Sowing Dao in the Void

The deadline from the Heavenly Court was like a sword hanging over their heads, and the departure of Huiming cast an even deeper shadow over the hearts of the Academy disciples.

An invisible Oppressive Feeling permeated the Academy, more suffocating than when the Aura of Annihilation had eroded them, because it acted directly upon their convictions and their expectations for the future.

Trial of Belief, Eliminating the Weak and Retaining the Strong.

Xuanjizi knew well that any form of retreat or hesitation at this moment would be fatal.

He did not rush to seek help from Sage Wanhua, but instead followed his established strategy, leading by example and pouring all his heart and soul into dealing with the crisis.

He personally began lecturing in the Hall of Understanding Principles, with the topic: "Under the Heavenly Dao, how should one conduct oneself?"

The hall was packed, and all disciples, regardless of their level of cultivation, listened with Focusing the Spirit.

"Heavenly Conduct Has Regularity; it does not exist for the sake of Yao, nor does it perish for the sake of Jie," Xuanjizi said, his voice calm yet carrying a power that pierced the heart. "The Heavenly Dao is perfect, and by establishing rules, it creates the 'Heavenly Mandate'."

"However, the 'Heavenly Mandate' spoken of by our Confucian Dao is not about submission, but about 'Knowing the Mandate'! To know the laws of the movement of heaven and earth, to understand the principles of the Birth and Death of All Things—this is 'Investigating Things to Attain Knowledge'."

He scanned the crowd, his gaze sharp: "To know the mandate is not enough; one must 'Establish One's Mandate'!"

"With one's own will, hold fast to the principles in one's heart, and within the order of the Heavenly Dao, carve out a path that belongs to 'humanity'!"

"This is the true meaning of 'Control the Heavenly Mandate and Use It'! The Heavenly Court considers itself the orthodox authority and wishes to bind all laws with Heavenly Law; this is its 'Order'."

"But the order of our Confucian Dao originates from the Original Heart, manifests in principles, and is achieved through education. Can the two coexist? Yes, they can!"

He cited classics and combined them with the theoretical realm of the "Unchanging Change," expounding that the order of the Confucian Dao and the order of the Heavenly Dao were not absolutely opposed, but rather manifestations of order at different levels and with different focuses.

The Heavenly Dao governs the macro, while the Confucian Dao emphasizes the micro; the Heavenly Dao sets the fundamental principles, while the Confucian Dao awakens the heart and nature.

In fact, a living being educated by the Confucian Dao, who understands principles and righteousness, is even more capable of understanding and following the macro order of the Heavenly Dao, thereby reducing rebellion and chaos.

"Therefore, the pressure from the Heavenly Court is not the end of our Dao, but the very touchstone to verify the value of our Dao!"

Xuanjizi's tone rose. "If we can hold fast to our Original Heart, spread our principles, and educate a region under the great trend of the Heavenly Dao, it proves that our Confucian Dao is not a deviant path."

"Instead, it is a beneficial supplement to the Heavenly Dao; it is the Fire of Civilization and the Light of Wisdom!"

This lecture was like a sudden enlightenment, dispelling the fog and panic in the hearts of many disciples.

Indeed, why fear an inspection?

If their own principles were sufficiently clear and bright, they could use this opportunity to demonstrate the value of the Confucian Dao to the Primordial World! Fear and retreat would only prove that their own principles were not firm.

After this event, the interior of the Academy underwent a silent baptism. A few disciples with wavering wills, who were already shaken, chose to leave quietly under the heavy pressure, just as Huiming had done. But those who remained, whether they were core members like Xuanjizi or ordinary Registered Disciples, found their Dao Heart even purer and firmer, their eyes filled with the courage to burn their boats and absolute confidence in their own principles. The cohesion of the Academy rose instead of falling in the face of adversity.

Sowing Dao in the Void, Sage's Scheme.

Within the Chaos Space, Wanhua took in everything happening outside. He nodded slightly, expressing his approval of Xuanjizi's response and the transformation of the disciples.

However, he knew well that relying solely on belief and principles would be difficult to contend with the Systemic Power of the Heavenly Court and the great trend of the Heavenly Dao. There had to be a more far-reaching layout.

His gaze turned toward the outside of the Primordial World, to that boundless chaotic void!

With Hongjun Unites with Dao, the Heavenly Dao was complete, and its order enveloped the Primordial World, its influence radiating into the surrounding chaos, but it ultimately had its boundaries.

At the edge of chaos, where the order of the Heavenly Dao was relatively weak, or even in other unknown corners not yet covered by the Heavenly Dao of the Primordial World, did there exist soil where the Confucian Dao could grow freely?

A bold plan took shape in Wanhua's mind—Sowing Dao in the Void!

He summoned Xuanjizi with his divine sense.

Xuanjizi sank his consciousness into the Chaos Space and bowed respectfully: "Teacher."

"Xuanji, do you know what lies outside the Primordial World?" Wanhua asked calmly.

Xuanjizi was startled and replied: "Disciple knows that outside the Primordial World lies the Endless Chaos, Dangerous and Unpredictable."

"Though Chaos is dangerous, it also contains vitality," Wanhua said, his gaze profound. "The order of the Heavenly Dao is like the midday sun, shining brightly upon the Primordial World, yet its light also has places it cannot reach."

"I wish to find a gap at the edge of chaos to sow the Seed of Literary Dao, to serve as a retreat for another day, and also as a Surprise Troop for the future."

Xuanjizi was shocked to his core; he instantly understood his teacher's plan!

This was to prepare a retreat for the Academy, a base that could continue the Dao Lineage even if they could no longer gain a foothold in the Primordial World!

Furthermore, if they could develop and grow in the outside world, it might become an important force influencing the situation of the Primordial World in the future!

"Disciple understands! But... Chaos is dangerous and extraordinary; who can shoulder this heavy responsibility? And how shall one travel back and forth?" Xuanjizi felt both excitement and anxiety.

Wanhua raised his hand, and a point of spiritual light appeared at his fingertip, within which seemed to be contained a miniature, ever-changing model of a strange space.

"I have preliminarily refined an object called the 'Inch-Close Literary Boat,' which can travel short distances through chaos and avoid common dangers. As for the candidate..."

His gaze fell upon Xuanjizi: "You are the First Disciple of the Academy and must sit in the center to deal with the current situation."

"This matter concerns the continuation of the Dao Lineage and requires someone with an absolutely firm will who is also proficient in the principles of 'Change' and capable of finding order within disorder."

Xuanjizi immediately understood: "Teacher means... Junior Sister Yun Su?"

"Indeed," Wanhua nodded. "Yun Su's 'Illusion-Reality' Literary Heart underwent a transformation amidst annihilation; she is most adept at the shifting of void and reality and has the strongest survival ability in chaos."

"Moreover, her temperament is calm and her belief is pure; she is capable of this task. You may inform her of this intention and let her decide for herself."

"If you are willing to go, I shall personally impart the Inch-Close Literary Boat and the Chaos Survival Method to you."

This was an opportunity, but also a tremendous risk.

Within the chaos, the realm is filled with inexplicable dangers beyond Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind. With no Heavenly Dao present and the laws in disarray, one could fall at any moment, even with the protection of a Sage's treasure.

Yun Su volunteers, a lone boat sets sail.

Xuanjizi conveyed the intentions of Wanhua to Yun Su.

This Cloud Spirit, who had always been calm and composed, showed not a hint of fear in her eyes after hearing the request. Instead, they shimmered with an unprecedented, star-like brilliance.

She bowed deeply toward the heart of the academy, her voice clear and resolute: "Yun Su was taken in by Teacher, granted the Great Dao, and reborn through his grace.

The academy is my home, and the Dao Lineage is my life.

Now that the academy faces a predicament, to have this chance to seek a glimmer of survival for our Dao Lineage, I, Yun Su, will not refuse even if it means death! I am willing to go into the chaos, for Teacher, for the academy, to sow the seeds of literature!"

Her determination moved everyone who knew the truth.

Wanhua did not say much, directly bestowing upon her the refined "Inch-Close Literary Boat" and a Jade Slip containing knowledge of the chaos and the laws of survival.

The boat appeared only the size of a palm, shaped like an open book. It was the color of chaos, with literary patterns flowing across its surface, embodying the supreme principles of space and protection.

There was no grand farewell ceremony; it happened on a night with a hazy moon.

In a secluded corner of the academy, Yun Su gave a slight nod to the few core peers who knew the truth, including Xuanjizi and Elder Teng, before activating the "Inch-Close Literary Boat."

The boat flashed with light, instantly growing in size to envelop her. The next moment, it tore through space without a sound, escaping into the vast, boundless chaos, and vanished from sight.

Watching the direction where Yun Su disappeared, Xuanjizi and the others felt a heavy weight in their hearts—a mix of blessings and a sense of tragic heroism, knowing that the path of the Dao is difficult and the burden is heavy.

The storm approaches, dark tides surge.

Just as Yun Su stepped alone into the chaos, the deadline set by the Heavenly Court had already passed the halfway mark.

In the Demon Race Heavenly Court, at the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Sky Patrol Immortal Official was reporting to Dijun and Eastern Emperor Taiyi.

"Your Majesty, the Myriad Dao Academy is stalling, using the excuse of consulting the Sages. Their internal cohesion seems to have strengthened, and the expected chaos has not occurred."

Eastern Emperor Taiyi let out a cold snort: "I underestimated their resilience. Since they want to stall, let us add more fuel to the fire.

Pass down the order: if there is no reply when the one-month deadline arrives, dispatch a squad of 'Heavenly Net Guards' to blockade the sea and cloud routes leading from the East Sea to the academy. Forbid any living being from approaching!

I want to see how long they can hold out once their source of new students is cut off!"

An invisible net was slowly tightening.

Meanwhile, the Formless Heavenly Demons lurking in the twisted void also sensed the increasingly tense atmosphere within the Primordial Era and the pressure—along with a trace of resolute courage—transmitting from the "Karma Thread" leading to the academy.

"Fear... determination... struggle... what wonderful emotions..." a hoarse voice echoed in the void. "A blockade? Isolation?

This is the perfect breeding ground for despair and fissures... our opportunity is almost here..."

Deep within the East Sea Sea Eye, the Dragon Race's conspiracy was also intensifying.

"The Heavenly Court has made its move... Good! Once the conflict between the academy and the Heavenly Court erupts, the seal of the Sea Eye... might loosen just a little more..."

The Myriad Dao Academy, like a lone boat in the center of a storm, faced pressure from all directions.

Internally, there was a test of faith; externally, the coercion of the Heavenly Court; in the distance, the perilous path of the chaos; and in the shadows, the demons and dragons were lurking.

Could Xuanjizi find a way to break the deadlock before the deadline arrived? What kind of encounters would await Yun Su on her journey into the chaos?

Would Wanhua's "Sowing Dao in the Void" move, played as a casual piece, truly become the deciding factor in the future? The Dao Struggle had reached its mid-game, and murderous intent lay hidden everywhere.