Yang's Discourse on Cultivation, Huang's Scheme

"Oh? It's already a pleasant surprise that Miss Han was able to lead us to Brother Qiu's residence. I didn't expect that you even knew where Huang Yan was. That's truly unexpected."

Yang Ying's gaze fell on Han Wei'er's face, and she said with a smile, "However, I heard that Huang Yan took action in the Literary Pavilion, snatched that calligraphy from you and Gao Song, and then used the Sage's Method to escape from the tower and fled far away. If Miss Han knows where he went, why don't you go there yourself, catch him, and take the item back?"

"Young Master Yang is too kind," Han Wei'er smiled. "Huang Yan is a rebel wanted by the imperial court. How would I know where he is hiding? Besides, as a rebel, he has gathered a large number of vicious thugs under his command. If I, a weak woman, were to go to his door, wouldn't I be like a lamb entering a tiger's den?"

"Miss Han is no weak woman," Yang Ying shook his head, not revealing his true intentions, and then changed the subject, "However, since you don't know Huang Yan's whereabouts, how can you instruct me?"

"Although I don't know where Huang Yan is hiding, I do know what he's planning and his purpose. Luring him out shouldn't be difficult," Han Wei'er said, completely disregarding An Jin's presence, and directly asked, "Well? Young Master Yang is a reclusive master. If you are truly interested in examining that calligraphy, how about we cooperate..."

Unexpectedly, Yang Ying shook her head and refused. "These are matters that I shouldn't interfere in, nor are they things a young lady should do. I mentioned Huang Yan simply because I had a feeling about him. If fate allows, we will meet again in the future. There's no need to force it."

"I see." Han Wei'er nodded and said no more.

At this moment, An Jin asked, "Young Master Yang, you just said that studying and cultivating are quite similar. Could you elaborate?"

"Hmm? Brother An is interested in this?" Yang Ying was slightly surprised, then nodded. "In that case, I'll make a fool of myself by showing off my skills."

I would like to hear the details.

Yang Ying hesitated for a moment, as if organizing his thoughts, before finally saying, "Miss Han said that Brother Qiu's calligraphy was the result of Heavenly Timing, Earthly Advantage, and Human Harmony, location, and human harmony. In fact, on the path of cultivation, the same Heavenly Timing, Earthly Advantage, and Human Harmony apply. fortuitous opportunity, cave abode, and lineages are all crucial factors."

"Besides that, there are also distinctions based on Wealth, Companions, Dharma, and Land. Even Divine Ability powers and Cultivation Method have many intricacies, but ultimately it all comes down to the person. Those with good aptitude and a firm will can stand out no matter where they are placed. Such people are more favored by major sects, which gives others the illusion that it is because the sect is good that it can produce outstanding disciples! In reality, it is the presence of enough outstanding disciples that enables a sect to transform."

"As for the relationship between individuals and sects, who ultimately made whom who succeeded? The truth is different from what the outside world says. When cultivators reach a certain age, their emotions become detached, and they gradually become less grateful to their disciples and grandchildren. At most, they will protect the foundation of their sect and not care about anything else. This is also why many sect leaders are not the true masters of their sects."

After Yang Ying finished speaking, the two people beside her fell into deep thought.

After a while, An Jin let out a breath. "Judging from Brother Yang's words, he must be following the path of Divine Ability. However, the principles of the world are eternal and unchanging. Even Divine Ability Daoist Sect must follow them. Conversely, this also applies to the academy..."

As they talked, they finally emerged from the dense forest. The sunlight, shielded by the canopy and leaves, shone on them, dispelling the chill of the Lin Zhong breeze and giving An Jin a feeling of being in another world.

He glanced at the scroll in his hand and stepped forward.

The carriage that brought them here was still waiting in the village ahead.

"I wonder what changes this scroll will bring to Literary Pavilion Appraisal, and whether it will cause a similar stir as the text written on the chessboard..."

What changes will occur with Qiu Yan's painting remains to be seen, and An Jin cannot predict it. However, the calligraphy that caused a great deal of contention among the group, and even left behind on the table, is currently laid out on a stone table.

Seven or eight people were gathered around the table, all staring motionlessly at the calligraphy on it, as if it were a wooden or clay sculpture.

The men were dressed differently. Two of them were wearing Confucian robes and were rather thin; Huang Yan was one of them. The rest were mostly dressed in short clothes and were all tall and strong.

Sudden!

Shock!

The tallest person suddenly trembled. This person was broad-shouldered and burly, wearing a monk's robe, with Tightening Bands, and long hair draped over his shoulders. He was much taller than everyone else present.

His body jolted, the force flowing through him, his muscles and bones trembling, and the rocky ground beneath his feet shattered, his soles sinking in!

Crash! Crash! Crash!

The next moment, a sound came from his body, like the sound of a wooden stick being driven into a pile, which startled the others. They looked in the direction of the sound and saw the strange appearance of the tall man. They were stunned at first, but then they understood and silently took a step back without saying a word.

A few breaths later, the tall man's flesh and bones began to throb, his body trembled more and more frequently, and his aura rapidly increased. The surrounding air was affected and swirled, the temperature rose, and an invisible heat spread in all directions, forcing the others to continue to retreat!

A burst of heat, swirling and swirling around the tall man, vaguely transforming into the head of a fierce tiger, then soaring into the sky with a roar from the man!

Whoosh!

The stone table, originally standing in the pavilion on the mountain, surrounded by grass and branches, was carried and swept up by the hot air currents that resembled a fierce tiger, and flew towards the sky.

Broken branches and leaves fell down, as if a rain of leaves was falling.

The tall man took a deep breath, his chest bulging, then forcefully pressed it down.

Crackling! Crackling!

His muscles made a crisp sound that sent chills down one's spine. Each muscle bulged slightly, and his already astonishing height seemed to increase a few inches!

Once Ye Yu calmed down and the strange phenomena on this person ceased, several congratulatory voices could be heard from the surrounding area.

"Congratulations on your great progress, traveler!"

"Congratulations, Tiger Walker! From this day forward, your Central Pivot remains unmoved, and your power originates from your heart!"

"Tiger Walker gained this fortuitous opportunity through reading the text; we are truly envious!"

However, the few people who had been forced to retreat by the heat returned and all bowed in congratulations.

The one known as "Tiger Walker" was a tall man whose flesh and bones trembled. He had thick eyebrows and big eyes, and a dignified appearance. With his tall stature, he was truly awe-inspiring.

Seeing everyone approach, he returned the greeting with a smile and said, "My luck has finally turned. I thought I would be stuck at the Heroic Soul level for several years, but when I read that great sage's article, I gleaned some martial arts principles from the ink and brush. My muscles and bones resonated with it, and I unknowingly gained enlightenment. That's how I advanced in one fell swoop, without my Central Pivot remaining unmoved. This is not my own ability, but the skill of Mr. Qiu, who wrote the article!"

His voice was exceptionally loud; the moment he spoke, the dust on the ground seemed to vibrate and tremble.

Those around them nodded in agreement. They too had been staring at the article for a long time, and each had gained many insights. If Tiger Walker hadn't suddenly advanced, interrupting their thoughts, things might have changed even more.

Suddenly, someone exclaimed, "Oh no! I wonder if the chessboard is damaged!"

At this person's shout, the others came to their senses. Tiger Walker's advancement had been sudden, and the others retreated one after another. Various strange phenomena appeared around them, even affecting the flowers, plants, and leaves. They didn't know what had happened to the chessboard that was so close by.

The chessboard itself is not valuable; what is valuable is the writing on it, which cannot be lost.

This caused even the Tiger Walker, whose skills had just greatly improved, to change his expression drastically.

Huang Yan reacted the fastest, rushing to the stone table in two strides. After taking a closer look, he immediately felt relieved, as the chessboard was still laid out on the table, without any change.

"Strange, with such a strong wind, even the withered grass was uprooted, yet the chessboard wasn't even blown up in one corner. Could it be that the inscription on it suppressed its Fortune?"

The others also gathered around. Another scholar looked at the scene on the table and muttered to himself. This man was somewhat ugly, with a broad, shiny forehead and a sharp chin.

"Brother Niu, you also know about the concept of Fortune?" Huang Yan asked suddenly after hearing this.

The ugly scholar nodded. "My teacher left behind several celestial books, including the Dao of Destiny. Unfortunately, I, Niu Yan Fortune, am too inexperienced to carry it forward. I am contributing it now so that when we arrive in Qi-Lu, it will be incorporated into the Heavenly Gang and Earthly Sha, allowing you brothers to have a good look at it."

"Brother Niu is truly magnanimous, willing to offer such a precious treasure." Tiger Walker approached, nodding emphatically, his gaze also falling on the chessboard, his eyes gleaming. "The inscription on the chessboard is a treasure. I initially thought it was useless, but unexpectedly, it contains hidden martial arts manuals! It will greatly benefit our entire stronghold. This is all thanks to Mr. Huang. I came here specifically to invite you, but now I have such an unexpected gain. It is truly delightful. You are a man of great fortune!"

Huang Yan hesitated for a moment, then said, "Since you're already here, why not take a few more people back with you?"

"Oh? Who else should we bring along?" Tiger Walker's heart stirred.

Huang Yan pointed to the chessboard. "The writings on the chessboard are valuable; how could the person who wrote them let them go?"

"Could it be that you're taking Mr. Qiu away as well?" Tiger Walker's face showed a hint of excitement. "Could it be that you and Mr. Qiu have a past relationship? I've heard about Mr. Qiu's reputation recently. I know he's a talented young man, but he's obsessed with fame and Imperial Examinations and aspires to take the imperial examinations. Is Mr. Huang confident that he can persuade him?"

Huang Yan smiled, looking inscrutable, and said calmly, "I have no connection with Qiu Yan, and I'm not asking you to take him up the mountain, but with a little trickery, making it difficult for him to gain a foothold in Great Rui, it won't be long before he comes up the mountain on his own."

Tiger Walker was overjoyed upon hearing this and immediately pressed for details. "May I ask what your plan is?"

"What's his plan? This Huang Yan is truly a bandit; he's plotting to harm me and then expecting me to be grateful! However, if that article can reach Qi-Lu, that would be a good thing."

In a house next to the temple, Qiu Yan put down his pen, shook his head slightly, and then called Dai Guo in. (To be continued)