Sowing Dao in the Void

The Heavenly Court's deadline hung like a sword over their heads, and Huiming's departure cast an even darker shadow over the Academy disciples' hearts.

An invisible oppression spread through the Academy, more suffocating than when the Aura of Annihilation had eroded them before, because it struck directly at their beliefs and hopes 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 Sage Wanhua's aid. Instead, he followed the established strategy, taking the lead and pouring all his efforts into dealing with the crisis.

He personally lectured in the Hall of Understanding Principles, on the topic—"How Should One Conduct Oneself Beneath the Heavenly Dao?"

The hall was packed to capacity. Every disciple, regardless of cultivation level, listened with focused attention.

"Heavenly Conduct Has Regularity; it does not endure because of Yao, nor perish because of Jie." Xuanjizi's voice was calm, yet it carried a force that pierced the heart. "The Heavenly Dao is complete and establishes rules. This is called the 'Heavenly Mandate.'

"Yet the Heavenly Mandate spoken of by our Confucian Dao is not submission, but 'Know the Mandate'! To understand the laws governing heaven and earth, to comprehend the principles of Birth and Death of All Things—this is Investigating Things to Attain Knowledge."

He swept his sharp gaze across the crowd. "Once you know your mandate, you must also 'Establish One's Mandate'!

"With your own will, uphold the principles in your heart and carve out a path belonging to 'humanity' within the order of the Heavenly Dao!

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

"But the Order of our Confucian Dao arises from the Original Heart, manifests through principle, and is achieved through teaching. Can the two coexist? They can!"

Drawing upon classics and the philosophical realm of The Unchanging Change, he explained that the order of the Confucian Dao and the order of the Heavenly Dao were not absolutely opposed, but were manifestations of order at different levels and with different emphases.

The Heavenly Dao governs the macrocosm, while the Confucian Dao values the microcosm; the Heavenly Dao establishes fundamental norms, while the Confucian Dao enlightens the heart and nature.

Indeed, a living being educated by the Confucian Dao, who understood principles and righteousness, would better comprehend and follow the Heavenly Dao's grand order, reducing rebellion and chaos.

"Therefore, the Heavenly Court's pressure is not the end of our path. It is precisely the touchstone that proves our path's worth!"

Xuanjizi's voice rose. "If we can uphold our Original Heart, spread principle, and teach a region beneath the great current of the Heavenly Dao, then we prove that our Confucian Dao is not a crooked path.

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

This lecture was like enlightenment pouring into their minds, dispelling the confusion and fear within many disciples.

That was right. Why should they fear inspection?

If their principles were sufficiently flourishing and clear, then this was the perfect chance to display the value of the Confucian Dao to the Primordial Era! Fear and retreat would instead prove that their own principles lacked firmness.

After this incident, the Academy underwent a silent cleansing. A small number of weak-willed disciples, who had already been wavering, crumbled beneath the immense pressure.

In the end, they quietly chose to leave, just like Huiming. Those who remained, whether core members like Xuanjizi or ordinary Registered Disciples,

found their Dao Hearts purer and more resolute. Their eyes brimmed with the courage to stake everything and absolute confidence in their own principles. The Academy's cohesion rose rather than fell amid adversity.

Sowing Dao in the Void, Sage's Scheme

Within Chaos Space, Wanhua took in everything happening outside. He gave a slight nod of approval at Xuanjizi's response and the disciples' transformation.

However, he knew well that beliefs and principles alone could not contend against the Heavenly Court's Systemic Power and the great momentum of the Heavenly Dao. A deeper and more far-reaching plan was necessary.

His gaze turned toward Outside the Primordial World, toward that boundless chaotic void!

Hongjun Unites with Dao, and the Heavenly Dao was complete. Its order covered the Primordial Era, its influence radiating through the surrounding chaos, but it ultimately had its limits.

At the edges of chaos, where the order of the Heavenly Dao was comparatively weak, and even in unknown corners beyond the reach of the Primordial Era's Heavenly Dao, might there be soil where the Confucian Dao could grow freely?

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

He summoned Xuanjizi with his divine sense.

Xuanjizi's consciousness entered Chaos Space, and he respectfully bowed. "Teacher."

"Xuanji, do you know of what lies Outside the Primordial World?" Wanhua asked mildly.

Xuanjizi froze for a moment before answering, "This disciple knows. Beyond the Primordial Era lies Endless Chaos, perilous and unfathomable."

"Though chaos is dangerous, it also contains vitality." Wanhua's gaze was profound. "The order of the Heavenly Dao is at its zenith, its light illuminating the Primordial Era, yet even its light cannot reach everywhere.

"I wish to find a sliver of land at the edge of chaos and sow the Seed of Literary Dao there, creating a retreat for the future and a Surprise Troop for the days to come."

Xuanjizi's heart shook violently, and he instantly understood his teacher's scheme!

This was to prepare a retreat for the Academy, a foundation that could preserve their Dao Lineage even if they could no longer gain a foothold in the Primordial Era!

And if they could develop and grow beyond it, they might one day become an important force capable of influencing the situation in the Primordial Era!

"This disciple understands!

"But... chaos is extraordinarily dangerous. Who could bear such a grave responsibility? And how would they travel back and forth?" Xuanjizi was excited, but he was also worried.

Wanhua raised his hand. A spark of spiritual light appeared at his fingertip, seemingly containing a miniature model of a strange space constantly undergoing birth and death.

"I have already refined an item in preliminary form. It is called the Inch-Close Literary Boat. It can travel short distances through chaos and avoid common dangerous regions. As for the candidate..."

His gaze fell upon Xuanjizi. "You are the Academy's First Disciple. You must remain at the center and handle the present situation.

"This matter concerns the continuation of our Dao Lineage. It requires someone with an absolutely unwavering will, one skilled in the principles of 'change,' capable of seeking order amid disorder."

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

"Indeed." Wanhua nodded. "Yun Su's Illusion-Reality Literary Heart underwent transformation amid annihilation. She is best at shifting between illusion and reality and possesses the strongest ability to survive in chaos.

"Her nature is calm, and her beliefs are pure. She can bear this responsibility. You may convey this intention to her and let her decide for herself.

"If she is willing to go, I will personally teach her the Inch-Close Literary Boat and the Chaos Survival Method."

This was an opportunity, but also an immense risk.

Chaos was filled with unknown dangers beyond Earth, Water, Fire, Wind. The Heavenly Dao did not exist there, and its laws were chaotic. Even with a Sage's treasure for protection, one could fall at any time.

Yun Su Volunteers, a Lone Boat Sets Sail

Xuanjizi conveyed Wanhua's intention to Yun Su.

This Cloud Spirit, who had always been calm, showed not the slightest fear after hearing it. Instead, her eyes shone with an unprecedented radiance, bright as stars.

She deeply bowed toward the Academy's core, her voice clear and resolute. "Yun Su was accepted by Teacher and taught the Great Dao. Such grace is no different from being given life anew.

"The Academy is my home, and the Dao Lineage is my life.

"Now that the Academy faces this predicament, if I have this chance to seek a sliver of hope for the Dao Lineage, Yun Su will not refuse even ten thousand deaths! I am willing to enter chaos and sow literary seeds for Teacher and for the Academy!"

Her resolve moved everyone who knew of it.

Wanhua said nothing more. He directly bestowed the refined Inch-Close Literary Boat and a jade slip containing knowledge of chaos and the laws of survival.

The literary boat appeared only palm-sized, shaped like an open book. Its entire body was the color of chaos, its patterns of writing flowing across it and containing supreme principles of space and protection.

There was no grand farewell ceremony. On a night veiled in hazy moonlight,

Yun Su stood in a secluded place within the Academy and gave a slight nod to Xuanjizi, Elder Teng, and the few core fellow disciples who knew the truth. Then she activated the Inch-Close Literary Boat.

The literary boat flashed with light and instantly expanded, enveloping her. The next moment, it silently tore through space, fled into the vast chaos, and vanished without a trace.

Watching the direction in which Yun Su disappeared, Xuanjizi and the others felt heavy-hearted. There were blessings, but also a tragic sense that the Dao path was difficult and the burden far-reaching.

Storms Gather, Undercurrents Surge

Just as Yun Su entered chaos alone, more than half of the Heavenly Court's deadline had passed.

Demon Race Heavenly Court, Hall of Supreme Harmony. The Sky Patrol Immortal Official was reporting to Dijun and Taiyi.

"Your Majesty, the Myriad Dao Academy has delayed its response on the grounds of consulting a Sage. Its internal unity seems to have strengthened, and the expected chaos has not appeared."

Eastern Emperor Taiyi snorted coldly. "I underestimated their resilience. Since they wish to delay, then add more fuel to the fire.

"Pass down the order. If the one-month deadline arrives and they still have not replied, dispatch a squad of Heavenly Net Guards to block the sea routes and cloud routes from the East Sea to the Academy, forbidding any living being from approaching!

"I would like to see how long they can last once their source of new blood is cut off!"

An invisible net was slowly tightening.

Meanwhile, the Formless Heavenly Demons lurking within the Twisted Void

also sensed the increasingly tense atmosphere within the Primordial Era, as well as the pressure and... a trace of resolute courage transmitted through the Karma Thread leading to the Academy.

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

"This is precisely the breeding ground for despair and cracks... our opportunity is coming soon..."

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

"The Heavenly Court has acted... good! Once the conflict between that Academy and the Heavenly Court erupts, the Sea Eye's seal... may loosen a little further..."

The Myriad Dao Academy was like a lone leaf-boat at the center of a storm, facing pressure from every direction.

Within were trials of belief; without was the Heavenly Court's coercion; afar lay the perilous paths of chaos; in the shadows, demons and dragons watched.

Could Xuanjizi find a way to break the deadlock before the deadline arrived? What would Yun Su encounter on her journey through chaos?

Could Wanhua's seemingly idle move of Sowing Dao in the Void truly become the decisive move of victory or defeat in the future? The Dao Struggle had reached its middle game, with killing intent lurking on all sides.