First, All-Under-Heaven Platform; second, Book Mountain!
This was a path to sainthood unseen in all antiquity and modern times, a discourse on the Dao that stood utterly apart from the histories.
Jiang Wang had not expected to face Master Zi, but if he wished to be "foremost at the absolute summit," then naturally, "all who came were welcome"—there was no picking and choosing opponents. To speak of being "invincible below Transcendence," one could not retreat a step or yield half a measure.
"Under heaven, there is the character 'Confucian,' whose virtue has spread through the ages, a prominent school in The Present World. In this world, there is one called 'Book Mountain,' the absolute summit of humankind!"
"Today, Master Zi sits here to discourse on the Dao, inviting Jiang Wang to declare himself foremost—"
Jiang Wang rested both hands on his knees and lightly bowed his head in courtesy. "Jiang... cannot decline."
The mountains and rivers of The Present World were vast and magnificent, with countless famed peaks each vying in splendor. Yet those that could stand beside Book Mountain in comparison were likely only Yujing Mountain, Heavenly Punishment Cliff, and Mount Sumeru.
In name and in influence, it had few equals in all the world.
If Jiang Wang could stand foremost atop Book Mountain today, it would be an achievement no less grand than the Original Heavenly God leaping about Yujing Mountain—
Though of course, perhaps no one considered that a grand achievement.
Yan Sheng had arrived at the edge of the tree platform early. Bai Gexiao, Yao Fu, Chen Pu, and the others entered one after another. Before long, Zen Master Zhaowu, Fuyunqin, and others came in as well... all somewhat silent.
Whether close to him or not, seeing the morning sun stretch across the sky, none could