236 Of All Virtues Filial Piety Is Most Importan (1/2)

Filial piety, fraternal duty, loyalty, trust, rite, justice, honesty, and shame?

Seeing these eight characters, the people present could not help but gawk. Even those who were relatively weak in learning knew that these eight characters were spread by the Sage of Eight Virtues thousands of years ago in the whole Nine Regions, which was simply known as the Eight Virtues. However, now the words of the Sage of Eight Virtues actually appeared here… could it be that the master of this tomb was the Sage of Eight Virtues?

That’s seemed unlikely? No one has ever heard that the sage was a sword cultivator...

Then what about the eight gates? Must they find the most important gate in order to enter the next level? However, these eight gates were all the same… Or would they need to just choose one, as long as they were confident in their choice?

While many of the cultivators were in doubt, that stiff and indifferent monotone voice once again sounded in the minds of everyone.

”The mantle of the sword tomb master would not be passed on casually, the successor ought to have good virtues. However, virtues change over time; whether it’s because of power or rebellion; peace and prosperity where people become warm and respectful, the world in chaos because of fire of war where people eat each other’s child. I don’t know what would happen years into the future and what would be the morale of the time, but I do know that no matter how relative the morale is, they can be placed next to the eight paths set by the Sage of the Eight Virtues. Whoever passes the test inside the most is the winner, and those who win pass the level.”

Whoever passes the test inside the most is the winner, and those who win pass the level?

The amount of information in this paragraph was quite large, and the most important part was the last two sentences… Eight stone gates, eight virtues; whoever can pass the test the most passes the level. Immediately, everyone fell into silence, deep in thought.

After a while, Hai Yunfan of Ten Thousand Arts Sect shook his head and then sighed in admiration. ”What a shrewd senior; unexpectedly, the knockout competition really grasp the will of the master.”

Wang Lu said with a smile, ”Yes. It also grasps the key of the morale—by comparing who is the most virtuous. Those who were able to enter this ancient sword tomb and arrive at this level, no matter it’s in the past or now, would inevitably be the elites of their time. Which means that the moral standard would not be too far apart. With this competition mechanism, the tomb could choose those who have relatively higher personal character easier.”

Hai Yunfan said, ”Yes. Perhaps in some turbulent times, society in total disarray, people’s heart become sinister, and the world does not have a saint, but as long as you have a trace of virtue a bit more than everyone around you, that would be enough… This is a really good social problem, and worthy of study.”

One by one, the cultivators of Ten Thousand Arts Sect nodded their head. Including Ye Feifei, Zhao Jiangyuan, and the others. All of them were eager to try, wishing that they could look at the ancient text to establish a model.

Jianglu of Shengjing Sect couldn’t stand watching anymore; he coldly humphed. ”Is this the time to admire it? The winner will pass the test, which means the loser will not pass the test. But how many winners on this test? One? Two? And how many people are here now? Thirty? Forty?”

Zhou Mumu also said, ”This level is really baffling, why must the tomb master design such a competition mechanism? Does it want a certain type of people eliminated?”

Upon hearing this remark, the atmosphere suddenly became stiff.

Zhou Mumu has a straightforward temperament; she unintentionally pointed out the sensitive topic.

The four sects, after all, were not of single mind. They just established a temporary cooperative relationship because of their struggle against the Guardian. However, this sword tomb's stone inscription only let those who passed the test the most pas the level, which put their cooperation in a precarious condition.

Some would win, and some would lose, therefore, after this level, some people would likely be eliminated. That being the case, what would they need to cooperate about?

After a while, Jianglu inwardly made a decision, and then coldly said, ”Humph, might as well. In any case, in the end, some people would be eliminated.”

Zhan Ziye argued, ”That’s not necessarily. There are eight gates here, and we have forty people here. With a simple division, as long as each person obtain two virtues, wouldn’t everyone pass the level together?”

Jianglu mockingly said, ”Your Ten Thousand Arts Sect always boast yourself as being smart, but how could you say something stupid like that? If average distribution of virtues can make us pass the level, aren’t we all on average have the same amount of virtue? Each side holds zero virtue, but why don’t I see the entrance to the next level?”

Zhan Ziye was speechless.

Jianglu’s countenance turned serious as he said with a sinking voice, ”This ancient sword tomb inheritance path is not a gentle and amiable children’s house-play. In this sword tomb, from the second level onward, murderous intention are everywhere. And just now, we were nearly annihilated by the Guardian! After all of these, can’t you see how our situation is? To continue forward, we need to cut our way through thistles and thorns even if we are badly bruised, and even so much that our lives perish! This Sage of Eight Virtues level inevitably demands us to strive, to fight like how those barbarians raise their poisonous insects, trampling on each other’s corpse to victory!”

This theory was indeed very persuasive. however, there were many people who disagree. Ye Feifei couldn’t help but want to argue.

However, before she could open her mouth, Wang Lu faintly said, ”We have yet to enter the gate, is there any use in debating outside the gate? Before we know what kind of test inside that was set up by the owner of the tomb, no one’s words will amount to anything. Moreover, do we four sects have to kill each other on the doorway just because of the words of the master of the tomb and inscription on the stone gates? Don’t you guys think that’s really silly? At least we need to go inside and have look first.”

Jianglu cast Wang Lu a glance, nodded and said, ”Correct. Now we only know that those who pass the test the most win, but the specific rules are still blurred, so we should advance first before we talk about it again. There are eight tests behind these eight gates, so why don’t we start with the first one?”

Then, Jianglu reached out and pointed at the filial piety gate.

Wang Lu said, ”Of all virtues, filial piety is most important, I don’t know which filial son or worthy grandson is willing to pass through the gate to have a look together with me?”

”…”