The month-long deadline vanished in the blink of an eye.
Myriad Dao Academy did not submit its core scriptures or provide the satisfactory answer the Heavenly Court had hoped for.
Based on a carefully prepared "statement of reasoning" drafted with the Core Disciples, Xuanjizi submitted a rigorously worded and well-founded reply to the Sky Patrol Department through a divine-sense message.
The letter once again stressed the Confucian Dao's purpose of "enlightening minds and benefiting Order," while tactfully expressing the importance of preserving its Dao Lineage.
Its teachings could not be arbitrarily appropriated by non-disciples, and it respectfully requested that the Heavenly Court send special envoys to the Academy to "observe and investigate," judging the value of the Confucian Dao by its actual results rather than reaching conclusions based solely on scriptures.
The reply was neither servile nor overbearing. It held firm to its bottom line while leaving room for negotiation, truly watertight.
Yet in the eyes of the Heavenly Court's upper ranks, who had already made up their minds, it was nothing more than stalling and sophistry.
The Heavenly Net Spread, and the Blockade Began
At dawn on the day after the deadline expired.
Above the East Sea, the once-peaceful sky and waters suddenly churned with wind and clouds!
Thousands upon thousands of heavenly soldiers and generals clad in standard silver armor, their auras chilling and each at least a True Immortal, emerged from the clouds in formation under the command of several divine generals at the Taiyi Golden Immortal level!
They did not attack the Academy directly. Instead, following an intricate battle formation, they spread out with the floating continent housing Myriad Dao Academy at their center, covering the sea and space for tens of thousands of miles around.
They laid down an invisible yet immense barrier that radiated awe-inspiring heavenly might—the Heavenly Net Spirit Sealing Array!
This formation was not a killing formation, but a powerful formation of confinement and isolation.
Once the formation took shape, its light flickered briefly before vanishing into the void. Yet every living being attempting to cross the region could clearly feel a powerful force of repulsion and obstruction arise from nowhere.
The flow of spiritual energy into the area became exceedingly slow and closely monitored. Any Evasion Light, spell-based message, or even powerful divine-sense probe without the Heavenly Court's permission would be disrupted and intercepted by the formation.
Furthermore, squads of elite Sky Patrol Guards piloted Flying Boats around the perimeter, patrolling, inspecting, and turning away any living beings attempting to approach the Academy.
Whether they had come seeking the Dao or visiting old acquaintances within the Academy, all were barred at the door.
"By decree of His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor, the Dao Lineage taught by Myriad Dao Academy is subject to investigation. From this day onward, the mountains are sealed and the sea forbidden. All traffic in and out is prohibited until the review is complete!
"Those who defy this order shall be punished as violators of Heavenly Law!" The Sky Patrol Divine General's icy voice echoed through the outer edges of the sealed region with the formation's power.
For a time, the entire East Sea was in uproar!
The Heavenly Court had actually taken such forceful measures against the dojo of a Primordial Chaos Sage!
Though it was nominally a "necessary measure during the review," how was this any different from sealing off the mountain?
This was undoubtedly a declaration to the entire Primordial Era that Myriad Dao Academy, this "Anomaly," had officially been placed under the Heavenly Court's strict control, its room for survival drastically compressed.
The Academy's Response: Seek Within Oneself
The instant the blockade took shape, every disciple within the Academy clearly felt the sluggish sensation of being forcibly cut off from the outside world.
Even the circulation of the Aura of Literary Splendor seemed to have slowed by a beat, as though the Academy had become an isolated island.
Worry appeared on many disciples' faces as they looked toward Xuanjizi at their head.
Xuanjizi hovered above the Academy, feeling the pressure of the invisible barrier. His expression was grave, but he showed no panic.
He took a deep breath, and his voice spread throughout the Academy. "Fellow disciples, the Heavenly Court is using force to oppress us. By sealing our Academy, they seek to cut off our foundation and force us to submit.
"Yet the foundation of our Confucian Dao lies in the heart and in reason, not in the abundance of external spiritual opportunities or the convenience of travel!"
He pointed at the still-dazzling literary splendor within the Academy. "If external spiritual energy is scarce, then we shall use Literary Qi to nourish heaven and earth in return, sustaining ourselves through internal circulation!
"If information from outside is blocked, then we shall settle our hearts and cultivate, delve deeply into the classics, discuss the Dao with one another, and advance without rest!
"This blockade may trap our bodies, but it cannot trap our hearts of Seeking. Still less can it trap the undying principles in our hearts!"
"This is precisely the time to practice The Unchanging Change and temper our edge amid adversity!"
Elder Teng's aged yet resolute voice rang out. "The spiritual plants in the Medicine Garden can grow with the aid of Literary Qi.
"The disciples' cultivation can advance through discussions of the Dao. This external pressure is exactly the opportunity to test whether our principles truly mean to Seek within oneself!"
Under the guidance of Xuanjizi and the Core Disciples, the Academy swiftly adjusted internally.
The disciples focused even more on internal exchange and cultivation. The lights in the Scripture Repository remained lit through the night, while debates in the Hall of Discussing the Dao grew ever more fervent.
Some even began attempting to rely solely on the circulation of their own Literary Palaces and Literary Qi to simulate small-scale celestial changes and plant growth, applying Unity of Knowledge and Action to survival under the blockade.
A powerful cohesion, striving amid adversity and seeking inwardly, formed within the Academy.
Chaos Shifted, and the Sage Made His Decision
However, Xuanjizi and the others did not know that shortly after the Heavenly Court's blockade began, Wanhua, who had been quietly observing developments from within Chaos Space, suddenly opened his eyes!
His gaze pierced through endless space and turned toward the boundless depths of chaos.
Just moments ago, he had sensed that the jade slip containing the laws of survival that he had given Yun Su had been triggered!
It had not been activated voluntarily. Rather, it had encountered some violent Chaotic Turbulence far beyond expectations, or an attack from an unknown existence, triggering its built-in defensive and warning mechanisms!
The sensation transmitted by the jade slip was extremely faint and chaotic, showing that Yun Su's situation was exceedingly dangerous. The defenses of the Inch-Close Literary Boat were rapidly weakening!
Nothing could happen to Yun Su! She was not only a Core Disciple of the Academy, but also bore the hope of Sowing Dao in the Void!
A trace of determination flashed through Wanhua's eyes.
The Academy's blockade was certainly a difficult situation, but Xuanjizi and the others could still hold on for some time. Yun Su, meanwhile, stood at the line between life and death. There was not a moment to spare!
He hesitated no longer. With a thought, an incarnation identical to him but slightly weaker in aura stepped out from his true body and remained behind in Chaos Space as support.
His true body took a single step forward, merging directly into the void. In the next instant, he appeared at the boundary between the Primordial Era and chaos!
Without pausing in the slightest, Primordial Chaos Literary Qi circulated around Wanhua's body, transforming into a hazy Clear Light.
Ignoring the Chaotic Gale and Disordered Laws capable of tearing apart even a Grand Unity Golden Immortal, he plunged directly into that bizarre chaos whose colors could not even be described!
Sage Roaming Chaos!
Since the creation of heaven and earth, this was a perilous act that very few Primordial Chaos Sages would dare undertake.
Chaos was boundless and its dangers unpredictable. Within it lay certain ancient existences and deadly regions.
Even sages could become trapped there or even suffer injury. Yet for his disciple and the future of his Dao Lineage, Wanhua went without hesitation.
All Sides Were Suspicious, and Undercurrents Rose Again
Though the disturbance caused by Wanhua's true body leaving the Primordial Era and entering chaos was exceedingly subtle, the fleeting sensation of his delicate separation from the Heavenly Dao of the Primordial Era was still sensed by several of the most powerful existences.
Lingxiao Palace of the Heavenly Court: Dijun and Taiyi almost simultaneously sensed something. They looked toward chaos, astonishment and suspicion on their faces.
"Wanhua... he left the Primordial Era? He went into chaos?" Taiyi frowned deeply. "At a time like this? What is he trying to do?"
Dijun's gaze was profound. "Chaos is dangerous beyond measure. If he left at this time, then either he has something he must do, or... he has a hidden contingency we do not know of.
"Pass down the order. Maintain the blockade, but strengthen surveillance within the Academy. Pay particular attention to any unusual spatial fluctuations!"
Western Pure Land: Jieyin and Zhun-ti sensed it as well.
A sharp light flashed through Zhun-ti's eyes. "Senior Brother, Wanhua has left this realm, and his Academy has been sealed off. This is a heaven-sent opportunity! Perhaps we can find a way to..."
Jieyin slowly shook his head, suffering written across his face. "The time has not yet come. We must not act rashly. Chaos is no kind place. Since he dared enter it, he must have something to rely on. We should watch and wait."
The Great Powers of Kunlun Mountains, the Sea of Blood, and other places also turned their attention toward the East Sea and chaos, each harboring different thoughts.
Twisted Void: the Formless Heavenly Demons let out excited shrieks. "He has left! The Guardian's power has greatly diminished! An opportunity! Our opportunity has come!"
East Sea Sea Eye: the remnants of the Dragon Race grew even more restless. "Good! Excellent!
"Wanhua is gone, the Heavenly Court has imposed a blockade, and the Academy stands isolated and helpless! This is the perfect time for us to act in secret, loosen the seal, and use the Power of Annihilation to throw the East Sea into chaos once more!"
Wanhua's departure was like dropping a piece capable of changing the entire situation onto an already turbulent chessboard.
For a time, every gaze focused on the sealed Myriad Dao Academy and the unfathomable chaos.
Could the Academy withstand the open and hidden attacks from all sides without a sage standing guard?
Could Wanhua, deep within chaos, find and rescue Yun Su in time, resolving that unknown crisis?
The situation in the Primordial Era suddenly became even more unfathomable and fraught with killing intent because of the sage's actions.
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