Chapter 97

Enter the Grand Void Illusion.

Lu Fang became a consciousness, a thought, arriving at the first level of Grand Void Mountain.

The number of people here had increased significantly, causing the area to expand several times over; each person now occupied a separate corner, making it far less crowded.

Some had scholarly aura no larger than a finger’s width, while others had seven inches in length.

To Lu Fang’s surprise, the one with the most scholarly aura was Li Yu; she sat cross-legged before a stone, silently reciting verses from Dream of the Red Chamber over and over.

Second was Chen Ji.

Dressed in military armor, Chen Ji had once sent Lu Fang letters from the southern frontier, recounting amusing anecdotes and mentioning that he had gained recognition in the army and become a company commander.

He even boasted that he had learned much about warfare in the military, and bluntly stated that Lu Fang’s Romance of the Three Kingdoms was extremely useful for combat.

If Lu Fang had joined the army, he would surely become a great general who commanded from behind the scenes.

“I don’t admire many people in my generation—you’re one of them! You entered the Literary Abyss Academy with an illustrious future ahead, yet still risked your life to join the southern frontier army.”

Lu Fang considered it, then, with five strands of scholarly aura, sacrificed one strand to have the Illusion Spirit convert half of it into a half-strand for Chen Ji.

A five-colored half-strand of scholarly aura appeared, swirling around Chen Ji, drawing gasps from everyone on the first level.

“What just happened?”

“What did he do? How did he get so much scholarly aura?”

“How envious—I wish I had such luck.”

“Look! A climbing staircase has formed!”

After absorbing the half-strand of scholarly aura, Chen Ji’s body shimmered with dark light, and above him appeared a staircase leading to the second level of Grand Void Mountain.

Someone tried to take advantage, leaping onto the staircase—but landed in empty air; the staircase had no physical substance.

The man failed.

This discouraged many others from attempting the same.

Chen Ji was initially stunned, but quickly regained his composure; he reached out, gripped the staircase firmly, stepped forward, and the staircase—composed of dark light and scholarly aura—automatically ascended toward the second level.

“So half a strand of scholarly aura is enough to enter the second level of Grand Void Mountain.”

Lu Fang’s consciousness drifted to Li Yu’s side and muttered to himself: “After all, I’m her junior uncle—I should look out for my own.”

Li Yu, who had just shown envy, shook her head and was about to resume her silent recitation when a half-strand of scholarly aura began to swirl around her.

Li Yu blinked, utterly bewildered; she carefully recalled—hadn’t she done nothing at all just now?

How had she suddenly gained half a strand of scholarly aura?

This was utterly inexplicable.

“Another person has gained so much scholarly aura!”

“What triggered this in them?”

“Two people have now gained large amounts of scholarly aura—will this keep happening?”

Everyone on the first level hoped they would be the next lucky one—but no one else gained a significant amount of scholarly aura, not even after Li Yu ascended to the second level.

Not even after waiting half a day.

Even if they waited a full day, they would gain no more substantial scholarly aura.

Because at this moment, Lu Fang had already exited the Grand Void Illusion.

…

The twenty-ninth year of Tian Feng.

The nineteenth day of the twelfth month.

Outside, heavy snow fell; inside the room, a group of people ate hot pot.

He Zixuan gave a thumbs-up. “Lord Wenguan, your way of eating is incredible—especially the beef tripe. Oh my, this is so delicious!”

Tao Yidie teased: “Just now you didn’t even want to eat. You’re already so fat—eat less. You’ll finish it all, and we won’t get any.”

He Zixuan rolled his eyes. “Don’t you dare talk. You’re not eating any less than me—Lord Wenguan can’t even compete with you.”

Lu Fang chuckled softly. These two were truly incompatible; they bickered the moment they met. But with them around, the atmosphere was lively.

Lu Ling smiled and tugged Tao Yidie’s sleeve, changing the subject: “Tao sister, what’s Li sister been busy with lately? I sent Xiao Tao to call her, but the servants said she’s in seclusion and can’t come.”

Tao Yidie opened her mouth to answer.

He Zixuan cut in: “She’s preparing for the Buddha Land Trial Grounds in six months.”

“Buddha Land Trial Grounds?”

Lu Fang became interested. Though the Buddha Land could not establish temples in the Zhou Empire, its relations with Zhou were not poor—it sent tribute goods every year, something he knew.

Tao Yidie, having been interrupted, did not rush to speak; it seemed she didn’t know the details either.

He Zixuan explained: “Before we entered the Lesser Upper Realm, the Buddha Land’s envoy came to the capital and invited the Zhou Empire’s most gifted scholars of the Scholar Realm to enter the Buddha Land Trial Grounds.”

“It’s said this Buddha Land Trial Grounds is a special Lesser Upper Realm.”

“Entering it doesn’t just grant access to unclaimed destiny energy—it offers chances for great fortune and even breakthroughs in realm.”

“I don’t know the specifics, but His Majesty agreed. My cousin happened to be named in the first group selected for the trial.”

“She’s been stuck at fifth rank, third tier for a long time and wants to try for a breakthrough. So she’ll likely be in seclusion for the next six months.”

Lu Fang frowned: “Only scholars of the Scholar Realm can enter the Buddha Land’s Lesser Upper Realm? And there’s unclaimed destiny energy—could it be dangerous?”

He Zixuan shook his head: “It’s a Scholar Realm Lesser Upper Realm. The Buddha Land envoy said the danger is minimal—I suspect no demonic or barbarian entities have entered, so the risk is indeed low.”

Tao Yidie smiled: “What? Lord Wenguan, are you thinking of trying too? You probably won’t get a chance—you’re bound by heavenly law to break into sixth rank within half a year. That’s unlikely.”

He Zixuan chuckled: “Even if Lord Wenguan did break into sixth rank, you still wouldn’t get a spot—the slots are already allocated. There are only thirty-some in total.”

Lu Fang smiled faintly: “I really want one of those slots, Brother He. Could you please ask Chancellor Wen for me?”

No real danger, and unclaimed destiny energy to gain.

He couldn’t afford to miss such an opportunity.

As for breaking through to sixth rank—he had plenty of mid-grade Ten Thousand Dao Stones, and as the Zhou Literary Gazette spread across the nineteen provinces, scholarly aura wouldn’t be lacking.

Breaking into sixth rank within half a year, becoming a true scholar, was truly not a problem.

He Zixuan paused thoughtfully. “I’ll try my best.”

Lu Fang thanked him and raised his cup with a smile: “Come, let’s all drink a toast—to good fortune in the new year.”

In high spirits, everyone drank two extra cups.

Lu Ling helped Tao Yidie see the guests off, while He Zixuan joined Lu Fang in the study and pulled out three portraits. “Lord Wenguan, what do you think of these three women? Do they meet your standards?”

“They’ve trained in dance since childhood, and I’ve seen them in person—they’re even more beautiful than their portraits.”