Food gives me an entry, I will be invincible if I stay alive

Chapter 373 The Words of the Wise Mind, the Boundless Great Dao

"Young man, do you want to get out of this predicament?"

In the Hundred Battles Ruins, Chen Xu chose Ji Yang.

The boy was standing behind the stall, and when the voice rang in his ears, he initially did not react.

It wasn't that he was particularly calm and composed; rather, at first, Ji Yang simply didn't realize that the voice in his ear was speaking to him.

He simply thought he was confused, that his ears could spontaneously hear "dreamy words" that were beneficial to him.

Until that voice rang out again, accompanied by a soft sigh.

It was just a sigh.

For some reason, this sigh was exceptionally penetrating.

It pierced deep into Ji Yang's dejected heart, causing Ji Yang to suddenly shudder.

Ji Yang suddenly realized: No, there really was a voice speaking in his ear just now!

The feeling of horror came first, and then Ji Yang finally came to understand the meaning of those words. He belatedly realized that he had understood their significance.

Ji Yang's heart jumped into his throat.

He couldn't help but look around nervously and shout, "Who...who are you? Come out...what...what do you mean?"

Despite shouting like that, Ji Yang actually lowered his voice subconsciously.

He looked around, and all he could see was noise.

Nearby, monks and vendors were haggling over prices, while on the street ahead, someone was performing illusions, drawing a crowd that cheered loudly.

The Hundred Battles Ruins were bustling with activity, yet this bustle seemed to have nothing to do with him.

Ji Yang looked left and right, but he really couldn't figure out who the person who had just spoken to him was.

Seeing that his shouts went unanswered, he was about to say something like, "Who are you? If you were a true hero, why would you hide your head and tail..."

But as the words were about to come out, Ji Yang hesitated.

He remembered that faint sigh from just now, and for some reason, that sigh held special weight in his heart.

Why was Ji Yang so concerned about that sigh when it was just a complete stranger and a voice that appeared out of nowhere?
Ji Yang was unaware that Chen Xu's sigh actually stemmed from the educational power of Confucian and Taoist cultivators.

This method is called "Wenxin Shengyan".

Previously, Chen Xu did not actually possess this ability; he had only seen the "Wenxin Shengyan" in Wen Daoyuan.

At that time, the two traveled through the mountains and rivers of the Great Li Kingdom in a flying boat. Although Chen Xu was mostly focused on calculating the waterways between the north and south, he would sometimes chat with Wen Daoyuan.

When speaking, Chen Xu would ask questions about his cultivation, and Wen Daoyuan would offer casual guidance.

With guidance from a great Confucian scholar, one's experience would naturally be extraordinary.

Chen Xu also possessed the ability to remember everything he heard, so he memorized all the casual pointers Wen Daoyuan gave him.

Although he hadn't had time to fully digest it at the time, after two days of reflection, Chen Xu suddenly understood what "the words of the literary mind" meant.

In his vast sea of ​​literature, waves surge and ink boats dart like arrows.

In the past two days, his literary talent has been constantly increasing!

Chen Xu guessed that this was inseparable from the success of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project.

The South-to-North Water Diversion Project originated from his essay "Strategy to Suppress the Locust Demon" and was completed with his drawing of "Map of Mountains and Rivers in the North and South". After such a world-changing event was completed, his merit helped him to "ascend to heaven".

But the aftereffects of this event go far beyond that.

In the Great Li Kingdom, anyone who benefits from the Grand Canal between North and South China will inevitably recite a few lines about the canal's origins, which naturally enhances Chen Xu's literary reputation.

As Chen Xuwen's reputation grows, his literary talent will naturally follow suit.

Although they are separated by two realms, the flow of literary energy seems to be unimpeded.

Unbeknownst to him, Chen Xu glanced at the literary energy pool at the center of his ink boat and suddenly discovered that his literary energy was completely clear, faintly emitting a light golden light.

This is... a sign that one's literary talent has transformed into the level of a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations)!
Although Chen Xu has not yet participated in the imperial examination, he has already developed the literary talent equivalent to that of a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) in his practice of Confucianism and Taoism.

Even more so, judging solely from the level of literary talent, he should be superior to ordinary Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations).

Furthermore, his path to becoming a great Confucian scholar also seems clear.

As long as the Grand Canal continues to function effectively and the strategies mentioned in "The Locust Suppression Plan" are gradually implemented, even if Chen Xu can no longer write such articles, even if he is merely living off his past achievements—

Over time, through the accumulation of his literary reputation and literary talent, he will naturally become a great Confucian scholar.

Of course, if Chen Xu could use this as a foundation to write books and establish his own complete lineage and theories, then the time it took for him to become a great Confucian scholar would inevitably be accelerated and brought forward.

However, at present, Chen Xu seems to lack something in "writing books and establishing theories".

This is fundamentally different from writing a few articles or poems.

He was ultimately too young and lacked experience.

However, Chen Xu wasn't in a hurry; he still had a lot to learn.

At this moment, he used the "Wenxin Shengyan," a scripture that only Confucian scholars who had passed the imperial examinations or above could learn. During the spellcasting, without mentioning Ji Yang's feelings, Chen Xu himself felt an immense sense of wonder.

The application of the sacred words of the Mind should not be simply referred to as "casting spells".

This doesn't seem like magic; it's more like an instinct.

It is an instinct that can touch the hearts of living beings, making them unconsciously listen to advice and feel the teachings.

It seems to be able to unlock the armor in people's hearts!

It was precisely because the Words of the Holy Heart did not count as casting a spell that Chen Xu dared to use them at this moment. To be honest, the foundation of this world is far too unfathomable.

Chen Xu is currently in the Ruins of a Hundred Battles. If you ask him to openly use literary magic, he will not do so unless absolutely necessary.

The Golden Core stage may seem very strong among low-level cultivators, but what does it amount to in the entire Xuan Tian Star Dou Realm?

"Ugh……"

Ji Yang was flustered by that sigh, feeling that it contained a deep, unsettling disappointment.

The other person seemed to be lamenting his foolishness, or perhaps lamenting how people are so busy striving for success that they always miss opportunities.

In this vast Xuan Tian Star Realm, low-level cultivators are no different from ants in an ant kingdom.

As the saying goes: Ants have rulers and subjects, and laborers are like servants.

If one fails to seize the opportunity, wouldn't one live a life of mediocrity and never see the light of day?

Ji Yang was filled with anxiety, but he finally gritted his teeth and said, "You... Your Excellency, Senior, where is the Senior? Do you have any words of truth to teach me?"

I... I naturally have the will and the intention to get out of this predicament.

"If you're willing to teach me, I... I'm willing to pay any price."

He has always been tongue-tied, and this is the first time he has been so adept at advocating for himself.

Although he was "quick-witted," Ji Yang actually kept his head down when he spoke.

As he spoke, he cautiously looked around.

His timid and furtive manner, with his eyes darting around, was undeniably sneaky, and combined with his honest yet stubborn face, it made him seem inexplicably ridiculous.

Chen Xu smiled faintly.

His leisurely voice reached Ji Yang's ears again, its tone seemingly coming from the ends of the earth, yet resounding directly in Ji Yang's heart.

"Willing to pay any price? Even death is acceptable?"

Ji Yang's heart skipped a beat. He was both panicked and shocked, but for some reason, a great determination welled up in his heart.

With this determination, he said sadly, "To be honest, senior, my father... my father died half a month ago on his way to Sihezhuang to collect goods."

When he died, his body was incomplete. The Taoist priest of the Exorcising Evil Guard said that he died because of the chaos caused by demons.

But, but it has been almost half a year since we last saw any demons near our Bailiu City.

I don't believe it; I have people I suspect.

I ask for nothing else but to earn more wealth so that I can improve my cultivation and avenge my father in the future!
"As long as it avenges my father, what harm is there in taking my life, senior?"

Ji Yang had made up his mind.

He looked around but couldn't see Chen Xu anywhere. However, it was precisely this mystery about the other party that made Ji Yang more convinced that he had encountered an opportunity.

He had nothing left to lose, so he was willing to take the gamble!
They risked their lives—

After all, what benefits in this world come out of thin air?

If the other party is some kind of evil cultivator who needs to devour human lives to cultivate, Ji Yang would accept it as long as it avenges his father.

His heart was pounding, but then he heard another sigh in his ear.

Ji Yang's heart was in his throat.

Suddenly, a force as light as a feather landed on his shoulder, as if a hand had gently patted him!
This comforting force immediately eased Ji Yang's heart and brought a lump to his throat.

That mysterious expert who appeared out of nowhere actually patted him on the shoulder to comfort him?
Ji Yang was feeling somewhat moved when he heard the mysterious voice say calmly, "It's done. I have planted a mark on you."

Ji Yang, obey my orders and do not betray me, and your wish will naturally be fulfilled.

And if you have a divided heart…

The voice stopped there.

However, it was precisely that unspoken meaning in the words that was more chilling than an explicit threat.

Ji Yang was stunned; the tension that had just subsided was now rising again.

He wished he could slap himself to punish his naivety and ignorance.

He felt a burning sensation on the spot on his shoulder where he had been patted, as if some indescribable, mysterious mark had been left there.

Ji Yang felt extremely uncomfortable, but at this moment he had no way out.

He could only strengthen his resolve and grit his teeth as he said, "Senior, please rest assured, I...I..."

He looked around and saw that everyone was busy with their own things and no one was paying attention to him.

Ji Yang then whispered an oath: "If you have any orders, senior, I will never disobey. If I have any disloyal intentions, senior, you may take my life!"

In this way, the two reached a preliminary "alliance".

Although this is clearly a very unequal alliance.

Chen Xu only made empty promises of benefits, but Ji Yang had to swear an oath with his life.

Ji Yang, however, was completely unaware that there was anything wrong with it.

After he made the vow, he heard that mysterious voice faintly ring in his ears again.

The mysterious voice was instructing Ji Yang on how to proceed.

As Ji Yang listened, his eyes widened.

(End of this chapter)