People in the Qin Dynasty sought good fortune and avoided misfortune.

Chapter 409, The Destiny of Heaven and Man is Set

In the illusion, Xiaoyaozi seemed to relive the first half of his life, but in reality, time had only passed in an instant.

However, in that very instant, the masters below the stage, including Chisongzi and Qilunzi, who were leaders of hundreds of schools, already knew the outcome of this covenant between heaven and man.

"A flawed state of mind ultimately makes one vulnerable to exploitation."

Xu Qing looked at Xiaoyaozi, who was trapped in the illusion, and sighed inwardly, but his sword Cheng Ying did not stop. The blade struck Xiaoyaozi three inches from the center of his chest, and true energy burst forth, sending Xiaoyaozi flying.

Xiaoyaozi was sent flying backward, spitting out a mouthful of blood, and crashed onto the Guanmiao Platform like a kite with a broken string.

The crowd below the stage looked at Xiaoyaozi, who had been knocked away, and all of them showed regret and pity. They had not expected that Xiaoyaozi would lose so quickly.

"It's fate and destiny; this time, our Human Sect has been defeated."

Qi Lunzi looked at Xu Qing and Xiaoyaozi on the stage, his eyes filled with helplessness, and slowly spoke.

One who stands on tiptoe cannot stand firm; one who takes long strides cannot walk far; a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

In his pursuit of the covenant between heaven and man, he forgot the teachings of his ancestor Lao Tzu, became impatient for quick success and instant benefits, and resorted to unorthodox methods. Therefore, their defeat was not unjust.

The six elders and disciples of the Human Sect closed their eyes helplessly, filled with disappointment and resentment. They had lost the Heavenly Pact again this year, and they had lost utterly.

Compared to the gloomy atmosphere of the Human Sect, the disciples of the Heavenly Sect were all smiles, their hands clasped tightly together. If the occasion weren't so inappropriate, they would probably have jumped up to celebrate.

"Win, win!"

"Junior Uncle is mighty! Our Heavenly Sect has won the Snowfall Festival for two consecutive years!"

"Junior Uncle is mighty!"

The disciples of the Heavenly Sect looked at their classmates around them with joy on their faces. If the occasion hadn't been so inappropriate, they probably would have jumped up to celebrate.

Tianzong has had its share of leaders who have continuously led Xueji, but Xu Qing's victory over Xiaoyaozi this time is of extraordinary significance because Xu Qing is too young.

Although Chishongzi was confident that he could defeat Qilunzi and ensure that Xueji could continue to stay in Tianzong, Chishongzi, as the sect leader, was already over seventy years old, which was considered a long life in Tianzong. No one could guarantee how much longer Chishongzi would live.

Among the middle-aged generation of the Heavenly Sect under Chisongzi, almost none are a match for Xiaoyaozi of the Human Sect. Once the two sect leaders change, Xueji will definitely be taken away by the Human Sect.

But things are different now. Xu Qing, who had just reached adulthood, defeated Xiaoyaozi, which was tantamount to crushing the future hope of the Human Sect.

As long as Xu Qing doesn't encounter any accidents, the Heavenly Sect will definitely be able to continue to control Xueji for the next twenty years, thus firmly establishing its position as the orthodox Taoist school.

Moreover, Xu Qing brought Tianzong not only the position of the orthodox Taoist school, but also the hope of the Taoist school to realize its knowledge of governing the country in the imperial court!
The disciples of the Heavenly Sect looked at Xu Qing with respect and admiration. Before this, their respect for Xu Qing only existed in his reputation, and many of them were only outwardly respectful but inwardly unconvinced.

However, after this covenant between heaven and man, they were completely convinced of Xu Qing's existence and wholeheartedly acknowledged his existence.

Xiaoyaozi crashed heavily onto the Guanmiao Platform, and the white rainbow slipped from his hand.

The intense pain in his abdomen pulled Xiaoyaozi out of his illusion and obsession, and a helpless and complex look appeared in his clear eyes.

He ultimately lost, and lost so completely. Whether in martial arts or Dao realm, he was utterly defeated.

After composing himself, Xiaoyaozi got up and looked at Xu Qing, who had a calm expression. His gaze was extremely complicated. Although he was unwilling, he had lost.

"Junior brother, I lost."

Xiaoyaozi cupped his hands in greeting to Xu Qing.

Seeing that Xiaoyaozi had admitted defeat, Xu Qing smiled. With a flick of his wrist, he twirled the sword and put Chengying away, and the surging true energy around him subsided.

The Taiji diagram and the surrounding sky and earth that enveloped the Guanyin Platform lost their color, shattering and dissipating like a broken mirror. "Senior brother, you flatter me. Sometimes one should look forward, not dwell on the past. A strong wind does not last all morning, nor does a sudden rain last all day. Only by blunting its sharpness and resolving its entanglements can one reach the ultimate emptiness and maintain steadfast stillness," Xu Qing said slowly, looking at Xiaoyaozi.

Upon hearing Xu Qing's words, Xiaoyaozi simply smiled self-deprecatingly and remained silent. He too wanted to forget the past, but could he truly do it?

At the very least, he can't do that right now.

Seeing that Xiaoyaozi was still confused, Xu Qing didn't say anything more. His guidance to Xiaoyaozi was just a spur-of-the-moment thing. Even without his guidance, Xiaoyaozi would definitely figure it out in the future.

However, by the time Xiaoyaozi figured it out, Ji Dan would probably have seized the opportunity to win him over to the anti-Qin forces.

However, with him around now, it's wishful thinking for Ji Dan to raise the banner of rebellion against Qin again.

"Fu Nian, your junior brother is a formidable rival," Wuming said calmly.

Fu Nian looked at Xu Qing in silence, but his eyes burned with fierce fighting spirit. His greatest goal was to make Confucianism the primary doctrine for governing the country.

Xu Qing is stronger than him in both ability and knowledge.

More importantly, Xu Qing was able to command the Daoist scholars through Xue Ji. However, most of the Confucian scholars were still dissatisfied with him as the Grand Master of Xiaoshengxianzhuang, not only refusing to obey his orders but also trying to trip him up.

Immediately, a resolute thought arose in Fu Nian's heart; he had to get the various Confucian schools to recognize his status as a Grand Master as soon as possible.

"The Imperial Physician always manages to turn the impossible into reality. Before this, who could have imagined that he could actually defeat Xiaoyaozi and win Xueji for Tianzong?" Six-Fingered Black Knight said with a smile and a shake of his head.

"Is there something wrong with Xiaoyaozi's state of mind? It even makes his own path incomplete? It seems there was another reason why he gave up his reputation as a chivalrous hero and joined the Human Sect."

Tian Guang looked at Xiaoyaozi, who had climbed up from the stage, and said in a deep voice.

Before Xiaoyaozi joined the Human Sect, there were only two people in the martial arts world who were known as heroes: Xiaoyaozi and him.

Now that Xiaoyaozi has been defeated by the young Xu Qing, Tian Guang felt quite emotional. He couldn't help but glance at the peasants behind him, and his gaze finally settled on Zhu Jia and Tian Meng.

After silently comparing the two men with Xu Qing, Tian Guang realized that his actions were unnecessary; there was simply no comparison.
Ji Dan glanced at Tian Guang, then looked at Xiaoyaozi on the stage, a barely perceptible glint flashing in her eyes.

"The next generation of the Human Sect leader with a flawed mind? Perhaps this is an opportunity," Ji Dan thought to himself.

Xiong Qi looked at Xu Qing on the stage. Although he had a smile on his face, as if he was congratulating Xu Qing, his heart was extremely heavy.

Xu Qing's victory in the Covenant between Heaven and Man will surely lead to a large-scale influx of Daoist scholars into Qin, which will greatly compensate for the already powerful Qin state's lack of officials and its decline in civil virtue.

However, he was also glad that Xu Qing was a Taoist. Although there were many Taoist scholars, their ideas on governing the country were not suitable for the current Qin state, and the benefits they brought to Qin were ultimately limited.

Thinking this, Xiong Qi glanced at the Confucian scholars opposite him, his gaze lingering on the Gongyang Confucian disciples for a moment before returning to his own.

Upon hearing Xiaoyaozi admit defeat, Chisongzi and the eight elders of the Heavenly Sect all showed relieved smiles.

Chisongzi stood up from his seat, leaped onto the Guanmiao Platform, picked up the White Rainbow Sword from the ground, and presented it to Xiaoyaozi.

"Thank you, senior brother."

Xiaoyaozi accepted the White Rainbow Sword, bowed to Chisongzi, and then turned and descended the Guanmiao Platform.

Chisongzi turned to look at the representatives of the Human Sect, the Hundred Schools, and various countries, channeled his inner energy, and spoke.

"The celestial order has been decided. This year's snowfall will continue to be overseen by our Heavenly Sect. Do any of you fellow disciples of the Human Sect have any objections?"

(End of this chapter)