Shuidu Academy, Dark Document Hall.
This was a Book Pavilion where the academy's students could read and study.
"If breaking through a grade can unlock a Golden Finger," Zeng Anmin wondered, sitting in his chair and thoughtfully looking at the *Marvels Record* in his hands, "doesn't that mean by pursuing Confucian and Martial Cultivation, I can double my advantages for free?!"
Ever since the Martial Art trait selection had unlocked yesterday, this thought had been growing uncontrollably in his mind. However, asking Dachun had yielded no clear answers. Thus, he came to the academy's dedicated study area to see if he could find any information on the possibility of dual cultivation.
Zeng Anmin opened the *Marvels Record* and carefully read its contents, bit by bit.
The author was unknown, but the book detailed many bizarre occurrences across the Kyushu continent.
For example, in the South Sea, there were beauties akin to fairies of the Celestial Palace. However, they lacked tangible yin bodies and could only be observed.
Another example: The shapeshifted female demons of the Demon Race were highly lustful. Being drained of yang qi by them would only result in a day of fatigue, making the experience somewhat worthwhile.
Yet another example: The Eastern Sect of Jiang Country possessed the Dream-Entering Image Record Skill. Trading a fraction of one's lifespan for a whole night of pleasure was considered a highly profitable exchange.
Zeng Anmin's expression darkened the more he read. He thought, "Why does this author sound more and more like a pimp?"
Naturally, there was also some useful information. For instance, there were a total of Four Great Celestial Dao Maps in the world, passed down from ancient times.
The royal family of the neighboring Jiang Dynasty possessed the Phoenix Strategy Map, which legend said depicted an ancient colorful phoenix.
The Southern Wilderness held the Taotie Map, which portrayed a gathering of ferocious Taotie beasts.
Within the Daoist Sect was the Sword Raising Map, featuring the personal sword of the Daoist Ancestor.
There were also records of Emperor Xi's Map, which had been lost somewhere within the Great Saint Dynasty. It depicted Emperor Xi, the ancient leader of the Human Race.
The Four Great Divine Maps were not limited to Martial Cultivators; rather, Cultivators of all paths could meditate on them, making them the most wondrous artifacts in the world...
Despite finishing the entire book, Zeng Anmin couldn't find the information he wanted. He quietly returned it to the shelf and retrieved a copy of the *Confucian Martial Arts Discussion*.
The very first sentence read: *"Since ancient times, there have been youths skilled in both the pen and the sword, but there have been none who succeeded in Confucian and Martial Cultivation."*
Seeing this line, Zeng Anmin's brow relaxed; this was exactly what he was looking for. He held his breath and read carefully. Skipping over the lengthy introductory rhetoric, he found the core content:
"The Literary Qi of Confucianism represents Kan.
"The Essence of Martial Arts represents Li.
"Water and fire are incompatible, and yin and yang cannot coexist in this manner; therefore, they cannot be cultivated together."
Zeng Anmin frowned deeply. He wondered, "Are they really impossible to cultivate together?" But as he read the subsequent lines, his Dan Feng eyes narrowed slightly.
"Both Confucian Cultivators and Martial Cultivators begin with Qi Enlightenment. They accumulate qi throughout their bodies to break through the Purple Mansion, transforming their Literary Qi into Vast Righteous Qi.
"Once the body has been cleansed by Literary Qi, it naturally becomes impossible to cultivate the aura of a Martial Art.
"The reverse is also true."
Zeng Anmin stared at the pages for a long time, his brow still furrowed. The book hadn't given him any inspiration. If anything, it only made him more confused.
Just then, the bell for class rang. Zeng Anmin stretched lazily, hurriedly got up, and headed out the door.
Shuidu Academy, Jiazi Classroom.
Over thirty pairs of student eyes were fixed on Zeng Anmin, making him feel a bit embarrassed. He hadn't expected that in just a single day, the news of him comprehending Literary Qi in a mere fifteen minutes would be exaggerated to such ridiculous proportions.
The Tutor, an old man with a goatee named Wang Yuli, was extremely polite to Zeng Anmin. After arranging a seat for him, he began the lecture.
As Zeng Anmin walked to the back row, evaluating gazes followed him every step of the way. Everyone looked at him with burning curiosity, wanting to know exactly what kind of person this genius who comprehended Literary Qi in fifteen minutes was. Zeng Anmin didn't mind the stares. He remembered that in his previous life, this was exactly how he used to look at the top students.
"Since you are new to the class, there will naturally be many academic areas where you lag behind. If there is anything you don't understand, you can ask Zhang Lun for guidance," the Tutor's elderly voice rang out.
Zhang Lun? Zeng Anmin looked up and saw the student sitting in front of him smiling and nodding in his direction.
The student wore simple cloth garments. He had a clear, handsome face with thick eyebrows, and just by looking at him, one could tell he was an extremely reliable person.
He thought to himself, "It seems this Zhang Lun is the top student of this classroom."
"Ahem, the results of yesterday's academy-wide examination have been released," the old Tutor said, coughing lightly as he slowly pulled a white sheet of paper from beneath his desk. "Zhang Lun has secured first place in three consecutive major examinations."
As soon as those words fell, the entire classroom descended into silence.
SWISH!
Countless pairs of eyes converged on Zhang Lun's face. Zhang Lun remained unhurried, his expression calm as he looked at the Tutor.
A smile appeared on the Tutor's face. He retrieved a Jade Pendant from his waist and slowly stood up, walking toward Zhang Lun. "This Water Commander Order is a reward from the academy. I hope you will continue to work hard and not let arrogance take root in your heart."
The old man slowly handed the Jade Pendant to Zhang Lun.
"Thank you, Tutor," Zhang Lun said respectfully, accepting the Jade Pendant.
Zeng Anmin didn't know the true value of the Jade Pendant, but the surrounding whispers quickly provided him with an answer.
"A Water Commander Order... It seems the quota for entering the Holy Book Library has been reduced by one again this year."
"Tell me about it. The Holy Book Library stores the handwritten manuscripts of our Confucian Dao predecessors. That's a massive opportunity..."
"I'm so jealous..."
"Heh, just work harder next time."
"Silence!" the old Tutor's voice flared, suppressing all the whispers in the room. "Class begins now..."
Time flew by, and the lecture soon ended as the sky gradually darkened. The Tutor stepped out of the classroom.
Just as Zeng Anmin was packing up his belongings to return to his dorm, a gentle voice called out.
"Though night has fallen, our dedication to studying must not slacken. Since the Tutor has entrusted this responsibility to me, I cannot fail to live up to his expectations. The evening is perfect for it—how about we stay behind and study together?"
Zeng Anmin slowly looked up, meeting Zhang Lun's warm and friendly face.
He thought, "An overachiever? Right here in the flesh!"
Back in his school days, Zeng Anmin used to hate overachievers. But today, he couldn't muster an ounce of dislike for the one standing in front of him. Overachievers possessed a strong sense of responsibility; the Tutor had merely mentioned it in passing during class, yet Zhang Lun had taken it completely to heart. Excellent!
"I was thinking the exact same thing." Zeng Anmin was currently full of questions and needed someone to clarify them. Wasn't Zhang Lun the perfect candidate?
"Haha." Seeing Zeng Anmin nod, a gratified smile appeared on Zhang Lun's face. He slowly walked over and sat down beside him. "You may ask me about anything you don't understand. If I don't know the answer either, I will consult the Tutor and then explain it to you."
Zhang Lun gently picked up a copy of *Imperial College* and slowly opened it.
Naturally, Zeng Anmin wasn't going to let this opportunity slip by. He nodded earnestly. "Senior... uh, how about we address each other by our courtesy names?"
"Ah, of course. I am Zhang Lun, courtesy name Tongyu, a student from Liangjiang Commandery." Zhang Lun smiled and bowed formally to Zeng Anmin.
"A pleasure to meet you, Brother Tongyu. I am Zeng Anmin, courtesy name Quan Fu." Zeng Anmin quickly returned the bow.
Quan Fu was Zeng Anmin's courtesy name, given to him by his father in this world.
"Brother Tongyu, although I have managed to cultivate Literary Qi, I am completely unfamiliar with the subsequent Nurturing Realm. Could you explain it to me?" Zeng Anmin asked, his expression serious.
Zhang Lun nodded slowly. With a solemn gaze, he explained, "Once you cultivate your first wisp of Literary Qi, you have officially reached the Ninth Grade Self-Cultivation Realm.
"The human body has seven hundred and twenty major acupoints. Only when each acupoint accumulates a wisp of Literary Qi is the realm considered perfect and complete. Following this completion, you enter what is known as the Nurturing Realm.
"However, the Nurturing Realm is a process of accumulation. You must not rush it, or it will cause tremendous harm to your body." As Zhang Lun spoke, his expression grew extremely grave.