Martial Dao Appears

The Wan'an County yamen.

The atmosphere was extremely heavy.

Cai Tongchen held his teacup in a pose that had lasted for an unknown amount of time; the tea was nearly cold.

The two Great Scholars in the main seats remained silent, their powerful auras causing the temperature of the entire yamen to drop significantly.

"The main responsibility for this matter lies with me," Wei Yan said after a long pause. "I thought the presence of two Great Scholars would be enough to handle this selection of the Literary Heart, but I didn't expect Brother Su to have to fight alone."

Su Liancheng shook his head slightly upon hearing this. "Brother Wei, do not blame yourself. You have only been in the Great Scholar realm of 'Gewu' for three years, having just crossed the Fourth Mountain Sea. As for that old woman, she has already refined a transformation Gu, making her the same rank as you, a Third-rank Gu Master."

"The Dao of Gu has been silent for hundreds of years. Its sudden appearance, and your falling into their scheme, is unavoidable."

"What I truly care about is that forged Emperor Lin's Martial Book. Although it's a replica, it clearly imprinted the power of the true artifact. This means the force behind them possesses at least one genuine Emperor Lin's Martial Book."

"Emperor Lin's Martial Book?" Cai Tongchen was startled, a figure from history flashing through his mind. A hundred years ago, a peerless empress ruled the Great Xuan Dynasty. In just ten years, she subdued the Demons and Barbarians, making all hundred tribes submit. She was bestowed the title "Great Emperor Lin Tian" and ushered in an era of prosperity for the Great Xuan. She was revered by the world as "Emperor Lin." At her enthronement ceremony, Emperor Lin, along with Great Scholars of Confucianism, Dao Lords of Taoism, Bodhisattvas of the Buddhist sect, and Barbarian Kings and Great Sages of the Demon Race, jointly penned seven imperial decrees to suppress lawlessness, known as the "Emperor Lin's Martial Book."

Wei Yan pondered for a moment and said, "Of the seven Martial Books, one was consumed during the 'Chaos of Tianshu' back then, leaving six. Three are at the Great Wall of Righteous Qi in the north, two are in the south, and one is in His Majesty's hands. Combining this with the inference from the Literary Heart, if a Great Scholar of the Literary Heart appeared in the north, the news couldn't be kept secret; could the people behind this be from the south..."

"Careful with your words!" Su Liancheng interrupted Wei Yan. Wei Yan realized he had almost spoken out of turn and quickly cupped his hands in thanks to Su Liancheng.

Su Liancheng waved his hand. "Whether it's the Dao of Gu or the Martial Book, these are matters beyond our intervention. We should report this to the Chancellor of Literature..."

Wei Yan nodded. "That is indeed the case. And Chen Luo..."

Before Wei Yan could finish speaking, a commotion arose from outside the yamen. Cai Tongchen's expression shifted slightly, and he shouted towards the door, "What is all this noise!"

A yamen runner flew in from outside. Cai Tongchen flicked his palm, and a stream of white energy rose from nowhere, catching the yamen runner. The yamen runner saw Cai Tongchen and cried out, "Sir, someone is breaking into the yamen..."

Just then, Ji Zhong strode into the yamen hall. Behind Ji Zhong, Xiao Huan followed, supporting Chen Xuan.

Ji Zhong entered the hall and bowed deeply to Cai Tongchen and the two Great Scholars. "This student, despite all obstruction, insisted on entering the yamen. I beg the two Great Scholars and the County Magistrate for punishment!"

Hearing Ji Zhong's words, Chen Xuan knew he was telling her that the main party had been found. She gently pushed Xiao Huan away, knelt down with a thud, and bowed her head heavily to the ground.

"This commoner, Chen Xuan, implores the Great Scholars and the County Magistrate to act and rescue this commoner's younger brother!"

With that, she touched her forehead to the ground, performing a deep bow.

Xiao Huan, seeing this, quickly knelt beside Chen Xuan and pleaded, "Please, sirs, rescue our young master..."

"Alas, please rise..." Wei Yan reached out to help her up, then turned to Su Liancheng to explain, "This is Chen Luo's Sister." He then looked at Chen Xuan, "Please rise. We will not ignore Chen Luo's matter."

Su Liancheng also nodded. "I have already sent word to my senior brother, asking him to divine Chen Luo's whereabouts."

Just then, a high-pitched voice echoed from outside the yamen--

"Imperial Decree has arrived!"

A eunuch, dressed in a bright yellow palace robe, holding an Imperial Decree, descended from the sky and landed in the front courtyard of the yamen. He paused slightly upon seeing the situation but then stepped forward and bowed to the two Great Scholars.

"Esteemed Great Scholars, this humble servant has been ordered to deliver an Imperial Decree."

Wei Yan asked, "Is it for Chen Luo of the Chen Manor?"

The eunuch nodded. "Indeed, it is an Imperial Decree from His Majesty, bestowing the title of Earl of Wan'an." He then looked at Cai Tongchen, "Lord Cai, please lead the way..."

Cai Tongchen gave a wry smile and pointed to Chen Xuan, who had just been helped up by Xiao Huan. "This is Chen Luo's sister. Chen Luo... is lost..."

The eunuch delivering the decree: (O_O)?

Chen Luo opened his eyes, and the scene before him stunned him.

Normally, if he were asleep or unconscious in the outside world, his consciousness would appear in the Dream Flower Forest. However, he now found himself in a strange place.

A path of light extended before his feet, and in the distance, a door could be seen at its end. The path was not wide, only about two meters across, with a dark void on either side.

Chen Luo tried to step forward but felt a force preventing him from moving.

As Chen Luo struggled to move forward, about two meters in front of him, countless points of light converged, forming a humanoid silhouette, but its features were indistinct.

A voice echoed throughout the void.

"Successor... have you inherited my Dao?"

Chen Luo was startled and quickly bowed to the figure. "Senior, this junior is Chen Luo, from Wan'an County, Qingzhou. Previously..."

"Alas, in my life, I explored this path of cultivation, only to find it all for naught!"

"But I am not resigned! My Human Race has countless brilliant talents emerging one after another; they will surely not let my Dao be buried..."

Chen Luo was slightly taken aback. He still wanted to explain that he didn't have Righteous Qi, but after calling out a few times, he realized this voice was like a program.

"My wish: Everyone like a Dragon."

"Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism, and the Heavenly Dao, all integrated, can advance learning. I do not seek this."

"For this, I traveled across the continent, seeking to popularize the true methods of cultivation for the Human Race. I trod the Barbarian lands, crossed the Demon plains, visited the blessed lands, and entered the Buddhist kingdoms. I discovered that all living beings in the world revere the Human form!"

"Sages, Dao Ancestors, Buddha Ancestors, are all in Human form."

"Demon Ancestors, Barbarian Heaven, Gu Gods, their descending forms are also in Human form!"

"Why?"

"With a hundred years of my lifespan, I forcefully seized a segment of the Heavenly Dao's power and carefully nurtured it. I discovered that the Heavenly Dao's power also condensed into a Human form!"

"From this, I conclude that our Human Race must have a secret."

"Acupoints, meridians, blood, bone marrow, the five viscera, skin and bone, hair..."

"I spent my entire life and finally explored a path to the heavens, only for my unworthy disciple to tell me that the path is viable, but there is no Qi to use..."

"Sages produce Green Qi, Dao Ancestors produce Purple Qi, Buddha Ancestors produce Golden Qi!"

"Why is it that my path produces no Qi, and has no Qi to use!"

"I am not convinced! I am not convinced! I am not convinced!"

After three loud shouts, the space paused for a moment.

"Descendant, find the fourth kind of Qi, and let our Human Race be like dragons, every one of them!"

The voice stopped there. The humanoid figure condensed from the light spot suddenly moved. Although it had no face, Chen Luo felt that the figure was looking at him.

Then, the humanoid figure walked towards Chen Luo. It was only two meters away, and the figure reached Chen Luo in a few steps, but did not stop. Instead, it entered Chen Luo's body directly.

A large amount of information instantly appeared in Chen Luo's mind. Chen Luo was slightly stunned. As he comprehended the content of the information, he couldn't help but be startled in his heart: This is--

Martial Dao!

Qin Shi Ming Yue, Han Shi Guan, vote to help me cross a thousand mountains.

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