Seeing Only Today's Fame, How Could One Know Tomorrow's Fruits?

"Both Quanyou Academy and Void Academy have high hopes for this person?" Huazhang was surprised to hear this. "Quanyou Academy is alright, but Void Academy is now a well-known school of thought. Why would they have high hopes for Qiu Yan?"

"Indeed," Zhen Zhizuo nodded. "When I went there this time, I spoke with Qiu Yan for a few words and then ran into Qi Jiulian. Qiu Yan wrote a few words on the spot, which already contained the rudiments of Literary Heart, with a kind of charm and spirit, similar to the Grand Void Learning. However, this person only comprehended it from Qi Jiulian's words. Do you think such comprehension is worthy of our welcome?"

"Oh? Is that so?" Huazhang was surprised upon hearing Zhen Zhizuo's words. "If that's true, then we should indeed send someone to welcome him. However, judging from his actions, he's always purposeful and calculating. It's hard to say he hasn't been studying this beforehand and is deliberately showing off when he sees you. Besides, such a Middle Ceremony welcome is indeed excessive. A smaller gift would be more appropriate."

Zhen Zhizuo frowned. "A small gift? That's inappropriate! We'll greet He Shuchang with Middle Ceremony gift, but treat Qiu Yan with a small one. It's bound to seem disrespectful. I've read He Shuchang He's articles, and they're not necessarily better than Qiu Yan's. Moreover, his Literary Heart is lacking. In this respect alone, he's even inferior to Qiu Yan. How can we treat them differently? We should treat them equally."

Huazhang smiled and shook his head, saying, "Zhi Zuo, you're confused. How can Qiu Yan be compared to He Shuchang? He Shuchang comes from a scholarly family and his reputation spans the country, while Qiu Yan comes from a poor family and his reputation is limited to Jiannan. Even if he seems talented now, it's just an appearance; he lacks real substance."

Zhen Zhizuo felt somewhat displeased upon hearing this. The Huazhang in front of him, whose full name was Zhang Huazhang, was a student of Senior Chen and was now showing signs of taking control of the entire academy. Therefore, Zhen Zhizuo had come to discuss this matter with him as soon as he returned, but the current situation was not going smoothly.

In fact, Zhen Zhizuo also understood that if it weren't for the comparison with He Shuchang, Zhang Huazhang might have agreed with his proposal. Unfortunately, this man had always looked up to aristocratic Aristocratic Clan and held prejudices against scholars from humble backgrounds, which were not obvious at ordinary times. But at times like this, when the two were compared, they would become apparent.

Although Zhen Zhizuo also came from a prominent Aristocratic Clan, he was not a direct descendant, so he didn't value these distinctions. He simply emphasized, "Don't forget what our two teachers taught us: education should be for all, regardless of the Aristocratic Clan class. There's no distinction between noble and poor families. Moreover, it's not easy for scholars from poor families to pursue their studies. If their learning can rival that of scions of the Aristocratic Clan, doesn't that further demonstrate their talent? Besides, although Qiu Yan's reputation is currently limited to Shu Region, who knows if he won't become famous throughout the land in the future?"

Zhang Huazhang shook his head again. "That He Shuchang from a family steeped in poetry and literature! In terms of background, he far surpasses Qiu Yan, a scholar from a poor family. His virtue and talent are also far superior. If we treat him as an equal, it will only make him resentful, which will not be conducive to the spread of the Neo -Principle Sect Learning of thought in the future."

When he spoke, he specifically emphasized the phrase "passing down poetry and books through generations".

What is meant by passing down poetry and books through generations?

Poetry, including poems, lyrics, and songs, also represents knowledge and wisdom;

Books, in this context, refer to a collection of books, which serve as a vehicle for disseminating wisdom and written language. The more books one possesses, the deeper one's cultural background.

In this world, due to limitations in printing technology, the circulation of books was greatly restricted. Woodblock printing was difficult, and the printed books were very expensive, often only affordable to the Aristocratic Clan families.

Scholars from humble backgrounds who wished to pursue their studies were initially limited by the availability of books. While they searched for, copied, and memorized texts, the scions of the Aristocratic Clan families could easily find what they needed in their family Book Repository and read without restriction. The difference in time spent alone gave the children of the Aristocratic Clan families more time to read, not to mention the other benefits brought by the wealth and connections of these Aristocratic Clan.

To a certain extent, Aristocratic Clan monopolized a portion of knowledge, and many precious books did not circulate among the general public, but only within the Aristocratic Clan circles.

It is extremely difficult for a scholar from a poor family to surpass the sons of the Aristocratic Clan.

In fact, this is also the significance of the academy school: to give children from humble backgrounds an opportunity to study. However, in recent years, the academic competition between the academies has become more obvious and intense. When recruiting students, each academy will also be selective, no longer simply for teaching and nurturing people, but starting to consider expanding the influence of its doctrines. Aristocratic Clan with extensive connections are naturally the first choice for their children.

Upon hearing Zhang Huazhang's emphasis, Zhen Zhizuo shook his head, knowing that saying anything more would be useless, and got up to take his leave.

Seeing that he had persuaded the other party, Zhang Huazhang stood up to see him off, saying, "After all, there should be some distinction. If this matter causes He Shuchang to be dissatisfied and join another academy, it would be a real loss for us."

Upon hearing this, Zhen Zhizuo couldn't help but say, "It's a loss for our Principle Sect He Shuchang joins another academy, but isn't it the same if Qiu Yan joins another academy?"

Zhang Huazhang nodded and said calmly, "Therefore, Zhizuo, after you rest for a bit, you must set off immediately to bring Qiu Yan here with small gifts. Do not let him have any contact with other academies. Once he comes to the academy and experiences the teachings of the Sage, even if he has any dissatisfaction, he will stay willingly. I believe you understand this very well. Anyone who is devoted to the Sage will eventually be influenced. Besides, there are many talented people in the academy. In time, Qiu Yan will also learn the truth that there are always people better than you."

Zhen Zhizuo shook his head, sighed, and walked out the door.

"For now, this is the only way."

The thought had barely formed in his mind when he hurriedly went to gather manpower.

While Zhen Zhizuo was gathering people at the Principle Sect Academy, Qiu Yan was in his study receiving two visitors.

Hu Qi and Dai Guo.

Both of them were Life Cultivation individuals in their cultivation, but in Qingchang County, they performed on the streets.

Not long ago, Qiu Yan refined the Soul Shadow, and its Qi and Blood spread far and wide. The two men tried to seize it, but Qiu Yan neutralized and subdued them, then intimidated them before letting them go, which was then reported to the city's Divine Ability beings.

Unexpectedly, upon Qiu Yan's return, the two immediately visited him, making a plea for leniency—

"We two are willing to serve you as our master, young master. We only ask that you protect us and take us back to the heart of the Central Plains."

Looking at the two burly men in front of him, Qiu Yan narrowed his eyes into slits, calculating in his mind.

Hu Qi and Dai Guo possess the cultivation level of the Soul-Refining Realm, far surpassing ordinary martial artists. Wherever they are, they are sought after by others. However, in recent years, they have been content to stay in a small town like Qingchang, making a living by performing arts. This is clearly suspicious.

Based on what the two said, it's not hard to guess that they were attracted by the fact that Qingchang's Divine Path was incomplete and that its location on the frontier made it convenient for hiding.

However, upon his return, Qiu Yan sensed a thin layer of Domain of Law fluctuations within the city, indicating that the Divine Path in Qingchang County had been re-established.

The previous damage was due to the intimidation and destruction caused by the Mountain-Passing Great King. Now that the demon has left, the Divine Path is no longer restricted, and it is not surprising that it has been rebuilt. However, this has caught many Divine Ability individuals hiding here off guard, forcing them to find their own way out.

Thinking of this, Qiu Yan said, "You two are Life Cultivation who have refined Three Souls; you must serve as masters and servants. Any other family would welcome you with open arms..."

Hu Qi and Dai Guo were delighted upon hearing this, thinking Qiu Yan was about to agree. However, Qiu Yan changed his tone and shook his head, saying, "However, if you want my protection, how can I accept it without making it clear? With your skills, you have no choice but to hide in this border region. I am just a scholar. Even if I have some cultivation, I have no power or influence. How can I protect you?"

Upon hearing Qiu Yan's words, Hu Qi and Dai Guo's expressions changed slightly. They exchanged a glance, and Hu Qi and gritted his teeth, saying, "Young master, rest assured. You are now a top scholar, and the Dragon Court's Fortune is upon you. You can protect us, and you need not worry about being implicated by us. We are truly loyal to you, and we will obey your every command in the future!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Qiu Yan stood up, flicked his sleeve, and said, "You two should leave. I cannot help you." Of course, he wouldn't take in the two of them without a clear explanation, leaving himself with a major hidden danger.

Seeing this, Hu Qi and Dai Guo wanted to say more, but when their gazes fell on Qiu Yan's forehead, they could only sigh, bid farewell, and leave.

Watching the two figures disappear into the distance, Qiu Yan fell into deep thought.

"With the resurgence of the Divine Path in Qingchang County, many cultivators who have been hiding here will leave, making the city much more peaceful. There will probably be quite a few like Hu Qi and Dai Guo. However, these two came to me, willing to become my slaves. Their motives are not pure. If I agree without a clear explanation, it will inevitably cause complications."

As he pondered, he shook his head, sat down in a chair, and began to meditate, focusing his mind and senses. The Unseen and mysterious feeling washed over him.

Raising his hand, Qiu Yan touched his forehead, where there was a faint blood-red mark. But as soon as his finger touched it, the flesh writhed, and the mark disappeared, hidden away.

Just now, before Hu Qi and Dai Guo entered, Qiu Yan took the opportunity to organize his thoughts and redirected the energy that permeated his entire body inward. With his energy and thoughts combined, his mind and spirit soared, and he refined his Six Souls in one fell swoop!

Wisdom Soul, a line appears between the brows!

This soul is different from the previous ones. It begins to involve the mind. Once a normal cultivator refines this soul, he can achieve profound martial arts, continuously improve his memory and reaction speed, and become more and more sensitive. On a whim, he can even vaguely predict good or bad fortune.

If one is a demon, refining the Wisdom Soul can enhance one's wisdom and understanding, bringing one to the level of an ordinary person's mind.

But Qiu Yan discovered a problem in this.

"After the Wisdom Soul is refined, a communication channel is established between the Soul and the Spirit. Referring to Tang Lai's Upper Spirit Three-Turn Art, it is not difficult to guess that once the Life-and-Nature Realm advances further and Unity Return enters the stage of Unity and Core Forging, a choice must be made: either to prioritize the nature or to prioritize life. It seems that they cannot go hand in hand..."

As he was thinking, a thought suddenly struck him, and he looked up.

Call!

A surge of Literary Thought Aura descended from the heavens, passed through the roof, and landed directly on him, swirling and lingering!

Suddenly, a feeling of connection to the people and food rose from the bottom of my heart and lingered in my soul.

What's going on?

A surge of insights welled up within him, and one question after another was resolved on its own. However, Qiu Yan's expression changed slightly. He tried to use his soul power to block it, but it was to no avail!

ps:

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