The arrival of a Heavenly Court immortal official was like a massive stone dropped into a tranquil lake, instantly shattering Myriad Dao Academy's brief peace after surviving the calamity.
The "Sky Patrol Immortal Official" held a jade talisman, Clear Light around him faintly resonating with Heavenly Dao Order. He naturally carried an imposing aura that represented "orthodoxy."
His arrogant attitude and unquestionable command made many Rogue Cultivators outside the Academy, still comprehending Wenhua, feel their hearts tremble.
Xuanjizi Responds Neither Humbly Nor Arrogantly
Upon receiving the news, Xuanjizi immediately led Elder Teng, Jin Li, and several other Core Disciples to greet him outside the Academy's mountain gate.
His expression was calm. He did not appear humble merely because the other party represented the Heavenly Court, nor did he grow angry at the man's arrogant words. He simply cupped his hands according to etiquette and said, "This humble Daoist is Xuanjizi, the Academy's First Disciple.
"Unaware of the immortal official's arrival, I failed to welcome you properly. As for the matter of 'filing for review' that you mentioned earlier, this humble Daoist is slow-witted and would appreciate your instruction."
Seeing that Xuanjizi possessed extraordinary bearing and considerable cultivation, the immortal official slightly reined in his disdain, though his tone remained forceful. "I am the Right Spirit Official of the Heavenly Court's Sky Patrol Department.
"By the order of His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor and His Majesty the Eastern Emperor, I have come to sort out 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
differ greatly from Mystic Gate Orthodoxy. If this continues, it may lead to a misguided path and disrupt the Heavenly Dao Principles.
"Therefore, you must submit your core scriptures to the Heavenly Court for review by the various Celestial Venerables and Great Powers. Only after they determine whether they conform to Orthodox Heavenly Dao Law may it be decided whether you may continue teaching the Dao."
He paused, his gaze sweeping across the Academy's restrained yet still extraordinary Wenhua aura.
He added, "This is the law of the Heavenly Court and a necessity for maintaining the stability of the Primordial Era. If your hearts are set upon the righteous path, you should obey the Heavenly Court's command."
At those words, Elder Teng and the others showed anger. Handing over their core scriptures was no different from allowing others to dissect and judge the foundation of their Dao Lineage. Their very survival would be placed in others' hands!
This was no simple registration. It was naked intimidation and the prelude to annexation.
Xuanjizi's heart also turned cold, but he knew he absolutely could not confront them head-on at this moment. His expression did not change as he slowly said, "We understand the immortal official's meaning.
"The Heavenly Court governs the Primordial Era and sorts out its order. This is the trend of the age, and our Academy deeply agrees with it.
"However, the methods of our Confucian Dao were created by our master, Sage Wanhua, after observing the principles of heaven and earth and examining the changes in the Humanities. They emphasize cultivating the heart and illuminating one's nature, using literature to carry the Dao.
"Their purpose is to educate living beings and enlighten wisdom. Though their path differs from the Mystic Gate Immortal Path, the 'Dao' they seek is the ultimate principle of heaven and earth. There is no intention to defy the Heavenly Dao."
He first affirmed the Heavenly Court's authority and made clear that the Confucian Dao's purpose was not rebellion.
Then he changed the subject. "As for the core scriptures, they are our master's life's work and the foundation upon which our Academy stands. They concern the roots of our inheritance and are no trivial matter.
"Whether they may be submitted is not something we disciples can decide. We must seek the Sage's decree.
"Moreover, the Dao's methods are profound and mysterious. Those who have not personally cultivated them and grasped their essence may find it difficult to glimpse their depths. Relying solely on the words of the scriptures may lead to misunderstanding.
"Could the immortal official grant us some time to report this matter to the Sage before giving our answer?"
His response was logical and well-founded, neither humble nor arrogant.
He had neither directly refused and angered the Heavenly Court nor cleverly shifted the decision to Sage Wanhua behind him.
At the same time, he pointed out the key issue: the Dao could not be lightly transmitted, nor could outsiders lightly judge it. This bought them time to maneuver.
The Sky Patrol Immortal Official frowned slightly upon hearing this.
He naturally knew of Sage Wanhua's existence, a Hunyuan being whom even the Dao Ancestor had been unable to do anything about before he Unite with Dao.
He was certainly not someone a mere immortal official could coerce. His visit had been more about probing and applying pressure than truly expecting to obtain the scriptures at once.
"Hmph. Since you must seek the Sage's instructions, I will grant you some time." The immortal official's tone softened slightly, but it still carried a warning. "However, the laws of the Heavenly Court cannot be ignored.
"You have one month. If there is no clear reply after one month, or if the Sage's will does not permit it, do not blame the Heavenly Court for acting according to the law. Whether the mountain is sealed or you are dispersed will be decided by Heavenly Law!"
Having said this, he spoke no more. Riding a cloud of light, he transformed into a streak of Clear Light and departed. Yet the invisible pressure he left behind weighed heavily upon every Academy disciple's heart.
Huiming's Choice, the Question of Leaving or Staying
The external pressure had temporarily eased, but internal turmoil soon followed.
The Sky Patrol Immortal Official's arrival, along with his words about "Dao Lineage orthodoxy" and "conforming to the Heavenly Dao," became the final straw that toppled the balance Huiming had long maintained in his heart.
That night, Huiming stood alone beside the Purple Bamboo Forest at the Academy's outskirts.
Looking at the bright moon above, which appeared especially cold and luminous beneath the perfect Heavenly Dao Order, his face was filled with struggle and pain.
He came from the West under his master's orders, originally intending to investigate, learn from, and perhaps "fatefully" convert talented people of the East.
During his time at Myriad Dao Academy, he had indeed been drawn to certain ideas of the Confucian Dao concerning "the heart and nature," "wisdom," and "Benevolence and Forgiveness."
In particular, the realms of Unity of Knowledge and Action and The Unchanging Change showed him another possibility, utterly different from yet faintly complementary to the Western path of annihilation and transcendence.
The Academy's atmosphere was peaceful, and his fellow disciples were kind. It was not as though he felt no attachment.
However, Hongjun Unites with Dao, and the Heavenly Dao had reached perfection. Though the Two Sages of the West had not attained sainthood, they were still part of Mystic Gate Orthodoxy and were destined to occupy a place beneath the Heavenly Dao Order.
As a disciple of the West, his roots lay there.
Remaining at the Academy would not only mean gradually drifting away from his future sect and the grand trend of the Heavenly Dao.
It could also mean being implicated because of his identity as an Anomaly. The Heavenly Court immortal official's words had further reminded him of the difference in their positions.
Should he remain faithful to the "principles" and possible new Dao he had encountered here, or return to the sect and "orthodoxy" destined to flourish?
As the fierce battle raged in his heart, Huiming's figure flickered beneath the moonlight, his aura unsteady.
In the end, he let out a long sigh. A trace of resolve and guilt flashed through his eyes. He bowed deeply toward the Academy's core, then sent Xuanjizi an apologetic message through his divine sense.
Then his figure became a faint stream of light, and under the cover of night, he quietly left Myriad Dao Academy for the West.
His departure caused little disturbance, yet it was like a thorn piercing the hearts of Xuanjizi and the other Core Disciples.
It foretold that under the future pressure of Heavenly Dao Order and Mystic Gate Orthodoxy, the Academy might face more losses of talent and wavering convictions like this.
Xuanjizi Sets His Strategy, Meeting Stillness with Stillness
The next day, Xuanjizi informed the core disciples of Huiming's departure. Everyone fell silent.
Elder Teng sighed. "Every person has their own aspirations. They cannot be forced. But once this precedent is set, I fear it may shake those whose resolve is weak."
Xuanjizi swept his gaze over the group and said solemnly, "Junior Brother Huiming's departure was his choice, but it is also a warning to us.
"The great trend of the Heavenly Dao and Mystic Gate Orthodoxy are real pressures. Yet the more this is so, the more steadfast we must become!
"When pressure comes from without, we shall strengthen our foundation. When wavering arises within, we shall clarify principles and rectify the heart!"
He set down the strategy:
First, delay externally. Use the reason that they needed to seek the Sage's instructions to temporarily stabilize the Heavenly Court and buy time.
At the same time, he and several articulate disciples well-versed in Mystic Gate classics would begin preparing explanatory memorials for the review.
They would focus on explaining that the Confucian Dao and Heavenly Dao Order were not opposed, but rather explained the ultimate principles of heaven and earth from different perspectives.
On some levels, they could even complement each other, attempting to secure room for survival through reason.
Second, unite internally. Strengthen the Academy's internal lectures and Dao discussions, especially emphasizing the Confucian Dao's foundation for conduct and its unique value.
Reignite the disciples' convictions. At the same time, more strictly assess the Heart-Questioning trials to ensure that newly admitted disciples possessed sufficiently firm hearts and natures.
Third, accelerate the application of the principles of Change. Fully advance Heaven Gazing Pavilion's deductions and strive to quickly find more effective methods of cultivating and spreading the Confucian Dao under Heavenly Dao Order.
Beneath the Undercurrents, the Dragon Race Stirred
Just as the Academy was doing everything it could to address the Heavenly Court's pressure and its internal unrest, no one noticed that
near the deep Sea Eye of the East Sea, several extremely well-hidden Dragon Race figures
were quietly gathering by exploiting the Sea Eye's chaotic energy and the gaps where the newly formed Heavenly Dao Order had not yet completely covered every detail.
"The Heavenly Court... has begun moving against that Academy as well..." A low, sinister dragon voice rang out, carrying suppressed excitement and venomous resentment.
"Good! Very good! Let them fight! The fiercer they fight, the better!"
Another voice was filled with hatred. "Though our Dragon Race has temporarily avoided the edge, our hatred has not faded!
"When they both suffer grievous losses... that will be the time for us to reclaim everything that belongs to the Dragon Race!"
"The seal of the Chasm of Guixu is growing more unstable... Perhaps we can make use of that Power of Annihilation once more..."
Sinister schemes quietly brewed in the darkness of the seafloor.
Myriad Dao Academy, an "Anomaly" struggling to survive beneath the Primordial Era's new order, had already become the focal point of many factions' contest.
Before it stood the Heavenly Court's crushing might; behind it lurked internal worries; and in the shadows, the Dragon Race and Outer Demonic Thoughts watched hungrily.
Could Xuanjizi lead the Academy through these layers of crisis and carve out a path to survival?
And when would Sage Wanhua's many arrangements reveal their power to turn the tide? The Dao Struggle was treacherous and ever-changing, every step fraught with danger.
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