At this moment, not just Mu Ren.
Every scholar of the court lineage, whether a great scholar or a renowned master, stood frozen in place.
They dropped their weapons and abandoned resistance.
Not a single person spoke, they simply faced Su Changqing and the scholarly emperor, dropped to their knees, and bowed their heads.
"We were wrong!"
Near-crying voices resounded through the heavens and earth.
In the entire city, except for the people of the Holy Academy, not one scholar remained standing.
Su Changqing, through his own ’way’ and ’principle’, made these scholars clearly understand what ’Confucianism’ truly was.
"Changqing... what a great talent."
Shu Han’s long-held tense spirit was finally released.
The people beside him, such as Bo Gu and Yin Feng, looked at Su Changqing with eyes full of admiration.
What the teacher failed to achieve, Su Changqing achieved.
From today on, the path of Confucianism will be completely united, with no differing ideologies remaining.
Because regardless of what ideology, it is extremely difficult to surpass the true meaning of Su Changqing’s four sentences.
"Is there anything else to say?"
Upon seeing this scene, Su Changqing’s gaze fell on Mu Ren.
Clearly, at this moment, Mu Ren truly realized his mistake.
But this does not mean that admitting fault guarantees survival.
The Holy Academy and the court lineage have long been at odds, leading countless scholars astray.
All this should have an explanation.
"Nothing to say."
Mu Ren laughed miserably, "I practiced Confucianism all my life, believing I made a huge contribution to the Confucian path."
"But not until today did I realize how absurdly wrong I was."
With that, he turned and looked at countless scholars in Central Province City, speaking loudly,
"Today, with my death, I celebrate the rebirth of Confucianism!"
Boom!
With that, Mu Ren struck himself with full force on his crown.
He fell backwards, his expression void of sadness, but rather holding a faint smile.
It seemed he already saw the great rise of Confucianism.
"Celebrate the great rise of Confucianism!"
A great quasi-emperor, patriarch of the Mu family, took his own life on this literary stage.
And all the other members of the Mu family, without hesitation, followed Mu Ren in death.
At the same time, some grand scholars and famous masters deeply rooted in court ideology who committed grievous errors did as well.
Su Changqing did not pressingly threaten them, nor did he deliver a fatal blow.
But what they could not forgive was themselves.
Upon realizing their faults, they chose death to wash away their past sins.
Crimson flowers bloomed in Central Province, one after another, as the corpses of prominent scholars and masters fell into pools of blood.
The already feeble strength of Confucianism diminished again, but its fortune, recognized by heaven and earth, surged with the wind!
The destruction of an era of outdated ideology welcomed the true rebirth of Confucianism!
...
"From today on, the position of Holy Academy headmaster will be succeeded by Su Changqing."
As Shu Han’s words fell, he immediately bowed to Su Changqing with a smile,
"Greetings to Dean Su!"
Seeing this, all the scholars in Central Province City, without the slightest hesitation, bowed deeply in homage,
"We greet Dean Su!"
A mighty voice arose, and every scholar looked at Su Changqing with eyes full of reverence and admiration.
Everything that happened on the literary stage today elevated Su Changqing’s reputation in Confucianism to a terrifying level.
A position that even surpassed the scholarly emperor by several degrees.
"Senior brother, how am I supposed to step down now?"
Seeing this, Su Changqing spoke with resignation through a transmitted voice.
He came here only to accomplish what the teacher had not, and never intended to become the master.
Though Confucianism is unified, his ordeal has just begun.
"Now that Confucianism has only you, who dares sit in this position?"
Shu Han lightly laughed and transmitted, "After today, you are destined to become a legend in Confucianism."
Su Changqing shook his head slightly, sighing in his heart.
A legend?
Whether he could pass through today safely was still uncertain.
...
Meanwhile.
As the unification of Confucianism concluded, many great powers in the depths of the sky tensed their souls.
Everyone knew that the main event was about to begin!
"Father, now that Su Changqing is at the Quasi-Emperor Realm, will any unforeseen events occur?"
Zhao Batian looked at Su Changqing at this moment, with a hint of fear in his eyes, and asked aloud.
"No matter, it’s merely a temporary Quasi-Emperor."
Zhao Shanke looked at Su Changqing, his eyes slightly narrowed as he said:
"The immense aura of the Confucian path can indeed stabilize his realm at Quasi-Emperor."
"But does he dare to accept such a realm?"
Zhao Batian heard this and asked in confusion, "Why wouldn’t he dare? A freely bestowed cultivation realm, why not take it?"
"Because he is a prodigy."
Zhao Shanke sighed and said, "He has delved into various paths, including martial arts, sword, alchemy, and the Dao, and has achieved great success."
"If he chooses to ascend in one step, that naturally would make him a Quasi-Emperor."
"But that infinite immense aura would reshape his foundation, stripping away other traditions."
"In this way, although he would have a very strong realm, he would lose other traditional techniques."
He glanced at Zhao Batian, "Do you think such a prodigy would be so foolish as to abandon those terrifying inheritances for a mere realm?"
Zhao Batian suddenly realized upon hearing this.
The immense aura could only increase Su Changqing’s cultivation in the Confucian path.
However, the other traditions he cultivated would be rejected and stripped away by the Confucian realm.
In simple terms, the Confucian path is not the path Su Changqing chose.
If he solely cultivated the Confucian path, then directly becoming a Quasi-Emperor would be fine.
But what Su Changqing cultivates is the Dao of Heaven and Earth!
How could he rush to maturity for a mere realm and ruin his own future?
"But this..."
Zhao Batian opened his mouth hesitantly, "What is his current situation?"
"I see his aura is clearly at the peak of Quasi-Emperor, and his combat strength is extremely terrifying."
Zhao Shanke heard this and looked at Su Changqing, shaking his head, "Only temporary."
"He is clever and did not directly integrate the immense aura to enhance his cultivation."
"Instead, he uses the immense aura as ’fuel’, temporarily forcing his cultivation to reach Quasi-Emperor."
"When the ’fuel’ is exhausted, his realm will inevitably fall back to the peak of the Divine Aspect."
"Moreover..."
Zhao Shanke revealed a cold smile, "The immense aura has not fully integrated into him, and the mastered laws are merely fictitious."
"Although he seems to be at the peak of Quasi-Emperor now, his actual strength is far from this level."
"Furthermore..."
"Even if he truly is at the peak of Quasi-Emperor, so what?"
"With so many experts present, even if he is at the peak, he must bow!"
He scanned the depths of the sky and spoke:
"Now, just wait for that lead bird to appear!"
...
Su Changqing’s current state couldn’t be hidden from the eyes of the experts present.
And the choices of these experts were almost the same as Zhao Shanke’s.
Everyone was waiting to see who couldn’t hold their patience and would make the first move.
After all, given Su Changqing’s formidable power now, he might have other backing as well.
Letting others force out Su Changqing’s trump cards, they can reap the benefits later, isn’t it marvelous?
However, since everyone thought this way, it led to a silence spreading across the world.
After the unification of the Confucian path, Su Changqing stood on the literary platform waiting for a long time, but no one appeared.
After another long while, Su Changqing looked towards the depths of the sky and spoke lightly,
"With my current cultivation, if I want to leave with all my heart, and use the Heaven-Covering Array to conceal myself, it would be difficult for you to find me."
"I will wait three breaths, if no one appears after three breaths, then meet in the Outer Domain!"
"Three, two..."
Su Changqing’s tone was extremely fast, and at the same time, he tore open the void in front of him as if he would leave in the next step.
Logically, with the Confucian path stable, his purpose was achieved too.
With his current cultivation leaving directly, it would be very difficult for others to find him.
But what he wanted was a once and for all solution!
Otherwise, if there were other forces besieging the Holy Academy and Little Immortal Sect in the future, wouldn’t he still be constrained by others?
As long as the matter of the Emperor’s Tomb remains unresolved, he will never find peace.
Facing all the world’s experts today is the best opportunity to resolve it.
At the same time, it is also the best opportunity for the world’s experts to corner Su Changqing.
As expected.
When three breaths passed and Su Changqing was about to leave.
A cold snort causing the heavens and earth to tremble burst forth from above the literary platform.
"Since no one is showing up, then I shall step forward as this lead bird!"
Ximen Xiu appeared with a group of elders, floating in the depths of the clouds.
His icy eyes stared at Su Changqing and he spoke coldly,
"Today apart from hell, you won’t go anywhere!"