Think Carefully, Act Resolutely

The old man simply stood there, and his first impression on Qiu Yan was that of an ordinary old man you could see anywhere on the street.

However, a second glance evoked a different feeling. An inexplicable pressure emanated from the person, even penetrating through the Soul Aperture and reaching the divine essence and the Heart Demon Clone, causing the essence to tremble and the Heart Demon to sway!

"Hmm?" Qiu Yan's heart stirred. He gathered his thoughts, calmed his mind, and looked over again. The pressure was gone, but an unusually strong Literary Thought Aura washed over him!

This Literary Thought is profound, subtle, respectful, and solemn, yet it remains unexpressed.

In just a moment, Qiu Yan felt his thoughts being cleansed. Just now, he had focused his Daoheart Fist Intent, and the flow of memories and texts had continuously enriched his heart, connected his thoughts, and straightened his logic. However, there were still some remnants left, which were difficult to completely eliminate. Now, with this surge of Literary Thought, the remnants were gone, his thoughts were clear, and his ideas were shining brightly.

"Wow, amazing! Just by standing there, so many changes occur. The sheer impact on my aura and the Literary Thought is immense! It's as if the text has seeped into my heart, my very bones, my very flesh. Without doing anything, it reveals so much. Truly, the greatest truths are the simplest; every action is imbued with meaning."

As he pondered, a glimmer of light appeared in his heart. The newly established principle of Knowledge and Action became even more refined, giving rise to new insights that were brewing in his mind. So Qiu Yan flicked his sleeves, raised his arms, and bowed, saying, "Thank you for your guidance, Mr. Zhengshu."

When Zhen Zhizuo, who was standing next to Qiu Yan, saw the old man, he was first taken aback. Then he came to his senses and was about to introduce him to Qiu Yan when Qiu Yan took the initiative to express his gratitude.

Mr. Zheng Shu refers to Junior Chen.

"Hmm? I didn't introduce you. Qiu Yan is meeting you for the first time, so how could you recognize me?"

Zhen Zhizuo was puzzled. He knew that the two gentlemen, Da Junior Chen and Xiao Chen, were brothers, equally famous. Others the Essentials someone to point them out to distinguish them. Qiu Yan recognized them directly without any guidance on their first meeting, which was quite surprising.

Unbeknownst to him, Qiu Yan, in that instant, with his three eyes and three senses, cleansed his mind and comprehended the Literary Qi, and discerned the identity of the newcomer from the subtle and respectful Literary Thought sentiment.

Although the concept of "Heavenly Principle" was advocated by Two Chens, there were subtle differences. Junior Chen once said, "The most subtle thing is principle," and also proposed "reverence" as a method of self-cultivation, emphasizing "reverence to straighten the inner self and righteousness to regulate the outer self."

Therefore, upon sensing the Literary Thought sentiment and artistic conception, Qiu Yan was able to discern the identity of the person who had come.

Qiu Yan's keen insight surprised even the seemingly ordinary old man, Junior Chen, who paused slightly. "It seems you have indeed studied the Principle Sect Learning. No wonder you could offer such insights."

At this point, his gaze swept across the faces of Zhang Huazhang, Zhen Zhizuo, and others, finally returning to Qiu Yan: "Just now, in our discussion of the Dao, we used objects to illustrate principles. Even this old man has gained some insights. The mind that perceives principles is the Dao Heart; the mind that perceives desires is the human mind. The human mind is perilous, while the Dao Heart is subtle."

Upon hearing this, Qiu Yan changed.

It's important to understand that Qiu Yan's rebuttal of He Shuchang was actually a clever move. Firstly, He Shuchang had his shortcomings; limited by his knowledge, his arguments were somewhat like a summer insect trying to understand ice. To put it bluntly, he was too idealistic, which Qiu Yan seized upon and relentlessly attacked. If a few more years passed, and He Shuchang made up for his shortcomings, gaining more knowledge and experience, he would naturally achieve Literary Heart.

The second one is the Principle Sect of this world, which is similar to a school of thought that Qiu Yan studied in his previous life.

The school of thought from his previous life, after a thousand years of history, has been interpreted and perfected by several Grand Confucian scholars. Even in the modern era in which he lives, it is still filled with various interpretations, some praising and some criticizing, and has a complete development process. Qiu Yan possesses the Incense Faith and can mobilize his memory and analyze sentences. He can easily extract the sentences from them and use them against his own people.

At present, the Principle Sect Learning in this world seems to be thriving, but it is actually still in its initial stage and many aspects need to be improved. This is also why Principle Sect seeks people with Literary Heart. The inheritance of a doctrine is never the business of one or two people; it often requires several generations to improve and promote it.

Qiu Yan did not expect that his few words in the discussion of the Dao would have moved the old man in front of him to speak. The old man's words, "Human heart is perilous, Dao Heart is subtle," had actually clarified the logic. If he had gone further, he would have developed the concept of "selfish desires" and launched a debate on moral rationality and emotional sensibility, which would have a great promoting effect on the Principle Sect!

Junior Chen was not present at the discussion in the Heavenly Principle Pavilion, but Qiu Yan knew that such a Grand Confucian could discern sparks of thought simply by observing the changes in qi and Literary Thought, as if he could see them with his own eyes.

"Truly worthy of being called a living Sage, his Literary Heart is indeed insightful, able to understand ten things from one! However, the Principle Sect in this world is far too similar to the school of thought in my previous life, only it is still in its early stages and there is a difference in the time. Is this just a coincidence, or is there a deeper reason?"

Such a question was impossible to answer, so it only flashed through Qiu Yan's mind before quickly disappearing.

Then, Junior Chen smiled slightly and said, "I have observed your Literary Thought and your ability to put Knowledge and Action into practice. However, you must be diligent in both pursuing knowledge and putting it into practice. I have some insights into this, and if you are willing, I can share them with you."

These words were spoken in a plain and ordinary tone, like familiar people chatting casually. But to the students around them, it was like a thunderclap from a clear sky! It shook them to their core, and some of the weaker ones even lost their footing and swayed.

This seemingly ordinary sentence implies a willingness to impart all knowledge and skills!

Junior Chen clearly intends to recruit Qiu Yan as his successor!

"Non-Self really misjudged him?"

Upon seeing this scene, Zhang Huazhang's eyelids twitched. Although the person in charge had realized his mistake after Qiu Yan gathered his Literary Heart, he had not expected that Junior Chen would personally come forward to recruit Qiu Yan and make such a promise that would make others envious.

It can be said that as long as Qiu Yan nods, his status will immediately soar, making him one of the top disciples even among the many direct disciples. Relying on the Principle Sect's status in the literary world, Qiu Yan can become famous throughout the world in the shortest amount of time, truly soaring to the top!

"Teacher..." Zhen Zhizuo's lips moved slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he couldn't speak.

Principle Sect valued the relationship between teachers and students above all else; how could a disciple like him dare to question it?

He Shuchang's expression changed several times. Although he had become an apprentice, he had only met Junior Chen three times to date. Twice of those meetings were during public lectures, where he listened to the lectures with other students. The only time he met him alone, he received guidance and encouragement from Qiu Yan would be recruited by Mr. Chen himself!

"Qiu Yan ..." He Shuchang's gaze toward Qiu Yan became increasingly complicated.

First, he defeated himself in a debate, then he achieved Literary Heart, and finally, he attracted Junior Chen to come over in person!

These three things made him feel suffocated, with pent-up frustration that he couldn't relieve, making him feel extremely uncomfortable.

But Qiu Yan's subsequent performance was completely unexpected.

Qiu Yan shook his head and said, "Knowledge is the beginning of action, and action is the completion of knowledge." These words made Junior Chen pause for a moment, then he laughed.

Many students couldn't help but gasp; they could tell that Qiu Yan's words had a hint of verbal confrontation.

"Qiu Yan, be careful what you say!" Zhang Huazhang couldn't help but remind him. The two Mr. Chens were like Sage in their eyes. Although Qiu Yan had cultivated his Literary Heart, he was still relatively inexperienced; how could he be so rash?

But Chen Jing's expression was strange as he watched Qiu Yan's retreating figure.

Junior Chen, however, did not take it to heart. He simply said, "In terms of priority, acquiring Knowing Action first; in terms of importance, putting it into practice should be the most important."

Qiu Yan listened, pondered for a moment, and finally shook his head, saying, "Think carefully, and act diligently." After speaking, he bowed deeply, turned around, and left, giving off an air of having accomplished his task and departing without a trace.

Watching his departing figure, Zhen Zhizuo wanted to call him back, but couldn't speak, while the others wore angry expressions. Junior Chen had come in person, yet Qiu Yan had stormed off, naturally displeasing them.

An opportunity that others would kill for, but Qiu Yan seemed to take it for granted!

"Don't say anything, don't pursue it, we're on different paths." Junior Chen waved his hand and looked at He Shuchang. "Secretary He, you've been here for over a month. I was still waiting, but I didn't expect this discussion to cause you such an early obstacle. However, this isn't necessarily a bad thing. You have good talent, but a smooth path isn't always a good thing."

Upon hearing this, He Shuchang's resentful heart stirred, and he stepped forward, cupping his hands in greeting. "Regarding the matter you have taught me, I was too presumptuous and arrogant before. But fortune and misfortune are intertwined. Through this experience, I have also gained some insights, and I will go out to study tomorrow."

Junior Chen nodded and said, "One should not seek ease, nor shy away from difficulties. Some things must be experienced. One should not be prejudiced, but one should not be too stubborn either. One must know that everything in excess is as bad as deficiency."

As the old man spoke his last sentence, he glanced at Zhang Huazhang, who immediately broke out in a cold sweat and was about to accuse him when Junior Chen unexpectedly changed the subject. "My brother's trip to the capital this time is to seek the Dao. Heavenly Principle are above and in his heart; he must not be complacent."

After saying this, he glanced in the direction Qiu Yan had left, said "What a pity" twice, and then gracefully departed.

The remaining people watched that departing figure, all lost in thought.

Zhang Huazhang felt bitter inside, knowing that he had made a mistake and had pushed a talented person out of the picture.

Zhen Zhizuo also sighed.

"A single wrong decision..."

Meanwhile, Hu Qi and Dai Guo had just settled into their guest room and hadn't even warmed their chairs when Qiu Yan came over, instructing them to pack their bags before they swiftly left the academy.

"Young Master, are we just leaving like this? Didn't you come here to become an academy student?" Dai Guo scratched his head, looking puzzled.

Hu Qi, however, had some thoughts on his mind and quickly said, "Why should we worry about these things? We'll just do whatever the young master says!"

Dai Guo nodded, then looked distressed. "However, we've spent a lot of money on this trip, and we don't have much money left. We can't just keep staying at inns, can we?" As he spoke, his eyes darted around, still savoring the rustic guest rooms of the Principle Sect Academy.

Upon hearing this, Qiu Yan laughed and said, "We came here for the Eastern Capital, so let's visit Eastern Capital."

Hearing Qiu Yan say this, Dai Guo had no choice but to keep quiet. The three of them led their horses forward a few steps, but were soon blocked by a carriage.

A man stood in front of the carriage, dressed in a straight robe, with a tall and upright figure and an impressive demeanor. Upon seeing the three, he stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Is this Yuan Ning? I am Qi Bai, and I have come to greet you on Miss's orders."

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