Chapter 117 - 116: That Stooped Figure
In fact, without Yang Yuzhi’s reminder, Gu Zhan, being an Innate Martial Artist, surely has a deeper understanding of martial arts than Yang Yuzhi. He is very clear about the conventional knowledge of martial arts cultivation, but because he has the system, he has never really paid much attention to them.
Strictly speaking, Earth Tier Martial Arts have already transcended the scope of traditional martial arts.
This is why Martial Artists who reach the Dao Realm are called Great Cultivators, because at this realm, it’s no longer about practicing martial arts, but about cultivation—cultivating the Dao!
The Dao is a very vague concept,
Everyone understands it differently, which is why there’s a flourishing variety of cultivation secret manuals, all explored step by step by our predecessors.
And the essence of Earth Tier Martial Arts is distinguished from Profound Tier Martial Arts by the Dao,
This level of martial arts leverages the Primordial Qi existing between heaven and earth as its power.
This is the reason Innate Martial Artists cannot cultivate Earth Tier Martial Arts.
Innate Martial Artists rely on the condensed True Qi to fight and cannot grasp the operation patterns of Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi. Even the Seventh Layer Great Innate can only barely perceive the patterns of Primordial Qi, hardly mastering them.
Thus, when Innate Martial Artists try to cultivate Earth Tier Martial Arts, they forcibly mobilize Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi. Even if they succeed due to extraordinary talent, they pay a huge price due to the backlash of Primordial Qi.
Take Wan Yan, for instance,
He has decent talent in martial arts but couldn’t resist the lure of power, forcefully cultivating Earth Tier Martial Arts, resulting in his cultivation stagnating for life,
He’s considered lucky; those less fortunate may ruin their cultivation and become crippled at best, or fall into madness and die.
However, in such a vast world, there are bound to be some prodigies.
Gu Zhan previously heard from Gu Chuan that there are quite a few martial prodigies in the Gu Family cultivating across tiers in martial arts, the most formidable even grasping the patterns of Primordial Qi during the Postnatal Realm.
But, prodigies are very, very rare,
most people who forcefully cultivate across tiers pay dearly for it.
However, Gu Zhan feels no pressure.
Not to mention Earth Tier,
he would dare to cultivate Celestial Tier Martial Arts if given the chance.
Nonetheless, Earth Tier martial arts are already rare, and Celestial Tier martial arts are the prized treasures of top factions or first-class families, difficult to obtain.
Gu Zhan looked at the two secret manuals in his hand and hesitated for a moment.
Fierce Sun Skill is nothing special; it is something he attained in a trade with the Six Great Families. But as for the Willow Leaf Flying Knife Technique, it puts him in considerable debt to Yang Yuzhi.
Yang Yuzhi, noticing Gu Zhan’s concerns, chuckled lightly: "Lord Gu, you don’t need to overthink. This Willow Leaf Flying Knife Technique can only show its true worth in your hands. Consider it... helping Junior Brother Wan fulfill his dream. Ten years ago, he obtained the Willow Leaf Flying Knife Technique, always hoping that one day the Willow Leaf Saber would gain fame worldwide!
Additionally, I hope to leave some trace on the path of a great person rising, hoping that one day, when Lord Gu has succeeded and gained renown, you’ll remember me and visit my humble abode for a chat!"
Gu Zhan no longer dwelled on it, saying: "I will remember that."
Yang Yuzhi nodded slightly, looked up at the stars in the sky, and slowly said: "There’s a third matter, I wish to talk to Lord Gu about this young man, Rong Yichu."
Gu Zhan asked quizzically: "Yichu? What’s the matter?"
Yang Yuzhi said: "This young man has the demeanor of a gentleman, but he needs a guide to give him an opportunity. This young man, after two transformations, possesses the most needed mindset and will to become a gentleman.
I can’t bear to see a young man with such infinite potential wasting his capabilities. However, now that he is by your side, Lord Gu, his potential cannot be optimally tapped.
It’s not that you would suppress or limit him, conversely, you advance too quickly, leaving Rong Yichu unable to keep pace, causing him to slowly fade among the crowd. Moreover, lacking the teachings of a true master is like the finest jade not being sculpted; ultimately, it cannot become an exceptional piece."
Gu Zhan squinted his eyes and asked: "You can be his guide?"
Yang Yuzhi nodded and said: "I hold a quota that allows him to participate in the inner court exams of Jixia Academy. There’s no need for me to elaborate on Jixia Academy, is there?"
Gu Zhan was somewhat surprised, not expecting Yang Yuzhi to have such connections.
Jixia Academy, the top among the Three Great Academies, is also the foremost academy in the Xia Kingdom.
The academy is challenging to enter, but those who succeed are all remarkable figures upon graduation, even if merely from the outer court, they are fiercely pursued by numerous factions.
The academy gathers half of the great scholars of the Xia Kingdom, and its graduates cover half of the Xia Kingdom’s officialdom.
Jixia Academy is regarded as the holy land for scholars!
"Lord Gu," Yang Yuzhi slowly said: "Among scholars across the land, there are very few who would refuse entry into Jixia Academy, but Rong Yichu is among that minority.
You pulled him out of darkness; in his eyes, the light is solely you. So, between Jixia Academy and you, he would undoubtedly choose you without hesitation."
Gu Zhan waved his hand and said: "I understand Lord Yang’s intention. I am not opposed to Jixia Academy, so this choice is not conflicting. I know my capabilities; I develop rapidly, which most can’t keep up with. If Yichu wishes to keep up with me, he indeed needs such an opportunity.
Furthermore, I have no doubt about Yichu’s loyalty towards me. Hence, should he progress and achieve greater heights, it would only bolster me. I welcome it wholeheartedly. If I possessed such a connection, I would have given it to him directly."
A faint smile appeared on Yang Yuzhi’s face: "With Lord Gu’s words, I am relieved, and I can peacefully go about being a grave keeper!"
"Lord Yang has planned it all out?" Gu Zhan asked.
Yang Yuzhi laughed and said: "I have guarded the common people for so many years, and in my remaining years, it’s time to guard those graves!"
Saying this,
Yang Yuzhi waved his hand, strolled alone towards the depths of the long street,
In the moonlight, his silhouette was somewhat hunched,
That shadow appeared quite solitary.
Watching Yang Yuzhi’s silhouette, Gu Zhan was somewhat contemplative,
Yang Yuzhi’s mindset is indeed grand, yet
Gu Zhan understands but cannot accept it.
Call it selfish or self-serving,
Gu Zhan admits he cannot reach such noble heights,
However, though it is not for him,
He truly admires Yang Yuzhi,
No matter the world, no matter the era, there are always people who carry the burden of the world and its people selflessly, moving forward silently,
The deeds of such individuals,
Are not defined by right or wrong,
For those they carry, regardless of the outcome, they should be respected as heroes!