Cultivation begins in Qingfeng Market.

Lin Zhao struggled against the illusion while climbing upwards with difficulty.

I don't know how long I walked; the concept of time seemed to disappear here.

Lin Zhao felt as if she had split into two people:

One is "Lin Zhao," who struggles to climb the ladder and fights against the illusion.

The other one hovered high in the sky, coldly and indifferently looking down at everything.

On this ladder of self-examination, the "Heavenly Sword Dao" he had comprehended seemed to manifest as two concrete entities—

"Lin Zhao of Heaven" and "Lin Zhao of Man".

He seemed to be split in two, or perhaps, such two sides simply existed in his nature.

He had to start thinking: What is the Way of Heaven and Man?

He transmigrated to this world and received the love of his parents from a young age. He also carried the almost instinctive sense of protection bestowed upon him by the grand era of his previous life, and thus created the "Celestial Sword Path".

But is that all?

Don't forget that his previous life was also an era of rampant materialism and desire. The "selfishness" and "calculation" deeply rooted in his consciousness were also part of him.

This aspect seems to better align with the attributes of "Heaven"—Heaven is both impartial and selfish.

The way of Heaven is to take from those who have more than enough and give to those who have less than enough; Heaven and Earth are ruthless, treating all things like straw dogs.

What is the Celestial Sword Way?

At this moment, the "heavenly" aspect is interrogating him:

The so-called "heaven" is the ultimate rational calculation of interests.

Every emotion and every action can be quantified and measured.

The ultimate goal of all actions is to maximize self-interest.

The bright, loving, humane, and moral aspects that Lin Zhao displayed may just be a facade.

Inside, it is a cool, almost ruthless, examination and utilization of all things.

People praise the sun for bringing light and warmth, but has the sun ever truly "loved" people?

It simply hangs high in the sky, burning steadily, selfless and indifferent.

Perhaps it is precisely because such an absolutely rational, even cold, side exists deep within Lin Zhao's soul that...

Only then could he truly understand the meaning of "harmony between man and nature".

Many of the choices we made in the past are now being re-analyzed:

Lin Xuan's brother encountered a misfortune that influenced her, leading her down a different path. Was Lin Zhao truly unaware of this? He knew, but he simply felt it was unrelated to his cultivation, so he didn't want to get involved.

Liu Yifeng stirred up trouble in the market. Lin Zhao was initially unaffected, but why did he later develop murderous intent? Because Liu Yifeng's actions affected his interests and caused him to lose spirit stones.

When vying for the Bewitching Fox's essence blood, he knew his father also needed the Breakthrough Pill, so why didn't he try his best to obtain it? Because at that time, he had just joined the demon-hunting team, was not yet fully capable, and still needed the team's protection.

Why didn't you ask for more compensation when you left the demon-hunting team? It was to sever ties with people, but wasn't it also a deliberate detachment from "worldly ties"?

Purchasing Breakthrough Pills and Jade Elixir for one's parents through the Bihai Chamber of Commerce is certainly a way of repaying their kindness in raising them, but subconsciously, is there also the thought of "settling the karmic debt and abandoning everything"?

Why did he decide to leave almost without thinking upon hearing that he could join a powerful sect, without even inquiring about the sect's details? Because his rational mind clearly told him that this was the optimal path and the best choice.

Admit it, Lin Zhao—the voice rang out coldly—

You are inherently a self-centered, calculating, and selfish person.

The warmth towards family members, the care for companions, all the outward displays of "goodness" are merely appearances, the outer shell of your actions in the world, a "disguise".

Lin Zhao, who was on the cloud ladder, had stopped.

The two "Lin Zhao" share the same perception; they are both the real him.

He understood that if he didn't confront and resolve this inner conflict, even if he could climb the ladder of clouds today with his powerful divine sense, he would never be able to cross the ladder of his own heart.

Are people inherently good at birth?

Lin Zhao thought to herself: No, at the beginning of life, human nature is "evil," almost like that of a beast. A baby's crying for something is purely out of survival instinct.

So-called "goodness" is something that is gradually learned and solidified through the education and constraints of family, society, and civilization. It is a product of civilization, not something innate.

He doesn't deny that he is such a person, and that he harbors those almost instinctive "selfish" calculations based on survival and development.

But isn't the biggest difference between humans and animals precisely that humans can overcome their animalistic instincts?

The fact that humans can walk upright, freeing their hands and allowing their heads to be held high, and thus standing tall and upright, is it not a symbol of breaking free from the shackles of animalistic nature?

He began to reflect on his past actions:

After his epiphany on the rooftop that night, he realized he had neglected his family and friends. He then took the initiative to teach Zhao Ziming talismans and provided him with the necessary paper and materials.

Knowing that Lin Xuan might be in danger, he spent three months painstakingly drawing a Gengjin Sword Qi Talisman and gave it to his uncle to help Lin Xuan escape danger.

There were practical considerations behind not vying for the Bewitching Fox's essence blood, but he also knew that one Breakthrough Pill might not be enough for his father's aptitude, and that alchemy itself was full of variables.

When he left the demon-hunting team, he didn't ask for many spirit stones because he knew that Wu Laodao and the others were in a situation where they really needed spirit stones to help them.

Purchasing the Breakthrough Pill from the Azure Sea Merchant Guild and embarking on a long journey, he undoubtedly harbored the desire to sever ties with worldly affairs and seek the Great Dao.

But in this cruel world of cultivation, only those who are strong enough can truly protect those they want to protect.

Moreover, his joining the sect doesn't mean he'll never return.

There are no saints in the world.

Lin Zhao was not a saint, nor did she want to be one.

He had selfish motives, desires, and a path he had to follow.

He can't take care of everyone; all he can do is to do his best within his capabilities.

Human nature is inherently evil.

But the human heart is the true master. The choices we make and the tempering of our will are enough to shape and transcend our innate nature.

Human will can change everything.

When he first comprehended the Heavenly Sword Dao, he realized that "human determination can overcome nature".

At this moment, on this ladder of self-reflection, he went a step further: Heaven's will is vast, and Heaven reveres humanity.

The illusory image of "Lin Zhao of the Heavens," hanging high in the sky and looking down coldly, slowly descended and merged with "Lin Zhao of Man," who was struggling to seek on the cloud ladder.

This is the more complete concept of "unity of heaven and man".

The Way of Heaven contains calm and even ruthless laws and calculations, while the Way of Humanity carries emotions, responsibilities, acquired goodness, and the courage to make choices.

The two are not separate, but rather a true unity and mastery of human nature after acknowledging its complexity.

Lin Zhao opened his eyes, a bitter smile appearing on his lips.

However, the cold voice in my heart did not completely dissipate; it posed a final question:

You acknowledged your inherent selfishness, and in doing so, you demonstrated morality, order, and 'goodness'.

It is to change ourselves and the external environment, to create a more orderly and efficient world.

And this kind of world, in the end, is all about making oneself better...

"Survive"

Lin Zhao

"people",

Ha ha!

These final words left no answer.

Lin Zhao took a deep breath, stopped hesitating, and started walking again.