Of course, there were still some oversights. Should a Great Scholar with a sufficiently high Cultivation Realm examine closely, he still might detect some clues and intricacies.

But Lei Jun extended his arms to either side. Above his head, the Taiqing Eight Scenic Treasures Raincoat peacefully descended, enveloping him. Faint mists swirled, seemingly twining amongst the raincoat’s thatch, rendering Lei Jun, clad in the garment, flawless—as if he were truly a Great Scholar.

"Hmm, there’s still room for further adjustments and improvements. Only when my Taoist Sect’s Divine Court, when manifested externally, is comparable to the Home, Country, World of the Confucian Sect’s Eightfold Heaven of Confucianism or a Nine Heavens Great Confucian, and capable of passing off the fake as real, will it be truly accomplished," Lei Jun nodded in satisfaction. He retrieved the Taiqing Eight Scenic Treasures Raincoat and then continued to refine and improve the newly forged Vast Integrity Jade Kui.

One morning, his disciple Zhuo Baojie came to report, "Master, Mr. Meng Shaojie has come to visit."

By then, Lei Jun had already ended his practice. "Hmm, I had an appointment with Young Scholar Meng today. Please invite him in."

During this period, Meng Shaojie came to visit Lei Jun every few days. Although he was a Confucian scholar, with Lei Jun’s guidance by association, and his consultations with Great Scholars like Xiao Chunhui, Meng gained a different insight. Lei Jun was not averse to this; instead, he welcomed it. Frankly, while many of Meng Shaojie’s ideas were still immature, his research into a Confucian New School was already showing results. Lei Jun, in exchanging views with him, also found inspiration at times. The mysteries inherent in different Taoist Heritages were one of the key reasons Lei Jun remained passionate about the path of Cultivation.

"You are a scholar, but the world is not peaceful nowadays. You won’t just bury yourself in books; you’ll often have to go out to investigate and seek knowledge," Lei Jun said to Meng Shaojie. "Some methods to subjugate external evils also require Cultivation."

"Elder Lei is right. ’Reading thousands of books and traveling thousands of miles’ is the way for scholars like us," Meng Shaojie, now in his early thirties, replied. With age and experience, he had become even more composed. However, in front of a select few like Lei Jun and Xiao Chunhui, he was much more relaxed, as he had been in his student days. "Having been instructed by Mr. Xiao over the years, I have pondered some methods, and I have not neglected my original sword Cultivation. However, I seldom venture out, and my experience is somewhat lacking."

"No matter, it’s all honed bit by bit," Lei Jun gestured to Zhuo Baojie, who stood to the side.

Although Zhuo Baojie had the appearance of a bear, his gaze was steady, and he was meticulous in manner. He gave Meng Shaojie a Taoist salute. "If Young Scholar Meng doesn’t mind, I would be willing to exchange moves with you."

Meng Shaojie hurriedly returned the gesture, "Thank you, Elder Lei. I appreciate your trouble, Taoist Zhuo."

Without leaving the room, they began their sparring in the visitor’s chamber of Lianyun Temple. With Lei Jun nearby, they did not have to worry about causing damage or being affected by the outside world, allowing them to concentrate fully and fight without restraint.

In terms of Cultivation Realm, Meng Shaojie actually had a slight edge. His unique approach and contemplation of a new study had already benefited from the feedback of nature and the world. His talent in this new study was indeed exceptional. Combined with the profound foundation from his earlier studies and Qi Cultivating, among other factors, Meng Shaojie’s Cultivation progress was astonishingly rapid, far exceeding expectations.

Yet, his actual combat experience was indeed scant.

In this respect, Zhuo Baojie, despite his bear-like appearance and seeming seclusion on Dragon Tiger Mountain, was actually the opposite. Because of his gluttonous nature, he often sparred with his master and martial uncles...

On the other hand, the Talisman Sect of Dragon Tiger Mountain had been perfecting its magical heritage for many years, while Meng Shaojie was just starting out.

Thus, when it came to actual combat, Zhuo Baojie surprisingly gained the upper hand, putting the more highly cultivated Meng Shaojie in a difficult position. Especially when Zhuo Baojie frequently managed to close in quickly, Meng Shaojie momentarily seemed to be in imminent peril.

However, Meng Shaojie adapted quickly. As time passed, he gradually managed to hold his ground. Then, he began to fight back. Eventually, he started to turn the tables and even counteract his opponent.

Lei Jun watched quietly from the side, only occasionally interjecting a few words. But each time, Meng Shaojie seemed to have an epiphany, which in the actual fight translated to him continually improving his situation.

Indeed, a framework is already forming... Lei Jun nodded repeatedly.

Historical studies had not yet completely separated from Confucian Classical Studies, so Meng Shaojie’s current approach still resembled that of a Scholar Cultivator. With classics in mind and sword in hand, his Vast Integrity Qi connected internally and externally. It transformed into Sword Qi, augmenting his whole body. This made him capable in both attack and defense, effective at all ranges; his perceptual abilities, among other aspects, performed well, showing no apparent weaknesses.

In the past, as a sword-wielding Scholar Cultivator, Meng Shaojie’s performance couldn’t be called poor, but it was unexceptional and relatively mediocre. This was because he lacked one of the most important abilities of Confucian Scholars: the understanding and interpretation of the classics. As a result, his Vast Integrity Qi was difficult to gather.

Now, Meng Shaojie still wielded a sword, the Vast Integrity Qi flowing more smoothly and cohesively than before. However, the internal mechanisms were already somewhat different from those of Scholar Cultivators. In external Duels of Magic, he also differed from ordinary Scholar Cultivators.

Lei Jun, observing, had a basic understanding, which he could currently divide into three aspects:

First was discernment: the ability to unearth truths from minute details and perceive hidden secrets. This bore a striking similarity to the methods of Scholarly Cultivators of the Heavenly Principle; though the internal processes differed, the effects were similar. With this mystical ability, Meng Shaojie could more easily identify Zhuo Baojie’s martial errors and habitual patterns, thereby responding to and even deciphering them.

Second was excavation: this involved not only delving into the subtle mysteries within textual passages but also deeply probing and unearthing an opponent’s hidden aspects.