Northern Darkness Descends into the Pool, an Idiom Spreads Its Name

"Presumptuous!"

No sooner had Qiu Yan finished speaking than Gao Huanhun shouted, his voice full of vigor, which, combined with his square face, gave him a rather authoritative air!

"Brother Gao, don't get agitated. We haven't figured out what really happened yet." At this moment, the man in the wide robe walked over, stopped in front of Gao Huanhun, and looked at Qiu Yan.

But this one look made him feel disoriented. He sensed a powerful aura emanating from Qiu Yan, similar to what he felt when listening to his teacher's lectures. He couldn't help but be surprised.

Not only him, but the others also felt the same way at this moment, and they all showed surprise and took a slight step back.

"No need for playing the good cop/bad cop. I have no interest in getting entangled with you. Gao Huanhun, since you call yourself a young marquis, you must be from a noble family. But Great Rui is not the previous dynasty, and it will not tolerate your insolence. You were reading a book just now, and there was a line that said, 'A person can humbly wander in the world.' This is a quote from the book 'Master Xiaoyao.' I observe that the layout of the Nine Rhyme Academy is quite casual, and it should be based on the teachings of Master Xiaoyao. It's a pity that you only know how to read books but don't know how to apply them!"

As Qiu Yan spoke, he slowly took two steps back, not giving the impression of retreat, but rather like drawing a bow, ready to be released!

As soon as he spoke, the surrounding Order shifted. The Military School Order was as cold and hard as a knife. The method Qiu Yan combined focused on defense. However, the original intention of defense was to accumulate strength and adapt to the enemy. He was quite adept at amplifying his own momentum.

Lin Jianzhang, Gao Huanhun, and the others were swept by the aftershocks of the Force of Order, and immediately felt as if a heavy weight was pressing down on them. Their bodies trembled, and they felt as if they had a fishbone stuck in their throats. Words were running through their minds, but they could not open their mouths.

On the opposite side, Qiu Yan retreated to the edge of the small pond. He continued, "The word 'Xiaoyao' does not mean to act recklessly or unscrupulously, but to pursue spiritual enlightenment and freedom. Xiaoyaozi was born in poverty and lived in embarrassment, but he is still free and easy, composing poems, lecturing, playing the piano and singing. This is the elegance of life, and you live here. It seems to follow your heart, but it is rigid in form, and it has its form but not its spirit!"

Boom!

As he spoke, Qiu Yan lightly stomped his foot, causing the ground to tremble violently. Behind him, water splashed up in dense columns, resembling a water curtain from afar, with fish swimming within it, as if he were in the pond!

This scene, witnessed by those opposite, filled Gao Huanhun and the others with horror. Their pupils reflected the water, which surged and rippled, carrying Heart Demon Fragment that emitted the Five Aggregates and Six Thieves, causing their minds to shift. In an instant, Gao Huanhun and the others were in a daze, unable to distinguish east from west.

Then, Qiu Yan's thoughts shifted, and the Heart Demon Fragment hovered in the air, connecting end to end, rotating into a circle, and condensing into the shadow of Jade Basin.

The Northern Abyss Jade Basin!

Qiu Yan once carried this basin with him. When the Prince Yan stole Literary Thought, he used this Jade Basin to cleanse the Paperweight Literary Thought, which then gathered in the basin and were absorbed.

Later, Qiu Yan, in order to sever the karmic Karma, returned the Jade Basin to Han Wei'er without the slightest reluctance. However, during the days that the basin was with him, he also explored it. Although he could not obtain the treasure's Origin Source and True Intention, he could still glean some of its basic implications.

The term "Northern Darkness" comes from "Master Xiaoyao," and its origin is self-evident. The changes in the basin are unpredictable, and it vaguely has a flavor similar to the Sage Spirit. Qiu Yan did not extract it, but by using it as a reference, one can obtain a profound meaning that is not easily understood from books.

Now, relying on the Heart Demon Fragment that evolve in people's hearts, they are revealed.

The next moment, in Gao Huanhun and the others' eyes, the rising pool water expanded infinitely, spreading outwards and covering the sky, and the fish swimming in the water also grew larger and larger...

" In the Northern Darkness there is a fish, its name is Kun..."

Soon, the group subconsciously began to read aloud from the book.

"Huh?" Chen Jing and Chen Yun were stunned, their faces showing confusion. In their view, Qiu Yan had only taken a few steps back and said a few words, yet Gao Huanhun and the others seemed to have lost their souls, their expressions changing several times, and now they were even speaking unconsciously.

"Could he have gone mad?"

Following their gaze, the two Chen Residence disciples saw only a calm pond with a bright moon reflected on its surface.

"What is going on?"

Confused, the two glanced at Qiu Yan. He remained calm, and noticing their gaze, said, "Don't be surprised. I merely stirred their memories. They are recalling what they've learned, so it's best not to disturb them."

As the words fell, a sentence spoken by the Household Ancestor Chen echoed in Qiu Yan's mind—

"Divine Ability are merely the means by which one interferes with the world. Sometimes it's better to set aside the concept of Divine Ability and focus solely on the human heart."

Chen Yun took a deep breath, frowned, and asked, "These people are now completely distraught. What should we do next? Should we still go see that Master of Nine-Rhyme Studio? His arrogance and overconfidence are truly disappointing. If he sees these people like this, I'm afraid things won't end well."

Qiu Yan shook his head and said, "The art of war says, 'When one speaks humbly and prepares thoroughly, one is ready to advance.' In any attack, one should first feign retreat, intending to advance but pretending to retreat. This Master of Nine-Rhyme Studio's actions are quite in line with this principle. He sent out several students to display arrogance, as if he didn't take me seriously, which is very likely to make me have the wrong impression of him." As he spoke, he looked towards the main house not far away.

The room was brightly lit, and from afar, one could sense an extraordinary Literary Thought residing within, swirling like clouds, gathering and dispersing unpredictably, possessing an air of being unconstrained by worldly rules.

Chen Jing withdrew his gaze and turned to Qiu Yan, saying, "Judging from the current situation, the Master of Nine-Rhyme Studio is determined to oppose you. This knot will probably not be easy to untie. Right now, he is sitting comfortably in his house, while you are blocked in the courtyard. This is to dampen your spirits. The contest has already begun."

He narrowed his eyes and whispered, "At the Heavenly Principle Academy, because of my temperament, I wasn't valued by the Two Chens. But if other schools of thought came to challenge me, I could still observe them. These debates on doctrines and scholarship aren't limited to arguments; every word and action is a competition. Many people even use small things to set up situations, turning them into anecdotes that circulate among the people. Brother Qiu was blocked at the door today. If someone with ulterior motives is pushing behind the scenes, he'll inevitably be described as 'seeking rhyme but unable to see someone.'"

Upon hearing this, Qiu Yan immediately understood the meaning and nodded, saying, "My surname is Qiu. If this 'seeking the rhyme but not finding it' becomes an idiom, then this name and this matter will be frozen in time and passed down to future generations. In the future, anyone who uses this phrase will be subjected to humiliation. It's truly a vicious method!"

"Even if they intended to make things difficult, there was no need to act this way, was there?" Chen Yun looked puzzled. Before the visit, who could have predicted that such a renowned place would harbor such a trap?

Qiu Yan said, "I came here this time to find out what the other party's intentions are. To avoid dragging things out, since he has already used a scheme, I cannot show weakness and exhaust myself. Master of Nine-Rhyme Studio is so carefree, I should find something for him to do."

At this moment, the servant who had opened the door earlier came back again, saying as he walked, "Scholar, my master invites you. Please come with me to the main hall. We can meet you after he finishes writing a piece of calligraphy."

Upon hearing this, Qiu Yan looked at the man with a half-smile, "First, you sent your disciple, implying that I am on the same level as his disciple, and now you're using calligraphy as an excuse." He shook his head, his tone turning to disappointment, "Although there was a prior agreement, my arrival was sudden, and the host was delayed by other matters, which is understandable. If things had been made clear from the beginning, what harm would waiting have been? But now you're acting arrogant at first and obsequiously at the end!"

His words were relatively tactful. After all, Nine Rhyme Study had just mentioned wanting to discuss Daoist principles during the day, but hadn't set a date, only saying they had some questions. Yet, Qiu Yan came to the academy that same day to clarify things, which was normal. However, the academy was making things difficult at every turn and showed no sincerity.

The man's expression changed drastically, and he was about to speak.

Qiu Yan raised his hand and made a grabbing motion. With a "snap," a willow branch flew through the air and landed in his hand. He then swung his arm, and the willow branch moved like a pen, drawing lines on the ground.

This scene left the man bewildered and uncertain.

With a rustling sound, Literary Thought flowed like a spring, pouring into the willow branches, landing on the tips, and imprinting on the ground. Qiu Yan used the branches as a pen, his writing flowing like dragons and phoenixes, but he didn't write words; he drew a picture!

Chen Jing and Chen Yun watched as the painting came into being, from blurry to clear, their expressions shifting from calm to astonishment.

Qiu Yan, oblivious to his surroundings, moved his fingers swiftly, the tip of the willow branch tracing patterns in the mud, sparks Fire Star, stirring up the slight Order and causing ripples.

The ripples of Order, seemingly slow but actually swift, quickly entered the main house.

Inside the main room, an old man in a loose robe was sitting quietly with his eyes closed, waiting silently, but suddenly opened his eyes and frowned.

This person was not young, giving the impression of being old, but his hair and beard were jet black, his face was ruddy, and he was in good spirits.

"Ripples of Order? This Qiu Yan has indeed Thought-Convergent Order. For someone his age to achieve this, he must have had some extraordinary encounters, and he may very well have obtained the Sage Manuscript! This time, I used the hidden story of my nephew's death to stir up a discussion on the Dao, taking advantage of the situation. If I can obtain the Sage Manuscript from him, the establishment of the Sage Worthies Hall will not be far off. At that time, all my knowledge will be passed down for generations..."

This person was none other than the Master of Nine-Rhyme Studio.

As he pondered, a look of surprise appeared in his eyes. "Such a sharp aura. This ripple of Order is incompatible with the moderate and peaceful Confucianism; it must belong to the Military School. So be it. He was expected to visit in the next couple of days, which was part of my calculations. It's a good opportunity to give him a warning and cut off his momentum..."

As Master of Nine-Rhyme Studio was pondering this, his thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps.

Da da da!

Footsteps approached, and the young servant entered, bowing and saying, "Reporting to your master, the top scholar has already left."

"He's gone? He saw through my plan?" Master of Nine-Rhyme Studio raised an eyebrow. "That's right. If he didn't even have that much insight, how could he have achieved what he has today?"

The young man stammered, "However, before he left, he spoke rudely to you, sir, and also..."

Master of Nine-Rhyme Studio interrupted, "Don't beat around the bush. He came all this way and didn't even get to see me. Of course, he has to leave some pleasantries. What else is there?"

"Yes," the man replied, "Several of your students are now distracted, it seems they have been influenced by the thoughts of the top scholar."

"Oh?" Master of Nine-Rhyme Studio narrowed his eyes.

ps:

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This is the first update today; the second update will be around 3 PM.