Chapter 180: The Daoist Temple

“Daoist Temple?” Li Xian keenly picked up on these two words from his father’s speech.

Li Yulong’s gaze seemed a bit nostalgic. “A Daoist Temple is the primary way sects exist today. Since resources began to dwindle over a hundred thousand years ago and cultivation methods spread across the world, the sect system began to collapse.

That was a chaotic time. The aristocratic families rose during that period, and empires led by scholars, strategists, and alchemists began to be established; the ancient form of sects was forced to the brink of survival.

But eventually, some sects found better ways to survive, and this was the open Daoist Temple system.

The term ‘open’ refers to a contrast with the past. In the past, everything within a sect was secretive. A sect was like a closed world.

However, when survival was at stake, some sects suddenly realized that since a closed world could no longer exist, they would try an open world. So, these sects established Daoist Temples. Or rather, they gradually developed the Daoist Temple system.

Daoist Temple systems do not have as strict regulations as sects, and it could even be said that anyone can go to a Daoist Temple to seek the Way and resolve doubts. The Daoist Temple, leveraging its deep historical roots, managed to survive.

This open form of Daoist Temple, due to its openness and freedom, unexpectedly gained more recognition and continued to grow stronger.

Today, every Daoist Temple that still exists is a powerful force. Even empires would think twice before provoking them. Many Daoist Temples have traditions that date back over a hundred thousand years. However, the Daoist Temples still adhere to the principle of ‘remaining apart from the world,’ never interfering with external changes. As a result, some resemble hermit-like organizations.

The Mang Mountain Cultivation Daoist Temple is one of the few Daoist Temples in the east of Yingzhou, and it’s also one of the strongest ones.

The Mang Mountain Daoist Temple is located at the border of the Jin and Qi Kingdoms, about five hundred miles from the southern boundary of the Great Xia Kingdom. The main area of Mang Mountain covers a hundred miles, and the entire region is under the jurisdiction of the Mang Mountain Daoist Temple.

Moreover, Mang Mountain is the only cultivation market in the nearby countries. Many remarkable individuals can be found there. It’s worth checking out, and you might even gain something unexpected.”

“Really? That’s great!” Li Xian’s eyes immediately lit up. The issue of talent had long been troubling the technological development of the Brilliant Star Group. Under the leadership of Tang Rong, the research department had encountered many research bottlenecks. Of course, these bottlenecks were caused by many factors, such as the issues in the scientific system, but talent was the most critical factor.

With his father’s confirmation, Li Xian immediately planned to find an opportunity to visit Mang Mountain as soon as possible. Upon hearing that there was a cultivation market there, Li Xian decided not to go empty-handed but instead prepare with a full load of items. At the very least, Sea Soul Silk should be very popular.

That night, as Li Xian was falling asleep, he winced in pain. Xia Qingqing had become jealous and had practiced the White Bone Claw technique on his waist. That pair of twins were too beautiful, too delicate. According to Xia Qingqing, the reason Li Xian didn’t refuse them was not because he couldn’t but because his desire for them was at play—don’t think I don’t know about the little schemes in your heart.

The next day, Xia Qingqing had two maidservants by her side. Although she was jealous the night before, Xia Qingqing took these two maidservants out shopping the next day to dispel some of the gossip.

Li Xian was deeply moved by Xia Qingqing’s actions.

However, while Xia Qingqing was out shopping, the Li family welcomed “distinguished guests.” Wang Chuan, the head of the Wang family, came with his son Wang Ping to visit in person.

This was an unprecedented event. The Wang family and the Li family were never on the same side. Before Li Xian killed Wang Ming, Li Yulong had been the emperor’s confidant, while the Wang family was secretly plotting with the Third Prince. After Li Xian killed Wang Ming last year, the two families were essentially locked in a life-or-death struggle.

Now, the Wang family had come to visit in person, and this was naturally a huge deal.

After a round of insincere pleasantries, which made Li Xian want to vomit, they sat down. Li Yulong faced Wang Chuan, while Li Xian faced Wang Ping.

Once seated, Wang Chuan seemed to wrestle with his thoughts for a long time before finally making up his mind to speak. “Li brother, let’s speak frankly. The situation in the Great Xia Kingdom is on the brink of collapse. However, there is still a chance for rescue. As long as we get a capable ruler, there’s still hope for the country’s revival.

There’s no need to discuss the First Prince. The Second Prince is, by all accounts, a hopeless case.

Among the three princes of Great Xia, only the Third Prince has potential. I want to ask, Li brother, would you be willing to support a truly capable prince for the throne in order to secure the future of Great Xia?”

What a straightforward approach, forcing Li Yulong into a corner with just one move. Listen, for the future of the Great Xia Kingdom, what a big hat to place on someone’s head.

Li Xian almost burst out laughing. With the current state of the Great Xia Kingdom, what future is there to speak of! The reason everyone hasn’t taken action yet is simply because the emperor doesn’t have much time left. Everyone is just waiting, and that’s all.

Once the emperor breathes his last, Li Xian believes that the Kong family and Nanyang will definitely rise up; and the First prince will surely wave all sorts of lofty flags—of course, maybe it’s actually Xiao Liming pulling the strings behind the scenes.

Of course, even though everyone knows how things stand, this is a matter that can’t be openly discussed.

But of course, Li Yulong is Li Yulong. How could he be caught off guard by Wang Chuan, a man who has failed several times in political struggles?

Li Yulong gave a slight smile and said, “Brother Wang, you’re joking. The Great Xia Kingdom is doing just fine. As for the future of the empire, it all depends on His Majesty’s will. As ministers, we should not overthink things; we only need to follow His Majesty’s orders.”

What a lie! Li Xian had now witnessed it—Great Xia  Kingdom is doing just fine? How come I can’t see anything good? Moreover, Li Xian knew that the emperor was dragging the Great Xia Kingdom down with him, leaving no opportunity for the kingdom to survive!

Wang Chuan was choked by Li Yulong’s words for a long time, and finally let out a long sigh. “Brother Li is truly a ‘loyal minister’. Actually, my main purpose for coming today is to ask Li Xian, my nephew, for guidance on the theory of industrial and commercial prosperity, and even strengthening the nation through industry and commerce. I wonder if it would be convenient?”

Fine, since Li Yulong had already refused once, he couldn’t refuse again; after thinking for a moment, he finally nodded at Li Xian.

If his father agreed, Li Xian naturally wouldn’t oppose.

To his surprise, Wang Chuan went even further, bowing to Li Xian. “Nephew, I have an unreasonable request. I would like to ask you to become the teacher of the Third Prince. I wonder if it would be convenient?”

Li Xian’s eyes widened. What? You want me to be the teacher of the Third Prince? Wang Chuan, please don’t speak so absurdly.

Li Xian carefully glanced at his father, who slightly shook his head.

Li Xian immediately answered with great seriousness, “Thank you, Uncle, for your trust. However, I am lacking in both knowledge and experience, with no formal teacher and no accomplishments to speak of. I fear I would be unable to command respect. This request is not appropriate.”

“But if Uncle does not mind, when we discuss industrial and commercial prosperity, the Third Prince may attend as an observer.”

Wang Chuan finally smiled. “That’s wonderful. Nephew, rest assured. In the past, although we had some misunderstandings, everything was done for the sake of the empire. There is no hatred that cannot be resolved.”

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