At the foot of Cyan Mountain, in the study room.
Chang Qing's few words completely engrossed Li Qingchen.
The higher the cultivation, the deeper the understanding of the Dao, and the more one can grasp the profundity of those words.
But before he could immerse himself further, the communication talisman at his waist began to vibrate madly.
"Confucian Immortal, the statue of the Great Emperor is radiating thousands of beams of light, return quickly!"
"Master, a great talent has descended onto the world, the Great Emperor has spoken, bestowing the ultimate truths of the Dao!"
"Dean! Something major has happened at the academy; thousands of great Confucians are rushing here..."
Coming to his senses, Li Qingchen fell silent.
When Chang Qing spoke, he already understood that something divine would descend in the Central State.
But he didn't expect the statue of the Great Emperor to emit such a radiance and for the emperor himself to speak.
He had been honored similarly before, but the spectacle couldn't compare to Chang Qing's.
"This Su family... is going to produce an extraordinary person."
Staring at the bewildered face of Chang Qing before him, Li Qingchen thought.
"Chang Qing..."
After calming his mind, Li Qingchen spoke kindly, just about to ask something.
But suddenly, his face darkened as he looked up into the void.
He intended to intervene, but upon seeing Chang Qing, he suppressed the thought, only letting out a cold snort as a warning.
"Chang Qing, this book of the Records of the Nations, read it while you wait for me to return."
Handing a book to Chang Qing, Li Qingchen turned and left the room.
As a mere mortal, Chang Qing was completely unaware of the stir caused by his few words.
At this moment, his eyes sparkled, and he was fully engrossed in the book in his hands.
...
Cyan Mountain Village.
Because of Chang Qing, Li Qingchen did not take action, but another person would not be so courteous.
Su Nan was laughing and chatting with the Su family when his expression suddenly turned cold.
From the appearance of a mountain villager and farmer, his demeanor instantly changed, and the world trembled with his every move.
His gaze was as dazzling as the sun, and he raised his right hand to shatter the void.
A thousand miles away from Cyan Mountain, a giant hand grasped the void as if covering the sky.
Boom!
Space crumpled and shattered like paper, and a mysterious aura traveling through heavenly mechanisms was instantly obliterated.
"Scram!"
After a cold shout, Su Nan slowly withdrew his hand, returning to his farmer's guise.
The faces of the Su family members turned serious upon witnessing this scene; they knew the patriarch was truly enraged.
If it were an ordinary matter, as the current patriarch of the Su family, Su Nan might have laughed it off.
But what is this place?
The Peak of Quasi-Emperor, Su Nan, had spent eighteen years as a farmer to educate his son; how could he allow others to find out?
If that happened, wouldn't eighteen years of hard work be wasted?
"Daoist Taoist?"
Su Nan pondered for a moment, then looked at the Su family and asked:
"Was I too heavy-handed? Our family's relationship with Daoism is actually quite good."
The corners of everyone's mouths twitched; no one dared speak frivolously. The Su family was strong, but Daoism was not weak either.
The only one who dared call Daoism such names was the person before them.
"Haha, just kidding; that guy won't figure out who acted."
"Heh, only a Daoist Taoist; if it were someone else, they'd be lucky to be alive."
For Su Nan, the vastness of heaven and earth could not compare to educating his son.
He didn't know what Daoists were seeking here, nor did he care about their purpose.
He only knew if anyone dared reach out now, he would chop them off!
"Alright, everyone disperse, Mr. Li is looking for me."
Su Nan glanced at the sky, then waved at the crowd and ascended into the air.
"Mr. Li."
In the depths of the clouds, dressed in green, Li Qingchen waited quietly.
Su Nan approached with a full smile, bowing respectfully.
The Confucian Immortal was indeed powerful and of noble status, but neither the Su family nor Su Nan feared him.
Su Nan's bow was purely because Li Qingchen was his son's teacher now.
"Patriarch Su..."
Li Qingchen began, planning to inform him of Chang Qing's recent matters.
But before he finished, Su Nan patted his forehead, pulling something from his bosom.
"Oh, my memory, this is a casual work of the Great Emperor, please, sir, keep it safe."
"Rest assured, Mr. Li, I keep my promises; in two years, no matter how much Chang Qing learns, you may leave without concern."
Li Qingchen swallowed the words he hadn't yet spoken, his eyes fixed intently on the ancient book in his hands.
The casual work of a Great Emperor, especially one from the realm of Confucian Dao, was irresistible to any scholar.
This was why he, a distinguished Confucian Immortal, was willing to serve as a young boy's initial teacher.
Su family's grand gestures were something he simply couldn't refuse.
However, this time he had come to Su Nan for another reason.
"Patriarch Su, I am here with another matter."
Securing the book, Li Qingchen addressed Su Nan solemnly,
"I intend to take Chang Qing as a disciple; what does the patriarch think?"
If Chang Qing's insight into the Dao patterns only awoke his admiration for talent,
then the prospect of attaining the ultimate truths of the Dao made him completely restless.
A prodigy like this, if missed, could incur the Great Emperor's wrath.
"Hmm? Accepting a disciple?" Su Nan was stunned to hear this.
He was well aware of how stringent the Confucian Immortal's requirements for accepting disciples were.
All these years, as the leader of the Confucian Dao, the Confucian Immortal had taken only three disciples.
He invited the Confucian Immortal without ever daring to hope for him to accept a disciple.
He merely wanted to use the two years to help Chang Qing establish a solid life direction and solid principles, which is the purpose of an initial teacher.
But he hadn't expected the surprise to come so quickly—the Confucian Immortal actually wanted to take Chang Qing as a disciple?
"Indeed, the casual work of the Great Emperor moved even the Confucian Immortal; afraid I'd retract it, he's willing to have Chang Qing as an apprentice."
Su Nan quickly deduced the situation, but regardless, it was a fortunate turn of events.
With a Confucian Immortal as teacher, even without the Su family, Chang Qing would not be bullied.
"Hahaha, that's wonderful; we will become even closer, and I must thank Mr. Li for this honor."
Su Nan agreed with hearty laughter.
"This is no empty honor."
Li Qingchen's expression was serious, "Chang Qing's talent is unparalleled in my life; as his teacher, I too am honored."
Su Nan's grin spread wide as can be.
See? That's why he's a scholar, well-versed in saying things that please the heart.
Even though he knew it was likely because of the Great Emperor's work, it's still pleasing to hear.
Yet, Li Qingchen had no insight into Su Nan's thoughts, continuing earnestly,
"Chang Qing's comprehension is exceptionally high; to call him a natural great Confucian is no exaggeration. Once he steps into the Confucian path, the heights he could reach are unimaginable."
"And moreover, Chang Qing just now..."
The more Su Nan heard, the more unsettled he became. He hurriedly interrupted with a grave expression,
"I understand your intention to accept him as a disciple, but you mustn't indulge and praise him too much."
"Extreme pride leads to conceit; that's when people waste away, and my eighteen years of effort go down the drain."
"Please, sir, be strict with him and let him face setbacks, so he maintains a heart full of reverence."
Su Nan feared that due to his identity, others would hesitate to be forthright when teaching his son.
That's how his first and second sons became arrogant and prideful.
He initially thought the Confucian Immortal was an exception but feared one work of the Great Emperor might dazzle him too, leading to excessive praises that would embarrass him.
If praised like that before Chang Qing, that wouldn't do!
Wouldn't his eighteen years of hard work become a joke?
No! This door must remain firmly shut; it needed clarifying upfront!
Looking at Su Nan's stern demeanor, Li Qingchen was taken aback.
Upon hearing those words, realization dawned on him.
He understood now why the family head had hidden their situation, staying in this remote mountain region: worried that Chang Qing's immense talent would lead him astray due to overpraise, so they had done this deliberately!
Realizing this, Li Qingchen nodded in appreciation and bowed respectfully, saying:
"The patriarch of the Su family is truly wise."