And it didn't just end there. Scholars in this world were also divided into multiple classes, each more prestigious than the last.
There were four main divisions.
The first was the simplest, the Apprentice Scholar.
These were individuals who had just begun their journey. Most of them were in the early stages of their studies, learning the basic foundation of philosophy, poetry, and societal principles.
They weren't regarded as highly in terms of influence, but they held immense potential for growth.
The second was the junior scholar.
In this stage, scholars could choose one of three paths: philosophy, poetry, or society.
Once a scholar made their choice, they would focus all their efforts on mastering their chosen subject.
The third was the Senior Scholar.
In this stage, scholars have mastered their chosen field. They had either become philosophical thinkers, renowned poets, or masters of societal principles.
Their understanding was deep and was regarded as legendary in their fields.
At the very top of the scholar hierarchy were the Grand Scholars.
These individuals were considered sages or even transcendent, whose wisdom and insight were unmatched.
They were the philosophers who had inspired generations, the poets whose words had affected and fluttered the hearts of many listeners, and the societal scholars whose concepts could influence entire civilizations.
To reach this stage was the same as achieving immortality, and they were treated as the forefathers of the three paths.
Ti Xhin also explained that the majority of people in this world pursue the path of knowledge.
Individuals were also classified into two broad groups: commoners and scholars.
Commoners were ordinary people who did not engage in school activities. They lived their lives providing essential services and labor. However, they lacked the prestige and privileges that came with scholarly status.
While scholars were treated close to nobles. They enjoyed numerous privileges and benefits granted by the nation.
It included special rights in ruling, law, and social status, making them powerful figures in society.
Further, scholars often formed their own sects. These sects were bound by shared ideologies, thoughts, or common goals.
Some sects specialized in philosophical ideas, others in poetry, and some in society reform.
Competition between sects could be fierce, with even prestige and influence on the line, making their alliances, rivalries, and duels a significant part of a scholar's life.
"Now coming to the most important part," Lin Mao whispered.
"It seems that the name of the original owner of this body is also Lin Mao."
He took a deep breath.
What were the odds? The life that he had been coincidentally transmigrated to also belonged to a young man with the same name.
However, this Lin Mao was not just anyone—he was a direct disciple of the revered Old Master, the very man he had met earlier.
The Old Master was not just anyone but was the head of the Sky Moon Sect.
He was a powerful figure in this world of scholars. He was a renowned senior scholar whose reputation has travelled far and wide.
As a master of philosophy, his wisdom has guided many generations of disciples.
The sect that he had built, Sky Moon Sect, stood as one of the most prestigious sects of learning.
And now, Lin Mao found himself taking on the role of a prodigious disciple, a young scholar with extraordinary potential in the field of philosophy.
"Highly talented, huh? If only they knew..."
"But what about that whole business of getting rejected?" Lin Mao thought.
Ti Xhin didn't mention anything about that, leaving him to piece it together on his own.
He shook his head, forcing the thought aside. There would be time for answers later.
Stretching his stiff limbs, he stood and walked towards the door leading to the study. As he slid the door open, a soft scent of incense filled his nose.
Lin Mao stepped inside and took in the room's simple yet perfect layout. A low table rested at the center with papers scattered across its surface.
"As expected of the prodigious disciple."
Curiously, he approached the table and sat cross-legged on the mat beneath. He picked up the first page, his eyes narrowing as he studied the unfamiliar language.
The characters were entirely foreign to him, yet strangely, as he concentrated, the meaning automatically formed in his mind.
His lips curled into a chuckle.
"Is this... the perk of transmigration?" he mused, running his fingers across the inked characters.
Gradually, the language became as natural as breathing. "Convenient."
With that he started reading the page, and his gaze fell on the first sentence written on it.
"What lies at the end of suffering?"
"Hmm...." He continued reading.
"More suffering."
A laugh escaped his lips before he could stop it. He shook his head with a smirk.
"Was the OG Lin Mao going through an existential crisis or something?"
He skipped the lower half of the page as there was nothing but a bunch of doodles and random drawings.
Not finding anything of immediate interest, he turned to the next page.
"Love—a tragedy of scholars."
His grin widened. "Oh, this should be good," he said, settling in more comfortably.
Was the former Lin Mao a hopeless romantic or just another tragic fool in love? Either way, he was eager to learn more about the mind of this body's original owner.