In a plainly decorated study, an elderly Confucian scholar, appearing to be around sixty years old, was wearing glasses imbued with scholarly aura, sitting upright, his head slightly tilted back, holding a small brush, constantly writing something. Beside him lay a manuscript titled "Invitation to Wine." He occasionally glanced at it, paused, and used the brush’s end to tap his forehead.

Behind him, Guan Xin waited quietly for a response.

After a long while, the scholar took off his glasses, his voice slow and deep, "What is going on here?"

Guan Xin calmly said, "I feel I am not yet qualified to shoulder the responsibility of a Saint. I should continue learning."

"Learning, what more is there for you to learn? You’ve learned all there is to learn." The Great Saint Wang Ding was one of Guan Xin’s instructors and the one who authorized He Youyi to prepare the establishment of the Saints’ Monument for Guan Xin. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

"I have yet to learn what constitutes the world, what it means to save and benefit people."

Wang Ding lowered his gaze, "Such things cannot be learned merely from study. Without experiencing the Mortal World, how could you possibly understand?"

"Then I shall go and experience it."

Looking at this student he had taught from a young age, Wang Ding suddenly felt she was somewhat unfamiliar, as if some tremendous change had occurred.

"Guan Xin, do you know what it means for someone not yet thirty to become a Saint? It would bring you countless honors, and all scholars under heaven would see you as a role model. Your writings would be posted on every wall of every academy. Countless people would choose to embark on the Literary Dao because of you."

Guan Xin nodded, "I know, but I believe I am unworthy to be a Saint." Her demeanor was calm, her voice soft, the epitome of a graceful figure in literature.

"Wenxin Heaven needs you to become a Saint," Wang Ding raised his eyes, "The Confucians need you to become a Saint."

"Confucianism does not need a Saint who understands nothing."

Wang Ding then frowned, "Don’t be ridiculous."

Suddenly, Guan Xin asked, "Wild Horse Academy, Mr. He, has diligently served for millennia, having occupied positions such as Zhong Buzhou, Danpao Scholar, and Chang Yashi across the Immortal Continent, Wangyue Continent, and the East Continent, making contributions to the Literary Dao that will be revered for ages. As the chief teaching scholar on the Changsheng Continent for five hundred years, he nurtured two Saints and over twenty great scholars. Such achievements, shouldn’t he have long been a Saint, if not a Great Saint? Why isn’t he?"

"The Saints’ Monument is not for you or me to determine."

"But I’ve heard that when Mr. He was a Zhong Buzhou at Chenzhu Academy in the Immortal Realm, he had already established the Saints’ Monument. Wenxin Heaven did not accept his monument. What did Mr. He do to make Wenxin Heaven overlook so many achievements?"

Wang Ding reproached, "Nonsense! Who have you been listening to, spreading such rumors? He Youyi would never say such things to you."

Guan Xin lowered her eyes, "Why would I need anyone to tell me these things? Wenxin Heaven is not lacking in records."

Wang Ding’s face turned cold, "He Youyi’s affairs are complicated, as I have told you many times, do not try to understand something from a single perspective. If you’re biased because of this, then all your studying has been in vain."

"I feel the same way. Therefore, I am even less suitable to bear the responsibilities of a Saint." Guan Xin chuckled lightly, her shoulders relaxing.

"You!" Wang Ding was deeply shocked, first because Guan Xin was using He Youyi’s situation to pressure him, and secondly, because she actually laughed?

This teacher had never seen his student laugh before.

His fingers trembled slightly, "What exactly did you learn on the Changsheng Continent?"

Guan Xin replied, "I learned nothing. In those over twenty years on the Changsheng Continent, the learning abilities and tools I cultivated were all useless. I have nothing but knowledge."

Upon saying this, there was no other intent.

Wang Ding shakily put on his glasses, paused, then took them off again, "What about the other teachers, what did they say?"

"The other teachers all told me to come ask you."

Wang Ding was silent for a long time, without explicitly stating anything, "Come take a look at this article."

He handed "Invitation to Wine" to Guan Xin.

Guan Xin took a glance, her eyes shining, smiling, "Heaven gave me my talents, they will surely be useful, a thousand gold will be spent and return again."

"Go on, go read the ’Book of the World’."

"Thank you, teacher, for your guidance over the past twenty years."

The world was there, and Guan Xin went forth with joy.

...

Fu Manman was caressing the monument of the Emperor of the Celestial Palace of Gouchen, not missing any detail, trying to glean something from the intricate patterns. Along this mountain path, there were quite a few monuments, varying in size and rank.

She said softly, "The names of these gods are really grand."

Bai Yihuan thought for a moment and said, "As far as I know, the titles in the Divine Dao, especially the True Gods of the Celestial Court, are fixed. Whoever takes the position, it’s all the same." She laughed, "Perhaps it’s just a title."

Fu Manman was slightly astonished, "You actually have such an insightful thought."

"I have a brain, you know!" Bai Yihuan was displeased at being underestimated.

"Then use it more often."

"Using my brain is tiring."

Fu Manman turned to the next monument, "Heaven-Receiving Earth Goddess," studying it, and suddenly frowned, "Something’s not right."

"What’s not right?"

"The Celestial Court was established to address the aftermath of the Heaven-Human War fifteen thousand years ago, so these monuments shouldn’t predate fifteen thousand years. But I feel like they have a history far exceeding fifteen thousand years."

Bai Yihuan paused, "Are you sure?"

Wielding the Eternal Dao, Fu Manman would not make mistakes in sensing age, "I’m sure. These monuments are at least a hundred thousand years old."

"A hundred thousand years? The Cultivation Realm wasn’t even fully formed back then!"