Chapter 790: Taixue Discussion on the Way

Silence returned to the dwelling after the black-robed figure departed.

Xu Qing picked up the jade slip from the table and immersed his divine sense into it, slowly examining its contents. After a long moment, a profound chill filled his eyes. He looked up, gazing at the dark night outside the window, and that chill seemed to seep into the night, becoming a brush.

With the night wind as a carving knife, silence as its rhythm, the boundless cosmos as its canvas, and starlight and moonlight as its ink, he envisioned a painting depicting the world just before dawn.

Xu Qing’s figure gradually blurred outside this envisioned scene, eventually vanishing without a trace.

When he reappeared, he was already walking down a street within that same imagined scene, heading towards the Grand Academy.

He had learned that the grand competition between the Ethereal Immortals and Soul Fusion factions was proceeding as scheduled, and the White Pagoda of the Ethereal Immortals had been unsealed that night.

As he advanced, the first light of dawn slowly pierced the darkness behind him, tearing through the night and bringing new hope to the world.

It was as if everything was awakening, everything was starting anew.

This was also true for the White Pagoda of the Ethereal Immortals within the Grand Academy.

Inside the White Pagoda, the Grand Master of the Ethereal Immortals faction sat alone and silently, having remained there all night.

He watched the fading darkness outside, the descent of the first rays of sunlight, and then... a figure appearing there.

This figure, bathed in the early sunlight, stepped into the White Pagoda.

"Grand Master."

Xu Qing bowed and spoke softly.

The Grand Master of the Ethereal Immortals fixed his gaze on the figure silhouetted by the sun. He remembered this disciple, and he remembered that when this individual first joined, the Ethereal Immortals faction was still in decline.

He also recalled this disciple once appearing quite gifted, but as the Ethereal Immortals faction revived and grew, more talented individuals emerged, and this disciple naturally faded from his particular notice.

Yet, he had never imagined that after the Ethereal Immortals faction was unsealed, this person... would be the first, and perhaps the only one, to arrive.

A mix of regret and emotion welled up inside him, turning into a complex feeling. As it spread through his heart, Xu Qing walked towards a nearby shelf filled with jade slips.

He wanted to search for records within the Ethereal Immortals faction pertaining to the Soul Fusion faction. Given that their philosophies were completely incompatible, the Ethereal Immortals naturally possessed a substantial collection of such records.

Especially the old tabloids, which, though largely fabricated and based on speculation, still contained a kernel of truth.

Xu Qing intended to examine them meticulously and thoroughly, using them to corroborate his own judgment while mentally planning his course of action.

In his mind, the Seventh Prince was already a dead man, yet his objective extended beyond just the Seventh Prince.

"Bai Xiaozhuo..."

Xu Qing murmured to himself as he reached the jade slip shelf and began to search.

Watching Xu Qing, the Grand Master of the Ethereal Immortals hesitated, wanting to speak but holding back. After a long silence, he finally sighed softly and spoke.

"Xuan Leizi," he said, "after today, the Ethereal Immortals faction may cease to exist. You can choose to revoke your core disciple status and even remove your Dao seed to avoid affecting your future prospects."

As he spoke, he produced a jade slip and placed it beside him.

This was the credential for revoking one's core disciple status.

Having done so, he rose from his seat and walked, step by step, out of the pagoda.

Morning had arrived, and the time for the grand competition was drawing near.

Gazing at the horizon, the Grand Master of the Ethereal Immortals felt a pang of desolation.

He didn't know if that mysterious elder would reappear, nor what the fate of the Ethereal Immortals faction would be.

But regardless, he was the Grand Master of this generation of the Ethereal Immortals.

Therefore, a resolute glint appeared in his eyes.

"No matter what," he thought, "even if this is the end... the name of the Ethereal Immortals must not be tarnished!"

With these thoughts, the Grand Master of the Ethereal Immortals walked with increasingly firm steps towards the Grand Academy's Dao Altar.

Inside the White Pagoda, Xu Qing looked up, glanced at the Grand Master's retreating figure, then returned his attention to searching the jade slips. He only put down the ancient texts when distant bells chimed and the sounds of bustling students outside reached him.

Having found the answers he sought, he exited the White Pagoda and merged into the bustling crowd outside.

The debate between the Ethereal Immortals and Soul Fusion factions was already highly anticipated, but the current catastrophe facing the Ethereal Immortals had amplified interest in it even further.

Especially since the Human Emperor had granted special permission for the debate to continue.

Consequently, the debate drew attention not only from the Grand Academy's students but also from various powers within the Imperial Capital, all observing the Grand Academy's proceedings through different means that day.

Within the Grand Academy, there was only one designated location for debates.

This was the Dao Altar, situated at the very heart of the Grand Academy.

The area was vast, capable of accommodating hundreds of thousands of people. Many years ago, it had hosted numerous grand debates, each of which caused a sensation.

Currently, a multitude of students gathered there; essentially, most of the students residing in the Imperial Capital had come.

A clamor of discussions echoed among them, and their gazes were mostly directed towards the mid-air.

In mid-air, two massive octagonal Dao platforms conspicuously floated.

One black and one white, both ancient and elegant, seemed to symbolize purity and resilience. Their octagonal structure formed the base of the platforms, representing the convergence of earth and sky.

At this moment, they radiated an aura of authority between heaven and earth, and even more, a profound Dao essence emanated from these ancient platforms, spreading in all directions and forming vibrant streaks of light.

On the black Dao platform sat the Grand Master of the Soul Fusion faction. Behind him, hundreds of high-ranking Soul Fusion members, including their chief disciple and the Seventh Prince, sat in meditation, their aura surging like a rainbow. Below them, even more Soul Fusion students clustered around.

In contrast, on the opposite white Dao platform, the Grand Master of the Ethereal Immortals sat alone in solitary meditation.

A feeling of desolation naturally arose.

Outside, various influential forces collectively shook their heads, a complicated sentiment settling in their hearts. After all... many years ago, the Ethereal Immortals faction had been the Grand Academy's foremost school of thought.

But now...

Sighs arose in many hearts, including those of the Ethereal Immortals students gathered around the Dao Altar within the Grand Academy.

These students who had joined the Ethereal Immortals faction could now only remain silent.

Xu Qing stood among the crowd. He could sense the prevailing atmosphere, but his focus was now on the Seventh Prince and... the Grand Master of the Soul Fusion faction on the Soul Fusion Dao platform.

His gaze was calm as he observed them.

He didn't immediately rush forward to expose them; instead, he was waiting for this grand spectacle to reach its crucial moment.

After a long pause, as the ninth chime of the bell echoed, the sky above the Grand Academy suddenly rippled. From the edge of the firmament, two figures in white robes emerged.

One old, one young; one walking ahead of the other.

The elder walking in front had a gentle expression, his face etched with wrinkles that bore witness to the passage of time, like rivers of wisdom flowing across it.

Though his posture was no longer perfectly straight, his demeanor and sagacity became more pronounced with age.

This individual was none other than the Head of the Grand Academy, and behind him... was the Third Prince, serving as the Assistant Head of the Grand Academy.

They wore no Grand Academy masks, their faces clearly visible to all. The moment they appeared, both the Grand Master of the Ethereal Immortals and the Grand Master of the Soul Fusion faction, along with all the students present, bowed respectfully.

"Greetings, Head!"

To be personally appointed by the Human Emperor as the Head of the Grand Academy, one naturally had to be a figure of profound virtue and prestige. This elder possessed all these qualities, from his vast knowledge and eminent status to his significant contributions.

He had participated in the Grand Academy's initial reforms, and numerous factions had been successfully established in its early days thanks to his assistance.

Furthermore, he possessed imperial lineage; by seniority, he was the current Human Emperor's uncle.

Hence, the Third Prince remained exceptionally respectful behind him.

As they approached, the Head of the Grand Academy paused in mid-air. He looked up at the distant sky, clasped his hands, and bowed.

"Greetings, Human Emperor."

The moment his voice rang out, the students below felt their hearts tremble. The sky he gazed upon began to churn, revealing a projected scene.

Within the projection was the Imperial Palace, where the Human Emperor sat enthroned. He was looking intently at their location. In response to the Head of the Grand Academy's bow, he rose and returned the gesture.

His reason for rising and returning the bow was not merely out of courtesy to an elder. As the Human Emperor, he represented all humanity and was incomparably transcendent. He rose out of respect.

Respect for the Head of the Grand Academy's contributions over the years.

Below the Human Emperor, thirteen figures were visible, all of whom also rose and returned the bow.

Each figure exuded a terrifying aura. Xu Qing merely glanced and distinctly perceived it to be... the fluctuations of Dao Integration.

Their identities were already self-evident.

They were the Heavenly Kings of the human race stationed in the Imperial Capital.

With the ceremony concluded, the Human Emperor resumed his seat, as did the Heavenly Kings.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Grand Academy, floating in mid-air, withdrew his gaze after his bow. He surveyed the Dao platforms of both the Ethereal Immortals and Soul Fusion factions, then looked down at the hundreds of thousands of students below, a benevolent smile gracing his face.

"It has been a long time since this old man had the honor of presiding over and witnessing a Grand Academy debate."

"I am deeply gratified that debates still take place within our human Grand Academy."

"The debate comprises three stages: Heavenly Dao Validation, Human Heart Discernment, and Future Projection."

"The final outcome depends not on the factions, but on yourselves."

The Head of the Grand Academy gazed at the students below and slowly spoke.

"Each of you possesses your own wisdom and makes your own choices. From this moment onward, your personal conviction will determine the debate's victor."

No sooner had these words been spoken than a breathtaking rainbow light erupted from the Soul Fusion Dao platform, soaring directly into the firmament. The brilliant light caused the sky to thunder and its formidable aura reverberated in all directions.

This rainbow light originated from the hearts of the students below.

Such a scale and height were sufficient proof of the Soul Fusion faction's widespread acceptance among the Grand Academy's students.

In contrast, the Ethereal Immortals faction also produced a rainbow light, but it only reached three zhang.

The stark difference was immediately evident, the disparity as vast as the heavens and earth.

Observing this scene, the various external forces fell silent.

An uproar rippled through the Grand Academy itself.

Beneath his mask, Xu Qing's brows furrowed as well.

The Head of the Grand Academy, floating in mid-air, also shook his head slightly. Nevertheless, the debate had to continue, so his hoarse voice resounded.

"Now, for Heavenly Dao Validation."

"Before any debate, all factions of our human race must have their cultivation methods and ideologies recognized by the Heavenly Dao to qualify."

"Among the ancient Heavenly Daos, ninety-nine venerable ones lie dormant, beyond the perception of our human race. However, out of the hundred thousand Heavenly Daos of varying sizes, three thousand bestowed their blessings upon the establishment of our Grand Academy's Dao Altar. Thus, what is displayed here can be perceived by these three thousand Heavenly Daos."

"If the Heavenly Dao does not recognize your faction, the debate need not continue, indicating that your faction's principles require further refinement."

"Therefore, Ethereal Immortals and Soul Fusion, you may choose whether to proceed."

On the black Dao platform, a faint chuckle emanated from beneath the Soul Fusion Grand Master's mask.

"Soul Fusion disciples!"

The moment he spoke, the Soul Fusion disciples' internal energies surged forth, converging and ascending to form a colossal phantom figure above the firmament.

This phantom figure was astonishingly tall, possessing three heads and six arms. Its entire form was composed of countless divine beings, yet it was seamlessly integrated, exuding an unparalleled aura.

It warped space in all directions and blurred the very fabric of heaven and earth, appearing like a true deity.

Furthermore, as the Soul Fusion Grand Master looked up, this colossal figure raised its right hand towards the sky and clenched it tightly.

The void shattered, and rumbling sounds shook the heavens and earth. The Soul Fusion Grand Master then rose and bowed to the sky.

"We seek Heavenly Dao Validation!"

The firmament was torn open, and cracks of various sizes appeared. These fissures gradually widened, transforming into numerous eyes radiating an indifferent gaze as they looked upon the Soul Fusion faction's phantom figure.

"Approved.""Approved.""Approved."

Voices of the Great Dao echoed from all directions.

Immediately, most of the students within the Grand Academy grew excited, various factions outside concentrated their attention, and even the Head of the Grand Academy nodded slightly, a profound look in his eyes.

"Out of the three thousand Heavenly Daos, two thousand one hundred and thirty-seven have granted their recognition. This is a truly auspicious sign!"

Simultaneously, the rainbow light from the Soul Fusion Dao platform surged once more, shaking the heavens and earth.

The Soul Fusion Grand Master bowed to the Head of the Grand Academy, then sat down, turning his gaze toward the Grand Master of the Ethereal Immortals.

The Grand Master of the Ethereal Immortals remained silent. After a long pause, he could only steel himself, rise, release his own aura, and bow to the firmament.

"We seek Heavenly Dao Validation..."

He spoke these words with palpable lack of confidence.

In the crowd, Xu Qing observed this scene, his gaze tranquil, as he looked up at the firmament.