Chapter 521: The Confucian Scholars' Desperate Survival

Chapter 521: The Confucian Scholars' Desperate Survival



Tang Xiaotang glared at Xu Yuanzhen, her eyes filled with annoyance.

After a long while, she finally huffed, "You're just trying to mess with my mind! Later, we'll have a proper match, and you're deliberately saying these things to lure me into your trap. These are all your tactics!"

Xu Yuanzhen casually replied, "Firstly, compared to the past, I'm indeed more eager to spar with you.

Secondly, these methods do indeed work in disrupting your mental state.

But I'm not in the mood to scheme against you."

A slight smile curved her lips, "I just enjoy seeing you in this flustered state."

Tang Xiaotang shouted in displeasure, "Your tricks won't work on me!"

Her voice lowered as she muttered, "The Grand Master position isn't that big of a deal. I've already foreseen this, so it's not a surprise..."

Although she said this, her tone couldn't help but carry a hint of sourness.

At this moment, Xu Yuanzhen unexpectedly took out paper and a brush, and with a few casual strokes, a lifelike depiction of Tang Zhenjun's recent facial expressions appeared on the paper.

"...... Senior Sister!" Tang Xiaotang's eyes widened, and her eyebrows stood on end.

Xu Yuanzhen acted nonchalantly, "A memento."

Tang Xiaotang's anger reached its peak, "Forget everything else, let's have a fight right now!"

Xu Yuanzhen calmly put away the paper and brush, "Okay."

.................................................................

In the Nine Heavens and Ten Earthly Realms, by the time Lei Jun received the messages from Xu Yuanzhen and Tang Xiaotang, they had already fought several matches.

"What's the outcome?" Chu Kun, who was with Lei Jun at the time, asked curiously.

Lei Jun replied, "You could say it's a draw, or that neither of them is winning or losing."

Chu Kun asked, "Is it like what you mentioned before, Senior Brother, that as long as Senior Sister Tang doesn't want to win, she won't lose?"

Lei Jun nodded slightly.

To be precise, Tang Xiaotang's eagerness to win and her neglect of other aspects allowed Xu Yuanzhen to take advantage.

In the past, Tang Xiaotang often suffered losses against Xu Yuanzhen, mainly because of her aggressive attacks, which gave Xu Yuanzhen opportunities to counterattack.

As Tang Xiaotang's Heavenly Insight Talisman matured, she became more calm and composed, making it harder for Xu Yuanzhen to seize the upper hand.

Especially now that Tang Xiaotang's cultivation and comprehension had advanced from the Pure Quiet Realm to the Natural Realm, her understanding of the principles of heaven and earth became deeper and more refined. In actual combat, her techniques became more meticulous, and her divine abilities and cultivation became more harmonious and flawless.

Her Heavenly Insight Talisman always maintained its sharpest, calmest, and clearest state, allowing her to advance step by step with a solid foundation. By consistently maintaining patience and engaging in prolonged battles with Xu Yuanzhen, it was Xu Yuanzhen who had to remain vigilant.

In terms of cultivating her innate talents, Tang Xiaotang could be said to have reached the pinnacle.

Throughout history, Pure Yang Immortal Bodies were rare, but there were a few precedents. However, none of them could compare to Tang Xiaotang's exquisite display of her abilities.

The Primordial Dao Body was even rarer, but Tang Xiaotang still managed to maximize her advantages.

However, due to her personality, she often failed to reach her theoretical limits.

But at times, when she started to exercise self-restraint and self-reflection, things were different.

In recent years, especially when sparring with Xu Yuanzhen, Tang Xiaotang's experience became increasingly rich.

Even though she was infuriated by Xu Yuanzhen just moments ago, when it came to actual combat, Tang Xiaotang quickly regained her composure.

Although she still launched fierce attacks, she no longer appeared hasty or exposed any weaknesses, always remaining vigilant against Xu Yuanzhen's counterattacks.

Xu Yuanzhen's feelings about this were...

Perfect.

Compared to the past, it was indeed the present Tang Xiaotang who was more engaging to spar with.

"Overall, both of them gained insights from their exchanges, which will help them further improve and refine their divine abilities and cultivation methods," Lei Jun said with a hint of regret in his tone, "It's a pity that we can't witness it firsthand or participate in it."

Chu Kun quickly waved his hand, "Senior Brother, please don't be so modest. Even if I were there, with my shallow cultivation, I could only watch from the sidelines."

The collision of geniuses could spark even more inspiration.

But for an average small genius like Chu Elder, it was best to be cautious around certain geniuses among geniuses, monsters among monsters, and avoid getting too close... he thought to himself.

"You're too humble, Junior Brother," Lei Jun smiled and shook his head.

Chu Kun asked, "What about Grand Sage Master Tang and Tang Xiaotang? And what about Tang Huang and Bei Chen? They've been over there for more than twenty years, and they still don't plan to return?"

"For now, it seems so," Lei Jun replied thoughtfully.

Tang Huang Zhang Wantu had previously competed with Gao Tiansui for half of the Universe Diagram, and later, she was said to have obtained a great opportunity in that Thousand World.

Moreover, she had a keen interest in both the New Learning and Old Learning of that Thousand World, and with Lei Jun and others guarding the Nine Heavens and Ten Earthly Realms, she wasn't in a hurry to return.

However, Zheng Baiyu's situation was likely different.

During the Return Concealment battle, Zheng Baiyu had focused most of his attention on collecting what he needed through the Time Abyss.

When facing Zhang Wantu and others, and later Gao Tiansui and Xu Yuanzhen, he only dealt with them superficially.

Later, for those condensed crystals, he even ventured into the Time Abyss.

Aside from his forced departure from the Nine Heavens and Ten Earthly Realms, Lei Jun, Zhang Wantu, Xu Yuanzhen, and others believed that Zheng Baiyu had achieved his initial goal and obtained what he wanted.

Lei Jun had previously been wary that Zheng Baiyu might return to the Nine Heavens and Ten Earthly Realms of the Thousand Worlds earlier than Gao Tian Sui.

Little did he know that twenty years had passed since Zheng Baiyu's departure.

During the convergence of the human realm and the Thousand Worlds, he never returned.

The more this was the case, the more it led to speculation that Zheng Baiyu might have other plans.

However, even after arriving in the Confucian Thousand Worlds, there were still no signs of his intentions.

For the Confucian Thousand Worlds, he was originally a member of the Zheng family from Zhongzhou.

Although his cultivation had undergone a change and he was no longer a pure Confucian cultivator, as long as he adhered to the principle of passing down the legacy of Confucian Old Learning, the Confucian Old Learning faction would temporarily tolerate him, and at times even regard him as a powerful ally.

Of course, with Zheng Baiyu's return, the Zheng family of Zhongzhou gained significant influence, causing other top noble clans to feel apprehensive.

The sudden intrusion of the Demon-Buddhist lineage from the Time Abyss caught most people off guard.

Some suggested that Zheng Baiyu take charge of this direction to counter the powerful Demon-Buddhist lineage experts.

This suggestion was not without the intention of having both sides mutually exhaust each other.

Regardless of Zheng Baiyu's thoughts, he acted with the greater good in mind, rushing to the Time Abyss at the first opportunity. He didn't hesitate to risk his life, and many Demon-Buddhist lineage experts were injured by him.

For a moment, he exuded a formidable aura, as if a single man could hold off ten thousand enemies.

The disciples of the Demon-Buddhist lineage had come to the Confucian Thousand Worlds with the intention of seizing Void Mao Jade to promote the cultivation of more disciples and foster more top experts, but this time, they had already suffered losses.

However, the Great Extinction Bodhisattva had yet to make an appearance.

The Confucian Old Learning faction, originally under attack by the disciples of the Demon-Buddhist lineage due to the Void Mao Jade, also had to face the Confucian New Learning cultivators, creating a two-front battle.

Now, with the pressure at the Time Abyss mainly taken on by Zheng Baiyu, Wu Hailin and other Old Learning clan experts could focus their efforts on confronting the New Learning Confucian scholars like Yan Aoyun.

"Could it be that Mr. Bei Chen has been waiting for this very opportunity?" Chu Kun speculated.

Although he didn't understand what the other party was after, Chu Kun couldn't help but have such thoughts in his mind.

Lei Jun: "What do you think, Junior Brother?"

Chu Kun suspected that his connection to the Time Abyss might be related to Zheng Baiyu and the Thousand Worlds, but at this moment, he couldn't sense any abnormalities.

"In that case, let's focus on ourselves for now," Lei Jun said.

Chu Kun: "As you say, Brother."

...

One of the Ten Earthly Realms, Lian Mountain.

Amidst the mountains and waters, within a unique courtyard, He Xuan Shanren, Jiang Fengge, silently observed the changes occurring in the pond before him.

The originally clear and cold pond water was now inexplicably turning black with ink, seemingly appearing out of thin air from within the water.

The ink did not come from Jiang Fengge's own brush.

Around the pond, Confucian ritual ceremonies were taking effect.

But these rituals were different from the Taoist and Confucian practices that Jiang Fengge had learned.

Neither paintings nor chess appeared; instead, the sound of a zither melody rose, seemingly tangible, without spreading outward but rather lingering within the confines of the small courtyard.

As the zither music played, the pond water completely transformed into ink.

Ink rose from the water and then condensed into characters.

It was a letter written by Zheng Baiyu to Jiang Fengge.

Jiang Fengge silently observed, deep in thought.

He had already read and reread the letter many times.

But he had yet to reply.

Some of his previous doubts now had answers:

Zheng Baiyu was indeed not from this Thousand Worlds, but from another world where Confucian cultivators had gained great fortune.

However, even with the knowledge of Zheng Baiyu's background, it was still difficult to guess his intentions.

For Jiang Fengge, some decisions needed to be made.

He calmly gazed at the ink pond before him, then dipped his brush into it.

Jiang Fengge then wielded his brush with ink, quickly finishing his reply to Zheng Baiyu.

However, there were no words.

Instead, it was a unique landscape painting.

As the painting was completed, the thick ink in the pond completely dried up.

Jiang Fengge calmly rolled up the painting, then watched as it glowed in mid-air, gradually fading away until it disappeared.

He waved his hand again, and all the ritual instruments around the pond flew into a blank painting scroll beside him.

The blank painting scroll was then rolled up.

Jiang Fengge spoke, "Come in."

After a while, Xiao Jing, the former leader of the Xiao Clan, entered the courtyard and bowed deeply to Jiang Fengge, "Please give me your instructions, Master."

Jiang Fengge handed the painting scroll containing the ritual instruments to Xiao Jing, "Go to the human realm."

Xiao Jing felt the painting scroll in her hand was incredibly heavy.

This day had finally arrived.

From the moment the Xiao Clan entered Lian Mountain and was allowed to thrive there by Jiang Fengge, Xiao Jing had suspected that there would be a calamity.

The relationship between the two parties was not particularly close, and there was even a history of grudges between the Ye Clan and Jiang Fengge. This He Xuan Shanren was clearly not one to repay kindness with kindness.

There were no free handouts in this world, and after years of peaceful existence in Lian Mountain, the entire clan had to repay their debt.

Xiao Jing, with the highest cultivation among them, had to take the lead, and she had no choice but to accept.

"Lin Xiaoyi and Ye Zhao, you will accompany her to the mortal realm, and bring along capable people to support each other." Jiang Fengge spoke with an indifferent tone.

Xiao Jing's expression became even more solemn, "Yes, Master."

Jiang Fengge glanced at her, "You are already over two hundred years old, but you have not stopped your cultivation. There is still a chance to ascend to Sainthood, so you must seize this opportunity."

"I will follow your teachings, Master," Xiao Jing replied softly.

As Jiang Fengge had said, she was already over two hundred years old, but not yet four hundred, and there was still a chance to continue climbing higher. However, it would be much more challenging.

Fortunately, she had been diligently cultivating, and the spiritual energy of heaven and earth was surging, allowing her to successfully reach the fifth layer of the Nine Heavens, achieving perfection.

But to ascend further, the difficulty of Confucianism's direct path to Sainthood was far greater than advancing from the fourth to the fifth layer of the Nine Heavens.

Even though Confucian scholars of the Nine Heavens' fifth layer could easily soar to the clouds, it was still a challenging task for Xiao Jing. Whether she could successfully reach the Immortal Realm remained uncertain.

If one failed to pass the tribulation, they would not only lose the chance to try again but might also face death and the destruction of their cultivation.

To pass through smoothly, a special opportunity might be required.

At this moment, the opportunity was right before her.

However, both risks and opportunities coexisted.

She needed to seize this chance.

"Returning to the mortal realm?"

In the past, Lin Xiaoyi, the head of the Lin Clan in Jiangzhou, received Xiao Jing's notification with a solemn expression.

Ye Zhao, Ye Chunyue, and the others were also present, looking serious.

"Infiltrate quietly, without drawing attention," Xiao Jing instructed.

Xiao Jing explained, "Since Xuan Xiaozi of Dragon Tiger Mountain ascended to Sainthood, he has been less involved in mortal affairs, and other Immortal Realm experts have gradually stopped visiting the mortal realm.

If Jiang Fengge personally goes to the mortal realm, it might attract Xuan Xiaozi's attention.

We will act discreetly and low-key, and he will likely not interfere. The opponents we face will mostly be mortal cultivators."

Upon hearing this, Lin Xiaoyi and the others' expressions became more relaxed, although they remained solemn.

As Xiao Jing had said, if not for this approach, Jadilo of the Western Buddhist Karmic Wheel Division and Zhou Mingzhe of the Great Ming Dynasty in the mortal realm would not have been able to continue their activities. They would have been driven away and killed long ago.

The news from the mortal realm, if accurate, indicated that the current situation was a rare opportunity.

The top two cultivators of the Daoist Community, Shen Xi of the Southern Peak Sect of Shushan and Mu Chunyang, the master of Zhenwu Temple, had rarely appeared in the mortal realm since the Heavenly Master Ceremony when Lei Jun was appointed as the leader.

According to rumors, both of them had secluded themselves to cultivate and were attempting to reach the Immortal Realm.

The addition of more Daoist cultivators reaching Sainthood was not good news for others.

However, with Xiao Jing and the others returning to the mortal realm, the absence of Shen Xi and Mu Chunyang meant they could act more freely.

These two had reached the perfection of the Nine Heavens, and their combat abilities were also exceptional.

"Even if we have to be bait or sacrificial pieces, we have no choice but to take this step."

Xiao Jing calmly said, "I won't hide it, if we succeed, I will benefit greatly, and the same goes for all of you."

Lin Xiaoyi took a deep breath, "Let's go."

After making the necessary preparations, they stepped into a vast and realistic natural painting, disappearing from sight.

The Lian Mountain gate remained closed, not opened.

However, Jiang Fengge, who had endured for many years, had a way to create a few exceptions.

Xiao Jing and the others returned to the mortal realm.

At this moment, they witnessed the vast changes that had occurred in the mortal realm since their last visit, leaving them all filled with emotion.

But they had no time to appreciate the new sights of the mortal realm.

They had to conceal their tracks and hide their presence, acting even more discreetly and secretly than before their previous visit to Lian Mountain.

Identifying the terrain and directions, the group headed towards the northern border of the mortal realm.

In the eastern mountains of the northern border, Xiao Jing and the others met the cultivator Chang Chong from You Yin as agreed.

"My surname is Bi, Chang Chong," said the tall martial artist in black armor, who seemed even more secretive than Xiao Jing and the others.

"We are here on He Xuan Shanren's orders," Xiao Jing and the others greeted him.

Chang Chong, the Martial Saint of You Yin, led the group into the Snow Mountain, "Our emperor has secretly agreed with Jiang Fengge, and he has instructed us to cooperate."

Xiao Jing said, "This matter is of great importance, and we have brought only a few Nine Heavens cultivators on this trip."

From Lian Mountain, only she and Lin Xiaoyi were Nine Heavens cultivators; the others were there to assist them.

Chang Chong said, "If we want to remain discreet, we will inevitably lack manpower. Inviting more helpers will lead to more people and potential leaks. There's no other way."

"The emperor and Jiang Fengge have secretly agreed on a three-year period. To fulfill this agreement, we will need the participation of several Nine Heavens cultivators. We have to weigh the risks and choose the lesser evil by inviting more people."

Xiao Jing hoped that they would not be used as decoys or bait...

After entering the Snow Mountain, Xiao Jing and the others followed Chang Chong into an underground palace.

Inside the palace, a tall monk with the appearance of a middle-aged man stood with his palms pressed together in a seal, greeting the group, "Scholar Xiao, Scholar Lin, Scholar Ye."

Xiao Jing and the others quickly returned the greeting, "We pay our respects to the leader of the Karmic Wheel Division."

The monk across from them was none other than Jadilo, the only remaining Nine Heavens Perfection Master of the Western Buddhist Karmic Wheel Division.

For Xiao Jing, Lin Xiaoyi, and the others, the Buddhist monk they had the most dealings with in the Western Regions was the leader of the Vajra Realm's Treasure Division, Fanta Tuo.

But now, there was no need to dwell on such matters.

Not only had Fanta Tuo and his group perished, but even the Venerable of Good Wisdom had long since passed away.

Beside Jadilo stood a taller man of a different ethnicity, whose robust vitality was no less impressive than that of the martial saint Chang Chong beside him.

Xiao Jing and the others, who had already received some news, recognized this martial saint as the former leader of the Northern Ethnic Group in the Great Ming Human Realm, Wujiehan.

The Northern Ethnic Group in the Great Ming Human Realm had once been extremely powerful, ruling over the Central Plains. However, they were eventually overthrown by the Great Ming Dynasty, forcing them to retreat to the north. Since then, they had been recuperating in the northern border regions, becoming the top external threat that the Great Ming Dynasty had been wary of for many years.

The Karmic Wheel Division of the Vajra Realm had joined forces with them very early on.

After the loss of Kongsang and the death of the Venerable of Good Wisdom, Jadilo led the Karmic Wheel Division to ally with the grassland ethnic group, advancing and retreating together in the human realm.

After merging with the human realm, they continued to occupy the eastern part of the northern border, between the White Mountain and Black Water.

In addition to Jadilo, the leader of the Karmic Wheel Division, and Wujiehan, there was also a young scholar in the underground palace, whose aura was dignified and upright. Despite his casual attire, he still carried an air of official authority.

"This is Chancellor Chao of the Great Ming Dynasty," Chang Chong introduced.

Xiao Jing, Lin Xiaoyi, and the others were quite surprised by this.

The young-looking scholar before them turned out to be the former Chancellor Chao Feng of the Great Ming Dynasty.

After the passing of his mentor Chen Yu in his early years, Chao Feng became the leader of the Wu Party in the Great Ming Dynasty, and the Wu Party had gradually regained its strength.

However, after the Celestial Master of Dragon Tiger Mountain overthrew the Great Ming capital, rebellions broke out across the land, leading to the collapse of the Great Ming Dynasty. Eventually, with the human and demon realms merging, the Great Ming Dynasty became a thing of the past.

Initially, Xiao Jing and the others were surprised to see Chao Feng standing side by side with Wujiehan, the leader of the Karmic Wheel Division, and the ethnic group. But after some reflection, they became more at ease, even feeling a sense of sigh.

The Taoist community had been constantly undermining their foundation, and the former subjects of the Heavenly Palace had once again gone into hiding. They could only place their hopes on the You Di Emperor, hoping that the Great Dark Dynasty would... Xiao Jing thought to himself.

Chao Feng's expression remained unchanged, and he stood silently, listening to Chang Chong presiding over the situation and introducing the circumstances.

In the end, Chang Chong turned to Xiao Jing and Lin Xiaoyi.

Xiao Jing nodded and took out a scroll, which, when unfurled, caused the painting to transform from illusion to reality, and numerous sacrificial artifacts flew out from within.

Although Chang Chong was a martial practitioner, he also carried an ancient scroll at this time, and without his control, numerous sacrificial artifacts flew out from within as he flipped through it.

After distributing the artifacts, Chang Chong took out a diagram and instructed them, and everyone took note.

They met without much communication, and later on, they dispersed in different directions.

After Chao Feng reunited with his subordinates, one of them spoke softly, "Chancellor Chao, we found the carriage frame of Wei Bosheng nearby earlier."

Upon hearing this, Chao Feng's expression remained unchanged.

In the past, when the Great Ming Dynasty and the Great Ming Dynasty were still in existence, Wei Bosheng was the Governor of Jiliao, a core member of the Chu Party, and highly trusted by Zhou Mingzhe, the leader of the Chu Party and the Grand Secretary of the Great Ming Dynasty.

After the collapse of the Great Ming Dynasty, the Chu Party, Wu Party, and Qin Party each supported different princes.

But now, it seemed that everyone had made contact with the You Yin side.

The reason was not complicated; the fate of the Great Ming Dynasty had indeed come to an end.

The Neo-Confucian rituals and regulations were currently being scrutinized, and regardless of which party they belonged to, they all faced impending disaster.

Without the combination of cultural talent and the earth's veins, and without the framework of Neo-Confucian rituals and regulations to protect them, even without external attacks, these Neo-Confucian cultivators might face large-scale extinction or even a calamity.

In fact, the higher-level Neo-Confucian cultivators were already quite old.

In the Great Ming Dynasty, Chao Feng had always been renowned as a young and vigorous representative of the younger generation of officials.

But his age... had already exceeded four hundred years.

If he were a cultivator from another Daoist tradition, he would have already begun his decline.

Now, Chao Feng also started to feel the approach of old age.

If even he felt this way, there was no need to mention the others.

The Neo-Confucian cultivators had reached the edge of a cliff, and they desperately needed to find a way to survive.

Perhaps, it was not just a way to survive' but also a 'path to ascend to heaven.'

Chao Feng believed that Zhou Mingzhe and Wei Bosheng had similar considerations.

The Great Ming Emperor Han Zhining was not capable enough, and he himself could not become a saint. He even hindered the path of people like Chen Yu and Zhou Mingzhe.

But what if it were the You Di Emperor, Zheng Baiyu? He had already reached the third level of the Immortal Realm, leaving vast room for growth for Zhou Mingzhe, Chao Feng, and the others.

Although he was an absolute and powerful monarch, he had also opened up possibilities for them.

The only question was...

Could the Great Dark Dynasty conquer the world?

Chancellor Chao did not know the answer, and subconsciously, he looked towards the south, towards the Central Plains, and towards Dragon Tiger Mountain, which had gradually become a legend, and sighed without saying a word.

Many others made the same gesture.

And in the Celestial Master Mansion that everyone was thinking about, a guest arrived later.

After being received by Zhuo Baojie, he went to the Three Pure Ones Heavenly Realm to meet his master:

"Reporting to Master, the Western Peak Master of the Shu Mountain Sect, Yuan, has come to visit. He mentioned that recently, a prince of the former Great Ming Dynasty secretly reported that there are many people gathering in the northern border, plotting something, and it may involve people from Lian Mountain and You Yin."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end