If not for a twist of fate, he would never have temporarily held the position of the Wrathful Vajra Lotus Platform. "Ultimately, it’s still too weak..." Chen Yuan stood up once more. However, this time he did not continue wielding that huge blade but instead practiced a set of fist techniques beside it. Though seemingly simple, it contained the ultimate truths of the Dao. With just one opening move, a golden mist swirled around Chen Yuan, making him appear as an illusion within a dream. "The Path of the Human World requires the birth of ’intention,’ to taste the joys and sorrows, endure the ebb and flow, and perceive the myriad changes of worldly affairs..." Intention first, hardship in the middle, endurance leading. Chen Yuan didn’t care about his own ’virtue or vice’, he only cultivated himself—thus, his intention was on himself. Furthermore, he never lacked hardship in his experiences growing up. First came the imprisonment by grandfather and Chen Ke, forcing him to battle demon beasts in the dungeon, followed by Yan Hai’s life-or-death teachings on Wuliang Mountain, then the upheaval involving Senior Sister Ling Yinrong and Kyoto Prefecture. The hardships he endured were unimaginable to ordinary people, and the prosperity he witnessed was considered the pinnacles of the human world—all of these were hardships. As for the ’endurance’... he was even more familiar with it—he already endured far too much! As Chen Yuan practiced his fists, he felt the changes within himself, his movements floating, uncertain between illusion and reality, his mind was clear and serene. The golden mist around him grew stronger, enveloping him completely. In a trance, his shifting figure manifested a golden Dharma Aspect of a three-headed, six-armed figure. Each face was angry and fierce, glaring at the surrounding world. Unnoticed when, Fu Chen returned, observing Chen Yuan with benevolent eyes, his gaze shining with golden light. "Wrathful Vajra, White Tiger Killing Star... one is the Spirit Mountain Guardian, the other is the Taoist Court True Monarch. Such a bloodline connection, indeed mysterious." Though there are many Tathagata Dharma Aspects, he doesn’t mind adding one more Asura Dharma Aspect. After all, both the White Tiger True Monarch and the Asura Dharma Aspect emphasize ’slaughter’! Wei Dynasty, Kyoto Prefecture. Today’s Imperial Palace was different from its usual solemnity; starting with Emperor Wei, all the courtiers standing in the hall had smiles on their faces. Even Lin Hansong, who rarely cracked a smile, had a pleased expression, his eyes full of satisfaction. Not to mention Chen Lixin and Chen Lide, behind Prince Zhenbei Du Qing, who almost couldn’t hold back their laughter. Chapters first released on novęlfire.net "Haha... I knew the Heroic Marquis couldn’t stay quiet, yet he sent a message saying he was in closed-door cultivation at the Grand Void Sect." "How long has it been, and he’s already brought me such great news, hahahaha..." Emperor Wei sat on his throne, laughing heartily: "Hundreds of thousands of demon troops were all slain with a single sword by the Heroic Marquis. Good, very good!" Liu Gao, listening from one side, had his features scrunched up, wanting to laugh but trying hard to maintain composure. Below, Xie Jing heard this and, while smiling, stepped forward and bowed: "Your Majesty, can such great news be announced to the world?" Emperor Wei continued to have a smile on his face, looking directly at him and asking: "Left Chancellor, what do you mean by this?" Currently, in the Great Wei Dynasty, matters regarding the Taizhou Mountain Battlefield are still held by only a few. Or rather, because Taizhou Mountain Battlefield is extremely special, those without sufficient cultivation or status knowing would only increase their worries. Therefore, a thousand years ago, the first Emperor Wei made an agreement with the ancestors on Taizhou Mountain; everything was to maintain public order as the priority. Thus, what Xie Jing just said about letting the world know, Emperor Wei naturally understood the implicit meaning of his words—to reveal the secrets of Taizhou Mountain to all, letting everyone know that on Tianyuan Continent, there is another realm. Moreover, Emperor Wei could foresee the reactions of the people across seventeen prefectures upon learning this. First would be disbelief, followed by panic, and eventually calm under a series of policies and commands. But this process could break the original order of the Wei Dynasty, challenging those aristocratic families and sects that have monopolized Tianyuan Continent’s resources. Originally because of Chen Yi’s demolition of the Yuhua Immortal Sect, the Night Watch Department already handled some families, if they further press hard, I fear... "To report to the Holy Emperor, the minister has two purposes for saying this." "Firstly, to raise the prestige of the Human Race, since the Heroic Marquis established such feats on the Taizhou Mountain Battlefield, making it known to everyone would reduce previous fears of demons." "Secondly," Xie Jing paused, looking directly at Emperor Wei and said, "After preparations over this time, the framework for ’educating the masses’ within prefectures is already completed." "Prefecture cities have higher academies, county towns have intermediate academies, and villages have schools. Courses taught, and preliminary selections for scholars at each academy, outer door officials of sects, etc. are also completed." "Hence, the minister uses the situation of the Heroic Marquis to inspire each place’s people, alongside their original examinations, to set a Martial Arts goal, hoping more outstanding talents like the Heroic Marquis emerge among them." Just as the words fell. A few great scholars of the time, with slightly agitated expressions, stepped out, saluting and echoing: "The minister holds the same wish." Immediately, a group of civil servants followed suit by kneeling. Meanwhile, Prince Zhenbei Du Qing and King of the Southern Garrison Gongye Jiahong exchanged glances and then saluted together. Seeing such a scene, Emperor Wei’s smile gradually faded, tapping the armrest of the throne as he pondered. Just as he thought earlier, he deeply understood the principle of affecting the whole body with a single move. Nowadays within the Wei Dynasty, the state was not too calm, primarily for two reasons. One was the Buddhist sects starting to be suppressed by Confucians and Taoists, seemingly backed by shadows from the West Continent Buddha Country, making the pace of dealing with Buddhist Halls slow. Second was the families with ties to Yuhua Immortal Sect being purged by the Imperial Court, causing unease among other families. If now they push extensive ’education’, combined with the matters of the Taizhou Mountain Battlefield, if the pace is not controlled, the entire Wei Dynasty could ignite into all-out discord instantly. Thinking repeatedly, Emperor Wei remained hesitant. His gaze unconsciously looked downward. Surveying below, he saw everyone’s body on the Imperial Court froze in place. Whether civil servants or military generals, none opposed what Xie Jing said, as if their previous struggles and mutual suppression did not exist. Emperor Wei’s face resurfaced a smile, a feeling of boldness rising in his heart, he suddenly stood up and raised his hand, loudly declaring: "Since all of you, dear ministers, hold such confidence, if I continue to hesitate, don’t mention the posthumous title as a revered lord a century later, even preserving a stable reign would be hard." Upon hearing this, all courtiers immediately bowed again: "The Holy Emperor is wise!" Xie Jing’s face displayed a smile: "The minister, certainly dedicate his efforts to ensure the progress of education across the prefectures." After laughing, Emperor Wei looked down at him: "Mere dedication is not enough, since this time we resolved to change, not only need a thorough execution but must unite the people." "Officials in each state, and the Night Watch Department, yamen must cooperate on this matter." "The minister obeys the order." Before long, a decree was transmitted from the Imperial City to the seventeen prefectures of the Wei Dynasty. "Celebrate throughout the land—for today, Heroic Marquis Chen Yi, on the Taizhou Mountain Battlefield, slayed five hundred thousand demon troops in one battle, elevating our Wei Dynasty’s prestige, elevating our Human Race’s prestige!" "From today, state prefectures will open high and intermediate academies, villages and towns will establish schools. Every Da Wei citizen will, according to age, enter school to read, write, and learn martial arts, hoping our Da Wei citizens, everyone like dragons, not wasting this life!" The decree, though just over a hundred words, was like a hammer striking every mind in the Wei Dynasty from top to bottom. From noble families to common folk, all were shocked, all were ecstatic. Especially those who’ve heard of the Taizhou Mountain Battlefield’s name, upon getting the news, they instantly started spreading it to others. "That Taizhou Mountain Battlefield was crucial a thousand years ago when the Human Race countered the demon court’s northern advance to the Ten Thousand Mountains." "According to orders from several ancestors and past Emperor Wei, only martial arts practitioners with cultivation breakthrough to third-grade before thirty could go." "Who can achieve that easily? Not mentioning going there, never even heard of it, have you?" "Now the imperial court issues education, our chance is here—if among our offspring, anyone displays extraordinary talent, then ’one person’s success leads the whole family to ascend to heaven’!" "Indeed, celebrate throughout the land!"