Zhao Hansheng saw that he had captured everyone’s attention and began to speak at length, elaborating on the way of Heart Learning.
Chu Xuangu’s brows were tightly furrowed; it was already the second time he listened to these high-minded discussions. Yet, they still contradicted much of what he had learned before. Chu Xuangu adhered strictly to the classics all his life, meticulous in his actions, so the principles of Heart Learning felt completely incompatible with him.
Seated beside him was Song Taosheng. This elder with white hair and beard had his eyes slightly closed, seemingly resting, but the slight tremor of his eyelids betrayed his inner turmoil.
Time passed slowly, and Zhao Hansheng arrived at the essence of Heart Learning.
His voice was deep, carrying a peculiar force that penetrated the heart: "When you haven’t seen this flower, it rests in silence with your heart. When you look at this flower, its colors instantly become clear."
"Clearly, this flower does not exist outside your heart."
"The heart is principle. Can there be affairs outside the heart, principles outside the heart in the world?"
At that moment, the entire hall fell into silence, with almost all cultivators deeply moved.
Bai Jiyun’s face showed none of his usual indolent expression, and his whole being seemed to be immobilized.
He was a nationally acclaimed genius, having traveled extensively, believing himself widely knowledgeable, yet he never thought that ’principle’ could be defined this way!
Liu Fushu had his eyes wide open, and the ink stains on his neck became even clearer due to his excitement.
He excelled at calligraphy, and his mind wandered: the perfect brush techniques should perfectly align with classical standards. But according to Heart Learning, does it not imply that the highest standards of calligraphy have always existed in his own heart?
It’s unbelievable! Yet, Liu Fushu felt: if he could grasp this layer, perhaps his calligraphy could enter a whole new realm?
The youngest among them, Kong Ran, could no longer maintain his grown-up-like composure. His dark shiny eyes were full of confusion and shock.
Muddled, muddled.
The Confucian cultivation knowledge stored in his mind seemed to be stirred up.
"Is this Heart Learning?!"
This was different from his understanding of Confucianism, yet similar, filled with a lethal attraction.
Eventually, Zhao Hansheng’s lecture ended.
In the end, he said: "Knowing is the beginning of action, acting is the completion of knowledge. The genuine and sincere place of knowledge is action, the distinct and precise observation of action is knowledge."
"This is — Knowledge and Action Unity!"
"This will be the content of my next round of lectures."
Everyone present was shocked anew.
"Knowledge and Action Unity?!" Ning Zhuo’s heart trembled fiercely.
His primary cultivation was not Confucianism, so the subversion and impact he experienced were not as profound as that of the Confucian cultivators.
But at this moment, he was greatly shaken!
All because he thought of his own cultivation secret techniques.
"By absorbing various demon powers, eliminating evil and upholding the path, I acquire their lifetime memories, experiences, isn’t that ’knowing’?"
"Previously, in the Xuan Armor Cave, I used bronze weapons for combat training, which was to perceive and digest in practice, using action to assimilate knowledge, truly making it my own, becoming a part of myself."
"But according to this Confucian skill, it’s possible to directly convert ’knowing’ to ’action’, turning ’action’ into ’knowing’."
"Knowledge and Action Unity! Knowledge and Action Unity!!"
"If I can obtain this method, then handle the demon soul’s memories, experiences, how terrifying would the efficiency be!!!"
All at once, Ning Zhuo developed an unprecedented desire for the Confucian skill of Knowledge and Action Unity.
And at this moment, a slender figure in the front row slowly stood up, attracting everyone’s attention.
His hair draped the side of his cheeks, breaking the usual silent demeanor and directly asked: "Mr. Zhao’s high theories are enlightening. According to your words, if the heart is principle, and Knowledge and Action Unity, then can all worldly laws be attributed to the application of one’s heart?"
The whole scene fell silent.
Because the questioner’s identity was extraordinary, it was Lu Zhenshu, the Peak Master of Fuyao Peak, one of the Eight Peaks.
Zhao Hansheng looked at Lu Zhenshu, nodding slightly: "Peak Master Lu asks the fundamental question. All laws arise from the heart, the heart can transform things. The path of cultivation, whether it is refining the body or condensing mana, at its root, is driven by the heart’s thoughts, knowledge, and action progressing together. If seeking laws outside the heart, it is like climbing a tree to find fish."
Lu Zhenshu heard the words, his eyebrows lightly furrowed, pondering for a dozen breaths, then clapped in praise: "Wonderful, truly wonderful!"
In an instant, everyone was stirred profoundly.
Lu Zhenshu was one of the top figures in the Myriad Images Sect, his every word and action had wide-ranging influence.
At this moment, he openly expressed his admiration and recognition of Zhao Hansheng! This wasn’t just academic acknowledgment but also extended to political recognition.
The public support of a Peak Master carried weight beyond measure!
Originally, Zhao Hansheng, because he "suddenly and oddly" became the Mountain Master of the Confucian cultivator group, faced widespread skepticism from the outside world. But after the public lecture just now, and Lu Zhenshu’s personal endorsement, it completely dispelled the threat of rumors, firmly establishing his strength and reputation.
Duanmu Zhang was also sitting in the front row, listening all along.
Hearing Lu Zhenshu’s praise, his heart was filled with mixed feelings. Heart Learning startled the world, directly pointing to the core of the heart, indeed possessing the charm of moving people’s hearts.
At this moment, a name, a long-standing unresolved knot in his heart, surfaced in his mind — Qin De.
This talented man, but due to reading "Fallen Demon", created the Saint Thief Scripture, and was ultimately personally confined by the Confucian cultivator group within the Cloud Prison, was once Duanmu Zhang’s most promising junior!
"Heart Learning is so mysterious, perhaps it could thoroughly resolve the Saint Thief Scripture, letting Qin De find his way back, is it not possible?" This thought arose uncontrollably.
Duanmu Zhang always cherished Qin De’s talents, but he could never correct his "twisted" thoughts. Yet now, Zhao Hansheng brought Heart Learning, seemingly providing a whole new possibility.
However, this is a significant matter. The affair of Qin De is too deeply involved, being a scar of Duanmu Zhang and the entire Confucian cultivator group.
Duanmu Zhang cannot act alone.
After the class, he immediately met with Chu Xuangu, Song Taosheng, and several other core Confucian cultivators for a secret discussion.
"The theories of Heart Learning, initially feel extreme, but their core is profound, directly pointing to the great way." Duanmu Zhang spoke with anguished tones, "Qin De fell into the Demon Path, his thoughts twisted, despite our repeated advice, all returned in vain. Now, we might borrow the power of Heart Learning, try to let this child find his way back."
"I want to inform Zhao Hansheng of Qin De’s situation, let him debate with Qin De, maybe... we’ll have a glimmer of hope?"
Everyone was amazed.
Chu Xuangu, hearing this, almost immediately flatly opposed: "Absolutely not! Master, this matter must not be done!"
"The matter of Qin De is our shame, and a pain in our hearts! Although Heart Learning shocks the world, its foundation is still unknown! Whether it can lead Qin De to forsake evil for good remains uncertain."
"How can such an important person be handed over to an outsider?"
Qin De was once a member of the Confucian cultivator group of Myriad Images Sect; the Saint Thief Scripture he created was too rebellious. Back then, after numerous attempts and paying a severe price, failing to transform Qin De, the Confucian cultivator group once decided to directly eliminate him!
Qin De’s existence is a huge risk for the Confucian cultivator group.
Or it can also be said, it’s a huge handle.
Precisely because of this, after the Confucian cultivator group made this decision, certain high-level members secretly influenced the outcome, protecting Qin De.
Because certain high-level members found Qin De to be a tool that could be used to deal with or in certain aspects control the Confucian cultivator group!
This involved high-level power struggles.
Of course, this isn’t shown publicly.
The gray-robed cultivators in the Black Market, from the start, thought of Qin De’s matter too simply.
Even without the Eight Peaks discussing, the current Hall Master of Evil Slaying Hall, Zhong Dao, didn’t pay attention to Qin De. Even if he wanted to act against Qin De, it would be fraught with difficulties.
Chu Xuangu’s meaning was clear: Qin De is the family’s shame, and Zhao Hansheng, Gu Qing are outsiders. A family’s shame should not be spread! What reason is there to easily entrust the handle away?
Duanmu Zhang was deep in thought, looking at the others.
Song Taosheng stroked his beard, speaking slowly, his voice calm but thoughtful: "I understand Master’s meaning. All along, Qin De was our weakness, a blot, specifically a handle."
"The Myriad Images Sect and most forces, countries alike, both want to use and guard against us Confucians."
"The elder voluntarily gave up the position of Mountain Master, also wanting to leverage Zhao Hansheng, the power of Heart Learning, to open up a path for our Confucian cultivators?"
Duanmu Zhang nodded slightly, looking at Song Taosheng, then glancing over everyone present, sighing deeply: "The one who understands me is Song Taosheng."