Report?
Atone through merit?
Ye Xuan was utterly speechless at the Dao God’s words!
Nearby, Jiang Lian tugged at her sleeve. “What are you doing? Don’t stir up trouble!”
The Dao God sighed softly. “No choice. I can only sacrifice my allies to save myself.”
Jiang Lian was at a loss for words.
Ye Xuan suddenly spoke. “Miss Dao God, Miss Jiang Lian, with the Dao Token, I can command the entire Dao Sect?”
Both women nodded.
Ye Xuan continued, “So, aside from your master, I can order anyone in the Dao Sect?”
The Dao God thought for a moment, then said, “Theoretically, yes.”
Ye Xuan frowned. “Not practically?”
The Dao God sighed. “Let me put it this way: you can command everyone in the Dao Sect, and on the surface, they wouldn’t dare disobey. But some will definitely play along while scheming behind your back. It depends on you. If you’re strong enough, you can subdue them. If you’re weak or incompetent, they’ll put on a show to your face and do whatever they want behind it.”
Ye Xuan glanced at the two women. “And you two? Would you play that game?”
The Dao God said earnestly, “I’m not that kind of person!”
Ye Xuan sneered inwardly. *You’ve got the most schemes of all!*
Jiang Lian suddenly asked, “What’s your plan?”
Plan!
Ye Xuan fell silent.
Take the role?
If he did, there’d be countless benefits, but there’d surely be a catch!
There’s no such thing as a free lunch!
If he didn’t take it, could he avoid the trap?
Probably not.
He couldn’t outplay the master of the Great Dao Pen yet.
With that thought, Ye Xuan smiled. “Then I’ll reluctantly take it on for now.”
Both women were speechless.
Ye Xuan glanced at the ancient books around them. “Did the master of the Great Dao Pen leave these?”
Jiang Lian nodded. “Yes. Some were collected by our master, others authored by him.”
Ye Xuan asked, “Can I stay and read them?”
Jiang Lian smiled. “No need to be so polite. From now on, everything in the Dao Sect is at your disposal.”
Ye Xuan nodded slightly, walked to a shelf, and picked up a book to read.
Reading!
He was naturally curious and excited about the master’s collection.
The book in his hands was called *The Dao Canon*.
It wasn’t a manual or technique—just a discourse on the Dao. After one glance, Ye Xuan’s expression grew solemn.
*“Water benefits all things without contention, dwelling where others disdain, thus it approaches the Dao. Reside in humble places, keep the heart deep…”*
As he read, he became completely immersed.
Nearby, the Dao God glanced at him and said, “Let’s talk outside.”
She turned and left the bamboo hut, with Jiang Lian following close behind.
The two women walked along a small river in front of the hut. The Dao God spoke first. “Our master wants to establish a new order and clean up the Dao Sect.”
Jiang Lian’s expression was calm. “That’s only natural.”
The Dao God sighed softly.
Jiang Lian glanced at her. “Worried?”
The Dao God nodded. “If Young Master Ye cracks down too hard, it’ll spark a backlash within the Dao Sect. That backlash…”
Jiang Lian interrupted, “You’re wrong.”
The Dao God looked at her.
Jiang Lian said softly, “Dao God, you haven’t grasped one thing: he has our master’s backing.”
The Dao God fell silent.
Jiang Lian continued, “The Dao Sect is riddled with problems. If it dares rebel, our master will tear it down and build a new order.”
She stopped there, realizing their master was already doing just that.
The Dao God didn’t speak either. They were on the same page.
Jiang Lian added, “It’s time to adjust our mindset.”
She turned to look at Ye Xuan in the hut. “Embrace the new king. From now on, in the Dao Sect, his word is law.”
The Dao God nodded slightly. “It’s the only way.”
…
Over the next month, Ye Xuan spent his days reading, not cultivating.
Reading, calming the mind, refining his nature, and comprehending the Dao.
His days were rare and peaceful.
A month later, by the river, Ye Xuan reclined on a bamboo chair, engrossed in an ancient book.
Jiang Lian approached and sat beside him. “You’re reading the *Heart Sutra*.”
Ye Xuan put the book down and smiled. “Yes.”
She looked at him. “Won’t you meet the others in the Dao Sect?”
He shook his head. “No need.”
She frowned. “Why not?”
He smiled. “Honestly, I only accepted the Dao Token to gain some benefits for myself. That’s all.”
Jiang Lian countered, “Why not use the Dao Sect to do some good for the universe?”
Ye Xuan froze.
She continued, “The known universe is under the Dao Sect’s rule. You could use its influence to do something for all the beings in this vast cosmos, couldn’t you?”
After a pause, Ye Xuan said, “You make a good point, Miss Jiang Lian.”
She added, “Since our master left, the Dao Sect’s six divisions have been operating independently, leaderless, each ignoring the others. It’s chaotic. Especially now, with the Past Sect emerging and people from the future appearing, order is being severely disrupted…”
She shook her head. “With our master gone, you need to step up, summon the heads of the six divisions, and discuss how to handle the Past Sect and these future people.”
Ye Xuan asked, “The six divisions?”
Jiang Lian nodded. “The Dao Division, Law Division, God Division, Sect Division, Shadow Division, and the most mysterious Heaven Division.”
Ye Xuan said softly, “The Dao God is the head of the Dao Sect?”
Jiang Lian nodded. “Yes.”
He smiled. “And you, Miss Jiang Lian?”
She laughed. “I was just a humble bookkeeper under our master. I hold no position in the Dao Sect now.”
Ye Xuan thought for a moment, then said, “Miss Jiang Lian, I’d like your opinion on what I should do after taking charge of the Dao Sect.”
She looked at him. “I don’t suggest cleaning house right now. There’s no one in the Dao Sect who hasn’t taken bribes—not even the Dao God! If you start a purge now, you’ll find yourself with no one to rely on.”
He chuckled softly. “So, you’re saying I should pretend I don’t know?”
She sighed. “Honestly, that might be the best approach.”
After a pause, Ye Xuan said, “The priority isn’t cleaning up the Dao Sect—it’s dealing with the Past Sect and these future people.”
A glint of approval flashed in Jiang Lian’s eyes. “Exactly. Both the Past Sect and these future people are severely disrupting order. We can’t let them run rampant.”
Ye Xuan suddenly asked, “Which division is the Dao Spirit in?”
Jiang Lian said gravely, “She’s in the Punishment Division, independent of the six divisions. Strictly speaking, only our master can command her… but with you now, you should be able to.”
Ye Xuan blinked. “Should?”
She nodded. “The Dao Spirit is unique. The Dao Token has little effect on her. But since you’re chosen by our master, I believe she’ll follow your orders.”
Ye Xuan nodded slightly. “Then summon the heads of the seven divisions to meet me here.”
Jiang Lian glanced at him. “You call them.”
He froze.
She explained, “Activate the Dao Token. Anyone of significance in the Dao Sect will sense it.”
Ye Xuan nodded, closing his eyes. A surge of azure light erupted from him, and a massive “Dao” appeared above his head.
Suddenly, his pupils shrank. His divine sense had spread like a net, covering billions of universes!
Billions of universes!
Shocked, he looked at Jiang Lian, who smiled. “Did you think the token was just a simple trinket?”
After a pause, Ye Xuan said, “Heads of the seven divisions, come to me at once!”
His voice fell, and seven powerful auras appeared in his divine sense.
Ye Xuan retracted the token, and the azure light around him faded.
He said softly, “This token… it’s terrifying.”
Jiang Lian smiled. “Very terrifying. It has many uses—you’ll see later.”
He shook his head with a smile. “Honestly, I never imagined I’d suddenly become the leader of the Dao Sect.”
As Jiang Lian was about to speak, the sky split open, and a woman stepped out.
Ye Xuan froze.
It was Mu Sheng, the shepherd!
She approached, sizing him up with a smile. “Surprised?”
He laughed. “A bit.”
She smiled faintly. “Your physical body is much stronger now.”
He grinned. “Are you part of the seven divisions?”
She shook her head. “No, I just came to check things out.”
He nodded. “Fair enough.”
As Mu Sheng was about to speak, her eyes narrowed. She turned to the sky, as did Jiang Lian. The Dao God appeared in the scene.
All three women’s expressions grew grim.
Mu Sheng suddenly said, “You need to go!”
Ye Xuan froze.
She added urgently, “Hurry! Go to the Punishment Division and find the Dao Spirit!”
Ye Xuan’s eyes narrowed. Without hesitation, he prepared to leave. Just then, the sky split again, and a door flew out. As it emerged, countless dark thunderclouds gathered, with terrifying lightning coalescing within.
From the door came ancient, mysterious voices, chilling to the soul.
Seeing the door, the three women’s faces darkened. Mu Sheng said softly, “Well, damn… they’re bringing out the Gate of Ten Thousand Tribulations right off the bat…”
She glanced at Ye Xuan. “Can we pretend I was never here?”
Ye Xuan: “…”
