Chapter 1688: Spring and Autumn Grand Ceremony History

"Is this the Temple of Confucius?" Zhang Xuan was startled and quickly looked. He saw the sun, hidden in a special space, its distance unknown. It seemed to float in the long river of history. To reach it, one had to cross not only distance but also time.

The buildings within the temple were layered like shadows on the moon. Even with the Eye of Insight, they were unclear.

"According to historical records, Master Kong was trapped by the strongest emperor of the Spirit Tribe in Chen and Cai, unable to escape. Relying on his understanding of time, he created the Spring and Autumn Annals. When this treasure was formed, all things under heaven changed with a single thought – one thought for spring, one thought for autumn. Spring and autumn alternated, and heat and cold intermingled. At that time, various miraculous phenomena appeared in places illuminated by the Annals' light: newborns still nursing would, in the blink of an eye, become middle-aged people in their forties. Decrepit elders would, in a flash, turn into infants, the same age as their grandchildren..." Ren Qingyuan recounted, recalling the contents of ancient books.

When the Spring and Autumn Annals were created, humanity had not yet achieved a great victory. Of course, the power of these Annals at that time was not as terrifying as later legends claimed. It was only after Master Kong escaped his predicament that he gradually enhanced and refined it, allowing its fame to spread throughout the world and making the Spirit Tribe fear it like a tiger.

"The Spring and Autumn Annals, a single thought bringing spring and autumn... Could it be that what Master Kong comprehended then was the same as what the Zhang clan ancestor comprehended... the True Understanding of Time?" Zhang Xuan paused, then couldn't help but ask. He had heard of this artifact before but didn't know the details. Ren Shi's description sounded similar to the True Understanding of Time.

"Yes, it should be the True Understanding of Time. However... what Master Kong comprehended was not just acceleration, but possibly also deceleration and even cessation!" Ren Qingyuan stated.

"Deceleration and cessation?" Zhang Xuan was startled.

Space is divided into many True Understandings; confinement is just one of them. Time is similar. The Zhang clan's comprehension of acceleration allows them to control time more quickly. One second for others becomes ten seconds for them, making other people's movements appear to slow down. Besides this True Understanding, there are also time deceleration and time cessation!

Time deceleration has little effect on ordinary people, but for Ancient Sages, its utility is immense. If they enter slumber, and the surrounding time slows down, their lifespan can be greatly extended, allowing them to fight many more battles for humanity. As for time cessation, it is the most difficult aspect of the laws of time to comprehend, even more terrifying than spatial confinement.

When spatial confinement is used, one is at most bound as if by ropes, unable to move, but their mind remains conscious, aware of what is happening. However, with time cessation... even thought cannot function. If truly killed, one is truly dead, with no chance of revival. If Master Kong truly comprehended these back then, how powerful must he have been? Even a ruthless individual, no matter how formidable, would be unable to withstand it!

"Indeed. However, this is merely a later generation's speculation. What is certain is that all of Master Kong's understanding of time throughout his life was preserved within the Spring and Autumn Annals. If one can enter the Temple of Confucius and obtain this treasure, they will surely inherit his legacy, thereby greatly increasing their strength! Even the greatest threat from the Spirit Tribe could then be resolved," Ren Qingyuan said.

When Master Kong was alive, the Master Teacher Pavilion was just taking shape and was not as magnificent as it is today. It couldn't completely eliminate the Spirit Tribe, only banish them. But now... humanity's overall strength has greatly increased, and with the Spring and Autumn Annals, thoroughly defeating them would be much easier.

"Indeed!" Zhang Xuan was filled with shock. Truly worthy of being the Master for All Generations, the foremost person under heaven, Master Kong was indeed astonishingly talented and brilliant.

"All nine-star Master Teachers at the Master Teacher Pavilion headquarters, listen up! Excluding those guarding the dungeon, all remaining Master Teachers are to immediately depart for Qufu. The Temple of Confucius has appeared and should fully open very soon, allowing entry!" Ren Qingyuan turned and commanded.

"Yes!" Numerous nine-star Master Teachers nodded simultaneously, their expressions solemn.

"Master Zhang, with the Temple of Confucius appearing, the Spirit Tribe certainly won't stand idly by. Will you accompany our Master Teacher Pavilion headquarters, or act alone?" Ren Qingyuan looked over.

"I..." Zhang Xuan was about to speak when he saw Luo Ruoxi subtly shake her head. He immediately said, "Master Ren, I appreciate your kindness, but I wish to proceed alone!"

"Very well!" As if he had long anticipated this decision, Ren Qingyuan nodded. "We shall meet again in Qufu!" Having said that, he no longer paid attention to Zhang Xuan. With a wave of his hand, numerous nine-star Master Teachers hurried over, likely to discuss the specifics of the Temple of Confucius's opening and how to counter the Spirit Tribe.

"Let's head back!" Seeing them leave, Zhang Xuan didn't linger. He called out to Luo Ruoxi, and the two flew straight outwards, leaving the Master Teacher Pavilion's vicinity in the blink of an eye.

Recalling Luo Ruoxi's demeanor just now, Zhang Xuan turned to look at her.

"With the Temple of Confucius opening, the Spirit Tribe will undoubtedly launch a massive invasion, and it's even possible that Ancient Sages will be present... Joining the Master Teacher Pavilion headquarters would undoubtedly be the safest option, so why refuse?" Even if Ancient Sages are restricted from entering, once the Spring and Autumn Annals leave the Temple of Confucius, the true struggle and contention will certainly involve these strongest individuals. The Master Teacher Pavilion appears to only have these Great Sage-level nine-star Master Teachers, but its true foundations are unfathomably deep. If the Zhang clan has an Ancient Sage-level ancestor alive, wouldn't the Master Teacher Pavilion have even more? Being with them would certainly be safer. After all, though he was the head of three great clans, he was also a member of the Master Teacher Pavilion, a nine-star Master Teacher.

"There's still some time between the Temple of Confucius's appearance and its complete opening, so there's no need to rush with them," Luo Ruoxi said. "Currently, the entire continent is in turmoil, and countless powerful individuals are heading to Qufu. Rushing there now would not only offer no benefit but would only invite trouble!"

"Still some time?" Zhang Xuan was surprised. He had thought that once the Temple of Confucius appeared, he could enter with the Inherited Heavenly Token. He hadn't expected it would take more time to fully open.

"Wait, isn't it true that... only those with the Inherited Heavenly Token can enter the Temple of Confucius? So many people going there would be useless..." He recalled something and couldn't help but say. It was a well-known fact that only those possessing an Inherited Heavenly Token could enter the Temple of Confucius; otherwise, the powerful figures of the Hundred Schools of Philosophers wouldn't have gone to the Luo and Zhang clans for competitions. If they couldn't even enter, why were so many people rushing there?

"The main hall of the Temple of Confucius can indeed only be entered with an Inherited Heavenly Token, but... what about the outer areas?" Luo Ruoxi smiled slightly.

"Outer areas?"

"It's like the Qiuwu Palace we visited last time," Luo Ruoxi nodded. "Qiuwu Palace was an independent entity, difficult to enter, but its outer areas were accessible to everyone!"

Zhang Xuan was taken aback. He had encountered many formations in the outer areas of Qiuwu Palace; without him, it would have been very difficult to enter the palace itself. This implied that the so-called Temple of Confucius was not just a collection of buildings, but also included outer formations and similar elements.

"Master Kong always advocated teaching without discrimination," Luo Ruoxi explained. "The ruins he left behind, besides the main hall, contain treasures and opportunities in many other places. These people don't have Inherited Heavenly Tokens; they are vying for these other things, so naturally, they would want to go..."