Chapter 339: The Dao of the World
Chapter 339: The Dao of the World
Mo Hua's heart trembled, and his eyebrows furrowed slightly.
"If we follow this rule, doesn't it mean that within a realm, cultivators are completely helpless against powerful demons?"
High-level cultivators were unable to intervene, and low-level cultivators lacked the strength to resist.
When dealing with a powerful cultivator like the Qian family's ancestor, they could rely on their numbers and work together to subdue him.
But when facing a mighty demon like Feng Xi, numbers were useless. It would consume their life force, and by devouring them, it would only grow stronger.
The more people there were, the stronger the demon became.
Zhang Lan sighed and said, "It's a widely accepted fact among cultivators that 'within a realm, a mighty demon is invincible.' Otherwise, the Court of Dao wouldn't have suggested relocating the city. It's a desperate measure, but we have no other choice."
"But demons must die eventually, right?" Mo Hua asked.
Zhang Lan nodded. "Of course. All things in this world have their life span. Even the strongest demon is still just a demon, not an immortal. They will eventually perish."
"How do most demons usually meet their end?" Mo Hua inquired further.
Zhang Lan thought for a moment before replying, "Some die of starvation after consuming all the cultivators within a realm. Others live for thousands of years and succumb to old age. There are those who foolishly break through their boundaries and are eradicated by the laws of the heavens. And then there are those who are jointly suppressed by powerful clans and sects..."
"Joint suppression?" Mo Hua's expression shifted.
Zhang Lan guessed what Mo Hua was thinking and dissuaded him, "Don't even consider that option. The clans and sects capable of suppressing mighty demons have existed for thousands, if not tens of thousands of years. They possess deep roots and their disciples are exceptionally powerful. They also have the support of protective sect arrays. Only then can they hope to suppress a mighty demon, and even then, they will suffer severe damage and pay a painful price."
"Unless the demon appears within their own sect or clan's territory, directly threatening their foundational doctrines, they have no choice but to take action. Otherwise, they wouldn't risk confronting such a formidable foe."
"There is no power in this area that possesses such a deep heritage."
"Moreover, such endeavors are incredibly difficult. Even in the records of the aristocratic sects, similar accounts are extremely rare."
Mo Hua couldn't hide his disappointment.
It seemed that others had already considered and attempted every possible solution.
The Court of Dao had flourished for over two millennia, producing countless geniuses. Other cultivators weren't fools either; it was unreasonable to expect that they could think of something that had eluded everyone else.
However, Mo Hua's doubts only intensified.
"Then why establish grades for the state realms? If there were no grades, couldn't high-level cultivators suppress the demons?"
"What criteria are used to determine these grades?"
"Why is this place definitely a second-grade state realm?"
"What heavenly path and laws are responsible for the eradication, and how exactly does the eradication occur?"
...
Mo Hua's questions came in rapid succession, each one more incisive than the last.
Zhang Lan's scalp prickled as he listened.
Indeed, too much intelligence wasn't always a blessing.
The more intelligent one was, the more questions they had, and the more questions there were, the more headaches they caused.
When it came to matters concerning the governance of the Court of Dao, the division of the Nine States, and the order of the world, Zhang Lan was just as clueless. Moreover, he couldn't afford to spew nonsense based on hearsay.
First, he might mislead Mo Hua and cause errors in his understanding of cultivation.
Second, Mo Hua was no longer a novice cultivator, especially when it came to formations, where his knowledge far exceeded Zhang Lan's. If he started spouting nonsense, Mo Hua would easily see through it.
"To know that one knows what one knows, and to know that one doesn't know what one doesn't know—that is true knowledge."
It was better to lose a little face than to mislead someone.
Zhang Lan could only reply honestly, "I don't know about these things either..."
"Alright," Mo Hua said, sounding a bit disappointed.
Although Zhang Lan came from a prestigious family, he was still at the Qi Refining stage, so it was understandable that he lacked certain knowledge.
However, Mo Hua still couldn't let it go: "Is there really no other way to deal with the demon?"
Zhang Lan patted him on the shoulder and said, "In the face of the Dao of Heaven, cultivators are truly insignificant. A cultivator's life is spent seeking the Dao, but the more they seek, the more they realize how unfathomable the Great Dao is, beyond the comprehension of mortals. The anomalies and calamities brought about by the Great Dao are also beyond the ability of cultivators to resist."
In other words, they were out of options.
Mo Hua asked in a low voice, "So our only choice is to relocate the city?"
Zhang Lan sighed, "In a few days, the Court of Dao will discuss it again. If there's no other way, we can only head south to the untamed wilderness."
But in truth, there wasn't much to discuss. It was just that no one wanted to make such a difficult decision until the last moment.
After all, relocating the city meant leaving their homes, enduring hardships and an uncertain future.
Mo Hua felt both unwilling and confused.
He wanted to get to the bottom of this matter.
The next day, he paid a visit to Mr. Zhuang.
"Sir, why do demons exist, and why are grades assigned to the state realms?"
Mr. Zhuang looked at Mo Hua silently for a moment before asking, "Do you really want to know?"
Mo Hua nodded.
Mr. Zhuang remained silent for a long time before finally speaking, "I can explain the profound principles of the Dao behind this, but you must remember not to share this with anyone else, or you will bring disaster upon yourself."
"The Dao gives birth to one, one gives birth to two, two gives birth to three, and three gives birth to everything. Whether it's a mighty demon or a state realm grade, they are all phenomena derived from the Great Dao."
"When one goes against the Heavenly Dao and commits heinous acts, disasters and calamities arise, giving birth to mighty demons."
"The Heavenly Dao seeks balance, dividing the Nine Provinces, and thus, the state realm grades are established."
Mr. Zhuang explained concisely, each word carrying profound meaning.
Mo Hua furrowed his brows, carefully pondering over Mr. Zhuang's words.
Mr. Zhuang continued to elucidate, "Mighty demons are one type of calamity born from the Great Dao. When cultivators act against the heavens and defy the natural order, calamities are bred."
"Any calamity that goes against the Heavenly Dao is collectively referred to as 'Dao Calamity'."
"And mighty demons are a type of Dao Calamity."
"The term 'Dao Calamity' is an internal term used within the Dao Court's Astronomical Bureau, and it is not mentioned outside. This is because the Dao Court believes in upholding the Heavenly Dao, and the existence of Dao Calamities implies that the Dao Court has failed and gone against the Heavenly Dao."
Mr. Zhuang's expression turned solemn as he looked at Mo Hua, "So these words leave my mouth and enter your ears, but they must not be known to others. Especially the term 'Dao Calamity'."
Mo Hua's expression turned stern, and he nodded gravely.
After a moment of thought, Mo Hua slowly asked, "So that pig became a mighty demon because the ancestor of the Qian family acted against the heavens, violating the moral principles of the world, and thus, a Dao Calamity was bred within the pig demon's body?"
After all, he had killed people for two to three hundred years, refined human longevity pills for two hundred years, and raised the Reverse Longevity and Transformational Elixir for over a hundred years. Who knew how much sin he had accumulated?
Mr. Zhuang nodded slightly, "In simple terms, yes, but there is more to it. Someone else is pulling the strings, and it's best you remain unaware of that for now."
"Is it that bizarre Taoist priest?"
Mr. Zhuang was taken aback, his gaze sharpening, "Who told you about him?"
"The ancestor of the Qian family and a young pill master from the Pill Refining Sect. They both mentioned a Taoist priest."
Mo Hua spoke honestly, "The evil cultivation technique and the formula for the Reverse Longevity and Transformational Elixir were given by a Taoist priest, but I don't know if they are referring to the same person."
But Mr. Zhuang placed his hand on Mo Hua's shoulder, his expression grave, "Do not mention him, and do not think about him. Forget that Taoist priest."
Mo Hua wanted to ask why, but seeing the unprecedented solemnity in Mr. Zhuang's eyes, he simply nodded in agreement, "Alright, Mr. Zhuang."
Mr. Zhuang breathed a slight sigh of relief.
Mo Hua had never seen anyone who could make Mr. Zhuang so wary.
However, since Mr. Zhuang didn't want him to think about it, Mo Hua shifted his questions to another topic, "Mr. Zhuang, then what about the grading of the state realms? How does that work?"
"What do you want to know?" Mr. Zhuang glanced at Mo Hua.
Mo Hua organized his thoughts and continued, "Why does the Dao Court assign grades to the state realms?"
"If there were no grades, there would be no cultivation restrictions, and the Dao Court could send high-level cultivators to slay the mighty demons. There wouldn't be a need to worry about the people within the state realm suffering."
"What is the basis for the Dao Court's grading system?" Mr. Zhuang countered.
Mo Hua thought for a moment, "The eradication by the laws of the Heavenly Dao?"
Because if it weren't for the forced eradication by the laws of the Heavenly Dao, cultivators' actions wouldn't be restricted by the state realm grades.
The concept of state realm grades would be meaningless.
"Then what are the laws of the Heavenly Dao?" Mr. Zhuang asked.
Mo Hua was stumped, muttering softly, "How would I know that..."
Mr. Zhuang shook his head, "You know."
Mo Hua was bewildered, "I know?"
When did I find out? Why don't I know about it myself...
Mo Hua furrowed his brows in thought for a moment, and then his eyes widened in surprise, "Could it be... formations?"
Mr. Zhuang nodded, "Indeed."
"But... where is the formation?"
Mo Hua had his suspicions, but he still couldn't quite understand.
Mr. Zhuang pointed upwards, and Mo Hua involuntarily raised his head. The sky above was vast and boundless, with billowing clouds that seemed to hold infinite mysteries.
"This sky is a formation!" Mr. Zhuang said in a deep voice.
Mo Hua was stunned, his heart trembling as he blurted out, "This is... a formation?"
"Indeed." Mr. Zhuang nodded, his gaze profound, "And not just any formation, but a grand formation, the most powerful formation known in this world!"
"The most powerful formation..." Mo Hua was dazed, murmuring, "Then doesn't that mean..."
Mr. Zhuang nodded, "A primordial formation, also known as a legendary Immortal-grade formation!"
Mo Hua's heart was filled with indescribable shock, leaving him speechless for a long time.
The sky above, the heavens—it turned out to be the most powerful formation in the world.
The most powerful formation in this world had always been hanging above, covering every inch of the cultivation world and shielding every cultivator.
What kind of heavenly creation was this...
Mo Hua looked up at the sky, feeling his own insignificance in the face of the boundless world of formations.
(End of Chapter)
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