Chapter 1808: The Path of the First Sage! (1/2)
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
'The modest gentleman has a character as soft and gentle as the luster of jade.'
The objects of the Confucian Sect were just like the luster of beautiful jade, the majority of them having an extremely gentle nature. It was very unusual to hear of one that could reduce someone's lifespan.
But both Master Zhu and Li Junxian seemed to take this as a natural fact.
”Senior Brother, I know that you're trying to help, but just as the Buddhists say, if I do not enter hell, who will?” Li Junxian altered the way he addressed Master Zhu as he firmly stared. ”What does it matter if my lifespan is reduced? As long as Junxian can realize the dream of the Confucian Sect, Junxian will have no regrets. Senior Brother, please fulfill my wish and grant me the Crown of Confucius!”
With his last words, he revealed the stunning name of that object he sought!
The Crown of Confucius!
Li Junxian had ritually bathed himself and come to Master Zhu's classroom precisely to ask his assistance in obtaining the legendary crown of the Supreme Sage, Confucius.
One hundred sages had flourished in the Spring and Autumn Era, and this era had been the golden age of the Confucian Sect. But no matter how strong the Confucian Sect had been, not even it was capable of resisting the torrent of time.
In the long river of time, much about the numerous sages had been lost, transformed into myths and legends. Very few people knew that the founder of the Confucian school, the Supreme Sage, Confucius, had left behind a sacred object. This was the Crown of Confucius.
This was the only object left behind by the Supreme Sage. It never rotted or decayed, no matter how many years passed.
Just like how the Confucian Sect that emphasized martial strength possessed the Noble Sage Sword, the Confucian school possessed the Crown of Confucius. Master Zhu was the holder and protector of this sacred object.
”Haaah…”
Master Zhu sighed.
”Since your mind is made up, I cannot stop you. But since you have come to make this request, you must also know that one must undergo the Punishment of the Seven Admonitions to obtain the Crown of Confucius. Your chances of survival are slim. Even so, do you still want to go?”
”Junxian is willing!” Li Junxian replied without hesitation.
The classroom fell silent as the two of them stared at each other.
After what seemed like an eternity, Master Zhu finally broke the silence.
”Since that is the case, come with me!”
Master Zhu turned around, pushed open the small door in the back of the classroom, and walked through.
After a few moments of silence, Li Junxian stood up and followed Master Zhu through the door.
In the back of the plum forest was an ancient hall. Though it had been renovated many times, one could still see that the core of the hall was incredibly old and had not been altered once.
Unlike the other buildings in the plum forest, this building was completely silent. The area for several dozen feet around it had been swept clean of dust. But several hundred powerful Golden Guards stood around the building, all of them facing outward.
'Sacred Ground of Confucianism! Intruders Will Be Executed!'
A large stone stele had been erected in front of the hall, and eight words had been written in large print, with a jade seal stamped beneath. This was clearly a sign left behind by the Great Tang imperial household.
”The Crown of Confucius is a holy object, and no one is able to steal it. But though I said this to him, Emperor Taizong still erected this stele and dispatched soldiers to guard this place.”
Master Zhu stopped in front of the stele.
”Come on. The path to the crown will be more difficult than any battle you've ever been through.”
Master Zhu walked past the stone stele, and Li Junxian, after slightly pausing, followed.
Creeeak!
The doors were pushed open, revealing the passage within the hall.
This passage was about as tall as a man and around four feet wide. The insides were nearly pitch-black, lit by the dimmest of lights. It was nigh impossible to see the situation inside.
”Starting from here is the Path of the First Sage, and this is where the Punishment of the Seven Admonitions will take place. Whether you can obtain the Crown of Confucius will depend on your luck. But I must advise you again that the Path of the First Sage is incredibly dangerous. While your Confucian Sect possesses formidable martial strength, it's fallen far behind when it comes to learning and the cultivating of the spirit. This is why nearly all of the generation after generation of its leaders that have come to this hallowed hall have failed.
”Over the last one thousand years, only three people have been able to take the Crown of Confucius. If you want to turn back, you still have time!” Master Zhu sternly said.
Clap!
Li Junxian said nothing, letting his actions answer for him. He stepped forward, over the threshold, and quickly entered.
Master Zhu mentally sighed and said no more.
……
”This is the Path of the First Sage…”
It was dark within the passage, but someone at Li Junxian's level of cultivation had long ago been freed from the restraints of darkness. At this time, standing in the passage, Li Junxian's mind was brimming with various thoughts.
The Path of the First Sage!
This was a nightmarish place for the Confucian Sect. Just as Master Zhu had said, at least thirteen leaders of the Confucian Sect had tried to force their way through this path, only to return in defeat with their lifespans reduced.
The Crown of Confucius!