Immortal Official at the Door

The arrival of the Heavenly Court immortal official was like a boulder cast into a calm lake, instantly shattering the brief tranquility the Myriad Dao Academy had enjoyed since surviving the Calamity.

The Sky Patrol Immortal Official held a jade talisman, his body wreathed in a Clear Light that resonated subtly with the Order of the Heavenly Dao, exuding an air of authority that represented the "Orthodox."

His arrogant attitude and unquestionable commands caused many of the rogue cultivators lingering on the outskirts of the academy, still contemplating the Wenhua, to feel a sense of palpitations.

Xuanjizi responded, neither servile nor overbearing.

Upon hearing the news, Xuanjizi immediately led Elder Teng, Jin Li, and several other Core Disciples to meet the official outside the academy gates.

His expression was calm; he did not show subservience because the other party represented the Heavenly Court, nor did he grow angry at the official's haughty words. Instead, he followed etiquette, cupping his hands and saying, "This poor Daoist, Xuanjizi, is the First Disciple of the academy.

I was unaware of the official's arrival and failed to welcome you properly. Regarding the 'registration and review' you mentioned, please forgive my dullness, as I require further clarification."

Seeing that Xuanjizi possessed an extraordinary bearing and no weak cultivation, the official reined in his contempt slightly, though his tone remained rigid: "I am the Right Spirit Official of the Heavenly Court's Sky Patrol Department.

I act under the orders of His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor and His Majesty the Eastern Emperor to organize the Order of the Primordial Era. The Dao Lineage taught by your Myriad Dao Academy is called the 'Confucian Dao,' yet its principles and divine abilities.

All differ greatly from the Mystic Gate Orthodoxy. If this continues, it may lead to divergent paths and disrupt the Heavenly Dao Principles.

Therefore, you must submit your core scriptures to the Heavenly Court for review by the various Heavenly Venerables and Great Powers, who will determine if they conform to the Orthodox Heavenly Dao Law before deciding if you may continue to propagate your Dao."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the restrained yet extraordinary Wenhua aura of the academy.

He added, "This is the law of the Heavenly Court and a necessity for maintaining the stability of the Primordial Era. If you truly incline toward the righteous path, you shall obey the commands of the Heavenly Court."

As these words fell, Elder Teng and the others showed signs of indignation. To hand over their core scriptures was no different from allowing others to dissect and judge the very foundation of their Dao Lineage, placing their life and death in the hands of another!

This was no simple registration; it was naked intimidation and the prelude to forced assimilation.

Xuanjizi felt a chill in his heart, but he knew he could not resist head-on at this moment. His expression remained unchanged as he said slowly, "We understand the official's intent.

The Heavenly Court governs the Primordial Era and organizes the Order, which is the trend of the Great Dao, and our academy feels a deep sense of agreement.

However, the method of our Confucian Dao was created by our mentor, Sage Wanhua, through observing the principles of heaven and earth and the changes in humanities. It emphasizes cultivating the heart and clarifying one's nature, using literature to carry the Dao.

Its purpose is to educate living beings and enlighten wisdom. While our path differs from the Mystic Gate Immortal Path, the 'Dao' we seek is the ultimate truth of heaven and earth, with no intention of defying the Heavenly Dao."

He first affirmed the authority and responsibility of the Heavenly Court, pointing out that the purpose of the Confucian Dao was not to rebel.

Then, he shifted the tone: "As for the core scriptures, they are the lifeblood of our mentor and the foundation upon which our academy stands. They concern the very root of our inheritance and are of extraordinary importance.

Whether to submit them is not a decision we disciples can make; we must request the decree of the Sage.

Furthermore, the Dao is profound. Without personal cultivation and an understanding of its essence, one may struggle to grasp its depths. Relying solely on the written text may lead to misunderstandings.

Could the official grant us some time to report this to the Sage and provide you with a reply later?"

His response was reasonable and well-founded, neither servile nor overbearing.

He had neither directly refused and angered the Heavenly Court, nor had he failed to cleverly shift the decision-making power to the Sage Wanhua behind him.

At the same time, he highlighted the key point that "the Dao cannot be lightly transmitted, nor can it be lightly judged by outsiders," buying himself a buffer period.

The Sky Patrol Immortal Official frowned upon hearing this.

He naturally knew of the existence of Sage Wanhua, a Primordial existence that even the Dao Ancestor could not handle before uniting with the Dao.

He was certainly not someone a minor immortal official could force. His visit was more of a probe and a show of pressure than a genuine expectation of obtaining the scriptures immediately.

"Hmph, since you must consult the Sage, I shall grant you some time," the official said, his tone softening slightly but still carrying a warning. "However, the laws of the Heavenly Court cannot be ignored.

You have a one-month deadline. If there is no clear reply after one month, or if the Sage does not permit it, do not blame the Heavenly Court for acting according to the law. At that time, whether it be sealing the mountain or dispersing your sect, it shall be decided by the Heavenly Law!"

Having said this, he spoke no more, mounted his cloud light, and departed as a streak of clear radiance. Yet, the invisible pressure had already weighed heavily upon the heart of every academy disciple.

Huiming's choice, the question of staying or leaving.

With the external pressure temporarily eased, internal ripples began to stir.

The arrival of the Sky Patrol Immortal Official and those remarks regarding "Daoist Orthodoxy" and "conforming to the Heavenly Dao" were like the final straw that broke the long-standing balance in Huiming's heart.

That night, Huiming stood alone by the Purple Bamboo Forest on the outskirts of the academy.

Gazing at the moon above, which appeared exceptionally cold and bright under the perfect order of the Heavenly Dao, his face was filled with struggle and pain.

He came from the West, burdened by the orders of his master, originally sent to investigate, learn from, and perhaps even "fatedly" convert the talented youths of the East.

During his time at the Myriad Dao Academy, he had indeed been attracted by the concepts of "heart and nature," "wisdom," and "benevolence and forgiveness" within the Confucian Dao.

In particular, the states of "Unity of Knowledge and Action" and "the Unchanging Change" had shown him another possibility—one that was completely different from the Western path of Nirvana and transcendence, yet subtly complementary.

The atmosphere of the academy was peaceful, and his fellow disciples were kind; he was not without attachment.

However, with the Dao Ancestor uniting with the Dao and the Heavenly Dao reaching perfection, although the Two Sages of the West had not yet become Sages, they were still the orthodox Mystic Gate, destined to occupy a place under the order of the Heavenly Dao.

As a disciple of the West, his roots lay there.

To remain in the academy meant not only drifting further away from his future sect and the grand trend of the Heavenly Dao, but also potentially facing repercussions due to his status as an "Anomaly." The words of the Heavenly Court official had served as a reminder of their differing stances.

Should he hold fast to the "truth" and the potential new Dao he felt here, or return to the destined prosperity of his sect and the "Orthodox"?

His heart was in fierce conflict; Huiming's figure flickered in the moonlight, his aura in disarray.

Finally, he let out a long sigh, a flash of resolution and guilt crossing his eyes. He bowed deeply toward the core of the academy and sent a message filled with apology to Xuanjizi via his divine sense.

Immediately, his figure turned into a faint, ethereal stream of light, and under the cover of night, he quietly left the Myriad Dao Academy, heading toward the West.

His departure did not cause much of a stir, yet it felt like a thorn pricking the hearts of Xuanjizi and the other Core Disciples.

This signaled that under the future pressure of the Heavenly Dao Order and the Mystic Gate Orthodoxy, the academy might face more such talent attrition and wavering convictions.

Xuanjizi sets the strategy: using stillness to control movement.

The next day, Xuanjizi informed the fellow Core Disciples of Huiming's departure, and everyone fell into silence.

Elder Teng sighed, "Everyone has their own aspirations; one cannot force them. But once this precedent is set, I fear it will shake those with less firm resolve."

Xuanjizi's gaze swept across the group as he said in a deep voice, "Junior Brother Huiming's departure is his own choice, but it is also a warning to us.

The grand trend of the Heavenly Dao and the Mystic Gate Orthodoxy exert real and undeniable pressure. However, the more this is the case, the more we must remain steadfast!

When there is pressure from without, I shall consolidate our foundations; when there is wavering from within, I shall clarify our principles and rectify our hearts!"

He set the strategy:

First, delay externally. Using the excuse of "needing to consult the Sage," he would temporarily stabilize the Heavenly Court and buy time.

At the same time, he and several disciples gifted with eloquence and well-versed in the Mystic Gate classics would begin preparing a "position paper" to deal with the scrutiny.

The focus would be to elaborate that the Confucian Dao and the Heavenly Dao Order are not opposites, but rather different perspectives on the ultimate truths of heaven and earth.

They might even be complementary on certain levels, attempting to carve out room for survival through logical argument.

Second, consolidate internally. Strengthen the preaching and debates within the academy, especially emphasizing the fundamental principles and unique value of the Confucian Dao.

Rekindle the disciples' faith. At the same time, make the "Heart-Questioning" assessment stricter to ensure that new disciples have sufficiently firm character.

Third, accelerate the application of the theory of "Change." Fully promote the deductions of the Heaven Gazing Pavilion, striving to find ways to cultivate and spread the Confucian Dao more effectively under the Heavenly Dao Order as soon as possible.

Undercurrents: The Dragon Race stirs.

Just as the academy was going all out to deal with the pressure from the Heavenly Court and internal turmoil, no one noticed.

Near the deep East Sea Sea Eye, several highly concealed figures of the Dragon Race were gathering quietly.

They were taking advantage of the chaotic energy of the Sea Eye and the gaps where the new Heavenly Dao Order had not yet fully covered every detail.

"The Heavenly Court... has also started to move against that academy..." A low, cold draconic voice rang out, filled with suppressed excitement and resentment.

"Good! Very good! Let them fight! The harder they fight, the better!"

Another voice was full of hatred, "Although our Dragon Race is temporarily avoiding the limelight, our hatred has not faded!

When they are both battered and exhausted... that will be the time for us to take back everything that belongs to the Dragon Race!"

"The seal of the Chasm of Guixu is becoming increasingly unstable... perhaps we can use that Power of Annihilation one more time..."

Insidious schemes were quietly brewing on the dark seabed.

Myriad Dao Academy, this "Anomaly" struggling to survive in the new landscape of the Primordial Era, had already become the focal point of a power struggle between multiple factions.

With the pressure of the Heavenly Court in front, internal hidden worries behind, and the Dragon Race and Outer Demonic Thoughts lurking in the shadows.

Can Xuanjizi lead the academy through these layers of crisis to find a path to survival?

When will the various arrangements of Sage Wanhua reveal the power to turn the tide? The Dao Struggle is a game of treacherous winds and clouds, with every step fraught with danger.