Chapter 192: The Way of a Gentleman (4K)

Zhang Jian could only temporarily set aside the compilation of the Great Qian Compendium, as he needed to enter the Guan Tian Terrace to take charge.

For this, Emperor Jingwu even specially issued an imperial edict to retain his official position.

In fact, the compilation of the Great Qian Compendium is currently still in the middle stage.

Zhang Jian only recently completed the middle-stage catalog for the Great Qian Compendium.

The later-stage compilation work has not yet begun!

The Great Qian Compendium is compiled from nearly three thousand ancient texts, totaling over sixty thousand volumes, over twenty thousand books, with a total character count possibly nearing one billion—certainly not something that can be accomplished in a short time.

Even with Zhang Jian participating in the compilation.

Of course, this is also Zhang Jian deliberately concealing his abilities; otherwise, relying on just one person, he could match the combined strength of hundreds or thousands of ordinary people, and with full effort, could finish it in just a few years.

But such speed would be too exaggerated and would not truly demonstrate one's capabilities.

Some things are clearly not a sign of ability just because they are done quickly.

Rather, they need to allow Emperor Jingwu and the world to see visible 'effort'.

Moreover, with hundreds or even thousands of compilation officials involved, Zhang Jian cannot simply surpass all their achievements by force.

……

The main observatory of the Dongshen Guan is located beside the imperial city; walking inward from Yujing Gate, one sees a towering and magnificent hall.

Such a magnificent building inevitably brings to mind a certain phrase.

White Jade Capital in the Heavens, Twelve Towers and Five Cities.

This phrase was not only written by someone in Zhang Jian's previous life, but also mentioned here—though only within the cultivation world.

To inherit the foundation of the primordial spirit, one must have the yin spirit wander freely and pass through the trials of the Five Cities.

The main observatory of Dongshen Guan is modeled after the divine city, a heavenly palace forged from celestial craftsmanship.

Before the great hall, there has long stood a graceful and elegant female figure waiting.

Upon seeing Zhang Jian, she slightly bowed and asked.

"Are you Scholar Zhang of the Literary Affairs Institute?"

"Miss...?"

Zhang Jian's gaze fell upon the girl before him—she carried a long sword, wore green robes, had a beautiful face, but her expression was stern and unsmiling.

"Disciple of the Pure Brightness Master, He Ying, pays respects to Scholar Zhang!"

The girl named He Ying bowed with clasped hands.

"He Ying has been ordered to welcome Scholar Zhang here and guide him to reside in the Guan Tian Terrace!"

"Miss, please lead the way!"

Zhang Jian nodded slightly.

The third generation of Dongshen Guan bears the 'He' generation name; among them, talented individuals abound. He Ying before us appears to have recently joined the Pure Brightness Daoist's sect, having not yet completed her fate assessment or foundation establishment.

Yet she is able to stand here to welcome Zhang Jian, clearly indicating her special status.

He Ying led the way, introducing Zhang Jian to the taboos of various halls and observatories within Dongshen Guan along the path; her steps were light, and she moved swiftly ahead.

Zhang Jian followed behind, his gaze sweeping the surroundings; his spiritual eyes could see various phenomena gathering within Dongshen Guan.

Boundless fortune rolled in like waves.

Moreover, within several great halls, the aura of the Great Qian state's fortune was evident—clearly, there were hidden mysteries within.

And cultivators were numerous, but most had not yet matured; only a few aura trails, deep and concealed, hid in the shadows.

"The power Dongshen Guan shows on the surface is not strong; only the Dao Ancestor of Dongshen Guan has proven the primordial spirit. Logically, Dongshen Guan should have monopolized the Great Qian state's fortune for hundreds of years—it should not be this weak. Could it be that the Dao Ancestor alone hoarded all the benefits, leaving others with nothing?"

Zhang Jian secretly pondered.

If so, how formidable must that Dao Ancestor of Dongshen Guan be?

"Or perhaps Dongshen Guan is concealing its strength, hiding some power in the dark?!"

Zhang Jian could not determine this for a moment.

Zhang Jian's thoughts flashed, and he was soon drawn to a massive Dao platform.

This is an ancient Dao platform.

The Dao platform stands as if upon flat ground, towering over ten zhang high, standing shoulder to shoulder with the Qin Tian Terrace and another peculiar offering tower deep within the palace—seemingly equal in height.

From here, one could almost pluck the stars with a single hand.

At this moment, Zhang Jian could truly grasp the essence of the two words 'observing heaven'.

Standing here, observing the heavenly way, executing heavenly deeds.

"This seems to be a magical treasure?"

At this moment, Zhang Jian also sensed an invisible Dao rhythm permeating the surroundings of the Guan Tian Terrace.

At this time, He Ying gazed upon the Guan Tian Terrace ahead, her expression becoming solemn, and she softly said in unison.

"Scholar Zhang, your residence has been arranged on the Guan Tian Terrace; this place is normally the master's dwelling, and the master greatly enjoys contemplating Daoist laws here. This platform holds further mysteries—it is said to be where ancient sages attained enlightenment, bearing their divine power, possessing many wonders. Scholar Zhang, you are a great sage of the present age—you will surely gain something!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian's expression remained unchanged, and He Ying continued.

"Moreover, the master worries that you may not be accustomed to living here, so he has specially instructed that part of the scripture tower on the Guan Tian Terrace be opened to you!"

Hearing this, Zhang Jian sighed slightly: "The National Preceptor is truly a gentleman!"

He Ying's lovely face gained a hint of smile as she lifted her head and said.

"My master is naturally a sincere gentleman!"

Regarding the Pure Brightness Daoist, she is truly deeply reverent.

Zhang Jian had to admit: receiving so many benefits for free—even if he were to exert himself, it would still be too much.

However, Zhang Jian reserved this remark for now.

What kind of person the Pure Brightness Daoist truly is cannot be determined merely from a few encounters.

Immediately, He Ying pointed to the Guan Guang Square in front of the Guan Tian Tai.

"Although Guan Tian Tai is usually the cultivation ground for two generations of Guan Lords, there are often disciples of the Dongshen Guan practicing nearby, or elders cultivating or comprehending the Yan Fa—just ignore what you see, Sir."

At this time, futons were set up on the square, and many Dongshen Guan disciples sat on them, focusing their gaze on Guan Tian Tai, seemingly in contemplation.

"However, there is one place where the scholar must be especially careful!"

He Ying brought Zhang Jian to the center of Guan Tian Tai, where he noticed another peculiar altar on the platform.

Upon the altar stood another exquisite and delicate pagoda.

"The Demon-Subduing Pagoda!"

The Zhang family saw several ancient runes manifesting on this exquisite stone pagoda.

Within this small tower, Zhang Jian seemed to see boundless demonic qi swirling inside.

This is clearly a spatial-type treasure, imprisoning many demons within.

However, Zhang Jian wondered why the Dongshen Sect Leader went to such trouble—why not simply destroy these demons? Imprisoning them is so troublesome.

At this moment, He Ying gazed at the small tower and said to Zhang Jian:

"This is the place. Those imprisoned in the Demon-Subduing Pagoda are demons who committed grave faults but have not yet reached the state of utter wickedness. The Ancestor, out of compassion, does not wish to exterminate them all, but instead gives them a chance at life, letting them reflect on their faults atop the Demon-Subduing Pagoda, awaiting forgiveness!

However, in recent years, some demons have not reflected but instead become utterly wicked. Scholar, you must be cautious and not listen to their nonsense, lest you be deceived!"

Zhang Jian nodded upon hearing this.

After the introduction, He Ying asked Zhang Jian if he had any other requests; upon learning he did not, he bowed and left Guan Tian Tai.

Zhang Jian stood on this towering Guan Tian Tai, several zhang high, where the surrounding wild winds seemed blocked by an invisible restriction around the platform. Looking down, the many halls and chambers of Dongshen Guan were clearly visible, not to mention the distant imperial city.

On the other side lay the Great Qian Forbidden Land.

"The Great Qian Dong Ling!"

Zhang Jian gazed in that direction, as if he could see boundless dragon-tiger qi surging, within which a magnificent dragon shadow coiled and twisted, its scales thick and heavy.

As if noticing Zhang Jian's gaze, deep within the boundless dragon-tiger qi, an invisible gaze swept toward Guan Tian Tai; upon seeing it was Guan Tian Tai, it instantly withdrew.

This trace of gaze was extremely subtle, yet it made Zhang Jian's heart tremble.

It was the presence of an existence with unfathomable cultivation.

"It seems there are still other secrets behind Great Qian!"

Zhang Jian thought to himself.

This was not beyond Zhang Jian's expectation; knowing the relationship between Great Qian and Dongshen Guan, if one side were strong and the other weak, they would not be so harmonious.

……

At this time, in the suburbs of Jingjing City, Daoist Jingming wore Dongshen robes, and at this moment another purple-gold Dharma palanquin accompanied him, carried by blue-robed warriors with exposed chests and lotus-flower crowns; behind them followed four elderly Daoists.

The two elders of Dongzhen and Dongxuan, both in the Yin Spirit Realm, stood beside him; the other two bore strange omens—either their brows shone brightly or their faces were flushed—clearly of non-human origin.

Daoist Jingming gazed toward Guan Tian Tai, his eyes showing a hint of sigh; beside him, Daoist Dongzhen furrowed his brow and could not help but say:

"Uncle Jingming, are you truly at ease entrusting Guan Tian Tai to that young Zhang Zhuangyuan?"

"If someone takes advantage of our absence in the capital to do something, that young Zhang Zhuangyuan may well be unable to accomplish anything!"

Daoist Dongzhen found this hard to understand.

"Guan Tian Tai—what place is that? It is the heartland of the Dongshen Sect; normally, only the Dongshen Guan Lord may reside there. Though merely symbolic, it is not one of the most important forbidden lands, yet outsiders cannot be allowed to live there.

Moreover, how could the Demon-Subduing Pagoda be entrusted to such an outsider for guarding?"

Daoist Jingming spoke calmly.

"Second Uncle, the overall situation in Jingjing City has never been in our Dongshen Guan's hands from beginning to end; I naturally have no expectations of Mr. Zhang!"

"Then why…?"

Daoist Dongzhen tightly furrowed his brow.

"I let Mr. Zhang enter Guan Tian Tai not because our Dongshen Guan needs him to exert great effort, but merely to create an opportunity—a chance to deepen our bond with Mr. Zhang. If Mr. Zhang can comprehend any heavenly mystery from Guan Tian Tai, then it will surely be a favor owed to our Dongshen Guan!"

"Uncle Dongzhen, you say if what I have done can form such a deep bond early with a scholar walking the path of sages, do you think it is worth it?"

Daoist Dongzhen was stunned by these words, then fell silent.

"Worth it? Of course it is exceedingly worthwhile."

Zhang Jian embodies the mighty righteous qi; even if he cannot become an ancient sage like Yu Sheng, even if he only becomes a lesser sage or a Confucian master of a lineage, that alone is worthy.

After such a being falls, whether reborn and guided into the immortal Dao or fallen into the underworld as a god, relying on that profound foundation and insight into worldly affairs, perceiving the essence of all things—such a state of mind makes it easy to achieve the Great Dao of the Primordial Spirit.

This is at the very least.

Perhaps he may even enter the realm of the Great True Person, or even that of a True Lord.

At this moment, Daoist Dongzhen sighed inwardly, finally understanding why the Dongshen Sect Leader values Daoist Jingming so highly, and before departing, would entrust him—a 'sincere gentleman'—with leadership.

"What 'sincere gentleman'? This is great wisdom appearing as foolishness!"

Daoist Dongzhen now also felt genuine admiration.

……

Before Guan Tian Tai, Zhang Jian sat cross-legged on the central futon; around him, several large cauldrons had already been lit with calming incense by He Ying.

This is not ordinary calming incense, but incense that aids great cultivators of the Yin Spirit Realm in their practice; additionally, several layers of special restrictions were activated around, enhancing the concentration of spiritual qi in the void.

"..."

Zhang Jian observed this change and could only inwardly sigh that Dongshen Guan truly spares no expense.

At this time, deep within his dantian, the golden elixir fountain's six vortices rotated; the golden elixir qi was round and full.

This is the characteristic of late-stage golden elixir.

After two years of arduous cultivation, Zhang Jian never ceased his efforts; instead, he refined his elixir qi to perfection, recently breaking through to late-stage golden elixir.

Upon this full golden elixir, countless patterns were now visible—refined textures—causing the elixir to emit a deep, ancient Dao rhythm, as if born from the Great Dao itself.

These Dao patterns nourish it, also making the golden elixir's texture extraordinarily heavy, like a mountain.

This is a very terrifying vision.

To comprehend so many principles of heaven and earth, speaking of it would be enough to make other cultivators' eyes pop out.

At this time, Zhang Jian's meticulously cultivated several layers of techniques—whether the Five Forms State Altar King Cauldron, or the Nine Heavens Riding Wind and Controlling Thunder Method, the Chaos Star Decree, the Purifying Soul Dharma Chant, or the Holy Virtue Sword-Washing Decree—all had already reached the Yin Spirit level.

Under the nourishment of abundant golden elixir energy, his innate magical treasure, the Dragon Chant Sword, and the Qian Yuan Golden Cauldron, both had entered the realm of magical treasures.

His current state actually possesses the foundation for breaking the elixir and transforming the spirit.

But Zhang Jian holds himself to even higher standards.

He hopes to, before reaching the Yin Spirit realm, integrate all the heavenly and earthly principles he has comprehended into a single innate technique, transforming it into an unparalleled Dao foundation for his ascent on the path to longevity.

Entering the Observing Heaven Platform just now has given him this special opportunity.

Upon this Observing Heaven Platform lies a special, illusory and unsubstantial Dao rhythm; if he can comprehend it, it will greatly aid his cultivation.

At this moment, Zhang Jian burns the righteous fire within his body; when all distracting thoughts in his divine sense have completely vanished, upon the Observing Heaven Path there seems to descend a thick, inseparable, illusory Dao rhythm.

Whether the sun and moon appear strangely, or the five elements turn in cycles, illuminating the starry river... various omens appear in abundance; from these omens, he has comprehended some special heavenly and earthly laws.

Unconsciously, behind him seems to spread a layer of tangible heavenly and earthly Dao rhythm.

This layer of heavenly and earthly Dao rhythm reveals a taste of perfect completeness without leakage, with a firm metallic quality.

This state lasted for several days, after which Zhang Jian was awakened by a burst of thunderous sound.

He slightly furrowed his brow, rose from the futon with a step, and seemed to appear at the outer edge of the Observing Heaven Platform in one stride.

In his gaze, he saw below in the plaza that many Daoists of the Cavern Spirit Dao lineage were practicing their arts.

It appears someone habitually chose the front of the Observing Heaven Platform as their practice spot.

Whether this is for show, or to display diligence and talent before the Cavern Heaven Observing Master or the senior elders, is unknown.

But at this moment, the various practices falling into Zhang Jian's sight seem somewhat strange.

"Does this count as openly peeking?"

At this moment, Zhang Jian merely glanced once, and immediately felt that part of the Cavern Heaven Thunder Method had been seen through by him.