Invasion Myth: Starting with the Schoolteacher

Chapter 39 Zhu, the Student Who Visits Heaven

The peaceful days passed quickly, and a month flew by.

In the afternoon, having nothing else to do, Xu Xuan once again went to the large rock on the back mountain to cultivate.

Ruoxu sent back a piece of palm leaf a few days ago, explaining that he wouldn't be returning anytime soon and hoping that his junior brother would continue to oversee the arrangements at the academy.

The exorcism of the demon in Beihai is nearing its end; the demon's stubborn resistance is still no match for the divine power of Buddhism.

Unwilling to surrender, he escaped into the deep sea. In order to prevent the other party from having the opportunity to wreak havoc on the world, Ruoxu decided to continue his pursuit and salvation.

hmm~~~
Xu Xuan felt a chill run down his spine upon seeing this.

"Senior brother, you're putting a lot of pressure on me."

The claim that he was confined to the Pure Land for five hundred years to discuss the Dao is most likely a realistic one.

If you don't want to be suppressed, you must improve your cultivation level as soon as possible.

However, my natural talent is really just average, and Buddhist teachings ultimately depend on enlightenment.

I have memorized all three sutras and one treatise, and I also regularly go to the library to check for any fragments of Buddhist texts.

At night, she would devoutly recite Amitabha Buddha's name, and in her daily life, she was always compassionate.

If Buddha were alive, he would most likely be moved, right?

Through diligent practice, the Pure Land finally achieved a qualitative breakthrough, reaching the level of two grains of sand, not even enough to fit a toe.

Left with no other choice, Xu Xuan also considered a shortcut.

An uninitiated member of the White Lotus sect is like a grain of sand; how many grains of sand are there in a pure land? It's too cruel.

It's estimated that even at its peak, it wouldn't be enough; perhaps it needs some remnants of higher levels of cultivation.
Ok?
Xu Xuan looked up at the sky.

Chongqi Academy is a place of great cultural prosperity, always shrouded in clear clouds, with rare objects such as swords, jade pendants, and the Four Treasures of the Study floating among it, making the whole place as stable as Mount Tai.

At this moment, a slight fluctuation appeared at the edge of the academy's fortune.

This is no small matter.

"Teacher Xu~~~Teacher Xu~~~~".

A scholar came running over, sweating profusely, completely disregarding his appearance.

"What's the matter."

"Students from Jintian Academy are traveling through Qiantang and have come to pay homage to the mountain today."

"So what if they've come? Talented scholars from other places often visit the academy. There's no need to make a fuss."

Scholars traveling to study was a common practice, as it broadened their horizons and allowed them to verify what they had learned.

Young men from prominent families would receive financial support from their families to organize various forms of group study tours, which could be used to strengthen friendships or gain fame.

The three major academies in Jiangnan are popular destinations for study tours, and winning one or two matches can make you famous in several provinces.

"It's Zhu Erdan from Jintian Academy who's here. He's already won three matches in a row, and Qian Zhongyu is almost at his limit!"

"Professor Gu asked us to invite you over for a look."

Ok?
Zhu Erdan. I'd go there just for the name.

We'll have to see what's going on and whether it's someone he knows.

My senior brother said that immortals and gods have vanished without a trace, and it is unknown whether the spirits of the underworld still exist.

"I'll take the first step."

After Xu Xuan finished speaking, he started walking towards the front of the mountain. Just then, a mountain breeze blew by, making his steps even lighter.

The students who came to report could only watch helplessly as their instructor disappeared, not even his back was visible.

The mountain wind whistled past my ears, and soon we passed through the woods and streams and arrived at the main building of the academy.

After asking a few passing students, he arrived at the scripture room.

I spotted the young man standing right in the center.

He was seven feet four inches tall, with an ordinary face and no extraordinary features. He was not particularly noticeable in the Chongqi Academy because of his appearance.

However, he was elegant and graceful, with a commanding presence and a very powerful aura.

They're the kind of people who seem ordinary at first glance, but are quite extraordinary upon closer inspection.

Opening my spiritual senses, I saw that the other person had abundant energy, stable yang fire, and a clear mind, with nothing unusual about them.

If there is any difference, it is that their fortune is extremely strong.

He was more vigorous than anyone he had ever seen.

Strange, it is said that this Zhu Erdan was not born into a wealthy or noble family, had no family background or official position, and could reach such a level solely through his literary talent.

If this is true, then it is reasonable for many literary elders in Jiangnan to say that he must be a renowned minister who governs the world.

Xu Xuan was analyzing the situation carefully, while the people in the room felt as if they were being publicly executed.

"Brother Qian, am I right?"

Zhu, with his gentle demeanor, spoke politely, but after watching the entire debate, one would understand that his style was extremely domineering, even aggressive.

They completely ignored the unspoken rule of scholars to stop at the right point, instead pressing their advantage relentlessly with extremely ruthless methods.

Qian Zhongyu's face was pale, pearl powder was falling off in a flash, and his back was completely soaked.

His outstretched hand trembled slightly, and his eyes lost their luster, clearly indicating that he was deeply distressed.

Debating scriptures and discussing doctrines, as well as exchanging ideas and achievements, are common occurrences.

It's not that he's never lost; in fact, there are quite a few people in the academy who can defeat him. But being refuted to the point of being unable to retaliate, or even having his mind go blank, is truly disheartening.

That feeling of powerlessness.
He bowed wearily, covered his face, and retreated.

The room was completely silent. This scholar from a commoner background was unstoppable, while the scions of noble families felt a slight embarrassment.

Xu Xuan, still unable to discern Zhu Erdan's true nature from behind the crowd, was certain that the other party was problematic.

One can sense that after Qian Zhongyu's defeat, the celestial fortunes began to fluctuate again.

"Chongqi Academy is indeed full of hidden talents. Brother Qian's theory of good and evil is an eye-opener. I wonder who else can enlighten me?"

All the scholars looked at Xie Yu.

At this point, only his talent and learning could turn the tide.

Xie Yu remained unmoved and instead bowed to Xu Xuan to ask for instructions.

"Master Xu?"

"A scholar must be resolute and persevering, for his burden is heavy and his journey is long."

“Students understand.”

Xie Yuping calmed himself down and walked to the center of the field.

A battle of wits has begun.

After an incense stick has burned, Xie Yu is about to be defeated. Although his posture remains upright and his face shows no sign of loss, the spectators understand that he is about to lose.

The speed of his mind, the breadth of his experience, and the depth of his thinking are simply extraordinary for someone his age.

Histories, classics, various schools of thought, music, and arithmetic were all flawless.

Zhu Erdan looked arrogant and swaggered around the scripture room, making a circle under everyone's gaze, as if to say that Chongqi Academy was nothing special.

He stopped in front of Xu Xuan.

“Instructor, why don’t you give me the final question and let Brother Xie and I settle our differences?”

Xu Xuan also showed a warm smile.

"No."

Zhu's wicked and arrogant smile froze instantly. What's wrong with you, teacher? Why are you smiling like that?

"It's just a joke. Why don't you write the character '仁' (ren, benevolence) and decide the winner by calligraphy?"

Calligraphy was also a common area of ​​competition among scholars, but it was just a single character.
"Extraordinary people should do extraordinary things."

So someone very conspicuously brought out a brush, ink, paper, and inkstone and laid them on the table.

Zhu Erdan started the competition in a daze, completely shattering the atmosphere of dominance he had previously created.

His handwriting remained flawless, and his effortless work earned the repeated nods of approval from the old professors.

Although this person did not show any intention of benevolence, his words were full of benevolence, which is quite strange.

Even Professor Liu, who teaches calligraphy, admitted that it was a good character, demonstrating a deep understanding of calligraphy.

Xie Yu stood before the desk for a long time without moving, seemingly deep in thought, before finally picking up his pen and slowly beginning to write.

Holding the pen is like wielding a carving knife—heavy and strenuous.

"The handwriting is alright, but..."

Zhu Erdan had thought that Chongqi Academy had some killer move, but now it seems that it was nothing special.

However, Professor Liu's reaction was quite different. Instead of picking up the thin sheet of Xuan paper, he bent down to examine it carefully.

"Well done, well done. The meaning of benevolence and virtue is equally good, let's call this a draw."

Zhu Erdan was about to object when he saw Professor Liu pick up the paper, and there was a character "仁" (ren, meaning benevolence) on the desk.

penetrating!

This...this...I have nothing to say.

They've fallen into their trap. Chongqi Academy, huh!
Seeing that Zhu was not convinced, Xu Xuan waved his hand again and called over an ordinary-looking classmate.

"Go and write the character '早' (early). Please give me your feedback, Zhu."

Professor Liu was amazed again, saying that the character "早" (early) was well written, but why did the character for "morning of the day" contain such a deep sense of regret?

The emotions were so intense that they could leap off the page and be expressed through words. Is it really that simple now?
Zhu Erdan: Okay, okay, I accept it.

With the literary competition concluded, Xie Yu managed to salvage the academy's last shred of dignity.

Professor Gu walked over at that moment.

"Student Zhu, please stay for one night. We still need to discuss the proposal from Jintian Academy. We will give you an answer tomorrow."

Nighttime, Hospital B3.

Xu Xuan sat by the lotus pond, reviewing what happened with Zhu during the day, but something felt off.

Clang!
The sword roars!

The Big Dipper sword hanging in the room emitted a crisp sound, as if warning something.

Beneath, bee, bee.

Someone knocked on the door of the Third Hospital.

Is Instructor Xu here?

(End of this chapter)