Chapter 4, The Turning of the Compass, The Opening of Destiny! (1)

The compass, after its transformation, appears completely different from the commonly seen ones. Although the structures of the celestial pool, inner disk, and outer disk are similar, the markings on it are peculiar, resembling strange patterns akin to flowers or tadpoles, which Yang Tianwen had never heard of or seen before. Inside the celestial pool, it is divided into two layers, with markings indicating the cardinal directions surrounding it. A slender column separates the two layers, with a needle placed in the lower layer, while the upper layer remains blank yet transparent. This is what brings the greatest comfort to Yang Tianwen. With this needle, he no longer has to worry about losing his way due to an inability to discern directions. Moreover, having it ignited Yang Tianwen's desire to leave the forest, but after a rational analysis, he had no choice but to abandon that thought.

In the early morning, Yang Tianwen woke up early without an alarm clock, having gone to bed quite early the previous night. He climbed down from the tree hollow and retrieved the basin he had placed under some large leaves, which relieved him as the water level was still barely adequate, enough to sustain life. Thus, Yang Tianwen spent another morning gathering leaves and made several more basins for storing water, ensuring greater reliability. After having lunch, he suddenly found himself without any plans. Normally, he would read books to pass the time at home, but now, where could he find books to read? Although there were no immediate problems at this stage, what about the future? Yang Tianwen appeared somewhat lost, realizing that he was in a primeval forest, and what if a wild beast were to appear? He understood that apart from having some intellect, he was fundamentally lacking in other skills.

The alignment of the nine stars; Yang Tianwen thought for a moment and roughly guessed that this compass must have brought him here because of the alignment of the nine stars. Therefore, if the alignment of the nine stars were to occur again, it might be possible to leave this place. However, Yang Tianwen quickly gave up on this idea, as if the alignment of the nine stars were so common, this compass would not have been used as a seat cushion by someone.

Therefore, Yang Tianwen thought carefully for a while and decided that at this stage, it would be best to stabilize first and then gradually consider the matter of leaving

The jigsaw puzzle, which Yang Tianwen has played before, is often enjoyed with - the - book, as it greatly exercises one's thinking. However, things are different now; this puzzle does not provide a reference image. The simplest jigsaw is in a nine-square format, but this compass is different. Not only is there no reference image, but it also consists of two hundred and fifty-two squares. Yang Tianwen gently pushed one of the thirty-six runes from the innermost layer into the Heavenly Pool, and now he understands why the upper layer of the Heavenly Pool is completely blank. It turns out to be a precise jigsaw puzzle, and Yang Tianwen's fingers began to move, while his mind started to race. As an archaeology student, jigsaw puzzles are an essential part of the curriculum, because the artifacts excavated from historical sites are rarely intact. For example, vases and porcelain are bound to have fragments, and integrating these fragments is essentially solving a jigsaw puzzle. Although these puzzles are indeed challenging, at least there are clues from the interfaces, and it is possible to use a computer to restore the entire vase into an image beforehand; having an image makes it even easier to find clues. However, things are different now; what are these tadpole runes? Yang Tianwen does not understand, and without an image, it is also difficult to determine correctness from the interfaces.

In his hand, he held a compass that had come through space with Yang Tianwen. Yang Tianwen was no fool; this compass, capable of safely bringing him here, could not be simple. It must certainly conceal some astonishing power or a way to return. In this unfamiliar place, being able to go back to a familiar location is certainly better than living in constant fear here

He paid no attention to the few drops of fresh blood flowing from his palm, for Yang Tianwen no longer had the time or energy to concern himself with it; he was captivated by the scene before him

Where is the location one finds oneself? If one were to choose the wrong direction, it would only lead deeper into the forest, which would certainly be no different from seeking death. Yang Tianwen does not believe that in such a vast expanse of forest, especially in a pristine forest that is completely untouched by human presence, there exists no animal. If one were to leave this place and choose the wrong direction, encountering a fierce beast such as a tiger or leopard would mean the end for oneself and the book.

Rather than saying to follow one's feelings, it is more accurate to say that Yang Tianwen memorized all two hundred and fifty-two tadpoles in his mind and quickly combined them into different shapes. This is no simple task; how many combinations must there be? It is likely to be at least several hundred thousand times or more. This is thanks to Yang Tianwen's exceptionally high intelligence and formidable analytical and organizational skills. If it were someone else, it would be absolutely impossible to achieve this; perhaps it could take ten to twenty years to have a chance at it. This is also due to Yang Tianwen's exceptionally high intelligence and formidable analytical and organizational skills. If it were someone else, it would be absolutely impossible to achieve this; perhaps it could take ten to twenty years to have a chance at it.

The outer disk of the compass and the celestial pool are nothing special; the key lies in the inner disk. The inner disk is divided into three layers. The tadpoles presented on the top layer are certainly unfamiliar to Yang Tianwen, much like a person who cannot read trying to appreciate a calligraphy exhibition, mistaking the flowing characters for mere pictures. Yang Tianwen felt this way and suddenly had a flash of inspiration: what if the tadpoles on these three layers of the compass are a puzzle? Upon careful observation, he noted that the first layer has thirty-six rune-like tadpoles, the second layer has seventy-two, and the third layer has one hundred and forty-four, like hetushu. Yang Tianwen felt this way and suddenly had a flash of inspiration: what if the tadpoles on these three layers of the compass are a puzzle? Upon careful observation, he noted that the first layer has thirty-six rune-like tadpoles, the second layer has seventy-two, and the third layer has one hundred and forty-four, like hetushu. He was too lazy to calculate how many combinations could be formed from the three layers, nor did he have the time to do so. The picture and the feeling of the person are a flat whole; if this is a puzzle, why bother to understand every small part? It is sufficient to piece them together to form a complete picture.

Three days passed quickly. Finally, at noon on the third day, when Yang Tianwen removed the last piece from the Tianchi, the entire compass suddenly emitted a soft sound. A complete tadpole symbol appeared on the compass, which began to emit a green light that grew increasingly bright. Yang Tianwen was momentarily stunned until a sharp pain suddenly shot through the hand holding the compass, as if something had pricked him. Reflexively, he withdrew his hand, stood up, and took two steps back. A complete tadpole symbol appeared on the compass, which began to emit a green light that grew increasingly bright. Yang Tianwen was momentarily stunned until a sharp pain suddenly shot through the hand holding the compass, as if something had pricked him. Reflexively, he withdrew his hand, stood up, and took two steps back.

Yang Tianwen is a person of great endurance and perseverance. In the past, he once spent three days and nights tirelessly researching the origins of an antique. Now, this compass is almost equivalent to a lifeline and a hope for departure, and Yang Tianwen is studying it with utmost seriousness