Tianji Zi's words were like a lamp lit in Tang Xiaoqi's heart, illuminating the road ahead while also revealing its ruggedness and length. The root of the Demonic Lord lay in the heart-demons of all beings; true world purification meant purifying human hearts. This understanding completely changed his view of Qingxu Temple's future, and even the entire Three Realms' responsibility for education.
He ended his brief seclusion and once again convened all elders and core stewards of Qingxu Temple in the main peak's council hall that was still being repaired yet already showing signs of dignity, holding an important meeting concerning the sect's destiny for the next hundred, or even thousand, years.
The atmosphere in the hall was solemn. The various elders and stewards lined up on both sides, their gazes uniformly falling on the young Temple Master at the head. After the baptism of the demonic tribulation and the tempering of the Temple Master position, Tang Xiaoqi's presence had become increasingly composed. Though he lacked an aggressive, imposing manner, the determination and wisdom revealed in those deep eyes made people dare not underestimate him.
"Everyone," Xiao Qi began, his voice steady yet carrying an undeniable power, "today I have gathered you not for specific administrative matters, but to discuss with you what principles our Qingxu Temple should uphold and where it should go after experiencing this tribulation and being reborn from fire."
His gaze swept across everyone as he slowly said: "The pain of the demonic tribulation is etched in our bones and hearts. We cultivators pursue the great Dao of immortality and possess the power to move mountains and overturn seas. If our hearts are not upright and our Dao hearts are tainted, the harm we cause far exceeds natural disasters. Senior Tianji Zi once said that the root of the Demonic Lord lies in the darkness within all beings' hearts. If we cannot guide people toward goodness from the root and purify their natures, though today's demons have retreated, new demons will surely arise tomorrow—prevention will be impossible, and there will be no peace forever."
At these words, a slight commotion immediately arose in the hall. Many elders showed thoughtful expressions, while others furrowed their brows, clearly finding this view unexpected or even disagreeable. An elder in charge of discipline, always strict and rigid, couldn't help but speak: "Temple Master, are these words perhaps too alarmist? We cultivators should focus on refining our cultivation and pursuing the supreme Dao. Teaching of character belongs to the secular Confucian scholars—is introducing it into the sect not somewhat incongruous? Furthermore, human hearts are unpredictable; how can they all be educated and transformed?"
Xiao Qi did not become angry at the questioning, but instead nodded: "Elder Liu's words are also reasonable. However, in extraordinary times, we must do extraordinary things. Since our Qingxu Temple is honored as the foremost orthodox sect under heaven and enjoys the Three Realms' respect, we cannot only focus on our own small plot of land, nor can we merely be satisfied with cultivating a few top experts. Since we hold this position, we must bear this responsibility!"
He stood up, walked to the center of the hall, his clear voice spreading throughout the entire hall: "Therefore, I propose that the core principle of Qingxu Temple's reconstruction should be—education without discrimination, with equal emphasis on virtue and law!"
"Education without discrimination?" Everyone was startled. This phrase was not unfamiliar, but applied to a cultivation sect, especially one with as long a history and strict rules as Qingxu Temple, it seemed particularly earth-shattering.
"Exactly!" Xiao Qi's gaze was burning. "From today onward, our Qingxu Temple should break past sectarian prejudices, not being constrained by background, aptitude, or race! Anyone with a heart for the Dao and good character, whether human, demon, or sea tribe, whether from humble origins or with mediocre aptitude, may enter our mountain gate and be given the opportunity to seek the Dao!"
"This..." another elder responsible for disciple recruitment showed a troubled expression, "Temple Master, in this way, the quality will be mixed, good and bad intermingled. I fear it will corrupt the sect's reputation, consume resources, yet be difficult to produce outstanding talents! Our predecessors through the ages all selected the best based on aptitude and character, which is how Qingxu Temple gained its current foundation."
Xiao Qi looked at him, his tone peaceful yet firm: "Elder Li, what is a talent? Those with exceptional aptitude are certainly talents. But are those with resilient character who never give up not talents? Are those who harbor good intentions and have the courage to take responsibility not talents? What our Qingxu Temple needs is not merely cultivators with high cultivation, but pillars who can distinguish right from wrong and protect the orthodox path! Opening our mountain gates wide is not filling numbers indiscriminately, but giving opportunities to more who harbor light in their hearts! As for resources..."
He paused, then continued: "If resources are insufficient, we can increase income and reduce expenditure, encourage disciples to go out for training to obtain them. But if, for the sake of resources, we turn away countless talents who might turn toward goodness and become forces resisting future darkness, that would truly be sacrificing the greater for the lesser, failing to live up to the name of 'foremost orthodox sect'!"
He looked around at everyone, his voice carrying an infectious power: "Have you all considered that those young men and women who are turned away from the gates of various major sects because of their background or aptitude—if no one guides them, might some of those with unstable characters develop resentment from disappointment and unwillingness, eventually being eroded by darkness and falling into the demonic path? By opening our doors wide today, we might reduce the birth of a future Demonic Lord! This is preventing trouble before it happens—merit beyond measure!"
These words, entering from a broader perspective, made many elders who had originally held opposing views fall into contemplation. They remembered those bewitched cultivators during the demonic tribulation, many of whom had been frustrated rogue cultivators.
"As for equal emphasis on virtue and law," Xiao Qi continued to elaborate, "this means that while transmitting Dao methods and divine abilities, we must pay even more attention to guiding and nurturing disciples' character! I propose establishing a 'Mind-Clearing Institute' within the sect, specifically responsible for disciples' moral education. Not only will it teach classics of sages, history of the cultivation world, and orthodox concepts, but it must also introduce practice—letting disciples go down the mountain to observe the people's conditions, help the distressed and relieve the suffering, tempering their Dao hearts in the mortal world, understanding why power is used and for whom the Dao is protected!"
He looked at senior brother Mu Qingfeng: "Senior Brother, this matter concerns the sect's foundation and needs someone of high virtue and prestige with meticulous attention to detail to preside over it. I wish to ask you to concurrently serve as the first director of the Mind-Clearing Institute, formulating regulations and selecting instructors."
Senior brother, hearing this, solemnly rose and cupped his hands: "Temple Master's foresight is profound. Qingfeng will spare no effort and will not fail your trust!"
Xiao Qi nodded, then looked at everyone: "Furthermore, the teaching system also needs reform. We should no longer adhere to single cultivation method paths. We can tailor teaching to disciples' characters and talents. Formation, alchemy, artifact refining, talismans, beast taming, and even body cultivation, sword cultivation, Buddhist principles... all can have specialized halls for transmission, letting a hundred flowers bloom! Second Senior Brother, Elder Luo Feng, can lead the establishment of a 'Myriad Phenomena Pavilion' to collect, research, and deduce various Dao methods and techniques, for disciples to elect based on their interests and talents."
The hovering puppet core immediately flickered, transmitting second senior brother's excited thought waves: "Wonderful! It should have been so long ago! How can we surpass our predecessors with closed doors? Leave it to me!"
This series of concepts was like throwing successive massive stones into a calm lake, stirring up layers of waves. Elders and stewards discussed animatedly—some were shocked, some doubtful, but quite a few had eyes brightening, as if seeing a more open, more vibrant, and more socially responsible Qingxu Temple.
Xiao Qi waited for the discussion to subside slightly before speaking gravely: "I know this reform is enormous, touching on old systems, and will inevitably encounter many difficulties and criticisms. But the pain of the demonic tribulation is still before our eyes, and Senior Tianji Zi's warning still rings in our ears. If our Qingxu Temple truly wants to bear the responsibility of 'foremost orthodox sect,' if we want to reduce by one fraction the soil that breeds demonic thoughts in this world, we cannot stick to old ways—we must make changes!"
His gaze was firm as it swept across each elder and steward's face: "This action is not to be unconventional, but to establish an unshakable foundation for the sect for ten thousand generations, to open a new situation of peace for the world! Though the road ahead may be difficult, and results may be slow, the merit is in the present, and the benefit is for a thousand generations! I hope you all can work together with me to accomplish this grand undertaking!"
When his words fell, the hall was silent.
After a moment, senior brother Mu Qingfeng was the first to bow: "We respectfully follow the Temple Master's decree!"
Immediately following, more and more elders who had originally harbored doubts were persuaded by Xiao Qi's foresight and boldness, or at least willing to try, rising one after another: "We respectfully follow the Temple Master's decree!"
The voices converged together—though not like a tsunami's roar, they carried a determination and power to break the old and establish the new.
Tang Xiaoqi watched this scene, his heart slightly settling. He knew this was only the beginning, and the true challenges still lay ahead. But planting this seed of "education without discrimination, equal emphasis on virtue and law" was taking a solid first step on that long road of purifying hearts that Tianji Zi had pointed out. The future of Qingxu Temple, and even the entire Three Realms, might be different because of this.