Cultivation: When you take things to the extreme

Chapter 450: Chapter 282: Establishment_3

The Righteous Path Sacred Place once occupied twenty-one territories, but now it has shrunk to just three, as the Six Great Holy Lands have merged into three, assimilating the various Divine Martial Heritages of the Righteous Path and its subsidiaries, to fully consolidate the defense of these three territories.

In the world, there are forty-eight domains, with the black and white paths occupying thirty-six of them, leaving twelve as neutral grounds.

However, nowadays, neutrality is but a pipe dream. These twelve realms have also been annexed into the domains of the black and white paths, into the territories of the Demon Sect Sacred Place.

In the end, of the forty-eight domains of the world, only five remain under the control of the Demon Sect Sacred Place, while the other forty-three have become lands without masters.

But this lack of rulership did not last long. Soon, what was once the Qing Region and is now the Taoist Domain, declared to the world the establishment of the Wandao School, unifying the territorial lands under its name, claiming all forty-eight domains under the banner of greater righteousness.

Thus, the world’s landscape changed once again. The forty-eight domains were reorganized into a structure of one Tao, two Demons, and three Holy lands.

One Tao, the Palace of Ten Thousand Dao!

Two Demons, the Heavenly Demon Sect!

Three Holy, the Three Holy Lands!

Beyond these six pinnacle powers, due to the contraction and defense of the black and white paths, and with lands having no masters, the Wandao School for a time lacked the strength to integrate the world. Hence, within each domain, many strong individuals rose up to claim territory and establish their rule.

Powerful factions emerged, heroes stood side by side, and the world once again entered an era of chaos and strife marked by endless war.

In such circumstances…

Within the newly established Palace of the Wandao School in the Taoist Domain.

Xu Yang sat upon Qing Yun, looking down at the countless individuals below.

These countless individuals numbered in the tens of thousands, including Li Hongjun, Chu Lingfeng, Zhang Shaobai, Zhou Fengyu, and other somewhat unfamiliar faces, as well as five newly advanced Venerables—Shi Jinglong and the four from Evergreen Palace.

These were the hostages he had plundered over the years!

They numbered in the tens of thousands, from the Divine Intent Great Venerable at the top to the Embracing Core Small Cultivators below. There were Divine Martial Venerables, Grandmasters of the Heaven List, masters of the Earth List, heroes of the Man List, and there were also the lists for beauties, lovely ladies, and gentlemanly figures… many of whom had once been renowned.

But it was all rather meaningless now, for the four lists of the Divine Martial world had long since become nominal—their true value gone. After all, under the overwhelming authority of “Heaven Martial, Ten Thousand Dao,” who would have the mind to vie for such empty fame amid the chaos of war?

Even if some were inclined, such rankings were hard to maintain in an era of chaos.

However…

Xu Yang sat upon the clouds, gazing down at the crowd, and spoke calmly, “Now, the world is in disarray, chaos reigning in all directions, all of which stemmed from me. The blame lies with me, and it is my responsibility to bear. Therefore, the Wandao School must bring an end to the world’s warfare and quell the calamity in all directions!”

“Since ancient times, there have been no rules without standards, and no system without a legal framework!”

“Hence, the governance of the Wandao School must be based on laws and regulations!”

“Establish the legal system, build the institutions, calm the people’s hearts, and govern the world!”

Having said that, Xu Yang lowered his gaze towards the people below the clouds, “You all are prisoners, subjected to hard labor for many years, and you have worked hard to atone for your past crimes. Therefore, today, those who are cleared of their sins shall be released and regain their freedom. All of you may now return to your homes!”

Between his words, he raised his hand and brushed his sleeve, casting out a burst of Spirit Light that fell among the crowd.

“Bang! Bang! Bang!”

Immediately, the sounds of shackles shattering echoed, and a portion of the people were freed—including Li Hongjun, Chu Lingfeng, Zhou Fengyu, and even Zhang Shaobai, while newcomers like Shi Jinglong did not receive release.

Subsequently, not waiting for the joy of the crowd to subside, Xu Yang continued, “From now on, you must act rightly, preserve your integrity, and refrain from evil ways. Should there be any who violate the laws and harm the citizens, crossing the line, do not blame the legal system for being merciless!”

Upon hearing this, the crowd finally reacted, their faces showing a mixture of shock and fear. An old man with Nascent Soul cultivation even shed tears, kneeling and saying repeatedly,

“In the past, we were misled, acting recklessly, helping tyrants to do evil, becoming complicit in their crimes. We have committed many great wrongs. Fortunately, the Taoist Master has shown mercy, taking us in, righting wrongs, and not forsaking to pass on his teachings. His grace is as great as the heavens; we have no way to repay it in this life. The only way to redeem the sins of our past is to follow and serve under the Taoist Master. We implore the Taoist Master for mercy, not to abandon us…”

Their words were filled with a mix of panic and fear.

Hearing him speak, the others also hurriedly voiced their agreement.

“Old Mo is right. Today, we owe everything to the teachings and instruction of the Taoist Master. We have nothing to offer in return but to follow and serve under the Taoist Master, contributing whatever little strength we have!”

“The Martial Emperor taught us, and that grace is akin to being reborn. We are willing to serve as the smallest soldiers under the Martial Emperor’s command, to charge into battle and stabilize this chaotic world and smoke-filled battlefields.”

“We only ask that Your Majesty have mercy and not abandon us. We are willing to go through fire and water for you, without any regrets—even unto death!”

“To hear the Dao in the morning is to be content to die in the evening. The Taoist Master has imparted to us the great Dao; now that we have seen a glimpse of its profundity, how can we abandon it and leave? We beg the Taoist Master for mercy, not to forsake us!”