Heavenly Net Locks the Sea, Sage Roaming Chaos

The one-month deadline passed in the blink of an eye.

Myriad Dao Academy did not present its core classics or provide a satisfactory reply as the Heavenly Court had expected.

Based on the "memorial" carefully prepared with the Core Disciples, Xuanjizi submitted a rigorously worded and well-reasoned response to the Sky Patrol Department via divine sense transmission.

The letter reaffirmed the Confucian Dao's tenet of "enlightening the mind and aiding order," while tactfully expressing the gravity of their Dao Lineage.

It stated that this was not something the disciples could decide on their own, and respectfully requested that the Heavenly Court send a special envoy to the academy to "observe and inspect," judging the value of the Confucian Dao by its actual results rather than by the classics alone.

This response was neither servile nor overbearing; it held the bottom line while leaving room for negotiation, making it truly watertight.

However, in the eyes of the Heavenly Court's high-ranking officials, who had already made up their minds, this was nothing more than procrastination and sophistry.

The Heavenly Net began to seal the spirits.

The day after the deadline expired, at the break of dawn.

Above the East Sea, the previously calm sky and sea suddenly churned with wind and clouds!

Thousands of Heavenly Soldiers and Generals, clad in standard silver armor and exuding a chilling aura—the weakest of whom were at the True Immortal realm—marched out from the clouds under the leadership of several Divine Generals at the Primordial Unity Golden Immortal level!

They did not attack the academy directly, but instead dispersed according to a profound battle formation, centering on the floating continent where Myriad Dao Academy was located, across the sea and space for tens of thousands of miles.

They laid down an invisible, yet awe-inspiring, massive barrier—the Heavenly Net Spirit Sealing Array!

This array was not a killing formation, but a powerful one of imprisonment and isolation.

Once the formation was set, a faint light flickered before vanishing into the void, yet every living being attempting to traverse this area could clearly feel a powerful force of repulsion and obstruction arising from thin air.

The inflow of spiritual energy became extremely sluggish and monitored; any Evasion Light, spell-based communication, or even powerful divine sense probing not permitted by the Heavenly Court would be interfered with and intercepted by the array.

Furthermore, squads of elite Sky Patrol Guards began patrolling the perimeter on Flying Boats, inspecting and turning away any living beings attempting to approach the academy.

Whether they were those seeking the Dao or old acquaintances coming to visit the academy, all were blocked outside.

"By the decree of His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor, the Dao Lineage taught by Myriad Dao Academy is subject to verification. From this day forth, the mountain is sealed and the sea is forbidden; all internal and external contact is prohibited until the investigation is complete! Those who violate this order shall be dealt with according to the Heavenly Law!" The cold voice of the Sky Patrol Divine General, amplified by the power of the array, echoed around the perimeter of the sealed zone.

For a time, the East Sea was in an uproar!

The Heavenly Court had actually taken such forceful measures against the dojo of a Primordial Chaos Sage!

Although nominally "necessary measures during the investigation," how was this any different from sealing the mountain?

This was undoubtedly a declaration to the entire Primordial Era that the "Anomaly" known as Myriad Dao Academy had been officially placed under the strict control of the Heavenly Court, and its space for survival had been severely compressed.

The academy responded by seeking within.

The moment the blockade formed, all the disciples within the academy clearly felt that sense of stagnation caused by being forcibly severed from the outside world.

The circulation of the Aura of Literary Splendor seemed to slow by a beat, as if the academy had become an isolated island.

Many disciples wore worried expressions, looking toward their leader, Xuanjizi.

Xuanjizi hovered above the academy, feeling the pressure of the invisible barrier; his expression was grave, yet he was not flustered.

He took a deep breath, his voice spreading throughout the academy: "Fellow disciples, the Heavenly Court uses its power to oppress us, sealing our academy with the intent to sever our roots and force us to submit. However, the foundation of our Confucian Dao lies in the heart and in the principles, not in the abundance of external spiritual energy or the convenience of travel!"

He pointed to the still-brilliant literary light within the academy: "If the external spiritual energy is thin, we shall nourish the world with our own literary qi and nourish ourselves through an internal cycle! If external information is blocked, we shall immerse ourselves in cultivation, delve deep into the classics, discuss the Dao with one another, and strive for constant improvement! Such a blockade may trap our bodies, but it cannot trap our hearts that seek the truth, nor can it trap the undying principles within our hearts!"

"This is the very moment to practice the 'Unchanging Change' and sharpen our blades within this predicament!"

Elder Teng's aged and firm voice rang out, "The spiritual plants in the Medicine Garden can grow by borrowing our literary qi; the disciples' cultivation can improve through our discussions. The external pressure is precisely the opportunity for us to test whether our principles truly 'seek within oneself'!"

Under the guidance of Xuanjizi and the Core Disciples, the interior of the academy adjusted rapidly.

The disciples focused more on internal exchange and cultivation; the lamps in the Scripture Repository burned all night, and the debates in the Hall of Discussing the Dao became even more heated.

Some even began to attempt to simulate small-scale changes in celestial phenomena and the growth of vegetation by relying solely on their own Literary Palace and the circulation of literary qi, applying the "Unity of Knowledge and Action" to survive under the blockade.

A powerful cohesion, born of striving in adversity and seeking within, formed inside the academy.

Chaos shifted, and the Sage made a decision.

However, Xuanjizi and the others did not know that shortly after the Heavenly Court's blockade began, Wanhua, who had been observing the situation, suddenly opened his eyes within the Chaos Space!

His gaze pierced through the endless space and cast itself into the depths of the vast chaos.

Just a moment ago, he sensed that the Jade Slip he had bestowed upon Yun Su, which contained the laws of survival, had been triggered!

It was not activated voluntarily, but had encountered an attack from some violent Chaotic Turbulence or an unknown entity far exceeding expectations, triggering its built-in protection and warning mechanism!

The sensation transmitted by the Jade Slip was extremely weak and chaotic, indicating that Yun Su's situation was dire and the protection of the "Inch-Close Literary Boat" was being rapidly weakened!

Yun Su could not be harmed! She was not only a Core Disciple of the academy, but also carried the hope of "Sowing Dao in the Void"!

A trace of determination flashed in Wanhua's eyes.

The academy being sealed was a predicament, but Xuanjizi and the others could still hold out for a time. As for Yun Su, she was on the verge of life and death, and there was no time to lose!

He no longer hesitated. With a flick of his mind, a clone—identical to him in appearance but slightly weaker in aura—stepped out from his main body to remain in the Chaos Space as a backup.

His true self then took a single step forward, his figure merging directly into the void. The next moment, he had already appeared at the boundary between the Primordial Era and the Chaos.

Without the slightest pause, Wanhua allowed the Primordial Chaos Literary Qi to circulate around his body, transforming into a hazy Clear Light.

Ignoring the Chaotic Gale and Disordered Laws capable of tearing a Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal apart, he crashed directly into that bizarre, kaleidoscopic expanse of Chaos where colors defied description!

Sage Roaming Chaos!

Since the creation of the world, this was a risky move that very few Primordial Chaos Sages would ever make.

The Chaos was boundless, Dangerous and Unpredictable, harboring ancient existences and forbidden zones.

Even a Sage could be trapped or even injured within it. But for the sake of his disciple and the future of his Dao Lineage, Wanhua moved forward without a shred of regret.

Various parties were startled, and undercurrents began to stir once more.

Although the movement of Wanhua's true self leaving the Primordial Era and stepping into the Chaos was extremely subtle, the delicate sense of detachment it created from the Primordial Era's Heavenly Dao was still perceived by several top-tier Great Powers.

In the Lingxiao Palace of the Heavenly Court: Dijun and Taiyi felt the sensation almost simultaneously. They looked toward the direction of the Chaos, their faces filled with shock and suspicion.

"Wanhua... he left the Primordial Era? He went into the Chaos?" Taiyi's brows were tightly locked. "At a time like this? What is he trying to do?"

Dijun's gaze was profound: "The Chaos is dangerous and extraordinary. If he leaves at this moment, it is either because he has something he must do, or... he has left behind a contingency we know nothing about.

Pass down the order: the blockade remains, but increase surveillance on the interior of the academy, especially for any abnormal spatial fluctuations!"

In the Western Pure Land: Jieyin and Zhun-ti also sensed something.

A sharp glint flashed in Zhun-ti's eyes: "Senior Brother, Wanhua has left the realm, and his academy is sealed off—this is a heaven-sent Opportunity! Perhaps we could find a way to..."

Jieyin slowly shook his head, his face showing signs of distress: "The time is not yet ripe; we must not act rashly. The Chaos is no place of kindness; since he dared to go, he must have something to rely on. Let us observe the changes for now."

The top Great Powers at Kunlun Mountains, the Sea of Blood, and other locations also cast their gazes toward the East Sea and the Chaos, each harboring their own thoughts.

In the Twisted Void: The Formless Heavenly Demons let out excited hisses: "He has left! The power of the Guardian is greatly diminished! An opportunity! Our opportunity has arrived!"

At the East Sea Sea Eye: The remnants of the Dragon Race were even more restless: "Good! This is excellent!

With Wanhua gone, the Heavenly Court's blockade in place, and the academy isolated without support! This is the perfect time for us to act in the shadows, loosen the seals, and draw the Power of Annihilation to throw the East Sea into chaos once more!"

Wanhua's departure was like dropping a piece onto a chessboard already surging with undercurrents, one capable of changing the entire situation.

For a time, all eyes were focused on the sealed Myriad Dao Academy and the unfathomable Chaos.

Could the academy withstand the overt and covert attacks from all sides while lacking the presence of a Sage?

And could Wanhua, deep within the Chaos, find and rescue Yun Su in time to resolve that unknown crisis?

The situation in the Primordial Era, due to the movement of the Sage, suddenly became even more murky and fraught with murderous intent.