Chapter 693: 296. The second Fundamental Daoist Magical Treasure, Taiqing Eight Scenic Treasures Raincoat (Chapter combining two into one)

Chu Xiuyuan listened to Ye Yan’s description of the situation in Heavenly Principle, his expression growing even more solemn. "What about its Cultural Pulse?"

"The Wenhua Qi merges with the Mountain and River Ley Lines," Ye Yan explained, "and the Cultural Pulse circulates in all directions. It seems scattered, but in reality, it is unified."

Chu Xiuyuan nodded slightly. It was as he had expected.

The so-called scholars under the Great Ming Dynasty bear the country’s fate within the mountains and rivers. Conversely, the Wenhua Qi also blends harmoniously with the Mountain and River Ley Lines.

Without needing to ask further, Chu Xiuyuan understood. There might also be families passing down Scriptures Studies and poetry in that place, but they were different from the aristocratic families of the Great Tang.

The scholars under the rule of the Great Ming Dynasty, to some extent, were a whole that shared weal and woe.

While it is true that individual families have their own rises and falls, the group that stands opposite the Emperor is always a complete collective.

This collective jointly shoulders the country’s fate with the Emperor. It does not rest on just a few individuals or a few families. Strictly speaking, it does not rest on the shoulders of specific Confucian Practitioners.

It is...

"Ritual laws," Chu Xiuyuan concluded.

Ye Yan met Chu Xiuyuan’s gaze. "Ritual regulations."

Both were outstanding Confucian Cultivators from the Great Tang. Although they might not acknowledge the Confucian Cultivators within Heavenly Principle, having interacted, they already had a preliminary understanding of each other’s circumstances.

To a certain extent, their ritual laws also encompassed the imperial family. The Emperor and the court officials, together, formed a vast and complete system.

This was a system that had not appeared in the history of the Great Tang Dynasty before.

According to the customary sayings of the cultivation world, this was a brand new Confucian Taoist Heritage, independent of Scriptures Studies, Divine Archery, and Chanting.

Undoubtedly, it was born from Scriptures Studies. But it had matured to a distinct style, forming its own school.

...In Heavenly Principle, this new school had even replaced Scriptures Studies to a certain extent.

Even Chu Xiuyuan, accustomed to rough seas, wore a serious expression at this time.

Ye Yan had digested the information for some time, so his current state of mind was comparatively more tranquil. "Guicang has turned into Heavenly Principle," he said, "but where do its people originally come from?"

Chu Xiuyuan shook his head lightly. "In the past, our ancestors set foot in Guicang. Ultimately, with the great changes of the world, the related history was obscured. I am ashamed to say that I do not know the details now. Over the years, our people have also exerted effort to rediscover Guicang, but we could not have predicted that it would have turned into what it is today."

Ye Yan said, "I believe that the Literary Splendor Talent related to Xu Yuanzhen of the Celestial Master Mansion and the artistic conception of the Barbaric Martial Path might have some connection with the current Heavenly Principle."

Chu Xiuyuan asked, "The original Wenhua Qi, after being trampled by that Savage Martial Path, underwent a painful reflection and further improvements, leading to the current new school in Heavenly Principle?"

Ye Yan nodded slightly but then added, "However, there are still doubts."

Chu Xiuyuan turned and looked towards the northwest. Hmm, correct...

Messages from the northwest mainland indicated that the people of the Solitary Eagle Khanate were mostly martial artists.

Their Martial Tao True Meaning was identical to the artistic conception of the Barbaric Martial Path that trampled the mountains and rivers and insulted elegance!

Had the Confucian Cultivators in Heavenly Principle been in contact with them before?

"How does the integration of Wenhua Qi with the country’s fate within the mountains and rivers manifest?" Chu Xiuyuan withdrew his gaze and asked Ye Yan again.

Ye Yan explained, "Heavenly Principle is not the real Mortal World. The fact that it can nurture the fate of an imperial dynasty is already extraordinary. However, its scope is ultimately limited. Therefore, the Confucian Cultivators’ performance in Actual Combat Spellcasting, although not ordinary, still shows a gap compared with our Great Tang’s scholars."

Chu Xiuyuan pondered. He had already understood some information before Ye Yan returned, so there was no need to ask further here.

Due to the incomplete national fate within Heavenly Principle, the average level of combat abilities between scholars of the Great Ming and the Great Tang was not too far apart when compared at the same realm.

But that Confucian New School had one very noteworthy point.

The distinction between high and low was clear.

The suppression of low-realm cultivators by High-Level Cultivators was much more distinct than in other Taoist Heritages.

There was almost no possibility of the lower defeating the higher, or the weak overcoming the strong.

This was not only within the Confucian New School itself.

High-realm scholars from Heavenly Principle also held a more significant realm advantage over lower-realm cultivators of other paths from the Great Tang.

It’s been thousands of years since Guicang was last seen; the changes are truly unexpected, Chu Xiuyuan’s mood had stabilized, and a serene smile returned to his face. "With one wave after another in the tides of the times, I don’t know if my old bones can withstand them."

Ye Yan said, "The more it is such a time, the more one needs to act cautiously."

He looked towards the inland to the west and said softly, "The Crown Prince has overcome the Heavenly Moat Tribulation between the Sixth Heavenly Layer and the Seventh Heavenly Layer."

Chu Xiuyuan remarked, "With the Solitary Eagle barbarians invading from the northwest, His Majesty is stationed in Chang’an to handle the situation. The country is unstable; indeed, we need the Crown Prince to alleviate His Majesty’s worries."

For Crown Prince Zhang Hui, advancing too fast was not good, but advancing too slowly was just as problematic.

Although the progress of the Emperor’s Tao was swift, and Confucian cultivation had the capacity for explosive growth after accumulation, a necessary period of refining was still required between one Great Realm and the next.

If one accumulated and waited too long, the situation could change in a flash. Then, one might not be able to ascend to the heavens in a single step when truly needed.

Fortunately, the Great Tang had been continually troubled by border issues in recent years.

The Crown Prince was concerned about the country and its people, willing to ease His Majesty’s worries, diligent in his studies, and constantly advancing. Naturally, no one could criticize him.

The key is the next step, Chu Xiuyuan muttered to himself.

* * *

「In the Imperial Capital, Luoyang.」

「Inside the Eastern Palace.」

Crown Prince Zhang Hui returned from the Council Hall of the Ministry.

In a side hall, people were already waiting for him.

Two young scholars were present: one surnamed Ye, the other surnamed Chu.

Upon seeing Zhang Hui, they both performed a courtesy.

Crown Prince Zhang Hui gestured. "The two of you, be at ease."