This chapter examines the choices and development of university spirit within the context of modern Chinese civil society. It explores how universities navigated the tension between traditional Chinese values and Western influences, reflecting the broader societal challenges of modernization. The chapter emphasizes the role of universities in shaping cultural identity and fostering intellectual independence during a time of national transformation. It also discusses the mechanisms through which the modern university spirit evolved, including the interaction between individual elements (such as specific events, individuals, and institutions) and the formation of a comprehensive whole (a shared consensus among universities). The focus is on how universities contributed to the construction of civil society by integrating diverse cultural and intellectual traditions.