Lu Chunqiu had lost.

He crashed to the ground, his green robes coated in dust. A renowned scholar, he looked more like a beggar. Struggling to his feet, he could only manage to sit up, legs crossed. He closed his eyes, calming his mind and circulating his Qi, attempting to heal his wounds.

Above him, Sage Ruler Yao Guang sat serenely on the golden lotus bed, her manifested form receding. She glanced down at Lu Chunqiu with a hint of disdain, devoid of the compassion she had displayed during her sermon.

"Elder Sister…" Sage Ruler Han Yue who had stood silently beside Yao Guang for the past five days, spoke up. She was the sole witness among the Great Vehicle realm cultivators to have observed the entire discourse.

"A mantis trying to stop a chariot."

Yao Guang’s gaze shifted from Lu Chunqiu, sweeping across the faces of the three thousand women seated before her.

They all knelt in worship, as if paying homage to a deity.

"The Brahma Sound Pure Land welcomes all."

"Any woman in the world who desires to break free from her shackles and embrace a new life is welcome to join us. From this day forward, the Pure Land shall be a paradise for all women."

Over the past five days, Yao Guang had shared the “Sea of Suffering” chapter from the Holy Yin Scripture and decisively defeated Lu Chunqiu in their discourse. At this moment, her standing among the women of the world reached an unparalleled height.

"We thank the Sage Ruler!"

"Long live the Sage Ruler! Ten thousand years! Ten thousand years! Ten thousand ten thousand years!"

Across the Great Chu kingdom, countless women, whether at home, in the streets, or in the countryside, knelt and kowtowed nine times in the direction of Yao Guang.

Then, they turned and headed west, towards the Pure Land.

Within ten days, these women would reach Hangu Pass, the westernmost stronghold of the Great Chu. Beyond Hangu Pass lay the Brahma Sound Pure Land.

However, they were unaware that a group from Peng City, having arrived at Hangu Pass even earlier, awaited their arrival.

…

Fan Li observed the discourse from afar, within the Rivers and Mountains Pavilion.

Throughout the land, many other powerful figures used their own secret techniques to “witness” the event.

At the border between the Three Kingdoms – Wei, Han, and Wu – Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Quan, all dressed in imperial robes, sat together in a pavilion, a rare sight indeed.

"Green plum wine, Your Majesties, please," Cao Cao said with a smile.

"Ah, thank you," Liu Bei replied, taking a sip. He was familiar with this ritual, having participated in such gatherings before.

Sun Quan poured himself a cup, downing three in quick succession. "What is your assessment of this battle?" he asked.

Cao Cao and Liu Bei fell silent.

Sun Quan chuckled wryly, joining their silence.

All three were cultivators at the first rank of the Great Vehicle realm. They had once joined forces to fight against Yao Guang. Now, Lu Chunqiu had faced her alone for five days.

Although their encounter wasn't a fight to the death, while the world marveled at Yao Guang’s strength, these three were more concerned with Lu Chunqiu.

"Given time, Lu Chunqiu’s achievements…" Cao Cao finally spoke, leaving his sentence unfinished.

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"Pity, Marquis Wenxin is not in my service," Liu Bei sighed, shaking his head.

Sun Quan rolled his eyes. "Are you implying that Wolong and Fengchu are not good enough? Should I trade you Lu Zijing and Zhang Zibu?"

"Brother-in-law, why would you say such a thing? We are family. Don't let Cao… ahem, don't let Mengde see us bicker," Liu Bei replied smoothly.

Cao Cao, fingering the Seven Star Sword concealed within his robes, resisted the urge to draw it.

The three exchanged glances, their eyes filled with mutual dislike, their expressions carefully maintained an air of camaraderie.

"Duke Jin has a unique approach to recruiting talent."

"If it were me, I wouldn't have allowed Lu Chunqiu to suffer such humiliation," Liu Bei remarked.

Then, a thought occurred to him.

"Perhaps one day, Lu Chunqiu might decide to switch allegiances, leaving Duke Jin’s service?"

"Even if that were to happen, it wouldn't be you he chooses. Wolong and Fengchu are your limit when it comes to attracting talent," Sun Quan said faintly.

Liu Bei looked earnestly at Cao Cao.

"Mengde, why do I feel that Zhongmou is always so… sarcastic? I treat everyone with kindness. I never offend anyone."

Cao Cao shook his head. "How would I know? Perhaps you could write to Yun Chang and ask him. How is he doing in Jing Province? I miss him dearly."

"He's doing quite well," Sun Quan said, chuckling coldly. "Last time he tricked Lu Zijing into drinking with him, he even used government funds. I had to dismiss Lu Zijing and replace him with Lu Meng as the Grand Admiral."

Liu Bei: "I heard Lu Meng is in poor health. He reminds me of Zhou Gongjin. Is the feng shui in Eastern Wu unfavorable? It seems so many talented individuals fall ill there."

"Mind your own business. I have countless talented individuals at my disposal. If Lu Meng’s health fails, I’ll simply replace him with Lu Xun," Sun Quan retorted.

“Lu Xun?”

Liu Bei had never heard the name.

“Who is he?”

Sun Quan: "He’s a young lad, barely old enough to… Well, I’ll introduce you two someday."

…

Within the imperial palace of the Great Ming Dynasty, Emperor Jiajing sat on his dragon throne. On his shoulder perched a crimson-feathered divine bird—Vermilion Bird.

By now, it was the size of a young peacock, its feathers radiating splendor, its aura exuding an undeniable divinity.

"Your Majesty, Yao Guang has won," Xu Jie reported.

"Lu Chunqiu, at the first rank of Great Vehicle, challenged Yao Guang. He was clearly outmatched," Yan Song added, his voice raspy and unpleasant, like that of an ancient corpse.

Within the hall, an image materialized in mid-air, showcasing the events unfolding in Peng City. Emperor Jiajing observed Yao Guang and Lu Chunqiu’s discourse as if he were present.

He stroked the feathers of the divine bird perched on his shoulder.

"Lu Chunqiu has a bright future," Emperor Jiajing said slowly. "Pity, he is not in my service."

As if to prove his words, Lu Chunqiu, who had been meditating on the ground, suddenly opened his eyes. His aura surged, his spiritual energy erupting like a dam breaking, its force akin to a flood.

Before Yao Guang and countless observing eyes, Lu Chunqiu had broken through.

Second rank of the Great Vehicle realm!

"You…" Yao Guang stared at Lu Chunqiu in shock. For a moment, she considered killing the old scholar.

However, Lu Chunqiu was a Confucian master, revered by countless scholars throughout the land. Even Emperor Jiajing, during the Three Emperors’ Summit, hadn’t dared to kill him publicly. How could Yao Guang possibly do so?

Lu Chunqiu slowly rose to his feet and bowed to Yao Guang.

"I have learned much from this encounter. Thank you, Sage Ruler." His gratitude was simple. His breakthrough was a result of his own courage and determination, not a gift from Yao Guang.

"Good!"

"Good!"

"Good!"

Yao Guang repeated the word three times, her tone was cold and domineering, a far cry from the compassion she had displayed during her sermon.

"When the Five Kingdoms attack the Great Ming, I expect you to fight with all your might, Marquis Lu. Don't let my assistance today go to waste!"

With those words, Sage Ruler Yao Guang transformed into a streak of light and flew towards the Brahma Sound Pure Land.

A sense of frustration gnawed at her. This trip to the Great Chu had seemingly achieved its goal. She had successfully delivered her sermon on the Holy Yin Scripture, and Fan Li hadn't made any moves to stop her. Countless women from the Great Chu would undoubtedly flock to the Pure Land, boosting its population significantly.

However, a nameless annoyance lingered.

"Father actually broke through during the discourse?" Lu Fubao was stunned. They were standing within the Rivers and Mountains Pavilion, observing the aftermath.

"So, this was your plan all along?"

Fan Li shook his head and chuckled. "This was solely Marquis Lu’s idea. Discourse and debate are not my strengths. Fubao, you overestimate me. Don't forget, your father is the true number one Confucian scholar in the world."

A Confucian scholar's strength wasn't measured solely by cultivation level but also by knowledge and understanding.

Lu Chunqiu might be a scholar, but he was also a man of courage and determination.

"Report!"

A servant from the Fan Clan rushed into the pavilion, kneeling before Fan Li.

"Master, the population statistics are complete. Across the nation, a total of 126,551 women have left, heading towards Hangu Pass. The supply troops of the Peng City garrison have already arrived at Hangu Pass. They can intercept all 120,000 women."

So, this was Fan Li’s true plan?

To swiftly assess the population loss and react accordingly?

However, Lu Fubao was confused. Why had he sent supply troops to intercept the women?

Fan Li smiled, clearly pleased. "Excellent! Send word to my third brother. Ensure that every woman leaving the kingdom receives the Great Chu Emigration Gift Package and Dual Citizenship Information Pamphlet.”