Heavenly Principle as One, a Life-Nature Catalyst!

The Central Plains has been a land of etiquette since ancient times, and there are specific rules and regulations for welcoming and sending off guests, which cannot be ambiguous in the slightest.

Just like now, Qiu Yan saw students and servants from the academy coming out to greet him, which was enough to show that they valued it. However, in the eyes of those who knew the situation, such as Zhen Zhizuo, Chen Jing, and Lin Jue, they could see the problem.

It turns out that this small ceremony to welcome a scholar, though not as grand or Middle Ceremony, still had a complete process. Zhen Zhizuo and others brought Qiu Yan over, and according to custom, Zhang Huazhang, as the person in charge, was to stand on the right side of the door and invite Qiu Yan to enter the courtyard through the left side of the door.

These seemingly insignificant details are actually a form of refinement, reflecting respect for the visitor, and are gradually becoming customary.

In ancient times, when scholars met, they would present a "zhi," which was a gift. Ordinary scholars would present a pheasant, lower-ranking officials would present a goose, and higher-ranking officials would present a lamb. Poultry and their blood were not precious items, but they had different meanings. Moreover, there were also different interpretations for presenting and declining gifts.

For example, today, Zhang Huazhang was unable to leave his post and sent others to greet him. At first glance, this seemed to show more sincerity, but He Shuchang and Qiu Yan were both scholars who were brought here by others. However, the fact that he favored one over the other will surely cause Qiu Yan resentment if he finds out in the future.

Sincerity is about attitude, not the value of a gift. If you can't even observe proper etiquette, how can you expect to respect others?

These thoughts flashed through Zhen Zhizuo's mind. Knowing the root cause was Zhang Huazhang's contempt for those from poor families, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly. He then asked, "Why did He Shuchang Heavenly Principle Debate? Didn't he greet you politely?"

The so-called "Heavenly Principle Debate" was actually a kind of test. "Heavenly Principles" refers to the "Heavenly Principle Pavilion" in the Principle Sect Academy, while "debating the Way" means that one person faces several Principle Sect students and debates with each other to verify their own learning.

Even if this measure was intended to allow students in the academy to exchange what they had learned, it was also intended for those students who were not famous but were confident in their knowledge. The academy had a large number of students, and the teachers could not attend to everyone. Therefore, students were encouraged to showcase their knowledge, so that they could not only gain fame but also improve their status and gain attention.

Furthermore, those who can discuss Daoist principles at the Heavenly Principle Pavilion are not limited to students of the Principle Sect Academy; outsiders are also welcome to participate.

However, since He Shuchang was Middle Ceremony and was already highly regarded by Zhang Huazhang, he enjoyed privileges that were difficult for ordinary people to attain from the moment he stepped into the Principle Sect Academy. So why bother with the Heavenly Principle Debate?

The scholar in charge of welcoming them said, "He Shuchang is no ordinary man. He is naturally arrogant and comes from the He Family in Jiangnan. However, he is exceptionally learned. This time, someone mocked him, saying that his current position was mainly due to his family background. In a fit of anger, he went directly to the Heavenly Principle Pavilion!"

As the scholar spoke, a hint of admiration appeared on his face, clearly showing his respect for He Shuchang.

"Oh? Is that so?" Zhen Zhizuo asked again, "How could a debate between students possibly disturb the Huazhang?"

The scholar looked troubled, glanced at Qiu Yan and Lin Jue, and whispered, "The two scholars from humble backgrounds offended He Shuchang. He Shuchang challenged the debate, but it alarmed Tao Shi and Lin Xing, which caused the commotion! That's why Huazhang went over to preside over the debate."

"Tao Shi, Lin Xing? I see. Then they are indeed difficult to appease..." Zhen Zhizuo sighed.

At this moment, Qiu Yan also learned the general outline from Chen Jing and became familiar with the person of He Shuchang. He stepped forward and said, "Brother Zhen, as the saying goes, it's better to arrive at the right time than to arrive early. It's rare to have such a talented scholar from Jiangnan discussing philosophy. Let's go and witness it, and also see the demeanor of the Principle Sect."

Upon hearing this, Zhen Zhizuo looked around, hesitated for a moment, and knowing it wouldn't be good to refuse, he had no choice but to agree.

The Confucian scholar who came to greet Qiu Yan looked at him with a hint of surprise, but said nothing and proceeded according to etiquette.

Before long, the group entered the academy.

This was Qiu Yan's first time entering a Confucian academy, so he couldn't help but take a few extra glances. Chen Jing, who was standing next to him, took the opportunity to introduce the place.

Although it is called an academy, it is actually more than a manor. It covers an area of 100 acres, with mountains and water, pavilions and terraces, as well as garden paths. You can often see one or two scholars reading books by the roadside.

After walking a few steps, Qiu Yan caught a whiff of ink fragrance and sensed a faint Literary Thought Aura emanating from the surrounding scholars and courtyards.

This Literary Thought Aura permeated everywhere, faintly connecting with the sky.

With a sudden thought, Qiu Yan's eyes flashed with light. He secretly activated the Spirit Eye Art, and instantly, his vision changed, revealing Great Qi. Literary Thought soared to the sky throughout the academy, vast and mighty, all composed of articles, Literary Thought, and ideas, arranged and combined to form principles and advocacies, reaching to the heavens and the earth, as if they could merge into it at any moment and become an Order.

"As expected of Confucianism Great Virtue, it is truly extraordinary, magnificent in scale. Just walking inside, smelling the scent of books, one feels a sense of enlightenment. If one stayed there permanently, one would naturally become even more eager to learn."

While sighing inwardly, Qiu Yan knew that the current situation was not due to this place being some kind of Grotto-Heaven, but rather due to the actions of certain people.

Legend has it that this place was originally the former residence of Teacher Junior Chen and Teacher Chen. He was a recluse, and the place where he lived was quite austere and barren.

Later, the two Chen brothers established an academy, where they taught and lectured, and gradually the place became popular.

Over the past decade or so, Great Prosperity Principle Sect has been very successful, attracting scholars who have gathered here, where their Literary Thought have converged and influenced the surrounding environment.

The students in the academy recited articles and debated knowledge every day, and their Literary Thought Aura became increasingly abundant, seeping into the soil, trees, flowers, birds and insects, subtly influencing and eventually shaping the atmosphere we see today.

"This kind of change seems to be applicable to Divine Path as well."

Lost in thought, Qiu Yan's attention was gradually drawn to an attic.

That pavilion constantly emitted surging waves, causing the surrounding Literary Thought to ripple.

"It seems that this is the Heavenly Principle Pavilion. This surge of energy is the clash and confrontation of ideas."

Sure enough, Zhen Zhizuo led Qiu Yan and the others to the building. The first thing that caught their eye was the plaque above the door, which bore two characters—

Heavenly Principle!

These two words gave Qiu Yan the illusion that they were originally one word, and even that they were one with the surrounding scenery, the pavilion, the ground, and the sky!

"A seamless whole?"

Sensing the essence of the words, a sentence suddenly popped into Qiu Yan's mind—

"The benevolent person regards heaven and earth and all things as one, for none of them are not themselves."

Qiu Yan saw this saying in Senior Chen's works. It speaks of viewing all things in heaven and earth as extensions of oneself, that every part is oneself, and treating external things as one would one's own flesh and blood. This is "benevolence".

Zhang Yu and Liu Kuang, entrusted by Zhen Zhizuo, brought Qiu Yan many books on the Principle Sect school. Qiu Yan, of course, did not stand on ceremony and put them all into the Earthly Soul Bookshelf for study and accumulation.

At this moment, upon seeing these two words and feeling their spirit, a sudden insight from his Earthly Soul gave him a glimpse into the connection between humanity and all things.

Shock!

The next moment, a Soul Shadow manifested within the flesh and blood!

The Seven Souls, the Heaven-Rushing Soul!

Although the Soul Shadow appeared, it was elusive and not as solid as the previous six Soul Shadow; rather, it was illusory and fleeting, as if it were just a hallucination!

"Hmm? The flowers you plant with care may not bloom, but the willows you plant without intention may thrive! This is Life-Nature Catalyst!" Qiu Yan's heart tightened, and he tried to intercept the Heaven-Rushing Soul by circulating his energy, but his energy passed by in a flash, as if the soul did not exist.

Just then, Chen Jing's urging voice came from the side—

"Brother Qiu? What's wrong? Aren't you going inside?"

Startled back to reality by the voice, Qiu Yan smiled apologetically and turned to see Zhen Zhizuo by the door, talking to someone.

"The name Heavenly Principle Pavilion sounds nice, but it's really just a place for arguing." Chen Jing scoffed and walked forward with Qiu Yan, while Lin Jue followed silently behind. As for Hu Qi and Dai Guo, they couldn't come along and were led to rest.

Upon entering the Heavenly Principle Pavilion, Qiu Yan immediately sensed an unusual atmosphere.

The interior is spacious and airy, with good ventilation from all sides, allowing sunlight to stream in unobstructed and scatter into every corner of the room.

A large number of people had gathered in the hall; a quick glance revealed at least thirty or forty. They remained silent, and the commotion of Qiu Yan and his group entering did not Soul Split a single person.

Everyone sat upright, their shoulders and necks still, their eyes intently staring straight ahead.

At the end of everyone's line of sight, two groups of people sat facing each other. One group consisted of a man and a woman. The man was handsome, and the woman was beautiful. Both were dressed in extraordinary clothes, clearly indicating that they were not from ordinary families.

The man, in particular, had a handsome face, a refined demeanor, and an air of composure and scholarly elegance. He wore a smile on his lips, and although he was debating with someone, he showed no trace of worldly irritation.

Opposite the two sat seven Confucian scholars, dressed simply and with unremarkable appearances. Each of them exuded Literary Thought Aura, though it seemed somewhat scattered. One of them was speaking, his words slightly incoherent.

Tea and fruit were laid out in front of him, simple and elegant.

A man sat at the head of the table, wearing a wide-sleeved robe, his eyes slightly narrowed, silent, as if deep in thought.

This person was Zhang Huazhang.

After finding a seat, Qiu Yan also looked up. His senses detected unusual auras from both sides, as if unseen swords and shadows filled the center, like two armies clashing. However, the side with more people seemed to be in disarray and losing momentum.

"That's He Shuchang," Chen Jing whispered beside him.

Needless to say, the handsome and extraordinary man was none other than He Shuchang from Jiangnan. As for the woman sitting next to him, Chen Jing also mentioned her background. She was the granddaughter of the old prime minister Cai Huai, named Cai Ying. Over the years, she had admired the academy's reputation and often came to ask for teachings. However, before Chen Jing left, He Shuchang had not yet entered the academy, so he did not know why the two of them were sitting together.

Just then, as the seven had finished speaking, He Shuchang shook his head and sighed, glancing at them with pity. He said slowly, "I have often heard that scholars from humble backgrounds, after achieving success, often become insatiable in their desires to compensate for their childhood poverty. This is actually the manifestation of Human Desires, which are difficult to avoid even if one understands the classics. Only the Heavenly Principle can suppress them. As the Heavenly Principle advance, Human Desires retreat, pressing closer and closer until Human Desires are extinguished!"

Trembling!

After these words were spoken, the Literary Thought of those inside and outside the attic stirred.

At the same time, Qiu Yan felt a jolt in his heart. The Heaven-Rushing Soul that had finally manifested was showing signs of disappearing. He immediately frowned, pondering He Shuchang's words, and felt a sense of rejection from his own Dao!

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