Regarding the dangers caused by the Tao Realm, heaven and earth have made an instinctive response. This is the origin of the invisible shackles Qing Yu speculates about.

Although it's just one man's opinion and there may be errors Qing Yu doesn't know about, at least half of it should be correct.

To prevent the extremely destructive Tao Realm from reappearing, heaven and earth have placed shackles on this realm, causing martial artists to reach the peak of the Divinity Realm with nowhere further to advance, thus naturally calling this peak the Realm of the Supreme.

Simply because when martial artists reach this realm, they have reached the ultimate.

"The Dao Ancestor should have achieved the Tao Realm before the shackles appeared. As for the Buddha..." Qing Yu mused.

The Buddha's enlightenment occurred thousands of years ago. At that time, the shackles should have already appeared. To achieve the Tao Realm, he would have had to use one of the two methods mentioned earlier.

Either forcibly breaking through, causing a great calamity to destroy heaven and earth, forcibly breaking the shackles, or allowing the door to open automatically, naturally reaching a higher level.

Back then, because the Peacock Dynasty was destroyed within a few days, the Buddha achieved the Tao and protected the people, leading the Peacock Remnants to migrate eastward and incidentally bringing Buddhism truly into the Central Plains.

In Buddhist scriptures, it is recorded that the Buddha fully realized during the calamity, protecting all living beings and obtaining infinite merit, achieving Buddhahood on the spot.

Before this, although Buddhism had some presence in the Central Plains, it was not yet established. It was not until Nalanda Temple moved to the Western Regions that this sect, which rivaled the Taoist sects, truly found its opportunity to emerge.

So the question arises, did the Buddha forcibly break through, or was the door never locked?

Logically, the chance of breaking through is higher. After all, such a vast territory as the Peacock Dynasty was completely destroyed. But if that's the case, why was the Buddha revered as a savior by the Peacock Dynasty?

'I can't figure it out...'

As Qing Yu flew swiftly towards the grassland, he pondered intensely.

································

On the seventh of June, the Northern Zhou army advanced another hundred miles.

With the following reinforcements catching up, the speed of the army's advancement began to slow. This was because this time, Northern Zhou intended to gain territory step by step.

From Kuocang Pass to the current position of the army, countless laborers and Taoist priests from the Earth Department and Water Department rapidly constructed castles, occupying every area the army passed through.

Once the grassland was leveled, this vast territory would be directly incorporated into Northern Zhou's lands.

And due to the advancement during this period, Feng Jiu's strength changed daily, and at the same time, he developed new resistance against Qing Yu's will.

The ultimate Human Dao spirit, the will to sacrifice everything for all living beings, took root in Feng Jiu's heart. This collided with Qing Yu's celestial will, giving Feng Jiu's consciousness a chance to breathe.

The Human Dao Will is the ultimate emotion for all living beings, while Qing Yu's own will leans towards Supreme Forgetfulness. These two diametrically opposed wills constantly clash, and each collision brings Qing Yu some strange insights.

Whether it's gaining understanding from opposing ideologies or using this to temper one's mental state, such clashes of wills always bring new insights to Qing Yu. Overall, the benefits outweigh the disadvantages.

For Feng Jiu, however, this clash is somewhat perilous. He is like a small boat in a stormy sea, drifting with the currents, with the danger of capsizing if he's not careful.

Although currently, there are two opposing undercurrents that counteract each other, giving the boat temporary calmness, once the undercurrents become visible or one overpowers the other, it would be the time Feng Jiu's consciousness is assimilated.

"Your Majesty, a report from the front line states that the army has already advanced a thousand miles into the grassland, capturing many, killing countless enemies. It seems the decisive moment is near."

Inside Yangxin Hall, the Cold Eunuch presented the freshly received battle report to Feng Jiu, who was practicing calligraphy.

"The decisive moment is near?" Feng Jiu muttered, finishing the last stroke.

Step by step, a thousand miles of territory have already fallen into Northern Zhou's grasp. Another thousand miles forward, and two-thirds of the grassland would belong to Northern Zhou.

In this situation, even if the Golden Wolf Han Court doesn't want to fight, they must. If they don't, they might as well become snowmen in the Northern Great Snow Mountain.

Looking at the calligraphy on the desk, a single character "heart" filled the entire sheet. With just four simple strokes, it took Feng Jiu nearly an hour to complete.

'Heart...' Feng Jiu murmured to himself, 'I finally understand why Mountain River Academy required me to leave that Imperial Decree when they handed over the Emperor Martial Art.'

At first, Mountain River Academy handed over the Emperor Martial Art on the sole condition that if Feng Jiu suffered mishap during his cultivation, Feng Qiwu would succeed him.

Originally, it was thought that the challenge of the Emperor Martial Art was its mental pressure, but now it seems there might be an assimilation of Human Dao Will as well.

These two challenges: if one cannot withstand the former, the mind will die; if one cannot endure the latter, self-harm might be the only path. For if you don't end your own life, you can only watch yourself being assimilated step by step, completely becoming another person.

This type of death is a thousand times more painful than dying quickly and decisively.

And now, Feng Jiu stands directly before this challenge. Although he maintains some semblance of independent will by relying on the clash between Qing Yu's will and Human Dao Will, Feng Jiu doesn't know when he might be unable to hold on, being assimilated or torn apart by these two wills.

'But even if I die in this manner, I absolutely cannot allow Feng Qiwu to ascend the throne.' Feng Jiu thought resolutely.

Feng Qiwu still harbors certain thoughts towards Feng Jiu's Empress. If he were to succeed the throne, Feng Jiu might even turn green in his coffin.

Although this probability is small, for Feng Qiwu is an upright gentleman, and Qing Yu would not allow him to act recklessly, however...

What if just in case?

The world is unpredictable, who knows what the future holds. Even with a one in ten thousand chance, Feng Jiu wants to eliminate it at the beginning.

'That Imperial Decree should not exist.'

"Cold Eunuch, prepare the carriage, we're going to Mountain River Academy." Feng Jiu decided and instructed Cold Eunuch.

Cold Eunuch was puzzled. Ever since ascending to the throne, Feng Jiu had severed ties with Mountain River Academy. Why suddenly visit now?

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Although puzzled, Feng Jiu's increasingly profound martial arts and thoughts made this Divinity Realm figure not dare to speculate wildly or disobey lightly.

He immediately called for the guards and attendant eunuchs, readying the carriage.

Thirty minutes later, the swiftly prepared carriage, slightly disguised, left the Imperial City, heading quickly towards Mountain River Academy.

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