Chapter 395: Come again

The Lingxiao Flower Goddess’s words were clear and straightforward.

Whatever nonsense you have next, just bring it on.

What you speak of is nothing but dirt, worthless. The only value it holds is that all of you will be trampled under my feet, becoming my nourishment.

Since the line has been drawn, let’s proceed normally.

“Very well then, please proceed.” The Fifth-Rank Confucian Scholar stepped back, waiting for the Lingxiao Flower Goddess to continue the next part of the process.

The Lingxiao Flower Goddess nodded: “No more idle talk. I believe everyone already knows the main course of this literary gathering, so I won’t keep you in suspense.”

With that, she flicked her sleeve, and a sheet of Xuan paper flew up, floating in the air, emitting waves of clear Qi.

Except for Liu Canzhi and Li Qi, everyone else focused their attention, wanting to fully experience the profound charm within it!

The main event was here.

Liu Donghe’s original calligraphy!

Hundreds of Cultivators and calligraphers simultaneously picked up their brushes!

They didn’t care about the grievances of the literary gathering; they only wanted to copy the original work.

But then the Lingxiao Flower Goddess let out a soft snort, which exploded like muffled thunder, sweeping across the surroundings!

High clouds chased the floating Qi, and the thick earth trembled with the sound.

Killing Intent transformed into wood virtue, stark and severe like late autumn!

The gazes of those below Fifth-Rank were directly blocked, and their movements were forced to stop.

As for the other Fifth-Ranks…

They hadn’t made a move from the start.

They were just too lazy to act; it was meaningless. They had long known that the Lingxiao Flower Goddess would not easily reveal it.

There were no existences above Fifth-Rank present, so before the other Fifth-Ranks made a move, the Lingxiao Flower Goddess could easily obscure everyone’s vision.

As for why Fourth-Rank Cultivators didn’t come…

The reason was actually very simple: Liu Donghe’s handwritten work no longer held much allure for them.

Only calligraphic works Liu Donghe had put much effort into, or original books he had spent over a decade brewing, would attract them. A simple handwritten piece wouldn’t draw these individuals.

This kind of thing was just something Liu Donghe had casually written in a morning.

And the Flower Goddess’s grievances were not a big deal to them; these were all things the Lingxiao Flower Goddess had planned from the beginning.

She had everything mapped out.

Thus, already prepared, she gracefully said: “Gentlemen, there’s no need to rush. After all, it’s just a handwritten piece, and most of its profound charm has already faded. If it were easily displayed, then once all you calligraphers have copied it, it would surely be worn down to a blank sheet of paper. More people would then miss the chance to admire this work, wouldn’t that be a pity?”

“Then, how does the Flower Goddess intend to handle it?” A calligrapher stepped out of the crowd and asked: “We are all here for this. The Flower Goddess released news in advance, yet now conceals it. Is this toying with us? Calligraphy may be a minor Dao, but it shouldn’t be insulted like this, should it?”

The Lingxiao Flower Goddess immediately responded: “Your Excellency, you exaggerate. I have always respected great calligraphers; how could I insult them? It’s just that the condition of this original piece is indeed poor, making it impossible to copy its profound charm without easily causing irreversible damage.”

“I will soon display the character forms for everyone to observe and read. Aside from the absence of profound charm, nothing else will be hidden.”

At this point, it was clear that many at the literary gathering were displeased.

Seeing an original handwritten piece without its profound charm was like drinking cola without sugar, or eating scrambled eggs with tomatoes but no eggs.

“However, to make up for this, I will select the most skilled calligrapher present and have him copy a portion of the profound charm from the original piece, then make that copy public. This way, although everyone cannot see the complete work, they can still glimpse a part of it.”

“It is not that I am stingy, but this item is truly fragile, and I hope everyone understands.” The Lingxiao Flower Goddess spread her arms and bowed apologetically.

Her demeanor dispelled much of the anger.

If it was indeed badly damaged and prone to issues, then it truly shouldn’t be given to too many people to copy.

However, only Li Qi and Liu Canzhi knew that she was purely spouting nonsense.

It was written just yesterday; how could it be badly damaged today?

While calligraphers’ copying did cause some wear, it was actually very minimal, and they had many methods to reduce wear. How could it be damaged so easily?

But she also couldn’t tell a blatant lie, otherwise anyone knowledgeable would see through her deception at a glance.

So, there was only one answer.

She herself damaged the item, making it appear fragile.

The purpose was likely to obscure Karma, preventing people from guessing that the paper was actually written yesterday.

And also, to raise its value, right?

If everyone could see it, it wouldn’t be valuable.

Li Qi speculated below that the Lingxiao Flower Goddess would likely arrange some kind of competition, using this item as a prize.

Sure enough, he heard the Lingxiao Flower Goddess say: “Although the calligraphers cannot see this work, I have also prepared an original piece from another great master. This is a calligraphic work by the eminent monk Baogong of White Horse Temple. Those who can grasp its profound charm will be able to view the original text.”

Although she didn’t explicitly call it a competition, this was a form of alternative contest.

Moreover, the competition itself was also a type of prize.

There was a Buddhist monk named Baogong, whose origin was unknown. He was ugly in appearance but possessed profound wisdom, claiming to foresee the past and future, predicting three lifetimes. His words were like prophecies, incomprehensible until after the events, when their truth was proven. He composed the “Twelve Zodiac Songs,” which concluded his words.

The monk Baogong, a Fourth-Rank great power, his calligraphic work also held great appeal for these calligraphers, and it could further elevate the value of the original piece.

With this back and forth, everyone’s attention shifted to the calligrapher’s duel. The Lingxiao Flower Goddess… seemed to have removed herself from the center of the picture.

And the calligraphers themselves felt it was acceptable.

If they couldn’t copy Liu Donghe’s original work, then copying Baogong’s calligraphic work was still good.

Li Qi watched the Lingxiao Flower Goddess’s maneuvers from the side, while also observing the other Fifth-Ranks.

Indeed, the other Fifth-Ranks must have also noticed the Lingxiao Flower Goddess’s tricks, but they did not expose her.

Because there was no need to expose her. The literary gathering was organized by her in the first place, and the procedures were certainly up to her. Should they jump out and forbid it?

That would be too undignified and impolite, and it would be even less likely to achieve their goal.

Therefore, everyone sat by and watched the Lingxiao Flower Goddess perform.

Anyway… these were all minor details; the main act was yet to come.

These people had already prepared their essays, just waiting to crash the party. When the essays were presented, if the Lingxiao Flower Goddess couldn’t respond, and was collectively cornered by these Hanlin scholars, making her unable to back down.

If she couldn’t clear her name of clinging to fame, then it didn’t matter if the literary gathering ended. At that time, this return to natural would become a joke, and she herself would have no face to stay in the Imperial Garden.

No one forced her; she simply couldn’t stay there herself.

Everything was very dignified. No one would be hurt, and there would be no overt or covert attacks. There would only be a defeated dog slinking back to Baiyue.

Is that good?

Probably not very good.

Is that bad? It doesn’t seem that bad.

Ultimately, it was just two groups of people who couldn’t get along; it hadn’t reached the point of life and death.

If he hadn’t been dragged into it by the Lingxiao Flower Goddess, Li Qi wouldn’t have bothered with this mess.

As for the other side, the calligraphers’ competition had already begun.

This was a typical, clichéd grand competition. Everyone began to copy the calligraphic work floating in the air, just like some Alchemy competition, with a few people pretending to be judges.

Generally speaking, the protagonist would shine brightly among the contestants, showcasing exquisite calligraphy and essays before many Seniors.

Unfortunately, Li Qi had no interest in this; he was just an observer.

As the competition started over there, the Lingxiao Flower Goddess continued to exchange pleasantries and engage in verbal sparring with those who came to cause trouble, constantly maintaining her ‘dignity’ while diverting everyone’s attention.

Li Qi, however, couldn’t be bothered to watch.

He was very busy and didn’t have that much time.

He left the venue and found a small garden outside to sit in.

He would go back in an hour; the calligrapher’s competition should be over by then.

He began to close his eyes.

He wasn’t resting; he was mainly continuing his deep contemplation, pondering the answers to many questions.

Only by working diligently every day can one achieve results.

However, he hadn’t been meditating for more than ten minutes when someone suddenly patted his shoulder.

Li Qi immediately opened his eyes.

He found a beautiful young girl sitting beside him.

“Yu Zao classmate? What are you doing here?” Li Qi frowned.

He really disliked this woman, just as he disliked bratty children; he really wanted to beat her up.

“Hmm, Li Qi classmate, was that dress made by you?” Yu Zao pointed towards the venue and asked.

“It was made by me and other classmates, sort of… a practice, I suppose. Is there something wrong?” Li Qi asked.

“Oh, I see. That’s amazing. I just saw that dress; it combines the characteristics of Shaman Dao and humanity, and it borrows the idea of a ‘farm’ from humanity, doesn’t it?”

“Through the cultivation methods of Shaman, combined with the concept of a farm, and then iterative optimization, that dress came into being, right? What a great idea.” Yu Zao sat beside Li Qi and praised him.

Li Qi was very unaccustomed to this attitude.

Previously, Yu Zao had always been very exaggerated and flamboyant. This quiet, calm way of speaking was something Li Qi had never seen before, and he was a little surprised.

“So, Yu Zao classmate just came to praise me?” Li Qi asked again.

“No, if it was just to praise me, why would I specifically run all the way here? I’m here to talk about serious business!” Yu Zao pouted, puffing up her cheeks.

But she immediately changed to a smiling face and said: “Li Qi classmate, you know I’m from the Eclectic School, right? Do you know what the philosophy of the Eclectic School is?”

“To be inclusive and absorb from all schools, mastering all the Dao of the Hundred Schools, is that it?” Li Qi said.

Yu Zao nodded: “Yes, that’s right. However, the Eclectic School doesn’t have an orderly Legacy. We are pragmatists; as long as it’s useful, as long as it works well, we will use it. We don’t get bogged down in the ideas of any one school, nor do we care whose spell it is. A group of people who are unrestrained, care about nothing but practicality, and don’t concern themselves with Dao Orthodoxy disputes, that’s the Eclectic School.”

Li Qi listened, feeling somewhat puzzled.

Why was she telling him all this? Introducing Dao Orthodoxy?

But Yu Zao continued on her own: “So, we don’t care about the human-Shaman conflict, nor are we concerned with the internal struggles of the Hundred Schools. See, isn’t that consistent with what you’re doing now?”

“You’ve abandoned the human-Shaman conflict and created something like this, and you… have embraced so many Dao Orthodoxy, even more eclectic than the Eclectic School. We at least stay within the framework of humanity, but you seem to not even care about Dao Orthodoxy, completely disregarding Dao disputes, even risking your life. You’re much more extreme than us.” Yu Zao said.

Li Qi could only smile bitterly after hearing this.

Did she think he wanted to?

He didn’t want to either; cultivating the “Zhu” Book honestly was such a good thing.

But things kept finding him; he had no choice.

“So… the Eclectic School is looking for me, for something? Is this just a body?” Li Qi realized something and asked.

Constantly saying ‘we’ was not Yu Zao’s usual tone, and… she was too calm, not like the reaction of that child.

So, Li Qi guessed that the Yu Zao in front of him might just be a body?

Someone else was speaking to him.

“I am Yu Zao, but… not the one you know.” Yu Zao said: “Indeed. Before, it was just small talk. I heard that you want to sell the production line behind that magical robe, right?”

Hmm?

Li Qi perked up: “Does the Eclectic School want to buy a set?”

“No, we don’t want to buy a set. We want to buy the entire process, including the core technology. A one-time offer, and from then on, this item will have no further connection with you.” Yu Zao said.

“Impossible. Our hard work, we’d rather destroy it than sell it like that. I’m not short on money.” Li Qi shook his head.

Did she take him for a beggar? Li Qi wasn’t short on food or clothes; only a fool would sell the copyright outright.

But Yu Zao said: “You aren’t short on money, but your wife, Moonborne Daoist Master, is very short, right? The debts of Mount Luofu and Shaman God Mountain are an even bigger mess. You are merely a Young Master, not a Shaman, so you cannot decide to waive this debt. Shaman God Mountain will not abandon its original plans because of you.”

Yu Zao lowered her voice, leaning close to Li Qi, and whispered in his ear:

“Although telling you now is a bit against the rules, it’s harmless. The Dao opportunity of the Sun-Moon True Lead Cauldron is the ‘Sun-Moon Orbit’ of all heavens, which is the principle of the Sun and Moon’s movement in all worlds and realms.”

“This Great Dao is currently vacant and is extremely useful for both humanity and Shaman Dao. To my knowledge, there are three Second-Rank Ritual Patriarchs and two human Dao Second-Rank Yin and Yang Immortals eyeing the Sun-Moon Orbit.”

“It can be said that when the Sun-Moon True Lead Cauldron chose this as its Great Dao opportunity, its Dao path was already cut off. It has no First Grade behind it. On the Penglai side, the Grand Pure Celestial Venerable has already mastered the ultimate principle of Yin and Yang, so the Sun-Moon Orbit is a mere trifle and not important to Penglai. They won’t fall out with Tang Nation and Shaman God Mountain over it.”

“Therefore, the decline of Mount Luofu is inevitable, and the demotion of the Sun-Moon True Lead Cauldron is already predetermined. You must make plans early, right? To ensure Moonborne Daoist Master lives better and to rebuild the Mount Luofu sect, a large initial investment is indispensable, isn’t it?” Yu Zao said.

Indeed, what she said made a lot of sense.

However, Li Qi responded: “So what? What does that have to do with me?”