Chapter 1218: Old Grounds, Old Faces
The Heavenly Preceptor did not even ask Qi Xuansu what he intended to do in Lingshan Paradise.
Perhaps there was no need to ask because the Heavenly Preceptor already knew. Moreover, he was not displeased by it. If this matter were to estrange Qi Xuansu from the Quanzhen Sect, then he would certainly lean toward the Zhengyi Sect.
In that case, it would amount to the Heavenly Preceptor profiting at the Earthly Preceptor’s expense and the Zhengyi Sect snatching him away from the Quanzhen Sect.
The Heavenly Preceptor’s two days of lectures were devoted entirely to discussing systems of power.
At the level of a second-rank Taiyi Daoist, one was unquestionably part of the Daoist upper echelons, so it became necessary to explore and study matters of a metaphysical nature.
At this level, the Daoist Order would no longer teach these Sages how to handle concrete affairs, as that was the curriculum for fourth-rank Jijiu Daoists. Instead, their focus was on cultivating a broader vision and some other abstract qualities.
For example, the famed Art of War by Sunzi did not dwell on specific tactics such as scouting terrain, commanding troops, or arranging formations. Instead, it discussed theories from a strategic perspective. This was the distinction between commanding generals and commanding soldiers.
This round of lectures was extremely abstract. How much one could comprehend from it was an initial round of selection by the Daoist Order.
One must plan according to one’s station. If one still could not grasp the metaphysical Dao upon reaching the second rank, then one’s progress would halt there. Conversely, if one could gradually comprehend the metaphysical Dao, cultivate a broad vision, and learn to view matters from a macro level, then one could continue onward toward the ranks of Omniscient Sage or Virtuous Great Sage.
Twenty days passed in the blink of an eye. Qi Xuansu and Zhang Yuelu concluded this brief yet exceptionally high-quality course and prepared to return home.
This time, there was no graduation ceremony. Everyone already held important official posts, and a single round of advanced study would not result in an immediate promotion, so a communal meal sufficed as the conclusion.
Before departing, Qi Xuansu and Zhang Yuelu paid a visit to the Lower Palace, revisiting familiar ground.