Chapter 514: The First Primordial Spirit Conference
Yankang National Teacher thought for a moment. Since he was forced by Qin Mu to become a Heavenly Saint Sect Heavenly King, it seemed he truly hadn't done much for the sect. Qin Mu and the Heavenly Saint Sect had been helping him unconditionally all along.
The Heavenly Saint Sect's ideals didn't conflict with his own. Since he had received the sect's grace, he naturally had to repay it.
"Very well, I will go with the elders, Heavenly Kings, and hall masters to the Western Lands to recruit talent for the sect."
Yankang National Teacher escorted him out of the National Teacher's residence and stopped outside the gate. "Sect Master Qin, as the sect master and holy teacher, you haven't spent much time in the sect either. You've been wandering outside, without even time for cultivation. Don't neglect your own cultivation progress. Now is an era of great change; Dao techniques and divine abilities are transforming daily. Even I, after returning to Yankang not long ago, have been learning the new Dao techniques and divine abilities that have emerged in the kingdom. Cultivation is like sailing against the current—if you don't advance, you fall behind. Sect Master, remember this well."
Qin Mu's heart stirred. "You are already a deity. Even you need to learn the new Dao techniques and divine abilities?"
Yankang National Teacher nodded. "Among the young experts of your generation, there are no shortage of innovative minds. I have already passed on the three new basic sword techniques, and I have also disseminated your Eighteen Sword Styles. Just these four new basic sword techniques are enough to give rise to countless new sword moves in the world's sword Dao. Moreover, after the Six Harmonies Primordial Spirit cultivation method was spread, the changes to Dao techniques and divine abilities have been even greater. The addition of four new basic sword techniques only changes swordsmanship, but a change in the cultivation system—that is a much bigger shift."
Qin Mu deeply agreed. Creating sword techniques was difficult, but changing the foundation was even harder. Once the foundation changed, it gave countless people the opportunity to reform and innovate. One could say that a wealth of opportunities lay right before them.
When Qin Mu and Ling Yuxiu created the Primordial Spirit Guide, they had changed the foundation of cultivation. With the foundation altered, infinite possibilities emerged. More people could build on this foundation with their intelligence and talent, allowing Dao techniques and divine abilities to soar, thus producing many great masters!
However, as the reformer, he too needed to learn and adapt to the new Dao techniques and divine abilities.
"I suggest you go to the Imperial Academy and the Four Great Academies. Spend some time at each academy and exchange ideas with those young people."
Yankang National Teacher sighed with deep emotion. "Dao techniques and divine abilities change daily. The ideas of young people emerge endlessly. In just a few months, I felt I had grown old, fallen behind the times, and needed to learn from these young people. In the future, the number of young cultivators who reach the divine realm will surely be enormous! Two days before you arrived in the capital, Daoist Linxuan led the younger generation of the Dao Sect to the Imperial Academy to exchange Dao techniques and divine abilities. I was also at the academy learning the new techniques created by the younger generation and discussing with him—it gave me many insights. Yesterday, Ma Rulai also arrived with many monks and demons to debate Dao at the academy, but I had no time to go."
"Ma Ye is in the capital too?"
Qin Mu was delighted, then suddenly asked, "National Teacher, how many deities and demons are there currently within Yankang?"
Yankang National Teacher was taken aback. "Why do you ask?"
Qin Mu recounted what he had seen in the darkness of the Great Ruins and the speculation of the Capital Heaven Demon King. "The collision with another world could happen tens of thousands of years from now, or it could happen tomorrow. So we must prepare early. The more deities and demons Yankang has, the better—otherwise, we simply won't be able to resist them!"
Yankang National Teacher pondered for a moment, then asked suspiciously, "You can enter the darkness?"
Qin Mu hesitated, then told the truth: "I was born in the Netherworld. King Yan said I can enter the darkness of the Great Ruins without being harmed by it. I think he meant that I might be half Netherworld demon."
Yankang National Teacher didn't dwell on it. "If heaven wants to destroy Yankang, there's nothing we can do. Currently, the emperor has crossed the Divine Bridge, and there are over a dozen other deities in the kingdom. I told the emperor that all deities and demons must be registered. The emperor has already done so. But to resist such a dangerous demon world, Yankang won't have the strength to oppose them for decades. If that day truly comes..."
He smiled calmly. "I'll leave my affairs to you."
Qin Mu's heart shook violently, knowing that the National Teacher had resolved to die for his country. "The demons attacked that dark otherworld for twenty thousand years without breaking through. There's no reason it would fall tomorrow. National Teacher, don't dwell on it. Focus on building the road."
The two parted ways.
Qin Mu, leading Dragon Qilin and the box, arrived at the Imperial Academy. He found it even more bustling than before, with cultivators from all over—even from the grasslands and ice plains.
Emperor Yanfeng had ordered the establishment of the Four Great Academies to share the Imperial Academy's burden: Jiangling Academy, Yongjiang Academy, Lijiang Academy, and Heavenly Saint Academy. These four academies were now thriving with many students, but compared to the Imperial Academy, they still lacked some refinement.
"Sect Master Qin!"
"Grand Sacrificial Minister Qin!"
News of Qin Mu's arrival spread through the Imperial Academy instantly. Soon, Daoist Linxuan led many Daoists, Ma Rulai led many monks, and Gu Linuan led many Imperial Academy students to welcome him. Old friends from the academy also came to greet him. Qin Mu quickly returned their salutations, and the academy was filled with lively excitement.
"Grand Sacrificial Minister Qin was once a student in the Imperial Academy's student dormitory. Even then, I could see he was no ordinary fish in a pond—sooner or later, he would transform into a true dragon!"
Gu Linuan beamed with pride. "Who would have thought that that student Qin would become the Grand Sacrificial Minister of the Heavenly Saint Academy, one of the Four Great Academies? I share in the honor!"
Qin Mu laughed heartily. "Lord Gu, I've come back for a second round of studies. I'm still your little student!"
Gu Linuan was deeply moved. "Lord Qin, please don't say that. I am truly unworthy. Speaking of which, we have been old friends for many years. When I first met you at the Yongjiang Dragon Palace, I knew you were extraordinary. That's why I gifted you the Junior Guardian Sword. As they say, discerning eyes recognize jade, and a precious sword is given to a hero. My bond with Lord Qin began at the Yongjiang Dragon Palace! Hahaha!"
After the lively greetings, Qin Mu met with Ma Rulai, Linxuan, and others, and exchanged pleasantries with Wei Yong, Yun Que, Shen Wanyun, Yue Qinghong, and others. The Demon Ape was also there, making the scene exceptionally lively.
Wei Yong, Shen Wanyun, and other old friends had spent the past two years training in the military, advancing rapidly in cultivation. They had all grown into figures capable of standing on their own, and Qin Mu was genuinely happy for them.
The Imperial Academy also housed many already renowned experts, most of whom had taken up official posts in the provinces.
The Demon Ape's presence at the academy surprised Qin Mu.
Ever since Xing Han had caused chaos at the Lesser Thunderclap Monastery, and the Lesser Tathagata couldn't withstand the bow of Wei Wu Shen and had his soul scattered, the Demon Ape Zhankong had followed the Lesser Tathagata's instructions and led the monks of the Lesser Thunderclap Monastery to the Greater Thunderclap Monastery, enduring many hardships along the way.
When they arrived at the Greater Thunderclap Monastery, the arrival of many demon monks naturally caused an uproar among the monastery's members.
The Demon Ape Zhankong, as the Lesser Tathagata's disciple, was of the same generation as Ma Ye. The two of them—one human, one demon—debated Buddhism on the Golden Summit of Mount Sumeru, with countless monks below.
The Demon Ape spoke little, but his words were like pearls of wisdom. Each sentence was only three or five characters, yet every word struck the heart and provoked deep thought, leaving the senior monks of Greater Mount Sumeru speechless and unable to refute him.
The debate lasted three days. The monks were defeated, but fortunately, a bearded Yankang general came down from the mountain. He ascended the Golden Summit, shed his armor, and called himself Monk Mingxin. He debated with the Demon Ape for several days, barely salvaging some face.
Monk Mingxin also spoke little, discussing only folk customs and people's livelihoods without quoting scriptures or citing any Buddhist texts from the Greater Thunderclap Monastery. Yet his words carried profound meaning, making people feel that what he said was the true Dharma—truly a dazzling display.
This debate shook the world.
Ma Ye praised both for their unimpeded eloquence, then accepted the demonic Buddhist scriptures offered by the Demon Ape, recognizing the demon monks of the Lesser Thunderclap Monastery. The two sects merged into one.
This event was a major affair in Yankang, spreading through all the sacred lands and academies. It was called the Golden Summit Debate and became quite famous, regarded as a beautiful tale of its time.
Of course, Qin Mu had been fleeing from Xing Han's pursuit at the time and couldn't witness the event on Mount Sumeru. Whether it happened exactly as the legend said was unknown.
This time, Ma Ye brought the Demon Ape, Monk Mingxin, and a host of other monks, which was a sensational event. Combined with Daoist Linxuan leading many Daoists to exchange ideas, it was a grand occasion!
After the excitement subsided, everyone sat before the Imperial Academy Hall. When Qin Mu mentioned his desire to study, everyone was surprised. Gu Linuan had initially thought he was just being polite, never expecting he truly intended to learn.
Gu Linuan immediately invited cultivators from various halls of the Imperial Academy to present their insights before the hall. Daoists from the Dao Sect and monks from the Greater Thunderclap Monastery also came forward to share their gains. In an instant, countless previously unseen Dao techniques and divine abilities emerged. Even Qin Mu was amazed, marveling at the ingenious ideas of these cultivators.
Two days later, Ling Yuxiu and Ling Yushu arrived in the capital to report on their duties. Hearing of the event, they came to the Imperial Academy to participate in the reform and debate.
A few days later, the younger generation from the other four academies also arrived. The students of the Heavenly Saint Academy were led by Si Yunxiang, while those from Jiangling Academy followed Qin Feiyue, who was a disciple of Yankang National Teacher. The National Teacher was also the superintendent of Jiangling Academy.
Yuyuan Chuyu brought the students of Yongjiang Academy. As for the Grand Sacrificial Minister of Lijiang Academy, it was Ba Shan. Lijiang was the farthest, requiring someone of great talent and virtue to establish the academy, so the emperor appointed Ba Shan as Grand Sacrificial Minister.
With the young experts from the four academies gathering at the Imperial Academy, it was naturally even livelier. Unexpectedly, a few days later, Wang Muran, Mu Qingdai, and Long Yu from Little Jade Capital also arrived.
Before Wang Muran and the others could even sit down, a voice laughed, "I heard the Sect Master had arrived at the Imperial Academy, so I rushed over, but it seems I'm still late!"
Qin Mu quickly stood to welcome him, smiling, "Brother Xu, since our parting at the Lesser Thunderclap Monastery, have you been well?"
Xu Shenghua arrived with Jing Yan. "I haven't heard news of the Sect Master for a long time. Seeing you safe, I can finally rest easy."
Everyone sat down. The Imperial Academy was bustling with activity. Cultivators from various schools lectured on Dao techniques, cultivation, and primordial spirits. Countless ingenious ideas emerged, and even Emperor Yanfeng and the court officials were drawn to come and listen.
Qin Mu, Ling Yuxiu, Si Yunxiang, Daoist Linxuan, the Demon Ape, Monk Mingxin, Xu Shenghua, Wang Muran, and others were invited to the stage to expound on their own Dao techniques and divine abilities. The collision of different thoughts and ideas left the audience entranced.
They each had unique expertise in primordial spirits, and by merging everyone's ingenious ideas, they sparked even more creativity.
"I have an idea!"
Qin Mu suddenly laughed. "Yankang is growing larger and larger. People are scattered across the land, making communication difficult. But primordial spirits are swift, able to travel tens of thousands of miles in an instant. If we could connect primordial spirits, wouldn't that save the time spent traveling?"
This proposal immediately won the approval of many young people. Each used their intelligence to try to connect different people's primordial spirits, putting forward various ideas.
Emperor Yanfeng and Duke Wei looked at each other. Duke Wei said, "They were talking sensibly just now, but now they've started spouting nonsense. Primordial spirits run too fast—they can travel tens of thousands of miles in an instant, making it hard to gather them together. Moreover, primordial spirits are difficult to control; they don't know where they've gone. How do we solve these problems?"
Emperor Yanfeng smiled. "Let's see what happens."
After a while, Duke Wei and the others were wide-eyed and speechless. Before the Imperial Academy Hall, everyone was discussing how to solve the problem of guiding primordial spirits. Various techniques were casually created on the spot, astonishing the older generation like Duke Wei and Emperor Yanfeng.
Qin Mu, meanwhile, was organizing everyone's various ideas. After a long time, he finally created a new technique based on the Primordial Spirit Guide.
He passed the technique to everyone, and they eagerly began modifying the Imperial Academy Hall, setting up various runic marks inside.
"Everyone, go a thousand miles in each of the four directions. Let's hold a primordial spirit conference!" Qin Mu said excitedly.
The thousands of students in the Imperial Academy roared with excitement and scattered far away, emptying most of the academy in an instant. Only the emperor and the civil and military officials remained before the hall, constantly peering into the now-empty building.
An hour later, Qin Mu's primordial spirit suddenly appeared in the Imperial Academy, vast in form, his divine consciousness vibrating: "The First Primordial Spirit Conference begins!"
Buzz, buzz, buzz—
One primordial spirit after another instantly appeared in the Imperial Academy Hall, filling it to capacity!
Thousands of primordial spirits each took their seats, sitting in the void.
Outside, Emperor Yanfeng and the others stood speechless for a long time, staring blankly at this scene.
—Nearly four thousand words, everyone. How about throwing in a couple of monthly votes? We've fallen to eighth place on the leaderboard. How sad~