The crowd was shocked, glancing at one another.
What kind of status would be required to be worthy of this knowledge being imparted?
The answer was almost obvious. Such
a revolutionary doctrine could serve as the foundation of a lineage, how could its teacher submit to be beneath others?
Within the Myriad Images Sect, the leader of the Confucian Cultivator group is called the "Mountain Master." Duanmu Zhang was the unanimously chosen Mountain Master, highly esteemed.
Only now did Chu Xuangu and the others fully understand.
Zhao Hansheng’s visit to Duanmu Zhang was just a pretense; discussing Heart Learning during the debate was merely a lure. He showcased a priceless treasure enough to tempt all Confucian Cultivators. His true intention was to use this opportunity to become the Mountain Master, leading the Confucian Cultivator group of the Myriad Images Sect!
Seeing the hall fall silent, Zhao Hansheng slowly spoke, indicating he had no intention of residing there permanently. After teaching Heart Learning, he would leave and continue traveling with his disciples.
But before that, holding the position of Mountain Master would better help spread Heart Learning and assist other scholars.
Duanmu Zhang and the others remained silent.
What Zhao Hansheng said sounded casual, but the teaching of Heart Learning was entirely under his control. If he continued teaching, deliberately delaying, no one would have a reason to overthrow his position as Mountain Master.
After expressing his idea of "not being power-hungry," Zhao Hansheng decisively fell silent, saying no more.
Gu Qing smiled slightly and leisurely sat back down.
The master and disciple were both very confident, not at all worried that others would refuse.
The reason was simple—the temptation of Heart Learning was simply too great!
For Confucian Cultivators, such temptation would be magnified a hundred, a thousand times. These people were bound to be moved, even taking action.
And the subsequent developments were exactly as the master and disciple had anticipated.
Duanmu Zhang directly expressed his willingness to step down and look forward to Heart Learning classes.
Chu Xuangu and the other three had no objections.
Thus, Zhao Hansheng achieved his true goal of this trip—he became the Mountain Master, using Heart Learning. Though he was new, he successfully seized the leadership of the Myriad Images Sect’s Confucian Cultivator group.
Upon assuming the position, he immediately presented a hefty gift.
"I heard that Fellow Daoists Chu Xuangu and Song Taosheng have been diligently preparing a new round of Xingyun Trials involving spirit paper."
"As the new Mountain Master, I can’t just stand by and watch; I must also contribute my part."
"Please, Fellow Daoists, take a look."
The crowd shifted their gaze and saw paper with a white jade texture, exuding an ancient and profound sheen. Within the sheen, faint golden patterns flowed, mysterious and profound. Just by gazing at it, one’s mind involuntarily became calm, and thoughts became exceptionally clear.
More wonderfully, around the jade page, a faint, water-wave-like radiance rippled, and the air was imbued with a faint, indistinct fragrance.
Chu Xuangu and Song Taosheng exchanged glances, seeing the shock and excitement in each other’s eyes.
The two of them came here intending to have Zhao Hansheng pay a price to add brilliance to this Xingyun Trial. Unexpectedly, Zhao Hansheng voluntarily brought out this White Jade Paper.
Li Guanyu spoke first, "Is this the Inheriting Dao Jade Page?"
Zhao Hansheng smiled indifferently, "Indeed it is."
"I brought my disciple here with no intention of joining the Myriad Images Sect, simply to let Qing’er travel and gain experience."
"Since we happen to encounter such an Xingyun Trial, perhaps it’s not a bad idea to let the junior have more trials."
"My disciple and I are thick-skinned, but we can’t be shameless. Let’s take out this gift as part of the competition content, shall we?"
Chu Xuangu stared at the Inheriting Dao Jade Page, then looked at Zhao Hansheng, his voice a bit strained, "The Inheriting Dao Jade Page is extraordinary, capable of carrying True Intent, preserving things without loss."
"Are you really sure, Senior, to take out this item as competition content?"
Zhao Hansheng said, "I will make public the refinement technique, but not in its entirety. If a cultivator refines the first part, then I will proceed to develop the second part, third part, and so on for them."
"Of course, anyone participating in this trial must first sign a Divine Contract to ensure the Inheriting Dao Jade Page’s refining technique won’t be easily disclosed."
"This is the sincerity from my disciple and me. Fellow Daoists, what do you say?"
Chu Xuangu already understood Zhao Hansheng’s intention, remained silent in contemplation.
Song Taosheng looked at Gu Qing, realizing Zhao Hansheng was willing to take out such a significant gift for his disciple.
Of course, it’s evident that the refining difficulty of the Inheriting Dao Jade Page must be extremely high; the related technique is likely complex or profound.
But Gu Qing surely has some attainments or accumulation in this area.
Otherwise, Zhao Hansheng wouldn’t have chosen this as the reward.
"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Zhao." Duanmu Zhang suddenly spoke, making the decision.
Li Guanyu took a deep breath, "I regret a bit. If I had known, I wouldn’t have agreed to be an examiner. I’d rather participate in this Xingyun Trial!"
This joke immediately eased the solemn atmosphere in the room.
Song Taosheng laughed heartily, "Stop it. Li Guanyu, you’ve already joined the Myriad Images Sect. How could you be eligible to participate in the Xingyun Trial?"
Li Guanyu spread his hands, "Can I still quit the sect now?"
Everyone burst into laughter.
Heart Learning, Inheriting Dao Jade Page!
The master-disciple duo from Huazhang Country had long planned, taking bold action, immediately changing the entire situation.
Chu Xuangu and the others followed the trend and had already cast aside the original intentions towards Ning Zhuo, after all, they only appreciated him for Wen Ruanyu’s sake and the potential immense benefits White Paper Immortal City might bring in the future.
In comparison, they had to give more face to the great Confucian Zhao Hansheng; Heart Learning, Inheriting Dao Jade Page are tangible gains, exceedingly substantial!
In the Zhu Family Land.
In Jingxin Garden, the floating fragrance lingered; a tea gathering of the women was ongoing.
Central persons could be easily identified—Zhu Guizhi dressed in red, still graceful, speaking with humor and amiable smiles.
A female cultivator: "Sister Guizhi, congratulations are in order! Fenxiang, that child, quietly accomplished a big thing!"
Zhu Guizhi’s hand holding the teacup paused almost imperceptibly, her face revealing just the right amount of puzzlement: "Oh? Why the congratulations? That girl Fenxiang had a battle with Situ Xing recently, though she won, her Vital Energy was injured, and I’m seeking some warming Spiritual Medicine for her."
Another female cultivator: "Oh sister, stop pretending with us. The Internal Affairs Hall has spread the word! Fenxiang used her only special privilege to impart our family’s trump card ’Divine Summoning Technique’ to an outsider boy!"
The third female cultivator: "According to family rules, this treatment can only be enjoyed by the future ’son-in-law.’ Fenxiang, always so picky, has finally found a good match, isn’t that a grand occasion? We are all waiting to toast to this happy event!"
Zhu Guizhi’s smile slightly stiffened: "Such a thing? I, as a mother, am unaware. If it’s true, you won’t be missing seats at the feast, sisters."
Soon after, the guests departed.
Zhu Guizhi slammed the teacup down hard on the table, no trace of a smile on her face, only gloom.
"I made arrangements up and down at the Household Affairs Office, and yet this news still leaked!"
"Finding the leaker is not the most important thing."
"The real issue is handling this matter! Fenxiang, oh Fenxiang, you truly trouble me."
Zhu Guizhi was very clear: just now, those who left, though smiling and congratulating on the surface, secretly some were waiting to see Zhu Fenxiang make mistakes.
Zhu Fenxiang is the face of Foundation Establishment painstakingly nurtured and chosen by the Zhu family. If she stumbles and is abandoned by the family, there are many eyeing her position.
Another headache for Zhu Guizhi: Zhu Fenxiang’s Flying Message was submitted directly for record in the family Household Affairs Office! This was clearly "act first, report later," without even considering consulting her mother.
She took a deep breath, unable to dismiss her indignation: "Ah, Fenxiang’s temperament has always been unyielding, not close with me... but this matter, I cannot leave as it is!"
"Her marriage, I have plans long set, how can I let her have her way!"