Chapter 262: Chapter 199: The Learning of the Mind Manifests, a Great Era Dawns, Forging a Path to Sagehood for Future Scholars

After just one year, his Cultivation surged directly from the Seventh Realm of Gentleman to the Eighth Realm of the Literary Palace. The Vast Righteous Qi in his Qi Sea coalesced into a series of splendid, golden palace halls. A vision of a golden palace manifested behind him—the very symbol of the Eighth Realm of the Literary Palace.

Those who reached the Literary Palace could become local officials, holding a Senior Fifth Grade position in the Imperial Court and presiding over a prefecture.

A second ray of Golden Light shone down again.

His Cultivation skyrocketed once more. Chen Ke’s Cultivation broke through from the Eighth Realm to the Ninth Realm Life Temple.

Inside the golden palaces of his Qi Sea, a stone statue materialized in the spitting image of Chen Ke himself. This signified that the Literary Palace had birthed a Life Temple. Now, he could serve as a local official, bring prosperity to the people, and receive their incense offerings. By teaching and nurturing others, he could earn the devotion of his students, which would in turn replenish his own Literary Qi.

Those who reached the Life Temple could be called a National Hero, qualified to hold a Senior Third Grade position in the Imperial Court or serve as a Great Yan Guardian Envoy, wielding authority over an entire province.

Just when Lu Mingyuan thought it was about to end...

Another blinding ray of Golden Light descended, pouring into Chen Ke’s body.

His Realm suddenly soared to the Tenth Realm, Great Sage.

In the unseen world, Literary Qi gathered, giving birth to a brilliant golden Confucian Dao True Words, which sank into Chen Ke’s body.

Lu Mingyuan watched closely. Having spent much time with Qi Muxue, he had a basic understanding of the Confucian Dao. He immediately understood it was because Chen Ke had obtained his first Confucianism Destiny Character—’Mind’.

By founding one’s own school of thought and condensing a Destiny Character, one could establish their own sect or school if it became widely spread.

A Tenth Realm Great Sage’s Dharma Body will not perish as long as their Destiny Character is not shattered.

Furthermore, upon stepping into the Tenth Realm, one could become a grand chancellor in any of the great Dynasties, serving right beside the Emperor.

Only then did the Golden Light finally dim.

Lu Mingyuan thought to himself.

’It’s not that the Learning of the Mind isn’t powerful enough; it just hasn’t been recognized by everyone yet.’

’The Learning of the Mind has only just been born, and it’s already showing such phenomenal signs. In time, as it spreads and more people learn of it...’

’...its influence will rise to a whole new level.’

Lu Mingyuan dared not imagine how terrifying a fully developed system of the Learning of the Mind would be.

It would not be an exaggeration to say it could lead to instant Sainthood.

At this thought, Lu Mingyuan couldn’t help but envy a genius like Chen Ke, who could have such epiphanies.

The cultivation speed for both the Confucian Dao and Qi Cultivator systems relied entirely on personal insight and talent. This was especially true for the Confucian Dao.

As long as one had enough insight, one could quickly cultivate to an extremely high Realm.

The Martial Dao, however, required one to advance one step at a time. Leaping across Realms was practically impossible.

Of course, cultivating quickly had its drawbacks. For one, the Daoxin could easily become unstable. For another, the scholarship of the Confucian Dao ultimately had a limit.

This limit was the Supreme Ancestor Master, the world’s first Saint, Ren Sheng.

Just as the limit for Qi Cultivators was the Taoist Ancestor.

’But what is the limit of the Martial Dao?’

’No one knows.’

’Not even the ancient texts have any related records. The first Realm of the Upper Three Ranks is Martial Saint. Beyond that, there is nothing.’

Chen Ke also recovered his consciousness from the epiphany.

Belatedly realizing what had happened, he looked at Lu Mingyuan, his eyes shining brightly:

"Your Highness, I... I actually had an epiphany and developed a new school of thought."

"Congratulations. Not only did you enter the Middle Fifth Grade, but you also broke through three consecutive Realms to become a Great Sage. From now on, no one in the Great Yan will dare to look down on you," Lu Mingyuan said to Chen Ke with a smile.

Chen Ke solemnly clasped his fist. "This is all thanks to Your Highness. I merely benefited from your grace. Besides that, a year ago, I also received guidance from Wang Zizai and have some connection to the Wang Family."

He knew very well that if Lu Mingyuan hadn’t enlightened him, he would probably still be searching for the answer, stubbornly refusing to give up.

Without Wang He’fu’s words back then—"Good and evil lie within my own heart"—and his advice that Prince Huai’an had been framed, he would never have figured out the answer on his own.

"This new school of thought doesn’t have a name yet. What do you think would be a good name for it?" Lu Mingyuan asked with a smile.

Chen Ke thought for a moment and said, "How about we call it the Learning of the Mind?"

"My Destiny Character is ’Mind.’ The very word itself implies a new beginning, a renewal, carrying the meaning of uplifting all things."

"That’s excellent."

Lu Mingyuan chuckled inwardly.

’So, Wang Yangming’s Learning of the Mind has appeared in this world after all.’

’And quite coincidentally...’

’Chen Ke achieved his epiphany after joining the Wang Family.’

’Enlightenment in the Wenyuan Pavilion... just like the enlightenment at Dragon Field.’

Lu Mingyuan said silently in his heart, ’Since I have no Saint to support me, I’ll just create a Saint myself.’

Meanwhile, as Great Scholars from all corners were traveling to the capital to witness the new school of thought...

A magnificent, magnetic voice resounded between heaven and earth.

"From this day forward, Chen Ke is a True Disciple of my Literary Saint Lineage."

These words made the various Academy Great Scholars reveal looks of astonishment.

Back when Chen Ke established his destiny, he condensed the Literary Fortune Profound Bird.

He became a Gentleman with the vow, "to give shelter to all the poor scholars of the world and bring them joy."

Could it be that now he had comprehended a new school of thought, his Literary Qi resonating throughout the nation, and had received the Confucian Golden Lotus into his body?

"Don’t tell me it was Chen Ke who comprehended the new school of thought?"

"This young man first established his destiny and condensed a Profound Bird, and now he has obtained the Dao Golden Lotus... Is his talent truly so terrifying?"

"A True Disciple? For real?!"

Many Confucian Scholars and Great Scholars gasped.

A True Disciple of a Confucian Saint... from a Registered Disciple to a True Disciple. Though the difference is only a single word, the gap between them is as wide as heaven and earth!

A disciple of a Saint... the value of this title was no different from being the designated heir of an entire school of thought.

Although the Wen Sheng had hundreds of disciples, most were ordinary ones who only had the right to listen to his sermons and lectures. When it came to actual accomplishments, one had to look at the True Disciples.

True Disciples were those who inherited his mantle.

In his entire life, the Wen Sheng had only had three True Disciples. The first became a Saint through his mastery of ’ci’ poetry and was known as the Ci Sheng. He died five hundred years ago in the great war against the Demon Race.