In the hall.

Chu Xuan-gui, Song Tao-sheng, and Li Guan-yu all felt their cultivation realms stir!

Up until now, they had followed traditional schools, investigating things to gain knowledge and building their Confucian cultivation externally, constructing a tall tower with classics and doctrines.

Now, Zhao Han-sheng’s words told them that there were actually two staircases to the tall tower: one outside, spiraling up the exterior wall, and another inside, almost straight up and easier to climb.

Inside the tall tower was, in fact, the cultivator’s own heart.

Confucian cultivators, in addition to seeking outwardly, could also seek inwardly.

The heart itself was the source of principles; there was no need to construct them externally, only to polish them inwardly!

This was precisely the “literary heart” (wen xin).

And the tall tower was the “literary palace” (wen gong) of a Confucian cultivator.

For a moment, the shock and pleasant surprise of Chu Xuan-gui, Song Tao-sheng, and Li Guan-yu were beyond words!

Cultivating in the traditional old way was not impossible, just too difficult.

Investigating things to gain knowledge (gewu zhizhi) was truly challenging, testing cultivators in all aspects and limited by their various levels of attainment.

Ideally, a cultivator would be proficient in a hundred immortal arts, with profound attainments in all areas, to walk the path of *gewu zhizhi* thoroughly and reach its end.

But in reality, a cultivator’s personal time and energy were extremely limited, and most cultivators’ comprehension and learning abilities were also quite average. Throughout their lives, they could at most achieve something in one or two immortal arts.

And that was considered a good situation.

In fact, most people died with little to show for their accomplishments in the hundred immortal arts.

What Zhao Han-sheng pointed out was: We can still *gewu zhizhi*, but seeking inward (qiu xin) is a much more effective path than seeking outward (qiu wu).

This was truly effective!

Chu Xuan-gui, Song Tao-sheng, and Li Guan-yu all benefited from this and wished they could immediately go back into seclusion to thoroughly study this new direction.

All three knew that no matter how much they comprehended, their Confucian cultivation realm would advance.

Such advancement was rare.

Because they had not acquired true meanings; they had merely listened to a debate between Zhao Han-sheng and Duanmu Zhang.

Duanmu Zhang sighed deeply, the worries and stubbornness on his face gradually fading.

With a solemn expression, he straightened his clothes, then slowly stood up and bowed respectfully to Zhao Han-sheng: “Daoist Zhao’s profound discourse was like a divine anointing, shaking my body and spirit, benefiting me immensely.”

“Previously, this old man adhered to old scholarship, believing that only by thoroughly investigating all things under heaven could one understand principles and approach the realm of a sage. Today, I realize that I have been circling outside the heart, never directly taking responsibility. The heart and principle are one, knowledge and action inherently unified—truly profound, marvelous! It turns out the realm of sages is not beyond reach; it has always been within this small space, merely overlooked by us mortals.”

“What Daoist Zhao spoke of as ‘extending innate knowledge’ (zhi liang zhi) truly points directly to the origin, bringing the lofty heavenly principle down to a practical level accessible and actionable by everyone. It benefits all Confucian cultivators in our world!”

“Daoist Zhao’s merit will last for a thousand autumns; with this discourse alone, he will surely be remembered in history!”

Duanmu Zhang changed his attitude, admitting defeat on the spot and acknowledging Zhao Han-sheng’s excellence.

But Zhao Han-sheng turned aside, avoiding Duanmu Zhang’s bow.

Zhao Han-sheng showed a look of shame, cupped his hands in return, and said earnestly: “I am ashamed! Zhao is merely a messenger.”

“What I expounded just now is not my own theory; it is all the ‘School of Mind’ (Xin Xue) of Mr. Wang Xin-yue!”

“How can Zhao, with his meager virtue, dare to claim such an enormous credit?”

Duanmu Zhang and the others were very surprised and asked who Wang Xin-yue was.

Zhao Han-sheng then informed them that she was a female cultivator, young in age, at the Nascent Soul (Yuan Ying) cultivation level, who had founded *Xin Xue*, subverting old Confucian ideas and pioneering a new path.

He himself had specifically sought her guidance as a disciple to obtain this knowledge of *liang zhi*.

Only then did Duanmu Zhang and the others realize that Wang Xin-yue was a rising star!

“Hua-zhang Kingdom truly lives up to its reputation as a holy land for Confucian cultivation.”

“Such virtuous and talented individuals always emerge—”

“No, Wang Xin-yue is special; she is the best among them!”

Chu Xuan-gui and the other three spoke out in discussion.

Zhao Han-sheng said: “You haven’t interacted with her, so you don’t know how astonishingly talented she is, simply a genius blessed by heaven!”

“She will surely lead the entire academic world of Confucian cultivators.”

“For the next few centuries, she will be the brightest star in Hua-zhang Kingdom, no, in the entire world!”

Zhao Han-sheng highly praised Wang Xin-yue.

Li Guan-yu exclaimed: “She has stirred up a torrent of the times and will bring about a revolutionary upheaval to the entire Hua-zhang Kingdom.”

After some contemplation, Duanmu Zhang slowly nodded: “Just these three phrases—’mind is principle,’ ‘unity of knowledge and action,’ and ‘extending innate knowledge’—are enough to found a school of thought!”

“It’s a pity I am old and have been commissioned and invited to preside here; otherwise, I would truly want to return to my country and personally pay my respects to this female master.”

Zhao Han-sheng smiled slightly: “This *Xin Xue*, which aims to illuminate the mind and see one’s true nature, to benefit the world and people, is not meant to be kept secret.”

“Since I have received her guidance and recognize her philosophy, naturally, my purpose in coming to Fei-yun Kingdom this time is also to spread her Confucian *Xin Fa* (mind method).”

“I am willing to open classes again to teach all of you and more students all related concepts.”

Upon hearing this, everyone was shaken.

Chu Xuan-gui, Song Tao-sheng, and Li Guan-yu all showed expressions of excitement and eagerness.

Only Duanmu Zhang’s face showed a hint of solemnity as he looked deeply at Zhao Han-sheng: “Then—”

Zhao Han-sheng smiled without speaking.

Gu Qing, standing by the side, rose and cupped his hands: “Senior Sages, my master’s sincerity is profound, and he is willing to teach everything he knows. This is a blessing for the Confucian lineage of our Wan-xiang Sect.”

“However, the path of scholarship lies in mutual understanding and respect. It is also said: ‘The Dao is not lightly transmitted!’ To transmit the great Dao, one must have the appropriate position.”

“What do you all think?”

Everyone’s hearts trembled; they exchanged glances.

What kind of status would be worthy of teaching this profound knowledge?

The answer was almost obvious. Such a subversive doctrine, capable of forming the foundation of a lineage, how could its propagator be subordinate to others?

Within the Wan-xiang Sect, the leader of the Confucian cultivator community was called the “Shan-zhang” (Mountain Chief). Duanmu Zhang was the publicly acclaimed *Shan-zhang*, highly respected.

Only now did Chu Xuan-gui and the others fully understand.

Zhao Han-sheng’s visit to Duanmu Zhang was a pretense; discussing *Xin Xue* during the debate was merely an enticement. He displayed a priceless treasure capable of captivating all Confucian cultivators. His true intention was, astonishingly, to use this opportunity to become the *Shan-zhang* and lead the Confucian cultivators of the Wan-xiang Sect!

Seeing the silence in the hall, Zhao Han-sheng slowly spoke, stating that he did not intend to stay there permanently. After teaching *Xin Xue*, he would leave and continue to lead his disciples on their travels.

But before that, holding the position of *Shan-zhang* would better aid the spread of *Xin Xue* and help other eager students.

Duanmu Zhang and the others remained silent.

Zhao Han-sheng spoke very casually, but the *Xin Xue* lessons would be under his control. If he continued teaching, deliberately delaying, then no one would have a reason to overthrow his position as *Shan-zhang*.

After expressing his intention of “not being greedy for power,” Zhao Han-sheng decisively fell silent, saying no more.

Gu Qing smiled faintly and sat back down leisurely.

Both master and disciple were very confident, not at all worried that the other party would not agree.

The reason was simple—the allure of *Xin Xue* was truly immense!

For Confucian cultivators, this allure would be magnified a hundred, a thousand times. These people would surely be moved, even compelled to act.

And the subsequent developments unfolded exactly as the master and disciple had anticipated.

Duanmu Zhang directly stated that he was willing to abdicate and yield his position to the virtuous, eagerly anticipating the *Xin Xue* lessons.

Chu Xuan-gui and the other three had no objections.

At this point, Zhao Han-sheng achieved his true objective for this trip—he became the *Shan-zhang*. Using *Xin Xue*, although he was a newcomer, he successfully seized leadership of the Confucian cultivator community at the Wan-xiang Sect’s main gate.

Upon taking office, he immediately presented a grand gift.

“I heard that Daoist Chu Xuan-gui and Daoist Song Tao-sheng have been busy running around, preparing for a new round of the ‘Xing-yun Minor Trial,’ which involves spiritual paper.”

“As the newly appointed *Shan-zhang*, I naturally cannot just observe; I must also contribute a share of my strength.”

“Daoist friends, please look.”

Everyone shifted their gaze and saw a sheet of paper with the texture of white jade, imbued with ancient, luminous brilliance. Within the brilliance, subtle golden patterns flowed, profound and mysterious. Merely gazing at it caused one’s mind to spontaneously calm down, and thoughts became extraordinarily clear.

Even more wondrously, around the jade page, faint, wave-like clear light rippled, and the air was infused with a subtle, elusive fragrance.

Chu Xuan-gui and Song Tao-sheng exchanged glances, both seeing shock and excitement in each other’s eyes.

Their original purpose in coming here was to make Zhao Han-sheng pay a price and add luster to this *Xing-yun Minor Trial*. They had not expected Zhao Han-sheng to proactively present this white jade paper.

Li Guan-yu spoke first: “Is this a ‘Dao-bearing Jade Page’ (Cheng Dao Yu Ye)?”

Zhao Han-sheng smiled calmly: “Precisely.”

“My disciple and I came here without intending to join the Wan-xiang Sect; it was merely for Qing’er to travel and broaden his horizons.”

“Since we happen to be here and there is such a *Xing-yun Minor Trial*, it’s not bad to give the younger generation more opportunities for trials.”

“My disciple and I are thick-skinned, but we are not shameless. How about we offer this gift as part of the competition content?”

Chu Xuan-gui stared at the *Cheng Dao Yu Ye*, then looked at Zhao Han-sheng, his voice somewhat strained: “The *Cheng Dao Yu Ye* is no small matter; it can carry true meaning and preserve things without loss.”

“Are you truly certain, Senior, about offering this item as competition content?”

Zhao Han-sheng said: “I will make public the refining method, but not all of it. If a cultivator completes the first part, then the second part, third part, and so on will be progressively revealed to them.”

“Of course, all participants in this trial will need to sign a divine contract in advance to ensure that the refining method of the *Cheng Dao Yu Ye* is not easily leaked.”

“This is the sincerity of my disciple and me in coming here. Daoist friends, what do you say?”

Chu Xuan-gui had already understood Zhao Han-sheng’s intentions and remained silent in thought.

Song Tao-sheng looked at Gu Qing, understanding that Zhao Han-sheng, for the sake of his disciple, would not hesitate to offer a grand gift like the *Cheng Dao Yu Ye*.

Of course, it was easy to guess that the refining difficulty of the *Cheng Dao Yu Ye* would be extremely high, and the related methods likely complex or profound.

But Gu Qing must certainly have some accomplishment or accumulation in this area.

Otherwise, Zhao Han-sheng would not have chosen this item as a reward.

“Then thank you, Daoist Zhao,” Duanmu Zhang suddenly spoke, making the decision.

Li Guan-yu took a deep breath: “I have some regrets. I wish I hadn’t agreed to be an examiner; I would have preferred to participate in this *Xing-yun Minor Trial*!”

This was a jest, which immediately lightened the tense atmosphere in the hall.

Song Tao-sheng laughed heartily: “Oh, come on. Li Guan-yu, you’ve already joined the Wan-xiang Sect; how could you be qualified to participate in the *Xing-yun Minor Trial*?”

Li Guan-yu spread his hands: “Is it too late for me to leave the sect now?”

Everyone burst into joyful laughter.

*Xin Xue* and *Cheng Dao Yu Ye*!

The master and disciple from Hua-zhang Kingdom had a plan, making a grand move that immediately changed the entire situation.

Chu Xuan-gui and the others went with the flow, having already cast aside their original objectives regarding Ning Zhuo. After all, they merely held Ning Zhuo in high regard and appreciation, helping him out of consideration for Wen Ruan-yu and the potentially huge future profits from White Paper Immortal City.

In comparison, the face of Grand Confucian Zhao Han-sheng was even more important, and *Xin Xue* and the *Cheng Dao Yu Ye* were tangible and immensely valuable gains!

Zhu Clan Territory.

In the Jing-xin Garden, fragrant incense wafted, and the ladies’ tea party was in full swing.

The central figure was easily identifiable—Zhu Gui-zhi, dressed in red, still graceful, chatting and laughing.

A female cultivator said: “Sister Gui-zhi, I must congratulate you! That child, Fen Xiang, quietly accomplished something significant!”

Zhu Gui-zhi’s hand, holding a teacup, paused almost imperceptibly, and her face showed a timely, appropriate look of confusion: “Oh? What is the good news? That girl Fen Xiang, though she won against Si-tu Xing some time ago, also injured her vital energy. I am currently looking for some gentle tonics for her.”

Another female cultivator said: “Oh, Sister is still pretending to be confused with us? It’s already spread throughout the Internal Affairs Hall! Fen Xiang used her only special privilege to teach our Zhu family’s ultimate ‘Spirit Invocation Art’ (Qing Shen Shu) to an outsider boy!”

A third female cultivator added: “According to clan rules, this treatment is only for a future ‘son-in-law.’ Fen Xiang has always been discerning, and now that she has finally found a good match, isn’t this a great joyous occasion? We are all waiting to drink this wedding wine!”

Zhu Gui-zhi’s smile froze slightly: “Is that so? I, as her mother, didn’t even know. If it’s true, then there will certainly be a feast for all you sisters.”

Soon after, everyone dispersed.

Zhu Gui-zhi slammed her teacup onto the table. Her face no longer held any trace of a smile, only a gloomy expression.

“I managed to butter up everyone in the Internal Affairs Department, yet this news still leaked out!”

“Finding the leaker is not the most important thing.”

“The real problem is dealing with this matter! Fen Xiang, Fen Xiang, you truly know how to cause trouble for your mother.”

Zhu Gui-zhi knew very well: those who had just left, while seemingly cheerful and offering congratulations, in reality, many were secretly waiting to see Zhu Fen-xiang make a mistake.

Zhu Fen-xiang was the Zhu family’s carefully cultivated and promoted Foundation Establishment (Zhu Ji) figurehead. If she made a misstep and was abandoned by the family, there would be many who would want to take her position.

Another point that gave Zhu Gui-zhi a headache was that Zhu Fen-xiang’s flying letter was directly submitted to the clan’s Internal Affairs Department for filing! This was clearly “acting first and reporting later,” with no intention of discussing it with her mother.

She took a deep breath, her chest filled with an unresolvable frustration: “Alas, Fen Xiang’s temperament has always been headstrong and distant from me—but this matter, I absolutely cannot let it go unchecked!”

“I already have arrangements for her marriage; how can I let her act recklessly!”