanced from Tier Two Scholar to Tier Three Appraiser, he designed his own ritual by replacing a stone lion in front of a famous scenic spot's gate."
He Kao: "Oh, and where is this stone lion?"
Wu Yanjun: "I can't tell you that! But after succeeding in the promotion, he changed the stone lion back, that's the rule."
He Kao: "That's quite a significant action!"
Wu Yanjun: "Isn't it? Several tons indeed!"
He Kao: "Since he succeeded in doing so, hasn't anyone tried to imitate him?"
Wu Yanjun: "Yes, my uncle went about it the same way, by replacing the other stone lion, which usually stands in pairs."
He Kao: "And did he succeed?"
Wu Yanjun nodded, "Yes."
He Kao: "Then haven't you paved a path? You can continue replacing the stone lions!"
Wu Yanjun glared, "Do you know what kind of place that is? It's the hottest spot locally and considered a famous landmark nationwide, bustling every day like a market, even busy at night now.
In such a place, with such a huge thing, how is it easy to find an opportunity to act? It was somewhat easier a few years back, but now it's getting increasingly difficult; moreover, even if it is done, success isn't guaranteed."
He Kao: "Oh, can't you copy the solution and still not reach the required level?"
Wu Yanjun: "Of course that's true. My master said so himself. Following my uncle, another uncle did the same thing, desperately replacing the stone lion my grandmaster did back then, yet he didn't succeed.
Not only did he fail, he also didn't get a chance to swap the stone lion back, even leaving it in his possession to this day!"
He Kao: "Could it be because—he didn't swap back the original stone lion?"
Wu Yanjun shook his head, "It shouldn't be the reason. Both my master and uncle succeeded before swapping the lion back. I asked my master about it, but he just told me a person's actions can't be fully repeated.
Perhaps my uncle's craftsmanship wasn't good enough, perhaps visitor numbers dropped, climate changed, venue renovated, even tourist guide speeches altered, people's focus shifted, and many other factors might contribute."
Unconsciously, He Kao also finished a large glass of draught beer, nodded slowly, "Makes sense, makes sense!" Suddenly realizing something, he raised his head and asked, "Does this have anything to do with what you said about reality?"
Wu Yanjun put down the beer glass, leaned over, "Think about it carefully, doesn't something seem wrong with this process? With refining secret techniques, once reaching a level, promotion should follow, even if tests occur it shouldn't be like this.
Even an otherworldly tribulation seems more plausible; what's with such an abstract ceremony?
It's too subjective, too arbitrary, can't prove competence, barely counts as a test. If that's a test, who determines success, the heavens?
Think about it further, take Micro Realm Sect as an example, Micro-Entry Skill levels are called Imitator, Scholar, Appraiser, Artisan, and Heart Measurer...
Becoming a Sorcerer requires legacy, each level-up involves a ceremony; what scenario does this resemble?"
He Kao: "A novel?"
Wu Yanjun: "And?"
He Kao: "A game?"
Wu Yanjun slapped his thigh, "Right, it's a game! Doesn't this completely match a game's setting? This world is problematic, like there's a preset program running things."
Undeniably, in this fleeting moment, He Kao truly felt slightly swayed by Wu's words, contemplating many mystical thoughts, but then regained his composure.
He Kao: "So you say you're a traveler because of this. Indeed, the mere existence of techniques and Sorcerers in this world is astonishing; I wouldn't find your ideas strange.
If the world is programmed, then we're all travelers! My recent work involves Virtual City, yet feels unlike what you mentioned.
What Tier One Sorcerer is called doesn't explain much. As for the ceremony, have you considered the possibility? That the ceremony isn't the focus, but through designing and completing the ceremony, one meets advancement requirements.
Promotion standards undoubtedly exist, but merely stating theoretical standards is overly hard and abstract for low-level disciples to comprehend, not even knowing how to proceed.
Hence the founder summarized the most feasible path, follow it, and the actual test remains the technique's proficiency. Those lacking proficiency won't pass, whereas those possibly meeting standards might pass naturally in this process.
For instance, suppose the theory requires creating zero degrees Celsius, then the ceremony involves producing an environment with atmospheric pressure and preparing an ice-water mixture.
You think those ceremonies are too abstract and irrational, but in reality, they are precisely the most specific executable plans..."
What He Kao said was merely his own speculation, but not entirely unfounded, it's genuinely how he thinks, derived from a programmer's work experience.
**