Chapter 1469: Theory of the Universe

He knows my father?

Confused, Ye Guan stepped into the study. It was a small room with three walls of bookshelves. The books looked old and worn. Some even had peeling covers, having clearly endured the test of time.

Ye Guan's gaze landed on a man with white hair and a beard. The man was dressed in a bright red robe and was seated behind a desk, staring at Ye Guan with a gentle smile that made him appear kind and approachable.

After escorting Ye Guan in, Xuan Ru turned around and left.

Ye Guan looked at the old man. "Senior, you know my father?"

"Yes."

Ye Guan was puzzled.

"Have a seat," the old man said kindly.

Ye Guan sat across the desk, and the old man continued, "I didn't know he was your father. But I knew from the moment I saw you. You look just like him."

𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Ye Guan breathed a sigh of relief. The old man hadn't discovered his Mad Demon Bloodline. Clearly, Master Pagoda's concealment technique was still strong enough. It was great that it had yet to be rendered obsolete.

Academy Chief Fan said. "You're probably wondering how I came to know your father."

Ye Guan nodded.

"Your father once visited our academy. He said he wanted to understand our academy better. So I gave him a tour, and we chatted."

"What did you two talk about?"

"Order."

Ye Guan grew even more curious.

Upon seeing the anticipation in Ye Guan's eyes, Academy Chief Fan laughed. "I found it strange at the time. He didn't follow the Dao Order, yet he was deeply interested in it. Now I understand. It was because of you."

Ye Guan smiled. "May I ask what you two talked about, specifically?"

Academy Chief Fan looked at Ye Guan seriously. "I have a question first, and I want you to answer me honestly."

"Ask away."

"If someone else has a better idea of an Order than yours, would you still try to change them?"

Ye Guan didn't hesitate and shook his head. "No."

Academy Chief Fan stared at him without speaking.

"Senior, I don't seek to establish an order for the sake of it. Just like how I came to the Main Universe... I'm here not to conquer it, but because I had no choice. Do you understand where I'm coming from?"

"What about those who are weaker than you but are unwilling to follow your order?"

Ye Guan laughed. "Academy Chief Fan, I think it is meaningless to discuss hypotheticals. First of all, no one can sway me off this path. Secondly, the Main Universe is ruled by strength, not reason.

"I believe this is also true in every civilization. If I want reason to be respected, I must first become someone who is respected through strength."

Ye Guan looked straight at Academy Chief Fan, saying, "I don't know what you're trying to say, but here's how I see it. I have no grudge against the Brahma Heaven Kingdom, but from what I know, it seems that the Brahma Heaven Kingdom has already entered the game, which is clearly targeted at taking me down.

"If I lose, then everything ends here. But if I win, do you really think I'll come back and reason with the Brahma Heaven Kingdom? Respect your ideals? No. If the Brahma Heaven Kingdom refuses to submit, then it must be destroyed."

Academy Chief Fan fell silent.

Ye Guan added, "Right now, I'm willing to reason with the Brahma Heaven Kingdom so that we can coexist in peace. But is your Brahma Heaven Kingdom willing to listen to me?"

Ye Guan shook his head. "Senior, these conversations are meaningless. No matter what is discussed, everything is ultimately decided by strength. And frankly, you don't have the power to speak on behalf of the Brahma Heaven Kingdom."

Academy Chief Fan simply smiled. "Don't get so fired up."

"Academy Chief Fan, do you know how many people are targeting me right now? Forget it. Talking about these is a waste of time. I just want to know more about my father. He wouldn't have come here just for a visit."

"Your father and I discussed about order. We talked for a long time. He shared that he had a son who was establishing order. He knew it would be difficult, but he believed you could do it," Academy Chief Fan responded.

Ye Guan was silent for a long time before asking, "What else did the two of you talk about?"

"He asked if I were interested in your order. If I were, then we could discuss it when you get here. But now it seems that you don't want to talk about it."

Ye Guan suddenly stood up. He wasn't planning to leave. Instead, he bowed and said, "I was rude earlier. Please forgive me."

He now understood that if his father treated someone this respectfully, it meant that they were no ordinary person. His father had been building goodwill for him!

Academy Chief Fan wasn't angry at all. "Hahaha. No need to apologize. You were speaking the truth. Firstly, you were right when you said that I can't represent the Brahma Heaven Kingdom. Secondly, I agree that power is the deciding factor in everything.

"But..." Academy Chief Fan shifted the topic, saying, "I don't really involve myself in politics. Over the years, I've been focusing entirely on cosmology. Another topic I discussed with your father was whether diversity or unity was better for the universe."

"Which do you think is better?"

"I'd like to hear your thoughts first."

Ye Guan replied, "I think there's no need to fixate on diversity or unity. Whatever benefits the beings of the universe is the best choice."

Academy Chief Fan laughed. "That's your honest opinion?"

"Yes."

Academy Chief Fan stood up and walked to the bookshelf. He retrieved a thick, ancient book, dusted it off, and handed it to Ye Guan. With two hands, Ye Guan accepted it. The cover had four large words that said, "Theory of the Universe."

Ye Guan was surprised.

"I spent nearly ten thousand years writing this book. It contains the laws and orders of countless civilizations and universes. I've also included the advantages and disadvantages of their Order. This should be helpful to you."

Ye Guan immediately bowed. "Thank you."

After a while, Ye Guan asked again, "Did my father say anything else?"

"He did, but I don't intend to tell you that."

Ye Guan nodded. "Regardless, I appreciate it."

"Go on!" Academy Chief Fan said with a smile.

Ye Guan bowed again and left with the book in his hand.

Left all alone, a complicated light flashed in Academy Chief Fan's eyes. "So he's your chosen one, little girl."

Upon being reminded of his clever student, a smile spread across his face. She was his best disciple!

***

After leaving the study, Ye Guan opened the book titled "Theory of the Universe." His expression quickly grew tense. The book detailed the rise and fall of nearly ten thousand different universe civilizations. Some fell to natural disasters, but most were destroyed by internal strife.

In short, Ye Guan realized that no Order could last forever.

Order would eventually crumble.

Ye Guan stood silently outside the grand hall. Every page told of the birth and death of civilizations far greater and more powerful than his Guanxuan Universe. They had more refined systems, but they all fell apart eventually.

In most cases, the reason behind their fall was power. Power would always make people arrogant and greedy.

Ye Guan closed the book. Though it didn't contain any cultivation techniques or divine spells, it was now one of the most important things he possessed.

Thanks to Sui Gujin, the order and laws of the Guanxuan Universe were improved, but it was still far from perfect. New problems would surely emerge during its development.

Fortunately, Ye Guan now had a reference and a warning for Guanxuan Universe's development.

While Ye Guan was deep in thought, Xuan Ru approached him with a smile, asking, "Brother Ye, how was your chat with Academy Chief Fan?"

"Brother Ru, could you tell me more about Academy Chief Fan?" Ye Guan asked.

"Academy Chief Fan is a friend of my master and someone who keeps a very low profile. He focuses entirely on teaching and does not take part in the government affairs of the kingdom. Despite that, his students are everywhere in the Main Universe."

Ye Guan looked at him in surprise.

Xuan Ru nodded. "Yes, not just the Brahma Heaven Kingdom, but the entire Main Universe. Thanks to him, the Imperial Academy became the top academy in the Main Universe.

"He built it from the ground up and trained countless geniuses. He even helped refine its laws. The ruler of the Brahma Heaven Kingdom trusts him deeply."

Ye Guan looked at Xuan Ru and asked, "Brother Ru, do you have a shot at becoming the next Grand Preceptor of the Brahma Heaven Kingdom?"

Xuan Ru was silent for a while, and then he responded, "Everyone thinks I'm next in line because I'm my master's only disciple, but I know better. I will never become the Grand Preceptor."

"Why not?" Ye Guan was curious.

"I'm not strong enough. I'm far from it."

Ye Guan patted him on the shoulder and reassured him. "I understand how you feel. I once wanted to surpass my father and grandfather, too. And I know just how hard that is. But hey, the harder it is, the more meaningful it'll be. Right?"

Xuan Ru looked at him.

Ye Guan continued softly, "Your master sent you to follow me for two reasons. You understand the first one better than I do, so I won't say it. The second reason is this—he wants you to understand that you can only earn the right to doubt yourself after you've tried for it."

With that, Ye Guan turned around and walked away.

Xuan Ru stood in silence.

Just then, Tutor Mu Jin approached Ye Guan. "Academy Master Ye, I have something to discuss with you."

"Please go ahead."

"Zhu Chen is exceptional. We hope that he can remain at the Imperial Academy. Honestly, I believe he would have a brighter future if he stayed here. Surely, you wouldn't stand in the way of his development, right?"