The carriage of exotic beasts was arranged by Gentleman Mountain and temporarily stationed at its base.
An elderly man personally accompanied the group as they ascended the stone steps.
Gentleman Mountain could still be considered a lofty peak, though none in the party were ordinary mortals.
"Though I may be younger in years than you esteemed immortals, my body has aged prematurely, and I likely don’t have much time left. Calling myself an old man wouldn’t be too presumptuous, I think."
The elder raised his head, gazing at the distant Gentleman Mountain and the sprawling complex of pristine white buildings.
"This old man is the headmaster of the Gentleman Academy—Chen Wenqian."
A faint, proud smile crossed Chen Wenqian’s aged face as he turned to Chen Baiqing and the others.
"Since you immortals have graced Gentleman Mountain with your presence, perhaps I could offer you a brief introduction?"
Chen Baiqing did not respond, continuing forward with measured steps.
Different objectives demanded different attitudes.
Their primary purpose in coming to Gentleman Mountain was to protect Li Junzi, which naturally meant applying some pressure.
Being too accommodating risked misjudgment of their boundaries, while outright hostility would make negotiation difficult.
Thus, the best persona to adopt was that of an aloof, purpose-driven immortal, indifferent to trivialities.
Cui Hao and Lin Luoyu remained silent, deferring entirely to Chen Baiqing’s lead.
Whether their senior sister’s decisions were right or wrong was a matter for later discussion—for now, they stood united against outsiders.
Chen Wenqian observed the cold detachment in Chen Baiqing’s strikingly beautiful eyes, yet his expression remained unruffled, as if he had anticipated this.
Cultivators only reasoned with cultivators.
Gentleman Mountain maintained good relations with certain sects, some of whom willingly offered their protection.
After all, every inch of land near the Central Continent was coveted territory.
Moreover, Gentleman Mountain itself was a geomantic treasure, suffused with abundant spiritual energy.
Naturally, securing a foothold here also required the academy’s own efforts.
Most of the world’s great Confucian scholars hailed from within its halls, forming an invisible but formidable influence.
Though the Tianyan Sect stood on an entirely different level of power, would they truly disregard their reputation in the mortal world?
Every action carried a cost, and that cost determined whether it was worth pursuing.
Unfazed by Chen Baiqing’s demeanor, Chen Wenqian took her silence as tacit agreement and continued:
"The Gentleman Academy was founded over a millennium ago. Legend traces its origins to the Sage’s disciple, though records were lost during upheavals, leaving no written proof of this claim."
"Yet the academy teaches more than just the classics—we impart the rites and righteousness championed by the Sage, nurturing integrity and moral fortitude."
"Thus, whether the academy was truly established by the Sage matters little. By studying his teachings and upholding his principles, we are all his disciples."
"I am, and so is everyone within these halls."
His gaze shifted to Cui Hao and Lin Luoyu, and he smiled.
"You two immortals seem to carry the aura of Confucian cultivation."
Cui Hao gave a slight nod. "I’ve studied the texts for a few years."
Chen Wenqian chuckled knowingly before redirecting their attention to the densely clustered buildings on the mountainside.
"Originally, the academy was small, its architecture far less sprawling and inelegant."
"But the number of earnest seekers grew, and we couldn’t turn them away. So, bit by bit, Gentleman Mountain took on this form."
"Yet a gentleman’s worth lies not in appearances, but in his heart. The same holds for our academy—truth matters more than beauty."
"Though the Gentleman Academy occupies but a sliver of land, its students come from every corner of the realm."
"When they return home, they carry these small truths to distant shores, and in time, change will follow."
"Change?" Chen Baiqing finally spoke. "Then is Gentleman Mountain also willing to be changed? Or do you only seek to change others?"
Chen Wenqian replied calmly, "A gentleman reflects on himself thrice daily."
Chen Baiqing gave a faint nod, seemingly satisfied.
The rest of the journey passed with Chen Wenqian offering concise introductions to the academy’s facilities—lecture halls, libraries, dining halls.
Students in white robes bowed respectfully as they passed, and Chen Wenqian acknowledged them with nods.
Most gazes directed at Chen Baiqing’s group held little hostility, though a few exceptions lingered.
Chen Wenqian’s tone remained gentle, yet his posture never wavered from dignified composure, even as his back bent slightly with age.
After several turns, he led them to a secluded area.
A narrow path through a bamboo grove unfolded before them, flanked by untamed undergrowth.
Soon, a modest courtyard nestled deep within the bamboo came into view.
Chen Wenqian halted, gesturing toward the courtyard. "Li Junzi is inside, preparing for her third debate."
Chen Baiqing acknowledged this with a nod and moved forward with Cui Hao and Lin Luoyu.
But Chen Wenqian extended an arm, blocking their path.
Chen Baiqing met his gaze in silence.
Chen Wenqian’s expression turned solemn. "Debates are sacred. Though you are of the Tianyan Sect and mean no harm, if you bear no connection to Li Junzi, it would be improper to disturb her."
Chen Baiqing motioned to Lin Luoyu beside her. "Li Junzi was my junior sister’s mentor. Since this is a scholarly debate, my junior sister has the right to participate, does she not?"
Chen Wenqian studied Lin Luoyu, then smiled faintly.
He had investigated why Li Junzi had broken her promise years ago—after all, Gentleman Mountain had made a rare exception for her, only to be stood up. As headmaster, he owed it to the academy to learn the truth.
And now…
The disciple Li Junzi had painstakingly taught for over a decade had turned to the path of immortality.
With a quiet sigh, Chen Wenqian clasped his hands. "Naturally. Proceed as you wish. If needed, the debate can be rescheduled."
Chen Baiqing inclined her head and stepped toward the bamboo courtyard.
Chen Wenqian remained, watching until the group disappeared inside before turning away.
Debate was a clash of noble minds.
A battlefield of ideas, fought without bloodshed.
Yet here, no one resorted to deceit—for all sought victory with clear consciences.
Li Junzi was a great Confucian scholar. Gentleman Mountain could not refuse her challenge without betraying the pursuit of knowledge, lest it become an echo chamber of dogma.
But precisely because she was a great scholar, Chen Wenqian harbored no fear that she would exploit the Tianyan Sect’s influence to force a win.
Only those who sought truth with pure hearts would argue so fervently for their convictions.
And Gentleman Academy would not lose.
Of the five debates, the academy had already claimed two victories.
If the Sage’s teachings could be so easily overturned, how could they have endured for a thousand years?
Chen Wenqian's heart was filled with indescribable emotions.
All he felt was regret—that the mortal world would soon lose yet another rare and eminent scholar.