Chapter 4: Grooming Method and Successors of Inner Core Skill (10,000-Word Chapter)_2
Wang Sheng, out of curiosity, had once looked into this person, a strange individual.
Lin Chao, who had joined the academy shortly after its establishment, became one of the deans of the Literary Path division of Datong College and also a Clan Elder of the Lin family, a family that practiced Qi Blood Martial Arts.
The Lin family had been a Great Grandmaster family quite early on and had a fine family tradition. They didn't decline thereafter; instead, they seized several opportunities, and the strongest among them, not long before the planetary advancement, grasped the chance to ascend to the Sixth Realm, establishing themselves as one of the top families.
And that strongest member was Lin Chao's grandson.
It was precisely because of his grandson that he had lived up to this day.
But in reality, if only he had wished, he could have lived for ten thousand years.
The ethereal energy of immortality from the Heavens of Longevity is generated every once in a while. Most cultivators with intent do not choose to absorb it, and thus, a significant portion is given to the relatives of strong cultivators.
With Lin Chao's grandson's cultivation, even if the ethereal energy was scarce, he could obtain a portion, and his grandson wished to give it to him.
But he refused it himself.
Countless people who sought the ethereal energy intensively stored it away without access.
"What use is such a thing to me? I have lived my whole life openly and honestly. If I live for too long, even I won't know what sort of a fiend I might turn into. If I must die, I will die with my eyes clear and my consciousness unclouded."
That was Lin Chao's very own wording.
He understood well that without a heart to match, living long would only turn one into a devil, and he did not wish himself to become such.
So, he dedicated his life to the literary path.
Datong College, the faculty of the Literary Path, the Literary Path division, without a method of cultivation. Yet, it's precisely because of the presence of "ordinary people" like him, who can't cultivate, that people stand firm in their faith and enter to study each year.
This was a truly pure scholar.
He lived his life with integrity and honor and didn't feel regret for being unable to cultivate, only wishing to magnify and glorify the literary path.
He even had a legend.
Once, a cultivator who practiced spiritual power pretended to be a ghost, trying to frighten the people of a village into giving him benefits.
Lin Chao happened to be traveling through the area when that cultivator came to frighten him.
Yet, not only was he not scared, but he also scolded: "Evil spirits dare to harm people. Are you not afraid of this trembling celestial might, this mighty righteousness?"
In the eyes of the cultivator, Lin Chao was fragile, but he was intimidated, put to flight in a panic.
Had it not been spread by his disciple, perhaps no one would know of this incident.
"Men of honor are forthright." Perhaps, it referred to people like him.
"Elder, why have you come here?"
Respecting Lin Chao, Wang Sheng revealed himself for a meeting.
"I've come to leave behind my humble writings. I remember the Book Collection Pavilion should have writing tools, right?" Lin Chao glanced at Wang Sheng and revealed his purpose.
Upon asking, Wang Sheng noticed that Lin Chao's life force was even weaker.
This was going to be his final writing!
Wanting to leave behind his insights for posterity.
"Won't you go and see your family and friends?" Wang Sheng hesitated, then voiced the concern.
Lin Chao appeared slightly surprised, realizing the seemingly young man before him was not simple.
But regarding the question, he just shook his head and said, "If I say goodbye, I fear I wouldn't be able to leave!"
He knew that if his grandson learned of his impending death, he might forcibly make him use the ethereal energy.
He didn't say it, but Wang Sheng understood.
No wonder he had come at this time.
The 70th anniversary of Datong, all those in the Sixth Realm had been summoned to the capital.
Lin Chao must have used some method to conceal his impending death.
Seeing Wang Sheng deep in thought, Lin Chao said, "No need for further talk, please lead me to the study!"
If he waited any longer, there might not be another chance!
"Please!"
Before long, Lin Chao arrived in the study.
This was just an ordinary study, where Lin Chao spread out the paper and began writing without hesitation.
"I have studied for a hundred years..."
This was an exposition of his thoughts, as well as his final writing.
While writing, Wang Sheng noticed that Lin Chao held a breath within him, this breath perhaps being the important reason that had sustained him until now.
Wang Sheng suddenly remembered, he seemed to have seen it before.
At that time, he thought that maybe a different path would be taken, but now it seemed that this breath, even after a hundred years of nourishment, still had not burst forth.
"It's a bit of a pity..."
Wang Sheng thought for a moment, then took out a book.
"I think this book should be of help to you!"
Lin Chao was interrupted, his vitality nearly dispersed, but Wang Sheng stabilized him with a method.
Of course, Lin Chao couldn't feel it himself, thinking he was about to lose his hold, but he didn't get angry at being interrupted and said, "Perhaps it's a good book, but I have no chance to read it..."
He meant to refuse, but upon seeing Wang Sheng's eyes, somehow, he took the book.
"Forget it, then. I shall take a look. A person like you insisting I read it."
He had regained his composure and, realizing his condition seemed to be maintained, felt even more that Wang Sheng was not simple.
He took over the book and began to flip through it immediately.
Wang Sheng watched him, not speaking, nor reminding.
The book had been obtained a long time ago and belonged to the final writings.
The author, Zhou Tongwen, an old Scholar.
It was through this book that Wang Sheng discovered some truth about the Destiny Dynasty, which was also the beginning of his inquiry.
The old Scholar Zhou Tongwen had once wanted to solve the calamity of the Destiny Dynasty.
Thus, he blazed a new trail.
Amassing strength, he ascended in a single leap, becoming a powerful figure before the Dynasty could react.
Alas, in the end, he failed and only left behind a book as a warning to future generations, which Wang Sheng had acquired.
Initially, nothing stood out, but as his own strength increased, Wang Sheng realized, besides the warning about the calamity of the Destiny Dynasty, the book also left behind a legacy.