Revision 6

Overview

Jixia Academy is the starting location in Honor of Kings: World and the place where the player character, known as the Flowborn, begins their journey. The Academy is a prestigious institution of learning located deep within the mountainous terrain of the Zhulu Plateau in the northeast corner of Primaera. Surrounded by dense pine forests and rugged peaks, Jixia Academy has trained generations of warriors, scholars, and engineers, sending graduates out into the world to shape the course of history.

The Academy's motto is "Tell yourself the truth," reflecting its philosophy that knowledge is not passively received but actively constructed through experience and inquiry. Students arrive from across the sea and from distant corners of Primaera, drawn by the Academy's reputation and the legacy of its legendary founders.

Founding and the Three Sages

Jixia Academy was founded by three of the most influential figures in Primaera's history, collectively known as the Three Sages: Fuzi (Confucius), Zhuangzi, and Mozi. Each Sage brought a distinct philosophy and discipline to the Academy, and their combined vision created an institution that valued intellectual diversity and practical mastery in equal measure.

• Fuzi (Confucius): the moral philosopher whose teachings on ethics, governance, and personal cultivation form the ethical backbone of the Academy's curriculum. Fuzi emphasized discipline, respect for tradition, and the pursuit of virtue.

• Zhuangzi: the mystic and dreamer whose understanding of the natural world and the nature of reality brought arcane and spiritual knowledge to the Academy. Zhuangzi's influence is most visible in the Arcane Arts college and in the mystical protections that shield the Academy from external threats.

• Mozi: the master engineer and inventor whose mechanical genius produced the defenses, infrastructure, and technological wonders that sustain the Academy. Mozi's mechanisms protect the grounds from intruders, and his designs power everything from training equipment to the Academy's signature landmark, the Sky-reaching Tower.

Together, the Three Sages established a place where martial prowess, mystical understanding, and mechanical innovation could develop side by side. Their collaboration is considered one of the greatest achievements in Primaera's intellectual history.

Location and Defenses

The Academy occupies a secluded position in the northeast Zhulu Plateau, nestled among towering peaks and accessible only through narrow mountain passes. The surrounding pine forests are ancient and dense, providing natural concealment. Nearby lies the abandoned ancient capital of Chaoge, a ruined city whose history is intertwined with the Academy's founding. Chaoge serves as an early exploration area for new players, offering environmental storytelling and introductory combat encounters.

The Academy's defenses are twofold. Mozi's mechanisms provide the physical layer of protection: mechanical sentries, automated gates, and alarm systems that activate when unauthorized individuals approach. Zhuangzi's dream provides the mystical layer. Through a technique that blurs the boundary between the waking world and the dream realm, Zhuangzi created a protective barrier that disorients and redirects anyone who approaches with hostile intent. The combination of these two systems makes Jixia Academy one of the most secure locations on the continent.

The Cloud Silkworm and Sky-Reaching Tower

The most striking feature of Jixia Academy is the Cloud Silkworm, a magnificent mechanical wonder that sits atop the Sky-reaching Tower at the Academy's highest point. The Cloud Silkworm is an enormous mechanical construct designed by Mozi, and it is visible from great distances across the Zhulu Plateau. Its purpose is multifaceted: it generates a protective energy field over the Academy, serves as an astronomical observation platform, and functions as a beacon for travelers seeking the Academy's location. The Cloud Silkworm is one of the first landmarks players see when beginning the game, and it remains a recognizable symbol of the Academy throughout the story.

The Three Colleges

Jixia Academy organizes its curriculum into three colleges, each corresponding to one of the Three Sages' areas of expertise. Students may focus their studies on a single college or draw from all three, depending on their interests and aptitudes.

Mozi Arena

The Mozi Arena is a dedicated combat training facility within the Academy grounds. Named after its designer, the arena features mechanical opponents that can be adjusted for difficulty, target dummies for practicing combos, and obstacle courses that test agility and timing. The Mozi Arena serves as the game's combat tutorial area, where new players learn the fundamentals of the combat system, including dodging, parrying, and using abilities. More advanced training challenges become available as players progress, providing a reason to revisit the Arena even in the late game.

Role in the Story

Jixia Academy is where the Flowborn's story begins. The player arrives as a student, quickly demonstrating an unusual connection to the Flow that sets them apart from their peers. The opening chapters of the main story take place in and around the Academy, introducing key characters, establishing the world's lore, and teaching core gameplay systems. After completing the Academy's introductory questline, players depart into the wider world, though they can return at any time via fast travel.

Surrounding Areas

Several regions are accessible from Jixia Academy, providing early-game exploration opportunities. Springbrook Plains lies to the west, offering open grassland terrain with introductory gathering nodes and low-level enemy encounters. Dreamweave Plains, influenced by Zhuangzi's mystical energy, features surreal landscapes and environmental puzzles. The Stargazing Range to the north offers mountainous terrain with hidden caves and elevated viewpoints. These areas gradually increase in difficulty, guiding players toward the broader world of Primaera at a natural pace.