Unlimited priesthood

Chapter 188 Taiyi
Several days later, at Yulong Island in Dongting Lake.

“Sister Yuxiu, it was indeed Senior Baiyunsou who was in the wrong in this matter.”

Inside the cave, the two were alone. Qi Qing'er earnestly advised, "But Senior Sister Li is still waiting for your help in the Western Sea. Considering our years of cultivation together and the grand situation of breaking the demonic barrier, you should go back."

His words conveyed a sense of powerlessness and a hint of resentment.

The three heroes and two beauties are all destined by fate, so why is she the only one who is so troublesome, always wanting to run away in a huff?

"Qing'er, this is not something I did out of willfulness!"

Faced with Qi Qing'er's words, Zhong Yuxiu shook her head: "If you were in her shoes, and your mentor was insulted like this, could you remain indifferent and make no statement?"

"This……"

Qi Qing'er hesitated, unsure how to respond.

"That old man Baiyun schemed outside the arena, trampling my master's reputation underfoot and turning this sword duel into a conspiracy and trap. It's only because this plan failed that he succeeded. If he had succeeded, how would the world view my master? A treacherous scoundrel, a fraudster who steals fame from the world?"

"Not to mention that after the failure, he went even further, accusing my master of protecting a demonic cultivator in front of the whole world. Did he really think he could decide right and wrong on his own?"

Zhong Yuxiu said coldly, "How can one sweep the world if one cannot even sweep one's own room? My master has been humiliated. As his disciple, if I remain indifferent, how can I have the face to talk about the common people?"

"..."

Qi Qing'er was silent for a moment before she smiled bitterly and said, "It is true that Senior Baiyun Sou was in the wrong, but he is a righteous senior with high moral character and prestige. Asking him to come and apologize in person would be a loss of face for him. What do you think..."

"He cares about his reputation, but my master doesn't care about his?"

Before she could finish speaking, she was interrupted. Zhong Yuxiu said coldly, "Even if Master doesn't hold this against him, I will seek revenge on him in the future. He is disrespectful to his elders and presumptuously calls himself a senior!"

Qi Qing'er: "..."

Just then, a voice came from outside the cave: "Senior Sister, Master has ordered you to go to the Reception Hall."

"The Hall of Reception?"

Zhong Yuxiu was taken aback.

Qi Qing'er breathed a sigh of relief: "It must be a righteous person who has come to pay a visit and apologize to the Sword Master Qingming on behalf of Senior Bai. Senior Sister Lingying and the others should also be here, which is why the Sword Master Qingming sent you there, hoping to turn hostility into friendship."

Having said that, he stood up, took Zhong Yuxiu's hand, and said, "Sword Master's painstaking efforts must not be wasted!"

Zhong Yuxiu hesitated for a moment, then nodded and went with her to the welcoming hall.

A moment later, in the welcoming hall.

When Zhong Yuxiu and Qi Qing'er arrived, they saw Shen He sitting in the main seat, with a group of people sitting on his left and right. These were Taoist Mei, the South Sea Nun, the Old Man Fishing for Turtles, and other righteous masters, as well as Yu Lingying, Wenrenying, and Gu Shenxiu, the two heroes and one beauty.

"Yuxiu greets Master!"

Zhong Yuxiu stepped forward and bowed to Shen He, but did not pay her respects to the elders such as Mei Daoren.

Their attitude speaks volumes.

Seeing this, Master Mei had no choice but to pretend not to see it.

Shen He smiled faintly: "Have you not greeted these seniors yet?"

Zhong Yuxiu nodded and bowed to the group of Nascent Soul cultivators, saying, "Yuxiu greets all the seniors."

"Good good!"

"Please get up quickly!"

Although his words were neither warm nor cold, Master Mei nodded repeatedly, and the other Nascent Soul cultivators echoed his sentiments.

As righteous and accomplished individuals, they shouldn't be so humble. Even if Zhong Yuxiu were to achieve the Nascent Soul or even the Divine Soul stage, they could maintain their composure as elders and wouldn't need to be so fearful.

However, Baiyun Sou had left them with a mess. This visit was to apologize and make peace. They had to consider not only Zhong Yuxiu but also the Qingming Sword Master. They simply didn't have the confidence to put on any airs of superiority or seniority.

Zhong Yuxiu ignored them, and after bowing, she stood behind Shen He with her hands clasped.

All eyes turned back to the person in question, and the eldest and most senior, Daoist Mei, spoke up: "We have come here to apologize. It is true that Senior Baiyun Sou did something inappropriate in the matter at Xuanxiao Mountain. We ask Sword Master Li for your forgiveness..."

"There's no need to discuss this further."

Shen He shook his head, silencing the crowd: "The truth will be judged by history!"

"..."

"..."

"..."

Upon hearing this, everyone could only remain silent.

How did the conversation suddenly die out?

Is this person really going to hold onto this matter?

Just as everyone was filled with doubt...

"However, I have something to discuss with you all."

Shen He's words restarted the conversation.

"Oh?"

Master Mei's eyes narrowed: "May I ask what it is?"

"This calamity has brought disaster to the world and caused suffering to all people!"

Shen He sighed deeply, his words filled with sorrow: "Inland lands are nearly deserted, with hundreds of millions of lives lost and devoured by demons. We cultivators take from the heavens, yet we cannot save the crumbling edifice, turn the tide, eliminate demons, protect the righteous path, or save the common people. We have truly failed the heavens and the earth, and we have failed the very essence of cultivators!"

"..."

"..."

"..."

Upon hearing this, the cultivators fell silent, and Mei Daoren felt a sense of foreboding.

Why is it bad?

Because these words sound familiar, there's a strange sense of déjà vu!
Shouldn't these be his words?

Mei Daoren awoke with a start, feeling an even greater sense of unease, but he was unable to utter a sound.

Shen He ignored him: "Although we managed to eliminate Tianlu and his demons at the last moment and barely quell the chaos in the interior, the disaster has already been brewing and the deaths cannot be reversed. It is heartbreaking!"

"..."

"..."

"..."

Everyone remained silent upon hearing this.

Old people are shrewd, and old ghosts are clever!

As Nascent Soul cultivators who had lived for hundreds or even thousands of years, they were all incredibly shrewd and perceptive, and they had already vaguely discerned the meaning behind Shen He's words.

But even if you understand what they've heard, you can't point it out, because there are some things you can't say openly, especially since they don't have the initiative in the current situation.

So they could only remain silent, except for Mei Daoren who responded, "What the Sword Master says is very true. The demonic path has caused chaos and brought calamity to all living beings. We have failed to slay the demons and are truly ashamed before Heaven and Earth."

"At this point, pursuing guilt and accountability is meaningless."

Shen He shook his head: "But we must learn from this lesson. In your opinion, what lesson should we learn from this calamity?"

"This……"

The cultivators exchanged glances, unsure of what to say.

Only Master Mei, steeling himself, said, "Please enlighten me, Sword Master."

Shen He shook his head: "We have made three major mistakes this time!"

"A single mistake in indulging treacherous officials and allowing demons to take hold will ultimately lead to a dangerous situation, causing suffering to the world!"

"The second mistake was clinging to outdated knowledge, leaving cultivators with no way to progress and forcing them to fall into demonic ways, ultimately leading to widespread chaos!" "The third mistake was disregarding the common people, focusing solely on seclusion and cultivation, neglecting to govern the country, thus causing the people's hearts to be adrift!"

After saying this, Shen He looked at the people around him and said, "If it weren't for these three major mistakes, how could the demons have run rampant, and how could the common people have suffered?"

"..."

"..."

"..."

Upon hearing this, the cultivators fell silent once more.

The true motive is revealed when the map is unrolled!
Having said all that, they clearly understood that the other party was in a difficult position.

But as I said before, there are some things you can't say out loud, even if you know them perfectly well.

So everyone remained silent, except for Mei Daoren, who forced himself to speak: "What the Sword Master says is very true, we will certainly reflect deeply on our mistakes!"

"Simply reflecting on one's mistakes is far from enough!"

Shen He spoke in a deep voice, finally revealing his true intentions: "I want to restore order to the world, reopen the door to convenience, rule the world with law, educate the people, and leave no place for demons and evil ways."

"..."

"..."

"..."

The cultivators remained seated, their eyes filled with astonishment and doubt.

What does this mean?
They originally thought that this person just wanted to take advantage of the situation to seize the inland lands, and like the former "Xuanxiao Sect", establish a sect and dominate the region.

This was originally nothing, although the inland was the ancient central hub and the most virtuous place in the world, with great cause and effect and great connection, but that is already yesterday's news.

If a sect like the Xuanxiao Sect, which is at the Core Formation stage, could be its leader, then it was only natural for him, a Nascent Soul cultivator, to take his place. No one objected.

But this...

To restore order and open the gates wide?

A world governed by law, a society educated and guided by morality?
What is this for?
Why is there a distinction between the orthodox and unorthodox paths in the world?
It's because of sectarianism.

The door is not opened lightly, and the law is not personally transmitted!
All the major orthodox sects, whether immortal or demonic, strictly guard their gates and do not easily accept disciples.

Many cultivators, unable to enter the orthodox lineage, are forced to practice through various haphazard methods.

This is the origin of unorthodox schools!

Why?
The primary factor is resources, followed by public sentiment.

The universe is limited and cannot support too many cultivators.

Human nature is treacherous, and there is even more competition among cultivators.

Therefore, there shouldn't be too many cultivators, as too many will inevitably lead to chaos.

Therefore, the major orthodox sects guard their gates closely, limiting the number of cultivators and ensuring their suppression of unorthodox sects.

If we open the door wide and allow people to enter the path of cultivation, the result will be the same as this calamity and the spread of demonic teachings, creating an environment like breeding poison, causing cultivators to fight and kill each other for cultivation resources, and even going to extremes and turning to the demonic path.

This is definitely a path to disaster!

He couldn't possibly be unaware of the consequences and the dangers involved.

Why would he do that?
Is it merely to become the leader of a religion?
Or is there some other motive?
The cultivators remained silent, filled with astonishment and doubt.

Finally, Master Mei forced himself to speak: "Restoring order is a matter of course, but this matter of education..."

"Don't worry, everyone!"

Shen He said in a deep voice: "I will open the door to education, taking morality and conduct as the foundation and laws and regulations as the framework, to educate the world and rectify people's hearts. I will never allow demonic chaos to happen again."

Cultivation, resources, competition!

Having experienced governing twice, Shen He was well aware of the relationship between them.

If you only pass on the techniques without disciplining or controlling them, allowing them to grow unchecked and unchecked, it will inevitably lead to vicious competition and chaos throughout the land.

However, if you can manage, guide, and limit them properly, reform those who need reformation, punish those who need to be punished, and even kill those who need to be killed, and establish a sound system, then this competition can be transformed from vicious to benign.

To put it bluntly, he wanted to open up a channel for advancement, but not let it run wild; instead, he guided, controlled, and restricted it to prevent it from deteriorating and collapsing.

This upward mobility is not only for the world, but also for himself; his power will grow rapidly through this means.

As for the issues of public sentiment and resources...

The former can involve moral education and legal constraints.

The latter can introduce methods to increase production capacity.

He was very successful in both the Martial Dynasty World and the Spirit Control World.

Because he is a time traveler, with the dominant cosmic civilization of humanity standing behind him, and possessing the immense power to suppress the world, he can single-handedly drag an entire era forward, ensuring that the train does not go out of control and derail.

In addition, as a professional, he possesses incredible professional strength and innate skills. Once he reaches a certain level and develops the corresponding profession and talent, both of these problems can be properly resolved.

Although he doesn't have such a profession yet, with the various production-enhancing technologies of the human empire and the depleted population of the inland areas ravaged by the demonic calamity, his early development can proceed smoothly.

How did the golden ages of each dynasty come about?

After the turmoil, the population dwindled, leaving ample room for development to meet the needs of the masses and quell conflicts, thus creating a golden age.

When a golden age reaches its peak, the population exceeds its limit, squeezing living space, and resources cannot meet the demand or resolve conflicts, then turmoil will occur, with chaos erupting everywhere, resulting in widespread slaughter, and the cycle will begin anew.

This is the cyclical nature of history.

With the inland population dwindling and ample space and resources available, there is no need to worry about early-stage development.

As for the mid-to-late stages, relying on the human empire's production technology to increase revenue and reduce expenditure, and later relying on professional skills to turn the impossible into the possible, there is a certain probability that this historical cycle can be broken.

Even if it can't be broken, it's just restarting the cycle.

Neither the Martial Dynasty World nor the Spirit Control World has developed to that level.

Now, in this Taiyuan world, Shen He wants to give it a try.

If successful, he will gain terrifying influence, create a stronger and greater career, and reach higher and farther realms.

If we fail, then it's fate.

This is his plan for the future, and also the key to breaking the current deadlock.

Three heroes and two outstanding talents, destined to vanquish the demon!
The power of destiny comes from the Way of Heaven!
Where does the power of Heaven's Way come from?

From humans, from immortals, from demons, from all living beings and spirits, from all things.

You can't expect a world where civilization has ceased to exist, life is dwindling, and everything is in ruins to possess any great power.

To strengthen humanity is to strengthen the way of Heaven!
Therefore, even disregarding Shen He's own various needs, just to help Tianming break the Demon Heaven Tribulation, this inland area must be developed and its ecology must be restored.

The various sects of Xuanmen share the same idea.

However, unlike Shen He, they only intended to restore everything to its original state, and did not pursue things with the same boldness or even madness as Shen He.

This is perfectly reasonable, since they don't need to advance their careers, so there's no reason for them to do so many thankless and potentially backfire-prone things.

Even now, when Shenhe wants to do it, they are hesitant.

A world governed by law, a society educated and guided by morality?
To put it bluntly, isn't this just giving you a monopoly?

Isn't this a bit too domineering? You should know that even Mount Taihua, which is known as the number one immortal sect in the East Sea, is only the leader in the East Sea. There are many orthodox sects and unorthodox sects under it.

Now this person wants to monopolize the inland, the former ancient central hub. Due to the karmic entanglements, all cultivators have no choice but to be suspicious and cautious.

After a long silence, Mei Daoren finally spoke up, forcing himself to speak: "Sword Master, what is the name of this sect you have established?"

Shen He smiled and said, "The Dao takes the Supreme One as its origin, encompassing all laws and returning them to oneness. Everything in the world, above and below heaven, is contained within it. Therefore, I intend to name it after the Supreme One, hence the name Taiyi Dao Palace!"

(End of this chapter)