In the Heaven Dou Royal Academy's Back Mountain, bamboo forest.
Chen Xuan took two friends through it. If he hadn't led the way, Zhou Qiubai would never have imagined that such a unique world was hidden in this remote bamboo forest.
When they reached the end of the bamboo forest, Xie Ru, in a plain Confucian shirt, was sitting on the bluestone, leisurely making tea.
"Here you are? Sit down." He raised his head, glanced at the two of them lightly, spoke in a gentle tone, and pushed two cups of tea over without asking them what their purpose was.
Zhou Qiubai took it and drank it in one gulp.
Next to him, Yang Guyun also picked up his teacup and took a sip.
Xie Ru looked at the falling bamboo leaves and suddenly said, "Do you know why I called you?"
Zhou Qiubai was stunned for a moment, then shook his head.
Xie Ru did not respond immediately, but just added a lump of charcoal to the stove.
Zhou Qiubai hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Senior, I heard that the rules of the competition have changed. As long as the academy accepts you, you can participate. This rule has not changed for thousands of years, how could it suddenly change?"
"I suggested it to Your Majesty." Xie Ru's tone was still calm.
Zhou Qiubai and Yang Guyun looked at each other and were both shocked.
"I have been wandering around Back Mountain these years, and I occasionally think about whether this rule is too rigid. Soul Master Tournament is supposed to be a stage for talents from all over the world to show themselves, but it has to have an academic background. Those who don't want to Bound Rogue Cultivator, should those young people who are unable to enter the academy because of their poor family background be blocked?" There was a hint of emotion in his tone, and he continued, "The world is so big that the voices of the sect's children should not be the only ones."
Although it is said that the children of sects and nobles have inherent advantages, what if those Rogue Cultivator are given the opportunity to soar into the sky?
Innate Soul Power determines talent, but it is difficult to guarantee that some unexpected situations will not happen the day after tomorrow.
Zhou Qiubai Silence.
Indeed, many amazingly talented people often come out of nowhere.
However...
In this world, without an academic background, you are not even qualified to stand on the stage.
"But..." Xie Ru's tone changed, "I didn't expect Spirit Hall to agree."
Zhou Qiubai was shocked. "Spirit Hall agreed?"
Xie Ru nodded and finally turned his eyes to him. "This is the problem. Spirit Hall has always been strong. Logically speaking, they should oppose this change in rules. After all, the more Rogue Cultivator there are, the harder it is to control, and they will only agree to things that the two empires disagree with. But this time, Bibi Dong nodded."
Yang Guyun suddenly said, "What does she want to do?"
Xie Ru did not answer directly.
Zhou Qiubai was keenly aware of the flash of deep thought in his eyes.
"I have no objection to the Spirit Hall's unification of the continent." Xie Ru said slowly, "The change of dynasties, the change of ownership of the country, is a cycle of heaven. If there can be less killing and more stability, then whoever sits on the throne is actually the same to me."
"But Bibi Dong..." Xie Ru's voice revealed a hint of unnoticeable worry, "I met her once. She was young at that time, and she followed Qian Xunji. There was light in her eyes, but when we met again, the light disappeared without a trace, leaving only a... crazy aura."
"That kind of madness is not pure ambition, but a kind of obsession." Xie Ru turned to look at him, "A person who is too obsessed has no bottom line in doing things. If she really wins the world, it will be a bloody storm."
The bamboo leaves fell gently and landed on the lid of the teapot, making a slight sound.
Zhou Qiubai suddenly realized something.
Xie Ru's push to change the rules may not just be to give Rogue Cultivator a chance to compete. He is planting a seed for this world that is about to be turbulent.
Let more people with no roots and no background have the opportunity to stand in the spotlight, be seen, and even become a force that cannot be ignored in the storms of the future.
This is not mercy, but a well-thought-out arrangement.
"Senior asked us to come~" Zhou Qiubai said carefully, "It's not just to tell us this, right?"
Xie Ru smiled slightly, a hint of approval flashed in his eyes.
It really saves trouble to talk to smart people.
"If you want to participate, I can make the decision and give you the quota of Heaven Dou Second Team." Xie Ru easily picked up the tea cup and gently blew away the floating leaves, "Second Team group of children, The strongest one is only Soul Elder. When you were Soul Elder, you could beat Soul Emperor, but now you are Soul Ancestor, and they are no match for you."
Zhou Qiubai raised his eyebrows. "Is it that simple?"
"Easy?" Xie Ru smiled, with a faint smile, "You have to conquer them."
Yang Guyun frowned. "Conquer?"
Xie Ru nodded. "Second Team Those seven people are children of the nobility. Some of their fathers were officials in the government, some led troops in wars, and some ran businesses. Although these children are naughty, they have been waiting for this opportunity for a long time - Soul Master Tournament comes once every five years. If you miss it, you will never have the chance again."
Even though he opened up the academy and even promoted the development of the academy, over the years, some of the innate advantages of the nobility could not be ignored.
But it's also good. The seven people are different from the original text. They are basically all children from poor families, and they are not so arrogant and domineering.
Zhou Qiubai was silent, he understood what Xie Ru meant.
These aristocratic children may have mediocre talents, or they may just want to compete with their parents, or they may just want to prove that they are not just useless people who only know how to eat, drink and have fun.
They have been waiting for this opportunity, perhaps for many years.
Now, two outsiders suddenly appeared and wanted to steal their places...
"It's natural to be dissatisfied." Zhou Qiubai said.
Xie Ru nodded. "So I'll give you a chance to choose. Either you find a way to find another college, or you can defeat them openly and win this place. I won't interfere with how you do it."
He paused, looked into the distance, and said with a hint of farness in his tone, "Just like back then, I chose to open Heaven Dou Royal Academy to give students all over the world a chance to choose. Whether they come or not is their business, what they learn is their business, and what path they take in the future is their business. I am only responsible for opening the door."
Zhou Qiubai listened quietly. At this moment, he seemed to understand what the old man in front of him was thinking.
Not every strong person wants to be a savior.
Some people just leave an extra path for those who come after them wherever they can.
As for whether you can walk or not, and how well you walk, that is up to others.
He couldn't help but think of the vague Sword Intent in Chen Xuan. The disciples he taught were all unfathomable, so what about himself?
Zhou Qiubai couldn't help but look at Xie Ru.
Xie Ru seemed to notice his gaze and suddenly smiled, "Want to try?"
Zhou Qiubai was stunned and quickly shook his head. "Senior, don't be joking, I know myself well."
Fight him?
He wanted to fight, but not to die.
Xie Ru smiled deeper, "What self-knowledge?"
"I want to live a few more years." Zhou Qiubai said seriously.
Yang Guyun rarely interrupted, "He really wants to try, but he doesn't dare."
Zhou Qiubai glared at him. "If you don't speak, no one will think you are mute."
Yang Guyun expressionless. "I'm just stating the facts."