"The Hundred Schools of Thought?"

Shen Yuan frowned slightly, not much moved by the groom's words.

Part of his knowledge about Luotian Realm also came from Ji Zhaoyang, the third prince of Dayin, but most of it was only about the origin of Luotian Realm and the existence of Taoism, and there was very little information about the internal structure of Luotian Realm.

Under such circumstances, Shen Yuan naturally did not understand what the various schools of thought represented.

Glancing at the tattered carriage, Shen Yuan felt that this scholar from one of the Hundred Schools of Thought didn't even have a decent carriage, and was probably just an ordinary character.

“But being able to directly bring in an identity, rather than being an outsider without an identity, seems to be a good start.”

Ji Zhaoyang once mentioned that during a Luotian Dharma Assembly in history, a powerful force had exposed the identity of outsiders in the Luotian Realm, and told the creatures of the Luotian Realm that they were all transformed by the teachings of the Supreme Taoist Ancestor.

This action eventually led to the creatures of that powerful force being killed by the strong men of Luotian Realm as invaders, and the remaining forces were eliminated early as a result.

Because it involved so many people, some of the information was able to be passed down smoothly, which gradually formed a taboo in the Luotian Dharma Assembly of all realms, which is not to reveal one's true identity in front of the natives of the Luotian Realm.

Almost all practitioners will try to hide their identities after entering Luotian Realm. It seems that this is the first time I have heard of someone like Shen Yuan who comes with an identity.

"Perhaps this change is related to my personal entry into the place where the Supreme Daoist Ancestor preached?"

However, for now, Shen Yuan still knows too little about Luotian Realm and Tai Shang's teachings, so he can only make such a guess for the time being.

While I was thinking about this, the driver outside continued:

“Although our lineage has declined, only you, sir, have retained the title of one of the Hundred Schools of Thought.

But you, sir, have the ability to enter dreams of the past and present, and you are well versed in the universe and ancient and modern times. You are one of the best among all the philosophers of the past. You will surely shine at the Taoism Ceremony and lead our lineage to the top again."

Having said that, the driver looked at Shen Yuan with eyes full of admiration.

Shen Yuan's expression changed slightly. This was the second time the driver mentioned the method of entering a thousand-year dream.

After listening to what the driver said, Shen Yuan had a rough idea of ​​this method of entering a thousand-year dream.

This seems to be a kind of magical method of experiencing different time and space in a dream. Since dreaming for a long time will have a certain impact on consciousness and cause memory loss, this is why the coachman did not doubt Shen Yuan's identity.

Shen Yuan naturally did not master the method of entering a thousand years of dreams, but with the convenience brought by the sequelae of this method, Shen Yuan could ask the coachman about Luotian Realm and Jixia Academy without any scruples.

"What is this Jixia Academy and the Grand Ceremony of the Discussion of Dao?"

The driver had no doubt about Shen Yuan's question and quickly explained:

"The Jixia Academy was the first academy built by the State of Qi. Later, the Zhou emperor ordered that the Jixia Academy be independent and not be influenced by the State of Qi.

From then on, the Jixia Academy began to flourish. Scholars from various schools of thought emerged from the Jixia Academy and began to spread their school ideas to the entire Luotian Realm.

Human beings use school ideas as a foundation to explore the great principles of heaven and earth, thus ushering in a great era of prosperity for humanity.

And the various schools of thought were also treated as guests of honor by the major kingdoms."

"There are many schools of thought, and conflicts between academic thoughts, worldly influences, and school power are inevitable. Therefore, some scholars proposed that the Jixia Academy should hold a grand ceremony of discussing the Dao every once in a while.

The discussion of Taoism can be used to spread new academic ideas and the truth of the Tao, and it can also be used to resolve conflicts among the various schools of thought.

This proposal was recognized by various schools of thought and eventually spread, and over time it became a grand event that became famous throughout the Luotian Realm."

Following the driver's narration, Shen Yuan finally had a basic understanding of Luotian Realm, the so-called Hundred Schools of Thought, and the Jixia Academy.

However, in Shen Yuan's eyes, no matter how great the influence of the Hundred Schools of Thought is, they are ultimately just some academic factions that cannot grasp the power, and they must have their limitations.

It is reasonable that the status of a down-and-out philosopher like myself is neither high nor low.

“In this case, I will maintain the character of this down-and-out scholar and go to the Jixia Academy to find out what’s going on.

By then, we can also use the influence of the Jixia Academy to confirm Ji Zhaoyang's location and provide him with shelter."

Having made up his mind, Shen Yuan took this opportunity to continue asking the driver for some basic information.

The old carriage was traveling on the bumpy road, gradually approaching the magnificent city at the end of the plain.

…

The huge city wall of Linzi City is like an endless mountain range towering into the clouds, blocking out the sky and the sun. It is beyond the ability of human power to build.

Outside Linzi City, Ji Zhaoyang and others, who had already changed into the scholar's uniform, hid in the crowd. The team stretched for several miles like a long dragon.

Among the people queuing, many were dressed like traveling scholars, and looked quite similar to Ji Zhaoyang and his companions.

These are some little tricks that Ji Zhaoyang and his friends have learned in recent days.

In this Luotian Realm, apart from the common people who stayed in one place all their lives and worked hard on the farm, the most common people were traveling scholars.

These scholars traveled to various countries to study, and visited famous mountains and rivers, Taoist temples and academies.

Due to the ubiquitous Tao in Luotian Realm, these wandering scholars will receive feedback from the Tao in the process of understanding this world, and their own strength is quite extraordinary.

A very small number of wandering scholars can even reach the state of refining the spirit or even returning to the void.

However, wandering scholars often only have a certain realm but lack the corresponding means of attack and magical powers, and their strength is far inferior to that of many cultivators in the Xuanhuang Realm.

However, there are so many scholars who are traveling here and are favored by the heaven.

The remarks made by Ji Zhaoyang and others just after they came down the mountain might be able to fool the old man rowing the boat, but they were completely useless when facing the truly knowledgeable scholars.

Two days ago, when they approached a big city for the first time, Ji Zhaoyang and his companions had their identities revealed by the wandering scholars and were hunted down by the Qi army.

Ji Zhaoyang and his companions took great pains to escape the pursuit, and disguised themselves as traveling scholars by using some information they had obtained.

This action solved a lot of trouble for their subsequent actions. Whether it was local people, city officials, or other scholars, they all treated them with courtesy.

Because in the eyes of the wandering scholars, their ability to reach the state of refining the spirit and returning to emptiness represents that they have reached an extremely high realm in a certain way.

In the Luotian Realm, those who have comprehended the Great Dao possess strength and status beyond ordinary people, and are naturally respected.

However, this kind of courtesy gradually disappeared after approaching Linzi, the capital of Qi State.

The reason is simple: there are too many such scholars in Linzi City.

As the location of the Jixia Academy, Linzi City is full of wandering scholars like Ji Zhaoyang and others.

Especially as the grand discussion ceremony of the Jixia Academy was about to begin, almost all the knowledgeable people in the entire Luotian Realm were rushing to Linzi.

In the long queue that stretched for several miles outside Linzi City, 80% of them were traveling scholars. The state of refining the spirit and returning to the void was not uncommon here.

These True Immortals and Great True Immortals who are powerful enough to rule a region in the Xuanhuang Realm and are revered by millions of people can only stand in long queues respectfully and wait for inspection by the soldiers guarding the city before they can enter the city.

“Is this the world of Taoism opened up by the Supreme Being’s true words of preaching?

There are so many seekers that even if you search all the heavens, you will not be able to find a realm that can rival them."

A Great Immortal Huanxu transmitted his spiritual consciousness and sighed softly among Ji Zhaoyang and the others.

These words were immediately recognized by everyone, and even Ji Zhaoyang couldn't help but sigh:

“The Xuanhuang Realm’s territory may be greater than Luotian Realm’s, but even if we search the entire Xuanhuang Realm, we probably won’t be able to find so many Huanxu Great Immortals in Linzi City.

Besides this, what is even more awe-inspiring is that these powerful wandering scholars are only at the bottom of the system of various schools of thought.”

"Only after traveling to various countries and passing the test, the scholars are qualified to join the Jixia Academy and become Jixia scholars.

Only the most outstanding scholars among the Jixia scholars have the chance to become a member of the Hundred Schools of Thought. "Thinking of this, Ji Zhaoyang was slightly shocked.

In the past few days, with the help of his identity as a traveling scholar, Ji Zhaoyang has learned a lot of information.

The paths of enlightenment and methods of practice of the wandering scholars are different, but there is one thing that all the wandering scholars have in common, and that is to become a scholar of the various schools of thought. This is almost the lifelong goal of all the wandering scholars.

In this world full of countless great principles, knowledge and enlightenment represent almost everything.

The more knowledge you know, the stronger you become.

"If the wandering scholars are so powerful, what kind of figures are the scholars from the hundreds of schools of thought?"

"If I can become a scholar of a hundred schools, I will definitely receive gifts from the great Dao of this world, and it will be worthwhile to come to this Luotian Dharma Assembly of all realms."

Just as Ji Zhaoyang and his companions were sighing with emotion, a familiar voice suddenly sounded in their ears.

"Third brother, long time no see!"

Ji Zhaoyang was suddenly startled and looked around quickly. He saw Ji Xuanyi, who was wearing a scholar's uniform and looking at him with a smile in the team a few hundred meters behind him.

Behind Ji Xuanyi, all the real masters and great real masters also gathered here, but these are not the point.

The real point is that in front of Ji Xuanyi stood a tall and dignified figure, who turned out to be a True Lord Lianxu.

"Xinyang Hou Zhao Yuan!"

Ji Zhaoyang was shocked and recognized the identity of this True Lord Lianxu at a glance.

This person is none other than the current patriarch of Ji Xuanyi's maternal clan, the Xinyang Zhao family, and also Ji Xuanyi's uncle. However, in the eyes of the outside world, Xinyang Marquis Zhao Yuan is merely a Great Immortal at the peak of the Return to Void Realm.

Ji Zhaoyang finally understood why Ji Xuanyi was able to invite a True Lord Lianxu with a concealed identity to the Luotian Taoist Temple.

Presumably, Zhao Yuan had already secretly broken through to the realm of refining emptiness in order to hide his trump card and use it at the critical moment.

Obviously, this Luotian Dharma Assembly of All Realms is such a critical moment.

The help of a True Lord Lianxu is enough to suppress all the backup plans left by Ji Zhaoyang.

Ji Zhaoyang stared at Ji Xuanyi and his group with a tense expression, and would immediately choose to escape if they made any unusual movements.

True Lord Lianxu is simply not an existence that people like them can contend with.

"Don't worry, Third Brother, I won't attack you outside the gate of Linzi.

If I act rashly, I will only be wanted by Qi State, which will not be of any benefit to me in this Luotian Dharma Assembly of All Realms."

Ji Xuanyi smiled and secretly transmitted the message, his words were light and he did not take Ji Zhaoyang seriously at all.

This is indeed the case. Ji Xuanyi's side has an absolute advantage in strength, and it is easy for them to kill Ji Zhaoyang and his group.

“There are only two Great Huanxu Masters and a few Lianshen Masters.

Even if I don't ask my uncle to help, I can still easily wipe them out. I really don't know where he got the courage to compete with me for the throne."

Ji Xuanyi sneered in his heart, and then withdrew his gaze from Ji Zhaoyang and others.

The current Ji Zhao** was not worth any of his attention. Compared to the Third Prince who could be killed at any time, the matter at hand was more important.

Thinking of this, Ji Xuanyi looked at the young scholar in a dark robe in front of Xinyang Marquis Zhao Yuan.

This scholar has only reached the realm of spirit refining, and is not very noticeable among the many scholars studying outside the city. On his cuffs are embroidered two ancient characters filled with the rhythm of Taoism in gold thread.

Jixia!

No one in the Luotian Realm dared to imitate this set of clothes, because it belonged to the Jixia Academy, which meant that the young man in front of him with an unprepossessing appearance was a Jixia scholar of noble status.

At this moment, the Jixia scholar was talking with Zhao Yuan with great interest.

“To be able to reach such a state as a traveling scholar, Brother Zhao is truly a man of extraordinary talent.

With Brother Zhao's cultivation, entering the Jixia Academy is a piece of cake."

"Please rest assured, Brother Zhao. After we enter the city, I will definitely introduce you to the teachers in the academy."

Zhao Yuan also bowed and said, "Thank you very much, Brother Sun, for your introduction."

Sun Changyi, a scholar from Jixia Academy, was all smiles, and seemed to enjoy it quite a lot.

Seeing this, Ji Xuanyi couldn't help but ask:

"May I ask Brother Sun if there are any conditions for us to join the Jixia Academy?"

Sun Changyi glanced at Ji Xuanyi. Even though Ji Xuanyi's cultivation was far superior to his, this scholar from Jixia Academy still did not treat Ji Xuanyi well and did not take him, the Crown Prince of Dayin, seriously at all.

Ji Xuanyi's expression froze. Zhao Yuan, who was standing beside him, quickly changed the subject and pointed at the endless long line in front of him and said:

“The Grand Ceremony of Taoism Discussion is about to begin. It is really not an easy task to enter Linzi at this time.

But I heard that the Jixia scholars do not need to queue up and can enter the city directly. I wonder why Brother Sun is here too?"

Sun Changyi withdrew his gaze from Ji Xuanyi, sighed, and shook his head slightly:

"The Jixia scholars were free to enter the city without being restricted by queues, but that was only during normal times.

Now the grand ceremony of discussing the Dao is about to begin. In order to prevent the demons from sneaking into the city and stealing the Dao, all ministers and scholars must line up for inspection.

Unless a scholar from one of the Hundred Schools of Thought reveals his identity, he can enter the city directly."

Zhao Yuan nodded suddenly, then looked towards the city wall not far away.

This magnificent Linzi City has two city gates. The main city gate is made of forged gold and iron and is large enough to accommodate giants dozens of feet tall. It can be closed all year round and no one passes through it. Only the auxiliary city gate is opened daily.

Although the auxiliary city gate was also extremely large, it was still difficult to accommodate so many people. This made Zhao Yuan unable to help but ask:

"Since the auxiliary city gate is too small and affects our fellow travelers, why not open the main city gate of Linzi?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Sun Changyi immediately looked at Zhao Yuan as if he were a fool.

"Ridiculous! Unless the army enters the city or the emperor is on tour, there is no way the main city gate can be opened."

Zhao Yuan immediately realized that he had said the wrong thing and quickly kept silent.

However, Sun Changyi was startled, as if he suddenly thought of something, and changed the subject and said:

“But there are exceptions.”

“If any of the scholars who have traveled abroad return to the Jixia Academy, the Dao bells in the academy should be sounded twelve times, and the main city gates should be opened to welcome the scholars back.

But the scholars have not left the Jixia Academy for hundreds of years, and I am afraid that we may not be able to see such a scene in our lifetime."

As soon as he finished speaking, inside the magnificent city, the sound of a huge bell rang out from heaven and earth, and the sound spread in all directions like a great road.

There was a moment of silence outside Linzi City.

I saw a shabby carriage slowly driving towards this place on the main road in the distance.