Beneath the Heavenly Dao, the Confucian Dao Sharpens Its Edge

Hongjun Unites with Dao, and the Heavenly Dao is perfected.

This newborn power of Order, covering every corner of the Primordial Era, was not a violent tsunami.

Instead, it was like a silent, soaking tide, quietly altering the foundations of the world. For the Myriad Dao Academy, this change was particularly evident and profound.

Invisible shackles, subtle influence.

The most direct impact was reflected in the daily cultivation of the disciples.

In the past, academy disciples drew upon Literary Qi and comprehended principles by relying more on the resonance between their own Literary Heart and the natural Dao rhymes of "wisdom" and "order" present in the heavens and earth.

But now, every circulation of Literary Qi and every deduction of principles felt as if it had to pass through an invisible, dense "filter." This filter was the perfected Order of the Heavenly Dao.

It did not forbid the cultivation of the Literary Dao; rather, it naturally and continuously infused the concepts of the Mystic Gate Immortal Path and the established rules and values of the Heavenly Dao.

It permeated and projected into the minds of the practitioners. As disciples studied the classics, corresponding supreme principles of the Heavenly Dao would involuntarily surface in their minds;

When unleashing "Tongue-and-Sword," they would vaguely sense a latent prompt to "comply with Heaven's Will and never defy the Heavenly Mandate";

Even when condensing a Literary Heart or constructing a Literary Palace, the Order of the Heavenly Dao would act like an omnipresent "standard template."

It subtly influenced their form and direction, causing them to unconsciously lean toward a path that better "conformed" to the norms of the Heavenly Dao.

This was a gentle yet pervasive assimilation!

Several Registered Disciples with weaker wills, after persisting for over a month, were horrified to discover that their own Literary Qi had become tainted with a trace of Immortal Spirit Qi that was difficult to dispel.

The radiance of their Literary Hearts also took on a bit of the "Clear Light" approved by the Heavenly Dao; although their cultivation speed seemed to increase.

Yet, they felt with terror that their understanding of certain core concepts of the Confucian Dao (such as "Control the Heavenly Mandate and Use It" and "Man Can Conquer Nature") was becoming blurred, and they even began to harbor doubts!

In the end, whether actively or passively, they gradually deviated from the pure Confucian Dao, turning to cultivate or even prioritize the Mystic Gate Dharma Techniques that were more "favored" by the Heavenly Dao.

The loss of talent and the wavering of the Dao Heart became the first major trial faced by the academy.

Deep cultivation of Yi principles, seeking a path of survival.

Facing such a situation, Xuanjizi and the others felt the pressure mount, yet their determination to seek a way out by relying on their own principles only grew firmer.

He devoted his primary energy to the deep excavation of the "The Unchanging Change" realm of principles.

Under the guidance of Wanhua, Xuanjizi realized that one could not simply use the principles of "Yi" for passive defense or temporary stillness.

It was even more necessary to actively utilize its core of "Change" and "Unchanging" to analyze, adapt to, and even, to a certain extent, "utilize" these perfected rules of the Heavenly Dao.

He led Mingxin and other disciples skilled in deduction to open a "Heaven Gazing Pavilion" in the depths of the academy, using the principles of "Yi" to deduce the laws of the Heavenly Dao's operation day and night.

They discovered that although the Heavenly Dao was perfected, its operation was not monolithic; there still existed "variables" such as the waxing and waning of yin and yang, the cycle of cause and effect, and the rise and fall of fortune.

Just like the most precise clock, it had its inherent frequency of vibration and observable gaps.

"The Heavenly Dao has its constants, but 'Yi' is ceaseless." Xuanjizi gained an insight, "We need not oppose the 'constants' of the Heavenly Dao, but should move in accordance with its 'changes'."

"In the gaps of the Heavenly Dao's rules, in the troughs of the flow of fortune, lies the 'vitality' where our Confucian Dao principles can take root and manifest!"

They began to attempt to adjust the daily rhythm of the academy.

During certain hours when the pressure of the Heavenly Dao slightly diminished and the flow of energy leaned toward "humanities" and "wisdom," they concentrated on important lectures and breakthroughs;

While during times when the rules of the Heavenly Dao were manifest and order was strict, they focused on the accumulation of basic Literary Qi and the "action" of practice.

Xuanjizi even began to make initial attempts to integrate a trace of his understanding of the Heavenly Dao's "variables" into his own Literary Palace.

This allowed him to, to a certain extent, "resonate" with the fluctuations of the Heavenly Dao's rules, reducing rejection and increasing cultivation efficiency.

This was undoubtedly a perilous path, like walking on thin ice; a moment of carelessness could lead to total assimilation by the Heavenly Dao.

But under the protection of Wanhua and the cautious leadership of Xuanjizi, the core heritage of the academy finally managed to hold its ground under this omnipresent pressure of assimilation.

They struggled to maintain their footing and began to explore a unique path of "coexistence" rather than "confrontation" with the Heavenly Dao.

Wanhua makes his move, laying out a plan for eternity.

Within the Chaos Space, Wanhua's gaze was not limited to the corner of the academy.

He knew well that relying solely on passive defense and internal adjustments would not last long. He had to place his pieces on a broader board to secure space for the survival and development of the Confucian Dao.

His first piece was placed upon reincarnation.

Taking advantage of the window when the Heavenly Dao's Order had not yet fully solidified in the early stages of the union and some ancient rules were still being adjusted, Wanhua used his immense magical power and profound understanding of the essence of the soul.

He quietly scattered "Seeds of Principle" containing the core concepts of the Confucian Dao, like specks of dust, toward the souls sinking in the Sea of Blood.

This place would later be where Ancestral Witch Houtu would transform into the cycle of reincarnation; he needed to bury some contingencies to increase his leverage.

These seeds did not forcibly change the rules of reincarnation, but acted as a latent "inclination."

They influenced the reincarnation trajectories of those souls with a natural affinity for "order," "wisdom," and "benevolence."

This would make it easier for them to resonate with the Confucian Dao in the future, or even possess a bit of literary endowment while still in their ignorance. This was the foundation for ten thousand generations; though the effects were slow, the influence would be profound.

His second piece concerned civilization.

Through his divine sense, he sent a revelation to Xuanjizi, encouraging those disciples who had stabilized their Literary Palaces and possessed firm wills to, during their travels of "Unity of Knowledge and Action,"

No longer limit themselves to governing the environment or mediating disputes, but to attempt to integrate the simple concepts of the Confucian Dao (such as Respect the Old and Love the Young, Integrity and Keeping Promises, Diligent Study and Self-Cultivation, etc.).

In the most primitive way, they were to sow these into the tribes of Houtian Beings who were still in a state of ignorance. Without establishing scriptures or passing on supernatural powers, they would only sow the sparks of civilization.

These sparks could not directly produce powerful cultivators, but they could subtly alter the temperament of living beings, winning the broadest foundation of recognition for Confucian Dao ideals among the grassroots.

In the future, this might form the fortune of "Humanity Dao," creating a subtle check and balance against the "Heavenly Dao."

His third point was directed at the variable itself.

Wanhua, from the Primordial Chaos Realm, silently deduced the major nodes of the Primordial Era's future.

He noted that although the Heavenly Dao was set, the baleful energy of the Witch-Demon War had not dissipated; instead, it was accelerating and brewing under a clearer order.

The Formless Heavenly Demons that had been startled away would certainly not be reconciled to failure; even the Dragon Race, forced into submission, harbored resentment that had not truly been eliminated...

These future calamities and turmoils were troubles for the Heavenly Dao, which required a stable order, but for the Confucian Dao, which needed to seek vitality within the cracks of that order.

Perhaps they were the very opportunities to stir the situation and strive for the initiative. He began to consciously guide the academy to accumulate strength and cultivate the ability to deal with complex situations.

Internal strife and external threats began to emerge.

However, just as Wanhua was secretly laying out his plans, new trouble had already come knocking.

On this day, a cultivator dressed in Mystic Gate Daoist robes, holding a jade talisman and wreathed in Clear Light, arrived on a cloud at the periphery of Myriad Dao Academy. His voice was arrogant as he conveyed the "Heavenly Court Edict":

"By the decree of His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor, I am here to patrol the Primordial Era and organize its order. Myriad Dao Academy is located in the East Sea and educates the region, which is a virtuous act.

However, it has been observed that the Daoist methods you teach differ significantly from the orthodox Mystic Gate Immortal Path of the Primordial Era, which may disturb the order of the Heavenly Dao and confuse the minds of all beings.

You are hereby ordered to submit the core scriptures of your taught methods to the Heavenly Court for filing and review within a set time limit. Do not fail to comply!"

The visitor was none other than a newly appointed "Sky Patrol Immortal Official" of the Demon Race Heavenly Court! Dijun and Taiyi had established the Heavenly Court to rule over the Primordial Era, and naturally, they intended to bring all "extraordinary" powers under their jurisdiction.

The distinct Dao Lineage of Myriad Dao Academy was the first to bear the brunt of this.

Meanwhile, inside the academy, the "Huiming" cultivator from the Western Sect often had a flash of struggle in his eyes after sensing the perfection of the Heavenly Dao.

Although he identified with some of the Confucian Dao's concepts, his roots remained more deeply connected to the Way of the West.

At this moment, under the order of the Heavenly Dao and the faint summons coming from his Western Sect, he fell into deep hesitation, and his very existence became a potential destabilizing factor for the academy.

There was internal weighing and struggle, and external coercion from the Heavenly Court.

Under the Heavenly Dao, the small boat that was Myriad Dao Academy had not yet fully stabilized from the turbulent waves of the Unite with Dao event before it encountered new storms.

Could Xuanjizi properly deal with the envoy from the Heavenly Court? Where would "Huiming" go from here?

When would Wanhua's many layouts show their effectiveness? The path of Dao contention was filled with thorns at every step, testing the wisdom and courage of every person in the academy who held fast to their beliefs.