Achieving the Dao from the Hundred Schools of Thought

With a calm mind, Zhuang Weiyang entered her dream again, filled with anticipation.

"Mr. Zhuang, it's been a few days. How have you been?"

"Have you already embarked on the path?"

Zhuang Weiyang came to her senses and returned to the familiar classroom.

The young boy "Zhao Qin" has appeared and greeted them.

Zhuang Weiyang waved familiarly, found a seat, pulled out the chair next to her, and beckoned to Zhao Qin.

"Come on, sit down and let's chat."

"Since it's just the two of us here, is there any need for such formalities?"

Zhao Qin readily agreed and sat down next to Zhuang Weiyang.

Zhuang Weiyang's expression remained unchanged, but in her heart, her opinion of Zhao Qin had risen even higher.

Despite being in bizarre dreams repeatedly at such a young age, he showed no sign of panic.

Dressed in fine clothes, she exudes an air of nobility in her demeanor, yet she is not arrogant in her interactions with others.

Knowing when to advance and when to retreat, that's impressive.

Sigh, at his age, he's still thinking about going to internet cafes every day.

"Young Master Zhao, thanks to your Cangjie Book, I have embarked on the path of cultivation."

"But I wonder, how does one cultivate after establishing a hundred schools of thought?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Qin first offered his congratulations, and then said:

"The methods of cultivation of the hundred schools are all different. The military conquers cities and seizes territories, the government governs and guards a region; the Mohists are skilled in ingenuity and refinement, the Legalists strictly adhere to the law."

"Qin is ignorant of the Way of the Master, therefore he does not know how the Master should cultivate himself."

"But... in our human realm, most of the cultivation practices are inseparable from the two words 'enlightenment'."

Zhuang Weiyang also knew what Zhao Qin had said.

But this "change" is too abstract. What kind of behavior is in accordance with one's true nature and can lead to enlightenment?

These words, however, could not be spoken openly to Zhao Qin.

The two tacitly changed the subject, turning their conversation to other paths of cultivation.

Zhao Qin was knowledgeable and experienced; he even knew a little about the cultivation path in the "Spring and Autumn Period" version.

Zhuang Weiyang, on the contrary, knew nothing about these cultivation paths, but was very familiar with their techniques.

I'm a veteran PvP player.

The two were engrossed in their conversation and didn't notice a cloud of smoke quietly forming in front of them.

"If you ask me, we should just stay away from Legalism!"

Zhuang Weiyang spoke with great enthusiasm, pointing out the flaws in the landscape.

"These Legalist practitioners are utterly inhuman! Their confrontation should be fair and open, with no holds barred."

"But it's different for a magician. You've just started a spell here, trying to fly over..."

"He just put up a no-fly zone, how are we supposed to fight that?!"

Zhao Qin smiled and nodded repeatedly.

Influenced by Zhuang Weiyang, his mind also became somewhat unconventional.

"Sir, in Qin's opinion, the most disgusting family is the Li family."

"When two people are vying for supremacy, if the other party is a family of etiquette, and you do not observe proper etiquette, you will be suppressed."

"If you bow, you will appear less imposing."

"Besides... this soldier has no sense of etiquette at all, isn't this making things difficult for him?!"

Hahahahahaha.

Zhuang Weiyang laughed so hard she almost fell over.

Zhao Qin's remarks could easily garner a hundred likes on a forum.

"To speak of what one has heard on the street is to abandon virtue."

"For two people to discuss etiquette like this behind someone's back is not the behavior of a gentleman!"

Just as they were feeling happy, a majestic voice came from ahead.

Zhuang Weiyang subconsciously looked forward and saw an old man with white hair and beard, wearing a gray robe, standing on the podium.

"Wow, that's really high..."

Zhuang Weiyang couldn't help but sigh, this person was extremely imposing, looking at least 1.9 meters tall.

When Zhao Qin was criticized, he looked displeased and retorted:

"My brother and I discussed cultivation methods, and our conversation didn't involve any individuals. How can that not be considered gentlemanly?!"

The old man on the podium shook his head, pondered for a moment, and began to explain.

"Without learning propriety, one cannot stand upright."

"When two people fight, they practice courtesy, and when they fight, they return courtesy. This is the proper way to reciprocate courtesy."

"The soldier-trainer is ignorant of etiquette, yet blames the etiquette-trainer for having many rules of conduct; this is utterly impolite!"

"You two, neglecting the principles of propriety, yet mocking them in your dreams, are utterly disrespectful!"

The old man on the stage pretended to be displeased, but in reality, he was giving a lecture with great interest.

Zhuang Weiyang also had a guess about this person's identity.

Zhuang Weiyang stood up and performed a fist and palm salute, tentatively asking:

"May I ask, sir, are you a Confucian scholar—Kong Qiu, Confucius?"

The old man, being upright and honest, returned the greeting and said:

"Exactly."

Zhuang Weiyang felt a headache coming on when she heard him agree.

Confucius was very powerful. He greatly promoted Confucianism in its third realm, and the fourth realm is not far off.

It is more than enough to teach oneself a single realm.

Confucius would not refuse anyone who sincerely asked for his advice.

That's where the problem lies!

In the game, Confucian practitioners are known as the most annoying players!

High job intensity, all six arts of a gentleman are transformed into techniques, capable of resisting, attacking and controlling, theoretically a jack-of-all-trades.

However, their method of cultivation beyond the first realm is to take on disciples.

That's right, taking on apprentices.

They're the ones shouting all over the world, "Looking for apprentices!" or "Looking for a disciple!"

This Confucius, though, is unlikely to be as nonsensical as a gamer.

but……

Confucius, standing on the platform, cleared his throat, his face serious.

"Since you are so interested in etiquette, I will teach you a lesson on Zhou etiquette!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Confucius waved his hand, and two test papers and two pens appeared on Zhuang Weiyang and Zhao Qin's desks.

"Before class begins, I need to see your understanding of 'etiquette'."

"Just write it down. I'll teach you based on your understanding in a bit."

Zhuang Weiyang's face was full of pain.

They arrived as expected.

This is the essence of Confucianism and Taoism!

I've already embarked on spiritual practice, why do I still have to take exams?

Zhuang Weiyang forced a smile and weakly raised her hand.

Confucius nodded in acknowledgment, and Zhuang Weiyang then began to speak:

"We are not yet ready for this kind of instruction in a dream, so perhaps..."

Upon hearing this, Confucius first showed a surprised expression, then said with displeasure:

"You summoned me here precisely to hear my lecture, didn't you?"

"The places where your dream-based supernatural powers manifest are somewhat strange, but they are no different from reality."

"I am not talented, but I uphold the Confucian way and possess the supernatural power of the Six Arts of a Gentleman. I am most aware of the power of this supernatural ability."

"The founders of the Hundred Schools of Thought could comprehend a divine ability at the second realm. Although I do not know how you, with only one realm of cultivation, comprehended the Dream Realm Divine Ability, you should not be as bewildered and lost as an ordinary person!"

Zhuang Weiyang lowered her raised hand and kept Confucius's words firmly in mind.

Aren't the Six Arts of a Gentleman supposed to be techniques and methods? How did they become supernatural powers?

The founders of all schools of thought were possessors of supernatural powers.

Why did all the schools of thought disappear in later versions?

With such high skill levels, even if they can't compete with immortals and Buddhas, they shouldn't be in decline, right?

Confucius ignored Zhuang Weiyang's little scheme, cleared his throat, and said seriously:

"I am Confucius, and countless people wish to study under my tutelage."

"Once you're out of the dream, you won't have the chance to ask me any questions."

"You two young men, one has established your own school of thought, and the other stood on the threshold of cultivation at the age of thirteen. Both of you can be called dragons and phoenixes among men."

"Don't look down on others just because you've achieved early success."

Remember this: "Among three people walking together, there is bound to be one I can learn from!"

"Alright, now write down your understanding of etiquette!"

Zhuang Weiyang couldn't help but have doubts amidst Confucius's earnest teachings.

Was I being unreasonable?

This is clearly my dream!

I just want to learn the cultivation methods that allow me to establish my own school of thought.

Zhuang Weiyang felt increasingly aggrieved as she thought about it. Looking at the exam paper in front of her, she couldn't help but let out a cold laugh.

good good!

I'll write it!

Beside him, Zhao Qin didn't say a word, but the same smile was already on his face.