Chapter 1650: Dantai Zhenqing

"I am Tantai Zhenqing, a descendant of Ancient Sage Ziyu. I pay my respects to the Zhang Clan Head and to all of you!"

The unsightly middle-aged man stood up and bowed deeply, his manners impeccable, leaving no room for fault. Most importantly, despite coming to issue a challenge, his demeanor and conduct were such that no one could feel any anger towards him.

"This is what a true Confucian scholar looks like..." Zhang Xuan inwardly sighed.

He had met many master teachers and powerful cultivators before, some with considerable presence, but compared to the man before him, they clearly fell far short. One could tell at a glance that he was a true scholar of Confucianism.

"Senior Tantai, you are too kind..." Zhang Xuan stood up and returned the bow.

"Our intentions, Brother Yuanfeng, have surely been made clear. The legacy left by Kong shi is something we master teachers must contend for and not yield, and so, I too will not retreat! The individuals behind me are my direct disciples. They have studied with me for a considerable time and wish to challenge your esteemed clan's understanding of time... Regardless of the outcome of today's contest, this inkstone, once used by my ancestor, will be presented to the Zhang Clan as a token of apology."

Tantai Zhenqing flicked his wrist, and a pitch-black inkstone floated in the air.

"Ancient Sage Ziyu's item?" Xing Jiansheng and the other members of the Zhang Clan were all startled.

The inkstone was not large, yet it exuded an aura of overwhelming might, as if under its suppression, chaotic space-time could be stabilized.

"This is... a true ancient sage artifact!" Zhang Xuan raised an eyebrow.

The longsword presented by Luo Clan's Nangong Yuanfeng was merely a weapon once used by Ancient Sage Zirong, not his ultimate possession. While valuable, its significance wasn't immense. However, the inkstone before them was one that Ancient Sage Ziyu had used throughout his life.

"However, compared to the Dragon Bone Divine Spear, it still falls far short..."

Not to mention that Ancient Sage Ran Qiu's own power surpassed that of Ancient Sage Ziyu, but simply put, the Dragon Bone Divine Spear was a weapon of war, while an inkstone was a scholar's tool. The two were not in the same category. Even so, if they could acquire it and keep it within the clan, it would undoubtedly be a treasure capable of suppressing and enhancing their fortune.

"It seems this contest is unavoidable!" Drawing his gaze back from the inkstone, Zhang Xuan clasped his fists.

"Indeed!" Tantai Zhenqing nodded. "I hope you will forgive us!"

"The Temple of Confucius is a place all master teachers aspire to reach in their lifetime. No matter how many pleasantries we exchange, the fact remains that a struggle is inevitable. Since that is the case, let us compete!" With a faint smile, Zhang Xuan waved his hand and stood up. "How shall we compete? Please state the rules!"

The opponent's purpose in coming here was the Celestial Master Impartation Sigil. Given that, further discussion would be fruitless; it was better to proceed directly.

"If Clan Head Zhang trusts me, I will explain my rules!" Tantai Zhenqing nodded. "Among our Hundred Schools of Thought, such contests are divided into scholarly debates and martial contests. Scholarly debates do not harm harmony, while martial contests rely on individual skill."

"What is a scholarly debate? What is a martial contest?"

"It's simple. I have a Space-Time Mirror here. When it shines upon one's primordial spirit, it allows one's consciousness to enter it. Inside, there are specially arranged time formations and traps... This is the scholarly debate."

A golden mirror appeared before everyone. This mirror was not a flat surface, but composed of many facets, each reflecting the others, making it appear dense and somewhat dizzying to behold.

"The martial contest is straightforward: everyone suppresses their strength to an equal level, and victory is determined by individual skill and resourcefulness."

After explaining, Tantai Zhenqing stopped speaking and looked at them with a smile, awaiting the Zhang Clan's decision.

"Our Zhang Clan disciples have never encountered the Space-Time Mirror and are unaware of its mechanisms and mysteries. Competing in it would undoubtedly put us at a disadvantage! As for martial contests, the Hundred Schools of Thought possess an endless array of combat techniques. It won't be easy to win at the same cultivation level!" An elder couldn't help but say.

"Indeed, they are using their influence to pressure us!"

"There's nothing we can do. Although the Zhang Clan is not weak, compared to the Hundred Schools of Thought, we are still far behind; they are on a completely different level! Their attitude today is clear: whether we agree or not, this contest will happen!"

"What should we do then?" The faces of the elders in the room all looked grim.

The scholarly debate, while seemingly harmless, involved the Space-Time Mirror, whose true nature was unknown to anyone present. Once the opposing disciples became familiar with it, even with an identical understanding of time, victory would be impossible for the Zhang Clan. It would be like a footrace where one is unfamiliar with the track; even with equal strength, winning would be difficult.

As for the martial contest, it appeared fair, but the Hundred Schools of Thought, inheriting directly from Kong shi, possessed countless techniques and secret arts. Even if the Zhang Clan's ancestors had extraordinary talent, who among them could surpass Kong shi or the other Sages? In short, they had no advantage in either type of contest.

"Let's skip the scholarly debate and go straight to the martial contest! It will be quicker and avoid damaging our cordiality," Zhang Xuan said indifferently, disregarding the elders' worries.

"A martial contest? Very well!" Smiling, Tantai Zhenqing nodded and beckoned. A young man stepped forward from behind him. "This is Tantai Jiankui, my direct disciple. He is thirty years old and has gained a superficial understanding of the Law of Time. He might make a fool of himself now!"

*Whoosh!*

As he finished speaking, the young man walked before the crowd. Without moving a muscle, his internal aura surged, exuding intense pressure.

"A Grand Sage, first realm: Imperishable Body!" Xing Jiansheng's eyes immediately narrowed.

To reach the Grand Sage level at merely thirty years old, Tantai Jiankui's talent was immense; no one in the Zhang Clan, except for his recently found son, could compare! Even Xing Jiansheng himself had reached the Grand Sage level at a much older age.

"Tantai Jiankui respectfully requests guidance from a Zhang Clan expert!" The young man clasped his fists and bowed.

"Xuan'er, although your strength has reached the peak of Saint 9-dan, you've never been to the Zhang Clan and haven't systematically learned our clan's understanding of the Law of Time... It will be truly difficult to win. You can use that special secret art, the one that boosted your power to the Immortal realm when we fought last time..." Seeing his son stir, Xing Jiansheng hurriedly sent a telepathic message.

Within the clan, Zhang Xuan was the only one under a hundred years old with the highest talent. If he were to use the secret art he employed during their last spar, his combat power would become invincible for a short period, making it effortless to defeat his opponent.

"That secret art... can no longer be used..." Zhang Xuan shook his head. It relied on Kong shi's blood. There were only three drops of Kong shi's blood, and they had all been used up. Even if he wanted to, he couldn't use it anymore.

"Can't be used?" Xing Jiansheng's eyebrows twitched. "Then..."

Without that secret art, for a peak Saint 9-dan cultivator to defeat an Imperishable Body realm expert, even if the opponent suppressed their cultivation... it wouldn't be easy.

"Don't worry, I never said I would compete..." Zhang Xuan smiled faintly.

"You're not competing?" Xing Jiansheng was stunned, and everyone else looked over, filled with confusion. If not you, then who?

"Of course not me. As the Clan Head, if I were to participate in such a contest, it would inevitably be seen as bullying the young..." Zhang Xuan's lips curved upwards. "It's better to give the opportunity to the younger generation... Let my disciple, Zhang Jiuxiao, step forward!"