The concept of "education without discrimination, equal emphasis on virtue and law" swept through every corner of Qingxu Temple like a fresh breeze, also triggering considerable shock and heated discussion both inside and outside the sect. Supporters praised its broad-mindedness and far-sightedness; skeptics worried about uneven quality and destabilizing the foundation. However, under Tang Xiaoqi's strong promotion and senior brother Mu Qingfeng's meticulous deployment, the various reforms proceeded methodically. The Mind-Clearing Institute began construction, the framework of the Myriad Phenomena Pavilion was being established under second senior brother Luo Feng's spirit form leadership, and the new disciple recruitment regulations attracted widespread attention throughout the Three Realms.
But Tang Xiaoqi knew deeply that the implementation of concepts required a solid theoretical foundation and a vehicle for transmission. Empty slogans could not convince the masses; practice alone could not be handed down. Tianji Zi's "ultimate prophecy" about "purifying human hearts" made him realize even more that he must systematically organize the insights he had gained along his path, especially his understanding of purification and protection, to form a classic that could guide direction and inspire future generations.
On this day, he dismissed his attendants and went alone to the depths of the forbidden area behind Qingxu Temple. This was not some blessed land with particularly abundant spiritual energy, but rather appeared exceptionally quiet, even somewhat desolate. The entrance to an unremarkable stone cave was half-hidden by vines. The space inside was not large, containing only a stone bed, a stone table, and a lamp made of spirit stone as its energy source, emitting a constant soft light.
This place was called the "Heart-Guarding Cave," where successive Temple Masters of Qingxu Temple had meditated, secluded themselves, and even passed away. Faint traces of previous generations' carvings and Dao resonance remained on the cave walls, filled with the weight of years and wisdom. Choosing to begin that grand undertaking here, Xiao Qi did so out of respect for his predecessors and as a reminder of the responsibilities he bore.
He sat down at the stone table and took out a blank jade tablet. This was no ordinary item—entirely translucent, it contained enormous space within, sufficient to carry vast amounts of information and Dao resonance imprints. He placed it on the table but did not immediately begin inscribing.
He closed his eyes, his mind sinking into the depths of his sea of consciousness, beginning to systematically organize his Dao.
First to emerge was the Dao of "Purification."
Initially, he had thought purification meant dispersing and destroying, like washing away filth with clear water or burning away evil with fierce fire. The green light that awakened from the jade pendant had been so at first. But after experiencing the secret realm inheritance, obtaining the "Basic Purification Technique," and later the complete awakening of the Green Lotus origin—especially after comprehending his true heart in the Realm of Void—his understanding of "purification" had undergone earth-shaking changes.
Purification was not simple rejection and destruction. The green lotus emerges from mud unstained; the essence of its "purification" was closer to "transformation" and "sublimation." It was the process of decomposing, understanding, and ultimately transforming chaotic, impure, and negative energies or intentions into ordered, pure nutrients that could nourish all things. It was insight and acceptance for the essence of all things, guiding them back to their true nature and merging into the great cycle of heaven and earth. Within this lay profound reverence and compassion for life and for laws.
He recalled using purification power to help fellow disciples eroded by demonic energy, to nourish dying spirit herbs, and even at the end attempting to "purify" the Demonic Lord's origin and cast it into reincarnation... All of this transcended simple destruction, taking on the meaning of guidance and redemption.
Next was the Dao of "Protection."
This was not an empty slogan. From initially wanting only to protect the senior brothers and sisters around him and Qingxu Temple, to later being willing to protect more innocent people and the peace of the Three Realms, to understanding that the true meaning of protection lay in the process and intention, not the result... his heart of protection had been continuously tempered and sublimated through repeated losses and gains, pain and choices.
Protection required power, but not only power. It required wisdom to distinguish right from wrong, courage to face powerful enemies, spirit of sacrifice to bear costs, and even more, a persistence that never gave up, holding fast even when hope was slim. It was cherishing beautiful things, shouldering responsibility, and a grand aspiration to actively engage with the world and hold up a sky for all living beings.
Then there was the "Green Lotus Inheritance."
This originated from the origin power of the ancient World-Purifying Green Lotus, the foundation and amplifier for all of this. It granted him purification abilities beyond the ordinary and brought him closer to certain fundamental laws of heaven and earth. The Green Lotus's endless growth represented hope and creation; its emergence from mud unstained symbolized purity and perseverance; the thread of chaotic return to void it contained hinted at the two sides of destruction and rebirth being one. Understanding, controlling, and making good use of this power was the key to practicing his Dao.
Finally, there were "Human Hearts" and "Education."
This was the key that Tianji Zi had awakened in him, and also what would make the "Dao Canon" he was about to compile most different from any previous cultivation manual. Cultivation was absolutely not just perfecting oneself. No matter how powerful an individual's strength, if their character was not upright, they became a walking disaster; if everyone only sought their own transcendence and ignored the world's suffering, how was this world different from a demonic realm? True strength lay in being able to guide hearts toward goodness, to establish order and hope, to reduce from the root the soil that bred darkness. Therefore, this "Dao Canon" must not be merely a cultivation method, but should be a guide on cultivating the heart, on taking responsibility, on how to use power to benefit the world.
Countless insights, experiences, and contemplations rushed like a vast galaxy in his sea of consciousness, colliding and merging. He needed to extract from them the most core, most essential things and present them in a clear, systematic, easily understood way.
He opened his eyes, divine light shining within them. He concentrated a thread of extremely pure power containing his Dao resonance at his fingertips, gently touching the blank jade tablet.
The jade tablet trembled slightly, its surface rippling like waves.
He did not immediately inscribe specific cultivation formulas, but first used his spiritual thoughts as a brush and his Dao resonance as ink, slowly outlining several characters containing endless mystery on the "title page" within the jade tablet's internal space—
"The World-Purifying Dao Canon"
Once these four characters were formed, the entire Heart-Guarding Cave's atmosphere seemed to stabilize, faintly resonating with the outside heaven and earth.
Then, he began constructing the overall framework of the "Dao Canon."
He planned to divide the Dao Canon into three volumes: Upper, Middle, and Lower.
The Upper Volume, named "Origin Volume," mainly expounded the core thought of purification and protection, analyzed the characteristics and general principles of using the Green Lotus origin power, and emphasized the importance of cultivating the heart, laying the theoretical foundation for the entire canon. This volume was not a specific cultivation method but an elaboration of "Dao," aimed at guiding readers to establish correct views on cultivation and values.
The Middle Volume, named "Practice Volume," would contain specific cultivation methods and divine abilities. But unlike traditional methods that only pursued power, the techniques recorded here all revolved around core themes of "purification," "protection," "assistance," and "vitality." For example, how to use purification power to heal the wounded, dispel evil, and purify environments; how to construct protective barriers and defensive divine abilities; how to use power to promote the growth of living beings and harmonize ley lines, and so on. At the same time, it would also record some basic guiding techniques and heart-cultivation methods suitable for general cultivation, embodying the concept of "education without discrimination."
The Lower Volume, named "Salvation Volume," was the most special. It would record practical cases and reflections from past sages (including himself) on how to use one's abilities to serve the common people, uphold justice, and guide people toward goodness. It covered multiple aspects including sect management, secular education, resource distribution, and crisis response, aimed at providing references and inspiration for successors in handling complex worldly affairs.
With the framework initially set, Xiao Qi began filling in the content. Starting from the "Origin Volume," he transformed his understanding of the true meaning of "purification," his analysis of the connotation of "protection," and his essential cognition of Green Lotus power into spiritual inscription after inscription containing Dao resonance, carefully engraving them into the jade tablet.
This was an extremely mentally exhausting process. He had to ensure not only the accuracy and depth of the theory but also consider how to make future generations of different levels and aptitudes understand and accept it. He often deliberated for a long time over the wording of a single passage or the explanation of a concept.
Inside the Heart-Guarding Cave, it was silent and soundless, with only the faint hum produced by the interaction between the Dao resonance flowing from his fingertips and the jade tablet. Time here seemed to lose its meaning; only that jade tablet bearing hope and the future was gradually becoming weightier, its light becoming contained within.
The compilation of the "World-Purifying Dao Canon" began here. This was not merely the birth of a classic, but the planting of a seed, hoping that on some future day, it could illuminate more lost hearts and gather into a blazing fire sufficient to dispel the world's ultimate darkness. Tang Xiaoqi knew deeply that this would be a long and arduous undertaking, but he pressed forward without hesitation, for this was precisely the "World-Purifying" path he had chosen.