Chapter 27 Abyss
Aside from the required courses, there were elective subjects such as Military Studies, Astronomy, and Herbal Medicine. Unfortunately, Medical Studies, in which Li Ang specialized, were not offered. All Academic Palace Disciples needed to complete all required courses and some elective courses, as well as participate in extracurricular activities, to earn enough credits for graduation.
As for the so-called extracurricular activities...
Li Ang’s expression became quite interesting as he looked at the introduction in the book. The people of Yu Country were simple and robust, with a chivalrous spirit inherited from the Han Dynasty. In rural areas, private duels or small-scale brawls often erupted over trifles. The extracurricular activities of the Academic Palace also had a simple and robust style, generally including the following:
First, joining the military to help eliminate bandits and suppress barbarians at the borders who defied the rule of Wang Hua.
Second, collaborating with the garrison to track down demon traces across Yu Country and fight on the front lines against Evil.
Third, exploring the ruins of Cultivation Sects that had been destroyed during the chaos at the end of the Late Sui period, destroying traps and searching for valuable books and tools.
Fourth, following an Academic Palace Professor to participate in research projects.
The first three options seemed quite fierce, but the fourth was no less so. The projects of Academic Palace Professors could sometimes involve managing water disasters, building bridges, improving agricultural tools, or dealing with locust plagues. Sometimes, these projects could also involve field studies in the Ten Thousand Desolate Mountains, capturing rare and highly dangerous demon beasts.
The graduation time for Academic Palace Disciples ranged from five to fifteen years. Some completed all courses within five years, while others chose to delay graduation and stay longer at the Academic Palace. A thirst for knowledge, a desire to explore the unknown, and a hatred for Evil would keep them there for a lifetime. Another group would choose to serve as officials after graduation, entering the ruling class of Yu Country. Consequently, their Cultivation would stagnate due to various distractions, leaving them at the Cloud Patrol Realm or even the Rain Listening Realm.
"No wonder everyone says the Academic Palace is the biggest and highest peak in Yu Country. It has produced over a dozen Prime Ministers, more than seventy Generals, and hundreds of governors of State Mansions. The departments of civil affairs, revenue, rites, military, justice, and public works, along with the Six Ministries of the Ministry of Supervision, all have Academic Palace Disciples and their students. Nearly half of the Chang’an Court has intricate ties with the Academic Palace. Even Princes and Princesses must study there. Ordinary members of the Imperial Family and descendants of Ministers don’t even have the privilege of guaranteed admission; they all must take entrance exams according to the rules."