The Confucius Temple had broad passageways on its east, west, and north sides, with hundreds of cypress trees reaching skyward in lush abundance. From the railing of Wende Bridge outside the temple, the yellow glazed roof tiles of the Dacheng Hall gleamed amid the greenery, magnificent and imposing.
At the center stood the Dacheng Hall, with a terrace outside where dances and music were performed during the spring and autumn sacrifices. Stone balustrades surrounded three sides, and bronze braziers stood at the four corners, burning tung-oil torches. The sacrifices were held at midnight, when their light shone as bright as day. Inside the hall, the central shrine honored "The Supreme Sage and Foremost Teacher, Kong," while the four secondary sages—Yan Hui, Zeng Shen, Meng Ke, and Kong Ji—were enshrined on either side.
As the giant gazed at the enormous Confucius Temple, his expression turned solemn. Layers of purple Qi surrounded the temple, and the Power of Faith within it was immense, pure, and weighty.
Many students were reciting Confucian classics in the main hall. Their resonant voices seemed to pierce the clouds. Streams of Righteous Qi gathered above their heads, slowly transforming into pure Power of Faith that flowed to every Confucian sage enshrined in the hall.
The giant slowly sensed the Confucian righteousness. The Destructive Power within him seemed to be gradually merging with it, and he felt that his power was being elevated. Overjoyed, he said, "Who would have thought Righteous Qi had such a marvelous use? If I cultivate again, perhaps I can advance to the Divine King realm."
At that moment, a voice suddenly rang out in the giant's sea of consciousness. "Heh heh, wishful thinking. You might be swayed by Confucian thought and become a Confucian scholar before you ever reach the Divine King realm."