Achieving the Dao from the Hundred Schools of Thought

Amidst the clinking of glasses and the exchange of toasts, people gathered for a lively gathering.

Tian Chang was eager to resolve his grievances with the Confucian school, and Zhuang Weiyang also wanted to learn more about the Tian family.

Both maintained restrained politeness, and their conversation was mostly tentative, without any confrontation.

Bo Jiang, standing to the side, transformed into a wine-pouring machine, quietly listening and digesting Zhuang Weiyang's new identity.

"I knew Zhuang Weiyang was dishonest long ago; even her cultivation path was fake!"

"Fortunately, I was quick-witted and did not offend him after Zhuang Weiyang embarked on the path of cultivation."

Bo Jiang sighed inwardly, his movements as he poured the wine becoming increasingly skillful.

As time passed, the crescent moon appeared and disappeared in the sky.

Tian Chang was not a Taoist, and his mortal body could not withstand the effects of alcohol; he was drunk and his eyes were blurry.

"Brother Zhuang, Tian Chang will be leaving tomorrow. See you again in Luoyi!"

After saying that, Tian Chang immediately lay down on the table and did not respond no matter how Zhuang Weiyang called out to him.

"Looks like he's drunk, but why did he say goodbye to Luoyi? I was planning to go to Luoyi after I reached the second realm."

"But I went there to obtain another supernatural power, which Tian Chang doesn't know."

Zhuang Weiyang sighed as she looked at Tian Chang's disgraceful behavior.

"We'll have to talk about that another time."

Bo Jiang had somehow found the tavern owner and brought over four more jars of fine wine.

"My two brothers, Weiyang. It is truly my honor to drink with such outstanding people today. It is a blessing for me, Bojiang."

However, as it was getting late, Bojiang decided it was time to leave the brothers there. "That's all for today."

Bo Jiang clasped his hands in a gesture of respect, then presented the wine to the guests before departing.

Zhuang Weiyang, carrying the wine jar, slowly walked back to the courtyard.

Tian Bao and Tian Ni helped their young master away. Once the two had walked a distance, Tian Ni's heart was immediately ablaze.

"No alcohol!"

The Legalist magic was unleashed, instantly clearing the smell of alcohol from Tian Chang's body.

"Young Master, why are you being so polite to Zhuang Weiyang?"

He was clearly just a minor official in the state of Wu, who by sheer luck caught the eye of Confucius and received the Confucian teachings, yet he was arrogant and disrespectful to the young lord…”

As a Legalist, Tian Ni placed great emphasis on rules and regulations.

In Tian Ni's eyes, given Tian Chang's noble status, Zhuang Weiyang's frivolous words were utterly disrespectful!

Tian Chang suddenly regained consciousness, his mind still reeling. He patted his cheeks with both hands, and after a few breaths, he smiled and explained to Tian Ni:

"The fact that a person from the state of Wu could inherit the Confucian and Taoist traditions is enough to show that this person is no ordinary individual. Secondly..."

Tian Chang paused, his expression becoming more serious.

"Before the summer harvest, the overseas country of Aolai was in turmoil, which had already affected the fate of the human race."

The last time this happened was a hundred years ago! Shortly after the strange phenomenon appeared, the Zhou emperor allocated a wisp of his fortune to recognize King Shoumeng of Wu as a feudal lord.

Tian Changyao looked towards Luoyi, his eyes burning with fervor.

"In this world, my Tian family, along with the four ministers of Jin and the three powerful families of Lu, all covet a share of fortune and a chance to become feudal lords!"

"I expect this year's Great Zhou Ancestral Ceremony will be quite a spectacle."

The Great Zhou Ancestral Sacrifice was held every few years, and during the ceremony, sages and worthies would be invited to preach.

Second-stage cultivators cultivate their true nature.

As cultivators practice, their nature evolves from being the same as themselves at the beginning to eventually aligning with the path of cultivation.

Once this step is completed, one can develop the most suitable techniques for oneself on the path of cultivation.

Zilu's Confucian and Taoist sword technique is an example of this type of magic.

If one can obtain the aura of a great sage and enter into a state of deep meditation, the time required for the step of refining one's true nature will be greatly reduced.

Therefore, the Great Zhou Ancestral Ceremony will inevitably attract cultivators of the Second Realm from various countries to come and observe the ceremony.

Therefore, Tian Chang said that he would see Zhuang Weiyang again in Luoyi in the future.

Tian Chang was unaware that Zhuang Weiyang was not following the Confucian path, but rather establishing her own path based on the I Ching.

Those who pioneered the various schools of thought in the pre-Qin period did not need to refine their inherent nature... This step is something that later generations would do!

All the philosophers of the Hundred Schools of Thought only needed to unite their minds and natures, elevate the fire of their hearts to their true nature, ignite their true destiny, and they could break through the three realms and spread their teachings to the human race.

……

The next day, at the crack of dawn, Zhuang Weiyang left home and headed to the Wu King's Palace.

The area outside the Wu King's Palace today is far less bustling than it was yesterday.

When the palace officials saw Zhuang Weiyang, they did not stop him and let him in.

As she traveled, Zhuang Weiyang kept her eyes straight ahead and saw Fuchai again.

only……

Fuchai looked listless, and his usually sharp eyes were now covered with dark circles.

He looked listless.

"A beautiful waist, like a bone-scraping knife..."

Zhuang Weiyang looked at Fuchai like this and couldn't help but feel worried.

Surely the king hasn't forgotten about rewarding the prince with land?

When Fuchai saw Zhuang Weiyang, he yawned and blurted out a question:

"Zhuang Weiyang, what brings you to my Wu King's palace?"

Zhuang Weiyang: "..."

What you fear most is what happens; Fuchai has indeed become so engrossed in his pleasures that he has lost all sense of right and wrong.

Zhuang Weiyang could only bow respectfully and remind him:

"Your Majesty, I have been ordered by Prince Di to offer you sacrificial meat and wine. Now that the mission is accomplished, I have come to take my leave and return to Zuili to report back!"

After Zhuang Weiyang finished speaking, Fuchai finally perked up a bit.

When a son shows filial piety, his father and ruler reciprocate with gifts; this is the unspoken rule.

King Fuchai had a great time yesterday and forgot for a moment, but he couldn't leave the gift unreturned.

"Hmm... I heard from Gan Jiang that my King's Sword has been completed today."

"Zhuang Weiyang, I also bestow a precious sword upon Prince Di! I hope that Prince Di will wield this sword to rid me of the disloyal and guard the borders of the kingdom!"

Fuchai's actions were indeed quite extravagant.

If Gan Jiang were to forge swords, he would surely produce many swords of "average" quality.

This "ordinary" sword is at least a second-tier sword, and in this era, it can be said to be priceless!

Fuchai clapped his hands lightly, summoned the minor official beside him, and ordered someone to bring up the precious sword.

Zhuang Weiyang had no choice but to accept the order and pretend to be a wooden figure in the Wu King's palace.

An hour later, someone finally came up carrying the sword.

Two pale-faced men, carrying wooden boxes, entered the Wu King's palace.

The wooden box faintly exuded sword energy, and without even opening it, Zhuang Weiyang knew that these were two peerless divine weapons.

The identity of the visitor was now clear.

Gan Jiang, the top-tier second-level swordsmith of the Wu Kingdom!

Gan Jiang held the wooden box in his hands and knelt down respectfully.

"Your Majesty! This is not merely a famous sword, but a top-tier treasure forged by your humble servant!"

Upon hearing this, Fuchai's weariness vanished, and he rose from his dragon throne to examine his King's Sword.

"Buzz—!"

Fuchai picked up the sword, and his third-level royal aura surged, flowing into the sword. In an instant, the hall was enveloped in sword light.

Everyone inside the hall felt as if they were being pointed at by a cold light, and that they would be beheaded in the next moment.

Zhuang Weiyang subconsciously wanted to ignite her inner fire, to defend herself, but she forcibly suppressed it.

What a powerful sword!

Fuchai couldn't help but show a satisfied expression.

This sword can withstand the third-tier royal fortune of King Fuchai, making it a top-grade sword even among second-tier treasures.

It truly lives up to its reputation as the King's Sword!

"This sword is good, so why is it called 'Unshielded'?"

"Your Majesty, this sword is too sharp. On the day it was forged, its aura almost injured me."

Your humble servant believes that things will inevitably turn into their opposites when they reach their extremes, and that the sword's sharpness must be balanced by its name. Therefore, this sword is named "Not Bright."

Fuchai chuckled.

"Too sharp? How can it be called a king's sword if it's not sharp?"

"Guards! Summon Goujian here and order him to bring the sword of the King of Yue and come to pay his respects to me!"

After Fuchai finished speaking, he put Buguang back into the wooden box and took out another sword.

This sword is the complete opposite of Bulang; its blade is jet black and shows no sign of sharpness.

"What's this one called?"

Gan Jiang knelt on the ground and respectfully replied:

"Your Majesty, this sword was made by your humble servant as a practice piece and has not yet been named."

Fuchai picked up the sword and casually swung it a few times.

"The blade is jet black, smooth and warm like jade; let's call this sword 'Ink Jade'!"

Having casually chosen a name for the sword, Fuchai tossed the black jade back into the wooden box and looked at Zhuang Weiyang.

"Take you back to Prince Di and tell him this is my return gift!..."

As Fuchai was speaking, hurried footsteps came from the doorway.

"Your Majesty, I, the guilty subject Goujian, pay my respects!"