Jixia Academy, indeed, possessed a peculiar, scattered casualness. Not that its denizens lacked diligence; quite the contrary. The teachers were earnest in their instruction, and the students applied themselves with commendable seriousness.

The ‘scattered casualness’ was a feeling that permeated from within, an intrinsic ease. During lessons, everyone strived with fierce concentration. Yet, before and after class, laughter echoed, a stark contrast to their scholarly pursuits.

Perhaps it was the academy’s secluded nature, rendering external pressures difficult to perceive. The people here were unlike the hurried denizens of Linzi City, who seemed perpetually in a rush, as if fearful of lagging behind in every endeavor.

After departing Gui Tai, Jiang Wang’s next destination was a class on Buddhism. The teacher, whose vulgar name was Yan Chan Yi, primarily expounded upon the *Lotus Sutra* and provided analysis of the Buddha School’s Mahamudra. His lecture was not without merit, yet his face was etched with an enduring bitterness. Cultivating Buddhism in the State of Qi was a path fraught with hardship, it seemed.

Including Jiang Wang, there were only three students in attendance. The other two were native talents of the Academy, a male and a female, who occupied a corner of the classroom. They greeted Jiang Wang’s sudden intrusion with less than welcoming expressions.

Jiang Wang, unperturbed, dedicated himself to the lecture, frequently engaging the teacher in spirited discussion. This sparked great excitement in Yan Chan Yi, who likely suffered from a surfeit of solitary contemplation. Even after the class concluded, he lingered, reluctant to part, repeatedly inquiring if Jiang Wang would return the following day, and the day after that, hinting at the profound Buddhist Dharma he had yet to impart.

The two native students, meanwhile, remained in their corner, exchanging flirtatious glances, their minds clearly far from the lessons. Jiang Wang harbored a nagging doubt about their ability to meet the Academy’s requirements when their service began. The Qi court had invested considerable energy and resources in cultivating them, and it was not for naught. If they failed to qualify for assignments in places like the Technique Institute or the Beast Control Workshop, their fate lay in toiling in minefields or ferocious beast lairs, or perhaps serving as cannon fodder in treacherous realms like the Maze Realm or the Ten Thousand Demons Gate. Of course, this was not Jiang Wang’s concern; each individual had their own path to tread.

While the atmosphere within Jixia Academy was one of freedom, the academic workload was, in fact, quite demanding. Each class lasted approximately two hours, and students typically engaged in three classes from dawn till dusk. Of course, from the Yin hour to the You hour, teachers were constantly lecturing, often with multiple classes running concurrently. The choice of which classes to attend, and how many, rested entirely with the students. However, even the most diligent scholar could attend a maximum of four classes in a single day. The Xu, Hai, Zi, and Chou hours were reserved for personal cultivation or rest.

Today, between the Yin and Mao hours, there were no classes that piqued Jiang Wang’s interest, so he spent the time in self-cultivation before venturing out at the Mao hour. Following the Daoism class and the Buddhism class, his third class of the day was on Confucianism. The lecturer was none other than Prime Minister Lu.

Jiang Wang, having been detained by Yan Chan Yi for too long after the Buddhism class, had missed the start of the Confucian lecture. Even employing the Flat Step Azure Cloud Immortal Technique in his haste, he arrived at the “Righteous and Bright Courtyard,” the venue for the class, a quarter of an hour late. It had been a long time since he had experienced this kind of nervous anxiety about being tardy! Back at the City Dao Academy, he had to see to An An’s food and clothing and take her to her private school every day, rarely, if ever, being late. The sole instance he had missed class was before An An had arrived in Fenglin City. On one occasion, instigated by Du Ye Hu, he had joined in a plot to undermine Zhao Ru Cheng. Ling He had intervened midway to block the wine, and Fang Peng Ju had also joined in to help his elder brother. The result was that all five of them had ended up drunk and missed class together. They had stood side-by-side outside the classroom as punishment, receiving a stern lecture from Xiao Tie Mian.

And at this very moment… Prime Minister Lu was severely reprimanding a student, a scene that held an uncanny echo of the past.

“Wu Zhou, ah, Wu Zhou, do you truly grasp what is righteousness, what is benefit? With your tender age, you dare to pontificate on the debate between righteousness and benefit, dare to claim you have fathomed human nature? You have dwelled in lofty heights for too long, ignorant of the realities of firewood, rice, oil, and salt. You should truly venture into the fields and observe, spend a few days in a beast lair, and witness how some people truly live!”

Jiang Wang, standing unluckily at the courtyard entrance, pondered whether to quietly slip in or wait for Prime Minister Lu to finish his admonishment and offer a greeting first. Prime Minister Lu’s booming rebuke, accompanied by an angry sidelong glance, fell upon the student he had received from the Marquis of Wu An yesterday. His expression softened abruptly. “Come? Find a seat.”

Many of the students within the courtyard displayed expressions of disbelief, turning their heads to look back, wondering which prince or princess had arrived to elicit such tolerance from old devil Lu. The Qi princes had all attended classes within Jixia Academy previously. Of course, upon seeing Jiang Wang, they had nothing further to say. The youngest military merit marquis of the Great Qi Empire held a status that would not be inferior to that of a prince!

Within the Righteous and Bright Courtyard, neat rows of desks were arranged, at which the students sat upright, the four treasures of scholarly writing spread before them. The lecturer’s platform, positioned at the very front, was noticeably elevated. In the Confucian philosophy, the teacher-student relationship was considered a profoundly important ethical bond, with an extremely strict hierarchy.

Compared to the overflowing Daoism class and the sparse Buddhism class, the Confucian class was of a moderate size, exhibiting a pleasing balance. Even with Jiang Wang’s addition, there were fewer than twenty people in total. Among those he recognized were Xie Bao Shu, Bao Zhong Qing, Wen Lian Mu, Lin Xian, and Gu Yan.

Upon seeing Jiang Wang, Lin Xian, without a word, silently pulled out the chair beside him. Due to old devil Lu’s temperament, he dared not speak aloud. Having attended several classes, he had witnessed a few instances of being struck on the hand – truly terrifying. Jiang Wang, clasping his hands together in a gesture of apology, made his way towards Lin Xian. Xie Bao Shu, though seated in the outermost position, seemed completely oblivious to his old neighbor, his head bowed in earnest study of his book.

Jiang Wang sat down, with Lin Xian to his right and Gu Yan behind him. In the State of Zhao, an environment that deeply admired Qi, Gu Yan’s attitude, bordering on seven parts unconvinced and eight parts indignant towards the people of Qi, was indeed a rare sight. It was said that initially, on the Star Moon Plain, Li Long Chuan had privately communicated with him, attempting to persuade him with friendly words. Earlier, in the Daoism class, he had occupied a very corner position, seemingly attempting to remain hidden. This time, forced into close proximity, he could only manage a strained smile. Jiang Wang, on the other hand, showed no airs, returning the smile.

Seeing Jiang Wang seated, Prime Minister Lu cast a glance at the student whose forehead was glistening with sweat from his criticism, and grunted. “You may also sit down.” Today, he was adorned in high crown and flowing sleeves, the very embodiment of Confucian style. Taking a step on the lecturer’s platform, he suddenly raised his voice. “Today, we shall discuss ‘righteousness’!”

The *Book of Changes* comprises three parts, known as “Lianshan,” “Guicang,” and “Zhouyi,” forming the foundational canon. Both Confucianism and Daoism cultivate the *Book of Changes*, naturally offering differing interpretations. Prime Minister Lu’s lecture today was on “Yuan Heng Li Zhen,” elucidating upon the concept that “Heaven’s movement is vigorous, and a gentleman strives unceasingly.” His main focus was on the word “benefit,” signifying “each life rectified,” and “all things possessing their proper category,” discussing the appropriate value and harvest of all things.

The student who had studied within the Academy since childhood, named Wu Zhou, had leaped forth to declare that a gentleman does not speak of benefit, resulting in a severe rebuke from Prime Minister Lu. Perhaps a mere lecture was insufficient to convey his point, or perhaps he wished to provide the Marquis of Wu An with a more engaging topic, showcasing the capabilities of the esteemed teachers of Jixia Academy. In any case, Prime Minister Lu pivoted, abruptly launching into a lecture on “righteousness.”

All the students in the courtyard perked up, listening intently. “As we all know, the path of Confucianism is generally derived from the six words: ‘ritual, righteousness, faith, virtue, benevolence, and kill.’ Besides these, there are concepts such as ‘integrity, shame, filial piety, fraternity, and loyalty,’ but ultimately, they are not as mainstream as these generalized principles…” He commenced his discourse with the four characters of the path, and then suddenly posed a question: “What is ‘righteousness’?”

His stern gaze swept down, imbued at this moment with a formidable righteousness that was inviolable, as if the dignity of the teacher had solidified into palpable pressure. No one below the platform ventured an answer. This proposition was simply too grand; countless sages had dedicated their entire lives to interpreting it. Who could articulate it fully in just a few words and phrases? The Starlight Sacred Tower was the foundation of the state’s Dao, a clear and divine exposition of the Dao. Only those who could truly enact their own path could genuinely “descend like gods upon the world”! The cultivation of the God Descent realm was precisely the reason Prime Minister Lu intended to expound upon. At this moment, his ‘god’ was his ‘righteousness’! Individuals of insufficient realm were fundamentally unqualified to expound upon it.

However, after his gaze lingered for a moment, Prime Minister Lu did not immediately provide an answer. Instead, he leisurely shifted his tone, saying, “Sages divide the history of the pre-world into the Remote Ancient, the Upper Ancient, the Middle Ancient, and the Near Ancient eras, these four great periods. The abyss is long, and time flows ceaselessly in the world… Among those present, does anyone have any understanding of the Remote Ancient era?”

Xie Bao Shu, who had not been burying his head in his book by this point, spoke up in answer: “That was the longest era, and also the darkest era.”

Bao Zhong Qing also replied, “The Remote Ancient era was the age when the Demon Race ruled heaven and earth.”

Jiang Wang listened silently, not uttering a word. Prime Minister Lu nodded, then continued, “In that distant era, whose beginning and end are unknown, where the vast majority of information is irretrievably lost… The Demon Race was favored by heaven and earth. This race was inherently powerful, their Dao pulses naturally manifested, and innate divine powers were at their command. As the masters of heaven and earth, they ruled over myriad races and possessed supreme status. At that time, the Human Race was considered the lowest tier among the myriad races of all worlds, mediocre in the extreme. My Human Race’s Dao pulses were generally sealed, with only a very few being born with them, capable of cultivation.”

Speaking thus far, he surveyed the assembled students. “Just like the many students who have entered the Academy for cultivation this time, only the Champion Marquis is born with a Dao pulse.”

Zhong Xuan Zun had not attended his class. More accurately… Zhong Xuan Zun had not attended any classes. He had not attended anyone’s class. His purpose in entering Jixia Academy this time was solely to observe the ‘scenery outside the window,’ aiming for further advancement and a grasp of the essence of heaven and earth. “Of course, the Human Race’s fate is not solely determined by talent. The Marquis of Wu An was not born with a Dao pulse, yet his fief encompasses a thousand four hundred more households than Zhong Xuan Zun’s!”

All the students turned to look. Jiang Wang’s expression was a little stiff, a mixture of not being able to laugh and not being able to help it. Thankfully, Prime Minister Lu wasn’t truly intent on using Jiang Wang to slight Zhong Xuan Zun. After a brief mention, he continued, “Why do we say the Remote Ancient era was the darkest era? I shall simply offer one historical record, and I implore you all to imagine it: ‘Humans, regarded as food by the myriad races.’”

Prime Minister Lu paused, allowing the students a moment to process, before continuing, “The first generation of Human Emperor, Sui Ren Shi, rose from hardship, protecting the Human Race, struggling for survival, illuminating fire for the Human Race. The earliest cultivators who dispelled the darkness gathered together, discussing the future of the Human Race, contemplating the path of cultivation… They synthesized all their thoughts on cultivation, forming the world’s earliest ‘Dao Gate,’ and the source of all present-day supernatural powers. They researched the method of qi-blood rushing the pulses, opening a new path for the Human Race to acquire supernatural powers, apart from those born with Dao pulses. This method was fraught with extreme danger, often resulting in tens of thousands of casualties to gain a single supernatural ability. Even to this day, after generations of development and refinement of the cultivation system, along the path of qi-blood rushing the pulses, one first refines the body through martial arts, then uses medicine to adjust their state. Only one in ten thousand can successfully traverse this ancient road. But in that era, to gain the power to protect themselves and their race, the ancestors of the Human Race risked ten deaths for a slim chance of life, advancing one after another. One by one, powerful Human Race cultivators emerged! They either fought against outer races or opened up dark lands, winning dwelling places and striving for survival resources for the Human Race. They turned those who regarded the Human Race as food into the food of the Human Race. Three Dao Venerables were successively born during this period, and the fire of inheritance has burned brightly ever since. Thereafter, Human Race prodigies emerged generation after generation, dazzling like the stars for a time! The Demon Race used Dao script to write books, understanding the principles of heaven and earth by simply reading a single character. The Human Race had Cang Jie who created characters, embodying the great Dao of the state. This allowed those who could not perceive the great Dao to understand its principles. It enabled those without supernatural abilities to explore their secrets. When characters were formed, ghosts wept and gods were awed, and heaven and earth mourned! The Demon Race was born with Dao pulses, born with all that was their own. The Human Race had prodigies who created the Open Pulse Pill formula, enabling those without supernatural abilities to thereafter acquire them! A new era was ushered in from that moment, and within that long, dark age, the Human Race rose from this point!”

This was a segment of history that was both incredibly difficult and incredibly splendid. Prime Minister Lu’s voice also grew more excited as he lectured, until he reached this sentence, and then settled back down. “The saying, ‘the Human Race’s fate is not solely determined by talent,’ begins with this prodigy, and is only now truly a fact.”

But he then posed the question, “But do you all know the name of that Human Race prodigy?”

A crowd of students below the platform all had blank expressions. All the students who could sit here were, of course, aware of the preciousness of the Open Pulse Pill formula and understood the significance of the Open Pulse Pill. However, within all the visible historical records, the name of the sage who created the Open Pulse Pill was indeed absent.

Wen Lian Mu said with some difficulty, “Perhaps his name was erased.”

“Yes, ah, he should have a great name.” Prime Minister Lu sighed. “But within the long river of history, this name was erased.”

Prime Minister Lu looked at these students, his voice tinged with distant sorrow. “Everyone, he had great merit, created an immortal great cause, opened the path for countless Human Race cultivators, his holy name is Kai Dao Shi! Originally, he should have been the second generation Human Emperor after Sui Ren Shi. But why is it that today, his name is not heard in the world, and within the long river of history, all traces of him have been erased?”

Kai Dao Shi… Jiang Wang was silent for a time. Only today did he learn what a great name the sage who created the Open Pulse Pill possessed. He had long known that the background of the Open Pulse Pill was steeped in blood. As early as San Shan City in the State of Zhuang, as early as witnessing that beast lair together with Yin Guan in the State of Xu… But he also understood clearly that the Open Pulse Pill was the foundation of the entire supernatural world. He lacked the ability and the vision to exert any influence on it. Even his understanding of the Open Pulse Pill was only fragmented. He was fundamentally unqualified to arbitrarily declare what was right and wrong. Thus, he remained silent, just as he had then, so too now. He could not change the present situation, nor did he know how to change it. He could only continue forward with doubt and confusion, hoping that one day he would reach a height sufficient to look back and understand the answers to all his questions.

And Prime Minister Lu continued to recount the history of that distant era. “The Open Pulse Pill formula was researched solely by Kai Dao Shi. As we all know, the main ingredient of the Open Pulse Pill is simply the Dao pulse. Kai Dao Shi at that time was just an ordinary person without supernatural abilities, and his research was not recognized. Every supernatural power was extremely precious to the Human Race; who would give him theirs to research? So… he stole infants with born Dao pulses, attacked Human Race cultivators who were heavily injured fighting against outer races… He used these Dao pulses stained with fresh blood to finally complete his research!”

The entire audience was silent. Greatness and baseness, glory and sin. This was a description that truly stirred the heart with its cruelty! Prime Minister Lu sighed deeply, his expression also very complex. “Everyone. Today we want to speak of righteousness – one…”

His serious gaze swept over everyone below the platform, his voice rising. “Is this act ‘righteousness’?”