Chapter 2256: Full Moon Night

"Why?" Zhang Xuan asked, puzzled.He wondered if, despite also possessing the Heaven's Mandate, his was weaker than theirs, rendering him unsuitable to be possessed.

"You haven't reached the Emperor realm yet! And you're an Emperor just like us," Confucius said. "Only with such power can the Heavenly Dao within you truly mature. Otherwise, even if taken, a strong and a weak cannot merge; the stronger would devour the weaker, ultimately leading to an imbalance of Yin and Yang!"

Zhang Xuan suddenly understood.If the Heavenly Dao were divided into Yin and Yang poles, merging them before both matured could easily lead to an imbalance, where Yin dominates Yang or vice versa, ultimately making it uncontrollable and resulting in a much worse outcome.

What was intended to save all living beings could instead end up harming everyone.

"The God Realm, the Heaven's Mandate..."Understanding everything, Zhang Xuan gave a bitter smile.No wonder this contest couldn't be avoided or stopped; it was indeed true.This was Confucius's destiny, and it would also be his own; there was no changing it.

"Is there really no other way?" Zhang Xuan murmured.He had always thought possessing the Library of Heaven's Path was a stroke of luck, but now he realized it was a responsibility.

"These past few years, I've been contemplating and thinking. There is a way, but... whether it will succeed, I don't know!" Confucius smiled. "However... your situation is different from mine. Perhaps you can go further than I can..."He seemed completely unconcerned in the face of life and death.

"Go further than you?" Zhang Xuan was stunned.

"Heaven's secrets must not be revealed. Otherwise, the Heavenly Dao will inevitably alter its course!" Confucius explained, "Everything depends on you alone, but... Emperor Lingxi and I have done what we needed to do. How far you can go is now up to you."

Seeing his unwillingness to elaborate, Zhang Xuan knew further questions would be futile. He said, "Confucius, you comprehend the Orderly Heavenly Dao, and I comprehend the Flawed Heavenly Dao. Then... what does Emperor Lingxi comprehend?"This had always puzzled him.If the Heavenly Dao was truly divided into three, what exactly had the other party comprehended?And why had he been completely unaware of it before?

"I've always been curious about what she comprehends!" Confucius shook his head.

"You don't know either?" Zhang Xuan was startled.

Luo Ruoxi had gone to the Master Teacher Continent specifically to investigate you; she knew almost everything. Yet, you don't even know what kind of Heavenly Dao she comprehends...How, then, would the contest proceed?

"For over forty years in the God Realm, I have been contemplating nature and comprehending the Heavenly Dao. Although the Heavenly Dao of the God Realm is incomplete, it manages to sustain itself without completely collapsing. It seems there's a mysterious power protecting the lives of the God Race!"Confucius frowned slightly and looked at Zhang Xuan.There were many things he couldn't tell his students, and his relationships with the other Great Emperors weren't harmonious. The only one he could confide in all these years was the person before him.Even though Zhang Xuan's cultivation wasn't sufficient, he was an excellent listener.

"Are you saying... this power is related to Emperor Lingxi? Does she comprehend... Heavenly Dao Protection?" Zhang Xuan looked at him.

Though the Heavenly Dao is impartial, it can nurture all living beings.If it can nurture, it will naturally protect.Just like Earth in his previous life, which nurtured countless lives, its magnetic field ensures the atmosphere isn't stripped away by solar winds and protects life from harmful radiation.This is protection.The God Realm should be the same.

"No!" Confucius shook his head. "What she comprehends is related to the Natural Heavenly Dao. That's why people from the Sky of Freedom value nature and live freely. As for Heavenly Dao Protection... even if it's not what she comprehends, she should still be connected to it."

"Are you saying... she has comprehended two different Heavenly Daos?" Zhang Xuan was shocked.

"I don't know that. It's just a guess. The specifics will likely only be clear after the fight..." Confucius smiled faintly.

"Then... do you have confidence?"

"I have no definite assurance, but... it won't be easy to kill me either!" Confucius lifted his head, his eyes filled with strong confidence.

Throughout his journey, he had established the Master Teacher Pavilion and the Tongshe Temple, challenged the Eight Emperors single-handedly, and his reputation echoed across the world. He possessed the confidence that... no matter how difficult the matter, it would be resolved naturally.

"This..." Seeing his attitude, Zhang Xuan's expression turned grim again.One of them was destined to die...If Confucius won, Luo Ruoxi would die; there was no way around it!However... after hearing his words, Zhang Xuan also understood that the confrontation between them could neither be dissuaded nor stopped.It was a clash of Heavenly Dao, a struggle for the Heaven's Mandate, which no one could alter.

"Don't worry..."Noticing his apprehension, Confucius smiled, about to say something, when he suddenly felt the spiritual energy in the air pulsing violently, becoming tumultuous. The ground also began to shake.

Taking two steps out of the hall, he looked up and saw that the full moon had, at some unknown point, risen into the sky. Its bright moonlight illuminated the earth, as if laying down a layer of silver frost.

"Teacher..."The many disciples who had previously withdrawn now gathered at the entrance, their eyes red as they looked at their teacher.

The night of the full moon!The time had come; the decisive battle was about to begin.

"You have walked this path with me, and you know my temperament. Life is but a single lifetime, like grass withering in autumn. Even if misfortune strikes and I die, there's no need to grieve!" Confucius looked at everyone, his expression calm. "If I go and cannot return, you shall appoint Zhang Xuan as your leader. With him, you will remain safe."

"Yes!" The disciples nodded.

"Me? Everyone here is my senior. I can't bear such a heavy responsibility..." Zhang Xuan was startled.

Ancient Sage Ran Qiu, Ancient Sage Zi Yuan, Ancient Sage Bu Shang, Ancient Sage Qiu Wu...These were all his predecessors, and he had been greatly indebted to them...How could he become their leader?

"There's no need to refuse... Bearing the Heavenly Dao, one must naturally be brave enough to face its responsibilities!" Confucius waved his hand.

"But my strength..."Zhang Xuan was currently only at the early stage of an ordinary God King, unsure how far he was from the peak, let alone becoming a Conferred God King.Ancient Sage Zi Yuan and the others before him had all reached that level, far surpassing him... leading them... the pressure would be immense.

"Your current strength is only temporary. You have already comprehended cultivation techniques that transcend the Heavenly Dao; transcendence is merely a matter of time!"Confucius smiled faintly. "Don't decline. What I'm saying is only the most dangerous scenario. More likely, I will return alive, and ultimately, you and I will have our contest..."

"Yes!"Zhang Xuan was speechless.If it was fate, inescapable, then he would quietly accept it; there was no need to try and escape.

"The contest is about to begin. I won't linger. Farewell..."With that, Confucius stamped his foot, and his entire being instantly soared into the sky, heading directly towards the full moon, departing with graceful ease.

"Confucius... take me with you..."Zhang Xuan's pupils contracted, and he urgently called out.This unprecedented battle involved both Confucius and Luo Ruoxi. Even if he couldn't stop it, he wanted to witness it with his own eyes.However, Confucius had already completely vanished into the sky, seemingly not having heard his words.