Mythical Three Kingdoms

Qu Qi, in a fit of rage, directly gave the third stalk to Wuu Anguo, who chewed it on the spot, then looked at Qu Qi in astonishment.

Though the Heaven and Earth Essence it contained was minimal, Wuu Anguo’s ability allowed him to perceive the changes after swallowing it, and it was at this moment that Qu Qi understood the significance of the two remaining stalks of paddy in his hand.

Immediately, Qu Qi sealed one stalk close to his body and entrusted the other to two immortals; this object was crucial, and anyone with some sense would recognize its importance. Qu Qi’s task now was to turn it into a crop that could be cultivated as easily as ordinary plants.

Although past events had proven this thing to be attractive to animals, it wasn’t a significant issue—animals can just be driven away.

However, considering Qu Qi’s situation, this thing was incredibly difficult to cultivate. Since it had slapped him in the face, Qu Qi had little hope for others trying to grow it.

Therefore, Qu Qi was using the few remaining seeds to experiment with finding the most suitable and correct cultivation method.

Although it seemed at present that this research might take several years to yield results, Qu Qi wasn’t in a hurry; he had plenty of time, and investing a few years to study something like this wasn’t a loss to him.

"Ha, what did you say?" Chen Xi cleaned his ears and looked at Ji Xiang’s strange expression. "Did I hear wrong?" He turned to look at Lub Su.

"I said, allocate a piece of land for me; I want to establish a new school!" Ji Xiang looked seriously at Chen Xi. After returning to Ye City, she combed through all her previous research in Chang’an and laid out the classic books of her school using these studies as the core, deducing from what she had learned before. She also extracted the thoughts through debates with others.

After doing all this, Ji Xiang went directly to Lub Su to apply for land to prepare for the construction of her mountain gate. If she truly develops the School of Mind, she will become the founder of this school of thought.

Unlike other women such as Cai Yan, her background destined her thinking to differ from most women. Her courage far exceeded others; even though Cai Yan surpassed her in wisdom and ability, Ji Xiang was the only one daring to propose establishing a new school.

"This isn’t a joke!" At this point, Lub Su had already put down his brush. Though he was somewhat afraid of his sister-in-law, such matters demanded he step in regardless—some things couldn’t be spoken lightly, and establishing a new school wasn’t child’s play.

"See, as long as you convince Lub Zijing, it’s okay. I’m not touching this matter." Chen Xi, intrigued, watched Lub Su and Ji Xiang. Everyone in the Political Office knew Lub Su feared Ji Xiang. In addition to being sister-in-law and brother-in-law, their relationship also extended to doctor and patient.

Ji Xiang’s treatment of Lub Su was reportedly quite madcap. As the Ji Family’s candidate for the Chief Priestess of Xuanyuan Yellow Emperor, she had no concept of gender, so while Ji Xiang wasn’t embarrassed, Lub Su was certainly mortified; these situations require at least one person to feel awkward.

So Lub Su always avoided Ji Xiang. Though he dodged her, generally, when there was something good, he’d remember to save her a share—their relationship was complicated.

But in this case, Lub Su admitted he couldn’t handle it; this was about establishing a new school. It wasn’t simply allocating a land and then hanging a sign to recruit disciples.

Truly establishing a new school would inevitably require a fight with those Great Confucian Scholars or inheritors of the Hidden Hundred Schools. Without a confrontation, you wouldn’t gain recognition.

Cai Yan could do it; she could, and all the major schools and mountain gates gave her some face. If she wanted to recruit disciples or pass down her teachings, the schools and mountain gates would recommend suitable candidates, but even if Cai Yan wanted to establish a new school, she couldn’t escape this process.

At most, because Cai Yan had been so strong before, no one would make things too difficult for her during this process; after following the formalities, a few congratulations would suffice. As for Ji Xiang, establishing a new school would be a huge challenge. If those people didn’t pick a perfect time to resist her, that would be strange.

Once attacked in this scenario, it would basically be a one-against-ten situation, and the chances of passing would be extraordinarily slim. Furthermore, losing would mean essentially no second chance; this was similar to the Immortal Heroes’ concept of road blocking.

"I want to build a mountain gate and recruit disciples. Will you allow it?" Ji Xiang spoke with a kind of intimidation towards Lub Su. Although every time Lub Su saw Ji Xiang, he felt awkward and naturally avoided her, in this instance, he wasn’t about to be intimidated by Ji Xiang.

"No, such matters aren’t something you can gloss over with words alone. You need at least the capability; are you sure you can pass? If you can’t pass, granting your request would cause embarrassment not just for you, but for us as well." Lub Su, suppressing his discomfort, responded to Ji Xiang.

"Look for yourself." Ji Xiang tossed a roll of silk manuscript to Lub Su.

Lub Su was puzzled, but Ji Xiang gave him a look. Lub Su quietly untied the string on it and looked at the contents, becoming more astonished as he read, finding names like Zheng Xuan, Wang Lie, and Sima Hui at the end—massive figures.

"I stormed in, won seven matches, and tied three. Duke Wen Kang and the others are formidable," Ji Xiang stated calmly to Lub Su, but there was noticeable twitching at the corners of her eyes.

Since the era demanded validating the new philosophy of a school through debate, Ji Xiang preemptively visited others to avoid being besieged.

Ji Xiang thought it was better to confront potential opposition head-on than to be surrounded by a group of experts. Thus, as she focused on establishing her School of Mind’s core, she also selected opponents to challenge—if she couldn’t defeat them one-on-one, there would truly be no hope.

It’s lucky Ji Xiang’s research was unconventional, directly targeting the heart spirit. Initially, she easily defeated those she picked, but acknowledgment from minor figures versus recognition from major school leaders was vastly different.

Thus, after defeating four unknown figures, Ji Xiang aimed for stronger opponents for validation. It’s undeniable that schools surviving till today weren’t pushovers—the phrase "other hills’ stones can polish jade" rings true. Ji Xiang’s seven successive defeats helped fill several gaps in her self-constructed School of Mind.

Ji Xiang then focused her attention on the giants Zheng Xuan, Wang Lie, and Sima Hui—two Confucians and one of the Miscellaneous School.

However, unlike her earlier goal to win, Ji Xiang knew these three, due to the lack of a systematic concept, wouldn’t understand instantly, and she couldn’t easily claim victory. So, she chose the method of inquiry.

Though Ji Xiang began with momentum, she was no fool. Her respect for these three figures remained, and she meticulously explained her School of Mind via inquiry.