The Great Way to Truth, Starting from Jiazi Laodao

Chapter 293 Threatening for Six Days
"May I ask you, fellow Daoist, should we judge things by their actions or their intentions?"

Faced with this question, Zhong Neng had no answer.

He had already understood the meaning of Xuanming.

This is a difficult question to answer, and also difficult to refute.

Judging by actions, not intentions, is not the way to judge a person's character.

He looked at Ji Yuan, whose eyes were glazed over. Zhong Neng said, "Are you blind, not deaf?"

Xuanming continued to attack, his words still cutting to the heart.

“Fellow Daoists, since the source of evil has been feeding on the greed and evil thoughts of all living beings in the human realm, it has accumulated for tens of thousands of years and is probably even more terrifying and enormous. Although the Dao Ancestor has immeasurable merits and a firm will, he is corrupted by the source of evil day and night. How can we know that he will not be affected and become a great evil?”
"I have offered sacrifices for all living beings for thousands of years; how could I not accumulate merit and generate good thoughts?"

Zhong Neng was furious: "Stop your sophistry! Xuanming, the Boundless Dao Ancestor has brought blessings to all living beings and will not tolerate your insults and slander. In order to clear your name, you have shown great disrespect to the Dao Ancestor. Your heart is despicable."

Xuanming remained calm and composed, continuing, "I am merely stating the facts. Why must you be so angry, fellow Daoist? Besides, if the Dao Ancestor is unaffected, why would I have come here? And how can the universe possibly follow the principle of yin arising from yang, or reversal at the extremes?"
Fellow Daoist, you were born into the demon race, but you found it difficult to fully merge with your original form, so you had to transform your original form into a small mouse and carry it with you day and night.

Fellow Daoist Ji Yuan, as a demigod, is unable to cure his own eye ailment; is this not a punishment from Heaven and Earth?

The great power of heaven and earth seemed to be deep in thought.

Zhong Neng and Ji Yuan dared not communicate with Xuan Ming anymore, fearing that they would become suspicious and that they would think too deeply about it.

Seeing that Zhong Neng and Ji Yuan were putting on a brave face, Xuan Ming knew when to stop and shut up in time, afraid that if he continued, they would not be able to help but attack, and he was no match for them at the moment.

Seeing that both sides had ceased hostilities.

For some reason, the powerful figures felt a sense of relief.

There was so much information today; they need to think it over carefully when they get back, analyze what's right and wrong, and determine their stance.

The leader of the Taiping Dao said, "The strange events in Baiyujing will occur frequently in the future. It is better to rely on yourself than on others. Everyone should prepare as soon as possible to deal with the source of the evil."

"As for Fellow Daoist Xuanming," Fellow Daoist Taiping paused before continuing, "if he is the reincarnation of the Dao Ancestor's evil thoughts and has already developed good intentions, he would surely step forward when all living beings are in danger. His establishment of the Underworld and his desire to promote the evolution of the Earthly Dao and reshape the balance of the Three Realms are clear evidence of this."

If he is the reincarnation of the Dao Ancestor's benevolent thoughts, then we must be even more cautious and do our utmost to help him through this calamity, lest the evil Dao Ancestor succeed in his schemes and cause the collapse of heaven and earth.

The assembled experts nodded in agreement.

Even the powerful figures of the Great Zhou Dynasty were deep in thought.

Although they fought for power and profit, they were rarely confused on matters of principle concerning the well-being of the people.

Zhong Neng and Ji Yuan were heartbroken.

It is clear that the Master of Taiping Dao's words were not only addressed to other powerful figures, but also to them:

You can't afford to gamble!
---

The crowd has left.

Xuanming remained alone in the starry sky.

The research on the Zhou Tian Star Array has entered a crucial stage. He needs to continue observing the movement of stars in the starry sky, comprehend the mysteries of the stars, and refine the details of the array.

However, before that, Xuanming had to do one thing: release his suppressed anger by traversing the depths of the starry sky.

It eventually stopped outside Baiyujing, at a suitable distance.

"Are you very pleased with yourself for making me a sacrifice for thousands of years? Are you also very angry that I wasn't sacrificed this time as you expected?"

The fluctuations suddenly became stronger.

Xuanming said coldly, "The wheel of fortune turns. No matter what my identity is, I will never be at your mercy again in this life."

No further harsh words were uttered.

He returned to the starry sky and continued his seclusion on Ziwei Star, letting his anger fill his entire body. He silently circulated his secret technique, and when the time was right, Xuanming said in a deep voice, "Slash!" A mysterious power was added to his body, transforming into an invisible heavenly blade and earthly guillotine, severing the anger poison. From then on, Xuanming's five poisons were all severed, leaving no flaws and no longer disturbed by evil thoughts. The other four poisons were also stabilized again.

He was completely transformed, both inside and out, even his internal organs and vital energy were affected, showing signs of rejuvenation.

After consolidating his cultivation, Xuanming emerged from seclusion, wandered the starry sky, comprehended the mysteries of the stars, collected rare and precious materials, and in the process, condensed the stars within his pores.

It is blessed by the Yellow Court Qi.

They also had the assistance of the gods.

And the Purple Star shines upon you.

Xuanming's comprehension of the Way of the Stars progressed by leaps and bounds, and his cultivation of the pores and acupoints of the stars also gradually improved.

Two flowers bloom, one branch each.

While Xuanming was focused on his cultivation, the human world and the underworld were locked in a fierce battle, with various forces getting involved.

The Ming Dynasty officially launched its conquest of the Zhou Dynasty.

The Phoenix Clan, the Dream Eater Clan, the Sword Lake Palace, the Other Shore Flower Clan, and other forces all offered their assistance. The Seeking Truth Temple went without saying, and the Taiping Sect and the Qiu Royal Family devoted themselves to the cause until their dying breath.

The Great Zhou Dynasty was not to be outdone.

The two sides were evenly matched, with each side having its own victories and defeats.

War raged across the land, and the people suffered terribly.

The Ming Dynasty revered Zhu Wu, who was wise, powerful, and decisive. He demanded the proper resettlement of displaced people and the handling of the aftermath, and was respected by everyone in the Ming Dynasty.

However, the Great Zhou Dynasty was different. Although it seemed to be a behemoth with a deep foundation, its power was divided, and its members had their own agendas. The struggle for power and profit made it difficult for the top and bottom to work together, and it soon fell into internal and external troubles.

After three years of warfare, the situation changed.

The Ming Dynasty began to gain the upper hand, advancing step by step, expanding its territory, and its national strength was growing day by day.

The Great Zhou Dynasty is plagued by a variety of problems. The powerful figures can suppress them, but once they rely on their eyes, the problems rebound even more fiercely. Many high-ranking officials are already outwardly friendly but inwardly at odds, and many historical issues have been brought up again.

The Netherworld is completely different. The Underworld has long been on par with the Six Heavenly Palaces, and after three years of conquest, it has occupied most of the Netherworld's territory.

Especially after Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun became the second most powerful deity in the world half a year ago, the Underworld occupied 60% of the Netherworld's fortune. It was clear that the trend was already set. It was only a matter of time before the Six Heavenly Palaces were wiped out, the Netherworld was unified, and the evolution of the Earthly Dao was promoted.

During these three years, Houtu Niangniang frequently traveled between the underworld and the human world, sorting out the laws of the earth, revitalizing the earth's energy and stimulating life. Qingdi also provided full assistance, and the two deities successively achieved the status of divine emperors with the Three Flowers Gathering at the Top.

---

The old Taoist priest roams the vast starry sky.

Although Xuanming was in the Nine Heavens, he did not sever his connection with the human world and the underworld. Through his internal organs, he had a thorough understanding of the major trends in both realms.

He was about to go into seclusion to activate his wood energy and attempt to break through to the Five Elements Convergence Realm. Before that, Xuanming had a few things to explain.

With their minds connected to the Taiji Heaven, the Supreme Daoist descended from the Nine Heavens. The Jade Emperor Daoist was not idle either. He was skilled in formations. Half a year ago, after becoming a great power, he worked with Xuanming to study the mysteries of the stars and delve into the Zhou Tian Star Formation.

Xuanming is now in seclusion.

The heavy responsibility then fell on his shoulders.

Today, a distinguished guest has arrived in the Netherworld. The Supreme Lord himself has come to the Netherworld and found the Great Sage of Salvation from Suffering and other powerful figures from the Netherworld. Several days later, allies led by the Lord of the Way of Peace will gather in the Netherworld.

They found six powerful figures from the underworld in the Six Heavenly Palaces and attempted to negotiate the merger of the Six Heavenly Palaces into the Underworld, offering to lift the seal on the Gates of Hell and appoint them as the Six Heavenly Venerables of the Underworld.

Once the Netherworld is unified, they will be able to share some of the power; if not, don't blame them for being ruthless.

The fluctuations in Baiyujing are becoming increasingly violent, and it desperately needs a few powerful beings to sacrifice themselves to curb the source of evil.

(End of this chapter)