What they saw on this outing was even more than the last. Not only did they learn about the basic political structure within the Xianzhou, but they also got a sense of the current operational status of the Luofu.
The most prominent feature of the Luofu Xianzhou's current civilizational development was its role as a massive trade port.
The Xianzhou was governed by the Six Commissions: the Cloud Knights, the Divination Commission, the Sky-Faring Commission, the Alchemy Commission, the Artisanship Commission, and the Realm-Keeping Commission.
These corresponded to the six aspects of military, intelligence, transportation, medicine, industry, and civil administration, respectively.
The reason Elysia hadn't seen any intelligently controlled starskiffs yesterday was that she hadn't been taken to the right place. The freight starskiffs were largely unmanned, while the passenger-driven starskiffs were designated for something akin to inner-city traffic.
Qingque and Fu Xuan had been arguing for a long time about whether seeking good fortune and avoiding disaster truly counted as profiting.
Neither of them could convince the other. Instead, it was Noldrei, the one who had started it all, who had withdrawn from the debate and washed his hands of it.
Seeing that he was clearly enjoying the show and didn't mind if things got out of hand, Elysia whispered to him, "Is there actually an answer to this question? It seems like both of them have a point."
Of course, there was an answer. It was just that the answer wasn't something a diviner would necessarily want to hear.
Noldrei, of course, knew exactly why this conflict had arisen.
He nodded. "There's an answer, but the two of them might not be willing to hear it..."
Elysia was genuinely surprised that Noldrei could actually provide an answer. She thought for a moment and said, "Why not give it a try? Let's see how they react after they hear your thoughts."
Since Elysia wanted to know what he thought, he might as well just tell them.
Noldrei called a halt to the argument. "I've thought of a possibility. Would you two like to hear me out? Then you can see if my view is correct or not."
Fu Xuan had been about to emphasize the Divination Commission's official stance, but Qingque's point wasn't without merit.
It was precisely because both sides had valid points that the argument had started in the first place.
The Master Diviner suddenly remembered that this topic had been brought up by this very outsider.
"Then speak. I shall deign to listen," Fu Xuan said, taking a moment to calm herself.
"Can this sort of thing even be explained clearly?" Qingque had actually been ready to give up halfway through the argument. She had already planned to use brilliant slacker tactics like "Yeah, yeah, you're right" to brush it off.
The four of them found a long bench by the roadside and sat down.
Noldrei began, "Let's first consider this: why is it that diviners—that is, you people who divine fortunes—are in conflict with your environment? Is it because you are diviners?"
Qingque thought this man was ridiculous. If she weren't a diviner, this conflict would never have happened.
Noldrei immediately refuted this reasoning. "No. It's because the other Xianzhou people are not diviners that this conflict arises."
Fu Xuan's expression changed. This damned outsider, his words were meant to pierce the heart!
"First, we have to admit one thing: everyone has the freedom to choose what they do with their future. Regardless of whether the outcome is good or bad, whether they need to bear responsibility or go to prison for a death sentence. People are born with the desire to choose and practice their own path in life."
"Theoretically speaking, everyone could choose to become a diviner. Is that not correct?"
There was nothing to argue about there. If everyone had a similar talent, they could indeed all choose to become diviners.
Seeing that the two from the Divination Commission acknowledged this, Noldrei found it easier to introduce the subsequent theory.
Fu Xuan asked with confusion, "But what does this have to do with the Divination Commission's 'three things we do not divine' rule?"
Noldrei smiled, a hint of mischief in his eyes.
"Since everyone has the right to choose to become a diviner, let's assume everyone has the talent for it. And after discovering the benefits, they all really do choose to become diviners, or at least possess the ability of a diviner."
"This is a world where everyone is a diviner. Everyone can calculate, everyone can seek good fortune and avoid disaster."
"Now here's the question: that so-called rule of 'three things we do not divine,' such as not buying lottery tickets or calculating market fluctuations—wouldn't that rule completely collapse?"
"If everyone has the ability to seek good fortune and avoid disaster before they leave the house, then where does the real disaster get piled up?"
Noldrei posed a question that was difficult to answer.
Qingque subconsciously imagined the scene. Even she could clearly see what would happen in such a situation.
Everyone has the ability to seek good fortune and avoid disaster. No one wants disaster to befall them.
If everyone chooses to avoid calamity, then who is left to bear it?
Fu Xuan had a sudden realization. She, too, understood why such a choice had to be made.
Noldrei delivered his final conclusion. "Therefore, the ability of a diviner must absolutely not be held by everyone. Thus, a world will inevitably emerge where there are people who want to possess the ability of a diviner but cannot."
Fu Xuan stated with certainty, "When everyone is a diviner, it will inevitably create a situation where some people must bear the misfortune. Traditional methods of organizing a collective will completely collapse, and society will starkly divide into two major groups: those who obey the arrangements of fate, and those who do not."
"And once this division forms, there will be no way to organize to face any external hardship. That is when a truly catastrophic collapse will occur."
"Therefore, diviners must absolutely not allow more people to become diviners!"
"Under this inevitable choice, to ordinary people without the ability of divination, all diviners are aberrations who know the fate that hangs over their heads."
"And for diviners to change this situation, they must make themselves like ordinary people, not using their abilities for any personal gain that could possibly risk creating opposition!"
"Only then can there be the best outcome for both sides."
Fu Xuan was very satisfied with this conclusion. It immediately placed her on the theoretical high ground. The argument between her and Qingque had finally reached a resolution.
Fu Xuan immediately followed up with a scolding, "Qingque! This is why diviners have so many rules! Do you still dare to say that seeking good fortune and avoiding disaster in your daily life isn't profiting yourself?"
Qingque was at a loss for words, truly not knowing how to defend herself.
'That guy was the one who raised the question, but now the blame falls on my head?'
'And has the Master Diviner forgotten something? You clearly divine once before heading to work every day. How come you don't mention yourself breaking the rules?'
"The Master Diviner is right! I was wrong!"
Qingque was clearly submitting in word but not in spirit. In any case, since the matter had fallen on her, she could only count herself unlucky.