Wheel War

Li Qi knew that things were starting to develop in the direction he wanted.

What did he mean by those words?

It's very simple: the bigger the words, the more conflicts can be stirred up.

He directly attributed the differences between the Shaman Path and the Human Path in relation to High Antiquity classics to himself.

He couldn't bear the responsibility, but the high priest would help him shirk it.

In other words, Li Qi made a big boast to attract everyone's attention, and then the shaman shifted the blame to him, saying, "It's just a child talking nonsense, everyone should not take it to heart."

In this way, conflict is stirred up, but no one has to bear the responsibility for stirring up the conflict.

Then comes the next step.

The next step is simple: shift the blame onto yourself, officially end this topic, and get to the main issue.

The main point is to slap the face of the Tang Kingdom.

It's that simple.

Things have come to this point; it's either you slap the other side in the face or you get slapped in the face—there's no other outcome.

The debate now is about who is right and who is right. The adults can't say who is right or wrong, nor can they decide who is right or wrong, so let's leave it to the children.

That's why Li Qi volunteered.

The Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial was clearly aware of the current situation, but his expression did not show displeasure.

Clearly, things hadn't gone this far in his expectations, but he wanted to take this opportunity to give Wushen Mountain a good slap in the face. Since Wushen Mountain had started this whole thing, retaliating would be the best response.

But he couldn't very well do it himself, so he looked around and asked, "Is there any young scholar of the eighth rank who would be willing to give a lesson to the guests who have come from afar?"

He used the same phrase from the previous lesson, clearly indicating he wasn't prepared to lose.

The high shaman nodded to Li Qi, signaling him to step forward.

Li Qi took a deep breath and walked to the center of the banquet hall, the middle of the many passageways.

He single-handedly challenged the knowledge of all the Tang Kingdom present, and perhaps even more than just their knowledge.

To be honest, the pressure is quite high.

However, when it comes to reciting, Li Qi has never been afraid of anyone!

With the help of True Knowledge Dao Charm, he could almost be said to have a photographic memory. Coupled with his conscious daily reading and the attitude that "knowledge is power," Li Qi had basically memorized all of these ancient books, even though he didn't understand many of them!

Sure enough, as soon as he stood up, someone stood up and asked directly, "Young master, you just said that debate is nothing but the act of pedantic scholars, but now you are using debate to establish yourself. This is self-contradictory. Your words don't match up. How can you convince the public?"

Well, this is a personal attack right off the bat.

But Li Qi was already prepared and immediately replied, "Sir, your argument is absurd. To argue illogically by picking apart phrases and sentences is what makes a pedantic scholar. Do you think that ancient classics are such things?"

The man raised his voice. "Ancient texts certainly don't, but what you're saying and doing right now! Doesn't it? Just your last sentence, was it not just a case of picking up a phrase from a classical text?!"

The other party seemed to have no intention of arguing with Li Qi at all, and was directly prepared to destroy the foundation on which Li Qi stood here, making him unqualified to stand here and accept the debate from everyone.

However, Li Qi had already planned this approach before taking the stage.

Li Qi bowed slightly and said, "No, sir, please listen to me. Our debate here is just a small Discussing the Dao. Although it is not as grand as the debates between adults, the form is almost the same."

"Besides words, there is another important thing in Discussing the Dao: verification."

Li Qi spoke, a miniature world suddenly unfolded within him!

Behind the minor official who had criticized Li Qi, nine Inner Gods suddenly appeared!

The Inner Gods manifested through some peculiar Technique Method, seemingly following some kind of natural law to arrive at this place, quietly unfolding behind him.

The man turned around abruptly, trying to resist, but before he could react, the five mountain gods slammed down with heavy punches, hammering him directly into the ground!

Then it transformed into a ten-foot-tall boulder, connecting and sealing it down!

Li Qi then quietly landed on top of the giant rock, stepping on the other person.

Then he looked around, raised his head and said, "The course of Heaven is constant; it does not exist for Yao, nor does it perish for Jie. Responding to it with order brings good fortune, while responding with chaos brings misfortune! Have you all understood my explanation of the Dharma?"

"The True Intention of the ancients comes from words and is put into practice. The ancient sages spoke of left and right, of ethics and righteousness, of distinction and debate, of competition and strife. This is called the Eight Virtues."

"If one cultivates the Way without wavering, then Heaven cannot bring calamity. Therefore, floods and droughts cannot cause famine, cold and heat cannot cause illness, and evil spirits cannot bring misfortune. I used the methods of Heaven's calamity from ancient books to demonstrate the Dharma, but he could not decipher it. This shows that although he speaks of ancient meanings, he does not actually understand the methods of the ancient sages at all. This is the typical example of a pedantic scholar, who only knows how to talk big but does not understand the True Intention of the Way. However, there are many talented people in the Central Plains. Surely not everyone can be like this?"

Li Qi looked around and spoke loudly.

All around was silent.

The current conflict is simple: the ways of witchcraft and humanity come from the same source, the original ancient human race. Now everyone is arguing about who has inherited the rightful lineage. This is one of the many differences between the ways of witchcraft and humanity.

So let's use the principles and Technique Method of the ancient sages to put our ideas to the test.

One must not only defeat the opponent in words and understanding of ancient texts, but also in practical application and Technique Method.

Li Qi knew that if he really argued with people about these things, he would only end up in endless personal attacks, just like that person just now. As long as he insisted that Li Qi was also a "pedantic scholar," then no matter how many ancient books Li Qi talked about, he couldn't do anything about it.

Those who engage in serious debate can't handle argumentative people; only those who reason can be persuaded.

So this was Li Qi's initial plan.

If you want to honestly refute the arguments, then talk about your research on the classics, sit down Discussing the Dao, and use reason to persuade the other party.

If they're going to argue and try to find a way to put things into practice, then let's see who can apply the principles to actual Technique Method. Li Qi didn't want to waste time arguing with them; let's just fight.

The others weren't fools; they clearly understood what this young master meant.

We must either refute this young master with reason until he is speechless, or beat him into silence with force; otherwise, it may be difficult to resolve this today.

Many people looked indignant, exchanging glances as if discussing what to do.

The other young masters all sat up, ready to watch Li Qi's performance, but it was clear that they were each making their own preparations.

Even the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial frowned; clearly, Li Qi's direct action displeased him.

The silence didn't last long, probably only a few seconds.

Then another Confucian scholar stood up.

Without wasting any words, he said directly to Li Qi, "The sage said that the world is of utmost importance, and only the strongest can bear it; it is of utmost importance, and only the most discerning can divide it. Since you, my lord, wish to do so, and the words of the sages specifically state that only the strong can bear the weight of the world, then I will ask you for your guidance on the word 'strong'!"

Then, the Confucian scholar stepped forward, and suddenly the Flourishing of Human Way's Military Might appeared behind him.

Human Way Iron Cavalry appeared behind him, with soldiers closely packed in front and behind, and spearmen and swordsmen surrounding him on both sides, pressing down on Li Qi with overwhelming force!

The world is of utmost importance; only the strongest Human Path is qualified to bear the weight of the world!

This is also the principle of the High Antiquity sages!

Countless weapons surged toward Li Qi, and his opponent, like Li Qi, used the principles of ancient sages as his own Technique Method, which were both Discussing the Dao and practical applications.

To win a round, one must refute the opponent's arguments and defeat them with Technique Method.

Iron horses galloped forward, shouts of battle echoed, the battlefield was a vast expanse of black clouds and haze, the encirclement was so tight that no grass grew, yet countless Human Way Iron Cavalry came rushing in, their momentum unstoppable, just about to take advantage of the situation to crush them, leaving no survivors, directly engulfing Li Qi!

There wasn't enough space around, so even more banquet tables were trampled and smashed!

But then the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial reached out and gently tapped, and the space around Li Qi, which was 10 feet in diameter, stretched to more than 10 miles, just enough to accommodate the trampling of countless iron cavalry.

A murderous aura swept over him; the Human Path Iron Army was already upon him, the cold glint of their spear tips already flashing into Li Qi's eyes.

However, upon seeing this Technique Method, Li Qi simply said, "Supreme strength, supreme greatness, but one more thing is missing: the multitude of beings under heaven, none but the most enlightened can harmonize with them."

Besides being strong and great, the ancient sages also added a comment.

This means that besides being powerful, the people in the world are so numerous that only the most Sagacity person can bring them together in harmony and unite their strength.

"Powerful but not harmonious, even with millions of iron cavalry, they will still crumble at the first touch." Li Qi refuted the other party's words with one sentence, and at the same time, he saw through the flaw in the other party's Technique Method.

Just as the other party understood, the Technique Method he created by borrowing this method was internally disharmonious. Although powerful, as long as this flaw was seized, even the strongest power would only harm himself.

Li Qi developed the Technique Method on the spot, based on the words of ancient sages, and uttered it in a single shout!

Countless iron cavalry collapsed immediately!

The scholar grunted, bowed slightly, and sat down.

After sitting down, he covered his face with his blue robe, but traces of blood could still be seen seeping through it.

Next, another person stood up. This time, he was not a Confucian scholar; judging from his attire, he was probably a miscellaneous scholar.

The man rose and spoke loudly, "What greatly confuses people is the resemblance of things. The jade connoisseur worries about stones that resemble jade; the sword appraiser worries about swords that resemble Wu Gan; the wise ruler worries about people who are knowledgeable and eloquent, seemingly wise. The rulers of doomed kingdoms appear wise, and the ministers of doomed kingdoms appear loyal. Similar things are what greatly confuse the foolish, and what the wise worry about!"

"Those who can understand the meaning of the ancients must be wise. Wise people are not easily misled. If you are truly wise, then my Technique Method will be ineffective against you."

"I have established this law based on Master Lü's words. Please explain, my lord!"

Li Qi remained silent, waiting for the other party to make their move.

The other person's meaning is simple: two things may look the same on the outside but be completely different on the inside. It's like a monarch of a fallen kingdom may seem very clever, while a minister of a fallen kingdom may seem very loyal. A true wise person can and needs to think carefully to distinguish between truth and falsehood, rather than making arbitrary judgments.

This is indeed what Master Lü, a scholar of the Miscellaneous School, said.

If Li Qi cannot see through the illusion, then he is not a true sage and naturally does not deserve to stand here.

Then, suddenly, earth and wood rose up beside Li Qi, forming a palace.

It stretches four li from east to west and three li from north to south. Heavenly water flows into it, forming a mountain of stones, more than ten zhang high, which extends for several li.

It is adorned with gold and emerald, and looks as if it is flying. The pavilions and eaves are covered with brocade, painted with red and blue, decorated with gold and silver, and sparkling with pearls and jade. It is also a nine-curved lotus platform from which springs flow.

Then, countless flower petals flew out from these pavilions, carrying a fragrant breeze, creating a scene as beautiful as a painting.

However, Li Qi closed his eyes.

To be honest, Li Qi couldn't see through the opponent's Technique Method or the sage's words. This miscellaneous cultivator was indeed quite skilled.

But he has a cheat code.

The True Knowledge Dao Charm has spread out!

At the same time, Li Qi shouted, "Twins who look alike are known to their mothers by common sense, and they know it well! That's why I can know it too!"

Twins look very alike, but their mothers can always tell them apart because they know them well enough to not mistake one for the other.

Through True Knowledge Dao Charm, Li Qi can understand the differences between the two twins better than his mother!

The entire illusion was a mixture of reality and illusion, life and death. Some places were traps, while others offered a way out. Now, all of this illusion was fully revealed before True Knowledge Dao Charm.

Then Li Qi waved his hand, Four Rivers Water God passed through them, avoiding the traps and heading straight for the core. With a few muffled thuds, Li Qi opened his eyes.

The illusion shattered on its own.

The miscellaneous cultivator was utterly shocked!

"Impossible! How could the methods of sages combined with the Mirage Dragon Qi be seen through?! He didn't use ancient methods, but modern ones! You cheated!" He pointed at Li Qi and shouted loudly!

Ancient methods and modern methods are a classification of Technique Method based on time.

The current dispute is about who has a better understanding of the ancient methods in order to prove that they are the true orthodox practitioners. They believe that the Technique Method must be based on ancient methods and the principles must be based on ancient interpretations in order to prove their point.

But in reality, as times change, most of the ancient sages, except for a very few who are still alive today, have died in the long river of history.

The 'ancient methods' they left behind can only be displayed in museums or used for competitions on occasions like these.

This is also why Li Qi and his team could create their own Technique Method on the spot.

Because it's simple.

The Technique Method and theories have evolved to a point where they are no longer as simple as they were in ancient times; it's practically the difference between mathematics and advanced mathematics.

For people like Li Qi, their foundation has been honed to perfection. Once they enter a state of focus, they can use their profound foundation, which far surpasses the ancient methods, to create their own Technique Method at will.

Each move, taken individually, is mediocre and nothing special, but at the time they were considered divine techniques, capable of achieving 500% effectiveness, and were only suitable for breaking the opponent's Technique Method.

This is the basis of the current struggle.

You claim to be the inheritor of ancient methods, yet you don't even use them. What makes you say that?

If Li Qi used modern methods, he could naturally refute him, saying that Li Qi was not as knowledgeable about ancient methods as he was.

However, when he said this, the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial above him showed a look of disappointment.

He said to the miscellaneous cultivator, "He used an ancient method. Step down, don't talk nonsense, next one."

The miscellaneous cultivator looked horrified, but dared not say anything and could only retreat.

After he stepped down...

Then seventeen more people stepped forward and bowed to Li Qi.