Her robes and sashes swayed gently as she walked, producing occasional crisp sounds that entered the ears with ethereal clarity. Dressed in a white gown, Ruan Yushu carried an ancient qin, slowly descending from the high tower and stepping into the arena. Her expression was serene, not showing arrogance.
After performing the courtesy bow, she knelt and sat on the ground, placing the “Qifeng Qin” with its right tail on her left knee. Compared to Meng Qi’s relaxed and free-spirited demeanor earlier, she exuded a deeper tranquility, as if the place she knelt was not a dusty ground, but a celestial palace illuminated by moonlight—pure and pristine.
Every one of her movements was calm and graceful, gradually drawing the audience’s scattered attention back, calming their minds, and silently waiting for the qin melody.
“A true professional indeed…” Meng Qi mused inwardly.
With her left hand pressing the strings and her right hand lightly plucking, a sound like the cry of a lone goose in the vast sky initiated a picturesque musical scroll.
As Ruan Yushu played, Meng Qi’s mind gradually conjured images of a crisp autumn day, with boundless clouds and endless skies, perfectly harmonizing with the clear blue expanse above. The music painted scenes, and the scenes embraced the music—expansive and lofty, broadening one’s heart and mind.
Within the smooth and gentle melody, bird songs occasionally emerged, as if flocks of birds were circling overhead, flying diagonally or encircling back and forth, lingering in the beauty, as vivid as reality.
Just as Meng Qi felt the authenticity of the scene, his vision suddenly blurred. Then, strange birds flew out from the woods, circling and swirling above Ruan Yushu, their chirping clearly audible, perfectly matching the melody!
The music gradually softened. The waters receded, leaving behind a cold, clear pond; the misty light condensed, casting a purple hue over the evening hills. A complete autumnal beauty filled one’s mind.
The flowing river grew even gentler, the mirror-like lake clearer, until finally reflecting the blue sky, drifting clouds, and flying birds—water reflecting the heavens, and heavens hiding within the water, breathtakingly beautiful. With only an ordinary musical score and her own artistic vision, she had achieved a transformation akin to the unity of man and heaven!
As the melody faded, the birds returned home, one by one landing and resting beside the qin.
The lingering notes echoed beneath the beams, while a chorus of birds sang joyfully, reluctant to leave.
The natural Dao, the reflection of one’s state of mind, vast and distant, serene and profound, gave rise to the transformation of man and heaven.
After a long while, the old emperor finally sighed, “Such a melody should belong only to heaven; how rare it is to hear it on earth! Truly worthy of being born with a qin heart!”
Wang Zai narrowed his eyes slightly, seemingly still immersed in the autumnal clarity, the circling birds, and the vast tranquility. He murmured, “Serene and distant, uplifting and joyful, guiding birds to dance and lakes to mirror the sky—today, none can surpass her! Truly, one piece of ‘Flat Sand Goose’ brings forth the question: where in the world is there no kindred spirit?”
“For her, the unity of man and heaven is within reach… indeed, born with a qin heart,” Meng Qi noted differently.
After this performance, no one dared to step forward.
“In the ways of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, Ruan Yushu shall lead. Do any of you ministers have objections?” the old emperor scanned the crowd.
Without a doubt, no one opposed. Ruan Yushu naturally took first place in the first challenge and was awarded a cup of imperial wine.
The old emperor stroked the armrest with a slight smile, “The second challenge concerns philosophical writings and one’s personal path. Since all of you are talented individuals, you must have contemplated the principles of heaven and man, as well as your personal journeys. Moreover, you are all highly perceptive… I possess a rare treasure called the ‘Inscribed Stone,’ for you to contemplate. Let us see who gains the most insight.”
“The Inscribed Stone?” Murmurs of astonishment rippled through the aristocrats and officials present. Even the high-ranking ministers around the emperor and figures like Cui Qingyu showed slight surprise.
Meng Qi, being self-taught and lacking in certain knowledge, could only look at Wang Zai with confusion.
“The Inscribed Stone is a rare treasure,” Wang Zai began, “said to be a relic from the ancient heavenly court, somewhat akin to a divine weapon.”
“A divine weapon?” Meng Qi stammered slightly.
Wang Zai continued, “In terms of value, not power. It cannot be used for attacks and may even be damaged by ordinary people. However, if one has begun to glimpse the Dao and combines that insight with the stone, one may gain enlightenment—either integrating one’s martial arts, comprehending profound truths, or even creating a divine technique directly, should one’s cultivation and accumulation be sufficient.”
“In ancient times, our dynasty conquered the Kingdom of Kang, capturing the Emperor’s Sword. Taizu combined the human Dao technique inscribed on the sword with the content of the ‘Jingshi Shu,’ contemplating the Inscribed Stone for seven days and nights. Eventually, he fused the two, giving rise to the standard ‘Jingshi Shu’ and the human Dao ‘Jingshi Shu,’ and the ‘Jingshi Eight Swords’ evolved into an imperial sword technique. The latter, empowered by the strength of the masses, is faster to cultivate, more powerful, and encounters fewer obstacles, gradually becoming the mainstream of the royal family.”
“Since then, the royal family has never lacked masters nearing the level of a Dharma Body.”
No wonder Zhao Jingshi, after being defeated by the Demon Sect Leader and suffering mental injury, could still recover and become a master nearing the Dharma Body… Meng Qi suddenly understood. Then joy surged in his heart—insight is my specialty! Who among those present has ever contemplated the ‘Tathagata Palm’?
Ah, Xuan Zhen, after opening the ancestral cavity between his eyebrows, might be able to observe it, but not daily contemplation… these thoughts did not affect Meng Qi’s mood—not only because this was his strength, but also because any insight might benefit his cultivation or earn him great virtue!
After the initial shock, the onlookers’ eyes burned with greed, eager to take action. The Inscribed Stone was a royal treasure beyond measure, never before revealed to outsiders. Today, the emperor’s magnanimity would surely be etched into history! The Qionghua Banquet would be truly unforgettable!
(Note: “琼华宴” is transliterated as “Qionghua Banquet” as it appears to be a proper noun event name. If additional context suggests it should be translated differently, adjustments can be made.)
They no longer feared embarrassment; losing didn’t matter, as long as they could gain some insight, it could benefit them for life!
Seeing Meng Qi’s face light up with joy, Wang Zai chuckled, “Xiao Meng, confident? Ready to go next?”
Always calling him “Senior Brother Su” had become too formal. After arriving in the capital, Wang Zai changed his address.
Meng Qi straightened his back and coughed, “Since everyone wants to try, I’ll be humble and wait till last.”
The “big names” usually go last!
In the style of a seasoned performer, he switched from calling himself “this younger brother” to “this one.”
“Makes sense.” Wang Zai nodded slightly and decided to wait a while too.
A stone tablet flew from the emperor’s hand, landing below the high platform. It was grayish-white, ancient and weathered, with fine cracks. It bore no inscriptions or patterns, yet it felt as deep as the sea, unfathomable. Truly a rare treasure!
“One person per cup of tea.” As soon as the emperor spoke, the talents who had previously dared not step forward now rushed from their seats, almost forming a queue.
The top aristocratic families were half-pleased and half-frowning, puzzled by the emperor’s sudden generosity.
…
Outside the imperial city, the “Doumu Yuanjun” had changed her appearance, wearing plain blue robes.
Beside her was a yellow-faced man with a fierce look, resembling a street thug. He was the transformed Qingyuan Miaodao Zhenjun.
“Gu Xiaosang is confirmed inside the palace by Guangcheng. The Luo sect members should be there too,” Qingyuan Miaodao Zhenjun conveyed through secret means.
Doumu Yuanjun gazed deeply at the palace and softly asked, “Have all those meant to attend the Qionghua Banquet arrived?”
“Yes. Shall we storm in directly? This matter grows increasingly strange. We might encounter the ‘Dushi Fawang.’ It’s better to be cautious,” Qingyuan Miaodao Zhenjun frowned.
Dushi Fawang, the Luo sect leader who had achieved the Void Body.
Doumu Yuanjun rarely sneered, “Let’s wait first and see how things unfold. If not for a similar incident before, I wouldn’t understand their tricks…”
She seemed to recall something, gaining a bit of confidence.
“Similar incident?” Qingyuan Miaodao Zhenjun asked in confusion.
Doumu Yuanjun nodded slightly, “A few years ago…”
…
The sun climbed high, nearing noon. One by one, the talents sat before the Inscribed Stone, returning empty-handed. None gained insight, nor did any phenomenon occur, making people doubt whether it was merely an ordinary stone tablet. The so-called enlightenment seemed like a fraud.
Few were the high-ranking officials, and only one guest per person was allowed. By now, only about ten people had yet to attempt the challenge.
Wang Zai sat before the Inscribed Stone, eyes closed for a cup of tea’s time. His aura fluctuated several times but ultimately showed no change.
He rose, bowed, and returned with a long sigh, telling Meng Qi, “Though I’ve studied the classics and histories extensively, feeling well-versed and often united with righteous energy, I still fell short. Without personal insight, enlightenment remains elusive.”
In other words, one must at least have preliminarily found their path to gain insight? Meng Qi grasped the implication.
Ruan Yushu sat before the stone with her qin, feeling nothing.
Cui Zhe sat before the stone with his sword across his knees, feeling nothing.
The monk beside the Crown Prince, already united with heaven, sat before the stone as well, feeling nothing either.
Then, Yan Chong leapt from the high platform, as if walking on waves, arriving before the Inscribed Stone. He sat cross-legged, eyes closed, his saber resting on his knees.
Meng Qi focused intently. Yan Chong had long achieved perfect unity with heaven, his years of practice far surpassing Meng Qi’s. He wondered how far Yan Chong had come, whether he had preliminarily found his path…
Time passed like a white colt through a crevice. Gradually, nearly a cup of tea’s time had elapsed, yet the stone and its surroundings remained still.
Suddenly, a sound like distant tides echoed from the air, swelling with a deep blue hue, profound and restrained, brewing a storm. Everyone watched in astonishment.
Boom!
The tide erupted, a saber flash breaking the waves. Yan Chong soared into the air, slowly descending, half in awe and half in joy, “Thank you, Your Majesty!”
“It seems he was just one thin paper away from finding his path. This enlightenment will save him at least a year’s effort. In the future, even if he cannot ascend in one step, he won’t be far off…” Meng Qi mused.
He deeply respected Yan Chong, who had risen from a minor sect to such heights, because it required far more effort and dedication than others.
As for “ascending in one step,” such rare events seldom occurred. Even if one had preliminarily found their path, success was not guaranteed. Didn’t He Jiu also rely on subtle guidance and life-and-death stimulation to break through?
“Brother Yan’s diligence and relentless pursuit naturally led to this insight,” Wang Zai said with admiration.
Seeing Yan Chong’s enlightenment, Prince Jin Zhao Yi, who had previously lacked the cultivation level to contemplate the Inscribed Stone, personally stepped forward. He had already united with heaven through the power of the masses and opened his ancestral cavity between the eyebrows.
Unfortunately, he still gained no insight.
The Crown Prince, Zhao Yi, descended. He had opened his ancestral cavity over a year ago and was nearly at the stage of internal and external convergence.
Seated before the Inscribed Stone, the Crown Prince’s expression was serene, with a gentle smile on his face. Soon, golden lotuses sprouted from the ground, blooming slowly. Light radiated from the stone, as if Sanskrit scriptures were emerging.
“Phew, within half a year, the Crown Prince will surely ascend to External Manifestation,” sighed Wang Zai.
After opening the ancestral cavity, one could adjust their inner world and preliminarily establish their path, though the available choices were very limited and rarely perfectly aligned with one’s nature, for the ancestral cavity was irreversible.
Meng Qi glanced around and noticed that those yet to attempt were himself, Zhao Heng, Qi Zhengyan, Fan Changmiao, Xuan Zhen, and Bai Qigu.
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