Becoming a Sage Starts From Condensing the Essence of Time

Chapter 97: Bamboo Painting to Seek the Dao, Primordial Spirit Forms on Its Own (1)

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

As a treasure land of the Literary Department, the Heart Questioning Forest was quite famous in Lin’an Residence. The secluded Heart Questioning Forest in front of the Literary Monument even attracted many Spirit Refinement cultivators.

However, most of the time, the Heart Questioning Forest was in a secretive state. Only Confucian scholars who performed outstandingly in the Literary Department’s examinations and left their names on the Literary Music Ranking were qualified to step into the Heart Questioning Forest and cleanse their mental power.

It was rumored that the Heart Questioning Forest had existed since the founding of the Literary Department ten thousand years ago. A Sacred Confucian of the Literary Department discussed the Dao here and subtly influenced every bamboo leaf in the bamboo forest.

Therefore, even the officials of the Ministry of Rites were shocked when the Literary Department used the Heart Questioning Forest as the cultivation test standard for the Spring Quarter Examination.

When they learned that the three Headmasters of the Literary Department had made this decision at the same time, they were even more puzzled. Could it be that the three Headmasters were really biased towards the Confucian scholars on the Literary Music Ranking?

Most of the Confucian scholars on the Literary Music Rankings had walked through the Heart Questioning Forest. With experience, they would have a clearer and clearer plan of the walking route.

However, even if the Headmasters were biased, they did not dare to say anything.

For a moment, the officials of the Ministry of Rites had complicated expressions. They could only silently observe outside the Heart Questioning Forest.

To their surprise, the first person to enter the forest was not the many Confucian scholars on the Literary Music Ranking. Instead, it was a handsome young man in white with a straight back.

“This must be Master An… He alarmed Lin’an with his ink bamboo. I didn’t expect him to come to the Heart Questioning Forest today. I wonder if he can have a new impact on the concept of ink bamboo painting.”

An official from the Ministry of Rites naturally recognized An Le and could not help but speak.

An Le’s ink bamboo was quite famous, but the real reason why he was famous and well-known was because he had beaten up Wang Qinhe on a rainy night in West Lake.

Second Headmaster Pang Ji stroked his beard and narrowed his eyes. He was a little curious and expectant as if he hoped that this young man could surprise him.

On the other side, the dumbfounded Confucian scholars of the Literary Music Ranking also came back to their senses with ugly expressions.

A gentle breeze blew over, causing the bamboo sea to ripple.

A Confucian scholar from the Literary Music Ranking felt that his limelight had been stolen. He could not help but say bitterly, “This Master An is really… very rash. The bamboo branches in the Heart Questioning Forest are dark. If you’re not careful, your mental power will be lost. If you don’t figure out the path to enter outside the forest, you’ll plunge into it. I’m afraid you won’t be able to walk far.

“After entering the Heart Questioning Forest, I’ll first use my mental power to observe the patterns of the bamboo path in the forest and find a path from the surging bamboo sea to the Literary Monument. Before entering the forest, I’ll use my mental power to observe it. It’s equivalent to playing chess with the ancient sages in the forest.”

“Master An was born as a Provincial Scholar after all. Why can’t he even see through this?”

Perhaps because someone had taken the lead, the Confucian scholars on the Literary Music Ranking spoke one after another. The sourness in their words made Han Shi, who was carrying a saber on his back, pinch his nose.

“Why are you so jealous? Perhaps Master An can reach the Literary Monument without any obstacles. It’s your rule to observe before entering the forest. It’s your common sense. Why are you imposing it on Master An?”

Han Shi retorted bluntly. He had a bad temper to begin with, and he was most annoyed by these sour Confucian scholars.

Although An Le was also a scholar, he was not a scholar from the Literary Department. He had once caused Martial Chief Stone to muster the Qi Blood Smoke and used the Little Sacred Token to defeat Wang Qinhe on the West Lake.

Such a powerful, combative, and bold scholar was the target of Han Shi’s respect.

Just like General Li You’an!

The more Han Shi spoke, the angrier they became. Facing the glares of the Confucian scholars on the Literary Music Ranking, he glared back angrily like an angry lion.

He ignored these people and carried his saber on his back. He followed An Le angrily and entered the Heart Questioning Forest.

In less than five breaths, Han Shi walked out angrily and looked at the group of people staring at him outside. He slapped his head and glared back at the Confucian scholars. “Who the f*ck pulled me out?!”

Vulgar and barbaric!

He was indeed a person from the Martial Temple!

Many Confucian scholars on the Literary Music Ranking sneered.

The Second Headmaster chuckled and said, “Calm down and enter the forest again. Otherwise, you’ll walk out very quickly. At that time, you’ll walk further and further away from the Literary Monument.”

Han Shi still respected the Second Headmaster. He cupped his fists and bowed. Steam spewed from his nose as he suppressed the anger in his heart. He began to mutter and closed his eyes to calm down.

The Confucian scholars on the Literary Music Ranking sneered and continued to study the route of the Heart Questioning Forest while waiting to watch An Le’s show.

It would be interesting if Master An, who was famous in Lin’an, embarrassed himself in the Heart Questioning Forest.

The Heart Questioning Forest of the Literary Department opened, and a faint clear aura rushed into the sky. Many powerful Spirit Refinement cultivators’ Primordial Spirits moved and sensed something.

There was a thatched cottage in the path.

In the straw hut, two old men were sitting opposite each other and playing chess. The black and white chess pieces seemed to contain Yin and Yang. Between the chess pieces, there seemed to be a faint light bursting out.

First Headmaster Zhu Huoxi and Third Headmaster Wang Banshan were playing chess.

“The young man triggered the Literary Monument. I wonder if he can walk to the monument. It should be possible. I wonder if he can condense literary courage by looking at the Literary Monument.”

Zhu Huoxi chuckled and placed a white stone.

Wang Banshan stared at the chessboard, sweating profusely. His eyes were serious and solemn as if he had met his match.

He picked up the black piece and hesitated for a long time..