How can one cultivate immortality without learning modern knowledge?

Chapter 131: The Way of Chess Begins, Discussing the Tao Te Ching

From the main seat, the Third Elder on the right spoke: "The agenda for this literary gathering has been discussed with the two team leaders. Since the game of chess takes a considerable amount of time, we would like to invite the two chess masters to the stage first to discuss the principles of chess!"

As soon as the words were spoken, the two stood up at the same time.

Meng Yu, the grandmaster of chess in the Yan Kingdom, and Zhang Yi, the grandmaster of chess in the Dayu Kingdom.

As soon as the two stood up, a stream of light moved beneath their feet, sending them soaring into the sky, where nineteen paths stretched out in all directions.

Two black and white chess bowls appeared out of thin air and spun towards the goal.

Meng Yu smiled slightly: "The literary arts of the Great Yu Kingdom suffered heavy losses, remaining in ruins for decades. The arts of chess were also affected, a pitiful and lamentable situation. I will give you the first move, Grandmaster Zhang, please play black!"

Zhang Yi's expression changed after hearing just one sentence.

In the art of chess, playing black first is a huge advantage.

In such a serious occasion, in such a crucial competition where he couldn't afford to lose, he naturally wanted to play black and make the first move.

However, instead of using the usual method of "guessing the pieces" to decide who goes first, the opponent directly let ————

Moreover, this "yielding" also brought out the sentence that all the scholars of the Great Yu Kingdom found most unacceptable: The Great Yu Kingdom's literary path has suffered a severe blow, reduced to ruins, pitiful and lamentable—

That's such an annoying thing to say.

That's disgusting.

The subtext is: Your Great Yu Kingdom is too weak, I'll let you have your way!

What psychological impact will this have on the organizers?

It should be noted that although this grand gathering was held on a high platform, it was surrounded by members of the Spirit Clan, numbering in the millions.

Zhang Yi, his anger rising, coldly said, "In my entire life of playing chess, I have never taken the upper hand, and today is no exception. Grandmaster Meng, I'll let you have the win; you play black and move first!"

Upon hearing this, Meng Yu smiled slightly and said, "Very well, as you wish!"

With a stretch of his hand, the black chess piece in the air fell into his palm. With a drop of his hand, the flowing light of literature followed his finger, and a black piece was imprinted in the void, marking the start of the Little Heavenly Star game.

Zhang Yi was slightly taken aback.

Zhuang Wenhua's expression darkened slightly.

Zhou Wenju heard Cui Wusheng's voice transmission: "Brother Zhou, have you noticed that the start is unfavorable?"

""

Zhou Wenju nodded slightly.

Cui Wusheng saw it, and naturally, he saw it even more clearly.

The opening scene: a contest beyond the chessboard.

Zhang Yi has already lost one game.

The opponent used a provocation tactic to gain an advantage, and then, by taking advantage of Zhang Yi's "counterattack," successfully seized the initiative.

This is a contest outside the chessboard.

But this is also the way of chess.

In the art of chess, do you think it's just about the pieces on the board?

The art of chess at the highest levels is also a game of human nature.

Meng Yu's opening statement was itself a strategic move.

He had calculated that Zhang Yi would not dare to accept the influence of "because the foundation of Da Yu Wen Dao is insufficient, so he accepts the other party's concession" and would definitely retaliate.

This is exactly the counterattack he wanted.

If Zhang Yi dared to concede, he would truly dare to accept.

Because of his high-handed attitude, he had already made his move first. "Accepting the other party's request without hesitation" was not a loss of face. On the one hand, he gained the initiative, and on the other hand, he also damaged the other party's national dignity. He won!

Before the game was even over, I won the first round and also dealt a blow to my opponent's morale.

Three birds with one stone.

This was the first encounter between the two sides in the game of Yi Dao, a clash of swords and shadows.

On the high platform, the Third Elder, Du Yun, smiled slightly: "The game of chess takes a long time, so there's no need to wait for the result. Let's begin the second game. This game is for the path of scriptures!"

Everyone's gaze shifted from the sky to the high platform.

As the Third Elder said, the way of chess cannot be finished in a short time. Waiting is just a waste of time and there is no need for it. The rest of the process can be completed during the intervals between the two players' chess games.

Anyway, it's all under the watchful eyes of everyone.

Every move made by the two players can be reviewed afterward.

There's no need to keep an eye on it all the time; just wait for the final result, which will be incorporated into the results of each round of competition in the tournament.

Both team leaders nodded in unison.

This plan is approved.

The Second Elder on the left spoke up: "Our Spirit Clan is close to the Great Dao of Nature and greatly admires the *Tao Te Ching* written by the sages of the Human Clan. Therefore, we invite the masters of the Dao from both countries to randomly select a sage's saying from the *Tao Te Ching* and discuss the Dao. The one whose Dao is superior will prevail!"

As soon as the voice fell, a magical flower appeared out of thin air.

The spiritual flower landed on the high platform, and a platform for exchanging ideas rose out of thin air.

There was also a stick of incense on top.

The sacred incense curls upwards, reaching the heavens; awaiting only one discussion, a miraculous change will occur.

Second round.

Discussing the Way!

The discussion still revolves around the classic text of the sages, the *Tao Te Ching*.

The Tao Te Ching is the main classic among the classics for the imperial examinations. Whether you are a Confucian, a Taoist, a Mohist, or a Yin-Yang master, as long as you have participated in the imperial examinations, there is no reason not to read the Tao Te Ching.

Therefore, this question is the least tricky one, and theoretically it has no bias whatsoever.

However, the message from Cui Wusheng that entered Zhou Wenju's mind was still tinged with worry: "Choosing the Tao Te Ching may seem objective and fair, but it still reflects the bias of the Spirit Clan."

"Oh? Why?" Zhou Wenju was now confused.

"Brother Zhou, do you know that the master of classics and Taoism in Yan spent his life studying the Tao Te Ching? And our great Confucian scholar Xiang spent his life studying the Analects and the Spring and Autumn Annals."

Zhou Wenju frowned.

He had to admit that he lacked understanding of the other party's attendees, and he had no interest in paying attention to them, since it wasn't his battle.

Now that he heard Cui Wusheng say this, he agreed.

Although they are all scholars who study the classics, their directions of study are different, and their understanding of a particular classic will naturally vary in depth. Is it a coincidence that the question posed by the Spirit Clan hit the very topic that the Yan Kingdom's master of classics is most proficient in? Or was it intentional?

"The most disgusting thing is that they even have a plausible excuse!" Cui Wusheng said, "The Spirit Race is close to the natural way and especially loves the Tao Te Ching—"

"Let's wait and see!" Zhou Wenju said.

The two masters of the Dao have stepped forward.

"There is no order of precedence in discussing scriptures, so which of you two should go first?" the Second Elder asked.

"As the elder said, there is no order in discussing scriptures, it doesn't matter who comes first or who comes last, the elder can decide!" Xiang Bo said, his attitude was neither humble nor arrogant, his expression was calm as still water.

This expression calmed the hearts of the people of the Great Yu Kingdom.

It seems that he was actually quite confident in the Tao Te Ching that the other party had studied.

The Second Elder nodded: "Then let's first invite Master Liang of the Great Yan Kingdom to discuss the scriptures!"

Liang Chaofan took a step forward and stepped onto the discourse platform.

"The sage said, 'The Tao that can be spoken of is not the eternal Tao; the name that can be named is not the eternal name.' I took this as my topic and the Tao as my name, and all those who pursued the sage were moved at the same time."

The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao; the name that can be named is not the eternal name.

It is the opening line of the Tao Te Ching, and there are countless interpretations and endless conclusions. Precisely because of these different interpretations, it is particularly difficult to discuss.

Let's see how this master who has studied the Tao Te Ching interprets it.

At this stage, the literary gathering has transcended the framework of winning and losing, and taken on a "learning" tone.

What do you mean?

I'll learn something new!

"The first Way is the origin of the universe; the second Way is the meaning of definition and expression, which is not the constant Way." This means that the Way that can be spoken of is not the eternal Way; the eternal Way cannot be spoken of.

The opening consists of only a few sentences.

His lips and teeth left a lingering fragrance.

The first Dao flower bloomed beneath his feet.

"The fragrance lingers on the lips and teeth, and the flowers of the Great Way bloom in an instant—" Cui Wusheng was slightly startled.

A voice reached Zhou Wenju, perhaps as a release of his tension. Whenever he encountered something alarming or thought of something, he would immediately send a telepathic message to Zhou Wenju.

After all, among the people present, only Zhou Wenju shared his interests.

Zhou Wenju nodded slightly: "This person's discourse on the Dao is not bad; at the very least, it is a true blossoming of the Great Dao, and perhaps even a step that brings forth lotus flowers."

"Lotus blossoms with every step?" Cui Wusheng was even more surprised.

In the realm of philosophical discourse, the lingering fragrance on the lips and teeth is a relatively basic level that most people can achieve.

The path to enlightenment is difficult to achieve; it's basically the exclusive domain of grandmasters.

Even a grandmaster would find it difficult to achieve the state of "walking on lotus blossoms"—

If this person really achieves the "lotus step" technique, then there will be big trouble, and Xiang Bo might not be able to keep up!

If Yi Dao has an unfavorable start, and Jing Dao loses in the first round, the Great Yu Kingdom could suffer a major blow on the first day of the Qingshan Literary Gathering.

Zhou Wenju clearly judged that this person's theory was not wrong, simply because of one point: this person's core interpretation was impeccable.

The six characters "The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao" have been interpreted by countless generations in the world in which he existed, and this is the final standard answer.

This answer is the result of the surging waves and turbulent sand.

It can withstand scrutiny.

This master, Liang Chaofan, presented his core viewpoint, and he achieved more than half the success.

If he performs well from now on, "Step by Step Lotus" is basically a foregone conclusion.

As he listened with a touch of appreciation, Liang Chaofan quoted classics and spoke eloquently, and the flowers of the great path beneath his feet bloomed one after another.

Ten, twenty, thirty, forty — eighty-one!

With a soft hum, a lotus platform appeared out of thin air.

It was born beneath his feet.

He walked step by step, his feet resting on a lotus throne—

"Every step brings forth lotus blossoms!" The entire audience erupted in cheers.

The cheers began from the Great Yan Kingdom team.

It also originated from the spirit race of the four wildernesses.

For the vast majority of them, this was the first time they had ever witnessed a human debate.

With just one discourse from the high platform, profound and unparalleled views on the Great Dao pour forth, and the Great Dao blossoms beneath one's feet, blossoming into lotuses, one walks with the grace of a celestial being.

This image truly changed the views of countless members of the Spirit Clan towards the human race.

Despite their short lifespan and poor physical constitution, the human race possesses a literary and spiritual power derived from the fusion of sacred scriptures that inspires such awe and wonder.

"Therefore, the extraordinary way can be spoken of, while the ordinary way cannot be spoken of; only Heaven knows."

On the platform, as the last sentence of the discourse was uttered, the literary light beneath Liang Chaofan's feet poured forth like water, bathing the entire platform in its glow.

His aged figure, amidst the flowing light of literature and the Way, resembled a sage of the Great Way.

The discussion is over!

It took an hour and a half.

It contains philosophical arguments, examples, insightful sayings, and endless room for imagination.

His discourse on the Dao reached the pinnacle of philosophical discourse among scholars, progressing towards perfection with each step.

The leader of the Yan Kingdom stood up, and the five grandmasters behind him also stood up.

On the high platform, the three elders of the Spirit Clan also stood up.

Let us welcome this master of philosophy together.

"Master Liang's discourse is exquisitely profound, reaching the pinnacle of understanding, each step graceful and insightful!" exclaimed the Second Elder of the Spirit Clan. "Now, please welcome the Grandmaster of the Great Yu Kingdom's Scriptures and Dao to the stage!"

The pressure was instantly placed on the Great Yu Kingdom.

Xiang Bo stood up.

A whisper from Zhuang Wenhua reached his ear: "Do your utmost!"

"yes!"

Xiang Bo stepped onto the platform for discussing the Dao, bowing in unison to all four directions, paying homage to Heaven, the Dao, and all the sages.

Then let's begin the discussion —

"As the sage said, man follows the earth, the earth follows heaven, heaven follows the Tao, and the Tao follows nature."

He extracted the most crucial sentence from the *Tao Te Ching*, and began to elaborate from it.

"Man follows the Earth, taking the Earth as his model, embodying virtue and carrying all things, providing stability and inclusiveness; the Earth follows Heaven, conforming to the movements of the sun, moon, and stars..."

The laws of the four seasons are to follow the will of Heaven; Heaven follows the Way, which is the origin of the universe, and the seasons follow the rules of the universe; the Way follows nature, and the origin of the universe also follows the ultimate truth of nature. This is what is meant by "the Way gives birth to all things."

He spoke halfway through his sentence, his lips and teeth emitting a sweet fragrance.

At this point, a Daoist flower bloomed out of thin air beneath his feet.

With the blooming of this Dao flower, the people of the Great Yu Kingdom finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Liang Chaofan of the Great Yan Kingdom reached the pinnacle of Daoist discourse, putting immense pressure on people. Fortunately, Master Xiang Bo was just as amazing at the beginning.

Extracting the most essential meaning of the scriptures, in just a short passage, one transcends the realm of lingering fragrance and enters the realm of the blossoming great path.

If they don't collapse later on, it's possible they won't be at a disadvantage.

From Xiang Bo's perspective, not falling behind is actually winning.

Because Xiang Bo did not specialize in the Tao Te Ching; he studied Confucian classics, while Liang Chaofan specialized in the Tao Te Ching. To be evenly matched with someone else in their area of ​​expertise is enough to show that Xiang Bo's understanding of the Tao Te Ching is stronger than Liang Chaofan's. Even if the literary society judges heroes by results and does not consider what the person who discussed the Tao had studied in the past, the eyes of the masses are ultimately discerning.

"Brother Zhou, do you think Master Xiang can be on par with Liang Chaofan?"

As usual, Cui Wusheng's voice transmission came through.

Zhou Wenju chuckled softly: "Your biggest expectation is just to break even?"

"If possible, I would naturally hope he could reach a higher level, attaining the 'Lotus Platform' realm, but Brother Zhou should know that this is impossible! After all, they are discussing the scriptures of the sages!"

This answer relates to a basic common sense in philosophical discussions.

The discussion of Tao is divided into four realms.

The fragrance lingers on the lips and teeth, flowers bloom on the great road, lotus flowers bloom with every step, and the lotus platform is broken through the path.

People call the Lotus Steps the ultimate worldly discourse, simply because the "Lotus Platform of Breaking the Path" that follows is truly incredible. What is the "Breaking the Path"? It is a groundbreaking statement! In other words, only a truly groundbreaking statement can lead one beyond the ultimate realm of Lotus Steps and reach the "realm of Breaking the Path".

If it were a different topic, perhaps groundbreaking conclusions would indeed emerge, creating a spectacle in the history of philosophical discourse: the birth of a lotus platform after breaking through the path.

However, the topic they chose was: the Bible of Saints!

The classics of the sages are refined through countless trials, and every judgment and conclusion is a universally recognized "golden rule." How can you break through it?

Therefore, Cui Wusheng concluded that the ultimate goal of this discourse on the Dao is to achieve the state of "lotus blossoms with every step." Liang Chaofan of Yan State has already reached this ultimate goal, and Xiang Bo's best achievement can only be equal to his.

Things were progressing step by step in the direction he had envisioned.

As Xiang Bo eloquently explained the principles of man following the earth, earth following heaven, heaven following the Tao, and the Tao following nature, he used countless classic examples to illustrate these principles, and the flowers of the Great Tao bloomed more and more beneath his feet.

Fifty flowers, seventy flowers —

Zhuang Wenhua's expression grew increasingly tense.

The five grandmasters behind him were also tense.

Cui Wusheng fell silent. Zhou Wenju glanced around and saw his clenched fist—

On the other side, Li Ruoxu of Yan and the six grandmasters behind him initially wore smiling expressions, showing their determination to win.

There was a sense of tension at that moment.

Because of their advantage, the opponent gradually caught up.

With a soft hum, the eighty-first Dao flower bloomed, and two lotus flowers also sprouted beneath Xiang Bo's feet.