Chapter 300: The Dao Discussion Assembly, The Dao of Seizing Heaven

Three days later.

The Yin and Yang Family's Dao Discussion Platform.

This was a massive platform floating in mid-air, spanning a thousand feet. It was constructed entirely from black and white jade, forming a giant Taiji pattern.

The surrounding area of the platform was densely packed with Disciples who had come to observe the ceremony.

Confucianists, Daoists, Legalists, Mo Family, Military School…

Elite Disciples and Dao Seeds from various schools had arrived, numbering over a thousand people.

Zhou Chen stood among the crowd, sizing up the Dao Discussion Platform.

Sitting on the platform was a middle-aged man wearing Yin and Yang robes, his aura unfathomable.

“That is the Yin and Yang Family Lecturer, Xuanji Zi.”

Someone nearby whispered, “I heard his cultivation has surpassed the Emperor Realm Tenth Layer. He is proficient in the Dao of Yin and Yang Deduction and holds an extremely high status in the Academy.”

Zhou Chen nodded and continued to observe.

Xuanji Zi was currently preaching the Dao. His voice was deep and resonant, and every word contained a mysterious Dao charm.

“The Dao of Yin and Yang is the fundamental root of Heaven and Earth.”

“Yang gives birth to Yin's death, and at the peak of Yin, Yang is born. It is a continuous cycle, endless and ever-growing.”

“If a Cultivator can comprehend the Dao of Yin and Yang, they can control life and death and reverse the universe.”

He spoke eloquently, and the audience below listened as if entranced.

Even Zhou Chen had to admit that this Xuanji Zi indeed had some skill.

His understanding of the Dao of Yin and Yang had reached an extremely profound Realm.

After speaking for about fifteen minutes, Xuanji Zi stopped and looked down at the crowd with a smile.

“For today's discussion, I have already cast a brick to attract jade. I wonder what insights you all have?”

The people below looked at each other; no one dared to step onto the platform.

Xuanji Zi's discourse was too brilliant and the level too high; ordinary Disciples simply couldn't follow it up.

“Since no one is coming up…”

A cold voice suddenly rang out: “Then why not let our new specially recruited Elite Disciple, Zhou Chen, come and discuss his Dao?”

Everyone turned their heads; the one speaking was precisely Jiang Wuchen of the Legalists.

He stood in the crowd with a cold sneer on his face, his eyes fixed intently on Zhou Chen.

“Elder Jiang is right!”

Someone else chimed in: “Fellow Daoist Zhou Chen has just joined the Academy. This is the perfect Opportunity for us to witness his insights.”

“That's right, a Genius who could kill across levels to slay an Emperor Realm Seventh Layer must surely have a very profound understanding of the Great Dao, right?”

These people were clearly from the Jiang Family, intentionally stirring up trouble.

Zhou Chen looked indifferently at Jiang Wuchen.

As expected, this Dao Discussion Assembly was a setup.

Jiang Wuchen clearly wanted to make him look foolish.

Xuanji Zi had just finished such a brilliant discourse; if he went up now, whatever he said would be compared.

If he spoke poorly, he would be mocked.

If he spoke too well, he would be called arrogant and conceited.

“Fellow Daoist Zhou Chen, please.”

Xuanji Zi also spoke with a smile, making a gesture of invitation.

Zhou Chen took a deep breath and stepped toward the Dao Discussion Platform.

Since he couldn't avoid it, he would face it head-on.

He ascended the platform and stood opposite Xuanji Zi.

“Everyone.”

Zhou Chen looked around, his voice calm: “Since Elder Jiang wants to hear this Junior's insights, then I shall make a fool of myself.”

“Please speak.”

Xuanji Zi nodded.

Zhou Chen closed his eyes, and the contents of the Primal Creation Scripture surfaced in his mind.

And all his experiences during this time—

From initially obtaining the System, to snatching various Opportunities, to slaying Jiang Wuji and joining the Jixia Academy…

Countless images flashed through his mind.

He opened his eyes, a flash of realization passing through them.

“This Junior believes…”

He spoke slowly, his voice not loud but clearly reaching the entire venue.

“All laws return to one; one should seize the creation of Heaven and Earth and prove the Dao through strength!”

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire audience was in an uproar.

“What? Seize the creation of Heaven and Earth?”

“Isn't this too arrogant?”

“Is he planning to go against the heavens?”

The crowd discussed fervently, their gazes toward Zhou Chen filled with doubt.

“Fellow Daoist Zhou Chen, what do you mean by this?”

Xuanji Zi frowned: “What is 'seizing the creation of Heaven and Earth'?”

“It's simple.”

Zhou Chen said indifferently: “The movement of Heaven and Earth has its set course. The strong live, the weak die—this is the rule of Heaven and Earth.”

“But a Cultivator's path is inherently about defying heaven to change one's fate.”

“Since we are defying heaven, why can we not seize the creation of Heaven and Earth for our own use?”

“Heaven gives birth to all things, and all things have spirits, but Heaven and Earth are not benevolent; they treat all things as straw dogs.”

“Why should we Cultivators follow the rules and obey the Heavenly Dao?”

“It is better to seize the Opportunities of Heaven and Earth, snatch the power of creation, prove the Dao through strength, and break all shackles!”

Zhou Chen's voice grew louder, every word exuding an overbearing aura.

“Absurd!”

Suddenly someone shouted in anger: “The Heavenly Dao is supremely just; how can you allow such profanity?”

It was a Confucian Dao Seed who stood up, his face ashen: “Confucianism speaks of benevolence and the unity of man and heaven. Your theory of proving the Dao through strength is simply a demonic heresy!”

“Demonic heresy?”

Zhou Chen laughed: “Then let me ask you, do you need to absorb Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi to Cultivate?”

“Naturally, I do.”

“Is absorbing Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi not snatching the creation of Heaven and Earth?”

Zhou Chen asked in return: “Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi is meant to nourish all things, yet you absorb it to increase your own cultivation. What is the difference between that and the 'seizing of creation' I spoke of?”

The Confucian Dao Seed was at a loss for words.

“Sophistry!”

Another person spoke up, a Core Disciple of the Daoists: “Daoism speaks of governing through non-action and following the Heavenly Dao. Your practice of forcibly seizing creation violates the laws of the Heavenly Dao!”

“Governing through non-action?”

Zhou Chen sneered: “Then why do you Cultivate? If you truly practiced non-action, why would you still increase your cultivation?”

“Cultivation itself is an action; it is contending with heaven for one's life!”

“You claim non-action with your mouths, yet your bodies are very honest in fighting for resources and increasing your strength. Is this not a self-contradiction?”

The Daoist Disciple's face flushed red, unable to speak.

“Good! Well said!”

Suddenly someone laughed loudly; it was a Dao Seed from the Mo Family: “Fellow Daoist Zhou Chen is right, Cultivation is inherently about going against heaven!”

“What benevolence, what non-action—they are all hypocritical rhetoric!”

“Only power is the truth!”

The Mo Family Dao Seed's words resonated with some of the people.

But even more people opposed it.

“The Demonic Path is the Demonic Path; as expected, he's the same kind of trash as Zhou Chen!”

“Zhou Chen's theory is too dangerous; it's easy to fall into Qi Deviation!”

“Jixia Academy should not have accepted such a person!”

The crowd below broke into an argument, with some supporting and some opposing, debating endlessly.

Jiang Wuchen watched all this with a cold smile, his eyes full of triumph.

His goal had been achieved—making Zhou Chen the target of public criticism.

But at that moment, a gentle voice rang out.

“Everyone, let Fellow Daoist Zhou Chen finish his words.”

The one speaking was Clear Wind Master.

He stood up and cupped his hands: “The Dao Discussion Assembly is meant to be a place for a hundred schools of thought to contend. Although Fellow Daoist Zhou Chen's views are radical, they may not be without merit.”

“Why not let him continue, and then we can judge.”

Clear Wind Master's words quieted the scene somewhat.

“Thank you, Fellow Daoist Clear Wind.”

Zhou Chen cupped his hands and continued: “Everyone has misunderstood. When I speak of seizing creation, I do not mean doing anything harmful or outrageous.”

“Rather, I am saying that Cultivation is inherently about contending with heaven for life and with earth for luck.”