The Purple Gold Jade Slip hovered quietly before Chen Changsheng.
It looked no different from three days ago.
The only difference was that above the cold horizontal line marked [Project Initiator], there was now an extra character and a symbol.
The character was ancient and vigorous, as though it contained the origin and end of the Three Thousand Great Daos.
The symbol was simple and direct, yet seemed to encompass all the unknowns and variables between heaven and earth.
Sect Leader Tongtian's heart sank to rock bottom.
He had envisioned countless possibilities.
The Dao Ancestor might fly into a rage and Inflict Heavenly Punishment.
The Dao Ancestor might ignore it, letting it vanish without a trace.
But he had never considered this possibility.
What was this supposed to mean?
Was it a question? Mockery? Or... a jest from the level of the Heavenly Dao, one utterly impossible to comprehend with existing logic?
Daoist Duobao and Zhao Gongming barely dared to breathe.
They only felt that their primordial spirits were as insignificant as dust before that simple question mark, liable to be crushed to pieces at any moment by the supreme will contained behind it.
Golden Ao Island fell deathly silent.
Everyone's gaze focused on Chen Changsheng, waiting for his reaction—or rather... waiting for him to break down.
Yet Chen Changsheng merely looked quietly at the Jade Slip.
There was no fear or panic on his face.
He even frowned slightly, like a mortal craftsman examining a flawed work of his own.
After a long while.
He slowly raised his head.
He looked at Daoist Duobao, who had long since become deeply unsettled, and actually showed a trace of apology.
"Senior Brother Duobao."
"It seems our work has not been meticulous enough."
Daoist Duobao froze.
"J-Junior Brother, what do you mean?"
"We were wrong."
Chen Changsheng's voice was calm yet certain, as though he were stating an established fact.
"We made the most fatal mistake in process design."
He raised the Jade Slip in his hand and pointed at the question mark, his expression solemn.
"We failed to fully consider the actual circumstances of the 'user.'"
"User?"
Daoist Duobao and Zhao Gongming exchanged glances, both utterly bewildered.
"That's right. The user."
Chen Changsheng stressed the word, his eyes blazing with startling brilliance at that moment.
"The Dao Ancestor had sat high within the Purple Cloud Palace for countless Yuanhui and had long since removed himself from specific affairs. He was accustomed to issuing broad directives and steering the overall course of events."
"And although our Survey Form is logically clear and has distinct rights and responsibilities, for a user like the Dao Ancestor, who is 'encountering our Process for the first time,' it is still too... professional and too complicated."
"That is why he became confused when faced with this form."
Chen Changsheng pointed at the question mark and interpreted this response from the Heavenly Dao for everyone, word by word.
"This question mark is not asking us, 'What gives you the right?'"
"He is asking, 'What is this?' 'How should I fill it out?' and 'What use is it after I fill it out?'"
"This is the most valuable... user feedback!"
His words were like thunder splitting open chaos.
They struck Sect Leader Tongtian, Daoist Duobao, and Zhao Gongming so hard that their bodies and minds trembled, their Dao hearts buzzing.
User... feedback?
They looked at the question mark containing supreme heavenly might, then at Chen Changsheng's sincere expression of "so that's what it was."
All of a sudden, they felt that the Dao they had cultivated for countless Yuanhuis might have been cultivated... into a dog.
"Then... what should we do now?"
Daoist Duobao had completely given up thinking by now. His only thought was to follow the Dao Protector's train of thought.
Even if that path led to an abyss of eternal damnation.
"Improve it!"
Chen Changsheng's eyes gleamed with a light called Product Iteration.
"Since the standard version has poor user experience, we will immediately launch... the Dao Ancestor Exclusive Version!"
As he spoke, he sat down directly on the ground.
"Senior Brother Duobao, Senior Brother Zhao Gongming, please help me!"
"We must rush out a brand-new Survey Form overnight—one that is clearer, more detailed, and more... user-friendly!"
Under Sect Leader Tongtian's complicated gaze, filled with shock, confusion, and a faint trace of expectation.
The core leadership of the Interception Sect's Calamity Aversion Department held its first "emergency product optimization meeting" right before the gates of Golden Ao Island, based on Dao Ancestor Hongjun's "user feedback."
"First, the heading must be changed."
Chen Changsheng took out a new Jade Slip, his expression focused.
"The previous 'To the Dao Ancestor's Office of the Purple Cloud Palace' was too cold and lacked human warmth. Change it to... 'To Respected Dao Ancestor Hongjun.' Add the words 'Personal Opening' after it as well, to show respect."
Daoist Duobao's hand trembled, and he nearly crushed another Jade Slip.
"Second, the body needs introductory guidance."
Chen Changsheng continued.
"We cannot start by discussing work. We must first introduce ourselves and explain the core concept of our Process Dao: 'Bring all conflicts under rules, and solve the greatest problems at the smallest cost.'"
"We must let the Dao Ancestor understand that we are not provoking him. We are easing his burdens and offering him a brand-new solution for 'perfecting the order of the Heavenly Dao'!"
Zhao Gongming nodded repeatedly as he listened. Although he still felt that something was off, it... did sound quite reasonable.
"The most crucial part is the questions themselves."
Chen Changsheng's expression became incomparably solemn.
"There were too many open-ended questions before. For the Dao Ancestor, the highest leader who handles countless affairs every day, they wasted too much time."
"This time, we will change them all into... multiple-choice questions!"
He picked up a jade brush and rapidly began drafting on the Light Screen.
[1. Regarding the core driving force behind this "Elucidate Dao" project, what is your primary objective? (Single choice)] [A. Improve the existing order of the Heavenly Dao and strengthen controllability.] [B. Seek the optimal solution for the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation and reduce internal conflict among the Sages.] [C. Purely academic discussion to satisfy personal curiosity.] [D. All of the above.] [2. Regarding the possible impact of the "Process Dao," which aspect concerns you most? (Multiple choices allowed)] [A. Whether it will impact the existing balance among the Sages.] [B. Whether it will affect the balance of fortune between the Mystic Sect and the Western Sect.] [C. Whether it can effectively reduce the destructive power of the Tribulation.] [D. To whom the final right of interpretation over the Process belongs.] [3. If this project succeeds, what do you believe is the most reasonable method of distributing the results?] [A. The Purple Cloud Palace takes the lead, the Interception Sect assists, and the results are split seventy-thirty.] [B. The Interception Sect takes the lead, the Purple Cloud Palace supervises, and the results are split fifty-fifty.] [C. Establish a joint Project Team for joint development, with results distributed according to contribution.] [D. Master, just give us whatever you think is appropriate.]
When Chen Changsheng wrote down the final option, Sect Leader Tongtian could no longer hold back. He failed to catch his breath and began coughing violently.
Looking at that "Option D," he felt that this newly accepted disciple not only deeply understood the Dao of Process, but had also brought the mortal art of social finesse to a realm that even Sages would marvel at.
"Lastly."
Chen Changsheng took a deep breath and added another section at the bottom of the form.
[User Experience and Suggestion Feedback] [Respected Dao Ancestor, so that we may serve you better, please provide your valuable opinion on the design of this Survey Form. (Please check one)] [A. Extremely clear and easy to understand.] [B. Basically clear, though certain areas require optimization.] [C. Not very clear. Recommend reworking it from scratch.] [D. (Please write your specific suggestions here: ________)]
After finishing everything, Chen Changsheng finally let out a long breath.
He handed this "Dao Ancestor Exclusive Version 2.0 Survey Form," which embodied the greatest wisdom of the Interception Sect, to the stunned Daoist Duobao.
"Senior Brother, sorry for the trouble."
Daoist Duobao mechanically accepted the Jade Slip. Sweeping it with his divine sense, he felt that every option was like a death warrant.
But he still did as instructed.
Because he had already gone numb.
Under the gazes of tens of thousands of Interception Sect disciples, filled with worship, fear, and fanaticism.
That Mailroom disciple was once again hauled before the altar.
His face was ashen, his hands trembling as he sent that Official Letter—enough to overturn the Primordial World—into the passage leading beyond the Thirty-Three Heavens for the second time.
This time, Golden Ao Island's deathly silence lasted only one day.
The next morning.
Chaos descended once more.
For the third time, a stream of light fell from the direction of the Purple Cloud Palace.
Everyone's hearts rose to their throats.
What would it be this time?
Thunderous fury? Or... another question mark?
The radiance faded.
What hovered before Chen Changsheng was neither a returned Jade Slip nor a new decree.
It was a brush.
An utterly ordinary writing brush, made from unknown green bamboo... the most commonplace kind of brush.
No Dao Charm flowed along its shaft.
No trace of spiritual power remained upon its bristles.
It simply hovered there quietly, as though waiting for something.
Sect Leader Tongtian's pupils abruptly contracted.
What... did this mean?
Was it telling him to shut up and stop making all this flashy nonsense?
Or...
Just as everyone fell into tremendous confusion.
Chen Changsheng's face broke into a brilliant smile of immense relief.
He gave the brush a deep, respectful bow.
"This disciple understands."
He turned to Daoist Duobao, who was still at a loss, excitement in his voice that he could barely contain.
"Senior Brother Duobao!"
"Quick!"
"Bring us that Survey Form!"
"The Dao Ancestor... is going to fill it out personally!"
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