People in Conferred Gods: Rising from humble beginnings, I am the God of Wealth

"There's no need for that, I have no shortage of magical treasures."

Yang Xuan smiled and waved his hand. The two top-grade acquired merit treasures that Confucius handed over did not tempt him.

Even among all the Quasi-Saints, Yang Xuan was the most wealthy, possessing several top-grade innate spiritual treasures, so naturally he wouldn't care too much about the two high-grade acquired merit spiritual treasures.

Moreover, compared to these two acquired merit treasures, Yang Xuan cared more about the future of Confucius and Confucianism.

The Confucian spirit of righteousness was the opportunity for Yang Xuan to sever the good corpse. The stronger Confucianism becomes in the future, the more intense the righteous spirit will be, and the more it will help Yang Xuan.

At this stage, Confucius has almost completed the framework of Confucianism. The next step is to go out and communicate with other schools of thought in the ancient East to improve Confucianism.

Although Confucius is now protected by the Golden Wheel of Merit, as long as there is no major karmic debt, even a Great Immortal would not easily kill Confucius.

But as Confucius’s performance becomes more and more outstanding, he will eventually come to the attention of those who are interested.

Not everyone will follow the rules, nor will everyone think of persuading Confucius through transactions or philosophical discussions.

For some powerful forces, while Great Luo Golden Immortals are indeed precious and are the backbone of the nation, Golden Immortals and Taiyi Golden Immortals are nothing special and are considered consumables.

If these forces use Golden Immortals or Taiyi Golden Immortals as underhanded tactics, Confucius, though protected by good fortune and unlikely to die easily, will certainly encounter considerable trouble as a result.

If Confucius had two top-grade merit-enhancing spiritual treasures to protect him, his upcoming travels would be much safer, and Yang Xuan could feel more at ease.

Seeing Yang Xuan's opinion, Confucius did not insist further, since he had already included Yang Xuan's name in the signature on the Spring and Autumn bamboo slips.

Regardless of whether Yang Xuan accepts them or not, he will have a copy of both the Spring and Autumn bamboo slips and the Spring and Autumn writing brush.

The divine favor bestowed upon Confucius's courtyard caused quite a stir in Qingzhou, and many people took notice of this scene.

After some investigation, the surrounding human tribesmen learned that this was because Confucius had written the Spring and Autumn Annals, and humanity was moved by his merits.

Not only did Confucius's Spring and Autumn Annals, and the writing brush used to compile it, transform into a treasure of acquired merit and virtue,
Confucius himself experienced a significant increase in his cultivation, successfully passing the Golden Immortal Tribulation, and from then on, he lived a long and healthy life, free from worries about his lifespan.

In recent years, the debate among a hundred schools of thought has spread like wildfire throughout China, with various doctrines and practices springing up like mushrooms after rain.

Among them are some practices and books that have gained human recognition and received divine blessings, but they are still in the minority.

Now that the people of Qingzhou have learned that Confucius created the Dharma and gained human recognition, they did not hesitate for long and immediately arranged for their younger generations to go to the academy to learn from him.

For a time, Confucius's academy became exceptionally lively, truly bustling with visitors.

Within the Confucian framework established by Confucius, there is the fundamental doctrine of the Jie Sect: "education for all." He has always been open to all who seek knowledge, and this remains true today.

However, benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness are also fundamental to Confucianism. While it is true that Confucianism welcomes all who seek knowledge, those who enroll must learn benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness.
If you cannot do this, you will be asked to leave the academy without any room for negotiation; this is a matter of principle.

Even so, the number of students in the college continued to increase, and in less than ten years, it had exceeded a thousand.

However, the impact of the divine favor bestowed upon Confucius's courtyard was limited to Qingzhou and its surrounding areas, and did not cause much of a stir elsewhere.

Although Confucius gained a lot of merit in this matter, even some great immortals had to keep a respectful eye on him.

However, the scale of the primordial world is now too large, and in the past, the commotion of Yang Xuan gaining merit was even greater and more frequent than this time.

Therefore, even if creatures in other places knew about this, they only glanced at it and then paid no more attention, continuing with their own affairs.

For example, many powerful dragons, led by Zhulong, gathered in the ancestral land of the dragons, plotting something unknown.

For example, several missionary teams from Buddhism entered the prehistoric eastern world from different directions, some heading to Yunmeng Marsh and others to the Nine Provinces.

"You're quite patient..."

Yang Xuan exercised his authority over the sun star, looking down upon the primordial land. His gaze swept over the group of Buddhist missionaries, and he shook his head with some regret.

These Buddhist missionary teams were all led by a Great Luo Golden Immortal, but none of them were the people Yang Xuan wanted.

After thinking it over, he decided to wait a while longer. As long as he could accomplish this before the Heavenly Court repaired the ancient starry sky, it wouldn't be too late, and there was no need to rush.

"You'll leave eventually, if it really doesn't work out..."

Yang Xuan's eyes flickered, and he made a decision, deciding to put the matter aside for the time being.

Time flies, and before we know it, ten thousand years have passed.

Over these ten thousand years, Buddhism has gained considerable influence in the prehistoric East, either through philosophical discussions or by some less-than-honorable means, and has amassed a large number of Buddhist followers.

If it weren't for the obstruction of the Hundred Schools of Thought, given the Buddhist approach, over the same period of ten thousand years, perhaps half of the beings in the prehistoric East would have become Buddhist believers and been poisoned by the prehistoric doctrines.

Confucius Institute.

Confucius sat at his desk, looking at the news about Buddhism in front of him, his brows furrowing slightly.

"Buddhist teachings state that one should not seek rebirth in this life; as long as one sincerely worships the Buddha, one can be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss after death."
Such doctrines are tantamount to drinking poison to quench thirst; if this continues, where will life be in the primordial world? They are of no benefit to the beings of the primordial world.

Not all living beings can see things as clearly as Confucius.

In their view, as long as one recites scriptures and chants Buddha's name, one can be reborn in the Pure Land after death and receive the true meaning of Buddhism.

This is practically a free benefit; who wouldn't want that?
Especially those beings who are inherently lacking in aptitude and comprehension place all their hopes on being reborn in the Pure Land.

Even with the intellectual ferment of diverse schools of thought helping to enlighten Eastern beings, it can only slow down the spread of Buddhist teachings. It is clearly unlikely that Buddhism will change its doctrines in the short term.

Even within Kyushu, many Buddhist believers have emerged in recent years, and numerous Buddhist temples have been built.

Confucius felt deeply worried when he thought of the people on the streets who often put their hands together and chanted, "Praise be to the Buddha."

"As heaven maintains vigor through movement, a virtuous person should constantly strive for self-improvement. If one spends all day chanting scriptures and worshipping Buddha, neglecting important matters and only hoping to die early and be reborn in the Western Paradise, what future can be expected for the Nine Provinces?"

Confucius remained silent for a moment, then went to Yang Xuan's room, knocked on the door, expressed his concerns, and asked:
"Mr. Yang should have already realized that Buddhist teachings are of no benefit to humanity or to all living beings in the primordial world. The Buddhist sect's actions are all for the sake of larger Buddhist groups; they are selfish and self-serving."

My human ancestors must have been able to see this; do you know why they didn't take action?

“In fact, the ancient sages of the human race have already taken action.” Yang Xuan shook his head and did not say more.

Confucius, being so intelligent, understood the reason immediately upon hearing Yang Xuan's words, and muttered to himself, "The contention of a hundred schools of thought?"

“That’s right.” Yang Xuan nodded. “As the saying goes, it’s better to guide than to block. Trying to keep Buddhism outside the Nine Provinces is like isolating the human race from communication with the inside and outside of the Nine Provinces. This is not a realistic approach.”

"Moreover, Buddhism was founded by sages, so it would be somewhat inappropriate to shut it out."

"Since we can't stop it, we might as well make the creatures of the ancient East realize the problems with Buddhist doctrines, thereby forcing Buddhism to change its doctrines."

"As long as Buddhist teachings benefit the human race of the Nine Provinces and all living beings in the prehistoric world, what's wrong with letting them spread their teachings in the Nine Provinces and the eastern part of the prehistoric world?" Confucius said thoughtfully.

Gradually, Confucius's eyes, which had originally been filled with sorrow, gained some color, and his expression became more and more confident.

"Mr. Yang is right. It is better to guide than to block. Rather than keeping Buddhism out, we should enlighten all beings and help them understand the problems with Buddhist teachings, thus forcing Buddhism to change its doctrines."

"Now that my academic framework is complete, it is time to travel across the land and across the wilderness, to enlighten all beings and resist the erosion of Buddhism!"

After saying this, Confucius immediately got up and went out to his room to pack his belongings. He then called Zixia and asked him to inform his students to come over.

Soon, the students of the academy heard Zixia's announcement and gathered in the backyard.

Over the years, the number of students in the academy has long exceeded ten thousand. Correspondingly, Confucius's courtyard has also been expanded, otherwise it would not be able to accommodate so many people.

After all the students had arrived, Confucius walked onto the platform, his face serious, and said in a deep voice:

"I will travel throughout the primordial world, spread my ideas, enlighten the people, and resist Buddhism. Would you all be willing to leave Qingzhou and venture beyond the Nine Provinces with me?"

"We are willing to leave this primordial world with our teacher, declare our beliefs, and resist Buddhism!"

The disciples already disliked Buddhism, feeling that its ideology was unambitious and would gradually turn believers into mindless, automatic chanting machines.

They studied under Confucius and Yang Xuan, and knew that Buddhist teachings were of no benefit to people.
However, their relatives, elders, neighbors, and friends did not know this and thought that Buddhism was a sect of saints, which had its own superiority. They believed that if they could be reborn in the Western Paradise, it would be the greatest opportunity of their lives.

No matter how much they tried to persuade them, it was difficult to change these people's minds; some even retorted with a single, ignorant remark.
'How can your teachers be compared to sages? Could the teachings of sages possibly be problematic?'

They were both angry and annoyed by this, yet there was nothing they could do.

The other side has already brought up the sage, so what can they say? And what's the use of saying anything?

Now that they heard Confucius say that he wanted to travel around the prehistoric world to spread his ideas and resist Buddhism, they were naturally very excited and fully supported him, and each went home to pack their bags.

They weren't worried about whether their elders would agree.

Just as they cannot stop certain relatives or elders from becoming Buddhist believers, their elders cannot stop them from traveling around the prehistoric world.

The next morning, all the students in the college packed their luggage and gathered at the courtyard gate.

"Teacher Yang, are you really not coming with us?"

Zixia looked at Yang Xuan standing at the door seeing him off and felt a little reluctant to part with him.

“This is your own path, and you need to walk it yourselves.” Yang Xuan patted Zixia on the shoulder. “And I also have my own things to do.”

Yang Xuan looked up at the distance, a faint smile appearing on his face, then looked at Zixia and said with a smile:

"Although I cannot go with you, I will help you if you encounter any danger."

"All right……"

Zixia was somewhat disappointed, even though over the years, Yang Xuan, this substitute teacher, had held a position in the hearts of Zixia and his students that was no less than that of Confucius.
They always believed Yang Xuan's words without question.

However, Zixia remained skeptical of Yang Xuan's last statement, feeling that Yang Xuan was just saying it casually.

Although Yang Xuan possessed the cultivation level of a Golden Immortal, it was an unattainable realm for them.

But he also knew that the Nine Provinces were vast, and the Eastern Wilderness was even larger. How could someone with only the cultivation of a Golden Immortal help them when they were in danger?

To be able to help those in other parts of the Nine Provinces, or even those outside the Nine Provinces, while being in Qingzhou, would probably require a legendary Great Luo Golden Immortal or even a Quasi-Saint.

Even Confucius thought Yang Xuan was just being polite and didn't take it to heart.

"Mr. Yang, I don't know when we'll meet again after this parting..."

Confucius and Yang Xuan had spent many years together, and now, as they were parting for the first time, even he felt a little reluctant to part.

"We are both practitioners, and we will meet again someday."

In contrast, Yang Xuan was at peace. Tens of thousands of years meant nothing to him, and besides, it wasn't a matter of life and death, so there was no need for sentimentality.

"I wonder if Mr. Yang will continue to live in the academy, or where he will go? Where should I look for you in the future?"

Confucius asked earnestly, and he could tell that Yang Xuan also had his own things to do. He was afraid that after they left, Yang Xuan would also leave this place, and he didn't know if he would ever return.

"I will continue to live in the academy. If Confucius has anything to tell me, he only needs to call my name."

"In that case, I'll have to bother you quite often."

Confucius smiled and breathed a sigh of relief knowing that Yang Xuan would continue to live in the academy. As for the fact that calling Yang Xuan's name could transmit messages across the distance, he did not take it to heart.

He was also a cultivator, a Golden Immortal capable of longevity, so how could he not know the difficulty of such a thing? Even a Great Luo Golden Immortal might not be able to achieve this.

Confucius did not dwell on these matters. After bidding farewell to Yang Xuan, he led his disciples and flew away into the distance using the escape light.

Only after Confucius and his entourage disappeared from sight did Yang Xuan withdraw his gaze, turn to look westward, and reveal a meaningful smile on his face.

For Confucius and others, Buddhism spread rapidly in Kyushu and had many followers there.

But for Buddhism, this pace is far too slow, much slower than they planned.

Moreover, as time went on, the influence of the Hundred Schools of Thought on the creatures of the prehistoric East grew, making it increasingly difficult for Buddhism to spread its teachings there.

In this situation, if they wanted to reduce the impact of diverse opinions and maintain the pace of missionary work, they only had two paths to take.

Firstly, as Yang Xuan hoped, the Buddhist doctrine should be changed so that Buddhism would consider the needs of its believers and stop solely exploiting their incense offerings and vows.

Secondly, relying on absolute strength, either through debate or through underhanded tactics.

To convince all the schools of thought, and to let the beings of the ancient East know that Buddhism is the strongest of all schools, and that by being reborn in the Western Paradise, one can cultivate the supreme true Dharma of Buddhism.

If Buddhism wants to accelerate the pace of spreading its teachings, there is only one second path to take, and this is the choice Buddhism has made now.

However, it is clear that these Buddhist disciples in the eastern part of the prehistoric world do not have the strength to achieve this.

As a result, more Buddhas and Bodhisattvas emerged from Mount Sumeru and flew towards the primordial east.

There is the benevolent corpse of the Buddha, Guanyin Bodhisattva, and Dipankara Buddha...

Among them was someone Yang Xuan had been waiting for for many years. (End of Chapter)