Chapter 221: The Stubborn Old Man

Li Xian spoke very seriously, and Ge Zhengfeng listened just as seriously. Li Xian spoke in great detail, and Ge Zhengfeng also asked in great detail. This exchange lasted for half a day, until nightfall, when the sky was filled with stars.

Finally, Li Xian pointed to the sky. “Mr. Ge, I want to correspond to the stars above and build a commercial empire on the ground. And as far as I know, you are the only astrologer. I have come to invite you to build a prosperous world and a brilliant future together.”

Ge Zhengfeng looked up at the sky, not knowing what he was looking at or what he was thinking.

Only the night wind howled. Li Xian didn’t even dare to breathe loudly and just quietly waited for Ge Zhengfeng’s response.

A long time passed… a very long time…

After half an hour, Ge Zhengfeng finally slowly turned his head. Under Li Xian’s expectant gaze, he slowly shook his head. “I’m sorry. Young Master Li, I admit that your vision has moved me. If possible, I would also like to go to Anyang to help you sort out the fortune and guide the stars.

But… I still have things to do!”

Li Xian’s heart instantly turned cold!

He had come with great hope, even revealing the entire future development plan of Anyang in order to persuade Ge Zhengfeng. Aligning with the stars and organizing the future trajectory of the dazzling Star Group—these were things that truly required someone like Ge Zhengfeng to assist with.

It wasn’t impossible to proceed without an astrologer or astrology, but it would greatly diminish the fortune and overall success. After all, Li Xian’s goal wasn’t a fully unified empire but rather a fragmented collection of bases and leased territories—disorganized and scattered.

In such a situation, he needed an astrologer to mimic the celestial stars, linking these territories together to form a true whole. Just like setting up a formation—three spirit stones could cover a large area. Li Xian wanted to use territories to construct a formation called the “Commercial Empire.”

Astrologers were rare, and in the entire Great Xia Kingdom, Li Xian only knew of one—Ge Zhengfeng. So, to earn his trust and show respect, Li Xian had revealed almost everything. During the conversation, Ge Zhengfeng had even shown joy multiple times, clearly moved by the vision.

But unexpectedly, after countless moments of interest, Ge Zhengfeng still rejected him at the last moment!

Li Xian could tell that Ge Zhengfeng wasn’t toying with him—he genuinely had other matters to attend to. His eyes didn’t lie. Still, Li Xian couldn’t help but feel disappointed.

Yet, he wasn’t willing to give up. “Sir, is it convenient for you to share what you need to do? Perhaps I can help; if not now, maybe in the future.”

Ge Zhengfeng shook his head and once again looked up at the sky, gazing at the brilliant stars. “There is no solution. This is the mission that has been passed down in my lineage since ancient times.

Here’s the thing—I know of another astrologer who might be able to help you. His name is Miao Congrong. ‘Miao’ as in sapling, and ‘Congrong’ as in calm and unhurried. You can look for him among the rogue cultivators and marketplaces in Mang Mountain. His greatest hobby is fortune-telling. Even though he is an astrologer, he pretends to be a diviner and tells people’s fortunes. So, he’s quite easy to find.”

Li Xian was not ready to give up. This Miao Congrong didn’t sound like someone reliable—at least, that’s how it seemed. So, he continued to press. “Sir, this is unfair. I have already revealed my plans to you, so why can’t you tell me yours? Even if I can’t help, at least let me listen.

Haven’t you heard? The more you share joy, the greater it becomes, while the more you share sorrow and pressure, the lighter it gets.”

Ge Zhengfeng was amused by Li Xian’s words and laughed. “Alright, since you want to hear it, I’ll tell you. Since ancient times, there have been astrologers who discovered the power of the stars. But after countless millennia, people still don’t understand—what exactly are the stars?

Why can the stars exist for so long, while humans cannot?

The ancient era has passed. In the barbaric era, countless powerful celestial and divine beasts perished, yet the stars still shone.

The era of immortals has ended. The legendary immortals who once roamed the heavens and earth have disappeared, yet the stars still shine.

The sect era has concluded, and the era of nations has risen. The stars remain not only bright but also seem to secretly influence our fate.

From the moment I entered the sect, I swore before my master that as long as I live, I will dedicate my life to studying the secrets of the stars. And if I am to die, I will take in a disciple to continue this research. This is a belief passed down from ancient times, and now it rests on my shoulders. I must carry this responsibility and mission forward.”

Li Xian was dumbfounded—no, first, he was dumbfounded, then he was ecstatic, and finally, his eyebrows twitched wildly with excitement.

Why?

Because in another world, the nature of stars was already common knowledge! But then, Li Xian was troubled—how could he explain the knowledge from another world in a way that made sense to the people here?

Moreover, were the stars in this world the same as those in the other world?

Li Xian also recalled something Song Xing had once mentioned—a legend claiming that the sun contained a Golden Crow, a Fire Phoenix, a Vermilion Bird, the Palace of Departing Flames, the Fusang Divine Tree, and more.

This is two different worlds, and the knowledge from another world does not necessarily apply to this one. Take Xuan Iron, for example. If metal were refined in the other world the same way iron is, the result would still be iron. However, in this world, after refinement, Xuan Iron appears instead.

Before Li Xian could say anything, Ge Zhengfeng saw his expression and immediately glared at him, speaking in a somewhat ashamed and annoyed tone: “What’s with that look? Do you also find it funny? Do you think it’s ridiculous? Do you believe I am completely humiliating myself?”

Why do you talk so much nonsense? Li Xian rolled his eyes. It seemed the old man had received quite a variety of “compliments” before. However, since Ge Zhengfeng had put it this way, Li Xian had no choice but to explain—regardless of whether it was right or wrong.

“Mr. Ge, I did not mean to mock you. The reason for my reaction is that I don’t know how to explain this to you.

First, Anyang is currently also researching outer space… ahem, the stars, and we already have ideas and plans in place.

Second, I know some basic astronomical knowledge, but I don’t know how to explain it. I fear that if I start talking, Mr. Ge will think I am just making things up.

Third, in fact, your goal is also Anyang’s future goal—we share the same purpose.”

“Oh?” Ge Zhengfeng became interested. “How about this, tell me what you know, and I’ll listen first. If what you say makes sense, then I will go with you to Anyang. If what you say does not make sense, I won’t laugh at you either.”

Old man, you have quite the temper! Li Xian rolled his eyes again. What do you mean by “not laughing at me”? I already told you I wasn’t mocking you before, yet you’re still like this. I… I… fine, I’ll just say it.

“Actually, we believe that the stars in the sky and the sun that we see every day are the same kind of existence. The only difference is that the stars are very far away from us, while the sun is much closer—”

“Lies!” Ge Zhengfeng immediately interrupted Li Xian. “The sun comes out during the day, while the stars appear at night. If you had said the stars were the same as the moon, I might have believed it, but saying they are the same as the sun? Do you take me for a child?

Besides, most stars are blue or white, while the sun is golden yellow. Their colors are completely different, so how can you say they are the same?”

Even an old child is still a child! Li Xian sighed, then sighed again. He knew this was exactly what would happen.

But Li Xian’s pride was also ignited. Today, he was determined to make this “old child” truly understand like a child. “Mr. Ge, let’s do an experiment.”

“What kind of experiment?”

“How about lighting candles? We will light thousands of candles, starting from right in front of us and extending into the distance. Then, you will be able to get a rough idea.”

“Are candles the same as the sun?! What is the sun, and what is a candle? How can you compare them? The heavens have the three great lights—the sun, the moon, and the stars. No one ever said there are three great lights on the ground.

Besides, the sun, moon, and stars in the sky are eternal, but what about candles? I won’t make things difficult for you—just bring me a candle that can burn for ten years!”

Li Xian was stunned speechless. This conversation was going nowhere! I just can’t communicate with this native!

However, this wouldn’t stop Li Xian. Even if it was difficult, he was determined to make his point today. “Mr. Ge, let’s set aside whether the sun and candles are the same. But surely there is no issue with conducting an experiment to simulate and verify an optical phenomenon?”

“Optical phenomenon? What is that?”

Li Xian shut his mouth and didn’t say another word. Instead, he turned and instructed the people around him: “Go and light a thousand candles, starting from here and extending into the distance. Place one every hundred steps. Once a thousand candles are lit, we will talk again.”

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