Chapter 519: Old Learning and New Learning, Scholars and Commoners

Chapter 519: Old Learning and New Learning, Scholars and Commoners



Upon hearing Lei Jun's words, Wang Guiyuan and Chu Kun both looked over.

Due to the inconvenience of communication, they had had limited contact with Tang Xiaotang and Zhang Wantong over the years. Each communication, while valuable, was spaced out, and some changes might not have been promptly updated.

"I informed Xiaomei as soon as I received her letter," Lei Jun said. "In the Confucian Thousand World, the new learning has recently split, and there are voices in Yan Zhao suggesting they emulate the old Imperial Palace."

Wang Guiyuan and Chu Kun exchanged glances, momentarily speechless.

The rise of the new learning in the Confucian Thousand World was built on the foundation of the devastating impact and even the downfall of the noble clans that had long been rooted in the four corners of the human world. This allowed the new learning to gain a foothold and gradually develop.

Throughout history, in Liang Zhe, Huai Dong, Yan Zhao, and Ba Shu, there have been significant literary societies formed by Confucian new learning cultivators.

Among these, Ba Shu, due to its remote and isolated location, eventually could not withstand the suppression and encirclement by the old learning noble clans. It has almost vanished, with many academies and poetry societies destroyed and a few survivors forced to flee and leave Ba Shu.

However, due to the external threat from foreign demons and the passage of time, the old learning noble clans have not had the opportunity to re-establish a strong literary lineage in Ba Shu, preventing it from falling under their control.

In the remaining regions of Liang Zhe, Huai Dong, and Yan Zhao, the new learning has flourished, showing promising and rapid development.

But as time passed, the new learning in Yan Zhao began to have different voices based on ancient texts.

The exact origin of these changes is unknown to Lei Jun and others.

However, the Confucian Thousand World does not have a tangible Heavenly Realm, leading Lei Jun to speculate that the changes are related to the Heavenly Realm.

There might be remnants of the ancient treasures from the Heavenly Palace before the great calamity.

In recent years, Gao Tian sui, like Zhang Wantong and Zheng Baiyu, did not fall into the demon world but came to this Confucian Thousand World.

With his cultivation and talent, he might have played a significant role in the development and changes of the new learning in Yan Zhao.

The fact that he did not obtain the other half of the universe map from Zhang Wantong and remained in the Confucian Thousand World for many years suggests that this might be the reason.

"Perhaps... it's not just the new learning in Yan Zhao," Wang Guiyuan mused. "Gao Tianjun values ideas over lineage and is not bound by convention. He might have rallied more like-minded individuals in that Confucian Thousand World."

For example, great demons.

While some great demons are bloodthirsty and chaotic, others are rational but cold and cruel.

In ancient times, the Heavenly Palace had both spirit beasts and demon beasts under its command.

During the end of the Han Dynasty in the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, the old Imperial Palace affiliates included great demons that Gao Tian sui had subdued.

"Does Mr. Lu Shan not intervene in the changes in Yan Zhao?" Chu Kun asked softly.

Mr. Lu Shan, Yan Aoyun, is now the foremost figure in the new learning of the Confucian Thousand World and is known as the Post-Sage.

He possesses the profound understanding level of enlightenment and the literary star illumination level of root bone, capable of observing and illuminating the masses, also known as the illuminator of the masses.

It is widely acknowledged that Yan Aoyun, along with the former sage Cheng He, is the founder of the new learning. They are both referred to as "Chengzi" and "Yanzi" during their lifetimes.

Cheng He first rose to prominence, breaking the old learning's established order, and Yan Aoyun, known as the Post-Sage, followed closely.

Two generations of heaven-endowed talents emerged within a short century, finally laying the foundation for the new learning.

However, after Cheng He's early death, Yan Aoyun remains the implicit leader and master of the new learning.

Cheng He originated from Yan Zhao.

Yan Aoyun originated from Huai Dong.

After the collapse of the old learning noble clans in Liang Zhe and Ba Shu, influenced by the two sages, new learning began to emerge in these regions.

After Cheng He's passing, his disciples and students further developed the new learning in Yan Zhao, but differences in ideology led to different voices and factions.

Facing suppression from the old learning, although Yan Aoyun cared for Yan Zhao after Cheng He's death, various internal and external reasons have always caused divisions among the new learning factions.

Regardless of whether it is the old learning or the new learning, the enemies they face in the Confucian Thousand World are not just each other.

The frequency of attacks by foreign demons varies, sometimes frequent and sometimes sparse.

While they have destroyed the foundations of the old learning noble clans, giving the new learning a chance to emerge and develop, they also pose a threat when they attack again.

The demons of the Earth Realm are no exception. Although divided into different tribes, they collectively pose a threat to the entire Confucian Thousand World.

Previously, the demons were suppressed and could not threaten humanity, so that world was dominated by humans and Confucian cultivators.

However, due to the subsequent invasion by foreign demons and the various conflicts between the new and old learning in the human cultivation world, the demons of the Earth Realm have begun to rise.

"Based on what you said, that world had a Confucian sage master after the ancient times, hence the establishment of numerous noble clans with deep-rooted literary lineages. It seems that the sage master is no longer there, whether because he has transcended or for other reasons," Chu Kun speculated.

Lei Jun: "I have similar suspicions, but it's not yet appropriate to draw a conclusion."

Wang Guiyuan: "If Yanzi is the leader of the new learning in that world, who is the leader of the old learning?"

Lei Jun: "Mr. Yueyuan, Wu Hailin, the former patriarch of the Guan Long Wu Clan. The Wu family has long been managed by his descendants, and he now focuses on writing and teaching."

The old learning was originally most prosperous in Qi Lu and Zhongzhou. However, due to his presence, the scholarly atmosphere in the western Guan Long gradually surpassed that in the eastern and central regions.

The rise of the new learning in Ba Shu was also due to his direct intervention, which ultimately led to its downfall.

However, due to the invasion by foreign demons, the old learning literary lineage in Ba Shu has not been able to re-establish itself.

Neither the noble clans originally there nor other families like the Wu Clan have been able to fill the void.

Lei Jun shook his head slightly: "That's why they say the Confucian Thousand World has great fortune. Not only do the new learning have two sages, but the old learning also has top-notch grandmasters."

The Guan Zhong Wu Clan is one of the top noble clans in the Confucian Thousand World, with a thriving literary lineage and a steady emergence of heaven-endowed talents with the root bone of the heaven-inspiring pen.

Wu Hailin further advanced on this foundation, achieving the root bone of the literary star illumination, specifically the illuminate the mind.

His enlightenment is also profound understanding.

Such talent has made Wu Hailin a leader in cultivation and strength, while also enhancing the existing literary lineage of the Guan Zhong Wu Clan, making it even more vibrant.

"In the regions of Guanzhong, the Three Jins, Zhongzhou, Qilu, Jing Chu, Xiang Gan, Min Yue, and others, the Confucian Old Learning still dominates."

Lei Jun spoke, "There are divisions within the Confucian New Learning, and the voices within the Confucian Old Learning are also becoming increasingly chaotic."

The threat of foreign demons and Earth Realm demons still loomed.

Some noble clans advocated prioritizing internal stability before dealing with external threats. Although the foreign demons were ferocious and could destroy cultural legacies, there was still a chance for reconstruction afterward.

However, the greater threat came from the commoners who had recently emerged in Huai Dong, Liangzhe, Yan Zhao, and Bashu, stealing the essence of cultural heritage. This directly shook the foundation of the scholars' family traditions.

Some noble clans advocated prioritizing unity among human cultivators to jointly confront the foreign demons and Earth Realm demons.

Among them, some considered the overall environment, while others had the intention of letting the demons and commoners mutually consume each other.

The noble clans who considered themselves scholars had always had a policy of suppression and pacification towards the Confucian New Learning cultivators, whom they referred to as commoners.

Some advocated for complete eradication, showing no mercy, and destroying any traces with the might of a thunderbolt.

Others advocated for differentiation and pacification, allowing the advanced commoners to establish new family lineages and cultural legacies, thus becoming scholars, but the number of such opportunities was limited.

The voices were diverse and varied.

In recent years, as the attacks from foreign demons had relatively decreased, and external threats became less frequent, the conflict between the Confucian Old Learning and New Learning intensified, reaching a fever pitch.

"The Zheng family in Zhongzhou is one of the few noble clans there," said Lei Jun.

Wang Guiyuan and Chu Kun understood, "The You Di Emperor, or Bei Chen, Zheng Baiyu, originally came from there and not from our Nine Heavens and Ten Earthly Realms."

Lei Jun continued, "His return this time has indeed caused quite a stir. After all, he disappeared for thousands of years, and when he returned, he was no longer a pure Confucian cultivator."

If it were a young junior disciple, even if they weren't expelled from the family, they would likely face other severe punishments.

But Zheng Baiyu had already reached the third level of the Immortal Realm upon his return.

With this, he followed the ancestral lineage of the Confucian Old Learning and had no intention of vying for the position of the Zheng family's head.

In the current environment of the Confucian Thousand World, the Confucian Old Learning faction naturally overlooked the various issues surrounding him and accepted him back.

"But they won't fully trust him," Lei Jun said. "That Bei Chen himself is uncertain about his intentions."

During the battle in the Return Concealment, it seemed that Zheng Baiyu initially had no intention of leaving the Confucian Thousand World to return to the Confucian Old Learning.

It was only because Xu Yuanzhen's return from the Time Abyss caused an accident, almost ruining Zheng Baiyu's plan. To ensure that he obtained the strange crystal from the Time Abyss, Zheng Baiyu finally pursued him into the Time Abyss.

Even if he had a backup plan for such a situation, it was most likely not his optimal choice.

"So, what is the origin of the treasure that Bei Chen was determined to retrieve from the Time Abyss, even at the risk of returning to the Confucian Thousand World?" Chu Kun asked in a low voice. "Did he succeed in the end?"

Lei Jun shook his head, "Tang Emperor only guessed that it was related to his cultivation, possibly a chance for further advancement, but the specifics are unclear. After returning to the Confucian Thousand World, he has appeared frequently, but no significant changes have been observed so far."

Wang Guiyuan said, "There are indeed many secrets about him."

Lei Jun and Chu Kun agreed.

"I've reviewed the literature and records preserved in Suzhou," Chu Kun said softly. "Bei Chen, when he married into the family, had outstanding talents, but his cultivation was still shallow. If not for this, the Chu family would not have arranged the marriage at that time."

In the Nine Heavens and Ten Earthly Realms, during the Han Dynasty, the Confucian heritage shared some similarities with the Confucian Thousand World. Most of the Confucian classics were collected by the Five Surnames and Seven Nobles, and rarely circulated among the common people.

If Zheng Baiyu did not come from the official Han school, even with extraordinary talents, it would be normal for his Confucian cultivation to be low.

But this raised a question.

How did he manage to travel through the Time Abyss in the first place?

Feng Ting was able to cross over with the help of Xu Yuanzhen.

Without Xu Yuanzhen's assistance, the result of accidentally entering the Time Abyss would most likely be disintegration and annihilation.

When Zheng Baiyu's cultivation was not yet complete, he should not have been able to travel through the Time Abyss on his own.

Whether he had help from others or carried a strange treasure with him, it was likely due to some special opportunity that he was able to make the journey.

"This depends on whether his journey to this side was accidental or if he had a specific purpose," said Lei Jun. "If he had a purpose, has he achieved it?"

As he spoke, his gaze remained fixed on the Time Abyss:

"Just like this time, why did the Huo family of Yuanzhou and the Yue family of Linli go to the Demon Thousand World?"

The conflict between the Confucian Old Learning and New Learning intensified, reaching a fever pitch.

Huo Ying, Yue Song, and others probably had no time to travel to the Demon World for leisure.

Lei Jun was more inclined to believe that they had a clear purpose.

"Senior Brother, the message from Tang Emperor earlier mentioned that although our Taoist heritage is not prosperous on that side, there is still a Taoist lineage. There wasn't much detail last time, but have there been any further updates recently?"

Lei Jun nodded, "It's called Luofu Mountain, located in the human realm of Guang Nan, and it is undoubtedly a Taoist lineage, but it is quite unique, very different from the four Taoist lineages in our Thousand World."

According to the simple description previously sent back by Zhang Haipeng, the Luofu Mountain lineage practiced both inner and outer alchemy, cultivating both immortality and divine arts, as well as studying talismans, alchemy, and refining. However, they did not simultaneously inherit the traditions of talismans, alchemy, and outer alchemy, but instead formed a new Taoist lineage.

Its nature was similar to what Nie Fang studied, which integrated the Mojia's organ, Taoist talismans, and Taoist alchemy, forming the unique Artisan Priest lineage. Alternatively, it was similar to Chen Yi's Taoist talismans and sorcery blood river, which merged into a unique and distinctive cultivation method.

"Guang Nan once had the roots of Confucian Old Learning, but it was later destroyed by foreign demons. Subsequently, Taoist cultivators established themselves there," said Lei Jun.

After a slight pause, he continued, "Tang Emperor once mentioned that the Luofu Mountain lineage seemed suspicious to her, but due to limited contact, it was not appropriate to make a hasty conclusion."

Chu Kun said, "Perhaps Tang Xiaotang will be able to uncover more clues on this trip."

Lei Jun said, "Yes, after I mentioned this to Young Senior Sister, she was indeed very interested and planned to visit Guang Nan in her free time."

However, Tang Xiaotang later sent another message from the Confucian Thousand World.

Many Great Void Temple cultivators had crossed over from the Demon World through the Time Abyss, invading the Confucian Thousand World.

Although the Great Void Buddha was not present, there was a Great Accomplished Sage leading the group, who had reached the third level of the Golden Body.

The already turbulent Confucian Thousand World now faced another powerful enemy.

Upon hearing this, Lei Jun and the others in the Nine Heavens and Ten Earthly Realms were surprised.

Xu Yuanzhen, who had long been interested in that side, enthusiastically entered the Time Abyss and headed for the Confucian Thousand World.

Lei Jun, who was connected to the Supreme Dragon Tiger Immortal Array, did not act hastily. He remained in the Nine Heavens and Ten Earthly Realms, continuing his own cultivation while deeply studying the Heaven-Through Earth-Penetrating Talisman and the Time Abyss, striving to further strengthen the connection between the two sides and establish a more stable and convenient channel of communication, even across the chaotic space-time currents of the Time Abyss.

In the mountains, time passed without notice.

One summer day, Lei Jun celebrated his 125th birthday.

In recent years, the Dragon and Tiger Mountain Celestial Master Mansion had been quietly nurturing its younger disciples, and now, they were about to experience a new wave of breakthroughs.

Qiu Ming, Zhu Wei, Zhong Jinxuan, Xue Yu, and Su He had successfully passed the heavenly tribulation between the Sixth Heaven and Seventh Heaven, attaining the Seventh Heaven cultivation level of the Taoist Talisman School.

This marked the addition of several more High Virtuoso Priests to the Dragon and Tiger Mountain lineage.

Zuo Li, the elder in his deep red Taoist robe, smiled as he watched his own disciple, Su He, remove the red robe and don the purple one, symbolizing his elevation to a High Virtuoso.

After Su He completed the ceremony, he bowed to Celestial Master Lei Jun and then respectfully paid his respects to his own teacher, Zuo Li.

Zuo Li, with his white hair and youthful face, was filled with emotion.

Luohao Ran and Fang Jian, who were also present at the ceremony, shared similar sentiments.

They had both experienced similar situations in the past.

Xu Rui was not a direct disciple of Fang Jian, but after entering the sect, he had spent most of his time learning from Fang Jian.

Xu Rui reached the Upper Three Heavens before Fang Jian, and even earlier, he had attained the Upper Three Heavens Perfection.

Qin Caiwei, on the other hand, was a direct disciple of Luohao Ran, and her cultivation progress was astonishing, surpassing even Xu Rui.

As they watched Zuo Li, Luohao Ran and Fang Jian felt even more emotional.

Although their cultivation progress was slower than Qin Caiwei and Xu Rui, they had eventually reached the Seventh Heaven, ascending to the Upper Three Heavens, while Zuo Li had forever remained at the Sixth Heaven, reaching the Four Directions Lifespan limit.

Fang Jian, reflecting on his own cultivation, felt a deep connection to his own teacher.

Luohao Ran, looking at Zuo Li, thought of his own master.

His master, like Zuo Li, had also stopped at the Sixth Heaven, never surpassing the Four Directions Lifespan limit.

Now, as time passed, Luohao Ran's teacher had grown old, entering the twilight of his life.

Fortunately, the ancestral court of the Dragon and Tiger Mountain was located in the Three Pure Ones Heavenly Realm, where the clear qi nourished the cultivators, making signs of aging rare.

Fang Jian noticed Luohao Ran's gaze towards Zuo Li and understood that he was thinking of his own teacher.

Their lineage was quite representative within the current Dragon and Tiger Mountain Celestial Master Mansion.

The grandmaster had reached the Sixth Heaven.

Luohao Ran, his disciple, had attained the Seventh Heaven.

And Luohao Ran's disciple, Qin Caiwei, had already reached the Fourth Layer of the Eighth Heaven, preparing to break through to the Ninth Heaven's Great Accomplished Sage Realm.

Such achievements were not ridiculed but instead, admired and envied by many.

It not only ensured the continuation of their lineage but also reflected the increasingly favorable cultivation environment of the Dragon and Tiger Mountain sect, with its rise becoming more apparent.

As Fang Jian was deep in thought, a purple-robed female disciple returned from outside and bowed before him and Luohao Ran, saying, "Master, Uncle-Master Fang."

Luohao Ran asked, "Has Hua Wei just returned from Cang Huan?"

Qin Caiwei replied, "Reporting to Master, I was sent by the Mansion to assist the cultivators there in planting the Fragrant Tree.

Coincidentally, the Feng Ming Sage Lord had emerged from seclusion, and after offering congratulations, I returned to report to the Grandmaster and the Mansion."

Upon hearing this, Luohao Ran and Fang Jian immediately understood, "So, the Feng Ming Sage Lord has reached the Immortal Spirit Second Level!"

Calculating the days, it had been over twenty years since he first ascended to the Immortal Realm.

Even in the Phoenix realm, such speed was awe-inspiring, rarely seen in history.

Not only the cultivators in the outside world, but even the numerous spiritual beasts within Cang Huan were shocked by the news.

"The Mansion should prepare a gift," Luohao Ran said, "Hua Wei, first inform the Grandmaster."

Qin Caiwei agreed and, after bowing, took her leave to meet with Lei Jun.

After presiding over the promotion ceremonies of Qiu Ming, Zhu Wei, and Su He, Lei Jun did not immediately return to the Three Pure Ones Heavenly Realm above but remained in the human world at the Celestial Master Mansion.

Hearing Qin Caiwei's report that the Feng Ming Sage Lord in Cang Huan had advanced to the Immortal Spirit Second Level, Lei Jun nodded repeatedly, "A joyous occasion indeed."

He instructed Qin Caiwei and Zhuo Baojie, "After preparing the gift, Hua Wei, on behalf of your poor master and the Celestial Master Mansion, convey our greetings to the Feng Ming Sage Lord. Hua Jie, accompany her, and together, invite the Haoyang Sage Lord and the Feng Ming Sage Lord to visit Dragon and Tiger Mountain if they have the time, or if there's any business to discuss."

Zhuo Baojie and Qin Caiwei both agreed, "Disciples obey."

Previously, Zhuo Baojie had served as the guarding elder of the Administration Hall for three years, and after his term ended, he had no specific duties. Now, he was considering traveling the Four Seas again, so Lei Jun decided to send his eldest disciple to represent him in congratulating the Phoenix Feng Ming.

On the side, Han Xiaofei looked at her master with anticipation.

This time, Lei Jun didn't give his second disciple any opportunity, "Although I didn't assign you to replace Hua Jie in the Administration Hall, Han Xiaofei, you will also gain experience there. During this time, don't go running around."

Han Xiaofei had no choice but to agree, "Yes, Master."

Aside from Qiu Ming, Zhu Wei, and others, the Dragon and Tiger Mountain lineage also had younger disciples currently at a crucial stage between the Sixth and Seventh Heavens.

For example, Xin Lu and Hou Yu were currently in secluded meditation, attempting to overcome the heavenly tribulation between the Sixth and Seventh Heavens.

Lei Jun's third disciple, Feng Ting, had also begun his preparations for seclusion.

However, Lei Jun's current stay in the human world was not primarily for Feng Ting.

He had already provided guidance to his disciples in their daily cultivation.

The reason for his brief stay in the human world this time was that his master, Yuan Mo Bai, was about to emerge from seclusion in the near future.

Lei Jun's eldest disciple had already left the mountain, and his third disciple was in seclusion.

Later, Lei Jun, accompanied by his second disciple, Han Xiaofei, who had rushed over upon hearing the news, arrived at Yuan Mo Bai's secluded cultivation cave.

Soon after, his junior, Chu Kun, also arrived.

Wang Guiyuan was currently guarding the Boundless and Time Abyss, unable to leave, but he was still paying attention to the ancestral court.

Lei Jun's perception and judgment were accurate, as Yuan Mo Bai indeed emerged from seclusion, having achieved perfection.

Following the seven energies of Hao Ling, the purple-robed youth now added the flowing nine energies of Qing Ling.

With this, the Taoist Talisman School's Five Energies Facing the Center was complete.

Yuan Mo Bai stepped onto the Bridge to the Profound.

Lei Jun and Chu Kun both said, "Congratulations, Master. With the Five Energies Facing the Center, the Great Vehicle Perfection, and the Dao Profound insight, you are one step closer to the Great Vehicle Perfection."

Han Xiaofei also followed suit, bowing, "Congratulations, Master!"

"Grandmaster," Yuan Mo Bai smiled and returned the greeting.

The group entered the cave together and took their seats. After expressing their congratulations, Yuan Mo Bai inquired about the outside world, and Lei Jun answered his questions one by one.

Finally, Lei Jun mentioned, "The Confucian Thousand World is in turmoil, but for now, we should still pay attention to our own affairs. Since the human world merged with the Nine Heavens and Ten Earthly Realms, changes have occurred, initially unnoticed, but in the last two years, they have become more apparent. I have invited the Feng Ming Sage Lord and other fellow cultivators to gather and discuss this matter."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end