48 Argument

Chapter 50: 48

Upon hearing Yuan Chen's words, the Elder Yuentars beside him didn't speak immediately. Instead, they gazed at Yuan Chen. After a brief moment of contemplation, the Gold-rimmed Glasses Lady spoke first.

"Master... do you know what those two words represent?"

Hearing the lady's question, Yuan Chen nodded and said, "Although Ionia and Ixialia are located at the northernmost and southernmost parts of Runeterra respectively, I believe the meaning of 'Master' should not differ significantly."

As he spoke, Yuan Chen continued, "Similar to Ixialia, my homeland Ionia is also isolated from the world. However, unlike Ixialia, which uses Veil techniques for isolation, Ionia is a large archipelago. The ocean separates Ionia from the Valoran Continent."

"I've heard of it. You are correct."

Hearing Yuan Chen's words, Sem, stroking the beard on his chin, nodded.

"Ixialia is the center of the world, and Vidalion can transmit a person's consciousness to every corner of the world through the curves of the Axiom. I have seen Ionia... it is very special, unlike any other corner of Runeterra."

Upon hearing Sem's words, the Elder Yuentars who had seen Ionia during the Vidalion trials also nodded in agreement.

The Vidalion trials may sound difficult, but the tests can actually be summarized into three.

The first is the exploration of the Elemental Axiom.

Similar to a university graduation defense, qualified Elementalists will summarize their Yuan Chu Path and Axiom Constraint under the watchful eyes of the Elder Yuentars.

During this process, Vidalion will continuously verify the correctness of the mage's Axiom. The Elder Yuentars, in turn, will constantly question the mage about it.

The second is the power of the tested individual.

Vidalion will extract the tested individual's magic power and weave it. If the magic power is sufficient, it will weave a robe representing Vidalion. If not, they can only return another time.

The third is the ability to rationally view the outside world after gaining knowledge of it.

During the process, the tested individual's spirit will merge with Ixialia, allowing their consciousness to diffuse through the paths of the Axiom. In most cases, the tested individual's spirit will project along a certain dimension.

Depending on the projection route, the scenery the tested individual can view will vary. Some will travel from Ixialia all the way to the frigid Freljord, while others will traverse the Shurima continent, witnessing the lingering glory of the empire after the loss of the Sun Disc.

Demacia and Noxus go without saying; any tested individual whose spirit projects northward will often see these two empires.

In contrast, Ionia is relatively special—even few Elder Yuentars have spirits that can project to such a unique region.

"I had the fortune to catch a fleeting glimpse of Ionia," said an Elder Yuentar who appeared old, but significantly younger than Sem.

"The boundary between the material and spiritual realms there is not distinct, and the natural environment is filled with numerous spirits. It's a pity I couldn't stay long; the ambiguity between the material and spiritual interfered with the curves of the Axiom."

"Yes, because the boundary between the material and spiritual realms is not distinct, the magic power in Ionia is unpredictable."

"It's like a mirror, if you project tranquility, it will reflect tranquility. The land is fertile and moist, all things grow, the seasons are distinct, and the harvests are abundant.

But if you project malice, the land of Ionia will become arid and rotten, foul waters will flow, the seasons will be harsh, and there will be no harvest."

Hearing the conversations of the Yuentar, Yuan Chen nodded and said:

"Precisely because of this, Ionia reveres harmony. However, unlike Ixialia, Ionia has no concept of a country. Instead, there are numerous tribes, and people live together in a mixed fashion across islands and provinces."

"There is no army. Of course, in my opinion, Ionia doesn't need an army either. Laws are drawn from nature. In Ionia, the more elegant something is, the more deadly it becomes. Depending on the technique, they also represent different philosophical concepts."

Listening to Yuan Chen's explanation, the Yuentar did not interrupt, but listened with great interest.

They knew of Ionia, and even scholars had visited a thousand years ago... but ever since they decided to isolate Ixialia from the world, there had been no further interaction.

And according to the records of the Yuentar scholars who visited a thousand years ago, what Yuan Chen said was not entirely accurate, but considering the passage of time, it was understandable.

And when discussing culture and customs, Yuan Chen's information filled in many details that were not recorded in the predecessors' notes.

And by scrutinizing these details, what Yuan Chen said was at least logically sound.

Sane had fallen completely silent. She stood aside, lost in thought, contemplating her next course of action.

Unlike Sane, the Yuentar scholars showed great enthusiasm:

"So that's how it is... I saw in the records of the Yuentar elders that Ionia's construction and resource collection methods seem to be different from other regions?"

An old woman with white hair asked curiously, "The records only said it was a method that was difficult to understand with the Yuan Chu Axiom, so I wanted to ask you how it was different."

"You must be asking about the Wood Weavers."

Hearing the old woman's words, Yuan Chen explained, "Ionia reveres all things as having spirits. If they were to build houses, people would not cut down trees, because that would harm the spirits within the trees."

"You don't cut down trees? Then how do you build houses? Do you use stone?"

"We invite the Wood Weavers to persuade them." Under the curious gazes of the Yuentar scholars, Yuan Chen slowly said:

"Usually, when a family needs a new house, they will invite the Wood Weavers to persuade the trees."

"And the trees that are persuaded are usually regional. After hearing the Wood Weavers' request, if the spirits within the trees agree, then these trees will grow into shapes suitable for people to live in."

"And the people who live in them will also provide for the trees, such as watering them, fertilizing them, and providing the magic needed for their growth."

"What if they don't agree?"

"Naturally, we find another area."

"What if they all disagree?"

"Then you can try to ask the spirits within the trees to provide some branches that can be used."

Yuan Chen said, "Although rare, Ionia isn't entirely without houses built from wood. The same applies to mining minerals and collecting fruits."

"Ask the earth, and it can provide some minerals. Ask the fruit trees, and they can bear some fruit. Generally, natural spirits won't refuse, as long as you're willing to live peacefully on this land."

"Of course, there are always some detestable scoundrels, and such people are usually exiled or sent to temples and monasteries for reflection."

"How interesting..."

Hearing Yuan Chen's words, the old woman who had asked murmured to herself, a hint of sadness in her eyes.

For a seeker of knowledge, merely knowing but being unable to go, unable to witness, unable to record firsthand, was simply torture.

The other Yuentars felt a similar sentiment to varying degrees...

Noticing the shift in the Yuentars' thoughts, Yuan Chen secretly nodded... The first step of the plan was complete.

After a long silence, when people snapped out of their thoughts, Sem continued to ask:

"Undoubtedly, you are from Ionia. But how can you prove you are a 'Master'?"

"Dance."

As he spoke, Yuan Chen spread his arms, displaying his graceful posture and physique to everyone.

"Dance?"

"Yes, dance," Yuan Chen said. "In Ionia, warriors, mages, monks, and dancers are one. They are different ways of exploring truth and harmony. Dance in Ionia is by no means a performance, but rather following the harmonious rhythm of all things in motion."

"A skilled dancer, with their breath alone during their movements, can part the seas and command the rainbows."

Hearing Yuan Chen's words, a Yuentar with gold-rimmed glasses beside him nodded in agreement. Looking at Yuan Chen's physique, after a brief calculation, he exclaimed in amazement:

"Interesting, your body conforms to Yuan Chu Axiom's definition and division of perfection. Yet, there are subtle differences... Why is that?"

At this, the Yuentars began to discuss amongst themselves. Sem, after a moment of silence, said:

"Because it's too active."

"The aura, flesh, and magic on him are exceptionally active," Sem said to the surrounding Yuentars.

"This is contrary to the Yuan Chu Axiom we know. Overly active flesh and spirit will cause magic to go out of control, exceeding the boundaries of Axiom Constraint. For this reason, we continuously refine the limitations of the Axiom."

"But Ionia's environment allows this gentleman to control this activity through harmony and resonance, transforming spiritual fluctuations into controllable power."

"Hmm... This might be our next research direction. How to broaden the boundaries of Axiom Constraint through resonance."

"I am quite interested," the Gold-rimmed Glasses Lady said, adjusting her glasses. "Young Master from Ionia, would you be willing to discuss with me the commonalities between the limits of Yuan Chu Axiom Constraint and Ionia's theory of harmony?"

"Master Tina, you might want to move to the back," a burly old man said with some dissatisfaction.

"The Earth Axiom I research might benefit more from the assistance of Ionia's resonance axiom. Activated earth and rock can better reinforce our city defenses."

"No, no, Masters, the Wind Axiom should perhaps be first, because the liveliness of the wind needs harmony and tranquility to neutralize it."

"The liveliness of the wind? Our Fire Axiom hasn't even spoken yet!"