Was It Too Utilitarian?

"What a powerful force."

On the flying boat, Qin Jiuxiao looked down, his expression one of shock.

"The Myriad Laws Academy, one of the top powers in Central Province, boasts a long history and occupies the largest area among all the top powers."

Mo Gen spoke up.

When the two had rested enough, they prepared to set off for the Myriad Laws Academy.

In fact, the two are no longer considered to be from the same school.

However, in terms of experience, the two were both in the same boat, and their feelings of being abandoned were so similar that they felt a sense of kinship and decided to travel together.

As a local from the South Island Province, I naturally understand the importance of this Law Contemplation Gathering and am quite familiar with it.

Soon, the airship began to descend.

Mo Gen spoke up:

"We arrived quite late, and unless we have a lot of Heavenly Treasure Points, it's extremely difficult to find a suitable place to stay."

"Let's find some affordable accommodation and wait for the Law Contemplation Gathering begin."

Qin Jiuxiao had no objection to Mo Gen's arrangements.

Soon, Mo Gen became adept at finding his way to a more secluded location.

Myriad Laws Library.

Xiao Ye in one place.

He sat Jingjing, with a large number of books laid out on the table in front of him.

His condition was not much different from usual.

Sitting is a form of spiritual practice; observing is a form of enlightenment.

The selections he made included spells related to lightning magic, as well as many things related to knowledge and experience.

In addition, to increase speed, Xiao Ye would occasionally take out a Dao Comprehension Tea Leaves Egg containing sealed energy and put it in his mouth to accelerate his comprehension.

My time at the Myriad Laws Academy is limited, so what I need to do is cherish my time and improve myself as much as possible.

Looking back on the trust Master had placed in me, it would be a lie to say I felt no pressure.

My senior brother trusted me so much, but only I knew that I wasn't as capable as they thought.

The overall atmosphere of Myriad Laws Library is quite similar to that of Nanning, creating a stark contrast with the hustle and bustle outside.

However, not many people lingered in this specially designated reading area.

Most people just come here for the excitement and to see something new.

After all, there are many more interesting things out there, and there's no need to waste too much time and energy in this kind of place.

Unless, of course, there is something here that is valuable enough to them to warrant their involvement.

However, for the vast majority of people, these things alone are not enough to justify this value.

Time flies.

Xiao Ye paused for a moment, stretched his body, got up, picked up the books on the table, and walked towards the bookshelf.

At this moment, a young man quickly approached from the side, keeping pace with him, and said:

"May I ask your surname, sir?"

Xiao Ye slowed his pace slightly, glanced at the other person, and said:

Kong Mu.

"Is there something you need, sir?"

"Kong Mu, a nice name."

The boy smiled and said:

My name is Shen Zhiyi.

"Nothing much, it's just that I was watching Brother Kong reading and became curious, so I thought I'd like to get to know him."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ye seemed to have thought of something, and shook his head with a smile:

"Is it because I was watching and eating at the same time?"

Shen Zhiyi nodded and smiled:

"Brother Kong is indeed engrossed in his meal; such a state of being so absorbed that he forgets to eat and sleep is truly something I, Shen, envy."

Xiao Ye smiled, gestured to the scroll in his hand, and said:

Knowledge can enrich the mind, but even the richest mind still needs a full stomach.

I wholeheartedly agree with what Brother Kong said.

Shen Zhiyi nodded in deep agreement, then suddenly changed the subject and asked:

"I have a question, and I wonder if Brother Kong could answer it for me?"

"To say I can provide answers is to overestimate my abilities," Xiao Ye shook his head.

"Please speak, Brother Shen."

Shen Zhiyi nodded, looked at Xiao Ye, and said:

"Brother Kong, what do you think is the significance of reading?"

Xiao Ye was slightly taken aback. "Brother Shen, that's quite a big question."

"Then let's talk about something smaller."

Shen Zhiyi:

"Brother Kong, what is your purpose in reading?"

That is indeed a good question.

Xiao Ye pondered for a moment and said:

"If we're talking about the most important thing, it's naturally for cultivation and to improve one's strength."

"Is it also for spiritual practice?"

Shen Zhiyi's expression changed slightly, and then he said:

"No offense intended, Brother Kong, but do you think that this approach to reading makes it seem too utilitarian?"

"Indeed."

Xiao Ye nodded:

But there's nothing we can do about it.

"There's nothing we can do about it?"

Shen Zhiyi was puzzled:

"The usefulness of reading depends on the reader, so why use 'there's no way' as an excuse?"

Looking at Shen Zhiyi, Xiao Ye had a general idea of what the other party was planning.

Normally, or on other issues, he might not discuss them with others, but on this particular topic, he did have his own opinion, and given that he had a good impression of the other person, he said:

"Brother Shen, have you ever been to the mortal world?"

Shen Zhiyi shook his head. "What do you mean?"

Xiao Ye said:

"In this world, there are many people of ordinary backgrounds who learn to play musical instruments and dance from a young age. Among them, there are many who are deeply passionate about the art of music. However, most of them often have to find a way to make a living by using their skills in music and dance."

"In this world, there are many people from well-off families who also learn to play musical instruments and dance, but they don't need to consider how to please others or make a living, nor are they bound by the need to improve their strength. They do it simply because they like it, without any other intention. What Brother Shen values must be this latter kind, right?"

After Xiao Ye finished speaking, he looked at Shen Zhiyi.

The Xiao Clan he belonged to was merely a weak force within the sphere of influence of the Cloud Heaven Holy Land, but below them, there were even more people at the bottom, whose lives he had come into contact with.

Reading can be replaced not only with music and dance, but also with many, many other things.

Ordinary people, if they have no interest, does it mean they don't want it?

"Cannot have" is clearly more important than "Do not want to have".

Some circumstances and conditions, once established, cannot be ignored at will.

Reading itself can indeed bring him pleasure, but if he were only in the Xiao Clan, as an elder or head of the family, he would inevitably be disturbed by those family affairs.

However, if he could stay at Hidden Origin Peak without feeling guilty, relying entirely on his master's protection, he could also do so solely for the sake of reading.

But that's clearly impossible, unless one is truly strong enough.

Xiao Ye didn't explicitly say these things, but he believed that the other party was capable of thinking of them.

If the other party can't figure it out, then there's no need for him to continue talking to them.

Kong Zhiyi's face showed a clear expression of deep thought, and he remained silent for a long time.

Suddenly, he bowed solemnly to Xiao Ye and said:

"It is I, Shen, who know more than I do, and I thank Brother Kong for his guidance today, from which I have benefited greatly."

As he spoke, he took out a golden Heavenly Guest Token, his expression quite excited, and said:

"It's late, but it's still okay to eat. Come on, let me treat you to dinner."