"Your Majesty seems to be following the path of the Sword Cultivator, perhaps the method of the Void Spirit Sword Forging? Integrating this Innate Purple Profound Golden Qi to refine a Second Nascent Soul... you shouldn't be seeking me for this. Unless... Your Majesty is attempting to suppress the taint of the Kingly Aura?"

For a ruler like Zong Shou, this was often the paramount concern.

Although the Great Qian Celestial Court also followed a path of separation from the mundane world, the convergence of the Kingly Aura was still unavoidable.

Otherwise, the Burning Heaven Holy Court would not have partitioned itself into eight kingdoms, each governing nearly a hundred worlds.

Shen Yuexuan had always wondered why Zong Shou, as the sovereign of a nation, showed so few signs of being burdened by the thoughts of the common people; his lifespan remained unaffected, and his Dao path was not blocked.

If the martial arts tied to the Kingly Way were entirely entrusted to the Second Nascent Soul, it would explain much.

Beyond that, there should be some supreme treasure suppressing the influence as well.

"That is indeed the intention!"

Zong Shou smiled, showing no desire to conceal anything. He regarded Shen Yuexuan with increased respect.

From just a few words, this cultivator had discerned his foundation and the nature of his rulership—a person of great wisdom.

"Zong Shou is also constrained. I wonder if this method is feasible with Brother Shen?"

He was asking Shen Yuexuan if he possessed the capability.

To suppress and refine the Kingly Aura, which was essentially the collected will of the populace, was not something an ordinary Artifact Master could accomplish.

The human heart contains both virtuous thoughts and malicious ones; it perceives things both purely and filthily. Without research in this specific area, one wouldn't know where to begin.

The latter considered for a moment before musing, "In the past, the First Qin Emperor also sought aid from the Mohists. Certain members of the Mohist School had researched this, achieving some success. Later, the Mohist Sect perished, but their legacy remains. I, Shen, by sheer coincidence, acquired some talismans. Whether they can assist Your Majesty to what extent is beyond my knowing; I can only do my utmost."

He then looked toward the Innate Purple Profound Golden Qi emanating from Zong Shou. "Three months hence, Your Majesty may come to claim the sword blank. If nothing unexpected occurs, I might even have a surprise for Your Majesty."

It was merely a sword blank; naturally, it wouldn't require ten years, as Ye Xuan's artifact did.

Zong Shou still felt a touch of regret; it seemed this sword would miss the Cloud Realm Great War.

He was somewhat expectant of the 'surprise' Shen Yuexuan had mentioned.

Knowing that this person was, in all likelihood, a successor of the Mohist School, Shen Yuexuan probably realized he couldn't hide it any longer. Hence, his previous guarded language had disappeared.

While the orthodox Mohist lineage and the various sects of the Cloud Realm were not mortal enemies, the techniques of artifact refinement controlled by the Mohist School had always been coveted by those other sects.

Even external forces cast envious glances upon them.

This man's identity, in truth, was somewhat more ** than even Zong Shou's.

Having this insight was enough; there was no need to expose it.

"Then I thank the Pavilion Master!"

Zong Shou paused, his expression unusually solemn, and said sincerely, "The fourth matter is a request: I wish to invite Brother Shen to serve as the Junior Administrator of the Treasury for my Burning Heaven Holy Court! Holding a Second Rank official post, equivalent in status to a Duke. If you are unwilling, then serving as an honored retainer for my Celestial Dynasty is also acceptable."

Ye Xuan and Yuan Wushang, standing nearby, lowered their gazes without surprise.

It would be strange if Zong Shou did not try to recruit an Artifact Master of this caliber.

Shen Yuexuan merely raised the corner of his lips slightly; he had vaguely anticipated Zong Shou's visit and could sense his sincerity.

When the Great Qian entered the Tianfang World, he had made discreet inquiries. The central structure comprised the Grand Secretariat, the Hall of Deliberation, the Bureau of Military Affairs, and the Five Army Censorate, dividing the authority of the Three Dukes. Beneath the Grand Secretariat were the Six Ministries, combined with the Junior Administration of the Treasury, the Court of the Imperial Clan, and the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, forming the Nine Ministers—a system based on the Nine Ministers under the Grand Secretariat.

And this Junior Administration of the Treasury (Shaofu) was one of the Nine Ministers, commonly known as the Grand General of Artisans. It was a position of high authority, overseeing all artisans of the nation. All the spiritual resources, elixirs, and production sites belonging personally to Zong Shou, as well as artifact refinement and alchemy operations, fell under its jurisdiction.

In mundane imperial courts, its status might not seem significant, but within a Celestial Court, its standing was second only to the Minister of Personnel.

After a flicker of internal struggle, Shen Yuexuan finally took a deep breath and asked, "May I ask if Your Majesty is familiar with the tenets of the Mohist School?"

Upon hearing this, Zong Shou immediately chuckled lightly. He knew Shen Yuexuan was moved; this question was a test to see if Zong Shou could tolerate the existence, or even the propagation, of Mohist thought under his rule.

"'Universal Love and Non-Aggression!' Not favoring one's own relatives over others, nor one's own children over others. When all under Heaven love one another universally, the world is governed; when they mutually harm each other, it leads to chaos. Therefore, universal love requires non-aggression—meaning the great do not attack the small, the strong do not insult the weak, the many do not prey upon the few, the deceitful do not cheat the foolish, the noble do not scorn the humble, the wealthy do not oppress the poor, and the strong do not deprive the aged. Thus, among all the states under Heaven, none should harm another with water, fire, poison, or weapons. These words sound virtuous, but I do not entirely agree with them—"

The Mohists believed that the chaos in the world stemmed from the lack of love between people: subjects being unfilial to rulers, children unfilial to parents, and the mutual attacks between feudal lords on states, all the way down to bandits harming people—all were the result of not loving others universally. If everyone could 'love universally' and 'regard others as they regard themselves,' then the world would be at peace.

However, in Zong Shou's view, this was utterly impractical.

The ancient Sages and the Great Sages who reached the ultimate realm all possessed their own ideals, often colored by idealism in their actions and aspirations.

In his eyes, the philosophies of Mozi and Xi Zi held no real viability.

As he spoke, he noticed Shen Yuexuan’s expression change.

Zong Shou did not stop, speaking frankly, "Zong Shou firmly believes that human nature is inherently selfish; every person is an individual with their own thoughts, their own needs, and must struggle for their own survival. But the things in this world are finite; for oneself to survive necessitates encroaching upon the opportunities of others. This is true for people, and it is true for nations. Zong Shou does not believe everyone can achieve the level of universal love. Even if they could, I suspect that would coincide with the destruction of the human race. The world requires competition, the drive to strive upward, in order to keep moving forward—"

This was Zong Shou’s own Dao, his genuine thoughts, and there was no need to hide them, nor was there any need to deliberately pander or flatter the other party.

"Speaking of non-aggression, before the First Qin unified the realm, the various states engaged in constant warfare for thousands of years. After the unification of Qin, the Cloud Realm enjoyed several millennia with scarcely any conflict."

At this point, Zong Shou saw Shen Yuexuan's expression grow profoundly somber.

With a soft laugh, Zong Shou's tone shifted, "However, Zong Shou has always maintained that arguments become clearer through debate. The era when the Hundred Schools of Thought contended was the true zenith of our Cloud Realm. All my subjects should possess the freedom to speak and think as they will. I cannot force my subjects to think as I think simply because that is my personal view."

The implication was clear: what he thought was irrelevant; it would not interfere with them.

He had always considered Emperor Wu of Han’s action of banning the Hundred Schools to venerate Confucianism alone as the most foolish decision.

It brought temporary benefit but disaster for millennia to come.

This matter was also connected to the Dao of the Common People. Had the Daoist Sect not paid the price of withdrawing from secular politics to jointly execute Xi Zi with the Confucian School, the Confucians would not have dared to incite the Emperor to adopt their doctrine exclusively.

At this, Shen Yuexuan's eyes gradually brightened. He stared at Zong Shou, lost in thought.

After a long pause, he finally sighed and bowed to Zong Shou, "If Your Majesty had been born in antiquity, you would undoubtedly have been one of the Sage Emperors! With such magnanimity, how could this subject refuse? Though the Mohist School perished back then, many escaped to the outer regions. This subject vows to use every resource to recall our brethren from all corners to serve Your Majesty!"

Seeking shelter and to prevent their legacy from being coveted, Mohist disciples had scattered widely. Seeing the Great Qian now, vibrant with life and infinite potential, placing their bets on this individual might be worthwhile for the Mohist School.

Zong Shou also let out a breath, inwardly delighted. He mused that the Mohist legacy had indeed not ended. From this man's words, this millennium-long hibernation of the supposedly defunct sect seemed to have amassed some significant foundation. To persuade this man to serve him was a great fortune indeed!

And in the next moment, Zong Shou's eyes were filled with burning desire.

"Can Brother Shen manufacture high-tier warships akin to the Nine Luminaries Star-Shattering Ships or the Grand Unity Divine Thunder Ships?"

Although high-tier warships could be purchased, for long-term stability, the Great Qian ultimately needed the capacity to manufacture airships partially. Only then would they be less susceptible to external control.

"Divine Thunder of Grand Unity? Nine Luminaries Star-Shattering?"

Shen Yuexuan’s gaze flickered, revealing a hint of disdain.

"Both those vessels are quite excellent and renowned across the realms. However, this subject privately believes that the Cold Crystal Shadow Blade Ships favored by the Nine Capitals Celestial Court are superior!"

Any Daoist soldier could pilot them, which inherently meant they were mediocre. If captured by an enemy, it was also undesirable. Only when custom-made and perfected to the extreme could they become the truly top-tier high-tier warships... Shen Yuexuan was a decisive and straightforward man. After accepting the post of Junior Administrator of the Treasury, he abruptly concluded his business at the Artifact Inquiring Tower.

He then departed aboard an airship, vanishing without a trace.

Zong Shou knew the man was most likely going to recruit companions, and he was pleased by this. He had intended to send several Divine Realm cultivators to escort and guard him, but Shen Yuexuan refused. Zong Shou vaguely guessed the man's strength might not be inferior to Ye Xuan's, so he did not insist.

He simply entrusted the Grand Supreme Demon Slaying Catalog to Ye Xuan for safekeeping, to be delivered to Shen Yuexuan upon his return. Since this man was confident in manufacturing high-tier warships tailor-made for his Sea of Origin Demon Slayers, Zong Shou would naturally offer full support.

Zong Shou himself was preparing to depart the Tianfang World.

On that very day, Shi Ruolan commanded the nine Divine Thunder Ships of Grand Unity, the fourteen Nine Luminaries Star-Shattering Ships, along with tens of thousands of Dao soldiers hastily reorganized and not yet fully brought under control, and advanced toward the direction of the Cloud Realm, giving the appearance of an imminent invasion.

Naturally, they could not truly launch an attack; the Great Qian lacked that strength currently. The mere existence of the protective Realm Venerables necessitated extreme caution and dread.

This move was solely for deterrence; even if it could only tie down a fraction of the power of the Daoist, Buddhist, and Confucian tripartite factions, it would be highly beneficial.

As for the four Saint Realm figures from the Daoist and Buddhist schools, one was left behind in the Tianfang World each, alongside Ye Xuan, to maintain peace there.

The remaining two hurried towards Yuanlian.

However, for some unknown reason, the way Miaodi and Bodhisattva Lengjia looked at him was consistently strange. This caused Zong Shou secret alarm—had the matter of him being the Immeasurable Beginning and End Buddha been exposed?

But he could no longer concern himself with such matters. Since the two said nothing explicit, he would pretend not to know.

Accompanying the return of Venerables Miaodi and Sikong Fou was the Great Qian Celestial Vessel. Spreading the news, they created the illusion that Zong Shou had returned to Yuanlian.

Zong Shou himself, however, quietly departed with Ao Kun and Ao Yi, fleeing towards the Cloud Realm.

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