With Ye Xuan’s arrival, Xuan Sect underwent earth-shattering changes.
Everyone became vibrant and full of energy!
Because they were well-fed, and their salaries had increased!
For a time, the dozen or so people in Xuan Sect were brimming with enthusiasm!
Ye Xuan spent his days researching and compiling with Zhi Xian and the others, mostly observing, occasionally offering ‘guidance’.
He had to admit, he was deeply impressed by Zhi Xian and his group!
Though they didn’t cultivate realms, their knowledge was terrifyingly vast. These people were proficient in astronomy, geography, cosmic civilizations, realm systems, divine techniques…
Take realms, for instance. They didn’t cultivate, yet they understood realms better than those who did.
Astounding!
Through his interactions with Zhi Xian and the others, Ye Xuan was profoundly shocked! Their depth of knowledge was likely second only to Qin Guan.
During this period of study, Ye Xuan gained immensely. He now firmly believed that reading was useful!
He also found himself growing fond of the feeling of reading.
It refined one’s character!
Reading allowed him to truly calm down, to think, to comprehend, to understand the world and the universe, to feel the thoughts of others.
In life, there were times one should pause, quiet the mind, and reflect.
Life wasn’t just about fighting and killing!
…
Noon.
Ye Xuan lay at the entrance of Xuan Sect’s hall, holding an ancient tome, basking in the warm sunlight.
The tome in his hand was titled: *Thirty-Six Yin-Yang Techniques*!
Ye Xuan was engrossed.
At that moment, Zhi Xian approached with a cup of tea. The tome in Ye Xuan’s hand suddenly turned into a book on humanities and geography.
Zhi Xian walked to Ye Xuan’s side, bowed slightly, and said, “Young Master, please have some tea!”
Ye Xuan took the cup, sipped, and smiled, “Is something on your mind, Elder Xian?”
Zhi Xian hesitated.
Ye Xuan smiled, “Speak freely!”
Zhi Xian said gravely, “Young Master, we need funds to acquire some ancient tomes!”
Ye Xuan was curious, “Ancient tomes?”
Zhi Xian nodded, “Yes, ancient tomes that record unknown civilizations or ancient martial techniques and methods, with great research value.”
Ye Xuan thought for a moment, then said, “This is a good thing. I’ll go with you. Don’t worry about the money, I’ll handle it!”
Hearing this, Zhi Xian was thrilled, bowing deeply to Ye Xuan, his voice trembling, “Thank you, Young Master!”
Ye Xuan smiled, “No need to thank me. Your work benefits all beings in the universe. It’s a great merit, a grand achievement, with immense significance!”
Zhi Xian hesitated, then said, “Young Master, are you willing to make our research findings public? For free?”
Ye Xuan nodded, “Of course!”
Zhi Xian bowed deeply again, “Young Master, your kindness is boundless! Truly boundless!”
Ye Xuan smiled faintly, “I plan to establish an academy, to gather more scholars to join us!”
He looked up at the sky, saying softly, “Along my journey, I’ve noticed that too many cultivators are filled with hostility. A single disagreement leads to fighting, to life-or-death battles… The world shouldn’t be like this! If everyone read more, read good books, like me, the world would be a much better place.”
Zhi Xian bowed deeply to Ye Xuan again, “We are willing to assist you, Young Master!”
Ye Xuan smiled, then looked at the plaque above, thought for a moment, and said, “Let’s establish an academy, one dedicated to reducing the hostility in the universe! The world lacks order and rules, leading to restless hearts, where everything revolves around profit. Our academy’s mission will be to establish a heart for the universe, a purpose for all beings, to carry on the lost teachings of the sages, and to bring peace to all worlds. To create order and build peace!”
Zhi Xian quickly said, “Excellent, truly excellent!”
Ye Xuan smiled faintly, “Let’s call it Guanxuan Academy!”
Guanxuan Academy!
Zhi Xian nodded, “Good!”
Ye Xuan suddenly stood, “Aren’t we going to acquire tomes? Let’s go, I’ll join you!”
Zhi Xian hurriedly said, “Young Master, please!”
They took a carriage!
Since Zhi Xian and the others didn’t cultivate, they travelled everywhere by carriage, their only one!
This time, Zhi Xian brought only one companion, a young girl named Qingqiu, his recently taken disciple. She had nearly starved upon joining!
Because of this, Qingqiu was thin, but her spirit was vibrant, always clutching an ancient tome.
Ye Xuan and Qingqiu sat in the carriage, while Zhi Xian drove. This was Zhi Xian’s deliberate arrangement, hoping Qingqiu could learn from Ye Xuan.
In Zhi Xian’s mind, the Young Master possessed great knowledge and wisdom!
Qingqiu sat opposite Ye Xuan, appearing somewhat reserved.
Ye Xuan looked at Qingqiu. She was about fifteen or sixteen, wearing a long cyan robe, thin but radiating vitality.
Ye Xuan smiled, “Don’t be nervous!”
Qingqiu nodded slightly, but seemed even more nervous!
Ye Xuan glanced at the tome in her hand and asked, “What book are you reading?”
Qingqiu hesitated, then said softly, “The Doctrine of the Mean!”
Ye Xuan smiled, “The book says that utmost sincerity leads to the highest state of life. Do you think that’s correct?”
Qingqiu thought for a moment, then said, “Yes!”
She said earnestly, “Only the utmost sincerity can manage the great affairs of the world, establish its foundation, and understand the transformations of heaven and earth. The path of utmost sincerity leads to the realm of the sage. Young Master, to establish a heart for the universe, a purpose for all beings, to carry on the sages’ teachings, and to bring peace to all worlds, to create order and build peace, you must be utterly sincere. If you treat the universe with sincerity, the universe will treat you with sincerity!”
Ye Xuan fell silent.
Qingqiu hesitated, then asked, “Did I say something wrong?”
Ye Xuan smiled faintly, “You’re absolutely right, but remember one thing: human hearts in this world are complex. Between people, sincerity is needed, but so is caution. As the sages said, one must not have the heart to harm others, but must have the heart to guard against them. With good people, we should be sincere and kind, but with bad people…”
He smiled and didn’t continue.
Qingqiu hesitated, then said, “With bad people, we should use benevolence and love to reform them, right?”
Ye Xuan fell silent.
Qingqiu cautiously glanced at Ye Xuan, “Is that wrong?”
Ye Xuan thought for a moment, then said, “What if benevolence and love can’t reform them?”
Qingqiu suddenly gripped her tome tightly, her eyes filled with resolve, “Kill them!”
Kill them!
Ye Xuan was stunned.
Shocked!
Looking at Qingqiu, she still appeared frail, but her eyes held a ruthless glint!
Ye Xuan fell silent.
His intuition told him this girl would be extraordinary in the future!
Reading wasn’t scary; what was scary was becoming a bookish fool, inflexible despite great knowledge.
Ye Xuan thought for a moment, then asked, “Do you want to cultivate?”
Qingqiu blinked, “Can I?”
Ye Xuan nodded, “If you want to, you can!”
Qingqiu hesitated, “But cultivation costs money! Our academy is very poor!”
Ye Xuan laughed, “No worries. If you want to cultivate, I’ll cover the costs.”
Qingqiu blinked, “Really?”
Ye Xuan nodded, “Really!”
Qingqiu stood and bowed deeply to Ye Xuan, “Thank you, Young Master!”
Ye Xuan smiled faintly, not thinking much of it.
But he didn’t know that this small act of kindness would, years later, give rise to an unparalleled Empress!
Empress Qingqiu!
Master of both literature and martial arts!
That era would be called the most glorious since the era of the Three Swords, a time countless cultivators were grateful to live in, as the collapse of the Three Swords era plunged the vast universe into a long period of darkness.
Martial arts crumbled, civilizations faltered!
That era was known as the darkest in history.
Until Empress Qingqiu emerged…
And Ye Xuan would never imagine that this small act of kindness, though he wouldn’t reap its rewards, would profoundly benefit his descendants…
…
After chatting with Ye Xuan, Qingqiu relaxed and often asked him questions, both academic and martial.
On academic matters, Ye Xuan mostly bluffed. Honestly, in terms of scholarship, he was no match for Qingqiu, which at times made him feel ashamed!
Of course, while he lagged in scholarship, he regained confidence in cultivation!
They chatted pleasantly, mostly Qingqiu asking Ye Xuan for guidance.
Unknowingly, the three arrived at Immortal Ancient City, one of the three major cities in the Universe of Gods.
The Universe of Gods had four realms—Qiu Realm, Mountain Realm, Xuan Realm, Cloud Realm—and three cities: Immortal Ancient City, Heavenly Speech City, and Eternal City.
Ye Xuan glanced at Immortal Ancient City. He had to admit, it was grand, its city gates larger than the entire Xuan Sect hall!
Qingqiu looked curiously at the city.
As the three entered, they became a peculiar sight!
Ordinary people?
On both sides of the street, people curiously observed the trio. In this era, nearly everyone cultivated, and ordinary people were only found in lower worlds.
Since Ye Xuan had concealed his aura, he too appeared ordinary to others.
Qingqiu curiously looked around, “Young Master, why are they staring at us?”
Ye Xuan smiled, “Because they’re all impressive, and we’re not!”
Qingqiu blinked, half-understanding.
Soon, the three arrived at a small building. Entering, Ye Xuan found it was a bookstore, filled with ancient tomes. There were quite a few people reading, including some Time Immortal-level experts.
Zhi Xian said, “Young Master, please wait. I’ll find the owner!”
He walked off.
Ye Xuan curiously surveyed the place, then led Qingqiu to a bookshelf, picking up a tome to read.
Qingqiu wanted to look, but Ye Xuan quickly put it away, winking, “You can’t read this!”
Qingqiu blinked, “Why not?”
Ye Xuan said seriously, “This kind of tome can only be read by someone like me, with a pure heart and unshakable resolve, without being led astray!”
Qingqiu giggled, “Young Master, you’re so improper!”
Ye Xuan: “…”
At that moment, Zhi Xian returned, his face bitter.
Ye Xuan asked, “What’s wrong?”
Zhi Xian gave a bitter smile, “To meet their boss, we need an appointment. I just made one… but it might be three days before we can see them!”
Ye Xuan frowned. He noticed that others reading in the store had someone attentively assisting them, but no one approached the three of them!
They were completely ignored!
Qingqiu gently tugged Ye Xuan’s sleeve and whispered, “Is it because we’re poor that we’re not taken seriously?”
Ye Xuan fell silent.
How should I answer you?
…
