Chapter 1845: Chapter 1872: Chaos of War
"No rush, take it one at a time!"
Li Xiaobai grinned broadly. He also saw the book in the sky, and was surprised to find that simply unveiling the red cloth over the plaintiff’s exhibit could wield such power. Truly terrifying.
The crowd entered Xiaobai Academy and readily took out their mats to sit down.
The mats were brought from Yumi Academy, fearing that Xiaobai Academy, just starting out, might not be well-prepared, hence the self-preparation.
Li Xiaobai stood outside, staring blankly at the piles of Yuan Magnetic Crystals. What kind of resource is this? He had never seen it before, and it held energy dozens of times denser than Rare Earth.
This is a more treasured material. How come Yu Huan Shui never mentioned it?
"No matter, I’ll collect it first and savor it later."
This wave of forced buying was quite successful. Li Xiaobai collected the Yuan Magnetic Crystals and followed the crowd into the courtyard.
That’s the difference. Yumi Academy is resplendent, everything well-prepared for visitors. In contrast, Xiaobai Academy had nothing, bare walls, not even mats.
Yet, this group of cultivators swarmed in, bringing their mats and seating themselves in an orderly manner.
"Ladies and gentlemen, what brings you here?"
Yu Huan Shui, hands behind his back, wandered among the crowd, full of imposing aura.
"Mr. Yu, after witnessing your unparalleled masterpiece today, and learning of the reopening of Xiaobai Academy, we have come here, hoping to hear your teachings."
A cultivator in the crowd spoke.
"I recall today is the Chancellor Chen’s inauguration day at Yumi Academy. Aren’t you afraid he’ll be angry with you all ditching him to come to this tiny place of mine?"
Yu Huan Shui said with a steady tone.
"All under heaven hustle for profit, and all under heaven throng for profit. Scholars are no different. Having seen your timeless classic, we are profoundly moved. For scholars to congregate and form factions, whoever holds the greater literary wisdom becomes the pivot for scholars."
"Even if Yumi Academy’s influence is vast, the leader of all under heaven is undeniably Mr. Yu."
"We are willing to bow before Mr. Yu and continue listening to your teachings for the rest of our lives."
The cultivators’ attitudes were sincere, their tone exuded honesty.
This was a straightforward truth, clarifying things for these cultivators.
Clearly seeing that under the Heavenly Dao’s testimony, Yumi Academy would suffer significantly, they knew binding their fate to the academy would only bring disaster.
Thus, they rushed to pledge allegiance to Yu Huan Shui, choosing a more enlightened master, albeit under the pretense of enlightenment, which was both funny and pitiful.
"In that case, I shall accept you all."
"But the academy is just established, still in the early stage, lacking manpower."
"No worries, we are all scholars, willing to assist Mr. Yu in restoring the academy’s glory!"
"The academy also lacks resources..."
"No problem, we’ll cover the academy’s resources. No matter how many disciples need support, Mr. Yu won’t have to spend a dime."
"Very good, all of you have potential. Under the Heavenly Dao, do not stray off the path in the future."
Yu Huan Shui nodded, waving his hand to signal the dispersal of the crowd.
In two simple sentences, he resolved the issues of manpower and financial shortage.
This is a true literary leader; just standing there, he is the pillar for scholars. No need for more words, disciples would handle everything.
In comparison, Chen Qingquan had already suffered a complete defeat.
"Mr. Yu, you are indeed skillful. With this, you’ve placated the scholars, played the Heavenly Dao to your advantage."
Inside, Li Xiaobai gave a thumbs up, grinning happily.
"I’ve been writing books for many years, communicating with the Heavenly Dao countless times. In terms of literary vein connection with the Heavenly Dao, no one is more familiar than I."
"Chen Qingquan and those old-timers are surely finished now. Don’t you feel sorry, considering some were your disciples, even old friends?"
"In my many years of cultivation, I learned one thing: one can abandon long-pursued things anytime, anywhere, without reason. Once the heart is moved, it is time to let go."
Yu Huan Shui’s words were ruthless, yet one could sense his steadfast heart.
Reaching this stage was no accident. When one’s heart is stirred, the mind fluctuates, and when pondering a decision, the outcome is already determined.
"Knock, knock, knock!"
Soon, there was a gentle knock on the door.
"Who is it?"
"It’s me."
The voice was aged and familiar, an old goat they had encountered at Yumi Academy, a former friend of Yu Huan Shui.
Yu Huan Shui: "Come in!"
With a creak,
the door opened.
A white-bearded elder entered, seeing Li Xiaobai and Yu Huan Shui, his face full of sorrow.
"Brother Yu, why did you do this?"
"What do you mean?"
"You went too far. You understand the consequences of such actions."
"What consequences could there be?"
Yu Huan Shui looked at him, face serene.
"The entire disciples of Yumi Academy, not just the lineage of Chen Qingquan, but even us old bones who supported his ascent, have been abandoned by the Heavenly Dao, abandoned by the literary vein. In the future, we can no longer appreciate words nor make any progress on this path. This move is both a murder of the heart!"
The old goat lamented.
"So what?"
Yu Huan Shui poured tea, eyelids slightly raised.
"Do you truly not consider past friendships? The Heavenly Dao hasn’t dissipated yet. If you nod now and retract your decree, take back Yumi Academy, Chen Qingquan, along with those old relics, can still be saved. I will persuade them."
Old goat pleaded.
Yu Huan Shui shook his head: "No need for that."
"You!"
"Are you truly this ruthless?"
"If the Heavenly Dao dissipates, the situation becomes irreversible. Then half of the scholars in the starry sky will regard you as an enemy, offending numerous big names. Do you really not care?"
The old goat glared, incredulous.
"Old goat, I once found you somewhat insightful, hence I discussed more with you. But now, it seems your insight has been obliterated."
"When did the Literature Circle become a Sect, or an Academy a one-voice-assembly?"
"Why would you think I care about the views of ants, that group who couldn’t even step into the Literature Circle threshold? What fear is there of their hatred?"
Yu Huan Shui coldly spoke, seeing chaos that needed cleansing.
To forcibly replace a diversity of voices with a single opinion is the act of literary scum, who can never comprehend his level. He, by simply writing a masterpiece and communicating with the Heavenly Dao, could easily sentence them.
Li Xiaobai chimed in, "Old Goat, as a former acquaintance of Yu Huan Shui, why aid Chen Qingquan in expelling him?"
"There are reasons. My star was ravaged by the aftershocks of war, and although on the fringes, the impact of war has already covered us. Urgent assistance is needed. Only by uniting the Literature Circle under Yumi Academy, a steel plate, can we overcome this crisis."
Old goat explained.
This issue wasn’t his alone. Many stars faced the same predicament. The terror wasn’t the war, but the mystery of who started it and where the core battlefield lay. All they could do was simply protect themselves.