Mysteries of Immortal Puppet Master

Chapter 1307: Chapter 510: Disputation Between Master and Disciple_2

He swallowed an elixir pill, allowing the medicinal power to slowly restore his state, stroked his beard, and smiled: "Defeating Qin De in a debate and Duanmu Zhang stepping down voluntarily, I will surely be able to command all the Confucian cultivators of Myriad Images Sect."

"With this foundation to help Qing’er, when he returns to Huazhang Country, he will surely have greater momentum. It was worth taking him on a journey around the world this time."

Gu Qing’s studies and reputation had reached a bottleneck, so he traveled the world.

Ning Zhuo also traveled the world, their situations remarkably similar.

Zhao Hansheng’s heart suddenly stirred, he wrote a flying message, summoning Gu Qing.

"Qing’er, take a good look at this ’Saint Thief Scripture’." Zhao Hansheng deliberately tested Gu Qing.

Ever since Gu Qing lost to Ning Zhuo in the Confucian Cultivation Three Trials, he had been reflecting on himself.

He was a genius known nationwide, from a great family, and carefully nurtured by a great scholar like Zhao Hansheng, possessing not only strength but also an excellent mindset.

Although initially depressed and despondent for a period, he soon pulled himself together and regained his spirits.

Having recently heard about Ning Zhuo sweeping through many small array trials, he marveled at Ning Zhuo’s strength, and once again his competitive spirit was ignited, his fighting spirit lifted, practicing assiduously every day.

In his mind, Gu Qing had already regarded Ning Zhuo as his main rival and was taking it seriously. He often gathered the latest intelligence on Ning Zhuo, using such an opponent to hone himself.

This time, being suddenly summoned by his teacher to read the ’Saint Thief Scripture’, Gu Qing was initially puzzled.

But Zhao Hansheng did not explain much, only instructing him to read it.

Gu Qing, knowing well that Zhao Hansheng would not harm him, extended his divine sense into it and carefully read it.

Initially, he bore a look of curiosity.

But soon, his brows furrowed.

Gu Qing’s brows furrowed tighter, his complexion turning pale.

Soon after, the hand holding the cultivation technique jade slip began to tremble slightly, his complexion growing paler, and fine beads of cold sweat appeared on his forehead.

At last, having finished reading the ’Saint Thief Scripture’, his entire body turned cold, as if he had fallen into an ice pit.

"Teacher..." Gu Qing looked up, his voice trembling, "This, this..."

His thoughts were shaken violently.

The principles he had believed in since childhood, the classics he had studied day and night, and the knowledge he took pride in had been fiercely impacted and shaken by Qin De’s writings.

Zhao Hansheng suddenly shouted: "Gu Qing!"

Gu Qing’s entire body shuddered.

Zhao Hansheng suddenly asked: "Do you have a conscience in your heart?"

Gu Qing was taken aback.

Zhao Hansheng asked again: "When you see your father, do you know filial piety?"

Gu Qing nodded subconsciously.

"When you see your elder brother, do you know brotherly respect?"

Gu Qing nodded again.

"When you see a child falling into a well, do you feel compassion?"

Gu Qing nodded once more.

Zhao Hansheng said sternly: "This is conscience! Conscience is in your heart, and no one can take it away! Qin De’s eloquence is splendid, but can it take away the filial piety in your heart? Can it take away the brotherly respect in your heart? Can it take away the compassion in your heart?"

Gu Qing was stunned, then suddenly grasped the key, his mind steadied.

He hastily performed the Confucian ritual, his voice hoarse, his back sweaty: "I ask the teacher to dispel my doubts."

Zhao Hansheng stroked his beard and spoke slowly.

Gu Qing listened carefully, and his determination did not waver.

After Zhao Hansheng’s explanation, Gu Qing felt as if reborn, unable to help but kneel, "Thank you, Master, for enlightening me!"

He immediately felt his heart learning attainments skyrocketing.

Zhao Hansheng helped him up, speaking earnestly: "The path of learning values clarity of mind. Without clarity of mind, the more you read, the deeper you get lost. Qin De is precisely a warning from the past."

Gu Qing nodded heavily, looking up at Zhao Hansheng, his eyes full of admiration.

Zhao Hansheng urged: "You should carefully comprehend the truth of today, and tomorrow, accompany me to the Cloud Prison to debate Qin De’s ’Saint Thief Scripture’ face to face."

"Achieving this can make the Confucian cultivators of Myriad Images Sect work for us as teacher and student."

Gu Qing was perplexed.

Zhao Hansheng then gave a brief introduction.

Upon hearing this, Gu Qing was delighted and immediately congratulated: "With you leading, Teacher, success is assured. Qin De’s heretical teachings are rudimentary in front of you!"

Zhao Hansheng stroked his beard: "You watch closely, this experience is also an opportunity for you."

Debating scriptures is indeed an opportunity.

Because cultivation itself follows the principles of heaven and earth, using the resources of heaven and earth correctly to achieve the goal of self-improvement.

Fire-attribute cultivators cultivate by following the principles related to fire in heaven and earth, using resources akin to fire to grow stronger.

Demon cultivators cultivate by following the survival principle of survival of the fittest, often treating other cultivators as resources to grow themselves stronger.

For Confucian cultivators, it’s about adhering to Confucian rules, using resources like the Literary Palace, Literary Heart, and Literary Energy to become increasingly strong.

Looking back at the history of cultivation, there have been countless debates.

Some are between Taoism and Buddhism, some between Taoism and Demon Sect, and some between Demon Sect, Buddhism, and Taoism. Although Confucianism’s development time is far less lengthy than the other three, there have been many significant debates etched into historical contexts.

The more debated a principle is, the clearer it becomes.

Debating scriptures is, on a small scale, a battle of words. On a larger scale, it’s a contest between paths.

The result of a scripture debate can sometimes be enormous. History records instances where a strong opponent was persuaded, their path dramatically shifted, and after being debated down, believed the other’s viewpoint was correct and thus directly changed paths, like shifting from Tao to Buddha, and so on.

Zhao Hansheng, thinking for Gu Qing’s sake, first gave the ’Saint Thief Scripture’ to him. When Gu Qing was confused and shaken, he would then give a sudden wake-up call and persuasive counsel, letting Gu Qing reaffirm his Confucian path, allowing him to experience setbacks but then rise again, gaining significant growth.

Zhao Hansheng was fully confident in debating down Qin De, therefore letting Gu Qing watch, hoping his proud disciple could gain further improvement.

Bluestone Cave Mansion.

Ning Zhuo had officially begun repairing the Fetal Breathing Spirit Boat.

Ning Zhuo sat cross-legged.

In front of him, seven jade boxes were lined up, each emanating different glows under the blue lamp.

"Having the Commerce Hall is indeed convenient. If I were to collect these treasures individually, it might take years. But here, as long as there’s enough money, they can be purchased immediately."

Of course, Ning Zhuo also understood that this was due to the fact that Myriad Images Sect is a super sect, its scale and strength recognized as the foremost in Flying Cloud Country.

With such a massive organization, treasures from all directions can be continuously collected.

"Because the organization is large and populated, it can gather various cultivation resources."

"With easy access to cultivation resources, it saves energy and time, allowing cultivators to progress faster and become stronger."

"Stronger cultivators, in turn, have the ability to acquire even more and better resources."

"In such a positive cycle, Myriad Images Sect will thrive!"

Ning Zhuo had been at the Wanxiang Sect’s Main Mountain Gate for a few months now and increasingly felt that joining them was the right decision.

"Of course, even though Myriad Images Sect is that massive, there are still many resources and magic techniques that are not easily obtainable. They require personal opportunities."

Ning Zhuo sought a Spirit Nourishing Method, which the Myriad Images Sect didn’t have. At least, from what he currently saw, it wasn’t available.

Myriad Images Sect is a reputable sect, but when it comes to acquiring vast amounts of souls or soul path resources, it’s still less than the White Paper Immortal City in the Yin Tide Black Swamp.

Hence, Ning Zhuo’s cultivation plan is to join the Myriad Images Sect to meet basic resource needs, then focus on the White Paper Immortal City, to amass vast souls from there. This cultivation resource is something Ning Zhuo desires greatly and intensely. Therefore, White Paper Immortal City is his cultivation sanctuary.

Ning Zhuo took out the Fetal Breathing Spirit Boat, gently holding it in his palm.

He stroked the surface of the Spirit Boat with his hand, while his divine sense probed the entire vessel, delving in and out, repeatedly.

His artifact refining realm at a master level, along with the refining principles he gained from Qingwu Langjun, allowed him to gain a tactile feel for analyzing materials and artifacts.

Every crack of varying depth on the Fetal Breathing Spirit Boat, every worn-out array pattern, every inch of material fatigue was gradually recorded by Ning Zhuo, storing it in his mind.

There were three places where the cracks were deepest.

One close to the bow, about three inches long, deep into the core.

One near the stern, though short, was wide, with multiple fractured array patterns around it.

One in the middle, seemingly inconspicuous, but actually hollow inside.

The remaining small cracks were innumerable.

Ning Zhuo had already made his plans, and at this moment, he directly opened the first jade box.