Lalatina Celeste listened carefully, sensing with her keen intuition that the manor lord seemed very strange at the moment. His questions were thoughtless, almost as if asked by someone just beginning their cultivation journey. But how could that be? A person who had reached the pinnacle of cultivation, even when encountering a new form of practice, couldn't possibly be so uninformed. Isn't it said that all paths of the Dao stem from the same source?
But... perhaps it's been too long since he descended from the mountain... So.
Wait, if that's the case... then what era does he belong to? Could it be true that the Great Dao is divided into nine realms?
She shook her head. No. I'm starting to overthink things again. This knowledge is beyond my reach. Maybe I should seek help from those learned sages.
Noah silently processed the new information he had just received. The knowledge about cultivation couldn't be wrong.
"Lalatina, in my time, cultivation methods were somewhat different. I want to learn more about the current ways of cultivation."
Lalatina responded, "Manor lord, I'm only a Confucian scholar, so my understanding is not deep. But in the manor, there are two great Confucian scholar and a martial general. You could ask them."
That's true, Lalatina is indeed intelligent. But those two I threw into the river earlier are probably still holding a grudge. I should go make peace with them.
"Alright, let's clean up, then we can go ask the three of them."
After finishing their chores, Noah noticed that Lalatina seemed somewhat uncomfortable. Perhaps her high status and the fact that she was a genius, admired by thousands, meant she had never had to clean up like this before. But we'll be doing this together often; she'll get used to it.
The two of them, following the guidance of the token, found the great sage, Wu Ding Xi, sweeping leaves in the courtyard. This great Confucian scholar had an upright appearance, a simple demeanor, and looked quite kind, so surely he wouldn't hold a grudge for long.
In the large courtyard in front of the manor, Wu Ding Xi was reflecting on the things the manor lord had mentioned earlier that afternoon. As a great Confucian scholar, there were things he understood, and things that remained obscure. Looking down at the courtyard he had just swept, he saw the fallen leaves had already piled up again.
This courtyard, no matter how much I sweep, the leaves never seem to be cleared.
Old Tô across the way was also lost in thought, looking dazed. For the first time since breaking through to the level of a great sage, Wu Ding Xi felt as defeated as he did now. He sighed deeply.
"Old Tô, are you still thinking about what the manor lord said..."
At that moment, Noah and Lalatina arrived. Seeing the two great Confucian scholar staring blankly into the courtyard filled with fallen leaves, Noah frowned. Aren't they supposed to be sweeping the courtyard? Why are they just standing there? They better not be holding a grudge and refusing to work. I need to assert my authority.
"You two, have you still not cleared your heads after falling into the river?"
Upon seeing Noah approach, both great Confucian scholar hurried over and bowed respectfully.
"Manor lord, we are simple-minded and do not fully comprehend your teachings. We humbly ask for your guidance to untangle our confusion..."
Seeing their respectful demeanor, it seemed like they weren't too upset, so Noah's tone softened.
"That's fine. I also have a few questions for the both of you."
Seeing the two of them exchange worried glances, Noah reassured them.
"It's nothing serious. I just want to ask you about the current state of the Dao. I've been in seclusion for a long time and am not aware of how things stand now, so I came to ask. If you're too busy, I can wait here until you finish."
Tô Khanh's face wrinkled in frustration as he finally managed to speak.
"Manor lord... We've been sweeping this courtyard endlessly, but the leaves keep falling. We don't understand why..."
What! This again... Noah stepped forward, took the broom from Tô Khanh's hands, and swept a few strokes. No wind, no dust—very easy to sweep. He looked at the two great Confucian scholar. ???
"Manor lord, as soon as we clean one area, another gets dirty..."
Noah moved to the next area. As soon as he finished, leaves fell from the tree above. Seeing this, he grabbed the broom and swatted at the tree a few times, then swept again. After repeating this process a few times, no more leaves fell. In a short while, the courtyard was spotless. Handing back the now-worn broom, Noah said,
"You see? Next time, just do it like that. Alright, let's go to that stone table over there and talk."
Under the enlightenment tree, Noah sat at the table, one hand resting on it while Lalatina gently massaged his shoulder. Noah spoke.
"If there's anything you don't understand, I'll help you unravel it."
Wu Ding Xi and Tô Khanh looked around at the clean courtyard, but the trees now appeared withered and sparse. Swallowing hard, they noticed the deep, profound gaze of the manor lord resting on them. Both of them bowed.
"Manor lord, your wisdom is unparalleled. But was it really worth damaging the trees just to clear the courtyard?"
Still worried about this? Are these guys really great Confucian scholar?
"Trees shedding their leaves is a natural process. If you think deeply, perhaps it's because they lack nourishment, and the shedding helps lighten their burden. I'm simply helping them by reducing that load. Once you fertilize and water them, they'll grow back. Haven't you ever cared for plants before?"
The two great Confucian scholar were bewildered for a moment, then suddenly realized.
"Manor lord, your wisdom is boundless. We understand now."
...These people???
"Alright. I have a question: what's the current state of the Dao? Tell me everything, in detail—the talent requirements, the progression steps, all the divine techniques... don't leave anything out."
"And also, explain the deep origins of why the two sages fought outside. Speak truthfully."