The fake prince was exposed at the beginning, and I took office as emperor on the spot

Chapter 274 Slaying Xie Qian (Part 5 Combined)

Outside Jian Ge, the waters of Donglong Lake are calm, like a giant mirror, reflecting the unprecedented spectacle in the sky.

It was not simply a matter of the sun, moon, and stars shifting, nor was it merely a change in the weather.

As the golden ripples spread outwards with increasingly shorter intervals, the entire world, from the laws of physics to metaphysical concepts, seemed to be immersed in that gold.

The boundary between the sky and the earth became blurred, and the Milky Way in the sky seemed to flow onto the ground. As the golden patterns spread, the dust and vegetation were tinged with color, revealing the profound and vast wonders of the universe within.

It truly feels like a world within a flower, a Bodhi tree within a leaf.

The stars in the sky no longer follow their fixed trajectories, but instead revolve slowly and solemnly around an invisible center, as if guarding the one and only "Tao" since the birth of the world.

"Om-"

Another golden ripple spread out from the center, circle after circle, sweeping across mountains and rivers, and even penetrating the great formation of the nearby Sword Pavilion's encampment.

Under Gu Fangchen's arrangement, the disciples of the Sword Pavilion obeyed the orders of Pavilion Master Ning Wuzhen and "Sword Saint" Ning Songjun, and participated in this great battle as the main force of cultivators.

They are now stationed on a mountain peak not far from the battlefield.

At this moment, all the Sword Pavilion disciples, whether resting on the mountain peaks or fighting on the battlefield, stopped what they were doing and looked up in astonishment at the sky that was being reshaped.

Many elders with higher cultivation levels reached out in horror to pluck the flowers and plants beside them, and saw the strange phenomenon that had appeared on them.

They didn't understand the meaning behind it, but the immense pressure that permeated the world made their Dao hearts tremble involuntarily.

It was a reverence stemming from the instinct of life, like an ant gazing at the bright moon, or a mortal glimpsing a deity.

Whatever this represents, everything is destined to change drastically after today!
Ning Songjun stood at the highest point of the mountain, while Ning Wuzhen beside him also had a solemn expression.

Ning Songjun gripped the hilt of the "Lianxing" sword tightly, his gaze piercing the distance between heaven and earth, fixed on the center of that galaxy.

“This power… has transcended the scope of ‘Tao’; it is… defining ‘Tao’.”

He managed to utter those words with difficulty, his heart already churning with turmoil.

Ning Songjun, along with other cultivators, had all witnessed Xie Qian, the "Confucian Sage," take action. His words carried the power to change the world, a miracle in the eyes of mortals.

But at this moment, the power reshaping the rules of the world above the sky was even more vast and more... primal than the power Xie Qian had displayed.

Xie Qian, as a first-rank cultivator, was already the limit in their eyes.

But at this moment, the power that Ning Songjun felt was beyond the reach of cultivators.

If I had to describe it, it would be as if an artist were erasing an old painting, preparing to start anew, and all things in the world were the colors under his brush.

The golden patterns gave Ning Songjun exactly that feeling.

Therefore, he was very worried, as this power was too terrifying and not something that the cultivators here could possess.

So... it seems there's only one possibility.

It is the power behind the "Heavenly Gate"!

Ning Songjun's heart was heavy as he stared intently at the Milky Way, his knuckles turning slightly white from gripping the sword hilt so tightly.

If... the power that Ying Baishou needed to suppress with his physical body after passing through the "Heavenly Gate" were to escape, how would they deal with it?
Ning Wuzhen, standing to the side, shared the same thought, unconsciously stroking his beard, appearing somewhat impatient.

But who can remain calm at this moment?
At that very moment, a figure slowly stepped out from the center of that dazzling galaxy.

That figure was all too familiar to Ning Songjun.

Even though they were hundreds of thousands of miles apart, and even though the figure appeared somewhat blurry under the endless starlight, Ning Songjun recognized him at a glance.

That little nephew who he used to hate and despise, but now makes him look at him with new respect.

"Is it... Chen'er?"

Ning Wuzhen's hand, which was stroking his beard, froze in mid-air, and an incredulous glint flashed in his aged eyes.

He checked repeatedly, and finally let out a long sigh.

"It's him! He really has returned from 'Heavenly Gate'!"

The old pavilion master's voice was filled with undisguised excitement and satisfaction.

Although they acted according to Gu Fangchen's plan during this period, closing the mountain gate and watching the Qingman army pass through, and then giving Xiao Yinghao's White Dragon Army full support, how could they not have a slight wavering and worry in their hearts?

That's the "Heavenly Gate," a forbidden place that even a peerless sword saint like Ying Baishou chose to suppress with his own body. What exists within it is all unknown.

Gu Fangchen's journey was so fraught with peril that even saying she faced nine deaths and one life was an optimistic assessment.

Now, he has not only returned, but he has also appeared before the world in such a majestic and dignified manner, as if he were ruling the world and reshaping the universe!
The phrase "ruling the world" here is not just an adjective, but a fact.

The boundless starry sky and the golden patterns clearly originated from Gu Fangchen!
In other words, the power that Ning Songjun felt just now belonged to Gu Fangchen!
Ning Songjun's feelings were far more complicated than those of his own father.

Amidst the relief and surprise, there was also an indescribable bitterness and disappointment.

Looking at that figure, he seemed to see his past self, and also his elder sister who always stood in front of him, sheltering him from the wind and rain.

Once upon a time, my elder sister was just as radiant, her sword intent causing all things to tremble.

She should have been the most dazzling pearl of Sword Pavilion, and even the entire world.

Ning Songjun still remembers the way his elder sister handed him the blood-soaked sword after the internal strife at Sword Pavilion.

The light in her eyes gradually faded, leaving only gentleness, as if she had forgotten who she was.

From then on, he became known as the "Sword Saint".

And she became the Princess Consort of Zhenbei.

That gentleness wasn't empty; it was still Ning Caiyong's original personality, only it seemed to be missing something.

Ning Songjun once thought that she would never see her radiant elder sister standing in front of her again in this life.

Until she broke the seal for Gu Fangchen, revealing her power above the first rank.

But after that, she disappeared without a trace. Now that Gu Fangchen has returned, she still hasn't shown up... She must have returned to where she was supposed to go and will never come back.

"If my elder sister could see Chen'er today, how happy she would be..."

Ning Songjun murmured to himself, his eyes welling up with tears.

He owed his elder sister a great deal. Because of his obsession, he always thought that life in the Prince's Mansion had trapped her. Whenever he saw Ning Caiyong doting on Gu Fangchen, he felt as if Gu Fangchen had stolen his elder sister's self, and he treated Gu Fangchen with disdain.

It wasn't until later that he realized it was his elder sister's own choice.

Just as his emotions were churning and he was feeling lost, a gentle and familiar voice, with a helpless smile, seemed to pierce through endless time and softly sounded behind him.

"Ah Song, I'm just going on a long trip, why are you making it sound like I'm dead?"

Ning Songjun trembled violently, almost thinking he was hallucinating.

However, it is clear that a dignified second-grade divine path expert would not experience auditory hallucinations without external interference.

He stiffly turned his head, bit by bit, and saw the figure that should never have appeared again.

Wearing a black and white ink-wash dress and a light red shawl, Ning Caiyong stood gracefully behind him and her father, her eyes smiling and her demeanor gentle as water, just as always.

However, the delicate, mortal aura that once belonged to her had vanished, replaced by a vastness and profundity that mirrored the starry sky above.

She stood there, as if she were the sky and the earth herself.

"Elder sister?!"

Ning Songjun gasped in disbelief, his face filled with uncontrollable shock and ecstasy.

Ning Wuzhen was also moved to tears, her whole body trembling with emotion:

“Caiyong…my daughter…”

Ning Caiyong stepped forward with a smile, first giving his father a hug, then looking at his younger brother and saying softly:

“Father, Asong, I’m back.”

She was originally bound by the "Heavenly" Way, and had to suppress the growth of the Way herself, unable to leave that sealed sky.

But now that Gu Fangchen has gathered all the karma and returned to the present world, she has also shed the influence of the Dao. She has also used this power to temporarily break free from the shackles of the "Heavenly" Dao, allowing her true form to reappear and return to reality.

After her earlier outburst, Ning Songjun suddenly realized that her elder sister must have seen her crying.

He felt a little embarrassed and raised his hand to wipe his tears, only to find that tears had been streaming down his face without him noticing.

Since sending his elder sister off to her wedding, he had considered himself to be responsible for the future of Sword Pavilion and his elder sister, and it had been a long time since he had been in such a sorry state.

However, at this moment, he struggled for a moment, no longer pretending to be cold and hard, and with tears streaming down his face, he gave his elder sister a very awkward smile.

"Yes, it's good that you're back...it's good that you're back."

Ning Caiyong smiled gently, like a spring breeze that could melt away all ice and snow, and playfully scolded:

"Really, just like when you were a child, wipe away your tears. What would it look like if your disciples saw this?"

Ning Songjun immediately wiped the smile off her face, straightened her appearance, and gave a cold snort:
"So what if they see it? Do they dare to say anything?"

Ning Caiyong: "..."

If you're so capable, then don't bother organizing it.

What a silly little brother...

Looking at her two children, a scene just like before, Ning Wuzhen felt a surge of emotions. She wanted to ask Ning Caiyong many questions, but after hesitating for a moment, she finally uttered only one sentence:

"Caiyong, have you entered the 'Heavenly Gate' these past few days?"

Ning Caiyong nodded, then shook his head:
"You could say that, but it should be called 'returning' to 'Tianmen'."

She quietly explained the whole story in a simple way.

Fortunately, Ning Wuzhen and Ning Songjun are both quite capable, so understanding the current situation is not difficult for them.

Now, those "Tao," or rather, the external will existing on "Tao," have also been temporarily stripped away.

In the past, even the slightest leak of information could lead to a tragedy like that at Garanji Temple, but things are different now.

Given the level of understanding and capabilities of the Ning family father and son, they are fully capable of withstanding the impact on the worldview.

“Xiao Zhenwu wants to completely erase Chen’er’s karma, and those external ‘Dao’ will also help him.”

Ning Caiyong then said:
"He is now fighting against the corrupted 'Tao,' and also against the chronic illness that has plagued this world for millions of years."

"This battle is the first step to end everything, the beginning of the end of the 'preaching' path."

She gazed at the increasingly bright golden sky in the distance, her eyes deep and thoughtful.

"Whether it's 'Hengchang' or 'Wangu Tongtian', they are nothing more than self-deceiving cages."

"The true 'Tao' is not here."

"Today is the day when this world truly makes its choice."

She whispered:

"Only Chen'er can do this. The world may be turned upside down in the future, but no matter what, it is no longer something we can interfere with."

"I can only stop Xiao Zhenwu for a while... I'm afraid he will soon escape from the 'Heavenly Gate'."

Ning Caiyong stepped forward and stood shoulder to shoulder with his father and brother, gazing into the distance.

Ning Wuzhen and Ning Songjun exchanged a glance and silently turned their gazes to the golden sky. The incredible secrets of the primordial furnace had shocked them beyond measure, but as Ning Caiyong had said, the level of this battle had risen to a point where they could no longer interfere.

They may be facing a completely unfamiliar world, but they are all strong-willed individuals. Since they are prepared, no matter how the outside world changes, they only need to remain true to themselves.

Ning Songjun looked at her elder sister, nodded, and said in a deep voice:
"As long as my elder sister is well, Chen'er is well too. No matter when or where, my heart will never waver."

The three members of the Ning family stood side by side, all gazing at the distant horizon.

The final battle that will determine the fate of the world has begun.

……

Amidst a sea of ​​scarlet spider lilies, Xuanming held the sleeping girl in his arms, waiting quietly.

His aura remained as deep and profound as an abyss, but his youthful face no longer held the unchanging coldness of eternity; instead, it carried a hint of barely perceptible tenderness and anticipation.

He knew that Gu Fangchen would succeed.

Just now, he had clearly felt that the golden causal threads wrapped around Xuanling, the shackles of the "Dao" from the "Heavenly Gate," were collapsing and dissipating one by one.

The foundation of the "Tao" is being shaken.

As one of the most direct manifestations of the "Tao," Xuanling, as a "preacher of the Tao," was naturally also affected.

The "Dao" that was once intertwined with her soul and almost became one with her, now seemed to have lost its source of vitality and was gradually withering away.

"Ling'er..."

Xuanming lowered his head, gently stroking his daughter's long white hair, his voice trembling slightly.

He had waited too long and had been in despair for too long.

Now, it seems that a real turning point has finally arrived.

"Om-"

A soft hum echoed from the void, and at the same moment, all the countless golden threads snapped, turning into specks of golden light and dissipating.

The girl, who had been asleep for a thousand years, finally had her long eyelashes tremble slightly.

Xuanming held his breath.

Then, I saw those tightly closed eyes slowly open.

……

The outer perimeter of Huangtian City had long since been reduced to ruins.

The once magnificent palace complex collapsed completely in the previous battles, and even the Canliao Pillar was razed to the ground—even the Grand Preceptor of the Great Wei, who once lived here, is now a major force in the attack on Huangtian City.

Only the Ziji Hall, as the last symbol of imperial power and national destiny guarded by Confucianism, still stands firm.

But with the surrounding area in complete disarray, the abruptly placed Purple Palace looked rather comical...

On the ground, the shouts of battle had gradually subsided.

Xiao Yinghao's White Dragon Army and numerous cultivators were still locked in a standoff with the disciples of Yaoshan Academy, but everyone's attention was drawn to the scene in the sky.

Above the sky, beneath the starry river that had been dyed golden, Gu Fangchen and Xie Qian stood facing each other.

Gu Fangchen, dressed in a white robe, remained calm.

He didn't exhibit any special phenomena or even any aura of cultivation; he was just like an ordinary person.

But the moment he appeared, everyone's attention was drawn to him.

The entire starry sky, and even the whole world, seemed to revolve around him, drawing their gaze involuntarily to him.

Xie Qian, sitting opposite him, looked on in shock, realizing that Xie Qian's cultivation level seemed to have reached a height that Xie Qian could not comprehend.

However, it was only for a moment before Xie Qian shook his head:

"No, impossible. There is no way there could be a realm above the first grade in this world."

His face contorted, and he muttered:
"Otherwise, what have I been searching for all these years...?"

Gu Fangchen looked at him, gestured for Banruo Lianyue to step back, and said:

"You want to use 'Eternal Unity of Heaven' to verify your 'literary' path and ascend to 'True Immortal' with the power of the entire world, is that right?"

Xie Qian actually didn't go down the wrong path.

Because that's exactly what Xiao Zhenwu did.

Xiao Zhenwu was able to advance to the Infinite Realm and become a so-called "True Immortal" who was integrated with the Dao because he took the entire mortal world as his Dao field and let the Dao of "Constancy" cover almost the entire world.

Xie Qian followed the same line of thinking.

However, Xiao Zhenwu's "Hengchang" is horizontal; he establishes order throughout the entire space, making "Hengchang" a default rule.

Xie Qian wanted to use the concept of "eternal unity" to vertically twist the entire timeline, forming a closed cycle, thereby making his "literary" philosophy deeply rooted in people's hearts.

He had long ago realized that the power of the "Heavenly Gate" was sealing off the entire world, which is why he said that there would be no realm above the first rank in this world.

A world can only support the rule of one conscious "Tao".

These bookworms are greedy and expand without limit.

They will spontaneously eliminate those who are different, eventually leaving only one "Tao" in this world.

Therefore, this is actually a struggle over the orthodox tradition.

Gu Fangchen once heard these words in the illusion given to her by Ning Caiyong—

"Why? Why? Has everything I've sought in my life been for nothing?! It's all a lie! It's all a lie! I don't believe it! I don't believe it!!!"

This statement was actually made by Xie Qian.

Perhaps he went mad from that moment on.

Xie Qian wanted to be promoted, which meant he had to completely change the rules of this world, so he thought of "eternal unity under the same sky".

In this world where Xiao Zhenwu has sealed off the rules, he is not only a fish that slipped through the net, but has even crossed the Dragon Gate halfway, ready to bite the fisherman.

In a sense, Xie Qian is indeed exceptionally strong.

In the game, it is perfectly reasonable to make him the apparent final boss.

But unfortunately...

"Unfortunately, in the end, the 'Tao' you pursued was nothing more than being a puppet of others."

Gu Fangchen looked coldly at Xie Qian, shook her head, and said:

"Your ridiculous dream will end today."

"Secondary ink" is the original cause of the "way of spreading the Way". Only by severing this way can we truly sever the path of spreading those false "ways".

Gu Fangchen looked up and saw the "Beater" profession displayed above her head.

He suddenly realized the true meaning of the so-called "bell-unsitter" profession.

To turn the real into the fake, and the fake into the real.

The one who tied the knot must untie it. He must set everything right, eliminate all these falsehoods, these fake things disguised as "Tao," and return the world to its original state.

Xie Qian stared intently at him:
"What do you understand?! What do you know?! 'Eternal Unity of Heaven' is not just my vision, but the vision of all scholars in the world! How could it be my selfish desire?"

He waved his sleeve, pointing to the endless flames of war below:
"The chaos and turmoil in the world today all stem from you and your many accomplices! If it weren't for you, 'eternal harmony under the same sky' would have been achieved long ago. The current suffering and devastation are all your fault!"

Gu Fangchen chuckled:
Is that really the case?

“If you truly have no selfish motives, you should surrender now.”

Xie Qian immediately sneered and angrily rebuked:
"Nonsense! We who uphold morality, how could we surrender to you, the root of all chaos, and sit idly by while the world descends into turmoil, just because of your words?!"

Gu Fangchen shrugged:

"Morality? Why don't you open your eyes and see who has more morality!"

"The Princess is now the heart of the people. Wherever she goes, the people line the streets to welcome her and open the city gates. Even three-year-olds know that the Princess is strict in her military discipline. Since the White Dragon Army started its uprising, she has not taken a single needle or penny from the people."

"If you hadn't insisted that the Confucian disciples resist stubbornly and hold onto Huangtian City, the world would be at peace long ago!"

"Who do you think is the source of all this chaos? It's you, you old fool!"

Gu Fangchen's voice reached the ears of everyone below, causing many to pause in surprise.

In particular, some Confucian disciples were confused because they had witnessed too many cruel scenes in the continuous battles.

Originally, under Xie Qian's brainwashing, they believed that Xiao Yinghao was a rebel and that they were righteous people who were loyal to the emperor, loved the country, and fought for the people.

However, after Gu Fangchen said that, they realized that it wasn't raining at all outside without Xie Qian's umbrella!
"Om-"

Above, another golden ripple spread out from the starry sky, carrying Gu Fangchen's words aloud.

He shouted, "If you don't believe me, you can use all your means to investigate now and see if what I said is true or false!"

Most Confucian disciples remained steadfast, angrily denouncing Gu Fangchen for spreading heresies and misleading the public.

But some Confucian disciples fell silent, their expressions beginning to waver.

Xie Qian's face instantly turned ashen.

He felt his connection to the Way of Literature, the golden path he had woven over 1,300 years with countless classics, precepts, and thoughts, was being forcibly stripped away by an invisible force.

This power did not come from an external attack, but from himself, from the Yaoshan Academy he founded, and from the disciples who once revered him as a god and obeyed his every word!
His path is being shaken!

"My lies are deceiving the public!"

Xie Qian roared, his voice booming like a great bell, echoing throughout the heavens and earth:

"Gu Fangchen, you stole the power of the 'Heavenly Gate,' attempting to distort the truth and confuse right and wrong! Today, I will act on behalf of Heaven to punish you and set things right!"

He couldn't wait any longer.

He must use the most thunderous means and the most magnificent and righteous power to completely annihilate this guy in front of him before all his disciples' faith completely collapses!

He raised his hand, and a surge of righteous energy rose from his body, transforming into a book of ink paintings.

In the distant beyond, the "Half of the Land," which served as the boundary between the Qingman and the Great Wei, rose from the ground, transforming into a streak of ink, merging into it, and becoming countless characters.

That "half of the land" has stood in this world for 1,300 years, representing all the Confucian ideas that the Great Wei Dynasty has adhered to for 1,300 years, and also encompassing the beliefs of countless people.

The book moved on its own without wind, turning its pages with a "whoosh," and words flew out of the book, growing longer in the wind and transforming into swords, spears, halberds, axes, hooks, and forks in the air.

This is the Confucian skill of "verbal sparring".

Words can be weapons; every word is a gem, yet every word can also be deadly!
But in the hands of Xie Qian, this "Confucian sage," its power was even more extraordinary.

The weapons were not particularly sharp or powerful; instead, they were rusty, covered in blood, and even broken and damaged, looking quite dilapidated.

But behind each of those weapons lies a wisp of soul and a sigh.

In fact, Gu Fangchen found those weapons very familiar—

These weapons all came from the battlefields at the front of "Half of the Country"—the weapons of the dead soldiers!

The "Sage of Confucianism" truly is a "Sage of Confucianism." Over the past thousand years, he has been able to establish such great prestige because he has long been proficient in using all language and people's hearts as weapons.

Xie Qian pointed forward and coldly shouted:
"Gu Fangchen, you colluded with the Qingman, murdered the emperor and betrayed the country. What right do you have to speak of righteousness to the millions of fallen soldiers of the Great Wei?"

In an instant, thousands upon thousands of weapons formed a steel torrent, sweeping towards Gu Fangchen with a chilling aura that could cleave mountains and rivers and judge all living beings.

Below, the disciples of Yaoshan Academy, witnessing this scene, erupted in thunderous cheers. Their previously wavering hearts were also stunned by this resounding shout.

"The sage has made his move!"

"Words are weapons of the Great Way! The sage is right. This man has colluded with the three kingdoms of Qingman, the Western Regions, and Tuoyin to rebel against the Heavenly Gang. He is a complete and utter demon. Today is the day to kill this traitor!"

"Evil spirits and heretics should be punished by everyone. Gu Fangchen deserves to be executed today! How dare she claim to be righteous before the great path of the sages?!"

The disciples looked fervent and devout.

Many of them grew up reading Xie Qian's interpretations of the classics.

In their hearts, Xie Qian was no longer just a powerful cultivator, but a saint walking among mortals, the embodiment of the "Tao".

Saints are omnipotent and always right.

As they gazed upon the torrent of weapons sweeping across the heavens and earth, they seemed to see the embodiment of their faith, and their hearts were filled with boundless power and pride.

However, faced with this overwhelming and terrifying attack, Gu Fangchen's reaction was shockingly indifferent.

He simply looked at the sky full of weapons and countless faintly emerging heroic souls, shook his head slightly, and then stretched out a finger, pointing it at the earth-shattering torrent.

There were no earth-shattering phenomena, no fierce clashes of supernatural powers.

Time seemed to be paused at this moment.

[True becomes false].

"Clang!"

The deafening clang of metal on metal came to an abrupt end.

Thousands upon thousands of weapons suddenly froze in mid-air, and then their forms receded like the tide, their sharp edges, heavy texture, rust and the marks of time melting away at a visible speed.

The character for "knife" has been changed back to "刀".

The character for "sword" has been changed back to its original form.

In the blink of an eye, the torrent of steel formed by supernatural power completely disintegrated, turning back into individual characters that floated in the air, shimmering with a faint light.

Soon, they lost all their power and fell gently, eventually landing on the ruins of Huangtian City, turning into patches of ordinary ink.

It scattered when the wind blew it away.

The cheers from the disciples below fell silent instantly, as if an invisible hand had gripped their necks.

Everyone stared in disbelief at the scene.

"what?!"

Xie Qian's pupils suddenly contracted, and the righteous expression on his face instantly cracked.

"No! This is impossible!"

His supernatural powers, his proud manifestation of "literary" principles, and the faith he had accumulated over 1,300 years—were all so easily... erased?!

That was not defeating or resisting, but a fundamental "negation".

"Xie Qian, your 'Dao' is nothing more than what is recorded in words and spread through word of mouth."

Gu Fangchen's voice rang out calmly, yet it struck Xie Qian's heart like a heavy hammer.

“But words can deceive, and transmission can distort the truth. You impose your will on words, and then make your disciples believe in these words, thus gathering your power.”

"In the end, it's nothing more than a castle in the air built on quicksand; how can it last?"

Gu Fangfang took a step forward, her figure instantly disappearing from the spot. The next moment, she appeared in front of Xie Qian and threw a punch.

This punch was unremarkable, without any fluctuation of spiritual power or special effects. It was like a simple punch thrown by an ordinary person who knew nothing about martial arts.

But Xie Qian's expression changed drastically; his hair stood on end, and he felt his soul tremble!
He felt an unshakable, irrefutable, and unquestionable "truth" in that punch!
Faced with this punch, his proud righteous spirit and his centuries of hard-earned "literary" cultivation seemed so fake and so powerless!
"Words become law—that's how you find peace and purpose in life!"

In the blink of an eye, Xie Qian poured out all his cultivation, and the space around him instantly solidified, transforming into layers of invisible barriers made up of countless scriptures and texts.

This is his "Tao" domain; within this domain, he is the law!

However, that ordinary fist seemed to ignore the layers of barriers, passing right through them and slamming heavily into his chest.

The words vanished into ink marks with the force of the punch, then quickly turned into nothingness.

"puff!"

Xie Qian froze, as if struck by lightning. He then spat out a mouthful of blood and flew backward like a kite with a broken string, crashing into the only remaining Purple Extreme Palace in the distance and stirring up a cloud of dust.

"saint!"

"Master!"

The disciples below gasped in surprise, and many even tried to rush forward, but they were held down by an invisible aura and could not move.

The fervor on their faces is fading, replaced by bewilderment and fear.

How could this be?
How could an omnipotent saint be sent flying by a single punch?
Could it be... as Gu Fangchen said, that the sage's "Dao" is just an empty shell?!

As the smoke and dust cleared, Xie Qian scrambled to his feet from the ruins, looking disheveled.

The old man, who always maintained a nonchalant demeanor, now had disheveled hair and looked like a beggar on the street.

His eyes were bloodshot as he looked down at the deep dent in his chest, his gaze filled with horror and bewilderment.

"True...false...your Dao can actually...define 'Dao'?!"

He finally understood the essence of Gu Fangchen's power.

"I told you, what you're pursuing is nothing but a dream."

Gu Fangchen withdrew her fist, her expression remaining calm.

He walked forward step by step, looking at Xie Qian as if he were looking at a pitiful person who was stubbornly clinging to his delusions.

Xie Qian was shaken to his core. His hands trembled, and his whole body shook. He could feel the change in the gazes of the disciples around him, their fear and unease, and their growing suspicion of him.

He suddenly chuckled softly:

"Hahahaha... A dream? A dream? What do you know?! Impossible! How could what I've pursued my whole life be fake!"

Long-forgotten memories surged into my mind like a tide.

He was reminded of himself many years ago.

At that time, he was just a young Confucian scholar traveling the world, with lofty ambitions to find a way out for all people, believing that everyone in the world could be educated and could turn to good.

He had witnessed the displacement caused by war, the misery caused by corrupt officials, and the endless struggles caused by different ideologies and desires.

He once witnessed surviving flood victims killing each other over half a moldy sesame seed cake outside a village that had been submerged by floodwaters.

He also witnessed, in a wealthy city, powerful figures vying for power and turning the entire city into a bloodbath.

At that moment, he realized that conflict, chaos, selfishness... these are the norm in the world.

The complexity and fickleness of human nature are the root of all suffering.

He wanted to change all of this.

So, at the end of the chaotic era, he founded Yaoshan Academy and began to spread his ideas.

Xie Qian stubbornly believes that to build a perfect world, all uncertainties must be eliminated.

We must establish a set of absolutely correct and unquestionable rules that everyone follows in thinking and living.

Only when thoughts are unified and actions are standardized can the world usher in lasting peace.

His path was born from this philosophy.

It is a perfect, precise "program" that allows no deviation.

Benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness were all redefined by him and turned into cold precepts.

In order to promote his doctrine, he debated and defeated countless masters and impressed countless powerful figures.

His followers grew in number, and Yaoshan Academy became the foremost holy place for scholars in the world.

Looking at his disciples with their bright eyes and boundless admiration for him, he felt a surge of pride and unwavering determination.

He firmly believes that he is undertaking a great undertaking that is unprecedented and will never be repeated.

He is... creating a perfect world.

But now, this young man who calls himself "real" has shattered his dream with a single punch.

"No...impossible! My path is the true path to salvation! It is the only righteous way to end all chaos!"

Xie Qian was acting like a madman; he couldn't accept his defeat.

After all, this is tantamount to negating his life's pursuit.

"Your 'salvation' comes at the cost of stifling everyone's thoughts, and your 'peace' is built on a deathly silence."

Gu Fangchen's voice rang out again, like a resounding bell, clearly reaching everyone's ears, including the bewildered Confucian disciples below.

“Look at your disciples.”

Gu Fangchen raised her hand and pointed downwards, her gaze icy:

"They revere you as a saint, and regard every word you say as golden rules. They dare not have their own thoughts, and dare not have any questions."

"Because any idea that deviates from your 'path' will be considered heresy."

"Xie Qian, you are not educating them, you are turning them into soulless puppets, just like yourself!"

Upon hearing this, the disciples below all trembled.

"Om-"

Above the sky, the golden pattern flashed once more, making the gold of the sky even brighter.

As Gu Fangchen once said, simply copying texts cannot shake Xie Qian's position; his ideological foundation must be uprooted.

At this moment, when Xie Qian was easily defeated with a single punch and his image collapsed, it was the perfect opportunity to lift up this edifice.

Many disciples who blindly believed in the "Confucian Sage" turned pale instantly.

Those who have followed Xie Qian to this point are naturally all outstanding Confucian disciples, and it is only natural that they must have had their own ideas.

Perhaps at some point, they raised a small question about a certain viewpoint in the "sage's teachings".

But then, it was dismissed with a laugh, and countless people told them:
"The words of the sages are the truth; how dare we mere mortals question them? We only need to follow them, not question them! Do not harbor any disloyalty, lest you be disturbed by inner demons!"

At that time, they were filled with shame, believing that their resolve was weak and that they were troubled by inner demons.

But now, Gu Fangchen's words were like a bolt of lightning, cleaving through the fog in their minds.

Yes... why can't we question it?
Once this idea takes hold, it's like a wildfire that can never be extinguished.

The determination in their eyes began to waver, the fervor gradually cooled, and in its place a sense of confusion and doubt arose from their daze.

Xie Qian clearly felt the loss of his faith, and his aura became slightly unstable.

Fear finally gripped his heart, and he roared in a mixture of shock and rage:

"Shut up! Stop trying to incite people! You little beast, how could you possibly shake my millennia of achievements!"

He gathered his power once more, and the scrolls containing all his thoughts soared out. Countless phantoms of Confucian sages who had preceded him appeared, chanting sacred words. Countless characters transformed into a rushing river, sweeping towards Gu Fangchen.

However, Gu Fangchen simply stood there quietly, letting the invisible power of the words wash over her body, yet she remained unharmed.

She didn't even move the hem of her clothes.

He looked at Xie Qian, who stood with his hands behind his back, going against the current:

"Your sages and your scriptures are just words you have distorted, tools to control other people's thoughts."

"Let me tell you the truth about 'eternal unity'."

Gu Fangchen looked around and said:

"Do you really want to become puppets without your own thoughts?"

"You study hard for years, cultivating your noble spirit, but is it all just to become an extension of another person's will?"

Are your joys and sorrows, your loves and hates, all falsehoods that can be erased by the precepts?

Each of his questions, along with the golden patterns spreading across the sky above, conjured up the scene after the "eternal unity of heaven" ending, striking the hearts of every Confucian disciple below.

"No, no, no! Shut up! Shut up!"

Xie Qian was on the verge of collapse, spitting blood as he staggered to stand in front of Gu Fangchen, glaring angrily at his disciples:

"What he said is all a lie! A lie!"

Faith crumbled inch by inch.

"No...it's not..."

One of the Confucian disciples murmured to himself, "We...we are pursuing the Great Way..."

"Is the path of others truly your path?"

Gu Fangchen's voice seemed to resonate directly in his heart.

"boom!"

Something seemed to shatter in the disciple's mind.

He suddenly raised his head, his eyes filled with pain and determination, and shouted:
"I...I don't know!"

That "I don't know" seemed to be a signal.

One by one, the disciples' blank expressions turned into painful struggles.

Their faith, the indestructible spiritual sanctuary that Xie Qian had personally built for them, began to crack under the impact of "reality."

As the faith of the Confucian disciples wavered, Xie Qian's aura rapidly weakened like a flood breaking through a dam.

The countless phantom images of sages and scrolls of scriptures behind him began to blur and distort, eventually turning into bubbles and shattering one by one.

"No...impossible..."

Xie Qian finally revealed a look of despair, his eyes were defeated, his appearance aged rapidly, and he was unable to support his body. He knelt down with a "thud".

He lost.

It failed because of the fundamental flaw of "Tao".

Gu Fangchen shook her head:
"What's impossible? You've regarded yourself as an inviolable truth for too long. Standing high in the sky, how can you hear the voices of this human world? You don't even want to listen to the voices of your own disciples."

He stepped forward and placed a palm on the top of his head.

Xie Qian's body stiffened abruptly, and then he heard the loudest buzzing sound in the world.

The gold color had almost completely covered the sky.

The body of the "Confucian Sage" dissipated inch by inch from his feet, turning into nothingness. A golden thread appeared on his body, which Gu Fangchen grabbed and crushed in her palm.

The way of "spreading the word" is severed from this point on!

……

at the same time.

Tianmen Mountain Top

This place is deserted year-round, with only the towering "Heavenly Gate" and a withered, deceased body.

The fact that a long sword lay across the body's knees proved that this person was none other than the previous generation's "Sword Saint," Ying Baishou.

The "Heavenly Gate" began to tremble, and the entire Heavenly Gate Mountain below was filled with rolling stones, splitting into two halves.

The "Heavenly Gate" began to flicker, as if two forces were clashing against each other.

After a period of stalemate, the "Heavenly Gate" flickered and then closed instantly, disappearing without a trace.

The wind howled on the mountaintop, and the silence remained as it always had.

"Susu..."

Suddenly, the withered, white-haired body twitched its fingers. The thick layer of dust covering it, which had formed a hard shell, shattered instantly with this movement and fell to the ground.

The fleshy hand slowly rose, grasped the sword, and then stood up.

"call……"

The withered body took its first breath of air, then suddenly opened its eyes and coldly looked towards the direction of Huangtian City.

"Gu Fangchen, now, let's have a real talk."

This physical body no longer belongs to Ying Baishou, but should be called—

The first and greatest human emperor, Xiao Zhenwu!

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

P.S.: I wrote this all day with all my might, and when I came back, the sky had fallen. How could anyone say that I had a bad ending and forced a conclusion? I have filled in all the plot holes and foreshadowing. This part was written from the very beginning of the outline. From "Returning to Truth from the Six Dusts", from Gu Fangchen's first entry into the illusion that triggered the subsequent changes, from the nine preachers, how much more can it be called a normal ending?
Moreover, I had already repeatedly said at the end of the third volume that there were only two more volumes left to finish.
I think anyone who has carefully read this book can see that the structure is complete. The only regret is that, due to certain factors, I had to cut the storylines of Gu Lianxian and Gu Youren, as well as some parts that couldn't be expanded. Because of this, I had to revise the outline to ensure the continuity of the plot... This really made me very tired, both mentally and physically.

But for this reason, I am truly grateful to all my readers for your continued support. Love you all (heart emoji)
(End of this chapter)