Xuantian 1: Ancient Xuandongtian

Chapter 302, Southern Yuan Dynasty Archives, Volume Two: The Conflict Between Yin and Yang

Heaven and earth are divided into yin and yang, and cultivators are divided into male and female.

Cultivators of the Yang Meridian and those of the Yin Meridian are born with vastly different spiritual and material foundations, leading to even more divergent paths in their struggles. The world often perceives the battles between Yin Meridian cultivators as unpredictable and brutal, far surpassing the direct confrontations of Yang Meridian cultivators. This is not due to inherent evil, but rather to the distinct rules governing their levels of spiritual and material desires, their foundations of power, and the nature of their competitive arenas. This analysis will dissect the fundamental desires of the Yin and Yang Meridians, discern the differences in their forms of struggle, and gain insight into the true nature of the battle between the two.

I. Alignment of the Three Stages of Yin and Yang with the Origin of Spiritual Desire

The greed of mortal beings transforms into spiritual desires when it falls upon cultivators. Regardless of whether it is the Yin or Yang lineage, it is divided into three levels: upper, middle, and lower. The levels correspond to each other, and the desires originate from the same source, but the objects they bear and the points of their thoughts are completely different.

Yang Meridian Cultivator (Male) Third-Order Spiritual Desire
1. Upper Realm: Authority and Dao Heart

This is the highest level of obsession: the single-minded pursuit of extraterritorial authority. It desires to seize power within a sect, control a territory, master the laws of cultivation, govern fellow disciples, command forces, establish hierarchy through strength, and dictate fate through authority. What it seeks is absolute dominance over external forces, the ultimate rule on the path to worldly survival.

2. Middle Realm: The Vast Longing for Treasure
Those who cultivate in the secular world are greedy for rare treasures, magical mansions, heirloom artifacts, and elaborate entourages. They use the abundance of external possessions to demonstrate their cultivation and status, and use their wealth to prove their achievements on the path of cultivation. This is the facade and reliance that cultivators have to establish themselves in the secular world.

3. Lower Realm: Lustful Bones

The most primal and instinctive obsession is the infatuation with the ethereal beauty and physique of stunning female cultivators, and the craving for the pleasure of being surrounded by beauties. This thought directly targets the physical body and outward appearance, representing the most primitive desires of living beings.

Yin Meridian Cultivator (Female) Third-Order Spiritual Desire
Corresponding one-to-one with the Yang meridians, the core of the obsessions of the same level are interconnected, only the carriers they rely on are completely different:
1. Upper Realm: The Pivot of the Meridian

Aligning with the power and Dao heart of the Yang Meridian, this is also the highest level of control. Yin Meridian cultivators do not seek explicit public power such as territorial laws or sect positions, but are determined to become the hub of interpersonal networks. They control the hearts of those around them, the closeness or distance among fellow disciples, and public opinion within their circles, controlling the biases and stances of the masses, establishing their own status by gathering people's hearts, and building their own unique power through interpersonal connections.

2. Mid-Levels: Elegant Living and Luxurious Concepts

This same yearning for worldly wealth and material possessions, mirroring the desire for a tranquil and peaceful spiritual realm, elegant and beautiful celestial robes, and abundant and worry-free resources for cultivation, reflects a pursuit of physical dignity and a comfortable path. It values ​​quality of life and outward appearance, aiming to establish oneself in the world with refinement and abundance.

3. Lower Realm: Possessive Heart
The desire for beauty and allure, which aligns with the Yang meridian, is the fundamental instinct of the Yin meridian. It does not value physical form but is fixated on exclusive affection. It yearns for the unique pity, devoted companionship, and unparalleled favor of a Daoist partner, wanting to possess only one's true heart and companionship, and cannot tolerate any diversion of affection. This is an exclusive sentiment rooted in the heart.

II. The Foundation of the Struggle: Overt Battles of Yang Power, Covert Attacks of Yin Pivot

The three-tiered spiritual desires set the foundation and created a world of difference in the struggle between the Yin and Yang meridians. This is also the reason why the struggle between the Yin and Yang meridians feels particularly fierce.

The struggle for power beyond the realm among cultivators of the Yang Meridian is fundamentally about discussing the Dao through action. Battles primarily take place within sects and imperial courts, territorial conquests, competitions of cultivation techniques, and power struggles, with a clear distinction between the public and private spheres. Opponents are merely fellow cultivators vying for power and resources; people and events can be distinctly separated.

In the realm of cultivation, confrontations are mostly open and aboveboard, a contest of cultivation level, foundation, connections, and raw power. Even when underhanded tactics are employed, they are primarily aimed at power and personal gain. There is a tacit understanding between the sects regarding rules and the unspoken bottom line of the cultivation world. Even if one suffers a temporary defeat, one can easily withdraw, switch sects, or forge a new path, offering ample escape routes. Therefore, the battles are open and decisive, with victory and defeat clearly laid bare.

The core of the struggle among Yin Meridian cultivators for the Dao Pivot of the Fate Meridian lies in establishing one's Dao through humanity. Their authority is never based on a decree or a fiefdom, but rather on the hearts, reputation, and connections of those around them. Public cultivation and private relationships are completely intertwined, without any clear boundaries. Once the trust and favor of the masses are lost, the painstakingly cultivated Dao Pivot of the Fate Meridian will collapse instantly, and one's status will vanish without a trace.

The difference in their foundations led the Yin lineage struggle down a completely different path from the Yang lineage struggle from the very beginning.

III. Yin Meridian Dao Conflict: Triple Obsession Binding (Innate Daoist Shackles) The reason why the game between Yin Meridian cultivators is so unpredictable and ruthless is that they are born with three layers of obsession binding them. These three thoughts intertwine and amplify each other, making the intensity and methods of the struggle far exceed those of ordinary Yang cultivators.

First stage: Power and emotions intertwined, two thoughts united.
The three levels of Yang Meridian spiritual desires are independent of each other. Holding power is holding power, and indulging in lust is indulging in lust. Each is in its own place and does not hinder the other.

However, the Dao Pivot of Yin Meridians cultivators (upper-realm authority) and their possessiveness of affection (lower-realm instinct) are inextricably intertwined. The struggle for a core position within a circle is not only about controlling connections and discourse, but also about vying for attention, favor, and affection. The competitors before them are not only rivals vying for the Dao Pivot, but also obstacles taking away affection and attention.

The lust for power, coupled with jealousy and the obsession with exclusion, doubles the motivation and obsession for fighting. The original intention is no longer pure, and the actions taken are no longer based on "the matter at hand".

The second stage: attacking the light and abandoning the dark, using the network to sever the foundation.

Yang Xiu advocates direct confrontation, with victory or defeat depending on cultivation level and hard power, and harm is mostly limited to the path of cultivation and the level of interests.

Those who cultivate in secrecy rely on personal connections to establish themselves, thus developing unique methods of attack: instead of directly confronting each other's superiority or inferiority, they resort to gossip, slander, sowing discord, isolating and severing ties, and defaming reputations. They deliberately spread rumors, label others as having inner demons, and even implicate their private past actions, gradually undermining the foundation of their relationships with those around them.

While physical clashes can heal and repair wounds, once the network of human relationships is torn apart and one's reputation is tarnished, it is extremely difficult to rebuild within one's circle of acquaintances. This kind of attack without gunfire strikes at the very foundation of one's existence, and its destructive power is lasting and thorough. To outsiders, it appears as ruthless and merciless.

The third level: the realm is completely integrated, and there is no turning back on the path.

The cultivation circles in Yangxiu are clearly divided, with fellow disciples, comrades-in-arms, and reclusive friends each forming their own systems. If one loses in a struggle within one circle, one can withdraw and travel thousands of miles away to forge new connections, leaving a great deal of room for error.

The lifelines upon which Yin Meridian cultivators depend for survival overlap significantly; fellow cultivators, close friends, and daily acquaintances are all within the same network. Once a cultivator relinquishes their vital lifeline, they will be completely marginalized within the entire circle, losing all resources for cultivation and spiritual support.

With no way to retreat, one can only fight with all one's might. In dire straits, actions become increasingly resolute, and the stance in the game becomes increasingly extreme.

IV. Clarifying the Origin: It is not that human nature is evil, but rather that the path it follows is dictated by the natural order.

People often say that incestuous struggles are more vicious, but this is actually a misconception.

Firstly, the difference in perception stems from the form of the battle. Yang cultivators openly display their power and are straightforward in their killings, a common sight in the cultivation world; Yin cultivators' conflicts are hidden in daily life, subtle and protracted, involving personal feelings and relationships. This difference in form amplifies the perception of Yin as "cunning and cruel." Ultimately, the conflict between the Yin and Yang lineages is merely the instinct of living beings to seek benefit and uphold the Dao, without any inherent good or evil.

Secondly, the higher the cultivation level, the more convergent the competition becomes. If a Yin Meridian cultivator ascends to the upper echelons of a sect, wields control over a region's laws, or specializes in cultivating powerful techniques and detaches themselves from small, familiar social circles, they will gradually shed the petty calculations of interpersonal relationships. At this point, their fighting style will completely align with that of the Yang Meridian, competing in strategy, overall situation, and cultivation foundation, with no trace of Yin tricks remaining. Only when rooted in small to medium-sized circles based on human relationships and connections will the three layers of obsession and constraint fully manifest themselves.

summary:

Yang Meridian cultivators vie for power beyond the realm, engaging in open and fierce battles, thus opening up new paths for cultivation.
Yin meridian cultivators vie for the inner path's core, their minds bound by entanglement, their attacks and defenses relentlessly intertwined.

Yin and Yang, spiritual desires, each have three levels, and the forms of struggle between them vary depending on their foundation. All the manifestations of the struggle between male and female, when traced back to their origin, are nothing more than differences in their obsession with spiritual desires and their foundation of power.