The principles you seek, I cannot teach you.

The State of Lu was located north of Zoucheng.

Inside a rather large academy.

A boy sat on a high spot on the edge of the courtyard wall, holding a book in his hands.

He was very distinctive in appearance—his beard and hair were white, his eyebrows were broad, his eyes were wide, and his ears were also very large.

At first glance, he doesn't look like a boy; he looks more like an old man.

His name was Dan, and his surname was Li.

Of course, it is old by nature.

Therefore, the other children in the private school called him "Lao Dan".

At this moment, Li Dan was holding bamboo slips in his hands.

His eyes, however, were looking up at the sky.

It may seem like you're just letting your mind wander, but it's actually quite the opposite.

His eyes sparkled with contemplation and wisdom, unlike those of a nine-year-old child.

However at this time

"Old Dan!"

A voice called out, interrupting Lao Dan's thoughts.

It was a boy from the same private school as him, carrying his luggage and seemingly heading home.

"Mr. Bertha is now available."

He said this to Lao Dan.

"good."

Lao Dan nodded slowly upon hearing this.

His voice was calm and his movements were steady, just like an old man.

"..."

Seeing this, the boy who was his classmate was used to it.

After explaining the situation, he turned and left.

Lao Dan then leisurely walked to the inner courtyard of the academy and knocked on a door.

"gentlemen."

He said softly.

"Come in."

Only after hearing such a response from inside did he enter.

Inside the house was a real old man.

His beard and hair were all white, and he had an extraordinary appearance, looking nothing like someone from a small place like Zoucheng.

However, upon seeing Lao Dan enter the room, the old man couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

His name was Bo Xia, and he was originally a high-ranking official in the State of Lu.

He was well-read and knowledgeable in etiquette, and was considered a renowned sage in his time.

Because of the misfortune that Qingfu suffered in the past, he spoke out in defense of Qingfu, saying that Qingfu's actions were rebellious.

He was therefore dismissed from his position as a physician and exiled to Zoucheng.

Subsequently, he opened an academy in Zoucheng.

With his knowledge, teaching and enlightening students was naturally a piece of cake.

But this Lao Dan was undoubtedly the most special student he had ever encountered in his teaching career.

Bertha knew that this was a true genius.

From the moment he entered the academy, Lao Dan would come to him almost every day to ask him a question.

At the beginning, Bertha was able to answer questions fluently.

Now, even seeing Lao Dan makes him feel immense pressure.

And today, Lao Dan asked the same question as always.

"May I ask you, sir, what is the foundation of this world?"

Lao Dan asked softly.

Upon hearing this question, Bertha breathed a sigh of relief.

He thought the problem was too simple.

"This question is not difficult—the world is based on etiquette and moral principles."

He spoke loudly.

This is also the universally acknowledged truth in the world today.

The rites and teachings of the Zhou dynasty are the highest principles for humanity.

"What is the meaning of etiquette and propriety?"

"When the king prospers and the kingly way prevails, when ministers perform their duties properly, and when the people live a good life."

As an old scholar who had followed etiquette his entire life, Bo Xia naturally answered fluently.

"Lao Dan, think about it—if the ruler can follow the path of the ruler, the ministers can fulfill their duties, and the people can live a good life."

"If everyone follows the rules of propriety, the world will naturally be clear and bright, and all filth and impurity will be swept away."

He stroked his beard and said, "It's a pity that there are always people like Qingfu who rebel against their superiors and corrupt the moral order—fortunately, a righteous cultivator like the Lord of Yuanquan Mountain has stepped in, otherwise the troubles of my State of Lu would probably not be over yet."

He felt that his answer to this question today was absolutely perfect.

Just when he was feeling unusually happy, he never expected this.

Lao Dan shook his head upon hearing this.

"Sir, this is a misconception."

"How is it wrong?"

Upon hearing this, Bo Xia frowned.

Lao Dan asked softly, "Can the heavens and earth, stars, mountains and rivers, plants and trees, lakes and seas, all be governed by rites and laws?"

Upon hearing this, Bertha was suddenly taken aback.

Lao Dan, however, continued to speak to himself: "I often observe the movement of the heavens and the stars, and I often see rivers flowing and trees flourishing and withering."

"They may not understand the language of etiquette, but they have their own reasons."

"Heaven has its secrets, earth has its geography, things have their properties, and people have their ethics."

"If one can grasp this principle, then one can find the right path for people."

Lao Dan said softly.

"So, may I ask you, sir, what is the foundation of this world?"

He asked the same question again.

Then Persephone said nothing more.

He had already realized the problem.

The world he envisioned was the State of Lu and the State of Zhou—where the world was at peace if the rites and teachings were followed.

But this was not what Lao Dan asked from the very beginning.

He looked at the heavens and the stars, the rivers and lakes.

The temples of the State of Lu and the vitality of human life are only a part of it.

What he really wanted to ask was... the true principle that encompasses everything and unites heaven and earth!

Then, Bertha gave a wry smile.

"I cannot answer that question."

"Not only me, but no one in the world can answer you."

"But if you can truly deduce the principles of heaven and earth—the sage after the Duke of Zhou, then you shall be the one."

Having said that, he covered his face with his hand and walked away.

"..."

Upon seeing this, a hint of disappointment flashed in Lao Dan's eyes.

He shook his head and slowly packed his bags.

They then left the academy.

He was still thinking as he walked.

He had no interest in becoming a sage.

But he will never give up on the truth he wants to know.

He could almost feel that this was the purpose of his coming into this world.

Against the flow of people in Zoucheng, Lao Dan strolled slowly.

But at that moment, a sweet, charming voice suddenly reached his ears.

"Master, is this him?"

"Huh...he looks really weird!"

It was a young-sounding female voice.

Lao Dan turned his head to look.

In a teahouse not far away, a beautifully sculpted little girl was standing with a young Taoist priest dressed in a green robe.

At that moment, the young man was viciously pinching the little girl's cheek.

"You little brat, how dare you spout such nonsense?"

At this moment, Shi Yuan was so angry that he laughed instead.

Yuanling really dares to say anything.

That was an incarnation of a saint, and she dared to say "she looks strange"?

Are you really not afraid of angering the sage and having her captured and refined into the elixir she hates most?

"Mmm..."

Yuanling looked at Shiyuan in confusion, wondering why her master was suddenly reprimanding her.

However, at this moment, Lao Dan had already walked up to the two of them.

"What brings you two here?"

He had no objection to what Yuanling said.

He had heard similar things countless times since he was a child.

He never cared about any of that.

The reason he stepped forward at this moment was because he could sense the extraordinary nature of Shi Yuan and the other person.

Just by looking at their clothes and demeanor, the two of them didn't seem like people from Zoucheng.

To be precise, they don't seem like human beings!

"My name is Shi Yuan."

Shi Yuan then laughed and said, "The world does not know my name, but calls me the Master of Yuanquan Mountain."

"Totem deities?"

Lao Dan's eyes lit up upon hearing this.

He naturally knew that the Lord of Yuanquan Mountain was the totem of the State of Lu, personally designated by the King.

His husband, Bo Xia, said that this mountain lord was the benefactor who killed Qingfu and restored the State of Lu to the right path.

According to legend, the Lord of Yuanquan Mountain is a righteous god who suppresses demons and restores peace to the people.

The royal family of Lu claimed that the Lord of Yuanquan Mountain was a blessed immortal who protected the vast borders of Lu.

Lao Dan's parents even said that his birth was due to the protection of the Lord of Yuanquan Mountain!

"Has the Mountain Lord come here with something to instruct me?"

He looked at Shi Yuan expectantly.

He felt that perhaps this renowned totem immortal in the State of Lu could resolve his doubts.

But Shi Yuan shook his head: "I cannot teach you the principles you seek."

joke.

His great master's uncle was transformed into the reincarnation of Laozi, seeking to pass on the teachings of the Renjiao sect and the principles of a sage.

What can he teach?

Could it be that the founding principle of the Jie Sect, "all things in heaven and earth have spirits, and we should seize a glimmer of life," was taught to Lao Dan?

If he dares to teach now, then there's no point in talking about any kind of cooperation.

The Jie Sect would immediately become mortal enemies with the Supreme Saint.

Upon hearing this, Lao Dan's eyes flashed with even deeper disappointment.

However, Shi Yuan smiled and said, "But I know a place that might be able to resolve your confusion."

"where?"

Upon hearing this, Lao Dan immediately asked a question.