NOVEL WEB Chapter 286 Hundred Schools scholars
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"Hundred Schools scholars?"
Shen Yuan's brow furrowed slightly, unimpressed by the coachman's words.
His partial knowledge of the Luotian Realm also came from the Great Yin 3rd Prince Ji Zhaoyang, but most of it concerned only the origin of the Luotian Realm and the existence of its Dao rhyme, with very little about the inner workings of the Luotian Realm.
In this situation, Shen Yuan naturally didn't understand what exactly the Hundred Schools scholars represented.
Casting a glance at the dilapidated carriage, Shen Yuan sensed that these Hundred Schools scholars, lacking even a decent carriage, were probably just ordinary characters.
"However, it seems to be a decent start to be directly given an identity, rather than being an outsider with no identity."
Ji Zhaoyang had once mentioned that, during one of the past Luotian Conventions, a major power revealed that the outsiders were transfigurations imparted by the Supreme Tao Ancestor.
This action ultimately led to the slaughter of that power's beings by the powerful experts of the Luotian Realm as invaders, and early elimination of the other factions.
This story, being too far-reaching, allowed some of the information to be passed down easily, and it gradually became a taboo in the All-Worlds Luotian Conventions—never reveal your true identity in front of the Luotian Realm's native beings.
Nearly all cultivators conceal their identities upon entering the Luotian Realm, and Shen Yuan had never heard of anyone like himself, with a self-contained identity.
"Could these changes be related to my personal entry into the land of Supreme Tao Ancestor's impartation?"
For now, Shen Yuan still knew too little about the Luotian Realm and the Supreme Tao Impartation, so he could only tentatively make such a guess.
As he contemplated, the coachman outside continued,
"Although our line has declined to the point where only you, sir, retain the title of one of the Hundred Schools scholars,
with your method of dreaming through a thousand autumns, studying the universe, and being well-versed in both ancient and modern times, even among past scholars you stand out. Certainly, you will shine at the grand discussion ceremony, leading our lineage back to the peak."
At this point, the coachman looked at Shen Yuan with eyes full of reverence.
Shen Yuan's expression shifted slightly—this was the second time the coachman had mentioned the method of dreaming through a thousand autumns.
Through the coachman's words, Shen Yuan started to grasp what this method was—anh experience of various spacetimes and Great Divine Powers in dreams. The prolonged dreaming could impact consciousness and lead to memory loss, which is also why the coachman had no suspicion about Shen Yuan's identity.
Shen Yuan certainly wasn't adept in the method of dreaming through a thousand autumns, but he could use the convenient aftereffects of this technique to inquire about the Luotian Realm and Jixia Academy without concern.
"What is this Jixia Academy and the grand discussion ceremony?"
Without any suspicion, the coachman eagerly explained,
"Jixia Academy is the first academy established by the Qi State; later, Emperor Zhou decreed that it should become independent, no longer influenced by Qi State.
Since then, Jixia Academy has thrived, with many Hundred Schools scholars emerging and spreading school thoughts throughout the Luotian Realm.
Using school thoughts as their foundation, the Human Clan explored the Heaven and Earth Dao, leading to a prosperous age for the Human Path.
And the Hundred Schools scholars were honored guests across all great kingdoms."
"There are many schools within the Hundred Schools scholars, and with diverse academic thoughts and influence in the world, it is inevitable that conflicts arise among the school factions. Therefore, some scholars proposed holding the grand discussion ceremony at Jixia Academy after a certain period.
At the grand discussion ceremony, new academic thoughts and Great Tao True Words can be spread, and it can also serve as a way to resolve conflicts between the schools.
This proposal was approved by the Hundred Schools scholars and eventually became widespread, over time turning into a grand convention known throughout the Luotian Realm."
As the coachman narrated, Shen Yuan finally gained a foundational understanding of the Luotian Realm, the so-called Hundred Schools scholars, and Jixia Academy.
Yet, in Shen Yuan's view, no matter how influential the Hundred Schools of Thought were, they were ultimately just academic factions without real power and must have their limitations.
His own status as a down-and-out scholar seemed fitting then.
"Since that's the case, I'll maintain this persona of a down-and-out scholar for now and check out Jixia Academy first.
Later, I can also use Jixia Academy's influence to confirm Ji Zhaoyang's whereabouts and provide him protection."
With his mind made up, Shen Yuan took the opportunity to continue asking the coachman for some basic information.
The old carriage bumped along, gradually nearing the grand city at the end of the plain.
...
Linzi City, with its massive walls stretching high into the clouds like an endless mountain range, loomed with a presence that human hands couldn't possibly construct.
Outside Linzi City, Ji Zhaoyang and others, now dressed in scholarly attire, blended into the crowd, their group stretching like a long dragon for miles.
Among those lining up, many appeared as wandering scholars, similar to Ji Zhaoyang and his companions.
This was one of the tricks learned by Ji Zhaoyang and the others in recent times.
In the Luotian Realm, apart from commoners who spend their lives laboring in one place, the most common sight was wandering scholars.
These wandering scholars traveled between states seeking knowledge, visiting famous mountains and rivers, and academic institutions.
As the Dao was omnipresent in the Luotian Realm, these wandering scholars were influenced by the Dao while comprehending this world, granting them considerable strength.
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