Conflict Arises, A War of Words

The Dragon Race patrol led by Ao Xin, accompanied by ten thousand acres of surging waves and formidable dragon might, finally came to a halt on the sea surface about a thousand feet from the perimeter of Myriad Dao Academy.

This distance was enough to fully display the might of the Dragon Race while stopping just at the edge of the academy's invisible Literary Radiance Dao Charm, appearing both provocative and slightly cautious.

The hundred-foot Red Dragon true form coiled atop the crest of the waves. Ao Xin lowered his massive dragon head slightly, his flaming dragon eyes sweeping over Xuanjizi and the others who stood suspended in the air outside the academy.

His gaze held undisguised scrutiny and contempt. He did not immediately take human form, seemingly feeling that facing these "insignificant" cultivators in his true form better highlighted the nobility and power of the Dragon Race.

"Are you the disciples of that Myriad Dao Academy?" Ao Xin's voice was like rolling thunder, carrying the unique pressure of the Dragon Race and causing ripples to spread across the sea.

It also struck at the minds of Xuanjizi and his companions. "Having seen this crown prince's patrol, why do you not come forward to pay your respects? Do you not understand the rules of etiquette?"

He opened with an attempt to suppress them with his status, directly pinning the label of "ignorant of etiquette" upon them with an extremely arrogant posture.

Caught in the center of the dragon might, Xuanjizi felt a scorching and heavy pressure rushing toward him. The literary energy within his body circulated spontaneously, and his Seeking Literary Heart emitted a clear radiance, dissolving the pressure into nothingness.

His expression remained unchanged; he did not appear humble because the other party was a Dragon Race crown prince, nor did he grow angry at the verbal provocation. He simply performed the traditional greeting of the Confucian Dao.

He cupped his hands, his voice clear and calm, carrying distinctly through the thunderous dragon roar:

"This humble Daoist is Xuanjizi, a disciple of Myriad Dao Academy. I was unaware of the crown prince's arrival and failed to welcome you in time.

However, this place is the dojo of Sage Wanhua and a place of tranquility for the academy. Since you have arrived with such a crowd, causing the waves to surge and exerting such oppressive might, may I ask the reason for your visit?"

His words were neither servile nor overbearing, pointing out that this was a Sage's dojo and that the other party had been rude first, while directly asking for their intent to steer the conversation back on track.

A flash of surprise crossed Ao Xin's dragon eyes. He had not expected the other party to be so calm under his dragon might, nor that their words would be so sharp, turning the tables on him.

He snorted coldly, his voice rolling out: "The reason? This crown prince is on a routine patrol of the East Sea, monitoring all directions. This is the territory of the East Sea, so naturally, I can come here!

As for you, having established a dojo here, did you report it to my Dragon Palace? Do you know the rules of the East Sea?"

He avoided the important points to dwell on the trivial, positioning himself as the hegemon of the East Sea to question the "legitimacy" of the academy's presence.

At this moment, Elder Teng stepped forward, his aged voice carrying a power that smoothed out the agitation: "Your Highness, the Primordial Land is vast and boundless.

Immortal islands overseas have existed since ancient times and are mostly ownerless lands. We established this academy here under the orders of the Sage to spread the Dao, teach, and educate living beings. We have never heard that we needed to 'report' to anyone.

For you to make such a grand display of force and loom over our academy gates, I fear this is not the way to treat guests, nor is it where 'etiquette' resides."

Elder Teng used the concepts of "existing since ancient times" and "ownerless land" to refute the claim regarding territory.

He then clarified the academy's purpose by mentioning "educating living beings," and finally pointed out once more that the other party lacked "etiquette," his words gentle yet arguing based on reason.

"Etiquette?" Ao Xin acted as if he had heard the greatest joke, raising his dragon head and letting out a thunderous laugh. "Hahaha! In this East Sea, my Dragon Race is etiquette!

The words of my Dragon Race are the rules! You gather here to practice this unclear, so-called 'Confucian Dao,' stirring up the energy of the East Sea—that is breaking the greatest rule of the East Sea!"

The barbarism and tyranny in his words were fully exposed; he did not bother with reason at all, choosing instead to define right and wrong through power.

Yun Xi, the Antlered Maiden who had been standing quietly behind Xuanjizi, could not help but summon her courage upon hearing the other party slander the Sage's Dao Lineage. She said crisply: "Your Highness is mistaken!

Our Confucian Dao is personally passed down by the Sage. To Clear Heart, See Nature and have Literature carry the Dao is a righteous and grand path. How can it be 'unclear'?

For you to slander us without understanding, is that the behavior of a gentleman?"

Her heart was simple; she merely felt that the other party had insulted her Dao Lineage and spoke up to refute him, not realizing that these words sounded even more grating to Ao Xin.

"Presumptuous!" Ao Xin's dragon eyes widened, and an even more scorching dragon might pressed toward Yun Xi like a volcanic eruption. "A mere junior, and you dare to discuss what a gentleman is?

Why should I explain my actions to you! Your Confucian Dao is nothing but a petty trick to wag your tongues and bewitch people. Is it worthy of being called a Great Dao?"

Seeing that he could not gain much advantage in the verbal exchange and having been contradicted by this "junior" Yun Xi, his inner anger surged. His words became increasingly mean-spirited, directly disparaging the foundation of the Confucian Dao.

Once these words were spoken, the expressions of Xuanjizi, Elder Teng, and the others sank. They could tolerate personal insults, but insulting the Sage's Dao Lineage touched their bottom line.

Xuanjizi took a deep breath, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. He no longer entangled himself in the details and instead said loudly: "Your Highness, the Great Dao exists in heaven and earth and manifests in all things; it cannot be defined by the words of one family.

As for the nature of our Confucian Dao, there is a public consensus, and it cannot be denied by a few words from Your Highness.

If you are truly patrolling the sea, our academy will treat you with courtesy; if you wish to discuss the Dao, you may enter and speak; if you only wish to show off your tongue and display your might, please forgive us for being unable to accompany you!"

His words were clear, dissecting the other party's intent and offering a choice. His posture was neither servile nor overbearing, implicitly signaling for them to leave.

"What a sharp-tongued junior!"

Ao Xin laughed out of extreme anger, his massive dragon tail slamming against the sea surface, kicking up towering waves that nearly splashed onto the perimeter of the academy. "I would like to see what this 'Literature carries the Dao' of yours can do.

Besides wagging your tongues, what other skills do you have! Today, I will let you know what true power is!"

Verbal disputes could no longer quell Ao Xin's anger and arrogance. At this moment, the conflict slid from a clash of words to the edge of a clash of power.

The vast dragon might and the upright Literary Radiance Dao Charm formed an invisible confrontation between the sea and the sky, the atmosphere tense and ready to snap!