Chapter 253 - 252: A Breakthrough Just Like That?
Chapter 253: Chapter 252: A Breakthrough Just Like That?
A disciple?
Zhu Ge was stunned as well.
Under normal circumstances, seeking knowledge would be perfectly normal.
He was also prepared to spread his New Dao to the world.
But becoming a disciple?
’The word "master" carried a weight nearly equal to "father."’
A father gives life, while a master gives the skills to survive.
Therefore, the significance of becoming a disciple was far greater than simply seeking knowledge.
"I don’t accept disciples," Zhu Ge said, shaking his head. "But if you are seeking knowledge, that is another matter."
The middle-aged man before him, Cao Zhi, couldn’t help but sigh upon hearing this. "So be it. I heard of your deeds, Master Zhu, and felt so inspired that I wanted to become your disciple. I was indeed being presumptuous."
As he spoke, Cao Zhi shook his head, then bowed once more. "May I ask, Master Zhu, how do you intend to spread your Dao?"
Spreading the Dao!
Zhu Ge’s New Confucian Dao was bound to cause a huge stir, so he was already prepared.
"An equivalent exchange will do," Zhu Ge said lightly. "One high-grade Elemental Level item in exchange for one lesson on my Dao. Of course, you cannot then teach it to another person."
"An... an equivalent exchange?" Cao Zhi was stunned, unable to process it for a moment. "Is... is this a transaction? From the Business Dao?"
The look on Cao Zhi’s face was one of utter disbelief.
A transaction!
’The New Confucian Dao... being spread through a commercial transaction?’
Cao Zhi’s immediate reaction was that this was absurd.
After all, how many new Daos had there been throughout history?
The ancient sages carved out a new world, fighting for the Human Race’s right to exist, which led to the prosperous era of today.
Most of the ancient Great Powers and virtuous masters spread their Dao freely, without asking for anything in return.
They even hoped their Dao would spread as far and wide as possible, bringing its benefits to all of the Human Race.
This would not only benefit the entire Human Race, but also allow their Dao to become ever stronger as it was refined and cultivated by countless people.
The Confucian principle of "education for all, without distinction" was a prime example.
There were other paths, however, that emphasized thresholds and innate talent, such as the Immortal Dao.
It judged individuals based on the quality of their Spirit Root, emphasizing pedigree and background. It favored only the gifted, unlike the Confucian Family, which favored everyone.
There were even tales in storybooks about the Jie Sect, which taught all without discrimination, and the Chan Sect with its Twelve Golden Immortals.
In the Immortal Dao, one had to enter a Sect before being taught its Miaofa.
The Confucian Dao focused on the imperial examination system, "education for all." Through hard work, one could still seize a sliver of a chance.
But regardless of the path, money rarely had anything to do with it.
Everyone cherished their reputation.
No Great Power wished to be seen as cheap or common.
So when Zhu Ge uttered the words "equivalent exchange," Cao Zhi was utterly dumbfounded.
Cao Zhi hesitated. "Just a single high-grade Elemental Level treasure is enough?"
Zhu Ge smiled and nodded.
’Education for all?’
’Judging by superiority and inferiority?’
’What did any of that have to do with him?’
He wanted to spread his Dao, but he knew that things obtained too easily were rarely cherished.
Besides, he was under no obligation to do so.
He knew full well that he hadn’t created this Great Dao intentionally.
He had stumbled upon it by accident while dealing with the Hongmi Immortal; he never even knew he would create it.
Under the circumstances, he had contemplated for a long time before finally reaching this decision.
Equivalent exchange!
’He didn’t want this world to be full of entitled brats who thought everything should be handed to them.’
’A Great Dao should just be handed to you for free?’
’Someone creates something new, so they have to give it to you for free?’
’Dream on!’
It was just as the opening line of the Book of Changes said.
As Heaven’s movement is ever vigorous, so must the noble person ever strive to strengthen themselves!
’Heaven’s movement is ever vigorous’—the Great Dao of the universe operates eternally, never questioning the outcome. It does not stop for external forces, nor does it alter its course for gain or loss.
Only when you stop asking, "What will fate give me?" and start focusing on, "What can I do right now?" can you become a participant in your destiny, rather than a mere spectator.
Zhu Ge wanted to tell the world that if you want something, you have to strive for it yourself.
You shouldn’t have to wait for a handout from a superior to learn the Book of Changes.
Nor should you be able to look down upon the masses simply because of your innate talent.
Only through self-improvement can one persevere.
And Zhu Ge had his standards for this.
Those with powerful backgrounds or high Cultivation would be asked for an Elemental Level treasure.
Those with lower Cultivation, a Spirit Level treasure.
Even if a mortal came, as long as they could gather a certain amount of gold, silver coins, or copper coins, that would be acceptable too.
As long as he could see the person’s sincerity in seeking the Dao, as long as he could see how much they valued the Book of Changes, that was enough.
Of course, if anyone wanted a free ride, there was no chance.
Just as Zhu Ge believed, he was under no obligation to teach anyone anything.
Without an obligation, the decision to teach or not was entirely up to him.
"If that’s the case, I have a high-grade Elemental Level Wind-sheltering Peony right here." Seeing that Zhu Ge wasn’t joking, Cao Zhi retrieved a budding peony from his storage ring.
The moment the Wind-sheltering Peony appeared, the world around it seemed to grow quiet.
"A Wind-sheltering Peony?" Zhu Ge nodded slightly. "Alright. I will teach you first, and you can give it to me when I am finished. If you don’t mind, you can just tell me what this Wind-sheltering Peony is used for. Come forward, join me in the carriage."
Cao Zhi was still somewhat taken aback by how straightforward Zhu Ge was.
He stepped forward in silence and offered the Wind-sheltering Peony to Zhu Ge. "Master Zhu, please take this item first."
"That’s fine, too. Either way works," Zhu Ge said with a smile.
Then, he began to speak. "My Dao is called ’Yi’..."
Zhu Ge began to explain.
From the Eight Trigrams to the applications of Yi, he explained it all.
He spoke for two hours, reciting the text and explaining it as he went.
After hearing the entirety of the Book of Changes, Cao Zhi’s expression was one of profound shock.
"This... this is the Confucian Dao?!" Cao Zhi exclaimed. Realizing his outburst was improper, he quickly stood and bowed. "Master Zhu, I spoke without thinking."
Honestly, Zhu Ge was a little impressed that a Fusion Realm expert could be so polite.
He waved his hand. "It’s fine. This Dao is inherently difficult. When you examine the entire text, it’s ultimately about seeking advantage and avoiding harm, just as a wise person doesn’t stand beneath a crumbling wall."
"Seeking advantage and avoiding harm?" Cao Zhi murmured. "But... but doesn’t that conflict with the path of righteousness...?"
Righteousness!
Where great righteousness is at stake, one should have no regrets even if it means dying a thousand deaths!
This was the moral fiber that all Confucian Scholars of the day aspired to.
Every Confucian Scholar spent their entire life waiting for a moment to "shatter like jade."
And yet, what Zhu Ge spoke of was "seeking advantage and avoiding harm"?!
"They don’t conflict," Zhu Ge said, shaking his head. "Seeking advantage and avoiding harm, pursuing fortune and evading disaster—this is the Yi Dao. But do you remember the first line of the Book of Changes?"
’The first line?’
Cao Zhi’s expression sharpened. "To ever strive to strengthen oneself!"
Zhu Ge nodded slightly and smiled. "It seems you’ve had an epiphany?"
Cao Zhi looked thoughtful, and in the next moment, the aura around him surged.
Zhu Ge didn’t feel much of a change, but behind him, True Monarch Minmian raised an eyebrow. "A breakthrough?"
Cao Zhi himself was surprised, but more than that, he was filled with admiration. "Thank you for your guidance, Master Zhu! I thought my path forward was hopeless, but I never imagined I would encounter such a fortuitous opportunity. Thank you!"
Cao Zhi immediately performed the ritual of three kneelings and nine kowtows, the most solemn rite one could offer a master. "Since I have achieved a breakthrough today, I shall provide a Protective Dao for you, Master Zhu," he declared. "From now on, there will be no need to trouble True Monarch Minmian. I will handle things."
Zhu Ge ought to have refused, but when he thought about how True Monarch Minmian currently had no Cultivation, he nodded.
A smile spread across Cao Zhi’s face. He then soared into the air, and his figure vanished into the sky.