Chapter 265: Round battle

Li Qi knew that things were developing in the direction he wanted.

What did he mean by those words?

It was simple: the grander the words, the more easily conflicts could be stirred up.

He directly took responsibility for the differences between Shaman Dao and the Human Race regarding ancient texts onto himself.

He couldn't bear the responsibility, but the Grand Shaman would help him clear it.

In other words, Li Qi spoke grandly to attract everyone's attention, and then the Grand Shaman would shift the blame for him, saying, "It's just a child's nonsense; everyone, don't mind him."

This way, a conflict was provoked, but the responsibility for provoking it did not have to be borne.

Then came the next step.

The next step was simple: to draw the hatred onto himself, officially end this topic, and get to the main point.

The main point was to slap the Tang Nation in the face.

It was that simple.

Once things reached this point, it was either a slap in the face for the opponent or a slap in the face for oneself; there was no other outcome.

Now, the debate was about who was the true orthodox successor, and the adults couldn't determine a winner, nor could they fight to determine one, so it was left to the children.

Hence, Li Qi's active request to take on the challenge.

The Qing of the Honglu Temple obviously knew the current situation, but his expression was not displeased.

Clearly, although the development of events to this point was not within his expectations, he also wanted to seize this opportunity to heavily slap Shaman God Mountain in the face, and since Shaman God Mountain had taken the initiative to provoke the matter, striking back was naturally the best response.

However, he couldn't personally act, so he looked around: "Which eighth-rank Young Master scholar is willing to give our guests from afar a lesson?"

He used the phrase "give a lesson," clearly indicating he had no intention of losing.

The Grand Shaman nodded to Li Qi, signaling him to step forward.

Li Qi took a deep breath and walked to the center of the many aisles, the focal point of the banquet.

To challenge the knowledge of all Tang Nation people present with his own power, and perhaps even more than just knowledge.

To be honest, the pressure was quite immense.

However, when it came to reciting texts, Li Qi had never been afraid of anyone!

With the True Knowledge Dao Resonance, he could practically memorize anything at a glance, coupled with his conscious reinforcement of reading every day and the attitude that 'knowledge is power,' Li Qi, though unfamiliar with many ancient texts, had basically memorized them all!

Sure enough, as soon as he stood firm, someone stood up and directly questioned: "Young Master previously claimed that debate was merely the act of a pedantic scholar, yet now you stand on the basis of debate. This is self-contradictory, your words before and after don't align. How can you convince anyone?"

Well, this was a personal attack right from the start.

But Li Qi was already prepared and immediately replied: "Sir, your argument is fallacious. Only those who pick and choose phrases and argue without reason are pedantic scholars. Do you believe that ancient texts are also such things?"

That person raised his voice: "Ancient texts are certainly not, but what you are saying and doing at this moment! Is it not? Just your previous sentence, wasn't it picking and choosing phrases?!"

The opponent seemed to have no intention of debating with Li Qi, directly preparing to shatter the foundation of Li Qi's standing there, making him unqualified to stand there and accept everyone's debate.

However, Li Qi had already thought about this kind of tactic before he stepped onto the stage.

Li Qi bowed slightly: "Not so, Sir, please listen to me. Our debate here is a small discussion of the Dao. Although it cannot compare to that of the adults, the form is almost the same."

"Besides words, there is one more important thing in a discussion of the Dao, and that is verification."

As Li Qi spoke, his personal small world suddenly unfolded!

Behind the minor official who had attacked Li Qi, nine inner body spirits suddenly appeared!

The inner body spirits appeared through a peculiar technique, seemingly following some natural pattern, quietly unfolding behind him.

The man suddenly turned his head, wanting to resist, but before he could react, five Mountain Gods directly smashed down with heavy punches, hammering him straight into the ground!

Then, they transformed into ten-foot giant rocks, interlocking and sealing him beneath!

Li Qi quietly landed on top of the giant rock, stepping on the opponent.

Then he looked around and proudly declared: "The Dao of Heaven operates with constancy; it does not exist for Yao nor perish for Jie. Respond to it with order, and there will be good fortune; respond to it with chaos, and there will be misfortune! Have you all understood my demonstration of this method?"

"The True Knowledge of antiquity originates from words and is put into practice through actions. The Sages of antiquity said there is left and right, order and righteousness, distinction and debate, competition and contention. These are the eight virtues."

"Cultivating the Dao without wavering means Heaven cannot bring disaster. Thus, floods and droughts cannot cause hunger, cold and heat cannot cause illness, and calamities cannot bring misfortune. I demonstrated a method from ancient texts concerning heavenly disasters, yet he could not break it. This shows that while he speaks of ancient meaning, he actually completely misunderstands the methods of the Sages of antiquity. This is typical of pedantic scholars, who only wag their tongues and do not understand the True Knowledge of the Dao. But the Central Plains has abundant talent; surely not everyone is like this, right?"

Li Qi looked around, speaking loudly.

Silence filled the surroundings.

The current conflict was simple: Shaman Dao and the Human Race came from the same source, which was the original ancient Human Race. Now, everyone was contending over who inherited the orthodox tradition. This was one of the many divergences between Shaman Dao and the Human Race.

So, everyone would use the principles and techniques of the ancient Sages to compete.

They not only had to defeat the opponent in terms of words and understanding of ancient texts but also in practical application and techniques.

Li Qi knew that if he really tried to argue these matters with people, it would only lead to endless personal attacks, just like the person earlier. As long as that person insisted that Li Qi's actions were also 'pedantic,' then no matter how many ancient texts Li Qi cited, he would be helpless against him.

Those who debate seriously cannot deal with trolls; only those who are reasonable can be persuaded.

So this was Li Qi's initial plan.

For those who debated reasonably, he would discuss his research on ancient texts, sitting down to discuss the Dao and persuade the opponent with reason.

If someone tried to argue illogically, then they would compete to see who could 'practice' better, to see who could apply the principles to actual techniques. Li Qi didn't want to waste time arguing with them; he would just fight directly.

The others were not fools; they clearly understood what this Young Master meant.

Either refute this Young Master into silence with reason, or beat him into silence with force, otherwise, it would be difficult to conclude today.

Many people showed indignant expressions, looking at each other, exchanging glances, as if discussing what to do.

Several other Young Masters sat up straight, preparing to watch Li Qi's performance, but it was clear that they were all making their own preparations.

Even the Qing of the Honglu Temple frowned, clearly displeased that Li Qi had acted directly.

This silence did not last too long, perhaps only a few seconds.

Then, another Confucian scholar rose.

He didn't waste any words, but directly said to Li Qi: "The Sage said, 'The world is of utmost importance; none but the strongest can bear it. It is of utmost vastness; none but the most discerning can divide it.' Since Young Master wishes to proceed thus, the words of the ancient sages state that one must be strong to bear the world, so I shall use the word 'strength' to seek guidance from Young Master!"

Then, the Confucian scholar took a step forward, and behind him, the might of the Human Race's military force suddenly appeared.

The Human Race's iron cavalry appeared behind him, with soldiers tightly packed front and back, and spears and swords surrounding them on both sides, pressing towards Li Qi with immense power!

The world is of utmost importance, and only the strongest Human Race is qualified to bear the world!

This was also the principle of the ancient Sages!

Innumerable weapons surged towards Li Qi. The opponent, like Li Qi, transformed the principles of ancient sages into his own techniques, both a discussion of the Dao and a practical application.

One had to both refute the opponent in terms of principle and defeat them in terms of technique to win a round.

Iron horses charged, battle cries echoed, where battles raged, black clouds obscured the vast sea, and heavy encirclements cleared, leaving no grass. Countless Human Race iron cavalry surged forward, irresistible in their momentum, poised to trample and utterly annihilate Li Qi!

The surrounding venue was simply not large enough, and many banquet tables were shattered!

Then, the Qing of the Honglu Temple reached out and lightly tapped, and the space within a zhang (about 3.3 meters) around Li Qi was instantly stretched and expanded to dozens of li (about 5-10 kilometers), just enough to accommodate the trampling of these countless iron cavalry.

Killing Intent assailed him, the Human Race's iron army was already before him, the cold glint of spear tips already flashing in Li Qi's eyes.

However, Li Qi saw this technique and merely stated calmly: "Utmost strength, utmost vastness, but one more phrase is missing: 'The world is also of utmost multitude; none but the most enlightened can harmonize it.'"

Besides strength and vastness, the ancient Sages also added a phrase later.

It meant that besides being strong, the people of the world were extremely numerous, and only the most enlightened person could make them harmonious, and power alone could not unite them.

"Strong but not harmonious, even with millions of iron cavalry, they will still collapse at a touch." Li Qi refuted the opponent's words with a single sentence, and at the same time, saw through the flaw in the opponent's technique.

Just as the opponent understood, the technique he formed by borrowing this Dao had internal disharmony. Although powerful, as long as this flaw was grasped, even the most powerful force would only harm itself.

Li Qi developed a technique on the spot, based on the words of the ancient sages, and roared it out!

The countless iron cavalry immediately collapsed!

The Confucian scholar grunted, cupped his hands slightly, and sat down.

After sitting down, he covered his face with his green robe, but bloodstains could still be faintly seen seeping through the robe.

Next, another person stood up. This time, it was no longer a Confucian scholar; judging by his attire, he should be from the Eclectic School.

This person stood up and loudly declared: "That which causes great confusion among people must be things that are similar. What the jade carver fears is stones that resemble jade; what the sword expert fears is swords that resemble Wu Gan; what a wise ruler fears is people who are learned and eloquent but only seem to be profound. The ruler of a fallen state may seem wise, and the minister of a fallen state may seem loyal. Similar things are what greatly deceive the foolish, and what wise people must carefully consider!"

"One who can understand ancient meaning must be a wise person. If Young Master is a truly wise person who considers and is not deceived, then my technique will be ineffective against you."

"I have formed this technique based on Master Lü's words; please, Young Master, explain it!"

Li Qi said nothing, quietly waiting for the opponent to demonstrate.

The opponent's words were simple: they meant that two things could very well look the same on the outside but be completely different on the inside, similar to how the ruler of a fallen state might seem very intelligent, or a minister of a fallen state might seem very loyal. A truly wise person can and needs to carefully deliberate to distinguish between true and false, rather than making arbitrary judgments.

This was indeed what Master Lü of the Eclectic School had said.

If Li Qi couldn't see through the illusion, then he wasn't a truly wise person, and naturally, he wouldn't be qualified to stand there.

Then, suddenly, earth and wood rose around Li Qi, constructing a palace.

Four li to the east and west, three li to the north and south, with heavenly water flowing within, stones forming mountains, over ten zhang high, extending for several li.

Gold and emerald shone brightly, pavilions soared as if flying, flying corridors and steps, sloping walls and winding paths, covered in brocade, painted with vermilion and azure, adorned with gold and silver, and inlaid with pearls and jade. There was also a Nine-Curved Lotus Platform, with a spring flowing out from its center.

Then, from within these towers and pavilions, countless petals flew out, carrying a fragrant breeze, the scenery as beautiful as a painting.

However, Li Qi closed his eyes.

To be honest, Li Qi couldn't see through the opponent's technique or this Sage's saying. This Eclectic School Cultivator indeed had some skill.

But he had a cheat.

The True Knowledge Dao Resonance spread out!

At the same time, Li Qi shouted: "When twin children are alike, their mother always recognizes them, for her knowledge of them is thorough! Therefore, I can recognize them!"

Twin children look very similar, but their mother can always distinguish them because she understands them clearly, so she won't mistake them.

Through the True Knowledge Dao Resonance, Li Qi could understand the differences between two twins better than their mother!

The entire illusion, with its truth and falsehood, life and death, some places being traps, others offering escape, now all its迷幻 was completely revealed before the True Knowledge Dao Resonance.

Then Li Qi waved his hand, and the Four River Gods moved through it, avoiding the traps and heading straight for the core. With a few muffled thuds, Li Qi opened his eyes.

The illusion shattered on its own.

The Eclectic School Cultivator's face was filled with shock!

"Impossible! How could the Sage's method combined with the Qi of the Dragon be seen through?! He definitely didn't use an ancient method, but a modern one! You cheated!" He pointed at Li Qi and shouted loudly!

Ancient methods and modern methods are a classification of techniques based on time.

Currently, both sides were debating who understood ancient methods better to prove themselves as the orthodox successor. Techniques had to use ancient methods, and principles had to use ancient meanings, only then could it be proven.

But in reality, times were developing. Most of the ancient Sages, except for a very few who lived to the present, had died in the long river of history.

The 'ancient methods' they left behind could only serve as exhibits in museums or be used for contests like this.

This was also why Li Qi and the others could create techniques on the spot.

Because it was simple.

Techniques and various theories had developed to such an extent that they were no longer as simple as in ancient times, almost like the difference between basic mathematics and higher mathematics.

For people like Li Qi, their foundation had been trained to the extreme. As soon as they entered a state, they could use their profound foundation, far surpassing ancient methods, to create techniques at will.

Each move, when pulled out individually, was ordinary and nothing special, but at that moment, it could be considered a divine move, capable of achieving 500% effectiveness, only suitable for breaking the opponent's technique at that time.

This was the basis of the current conflict.

You claim to be the inheritor of ancient methods, yet you don't even use them. On what basis do you say this?

And if Li Qi used modern methods, he could naturally be refuted, saying that he didn't understand ancient methods as well as they did.

However, when he said this, the Qing of the Honglu Temple above showed a look of disappointment.

He said to that Eclectic School Cultivator: "He used ancient methods. Step down, don't talk nonsense. Next."

The Eclectic School Cultivator's face showed horror, but he dared not say more and could only retreat.

After he retreated.

Another seventeen people stood up, all cupping their hands towards Li Qi in unison.