Biyou Lecture, Words That Shocked the Assembly

At the center of Golden Turtle Island, in the square before Biyou Palace.

Auspicious clouds carpeted the ground, and countless streams of radiant qi filled the air. Myriad Jiejiao disciples, from the Inner Sect and Outer Sect to even some registered disciples, sat cross-legged in orderly rows, silent as the grave.

Above the square, a cloud bed hung high in the air. Master Tongtian's figure appeared upon it. Though he did not deliberately release any pressure, the dignity of a Saint naturally made the myriad immortals hold their breath in reverence.

The customary lecture began.

Master Tongtian expounded upon the fundamental Great Dao of Jiejiao—the profound principle of the Heaven-Severing Thread.

He explained how, within the fixed fate decreed by the Heavenly Dao, one might find The One That Escaped and seize a thread of vitality and a chance at transcendence for oneself and all living beings.

The Dao's voice was profound and mysterious. Golden lotuses sprang from the earth, celestial maidens scattered flowers, and wondrous phenomena appeared in abundance. The disciples were utterly entranced, immersed in their comprehension of the Great Dao.

Xuan Chuan sat near the front among the Inner Sect disciples, his position rather prominent and clearly displaying his status as the chief disciple. He too listened attentively, but his gaze remained clear, and he was not wholly lost in the lecture.

He was comparing, contemplating, and combining the "future" he knew with his understanding of The One That Escaped, seeking to grasp the essence of Jiejiao's teachings and... their potential flaws.

The lecture temporarily came to an end, entering the question-and-answer portion. Usually, disciples would ask about difficulties in their cultivation, and Tongtian would resolve their confusion.

However, today was different.

After several disciples finished asking their questions, a brief silence fell over the gathering.

Xuan Chuan drew a deep breath. Under the gaze of the crowd, he slowly rose to his feet and bowed toward Master Tongtian on the cloud bed.

"Disciple Xuan Chuan has a question and humbly asks Master to resolve his confusion."

His voice was not loud, yet it carried clearly across the square, where the lingering echoes of the Dao still remained.

Countless gazes instantly focused on him. Some were curious, some expectant, while others, such as Qiu Shou Immortal, looked upon him with cold disdain.

Master Tongtian's gaze descended, calm and unruffled. "Speak."

Xuan Chuan straightened, his gaze sweeping over the thousands of fellow disciples below before finally meeting Master Tongtian's eyes. He said loudly, "Master often says that the path of our Jiejiao lies in seizing a thread of vitality.

"This disciple is dull-witted, yet after pondering this in recent days, I have a question: when we seize vitality, do we do so for our own transcendence, for the continuation of our lineage, or... for the living beings of this Primordial World?"

The question was somewhat broad, but its intent was lofty. Many disciples showed thoughtful expressions.

Without waiting for anyone to answer, Xuan Chuan continued, "If it is for oneself, then the strong devour the weak, and each bears one's own karma. That is straightforward enough.

"If it is for the lineage, then its fortune must endure and its foundation must remain firm. If it is for all living beings, then we must guide others toward goodness and protect the weak."

His tone suddenly shifted, becoming sharp. "Yet looking at Jiejiao today, most disciples follow only the first path! For treasures, they may slaughter thousands;

"For private grudges, they may implicate the innocent; relying on being disciples of a Saint, they act without restraint and accumulate boundless Karmic Force!"

These words were like cold water falling into boiling oil, instantly changing the atmosphere of the square!

Many disciples' expressions darkened, especially those who normally acted ruthlessly. They glared angrily at Xuan Chuan. He was practically pointing at monks and calling them bald!

Yunxiao, Bixiao, and the others frowned slightly, yet appeared thoughtful. Zhao Gongming's eyes flickered, as though he had gained some insight.

Duobao Daoist's brows furrowed slightly as he looked at Xuan Chuan with a trace of confusion and scrutiny.

He felt that Xuan Chuan's words were too sharp, nearly accusing their master of lax discipline.

Ignoring the disturbance below, Xuan Chuan's voice grew ever more impassioned, carrying the force of a question that probed the heart:

"This disciple dares to ask Master, and also asks all fellow disciples! If we ourselves are entangled in Karmic Force, with karma woven around us like a net and our fortune thoroughly corrupted—

"If we have already sunk into a mire and can barely move... how can we possibly have the strength or the right to seize that thread of vitality for others?!"

"If we cannot even break free from our own 'mire,' how can we speak of seizing heavenly opportunities? How can we speak of transcendence? How can we speak of protecting our lineage and all living beings?!"

"When seizing a thread of vitality, the first thing we should seize should not be external things, but our own clarity! Our righteousness! A free self no longer dragged down by Karmic Force and karma!"

"Only when we ourselves are upright, our fortune clear, and our foundation firm can we, disciples of Jiejiao,

"Truly wield the power of the Heaven-Severing Thread, stand unshaken amid the great calamity, and seize for Jiejiao that thread of vitality that will endure for ten thousand ages!"

His words shocked the entire assembly!

A deathly silence fell over the square!

Xuan Chuan's speech amounted to an implicit yet profoundly incisive criticism of Jiejiao's existing way!

He had shifted the object of "seizing" from external opportunities to internal self-purification and reform!

This utterly overturned the understanding of many disciples! They had always believed that Jiejiao's path was one of bold advancement—seizing every opportunity, strengthening themselves, and naturally fearing neither karma nor consequence.

Who had ever considered that the Karmic Force they accumulated might instead become the death warrant that claimed their lives?

Some disciples fell into deep thought, particularly those who had long been dissatisfied with the sect's atmosphere or whose Karmic Force was not too deep. They felt as though a veil had been lifted from their eyes.

Yet even more disciples wore indignant expressions, believing that Xuan Chuan was denying their path and making alarmist claims!

Duobao Daoist's frown deepened further. He felt that Xuan Chuan's philosophy seemed to be heading in a direction somewhat removed from the current teachings.

Upon the cloud bed, Master Tongtian remained expressionless. No one could discern what he was thinking.

He neither affirmed nor denied Xuan Chuan's words. He merely looked at him calmly, as though regarding a junior who had raised an interesting question.

After a long while, Master Tongtian finally spoke slowly, his voice still calm. "The Dao must be comprehended by oneself. Today's lecture ends here."

With that, his figure slowly faded from atop the cloud bed.

There was no appraisal, no refutation, and no approval.

Yet that alone was enough to inspire endless speculation.

The disciples dispersed with differing thoughts, talking among themselves. Xuan Chuan's question today was destined to stir up a new wave upon Golden Turtle Island.

Xuan Chuan stood where he was, his expression calm. He knew the seed had already been sown.

Just then, a Water-Fire Acolyte came before him and said respectfully, "Eldest Senior Brother, the Cult Master summons you to the rear hall."

It had come.

Xuan Chuan's heart tightened. He knew that the true test was only beginning now.

He adjusted his robes and followed the acolyte deeper into Biyou Palace.