Chapter 305

Chapter 305: The Birth of the Academic Elite Senior Brother

Ask Buddha!

Ask Demon!

Ask the Dao!

Li Hui, being half a Buddhist cultivator himself, found that though he had always resisted it, when he pretended to be a monk, he could surely outdo the real ones.

As for asking about demons, he wandered through the realm of Demon Cultivators and saw Hongmo Zhengfang embark on the path of True Demon, signaling the rise of demons and the diminishing of the Dao.

Among all the disciples present, no one could rival his understanding of both Buddhism and Demon Cultivation. All the words eventually returned to asking about the Dao; comprehension is comprehension, while lack of it is simply that—nothing can be faked.

“Is this for real? Does he really have such insight?” On the high platform, Yuan Ciheng stood next to a Female Cultivator, hidden from the view of the disciples.

“Having been accepted by Master Li into the Mirror Lake faction, of course, he must have a heart as clear as the Mirror of Justice High Above, and the charming junior brother can engage in discussions with us!”

“Senior Brother! Last time you said he was good at making money but couldn’t keep it. That seems to have some truth! If I invest my modest family fortune with him, can it double by next year?”

“Don’t think about doubling! A thirty percent increase would be fine! Also, let me hand over my share of the fortune to him. Master Li seems intent on passing the mess of the Mirror Lake faction onto him. Isn’t it said that children from poor families grow up quickly? Our junior brother is just like that; he has risen from the lowest level of cultivators to this point, even able to scrape two taels of yellow earth from the city walls to sell.”

“Hehe, interesting! I heard he collected quite a few peaches after joining, but I don’t know what for. It feels mysterious…”

At this moment, Li Hui was sweating profusely as he looked at the final question, his mind swirling. He dared not write, but couldn’t help pondering deeply.

“This last question is about the Dao! The Haotu Sect truly lives up to its status as an upper sect, challenging the great Dao. The Dao flows through what is used, or it may not be full. The source of all things seems like the abyss, dulling its sharpness, resolving its confusion, harmonizing its light, blending with its dust, or perhaps it exists timelessly. I do not know whose child it is, just like that of the Emperor.”

“This passage means to say that the void is followed by fullness?”

“No, it speaks of the Dao as a container, forever inexhaustible, the root of all things! During the realization process, dulling its sharpness means grinding away the edges, reducing cognitive blocks, striving to harmonize and blend, bringing one closer to the Dao! However, I still do not know how the Dao is generated; perhaps it existed before all living beings.”

“Wait, ‘before the Emperor, before all living beings’? The evolution of all manifestations—the beginning of the Dao!” Li Hui felt as if his mind was exploding, as the concept of the Dao evolved into all manifestations touched a hint of the All-Manifestation Realm.

“Boom, boom, boom…” The bamboo slips had already cracked. Even though Li Hui hadn’t penned a word, following the mysterious energy, azure and purple qi erupted wildly from him. The azure and purple energies soared toward the sky, drawing gazes from distant peaks as many exclaimed in anger: “The Mirror Lake faction?”

This was truly azure light taking in the sun and moon, purple qi fighting against the constellations. In the tranquil jade box, the autumn water remained stagnant.

New disciple Li Yingjun appeared like a treasured sword in a jade box. Upon opening the box, he revealed unparalleled sharpness. Who among all the disciples could achieve such a level?

Yuan Ciheng had already risen, respectfully bowing and proclaiming loudly, “Congratulations to the high disciple of the Mirror Lake faction for ascending to the first level of questioning the Dao! From now on, you will discuss the Dao alongside us true disciples!”

The Female Cultivator beside him appeared, dusting off her flowing sleeves, and also bowed, saying, “Congratulations, junior brother, for reaching the first level and adding brilliance to the Haotu Sect!”

“Senior brother and senior sister, you flatter me! I was just lucky with the answers; many things remain unresolved. I hope you both will offer your guidance,” Li Hui quickly responded, capturing the attention of many Junior Sisters, who thought to themselves that the charming senior brother was indeed handsome.

A certain appealing disciple of the Jade Symbol Sect was trying to make connections, preparing to reach the peak to become the face of the Haotu Sect, silently saying, “Just wait two years, and I’ll get my figure back! Many senior brothers will want to compete with me simply because I look good; the world is all about appearances.”

What does it mean to be a jade tree swaying in the wind?

What does it mean to be a crane standing among chickens?

What does it mean to be charming and talented? Well, right now, my figure has shrunk, and it’s not yet the time.

In any case, Li Hui made his debut in the first morning class, soaring like a steed, entering the questioning square’s first level.

Under normal circumstances, true disciples would no longer be able to teach him, only elders would need to come to listen. The problem was that elders rarely came to give lessons; it could take three to five years to see one. Thus, under the envious gazes of the other disciples, the academic elite senior brother no longer needed to attend morning class.

However, the morning class was just a small part of life at the Haotu Sect, intended to increase knowledge, impart teachings, and resolve doubts, serving as a foundation for theoretical knowledge. What the disciples truly valued was the opportunity to go to the higher peaks to practice spells at noon, as new disciples needed to eat in the cafeteria.

As the sun rose high, the morning class ended, and everyone lined up for their meals.

Boys and girls were still growing, and if the sect dared to issue fasting pills in place of meals, these youngsters and little girls would surely cause an uproar.

The delicious spiritual rice paired with dishes made from exotic birds reflected the Haotu Sect’s generous treatment of its disciples. Each year they invited top spiritual chefs to showcase their skills, leading to new dishes for the Pan Tao festival, allowing all sects to celebrate together while the disciples reveled in joy!

Without this kind of grandeur, how could it be called an upper sect?

“Look, Li Yingjun made quite the impression in his first class! At such a young age, he’s exalted among personal disciples and now can sit and discuss the Dao with true disciples.”

“Pfft, what’s so impressive about that? Did he just read a few random books and fumble through the last few questions? We cultivators need to focus on training; wait until the afternoon when we practice spells—you’ll see! Not to mention the Dao body’s emergence; even just looking at Li Changtian’s demonstrated aptitude, he would barely hold a candle to him!”

“Exactly! We’ll see the true skills in the afternoon practice!”

“What’s so special about Li Yingjun? I heard he is only at Spirit Motion with eight patterns. We have many senior brothers who’re already at the initial Gather Spirit stage! If it weren’t for the fact that everyone is waiting to choose cultivation methods in the Haotu Sect, many would already be at mid-Gather Spirit.” Many disciples held their heads high, either proud Young Tribe Leaders or petty princes, regularly demonstrating their superiority at home. They felt that not being taken in as personal disciples implied that the elders of the Haotu Sect must be blind, and it must be a collective blindness.

As Li Hui carried his food box to find a place to sit, he heard someone call out, “Bro, over here! I’ve got some good wine; come quick! I saved you a spot!”

The voice came from none other than Huang Tongliang, who was loudly calling for drinks in the sect’s cafeteria. Fortunately, this fellow didn’t bring his rowdy friends along; likely those companions had not passed the assessment to enter the mountain gate. Only a slim girl with an oval face sat beside him, elegantly choosing her food.

“Hey, she’s my sister. Let me introduce you—she is a personal disciple of the Initial Snow faction. Impressive, right? Not inferior to your Mirror Lake faction personal disciples.”

The oval-faced girl shook her head and said, “No, in terms of ranking, the Mirror Lake faction is much stronger. Moreover, each generation of the Mirror Lake faction only has one person while our Initial Snow faction has eighteen. How could we compare in terms of treatment?”

Her voice was as pleasant as a yellow oriole.

Li Hui looked at the girl, then at the bulky Huang Tongliang, who angrily shouted, “What kind of look is that? Doesn’t my sister and I look alike?”

“Not alike; you’re very different.”