Evergreen Immortal.

Chapter 764 The Sage's Cloud

In the blink of an eye, a year has passed.

Hongwen Pavilion.

"Has the Heavenly Prince gone south and not yet returned?"

Li Rui asked.

Teng Bochuan nodded: "King Tianxuan went south to eradicate the evil cult and I heard that he made many meritorious contributions. This evil cult is like a centipede that is not dead but still hard. Although it was defeated on the front line, it will still take a lot of effort to prevent its true lineage from being severed."

Li Rui nodded.

Anyone who has wiped out an entire clan knows that the pursuit is the most time-consuming part.

Not to mention it's a cult.

Ever since that day I met Xie Tingxuan.

Day two.

Xie Tingxuan then went south with Tianxuan King and did not attack him again.

The prepared methods had no chance to be used.

As Li Rui and Teng Bochuan were chatting, they saw a scholar walking towards them.

"Senior Brother Zhong!"

Upon seeing Zhong Li appear, Teng Bochuan's eyes lit up.

He and Zhong Li were classmates and fellow students, but he personally witnessed Zhong Li gradually solidify his position as the top student among the younger generation of Shenlu Academy.

They naturally held this top prodigy of Shenlu Academy in high esteem.

Zhong Li nodded to Teng Bochuan and said with a gentle smile, "Junior Brother Teng, it's been a long time."

Upon hearing Zhong Li mention his name, Teng Bochuan felt flattered and overwhelmed.

"Senior Brother Zhong actually remembers me?"

Zhong Li said matter-of-factly, “I naturally recognize Teng Bochuan, who entered Shenlu Academy in the 374th year of Jinghe, studied under Master Zhu for 60 years, and shone brightly at the Shenlu Poetry Gathering.”

Zhongli recounted his deeds with remarkable ease.

Teng Bochuan's eyes widened immediately.

Despite both being outstanding disciples of the Divine Deer Academy, he knew all too well that while he might be considered quite remarkable, he was far inferior to true geniuses. His Nascent Soul Realm was achieved through a shortcut, and he would likely remain at the mid-Nascent Soul stage for the rest of his life, with virtually no chance of advancing any further.

But Zhongli is at least a confirmed true ruler.

The difference can be huge.

If one cannot become a true lord, one is ultimately nothing more than a larger ant.

Li Rui looked at Zhong Li with some surprise.

What I just did.

It looks simple, but it is not simple at all. It has nothing to do with cultivation level, but can reveal Zhong Li's character.

With this kind of behavior, Zhongli can get along very well no matter where he is.

After Zhongli finished speaking, he bowed slightly to Li Rui and said, "Master Zhu urged me to go into seclusion, so I neglected Brother Li. It was Zisong's fault."

Zhongli, courtesy name Zisong.

"Brother Zhong, you're too kind. Of course, cultivation is the most important thing."

Li Rui waved his hand.

Since their last meeting, the two have not seen each other again.

As for Zhong Li's appearance here, neither Li Rui nor Teng Bochuan were surprised at all. Although Zhong Li did not hold an official position in the court, he was a virtuous man personally appointed by the emperor and could freely enter and leave the palace. His status was much more noble than that of these scholars.

Zhongli: "I have come here to invite you two to Master Zhu's residence for a chat."

Hearing Zhongli's words.

Teng Bochuan's eyes widened immediately: "Me?"

Li Rui seemed to have anticipated this: "Good."

Not long after.

The three of them then arrived at one of the residences of the Zhu family.

Master Zhu's residence was enormous; Zhongli alone occupied two courtyards. In the capital, land was incredibly valuable, which shows how much Master Zhu valued Zhongli.

"Brother Li, how do you resolve this debate over the Great Dao?"

Zhongli began with a quiet, somber tone.

Teng Bochuan was still looking around the Zhu residence when he heard Zhongli's question and was startled.

Even a peerless figure like Zhongli was so wary of the struggle for the Great Dao.

But what surprised him even more was that his senior brother Zhong seemed to have a very good relationship with Li Rui.

Where would a cultivator with only a casual relationship ask about such a sensitive matter as the Great Dao dispute? Clearly, they were already acquainted. Li Rui smiled slightly.

Actually, this was an unfinished topic from their discussion at the Taixu Daoist Temple years ago.

He didn't give an answer then, but this time, Li Rui answered decisively: "Just do as you please; what your heart desires is the path you follow."

As soon as these words came out.

Zhongli's eyes lit up, and he looked thoughtful.

Before Zhongli could speak, a loud, energetic laugh rang out from outside the courtyard: "What a wonderful 'do as you please'!"

The sound appeared.

Teng Bochuan shuddered, and as soon as he turned around, he saw his former teacher, Zhu Qingshan, striding into the courtyard.

He involuntarily shrank his neck.

Although he studied under Master Zhu for quite some time, he actually saw Master Zhu very rarely; most of the time, it was Master Zhu's disciples who taught him on his behalf.

Moreover, he was not very famous when he studied at Shenlu Academy.

Master Zhu didn't even look at Teng Bochuan, but walked straight to Li Rui: "You little rascal, you know my temperament well. I suffered from being too rule-abiding in my early years. Now I realize that if you keep suppressing your feelings, what's the point of cultivating immortality?"

Seeing the usually strict Master Zhu so unrestrained today.

Teng Bochuan was even more surprised.

of course.

He knew it too.

Master Zhu was strict with him because he was not a satisfactory disciple. But when facing geniuses like Li Rui and Zhong Li, he felt like he was bathed in a spring breeze.

Li Rui was not too surprised by the appearance of Master Zhu. He respectfully cupped his hands and said, "This junior greets Master Zhu."

"Your name is Li Rui, right?"

Master Zhu began to speak.

"Exactly."

Li Rui nodded in agreement.

"Indeed, Jianhe's ability to judge people is truly remarkable; I am ashamed to admit my inferiority."

Master Zhu stroked his white beard with a warm smile.

He had such a kind and benevolent face.

Master Zhu: "You lad, your fate is one of turning misfortune into fortune. You've accumulated a lot of experience and are now poised for great success. Your future is sure to be bright. You're welcome to come and visit me often; there's no need to feel awkward."

Teng Bochuan, who was standing nearby, was shocked.

As a student of Master Zhu, he knew all too well how difficult it was to enter Master Zhu's home.

Shenlu Academy has produced countless geniuses, but in the past two hundred years, only Zhong Li has been able to enter.

How could Li Rui, an "outsider," not be surprised that Master Zhu valued him so highly?

Li Rui was surprised when he heard Master Zhu talk about fate.

"Does the Master understand the art of fortune-telling?"

In the world of cultivation, there is a unique supernatural power called the art of fate.

Determining destiny based on cause and effect.

One calculation can last a lifetime.

Extremely mysterious.

This Master Zhu was once a Daoist master. The supernatural powers of a Daoist master are unfathomable, and he may still possess such abilities.

Master Zhu rolled his eyes: "What do I know about fate? It was that kid Jianhe who told me."

Hear the words.

Li Rui was speechless for a moment.

Master Zhu slowly spoke: "The sage said, 'What Heaven ordains is called human nature. If one fully understands one's nature, one will know Heaven.' If one's own thoughts are not clear, how can one reach the state of unity between Heaven and man?"

“Young Zhong, you should learn this from Young Li. How can we scholars stop moving forward just because we are afraid?”

The meaning is obvious.

Master Zhu meant that Zhongli, who was famous throughout the Central Plains, was not as good as Li Rui in terms of character and temperament.

Looking at Zhongli, who appeared humble and receptive to instruction.

Teng Bochuan opened his mouth.

'Is Zhong not as good as Li?'

(End of this chapter)