Confucian and Taoist Cultivation Starting from the Equipment Slot

"Are you looking for Scholar Song?"

The gatekeeper raised his eyelids and glanced at him.

"right."

"Are you Chen Zhuo?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Zhuo was stunned for half a second. Had his fame already spread this far?

How come even a random old man guarding the gate knows his name?

"Where's the letter of introduction?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Zhuo was taken aback; he had encountered a true hidden master.

Although I don't know their specific identity, they seem very impressive.

Without any hesitation, he respectfully handed over the letter.

The old man took the letter, glanced at it, and then casually pointed to a girl who was walking over.

The girl was also carrying a food box.

"You, it's you, take him to the stone tablet in front of the Tibetan Pavilion!"

"oh."

The girl obediently put down the food box, then turned around and sweetly said to Chen Zhuo:

"Hey junior, come with me."

He turned and left.

Chen Zhuo glanced at the old man enjoying his meal and hurriedly followed him.

"How should I address the senior student?"

Chen Zhuo didn't stay idle on the way. He took the initiative to ask, even though he didn't know the specific address. Since she called him junior, it was right for him to call her senior.

"Gu Qing'e, the acting instructor here. Since you're here to become a disciple of Scholar Song, just call me Senior Sister."

"Senior sister..." Chen Zhuo repeated unconsciously, feeling somewhat puzzled.

Why does everyone here know that he came to become a disciple of Scholar Song?

Is it that obvious?

He looked at himself, but he didn't see any words "I want to become an apprentice" written on his body.

Unexpectedly, as soon as he asked the question, Gu Qing'e burst out laughing.

"Of course, those words aren't written above your head, but do you know who that person was?"

"That old gatekeeper from just now?" Chen Zhu shook his head.

"That's Scholar Song!" Gu Qing'e grinned mischievously. "He often sits at the entrance of the Literature Academy, observing the students coming and going, ostensibly so that every student can spot him the moment they arrive, but actually he's searching for inspiration for his new essays!"

Chen Zhuo was startled, realizing that he was no ordinary person, and that he was the very person he was looking for.

Looking back on my performance, I think I got a passing grade.

"Senior sister, shall we go now..."

Upon hearing the words "senior sister," Gu Qing'e's face lit up with a smile, and she then spoke earnestly.

"Although I'm happy that you call me senior sister, whether you can stay or not depends on Master's decision."

Perhaps afraid that what she said would frighten Chen Zhuo, she added reassuringly.

"But don't worry too much. The fact that your master asked you to go to the stone tablet proves that you have already gained his initial approval."

"As long as you have a decent level of comprehension, there won't be any problems."

Comprehension? I think my comprehension is pretty good, right? Chen Zhuo thought to himself.

Although it wasn't displayed on the panel, it gave me some insight when I successfully analyzed the Japanese chapter.

It's just a small test; it should be fine.

Don't panic, the advantage is on my side.

Chen Zhuo silently comforted himself.

The two soon arrived at the stone tablet at the entrance of the Tibetan Pavilion.

"Here, this is the stone tablet I just mentioned to you," Gu Qing'e said, pointing to a stone tablet as tall as a person.

"Use your literary talent to comprehend the words above. As long as you can understand three of them," Gu Qing'e held up three fingers, then shook her head.

It's been a long time since I've had a junior brother. What if it gets too difficult?

Then she broke off a finger, patted her chest, and promised, "Two! As long as you can understand two words, I, your senior sister, will make sure Master accepts you!"

Just as Chen Zhuo was about to speak, he saw the character "移" (move) suddenly appear around Gu Qing'e's body.

Then a figure emerged from the crowd; it was none other than the old man, Scholar Song, whom he had seen at the door earlier.

"Wow, Senior Sister is so impressive!"

"That's not true!" Gu Qing'e realized something was wrong as soon as she finished speaking and immediately began to defend herself.

"No, Master, I meant you're the best!"

"Copy 'Ten Lectures on Literature and the Way' thirty times, and go now," Song Zhiyuan's calm voice rang out.

"Oh." Gu Qing'e walked out with her head down, but she didn't forget to give Chen Zhuo a thumbs-up.

Chen Zhuo was both amused and exasperated by what he saw.

"Let's begin. Do as your senior sister said. If you can understand two words, you'll pass the test."

Upon hearing Song Zhiyuan's words, Chen Zhuo did not hesitate at all and immediately began to examine the stone tablet.

The moment the literary atmosphere permeated the stone tablet, I felt my consciousness being pulled into a fantastical space.

There was nothing else in this space except a group of intricate characters floating in the air.

Chen Zhuo examined it carefully, but he didn't recognize any of the characters.

Instantly, his heart sank.

I can't possibly have no talent at all!

Suddenly, he found a font that looked very familiar among the many words.

This thing is somewhat like the literary arts I've mastered?

He tried to touch the "sun" with his consciousness, and the scene in front of him instantly changed.

As the first rays of dawn shone, the river flowers blazed like fire, and then the scene began to change, with various shapes of the sun appearing before him.

"Is this about understanding its deeper meaning?"

His mind raced, and he quickly realized what was happening.

As the scenes changed, a sudden realization dawned on Chen Zhuo, and the poems he had read in his previous life came to mind.

"The sunrise paints the river flowers redder than fire, and the spring river water is as blue as indigo!"

As his voice faded, the scene shifted, finally settling on the imagery he had described.

[Literary Skills: Daily proficiency increases, Literary Aura +1, Current Proficiency: lv.2 Mastery]

"My proficiency has increased?" Chen Zhuo was secretly delighted and glanced at the panel.

Name: Chen Zhuo

[Textual quality: 9 points]

[Literature: Sun (lv.2 Proficiency)]

[Remaining equipment slots: 0]

[Current Equipment: The Sun and Moon Sutra (White)]

[Equipment Effects (Basic): Automatically analyzes the content.]

[Current progress: Daily chapter (100%), Monthly chapter (53%)]

My earlier guess was right. Successfully analyzing the code only gives you the most basic understanding; you need practice or other methods to reach a higher level.

Just like his current literary skill: Sun, which has reached level 2 mastery.

The only changes after mastering the skill are that casting spells becomes faster and the power increases.

After realizing this, Chen Zhuo felt a surge of excitement. This was a place where literary skills were given away for free!

I absolutely cannot miss out on such a great opportunity.

He then eagerly examined the other text in the space.

Outside the space, Song Zhiyuan looked at the projection in front of him with surprise.

"Oh, the sunrise paints the river flowers redder than fire, and the spring river is as blue as indigo. What a beautiful poem, what a beautiful poem."

"Isn't Old Chen's second son quite talented in literature? Then why did he refuse to come to the academy when I asked him to?"

"Tsk tsk, Old Chen isn't honest."

Song Zhiyuan shook his head, and sighed as if he had thought of something.

"Father, this junior brother seems quite talented! He's actually managed to comprehend a single character!"

Gu Qing'e, who had returned sometime earlier, poked her head out and said.

Song Zhiyuan rolled his eyes at her, annoyed. "How many times have I told you? You have to use your official title at the academy!"

"And another thing, you really dare to say that, blurting out two words right off the bat. You're a scholar, how many words have you even grasped?"

Gu Qing'e pursed her lips shyly.

"Dad, I'm just putting some pressure on him, aren't I? He's so talented anyway!"