Eeeee~

The trial concluded, and the grand doors of the Confucius Temple swung wide open.

Standing before Ye Qingzhou and Xu Yuebing was an elder whose features could not be discerned.

This person was aged, yet exuded a vibrant sense of vitality, reflecting the shadows of many sages from the Confucius Temple.

Ye Qingzhou instantly understood that the elder before him was not a specific sage, but the embodiment of the Confucius Temple's "Literature Carries the Dao."

Or rather, the "Dao" carried by this Confucius Temple had manifested into the elder wearing a scholar's robe, who embodied a portion of the national destiny of the Dongji Kingdom.

This is why he appeared old yet vibrant, for the Dongji Kingdom's national power was rising, like an eastern sun.

As the Grand Sacrificial Officer of Yuelu Academy, he was a final boss never defeated by any Martial Artist.

Since the establishment of Zhongnan University, no one has ever passed the final test at Yuelu Academy's Confucius Temple.

In fact, this test is not something that can be passed by fighting.

An academy is primarily a place of learning.

The papermen are roadblocks because the academy is a sanctuary of the mind, and the true way to pass is to use one's heart to comprehend the ultimate truth of "Literature Carries the Dao," learning how to control one's emotions and will, and learn to harness the power of thought ability.

Those who fight their way in will always stop at the Scripture Hall.

The Grand Sacrificial Officer looked at Ye Qingzhou's Yin Spirit: "Being able to withstand the Sword Intents of Li Taibai and Lv Chunyang, your heart's desire for the sword is truly indestructible."

"In this battle, I have gained much, truly grateful beyond words."

Ye Qingzhou expressed his sincere gratitude.

"No need for such words. The opportunities are here, and those with insight can seize them. Your gains are also due to your own abilities."

The words of the Grand Sacrificial Officer were like the earnest teachings of a sage, making one feel as if enveloped by a refreshing spring breeze.

Ye Qingzhou indeed gained significantly from the spiritual shock of two monumental Sword Intents.

Especially with the convergence of the Great River Sword and the Flying Divine Sword, it felt like a spiritual collision, as if Ye Qingzhou was crossing time and space to sit and discuss martial arts insights with Li Taibai and Lv Chunyang.

The Grand Sacrificial Officer glanced at the Dragon Abyss Sword in Ye Qingzhou's arms: "You have astonishing talent and bear the Emperor's Sword; why not serve the nation?"

Ye Qingzhou pondered for a moment before shaking his head: "As the saying goes, 'The dragon does not reside with the snake, nor does the tiger walk with the dog.' I am devoted to the sword my whole life and cannot be a subordinate, nor can I bow."

"If the nation were in peril, what would you do?"

"Naturally, I would wield the Three-Foot Cyan Blade, achieve timeless feats, sweep through the world, and cleanse Qian and Kunn."

Ye Qingzhou also harbored a sense of duty, but for now, the Dongji Kingdom did not require his salvation, so he declined the Grand Sacrificial Officer's proposal, with firm resolve: "Grand Sacrificial Officer, the path you pursue is to cultivate oneself, manage the family, govern the country, and bring peace to the world. But my path is solely the sword."

The Grand Sacrificial Officer seemed to have anticipated this and was not angered. Instead, he spoke with profound significance to Ye Qingzhou: "The Emperor Sword chose you, proving your ambitious heart. One day, you will wield your sword for the myriad beings of this world. Carrying the Dao with the sword, what is Dao? That which all people desire in their hearts, that is the world's great Dao."

After speaking, Ye Qingzhou came to his senses, his spirit and will already returning to his body.

Zeng Jixia and Yuan Zhiyi finally spoke up, almost collapsing in front of Ye Qingzhou: "Whoa, what did you just do? You didn't demolish the Confucius Temple, did you?"

"No, how could I do such a thing?"

Ye Qingzhou looked at them with a perplexed expression, as if looking at two fools.

Inside the Confucius Temple, carrying the thoughts and wish power of countless people over a millennium, would he dare to demolish it?

Is he courting death?

Just the Sword Intents condensed from the poems left by Li Taibai and Lv Chunyang almost killed him. If he really disturbed the Confucius Temple, wouldn't the past sages come down from their altars to personally take his head?

Zeng Jixia saw Ye Qingzhou and Xu Yuebing both full of energy and spirit, and asked in surprise, "Have you seen the Grand Sacrificial Officer?"

Xu Yuebing glanced at Ye Qingzhou but said nothing.

Ye Qingzhou nodded: "Yes."

"Whoa, did you pass?"

"We more or less passed, I suppose."

Ye Qingzhou answered uncertainly.

After all, the final test of the Confucius Temple is not one to be passed by fighting; the key is gaining the Grand Sacrificial Officer's recognition and then obtaining the heritage of "Literature Carries the Dao."

In this way, one could learn how to use the power of thought ability, enhancing the effect of spiritual martial techniques in the future.

Yet even before meeting the Grand Sacrificial Officer, Ye Qingzhou had already comprehended "Literature Carries the Dao" on his own, even transforming it into "Carrying the Dao with the Sword."

......

Zhongnan University, medical office.

"Brother?"

Gu Mingye struggled to get up from the bed but was pressed back by his brother, Gu Minghui.

"Why are you so badly injured?"

"Got into a fight with someone."

Gu Mingye grinned. Though he lost miserably to Ye Qingzhou, he gained quite a bit, so he was thrilled.

Gu Minghui, wearing glasses and a research lab coat, took out an exquisite box and handed it to Gu Mingye: "This is just right; you should find it useful."

"Hmm?"

Gu Mingye opened the exquisite box and saw a section of lotus root like white jade, with the broken area having strands of white silk that emitted a glowing treasure light.

He exclaimed, "Upper Grade Treasure, Thousand Threads White Lotus?"

Gu Minghui pushed up his glasses and said indifferently, "The Seven-Colored Heart Lotus in the Jasper Pool unexpectedly bloomed with one flower; this Thousand Threads White Lotus was allotted to me."

The Thousand Threads White Lotus, unstained by the mud it grows in, can purify the essence within the body, granting a Purity Body upon consumption. It also has the effect of being hard to kill, even with severed connections.

In the realm of Upper Grade Treasures, such life-preserving treasures are exceedingly precious!

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