Chapter 73: Treasure Body Realm, the Theory of Establishing Words, Past and Present Interwoven—the First Immortal Spiritual Root Man

Da Xia Dynasty.

It was already late at night.

Compared to the sweet dreams of the capital's common folk.

Inside the Prince Qin's mansion in the capital, however, it felt extremely oppressive.

Gazing at the documents before the jade table, Li Su felt a tremendous headache.

Meanwhile, inside the hall, dozens of strategists were flipping through various documents.

Li Su felt awful; he now bore the responsibility of regent of the Da Xia Dynasty.

This is a good thing.

But after just a few days of happiness, a pile of troubles came stacking up.

The three biggest problems.

They made his head ache incessantly.

Should the Yongsheng Grand Canon be compiled? This is what the old master currently cares about most, and it is also what the Confucian-Daoist circle cares about most.

The Da Xia Dynasty came from unifying the ten states, but its foundation is unstable; it needs a cultural grand unification, to compile an ancient-modern extraordinary book, to solidify culture.

This matter had actually begun preparation in the previous dynasty, but at the founding's start, with all affairs neglected, people's livelihood was most important; spiritual things were still rather insubstantial.

Therefore, the intention was set but not carried out; this is also what the founding emperor most regretted back then.

Seizing the realm is not a difficult task.

Holding onto the realm is the difficult task.

Although it now appears to be an era of peace, the cultural and economic wars have already begun.

The economic war is fine; everyone develops themselves, with no particularly large trade, but the cultural war is different—this is the Confucian-Daoist struggle.

What is being contested is orthodoxy.

Aside from the First Sage Clan having heirs, the remaining three great sage clans are locked in mutual contention—especially the last sage; how long have the Fuyu Dynasty and the Da Xia Dynasty been contending? And this Yongsheng Grand Canon is the book that settles the people's hearts.

It can also be called the Kaiyuan Grand Canon; at that time it was set as the Kaiyuan Grand Canon, but later, unable to withstand officials' demands for a name change, it was thus changed to the Yongsheng Grand Canon.

Merely compiling the Yongsheng Grand Canon requires over fifty million taels of silver in total.

The treasury currently holds forty million taels of silver; previously it was fifty million, and ten million taels were allocated to Jiangning Prefecture to repair homes—disaster relief does not need that much silver, but rebuilding homes with ten million taels is completely insufficient.

If not for having confiscated much property and additionally using labor in lieu of aid, otherwise the treasury's entire silver reserve would not be enough to repair a prefecture's land.

Of the remaining forty million taels of silver, twenty million taels absolutely cannot be used; they are stored as military funds.

To be prepared for war that could break out at any time.

The surplus twenty million taels of silver are eyed by the Six Ministries— which department isn't short of silver? Although he holds the regent's responsibility, the silver granted from above is only eighty million taels.

Fifty million taels of silver are to be used for compiling the Yongsheng Grand Canon, but it looks like military expenses are about to be disbursed imminently, and the Ministry of War sends people daily to demand payment.

The Da Xia Dynasty's military expenses also amount to eighty million taels of silver.

In other words, there is a shortfall of fifty million taels of silver.

Wanting to temporarily reallocate it, the superiors flatly refuse; the Ministry of Revenue isn't unwilling to give, it's that the old master absolutely refuses.

How could Li Su not have a headache?

Above are two matters.

The third matter is somewhat simpler: Da Xia, Fuyu, and the Great Jin Dynasty have already reached an agreement to exchange students.

After these students come to Da Xia, do their lodgings and the academy need to spend silver?

Da Xia claims its national strength is strong; when people arrive, you can't possibly give them poor lodging—including food and drink, you certainly must provide the best.

Otherwise, wouldn't that be embarrassing?

But constructing the academy and dwellings, the reported prices from below also give him a headache—1.4 million taels of silver.

Not a single coin can be less.

It's not that saving is impossible, but it's a face project; only more, not less—if less, the undertaking fails; if the undertaking fails, his own regent position becomes a laughingstock.

The old master keeps watching, and the crown prince's people also keep watching.

This makes him vexed and unsettled.

Actually, after all said and done, it's just one sentence.

Silver.

Lack of silver.

The Da Xia Dynasty's treasury is very lacking in silver.

The usable silver is just those.

Moreover, another thing that makes him even more nervous is that his own old master seems to want to wage war.

The Da Xia Dynasty has had twelve years of peaceful life; now it can be said to have rested and recuperated for a while.

The old master's thoughts, he actually understands them in his heart.

It's nothing more than the matter of the Twelve Cities.

Want to take them back.

In the past, Li Su would definitely have supported it with both hands and feet, after all, it wasn't him who was in charge.

But once he himself became the head of household, Li Su's head started to ache.

No silver to fight a war.

Also cannot afford to fight; if a war were to start, a month could see several tens of millions of taels of silver thrown into the water, and if fighting half a year, the treasury would directly run a deficit.

Fighting for a year would directly revert to the pre-founding era.

The border Twelve Cities, close to the Fuyu Dynasty, if war truly broke out, the Fuyu Dynasty would definitely covertly assist, so troops cannot be raised.

Alas.

You guys really have no solution at all?

Thinking of this, Li Su directly threw the memorial on the table aside, gazing at his aides with an irritated expression.

Seeing Li Su angry.

The aides were somewhat silent, each showing fear in their eyes.

However, someone still spoke up, looking at Li Su and saying.

Your Highness.

Actually, no matter how you settle things, Your Highness, the bottom line is simply that the treasury lacks silver.

The Yongsheng Grand Ceremony must not be neglected, nor can the Ministry of War's military expenses.

In addition to constructing the academy and so on, after tallying everything up, your subordinate estimates a shortfall of roughly sixty million taels of silver.

If we take silver from the treasury, that would surely be a bad move, but your subordinate has a suggestion; I wonder if Your Highness would be willing to hear it?

An aide spoke up, having thought of an idea.

Speak quickly.

Upon hearing there was an idea, Li Su immediately perked up.

No matter whether the idea is good or bad, at the very least it's better than his current state of being at a loss.

Your Highness, do you still recall the treasury's silver shortage during Yongsheng Years Three to Five?

An aide spoke up.

In an instant, everyone's eyes lit up.

But Li Su couldn't help but frown slightly; he knew about this matter.

During Yongsheng Years Three to Five, many regions of the Da Xia Dynasty suffered droughts, with demonic mischief and other problems, causing a huge disparity in national tax revenue.

To stabilize the court, his father reduced the stipends of the major imperial relatives and nobles, as well as officials' incomes, while implementing benevolent policies, lowering taxes and granting loans to help various places resolve their difficulties.

What do you mean?

Li Su looked at the other party, somewhat curious.

Your Highness.

Since Your Highness began regency, your subordinate has investigated this matter and found that the number of people who borrowed silver initially was countless, yet over the past seven years, those who have repaid are extremely few.

All told, roughly twenty million taels of silver remain outstanding.

Leaving aside the regional governors, just the central officials plus other royal relatives and nobles could easily come up with sixty million taels.

If Your Highness is willing to start from this matter, firstly His Majesty would not object, as it inherently involves borrowing and repaying.

Secondly, it would maintain the status quo without delaying anything; the Yongsheng Grand Ceremony can continue to be drafted, the Ministry of War's military expenses can proceed as usual, and we could even gain the Ministry of War's support.

Furthermore, the Shangwen Institute could be constructed, and built splendidly—truly a three-in-one gain.

It would not only settle Your Highness's current worry but also suitably weaken the Crown Prince's power; I wonder what Your Highness thinks.

The other party spoke.

Indeed, they had come up with a clever scheme.

The remaining aides exclaimed in astonishment, continually praising it in their hearts.

However, this Prince Qin was not particularly pleased; instead, he furrowed his brows tightly.

The matter of the treasury's silver shortage, this prince is aware of.

Your proposal is not bad, but if it were truly carried out, I fear this prince would make countless enemies.

Li Su naturally understood this reasoning.

What he said is correct; using the outstanding silver to compensate for the current problem, recovering the debt itself is a merit, and incidentally it can also diminish the Crown Prince's influence.

Furthermore, accomplishing his own political achievements, this is certainly a good thing that kills three birds with one stone.

But the problem is, if you go to collect silver from people, will they not hate you? From the imperial relatives and nobles down to the Da Xia officials, basically half owe the treasury silver; truly demanding it from each individual, not being despised would be strange.

Don't look at everyone being respectful toward me; setting aside status, isn't it just that there are no conflicting interests? On the contrary, my generous dealings have earned me many connections.

Everything is merely for the sake of silver.

But one day, when I go door-to-door to collect the overdue silver, they will surely curse my ancestors eighteen generations over.

Just after assuming regency, to aim this scheme at their heads? If I were to become emperor, that would be even worse.

This is the real problem; otherwise, he would have thought of it long ago.

Your Highness, this is also the only solution at present.

The latter lowered his head.

Not wanting to offend people yet wanting money—where in the world is there such a good thing?

Forget it, forget it; let's set this matter aside for now.

How are the preparations for the Da Xia Poetry Meeting going?

Li Su shook his head, not wanting to continue the discussion.

This matter also cannot be resolved overnight; it can only be deliberated over the long term.

The Ministry of War is urging return, but it's not urgent these two days.

As for the Yongsheng Grand Ceremony, it is still being drafted; it's not that his father hopes to finish it quickly and wants to expand the project.

But it's not urgent these two days either.

The Da Xia Poetry Meeting is currently the most important matter; this affair must be carried out splendidly.

Replying to Your Highness, the venue for the Da Xia Poetry Meeting has been decided: the Zhaixing Palace, and all arrangements are currently in place.

However, the outstanding talents from various states have not yet been assigned where they will be stationed.

Someone spoke up, giving an answer.

Would arranging them at the Tongwen Hall not suffice?

What's there to consider?

Li Sui said casually.

Your Highness, at the last Da Xia Poetry Meeting, the Fuyu Dynasty people caused trouble in the Tongwen Hall; this time the head of Tongwen Hall has already refused.

In the capital there is an academy willing to take in guests, but the Fuyu Dynasty people have sent a letter saying one must either go to the Tongren Hall or reside at the Da Xia Academy.

We also went to ask Mr. Wenjing; Mr. Wenjing had no objection.

He spoke.

But Li Sui couldn't help frowning.

A bunch of barbarians, still being choosy.

He couldn't help cursing, full of disgust toward the Fuyu Dynasty people.

He really didn't like it.

Talk again with the head of Tongwen Hall, try not to arrange for them to stay at the Da Xia Academy, lest trouble arise.

If the head of Tongwen Hall really won't allow it, then arrange for them to stay at the Da Xia Academy.

However, arranging a thousand Da Xia elites to go to the Da Xia Academy to maintain order—this group deliberately picking the Da Xia Academy surely harbors ill intent.

Have these elites patrol day and night, cooperate with our Da Xia scholars, and strictly forbid this group from causing trouble.

Also, give this order: those leading the troops should note that only one person at the Da Xia Academy has authority—my brother, Gu Jin Nian.

If he doesn't speak, listen to Mr. Wenjing; if Mr. Wenjing is absent, listen to those Great Scholars.

No matter what, keep order well, don't cause any trouble; if trouble does arise, we must protect my brother.

Of course, the best outcome is still to have Tongwen Hall take in these outsiders.

Alright, you all go rest now.

I am weary.

After Li Sui gave the orders, he turned and left, going back to sleep.

And at this moment.

Da Xia Academy.

Night curtain, stars.

Inside the dorm.

Gu Jin Nian sat cross-legged on the bed.

The martial arts fruits on the ancient tree also fell one after another.

Thirty-six martial arts fruits turned into thirty-six Jiao Long treasure pills.

With each Jiao Long treasure pill entering the body,

Gu Jin Nian's flesh began to emit a humming sound.

He cultivated the Panwu Supreme Technique, a great furnace coalescing within him, refining and absorbing all the Jiao Long blood, turning it into surging energy like a river, rushing and rolling inside.

Upon swallowing the tenth pill, Gu Jin Nian felt a sense of limit.

However, the Panwu Supreme Technique has no such limit; Gu Jin Nian was also ruthless, enduring without breaking through, forcibly tempering his flesh.

Roar.

A faint dragon's roar sounded.

His flesh cracked inch by inch, but where it split, crimson light burst forth, quickly replenished by a surge of blood and qi.

Upon swallowing the twentieth pill, the meridians within his body underwent a qualitative change; in each meridian, the flow of blood and qi surged like a river.

Surging and tumultuous.

Upon swallowing the thirtieth pill, he had reached the limit of limits.

Yet Gu Jin Nian continued to cultivate the Panwu Supreme Technique.

The thirty-sixth pill.

All the Jiao Long treasure pills had been completely refined,

And Gu Jin Nian's body also underwent an earth-shaking change.

His flesh transformed.

His tendons and bones transformed.

His blood and qi transformed.

Evolving into fearsome true qi.

A dragon-shaped true qi emerged, a Jiao Long illusion that could transform into a true dragon.

After swallowing the thirty-six Jiao Long treasure pills, Gu Jin Nian did not choose to continue suppressing; he seized the moment to break through.

Roar.

A low dragon's roar exploded inside his body; this is Gu Jin Nian suppressing it, otherwise the sound would have spread throughout the Da Xia Academy.

At this moment.

Gu Jin Nian entered the second realm.

That is the Treasure Body Realm.

True qi was born.

The Martial Dao has seven realms; the first is the Flesh Realm, forging the flesh, nurturing qi and condensing the body. Gu Jin Nian previously swallowed six Jiao Long treasure pills, and now he has swallowed another thirty-six.

He had already been tempered to perfection; Gu Jin Nian merely wanted to break through his limit.

Otherwise he could have broken through earlier.

Now, having broken through, he indeed received the tremendous change he imagined.

Although he had just reached the second realm, the dragon-shaped true qi condensed within him could suppress any Treasure Body Realm expert.

At that moment.

Gu Jin Nian rose, the room door swung open, and his figure vanished, moving as swift as a gust of fresh wind.

He leapt fiercely, soaring ten zhang high, and in the blink of an eye cleared sixty to seventy meters, like a ferocious beast.

He left the Da Xia Academy and entered the back mountains.

This was a place without people.

It lay dozens of li away from the Da Xia Academy.

In the barren mountains.

Gu Jin Nian clambered up the cliff, agile as a monkey, swift as a fresh wind, exuding the aura of a peerless master.

Boom.

He circulated Dragon‑shaped true Qi, thrust a fist toward a spot, and in an instant the cliff erupted with flying shards, generating a massive explosive force.

A fissure two zhang deep and four to five zhang wide appeared.

This is Gu Jin Nian's current strength.

His flesh is like a vessel; ordinary swords and spears cannot pierce it. Possessing tremendous vitality, he can soak in water for ten days and nights without dying, and standing in flames will not scar a single skin, at most his hair will be burned away.

"The seven realms of a warrior: the Meat Body Realm is the stage of tempering the body, belonging to the phase of nourishing and cultivating the flesh."

"The Treasure Body Realm consolidates true Qi, transforms sinews and bones; ordinary swords and spears cannot cause serious injury. When they pierce the skin, the bones are as iron, shielding the internal organs, preventing death."

"The third realm, the Human‑Dragon Realm, is unmatched in ferocity; the internal organs also transform. Falling from a hundred‑zhang cliff will not damage the innards."

"His fists weigh ten thousand jin, capable of lifting nine tripods; on the battlefield he is like a Human‑Dragon, slaughtering all around."

"Although I am now in the second realm, my strength is not inferior to that of a Human‑Dragon realm warrior."

"If the Treasure Body Realm is perfected, one can suppress a Human‑Dragon strongman with a single hand."

"Invincible within the same realm, crossing boundaries to cut foes—this is the Supreme Technique? Truly powerful!"

Gu Jin Nian contemplated his current strength.

Regarding Confucian and Daoist studies, he was not overly concerned.

The martial path was his foremost concern.

He had not forgotten the previous drowning incident; ordinary drowning would have been acceptable, but now every clue indicates his drowning was due to poisoning, or someone acted covertly.

causing his death by drowning.

Although a bright spear is easy to dodge while a hidden arrow is hard to guard against, if he possessed sufficient strength—just as now—such events would never occur.

Moreover, he could not hide in Da Xia Capital his whole life; he had to venture out eventually.

With a certain level of strength, many troubles could be resolved.

Gu Jin Nian had no grand designs; after reaching the fourth realm of the martial path and the Divine Ability Realm, he would possess a reliable means of self‑protection.

After all, having cultivated the Pan‑Wu Supreme Technique, reaching the Divine Ability Realm meant he could contend with a Martial King elite.

In this world, Martial King elites are few.

His grandfather, the Duke of the Nation, is a Martial King elite, as is the Eternal Prosperity Emperor.

As for the sixth realm, the Martial Emperor Realm, it is exceedingly rare worldwide, counted among peerless masters, and even such masters dare not act rashly.

Thus, attaining the Divine Ability Realm grants immense self‑preservation capability.

Even if I drag, I can still bring reinforcements.

Of course, if conditions permit, reaching the Martial King Realm before venturing out would be even better, though it poses some difficulty.

"Tomorrow I'll draft a letter and have the old master send me some elixirs."

"I'll see Brother Li Sui again; he should be able to procure a good amount of elixirs."

"And Wang Fugui; his family is wealthy, so he should manage to get some."

"By the way, there's also my uncle; the matter of Jiang Ning Commandery hasn't rewarded me yet—six royal pearls are too stingy, I need something better."

Gu Jin Nian muttered to himself.

Others practice the martial path through time, talent, and copious nourishing substances, improving day after day, year after year.

He only needed to pop pills to cultivate the martial path, and there were no side effects.

Under these circumstances, he certainly had to rely on external aid.

Otherwise, wouldn't he be wasting his status as Da Xia's top aristocrat?

Having formed a plan.

Gu Jin Nian continued scaling the cliff; the sensation of leaping through the air was exhilarating.

A single leap spanned ten zhang, and he feared no injury; even if he slipped, nothing would happen.

Pure violent aesthetics.

After venting for a while.

Gu Jin Nian quietly returned to his dwelling, fetched a set of clothes, and took a bath in the mountain spring.

At this moment.

The moon was like a fang.

Gu Jin Nian soaked in the clear spring, pondering other matters.

Regarding Confucian and Daoist studies, he was now a fully completed second realm, with abundant talent within.

Entering the third realm would not be difficult.

However, after the Jiang Ning Commandery affair concluded, Gu Jin Nian calmed down, studied earnestly, and focused his mind.

He did not indulge in the thrill of popular favor.

The third realm of Confucian and Daoist studies.

"To establish speech for the wise saint"—this is how scholars refer to themselves; outsiders call it the Establishing Speech Jinshi, which makes the distinction clearer.

To know the Saint's Establishing Speech is to understand the saint's meaning and set one's own oath.

Why do you study? This answer is not the teacher in class asking you a question and you replying that you study for the people of the world.

Then omens follow one after another.

It is to have Qi, spirit, and mind complete, imprint the Dao with the heart, be recognized by heaven and earth; only then are you considered to know the Saint's Establishing Speech.

In other words, your answer must come from the heart, follow your inner self, and be tested by heaven and earth; if it is not heartfelt, empty words you can say freely, and if you can still advance, I consider it my loss.

Naturally, Gu Jin Nian is now pondering a question.

Why do I study? Before the flood in Jiangning County, Gu Jin Nian promised to answer that it was to become an official and solidify the Gu Family's position.

But after the Jiangning County flood, Gu Jin Nian actually had some insights, yet those insights could not let him utter words like establishing the heart for heaven and earth, establishing destiny for the people, continuing the extinct teachings of past saints, opening peace for all ages.

Those four lines are truly divine verses; if spoken aloud, they would surely summon omens.

But this is not from the heart.

Gu Jin Nian has no such enlightenment at all; shouting a slogan twice is fine, but to truly set such an oath one must act, have strong will, and gain heaven and earth's recognition.

For establishing destiny for the people, Gu Jin Nian could add a line that he cannot bear to see human suffering; this is the normal three‑view outlook of a new youth.

But the other sentences, Gu Jin Nian cannot articulate.

He lacks the face for it.

Therefore he must carefully reflect, ask his own heart, and clarify why he truly studies, or what he wishes to study for.

This question haunts Gu Jin Nian.

"Cannot continue to ponder deeply."

"Otherwise it becomes digging into a dead end."

"One needs insight, to experience many things, to gain understanding and enlightenment."

Gu Jin Nian thought to himself.

The Confucian‑Dao lineage, unlike other lineages, can be advanced through cultivation; after nurturing Qi, one must proceed from the heart, and each realm is a test.

And each realm brings about a massive transformation.

It is unlike the masses.

Thinking of this, Gu Jin Nian took out a Half Saint ancient scroll from beside him.

Soaking in a clear spring, Gu Jin Nian watched the ancient scroll; the moonlight was faint, but it had no effect on Gu Jin Nian, who has now reached the Treasure Body realm. In the Treasure Body realm, all bodily functions have transformed, granting night vision.

The contents on the ancient scroll instantly captivated Gu Jin Nian.

After finishing the three ancient scrolls, an hour had passed.

Gu Jin Nian was completely unaware.

"Truly worthy of a Half Saint ancient scroll, indeed extraordinary."

He stored the ancient scroll, stood up, circulated true Qi, evaporated the water droplets on his body, and then put on his brocade robe.

He found a spot to sit quietly and comprehend the Dao.

These three ancient scrolls are the essence of a Half Saint; Gu Jin Nian gained many insights from them, though most are esoteric, concerning heaven and earth and nature.

Projecting the Way of nature onto the secular world, cycles repeat, the theory of national fortune, the way of humanity.

Among them, several passages made Gu Jin Nian exclaim with great admiration.

One passage is about dragons.

The Half Saint likens the scholar to a dragon, growing within an embryo while studying, and once the truth is realized, it breaks out of the shell.

Yet it must still lurk in the great abyss, gradually mature, read more books, comprehend more truths, until fully grown, and at the crucial moment, soar skyward.

The hidden dragon is in the abyss.

The soaring dragon is in the heavens.

The principle here is not easily absorbed by Gu Jin Nian at once; it must be slowly understood, benefiting him for life.

"A gentleman is like a dragon."

Gu Jin Nian felt enlightened.

Another passage further broadened Gu Jin Nian's horizons.

The Half Saint believes that scholars, through study, comprehend the Way of nature and the laws of heaven and earth, thereby gaining heaven and earth's approval and being bestowed talent.

With talent, one can break through realms.

Moreover, the talent between heaven and earth is actually fixed; he gave an example that if a saint appears in the world, one will find that aside from the saint's disciples, there are few Great Scholars.

The most obvious is the foremost saint, Confucius.

After Confucius attained sainthood, he had seventy‑two disciples, of whom only ten were Great Scholars.

But they were still only Great Scholars.

The rest of the world's Great Scholars total less than five; this is why Confucius enjoys such prestige.

It creates an illusion.

In reality, this proves that talent is fixed; the birth of a saint almost consumes all talent.

Thus, Great Scholars become scarce.

Thus the four generations of saints, in their old age, felt deep remorse, believing they had taken the world's talent and cut off countless scholars' hopes of promotion.

Moreover, saints in their later years are miserable: losing their mother in youth, their wife in middle age, their child in old age, living a sparse life, alone.

The Half Saint believes this is a punishment from heaven and earth, for cutting off the path of scholars, which is not befitting a gentleman.

A price must be paid.

He also presented evidence: throughout history, several Half Saints clearly had the ability to become saints, yet they did not choose to.

Of course, these are personal conjectures.

Gu Jin Nian is also half‑believing, half‑doubting, because a few key points are quite well stated.

When there were no saints, the ways of the scholars and Dao thrived; I won't say Great Scholars were everywhere, but there were certainly many.

For example, the Da Xia Academy also has more than twenty Great Scholars.

Across the entire Da Xia Dynasty, there are roughly a hundred Great Scholars.

The Fuyu Dynasty also has fifty to sixty.

The Great Jin Dynasty has even more, with over a hundred Great Scholars.

But the book means that because there are no saints, there is an abundance of talent, so becoming a Great Scholar is considerably easier.

However, once the number of Great Scholars reaches a certain level,

becoming a Great Scholar becomes very difficult, requiring several times the effort that previous Great Scholars needed.

One piece of evidence is that in ancient times, when the Hundred Schools contested and a new Great Scholar emerged, his prestige was extremely high, because his deeds could be renowned for eternity.

And after batches of Great Scholars died, the standards for becoming a scholar changed again.

This involves changes in Heaven and Earth.

There is a theory of fate.

Gu Jin Nian strongly agrees with this.

Before he traveled through time, he was very curious about the ways of the scholars and Dao and had studied some Great Scholars, discovering that the criteria for becoming a Great Scholar were quite odd.

One must Establish Speech, cultivate virtue, write books, and spread the Dao to become a Great Scholar.

Establishing Speech is easy to say; establishing virtue is the problematic part.

It feels that this link has been downplayed, because nowadays Great Scholars do write and teach, but there is little emphasis on cultivating virtue.

Someone like Su Wenjing is approved of by Gu Jin Nian.

But other Great Scholars can only be said to have good conduct and be diligent readers; they could meet the ancient texts' requirements, yet could never become Great Scholars.

"Those without cultivating virtue are regarded as false scholars, enjoying fate."

"Those who cultivate virtue are true scholars, possessing a vast righteous qi."

Recalling what the saint's handwritten notes said, Gu Jin Nian formed a rough judgment in his mind.

Great Scholars are divided into true and false; the true have vast righteous qi, the false lack it, or have only a trace.

This can explain contemporary Great Scholars.

"It seems, regardless, I must climb step by step, with my feet firmly on the ground."

"The scholarly and Daoist line cannot be taken lightly; otherwise one becomes a false scholar, unrecognized by Heaven and Earth—let alone becoming a saint, not even a Half Saint can be imagined."

Gu Jin Nian thought to himself.

These three handwritten notes have greatly influenced him; the Half Saint's writings are truly unique.

And at that moment.

Although the sky remained dim, in about half an hour it was expected to brighten.

Waking from his epiphany, Gu Jin Nian did not chatter.

He headed toward the holy hall.

At the Yin hour.

Into the holy hall.

Many classmates had already gathered.

And there were also people from other schools.

Having heard that Xu Ya and others would teach everyone how to cultivate immortality, many were quite interested and came to listen.

The talk of the immortal path.

Indeed, it is alluring.

After all, who doesn't want to wield a sword and fly, soaring between Heaven and Earth?

Moreover, with many crafts and multiple paths, if one's studies truly lead nowhere, relying on these skills can still provide a way out.

Inside the holy hall, Xu Ya and others had already arrived.

The biggest trait of immortal sect disciples is that they don't need to sleep.

This aspect is indeed enviable.

"His Highness the Crown Prince."

"Your Highness the Crown Prince, I have seen you."

"We request an audience with His Highness the Crown Prince."

With Gu Jin Nian's arrival, in an instant many people bowed and called out a greeting.

Now, within the Da Xia Academy, Gu Jin Nian's status is the highest, unrelated to the Gu Family, but because he previously defended the people and won everyone's admiration.

"You all are being too courteous."

Gu Jin Nian's expression was gentle, and he returned the courtesy.

Then he walked into the holy hall and took a seat.

As Gu Jin Nian sat down,

"Brother Gu, where have you been?"

Wang Fugui's voice rang out.

"I went to clear my mind."

Gu Jin Nian replied casually.

He practices the Panwu Supreme Skill, which condenses Qi and blood internally; ordinary people cannot detect it, and even Su Huaiyu and Xu Changge cannot perceive his changes.

This is the power of the Supreme Art.

"Oh."

Brother Gu, to be honest, are you scared or not?

Wang Fugui nodded, then asked a question.

"What are you afraid of?"

Gu Jin Nian was a little curious.

"Cultivating immortality!"

"Others don't know, but I'm clear in my heart: cultivation immortality stresses spiritual roots. Those with spiritual roots find it much easier to cultivate; those without spiritual roots find it slow, and it's like being pricked by a needle—if not careful, something could go wrong."

Wang Fugui spoke up, somewhat flustered.

"What's the big deal? If you can't, just don't cultivate—there's no hard requirement."

Gu Jin Nian didn't think so.

"Basically, we're just playing around; give it a try."

"Why worry about this?"

"Just then, without waiting for Wang Fugui to continue speaking,"

Zhao Siqing's figure appeared.

"Everyone."

"Quiet down."

"This is the qi-refining primer I wrote yesterday."

"You take it to read first; after you finish, I, the Master, will explain it to you."

"If you can remember it, remember it; if you can't, forget it. With a few senior brothers and sisters around, you can rest easy."

As Zhao Siqing's voice sounded.

In a moment, the classroom fell silent.

At this moment, Zhao Siqing's face was full of joy, as if she greatly enjoyed the feeling of being the Master.

She had Xu Ya distribute the thick stack of booklets.

One each.

Just a few pages.

Gu Jin Nian flipped through the booklet, and soon some crooked characters appeared.

Moreover, there were traces of smudging.

At that moment, he could hardly hold back.

Fortunately, he could barely make it out.

The content of the booklet was actually simple, introducing the seven realms of the Immortal Dao.

【Opening Meridians Realm】-【Qi Refining Realm】-【Establishing Origin Realm】-【Inner Elixir Realm】-【Golden Core Realm】-【Cavity Void Realm】-【Primordial Spirit Realm】.

It also explained how to open the meridians.

About a quarter of an hour later.

As everyone finished looking at the booklet, Zhao Siqing's voice sounded again.

"Everyone."

"Cultivating immortality is defying heaven; therefore we cultivators will have karmic support. Today I will impart the method of cultivating immortality to you."

"It's just a small trial; it's not meant to let you step into the cultivation realm, lest you invite karma and suffer a loss outweighing the gain."

"Furthermore, the path of cultivating immortality is endless and boundless; merely a few days' time makes any achievement absolutely impossible."

"So today I merely want you to gather a sense of qi and try cultivating."

"Remember the last page of the booklet; this is the Heavenly Circuit Qi Technique of the Supreme Mystery Immortal Sect. After another quarter of an hour, you may go outside, bathe in the Golden Yang, sit cross-legged to cultivate, and seek a sense of qi."

"If you have any questions now, you may directly ask the Master."

Zhao Siqing spoke up and explained to everyone.

"May I ask, Master, does having a sense of qi mean one is suited for cultivating immortality?"

Someone asked in this manner.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Siqing involuntarily shook her head.

"If one has a sense of qi, they are indeed suited for cultivating immortality."

"However, I don't mean to belittle you; feeling qi for the first time while circulating the Heavenly Circuit Technique is not easy."

"It depends on the spiritual root."

Zhao Siqing spoke up, her words carrying a touch of pride.

"What is a spiritual root?"

A student continued asking, full of curiosity.

"Spiritual roots are hidden in the Yellow Court; we immortals of the Immortal Dao, after thousands of years of deduction, have realized that everyone possesses a spiritual root."

"Everyone can sense qi, but the spiritual root differs, so the time to sense qi differs, and thus the speed of cultivating immortality differs."

"Spiritual roots are divided into lower, middle, upper, supreme-grade, heavenly, and the legendary immortal spiritual root."

As for the Confucian Dao, Zhao Siqing doesn't understand it at all.

But when it comes to the Immortal Dao, she's the one who understands.

Upon hearing this setting, everyone also felt somewhat novel and inexplicably anticipatory.

"How then to check it?"

Someone continued asking.

"The time it takes to sense qi basically determines what kind of spiritual root one has."

"Those who sense qi after more than a year of circulating the Heavenly Circuit Technique have a lower spiritual root."

"Those who sense qi within a year are middle spirit roots; those who sense qi within half a year are upper spirit roots; those who sense qi within a month are supreme spirit roots."

"And those who sense qi within a day are heavenly spirit roots."

Zhao Siqing answered, but he did not mention the immortal spirit root.

"\"What about the immortal spirit root? \" someone asked directly, full of curiosity."

Although knowing that the immortal spirit root is certainly extraordinary, it doesn't hurt to ask; after all, who knows if one might be that one-in-a-million immortal spirit root.

"\"Immortal spirit root, can sense qi instantly. \""

"\"Moreover, it will give rise to astonishing heavenly phenomena. \""

"\"However, immortal spirit roots have been rare throughout history, appearing only once every five hundred years. \""

"\"You all had better not think about it. \""

"\"If such an immortal spirit root truly existed, the major immortal sects would surely come to snatch the person. \""

Zhao Siqing spoke up.

Everyone also suddenly understood.

However, inexplicably, there was some anticipation in their hearts.

After all.

"What if?" "Master Zhao, what spirit root do you have?"

Wang Fugui opened his mouth, asking a question.

"\"This master is just average; a supreme spirit root is only one in a million. \""

"\"Senior Brother Xu Ya, Senior Brother Bai Yu are also supreme spirit roots; Senior Brother Changge is a heavenly spirit root, and he is the eldest senior brother of the Grand Mystery Immortal Sect. \""

"\"Having cultivated for no more than fifteen years, he has already achieved perfection of the inner elixir; within three years, he will certainly enter the Golden Core realm. \""

Zhao Siqing humblebragged.

"\"Heavenly spirit roots are good, but the Grand Mystery Immortal Sect also expends them; after fifteen years, achieving perfection of the fourth realm, who knows how many heavenly treasures and earthly riches have been squandered. \""

"\"Even if you have heavenly spirit roots, don't get too carried away with fantasies; you can't afford to squander them. \""

All of a sudden.

Su Huaiyu's voice sounded.

In an instant, it left everyone silent.

Zhao Siqing felt no embarrassment, because Su Huaiyu was speaking the truth.

That is, Xu Changge turned his head and glanced.

These two guys are a bit hard to deal with.

It's not that they have a grudge.

After all, one mountain cannot accommodate two tyrant kings.

Understandable.

"\"Alright. \""

"\"The time is not early; hurry up and cultivate. \""

"\"If this master finds out that anyone is slacking off, be careful that this master will file a complaint. \""

Zhao Siqing instructed everyone.

He is a minor official enthusiast.

As Zhao Siqing spoke, everyone came to the outside of the school.

At this time, the sky had not yet brightened.

But under Zhao Siqing's orders.

They still sat cross-legged properly.

Immediately following the Heavenly Circuit Technique, they began to gradually sense qi.

Gu Jin Nian found a spot and learned in a proper manner.

Meanwhile, Wang Fugui beside him could not help but speak.

"\"Master Zhao. \""

"\"The manual says to condense golden yang qi, but the problem is the sun hasn't risen yet; do we need to wait? \""

Wang Fugui spoke.

He raised a doubt.

"\"No need, it's just right. \""

"\"I have timed it perfectly; Brother Jin Nian didn't say that? Just having speed, the light we see is from half an hour ago. \""

"\"The sky is about to brighten; we need to start half an hour earlier. Brother Jin Nian, you agree, right? \""

Zhao Siqing said solemnly.

But Gu Jin Nian was somewhat stunned.

Quite the fellow.

You really believe it? But seeing Zhao Siqing's pure and innocent gaze, Gu Jin Nian still nodded and smiled.

"\"The time has come. \""

"\"Quickly circulate the Heavenly Circuit Technique. \""

Zhao Siqing spoke.

In an instant, everyone began to attempt cultivation.

As for Xu Changge and the others, they stood guard around them, lest anyone make a mistake.

And at this moment.

Gu Jin Nian closed his eyes.

In his mind, the Supreme Mystery Circulation Technique appeared, to sense spiritual Qi.

Just a moment.

A surge of heat rose within his body, and a golden pulse of light appeared.

It was something evolved from the previous resentment qi fruit.

As the golden pulse of light appeared,

In an instant.

The qi sensation came.

Yes.

The qi sensation came.

And Gu Jin Nian was stunned in an instant.

Immortal Spirit Root? Holy shit.

Is this thing an Immortal Spirit Root? Gu Jin Nian never imagined that what he obtained from the ancient tree before was actually an Immortal Spirit Root.

He instantly sensed the qi.

This is none other than the Immortal Spirit Root.

Good fellow.

Good fellow.

What's going on? At that very moment, Gu Jin Nian felt something inexplicable.

The Immortal Spirit Root burst forth with light, as if it wanted to leave his body.

However, in that very instant, Gu Jin Nian activated the ancient tree, hoping to first suppress this Immortal Spirit Root, then clarify his thoughts before speaking.

However.

At this moment.

Xu Changge inexplicably felt something special.

He noticed his heavenly spirit root within his body seemed to tremble? But it lasted only an instant, gone in the blink of an eye, so fast he almost didn't react.

This is very strange.

Xu Changge couldn't help but frown.

But after a glance, it seemed there was no change.

"Overthinking."

"I thought there was an Immortal Spirit Root."

"Really overthinking; my master said I am the foremost prodigy of the immortal dao for a thousand years, possessing an ultimate heavenly spirit root, and no one will surpass my talent in the next hundred years."

Xu Changge silently thought to himself.

The feeling just now made him subconsciously suspect that an Immortal Spirit Root had been born; otherwise, how could his heavenly spirit root feel fear?

But after a glance, he found nothing serious and thought he had overthought it.

But just then.

Gu Jin Nian's entire body suddenly gathered light.

And Gu Jin Nian involuntarily opened his eyes.

His complexion grew somewhat gloomy.

Because, he could no longer suppress it.

Boom.

At that very moment.

A beam of light shot from within Gu Jin Nian's body straight into the heavens.

Da Xia Academy.

It fell silent in an instant.

Xu Changge's complexion also changed instantly.

"Immortal Spirit Root."

"This is impossible."

He widened his eyes and exclaimed involuntarily.

(End of chapter)