Chapter 777 - 234: [Nangong Sheng] (Part 2)
Quickly, a tender sprout broke through the soil, followed by the growth of stems, the outline of leaves unfurling, and finally the bud at the top gradually emerged, slowly growing larger before blooming...
While doing this, Nangong Sheng spoke rapidly: "This is an ordinary Ling Su flower, one of the most common herbal materials, a basic ingredient widely used in alchemy.
This flower requires a rich concentration of Primordial Qi and moderate temperature to grow. Once planted, it takes two months for the flower to bloom, with both the stamen and petals being medicinal, and the sap from the stem also having medicinal uses.
However... I employed my unique Induce Technique, accelerating its growth by more than a hundredfold, allowing it to sprout from the earth to bloom in a short time..."
The flower had already bloomed to its fullest. Nangong Sheng walked over and gently plucked the flower.
The bud and stamen in his eyes emitted a faint medicinal fragrance, yet after being plucked, the stem continued to grow rapidly until the leaves fell and gradually withered...
"I picked it at its best bloom, at which time if used medicinally, its properties are actually no different from a normally grown flower.
But... I always feel something is amiss. The flower grown by inducing technique goes against the rules of the Heavenly Principle, making it a malevolent thing.
Then, when using it medicinally, what would be the difference with a flower that bloomed after more than two months?
I can’t figure this out—though it’s not important.
What I truly wish to understand is, among all things, what is meant by good? Was my previous thinking correct or erroneous?"
Chen Yan gazed at Nangong Sheng. As this guy spoke, there was a troubled expression on his graceful and handsome face, yet his eyes shone with an almost devout light.
Inwardly, Chen Yan was helpless, thinking this guy... Aren’t you into Artifact Refining? Isn’t that engineering?
A mere engineering nerd discussing philosophical questions?
What is this? Magical physics? Or philosophical physics?
Don’t you know philosophy is the hardest field to find a job in?
The crucial point is... You’re asking me, how the heck am I supposed to know the answer?
Fortunately, Chen Yan himself studied philosophy. While he might not be able to do much else, he knew quite a few profound words in philosophy that seem to make sense yet often baffle people.
He pondered for a moment, gently coughed, gazed at Nangong Sheng’s bright eyes, and slowly said, "As Fellow Daoist said, what conforms to reason is good... But, Fellow Taoist Nangong, do you know that to pursue absolute good in everything actually lies beyond duty?"
Don’t you like the unity of knowledge and action? I’ll use the words of Saint Wang Yangming to... to answer you!
Sure enough, after Chen Yan spoke, Nangong Sheng’s gaze froze, "What do you mean?"
"Fellow Daoist studies the principles of all things, that’s the investigation of things. Since it is the investigation of things, then continue delving!"
"..." Nangong Sheng looked at Chen Yan.
Yet Chen Yan leisurely continued, "The investigation of things is the work towards the ultimate good. Once you know the ultimate good, you understand the investigation of things."
Nangong Sheng’s eyes lit up, "You mean, to investigate things is to exhaust the study of all things under heaven! Exhausting the study of all things, then one will know all the principles of the world?"
Before Chen Yan could speak, Nangong Sheng himself nodded and said, "Indeed, I have been asking about just one thing, which was shortsighted. One must look at all things to know more principles. How can all things in the world be so easily distinguished between good and evil, or their rules and heavenly principles so easily seen?
Things grown in bitter cold regions are according to heavenly principles there. In the scorching heat, they become evil.
Not knowing all things and the myriad of principles, only chasing after single matters and items to inquire about, that’s me splitting hairs."
Alright... Am I really triggering a physicist from the Celestial Demon Yin Yang Joyful Sect?
With an involuntary wry smile, Chen Yan thought helplessly.
But then Nangong Sheng frowned and said, "Yet the heavenly principles change... Trees from bitter cold regions become contrary to heavenly principles in hot regions. Why does the same thing, in different places, reverse in good and evil..."
Chen Yan blinked and intentionally let out a leisurely sigh, "That... Heart is the principle itself. Where in the world is there anything beyond the heart, principles beyond the heart?"
Nangong Sheng’s gaze trembled, "Heart is the principle? But this heart, this intention, in the end, whose heart, whose..."
Chen Yan closed his mouth, smiled without speaking, and simply raised his hand to point towards the sky.
Nangong Sheng immediately lowered his head and softly said, "Heavenly Dao..."
He then also sighed, "Indeed, all things in the world are the revolutions of the intentions of the Heavenly Dao. It was my folly, attempting to thoroughly understand the heart of the Heavenly Dao, how could this be achievable in my current realm?
Even Venerables, Earth Venerables, Great Celestial Venerables, cannot comprehend the Heavenly Dao."
Seemingly sobered a bit, he gave Chen Yan a glance, his gaze filled with more appreciation, "Fellow Daoist, great talent! Seeking you for a talk was indeed a good choice. Though my doubts were not solved, you have provided me with some insights."
Chen Yan hastily cupped his hands, "I..."
"Shallow cultivation?" Nangong Sheng, with the obsession in his eyes fading, glanced at Chen Yan, quickly interrupting his words, then deliberately paused and smiled, "Fellow Daoist, I know you’re certainly not a simple-minded person. Always putting on such a posture before me, it’s no fun."
His smile carried a hint of deep meaning, then he leaned a little closer to Chen Yan, "That day when I was giving a lecture, you were in the audience. I intentionally activated mana, stirring the array in the hall, eliciting a trace of Dao Rhyme.
I noticed you at that time, you were clearly affected by the Dao Rhyme, seemingly entering an epiphany state—but, in just an instant, you snapped out of it!