Answering a Question with a Question? Scientific Thinking Amazes Saints

Inside the Hall of Following One's Heart, time seemed to stand still. Lin Xuan's answer had fallen, yet its lingering echo seemed to still reverberate between the beams and pillars, striking the Dao heart of everyone present who had heard it. His discourse on "Dao," "Dharma," and "Teachings" completely transcended the inherent metaphysical framework of the Primordial Era, carrying a rationality and meticulous analysis that was almost "heretical," breaking down grand concepts into operable and verifiable components.

Holy Mother of Fire Spirit was already dumbfounded. He had cultivated for no short time, heard his master lecture, and debated Dharma with many fellow disciples, yet no one had ever likened "Dao" to a "road" and "tool," attributed the superiority or inferiority of "Dharma" to "suitability" and "development," let alone concretized the sacred "teachings" into unheard-of measures like a "knowledge base," "resource platform," and "mutual learning." He only felt his mind buzzing, experiencing both the clarity of sudden enlightenment and the dizziness of cognitive dissonance. The way he looked at Lin Xuan was no longer just admiration, but tinged with a trace of awe.

Above the cloud bed, the clear light representing Sovereign of the Heavens' divine sense, after a long, almost suffocating silence, finally rippled again. This time, it was no longer a slight fluctuation, but like a giant stone thrown into a calm lake, stirring up layers upon layers of light halos.

From within the clear light, a very faint sigh, as if from an eternity ago, was heard. Immediately, Sovereign of the Heavens' calm yet majestic voice rang out, each word seeming to contain the resonance of the Great Dao:

"Xuanyuanzi..."

Just three words, yet they made Lin Xuan's heart tremble. Because in that tone, there was no longer the initial indifferent scrutiny, but an unprecedented... solemnity and inquiry.

"What you have said, upon first hearing, does indeed seem like an 'irrelevant answer'," Sovereign of the Heavens said slowly. "When discussing Dao in the Primordial Era, all speak of comprehending the Heavenly Dao, aligning with nature, and following Heaven and man. Yet you speak of 'laws,' 'tools,' 'standards,' and 'systems'... these are not orthodox pronouncements of the Xuan sect."

Lin Xuan's heart tightened, but he did not panic. He merely lowered his head respectfully, awaiting the rest.

As expected, Sovereign of the Heavens' tone suddenly shifted, revealing a hint of barely concealed surprise and admiration: "However, upon careful consideration, every word you speak is a gem, directly pointing to the origin! You have grounded the ethereal 'Dao' in knowable and perceivable 'principles'; you have reduced the profound and mysterious 'Dharma' to useful or useless 'instruments'; and even more so, you have detailed the grand aspiration of educating all beings into specific strategies of who can be taught, how to teach them, and how to teach them well!"

The clear light suddenly intensified, and Sovereign of the Heavens' voice rose slightly, carrying an emotion rarely seen in a Saint: "Especially this 'teaching according to aptitude,' 'sharing knowledge,' and 'mutual learning'! Well said, 'mutual learning'! I established the Jie Sect with the aim of carving out a sliver of hope for all beings. However, my previous thoughts were mostly about broadly opening the sect's doors, teaching all without discrimination, yet I never deeply considered that the word 'teach' could hold such profound knowledge and so many possibilities!"

He seemed to be talking to himself, or perhaps discussing with Lin Xuan: "If we follow your words, establish hierarchies, set standards, share resources, and encourage debate... wouldn't that truly transform that 'sliver of hope' into a trickling stream, nourishing more destined lands? Instead of relying entirely on the disciples' own fate and fortune as before, with only a few succeeding?"

At this point, Sovereign of the Heavens' divine sense seemed completely captivated by this entirely new line of thought. The clear light surged, and he began to deduce: "Establish basic Daoist academies to teach common knowledge such as breathing techniques, identifying spirit grass, and basic formations... Create a contribution system where disciples can earn advanced cultivation methods or resources by completing tasks, exploring secret realms, or innovating Dharma techniques... Regularly hold Dao discussion forums, with no entry barriers, selecting only the talented... Even establish specialized research institutions to study alchemy, artifact forging, formations, and other hundred arts, making them professional and systematic..."

After a moment of deduction, the clear light slowly subsided. Sovereign of the Heavens' voice returned to its calm tone, but the admiration within it grew even richer: "Xuanyuanzi, your way of thinking is vastly different from the ordinary, yet it secretly aligns with the true meaning of 'Jie'—to break free from the shackles of the old framework and open up the possibility of new paths! This is not small wisdom, but great enlightenment!"

This evaluation was exceptionally high! It directly affirmed the value of Lin Xuan's thinking and elevated it to a level consistent with the core tenets of the Jie Sect's teachings!

Holy Mother of Fire Spirit listened from the side, his heart surging with emotion. He had never seen his master praise someone so highly, and moreover, a rogue cultivator of the Human Race! The way he looked at Lin Xuan was now almost worshipful.

The heavy stone in Lin Xuan's heart finally landed. He knew his risky "answer" had succeeded. He quickly bowed: "Esteemed Saint, you flatter me. I am unworthy of such praise. These are merely some crude ideas. To receive the Saint's favor is my honor."

"There is no need for excessive humility," Sovereign of the Heavens interrupted. "Wisdom knows no origin, and insight knows no roots. Since you possess such a root of wisdom, remaining in this secondary residence of Kunlun Mountain would be a waste of your talent."

Within the clear light, a more solidified intention locked onto Lin Xuan: "Xuanyuanzi, my true self is currently at Biyou Palace on Jin'ao Island in the East Sea. Are you willing to accompany Holy Mother of Fire Spirit to Jin'ao Island and join my Jie Sect? You need not start as a registered disciple. I can grant you the position of 'Guest Minister,' with the treatment of an elder, specializing in researching sect doctrines and reforming sect affairs. The Biyou Palace library, alchemy rooms, and artifact forging rooms will all be open to you. I wish to see what brilliance your 'scientific thinking' can unleash within my Jie Sect!"

Guest Minister! Elder treatment! Specializing in researching sect doctrines!

This treatment far exceeded Lin Xuan's expectations! It was equivalent to skipping all the foundational stages and becoming one of the core strategists of the Jie Sect! This showed how highly Sovereign of the Heavens valued his "scientific thinking."

The opportunity was right before him; how could Lin Xuan miss it? He suppressed his excitement and bowed deeply: "I am grateful for the esteemed Saint's favor. Xuanyuanzi is willing to go to Jin'ao Island and do his utmost to contribute his meager strength to the prosperity of the Jie Sect!"

"Excellent!" Sovereign of the Heavens' voice carried a hint of joy. "Most excellent! Holy Mother of Fire Spirit."

"Your disciple is here!" Holy Mother of Fire Spirit quickly responded.

"Take my decree and immediately prepare to escort Guest Minister Xuanyuanzi to Biyou Palace on Jin'ao Island to meet Duobao and arrange all matters."

"I obey your decree!" Holy Mother of Fire Spirit loudly promised, his face filled with excitement.

The clear light on the cloud bed gradually faded, and Sovereign of the Heavens' divine sense seemed about to depart. But at the last moment, he left another meaningful sentence that entered Lin Xuan's ears: "Xuanyuanzi, the established rules of the Primordial Era are not necessarily the only rules. Your 'science' may bring some new variables to this world. Take care of yourself."

As the voice faded, the clear light completely dissipated, and the Hall of Following One's Heart returned to its tranquility.

Lin Xuan stood in place, savoring the Saint's final words, his heart churning. He understood that he, a tiny butterfly, had officially flapped his wings, and the storm might soon begin because of him.

An irrelevant answer? No, it was a cognitive shock akin to dimensional reduction! With his "scientific" thinking system that surpassed the era, Lin Xuan not only successfully impressed Sovereign of the Heavens but also achieved an extremely high starting point. The path to the core of the Jie Sect had been paved.