Covering the Sky: I Prove the Great Dao Through the Gate of Immortality

Li Chenzhou stood on the vast land, a cold wind blowing in his face.

He dared to challenge the Holy Emperor's Weapon of the Yao Guang Elder, which was because he had something to rely on. The Gate of Immortality, which had been fused with the Reincarnation Watch, had unlocked the next world, and the earth-shattering shockwave could not harm him.

However, the Immortal Fire was also separated from the Divine Furnace of Departing Fire by the impact, losing its power as an Imperial Weapon. The fact that the two divine objects, which were not originally from the same source, could temporarily merge and unleash power no less than that of an Imperial Weapon was already the limit that Li Chenzhou could achieve.

The world was covered in a blanket of white snow, and the sound of students reading aloud pierced through the wind and snow, reaching our ears.

"The Great Learning teaches us to manifest our bright virtue, to love the people, and to abide in perfect goodness..."

"Investigate things to acquire knowledge, cultivate sincerity and rectify the mind..."

The sound of reading aloud came from a private school not far away. Li Chenzhou's eyes flickered as he surveyed the world.

Trees and mountains are covered in silver, and icicles shimmer in the wind and snow.

"Is this the Yangshen World?" he murmured to himself, following the sound of reading aloud.

He had only been in this realm for a short while when he sensed the abnormality of the laws governing this place.

Unlike Earth before the transmigration, the laws of nature in this world are almost entirely external.

He had seen too many students who studied diligently day and night in the library, reading all the classics, but in the end, they were still just ordinary people.

The professor, who had studied the Book of Changes for decades, could recite all sixty-four hexagrams from memory and had a profound understanding of Yin and Yang and the Five Elements. Even so, he still had to endure the torment of illness in his later years and passed away.

On Earth, reading and understanding principles cannot change the laws of birth, aging, sickness, and death.

But the world before us is quite different.

The sounds of those reciting scriptures seemed to contain a unique power, resonating with the laws of heaven and earth.

He recalled the Dragon and Snake World he had visited before.

Although one can mobilize the power of heaven and earth through cultivation there, it is far less direct than in this world.

In the world of dragons and snakes, he ultimately continued the path of Chinese martial arts.

But in this world, gifted scholars can even have their souls leave their bodies by reciting classic texts, thus tempering their souls with the power of heaven and earth.

What is most astonishing is that those highly accomplished scholars, by pondering the profound principles of heaven and earth, writing books and expounding the laws of heaven and earth with profound meaning in concise words, were able to achieve great things on the spot.

The philosophers of the Middle Ages are a case in point.

As the wind and snow intensified, Li Chenzhou felt no chill.

He came to a gentle slope, at the foot of which was an academy.

Dozens of scholars were reciting scriptures in the courtyard amidst the wind and snow. In his vision, each of them was surrounded by a faint halo, echoing the laws of heaven and earth.

"Two worlds, fundamentally different," he sighed softly, recalling the sages of Earth.

Confucius traveled to various states to spread benevolent governance, accompanied by three thousand disciples, yet he ultimately had to starve between Chen and Cai. Lao Tzu wrote the Tao Te Ching to elucidate the Way of Heaven, but in the end, he could only ride a blue ox westward out of Hangu Pass.

Their wisdom illuminated civilization, yet ultimately could not overcome the constraints of the laws of nature.

Here, words resonate with the great Dao, and knowledge unites with heaven and earth.

Li Chenzhou stood in the wind and snow, listening to the echoing sound of reading aloud, feeling the uniqueness of this world.

……

A private school called Xinmen Private School appeared on the outskirts of Yujing.

Li Chenzhou stood on the podium. In recent days, he had been teaching and imparting knowledge in this world, and had gained some fame.

This is also part of his spiritual practice.

Today we will talk about "investigating things to acquire knowledge".

Li Chenzhou's voice echoed within the private school: "What is the investigation of things? How does one attain knowledge?"

A student in blue robes stood up from the audience: "Sir, 'Ge' means to investigate thoroughly, and 'Wu' means things. 'Gewu' means to investigate the principles of things."

"That's right." Li Chenzhou nodded. "But if we only stay at a superficial understanding, we'll ultimately gain little."

He looked around at everyone and said slowly, "In my opinion, to investigate things, one must first understand three essentials: first, observation; second, thinking; and third, verification. For example, why do the maple leaves outside the window turn red in autumn? If we only cite classical texts and say 'autumn is associated with metal, and its color is white,' we cannot explain the phenomenon of maple leaves turning red."

The private school was completely silent.

This approach to explanation, which is both relatable and insightful, has been a refreshing change for the students.

Li Chenzhou then went on to explain the scientific research methods on Earth, integrating them into Confucian principles. He emphasized the spirit of empirical evidence and logical reasoning, but did not directly mention these modern terms. Instead, he used the concept of seeking truth from facts and tracing back to the source to explain them.

Three months later, an academic exchange yielded results that shocked the entire capital.

A poor student named Chen Guan studied under Li Chenzhou for three months, and his answer sheet was highly praised even by Xie Wenyuan, a renowned scholar of the time.

When people read his policy essays, they all praised his insights.

In his essay "Water Management Strategy," Chen Guan did not simply quote ancient texts like other candidates. Instead, he analyzed in detail the characteristics of the water system around Yujing and proposed a management plan tailored to local conditions.

His views, such as "using dredging instead of blocking" and "following the trend," were influenced by Li Chenzhou's "observation-thinking-verification" research method.

One day, Chen Guan made a special trip to the private school and bowed to Li Chenzhou as a disciple: "If it weren't for your teachings, I would still be stuck in the past. Your teaching that 'reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles' has made me understand the principle of the unity of knowledge and action."

After that, more and more students came to study.

Not only scholars who intended to take the imperial examinations, but also some officials who were already serving in the court came to listen to his lectures.

Li Chenzhou always taught according to the students' aptitudes. For those students preparing for the imperial examinations, he focused on explaining the profound meanings in the classics, while for those officials who had already achieved fame, he discussed more practical strategies for governing the country and ensuring the well-being of the people.

His extensive reading on Earth has now become an inexhaustible source of teaching resources. From the pre-Qin philosophers to the Neo-Confucianism of the Song and Ming dynasties, from historical order and chaos to economics and people's livelihood, he can always offer unique insights.

Autumn has passed and winter has come, but the sound of reading aloud in the academy has never stopped.

This day.

Meanwhile, in a secluded mountain cave not far from the private school.

"Hongyi, that Mr. Li spoke so well! We secretly listened a few times, and we feel like our minds have become much clearer." Several little foxes chattered excitedly, their eyes sparkling, as they hopped toward the Heart Gate Private School.

"Mr. Li must have noticed us, but he still continued to teach."

A young boy followed behind them; it was Hong Yi.

Suddenly, Hong Yi's expression changed.

"Someone went into the mountains to hunt."

His heart tightened, and he looked at the group of little foxes beside him.

Although they are not human, they are more reasonable than many people.

"Hurry up!" Hong Yi urged in a low voice, and together with the foxes, they hurried along, holding their breath.

The hunters are approaching in this direction.

Hong Yi had excellent eyesight and immediately spotted a man and a woman riding on horseback a hundred paces away, and also heard the low growls of the accompanying beasts.

That's not a dog, it's a mastiff.

These are wild beasts that are more spiritually intelligent than dogs and ten times more ferocious, each one radiating blood and energy, resembling a martial arts performer who has mastered the art of fighting.

Seeing this, Hong Yi felt a chill run down his spine.

He was just a scholar with no strength to even kill a chicken, how could he protect these little foxes in front of so many mastiffs?

When he finally saw the faces of the man and woman, his heart sank even further.

Those were people from the Hong family, one of whom was his nominal sister, Hong Xuejiao, and the heir of the Prince Cheng's mansion.

Despite sharing the same surname, Hong Yi felt no joy, but rather as if he had fallen into an ice cave.

He was merely an illegitimate son born to a concubine in a brothel, holding a lowly position in the Hong family, akin to a servant, while Hong Xuejiao was a princess born to the principal wife, possessing a noble status.

Everyone in the Hong family despised him.

Hong Yi's mind raced as he pondered how to lure these people away and protect the group of spirit foxes in this near-desperate situation.

"We're almost at Xinmen Private School... I hope they won't dare to act recklessly at Mr. Li's place."

He thought to himself that the second-highest scorer in the imperial examination had also been taught by Mr. Li and was well-known, which might make them more cautious.

Thinking of this, Hong Yi and the little foxes quickened their pace, wanting to hide in the private school area as soon as possible.

"It'll be soon, it'll be soon!"

However, a dog bark shattered the silence of the forest.

"Over there! There's a fox!"

A clear female voice, filled with hunting excitement, rang out.

Hong Yi's heart sank, and he knew something was wrong.

He looked back and saw that the mastiffs had already caught the scent and were rushing over.

The sound of horses' hooves thundered behind them, raising clouds of dust.

The man and woman also spotted them and were chasing after them on horseback.

"Run! Run to the private school!"

Hong Yi shouted at the trembling little foxes, instinctively standing behind them.

The escape began instantly.

The little foxes panicked and frantically darted about, relying on their familiarity with the terrain.

Hong Yi followed closely behind.

He was a frail scholar who had never experienced such a chase before. He felt his heart pounding like a drum and he was panting heavily.

The barking of mastiffs and the sound of horses' hooves behind them grew closer and closer.

"Huh? That person up ahead... looks like Hong Yi?" Hong Xuejiao on horseback narrowed her eyes. "What's he doing here, and with a bunch of beasts?"

Upon hearing this, the heir apparent of Prince Cheng scoffed.

"Who cares who he is? Let's surround him together. Look at his pathetic state, just as the rumors say, he's no good."

These words traveled with the wind, and a feeling of humiliation and powerlessness welled up in his heart.

In the Hong family mansion, he was such a "disreputable" figure. Now, in this desolate wilderness, he is still being chased and hunted by his so-called "family," and even protecting a few weak creatures is so difficult.

The mastiff almost pounced on the last little fox!

Hong Yi, emboldened by some unknown source, picked up a dry branch from the ground, turned around, and waved it wildly, trying to stop them.

"Get out of here!"

He roared, his face pale with fear and strain.

But this action is futile against a mastiff, like a mantis trying to stop a chariot.

"Don't stop, we're almost there!"

Hong Yi had only one thought in his mind: to rush towards the Xinmen Private School, the only place where he could possibly catch his breath.

Mr. Li's good reputation might make these sons of the powerful and wealthy think twice.

The lead mastiff pushed off the ground with its hind legs, opened its blood-red mouth, and was about to pounce on the little fox.

Hong Yi's eyes were bloodshot, but he was powerless to change the situation.

At this critical moment, a sudden change occurred!

The mastiff, just as it was about to touch the little fox, abruptly stopped in its tracks.

Instead of continuing to pounce and bite, it let out a mournful cry, its once fierce eyes now filled with terror.

It seemed to have seen something extremely terrifying. Its limbs trembled, and it desperately tucked its tail between its legs and retreated backward, even tripping over itself in its panic.

This sudden turn of events left everyone stunned.

Hong Yi had been prepared to withstand the attack from the mastiff, but now, having narrowly escaped death, he was panting heavily and looked back with surprise and uncertainty.

Behind him were only the mountain path and the grove of trees, with the faint outline of the Xinmen Private School visible at the end of the grove.

Hong Xuejiao and the Crown Prince Cheng were both stunned.

"What's going on?" Hong Xuejiao's eyebrows shot up as she scolded the mastiff, "A bunch of useless beasts, hurry up and chase them!"

Prince Cheng's expression was solemn; he was more observant than Hong Xuejiao in noticing the mastiff's fear.

These fierce mastiffs, who would dare to fight even tigers, are now terrified of their prey, which is quite strange.

Could it be... that there's some powerful and ferocious creature nearby?

While everyone was filled with doubt and uncertainty, a white dot suddenly appeared on the distant snowfield.

The next moment, the white dot was already standing on a small hill a hundred paces away.

With each step, the distance shrinks to an inch, as if crossing spatial boundaries.

Upon seeing this, the prince and Hong Xuejiao's pupils contracted, and they were horrified.

Who is this person...?

The white-clad youth who suddenly appeared ignored the prince and his entourage, his gaze falling on Hong Yi, who was still in a daze.

Hong Yi was still pondering how to resolve the current crisis when he suddenly saw all the ferocious mastiffs. They all turned towards him, trembling, and were just beginning to wonder when they noticed a white figure standing beside them.

Without any warning!

It was as if a ghost had materialized out of thin air!

What chilled Hong Yi to the bone was that after the young man appeared, his gaze fixed on him.

With a scrutinizing air, and perhaps a hint of...inquiry?

In an instant, Hong Yi felt a chill rush from his tailbone straight to the top of his head, his hair stood on end, and he even had trouble breathing.

This is like the way a ghost appears...

Is the person before me a highly accomplished master, or... a demon from the mountains?

Just as Hong Yi was deeply shaken, the little foxes chirped happily and jumped out of their hiding place to surround the white-robed youth's feet.

"It's Mr. Li!"

"Mr. Li has arrived!"

The little foxes chattered excitedly, their earlier fear completely gone.

Mr. Li?

Upon hearing this, Hong Yi was deeply shaken.

It turned out that this young man was Mr. Li from Xinmen Private School.

He stared intently at him and saw that Mr. Li looked young, only in his early twenties, but his eyes seemed to have seen through the vast world and experienced all the vicissitudes of life.

He stood there, seemingly one with the world, forming his own unique landscape. The few little foxes rubbing against his clothes made him appear even more otherworldly.

After Mr. Li appeared, the pack of mastiffs almost buried their heads in the snow.

Wild animals have the keenest instincts; what they perceive is an absolute suppression on a life level.

The prince on horseback, along with Hong Xuejiao and the others, were filled with astonishment and doubt upon witnessing this bizarre scene. Although they did not recognize Mr. Li, the mastiff's unusual behavior inevitably led to various speculations.

Mr. Li ignored the group of people in the distance who looked like they were facing a formidable enemy. He leaned down slightly and gently stroked the head of the nearest little fox.

"The way of the Great Learning lies in manifesting one's bright virtue. Although you are not of the human race, your willingness to listen to this lecture shows that you have a heart that yearns for the Way. From now on, you don't need to sneak around to come here."

These words instantly calmed all the unease in the room.

Upon hearing this, and considering the little foxes' previous praise, Hong Yi felt a surge of admiration for Mr. Li.

He quickly straightened his slightly disheveled clothes, stepped forward, and performed the disciple's salute, "Student Hong Yi greets Mr. Li."

Mr. Li then focused his gaze entirely on Hong Yi, "His heart is pure, and he does not change his mind even when he is in a humble position. Not bad."

"You are welcome to visit my heart's door in your spare time in the future."

Upon hearing Mr. Li's words, Hong Yi was first taken aback, then a surge of joy dispelled his previous fear.

To be able to attend classes under such a great scholar.

What does this mean?

This means that Hong Yi has finally had the opportunity to truly step into the world of learning, and is no longer the neglected illegitimate son of the Hong family who has to search for books on his own.

Although Mr. Li did not explicitly state that he was accepting disciples, his words, "You may come to my door in your spare time in the future," were already an immense blessing.

Countless thoughts flashed through Hong Yi's mind.

Hong Yi's greatest hope was that her mother would succeed in the imperial examinations, because only in this way could her mother regain her status and dignity.

"Passing the exam... as long as one can study under Mr. Li and acquire true knowledge, the chances of passing the exam will increase more than tenfold!"

Hong Yi's heart pounded. He seemed to see a clear path unfolding before him: diligent study, advancement in education, passing the imperial examinations, and even becoming a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations).

At that time, he could then legitimately request a title for his mother, freeing her from the stigma of being "born into a brothel".