Dao Equaling the Heavens

Li Yunshang turned to Gu Wen and instructed: "Now you can pack the people you want to take away into Little Heaven and Earth, so as to avoid any unexpected situations where you don't have time to take them away."

Gu Wen said: "I will arrange it. There's one more thing, I also want to arrange for some mortals to go in. Any reform inevitably involves bloodshed, and for all those who have sacrificed for the reform in the past ten years, I will send them a message, to take them away with us."

"I cannot provide Universal Unity for billions, but for hundreds of thousands, even tens of thousands, I can still manage."

Inside and outside the sect, he was called the Ren Venerate, even more merciful compared to Yun Miao, who advocated non-coercive governance. Previously, all productivity was sourced from cultivators; to accomplish anything, it was inevitable to touch some people's interests.

Gu Wen only touched the mortals, only those so-called aristocratic families. Industrialization destroyed the small farming economy, crushed the methods the landlords and gentry relied on for survival, and urban reforms also dismantled their monopoly on power.

During this period there were many counterattacks, civil unrest, and even uprisings, but in this world where extraordinary powers existed, these resistances seemed insignificant.

His master has been tumultuous for eight hundred years, yet none of the sects in the world could do anything about her?

But it cannot be denied that many mortals died, particularly many supporters of Gu Wen's reform. Idealists have always existed throughout history; upright officials have always been present, though most never live for long.

These people died for their ideals, also deserving some compensation.

"Your love, disciple, is as narrow as ever, no wonder those youngsters are so infatuated with you, and no surprise your romantic luck is so good."

Li Yunshang's tone carried a hint of helplessness, yet there was no blame at all.

Regarding kindness is a virtue, she simply hoped her disciple could possess greater compassion.

However, if Gu Wen truly possessed great compassion, Li Yunshang might not be here today, nor would she be so fond of Gu Wen.

Contentment and affection are separate; the ideal disciple in Li Yunshang's mind differed from her most beloved disciple, with Gu Wen being the latter.

"But you must manage it when the time comes, otherwise, after hundreds or thousands of years, who knows if Little Heaven and Earth can still hold."

Gu Wen said: "I will utilize education and law to control the population, maintaining a scale of a million."

Leaving the other courtyard, he returned to the Yuqing Taoist Temple.

Gu Wen explained the situation to Chi Yu Zi, who understood and went into Little Heaven and Earth to cultivate ahead of him.

Afterwards, he sent out letters, informing Jun Yan and Jiang Fugui, while letting Yi Zong prepare for an estimated migration of 130,000 people.

Once everything was arranged, Gu Wen sat in meditation, only waiting for the right time to arrive.

-----------------

Nine years passed, the world rapidly changing, everyone enjoying the benefits brought by the emergence of new productivity.

Even the first-class sects perched on the Immortal Mountain gained from industrialization; for example, the advent of the train allowed more farmer's children to travel hundreds of miles to seek apprenticeship, eliminating the annual rush of descending the mountain to seek spirit disciples.

And as for mortals, the change was most profound.

In the twelfth year of the Datong Calendar, clothing and fabric covered the body, with three sets of regular clothes becoming standard.

In the thirteenth year of the Datong Calendar, meals were ample, with meat every ten days.

In the fourteenth year of the Datong Calendar, railways traversed all states.

In the fifteenth year of the Datong Calendar, comprehensive enlightenment reinitiated, three years of mandatory education, expansion of enrollment.

In the sixteenth year of the Datong Calendar, meat ceased to be rationed, with market circulation.

In the seventeenth year of the Datong Calendar, town and village basic healthcare established.

In the eighteenth year of the Datong Calendar, meat every three days.

The rapid surge in productivity brought unprecedented vitality to all walks of society, people indulged in joy, as if life would endlessly become better.

Three Pure Mountain.

Yi Zong went up the mountain for the second time; last time was ten years ago, then he was not yet fifty, today he was already fifty-one.

Also through various Spirit Pills, he transformed from a mortal with no cultivation into a Golden Core Cultivator, with a life span of three hundred years.

This time he did not go to Jade Emperor Peak, but rather to an unremarkable Spiritual Peak.

The trail was quiet, the scenery picturesque, sparsely populated.

Amidst greenery, at the end of the ancient path, a simple other courtyard was faintly visible.

Two Daoists with different manners were already standing at the entrance, one as imposing as the great sun, the other as drifting as white clouds.

They cast a gaze, carrying some superior scrutiny.

Yi Zong bowed and saluted: "Are you Huayang Venerable and Heavenly Venerate Yunmiao?"

Huayang and Yunmiao nodded consecutively, the latter said: "You must be the Sovereign."

"Indeed."

"Well done, poor Daoist always had the idea of letting mortals govern themselves, but unfortunately lacked the energy and ability, couldn't conceive a specific method."

Yun Miao's eyes were full of appreciation, seemingly very satisfied with Yi Zong.

Common cultivators are prejudiced against mortals, but for top powers like them, most in the world are no different from mortals. The higher the perspective, the further the vision; naturally, prejudice diminishes.

"How did Yuqing Heavenly Venerate find such a genius as you?"

Yi Zong humbly answered: "His Honor said, circumstances create heroes; as long as there is suitable soil, naturally the desired fruit will be obtained."

This statement caused Yun Miao and Huayang's eyes to slightly brighten.

The principle is simple, but applying it requires much effort.

"Have the two Venerables also come to bid farewell?"

Yi Zong asked, Yun Miao nodded slightly, upon seeing, he couldn't help but ask: "Dare I ask the two Venerables, will Yuqing Heavenly Venerate ever return? I have researched some materials, I inquired some powerful greats, with Venerable's ability, traveling to and from the Void should be easy..."

"To mortals, they will never return."

Huayang coldly interrupted; he was always like this, but at this moment, appeared colder to Yi Zong and the Hong Chen below the mountain.

"This is a struggle of Heaven and Earth, lasting tens of thousands of years is not excessive. Those who do not become Immortals are all mortals."

Yi Zong slightly opened his mouth, then silently closed it, falling into silence.

Yun Miao comforted: "You do not need to worry, Yuqing Heavenly Venerate and our master ancestor instructed us, should anything happen, we will assist you. Simultaneously, the current system will maintain continuity, the Daoist Sect only manages the sect, mortals are under your governance."

Yi Zong silently nodded.

But he knew this was different.

Like the initial announcement in the early years of the Datong, survival of the fittest was the norm for tens of millions of years, Universal Unity for the first time. The legendary figures Qingcang Immortal and Yuqing Heavenly Venerate were the ones truly willing to stand by the mortals.

The two Venerables before him can indeed be considered good people, but their loyalty is tied to the sect.

The future is not clear, what will happen going forward, perhaps only heaven knows.

About fifteen minutes later, the courtyard gate opened.

A man and a woman came out, the man appearing ordinary, the woman's appearance gentle and elegant, both with no presence, as if they did not exist.

Gu Wen saw the three outside the door and said: "Ultimately, it's you three bidding farewell to our master and disciple."

Yun Miao smiled: "If you need, I could have the entire world come to bid farewell."

"No need, wouldn't that cause chaos in the world?"

Gu Wen waved his hand; their departure had always been known to only a few.

Yun Miao said good-humoredly: "That would be akin to the sky falling."

The Human Race's pillar was being whisked away by this young man, yet now the world still had to thank him.

But it's good that the master ancestor left; at least future matters will become much simpler, such as the Dao Fruit issue which cannot be obstructed.

If the master ancestor continued staying, surely, it would be another storm of bloodshed.

Li Yunshang softly asked: "Are you happy?"

Yun Miao was startled, quickly straightening up, answering: "Master ancestor, you are the pillar of the Human Race, with you gone the world is as vulnerable as a pile of eggs..."

"Alright, alright, no need for such ceremonial words."

Li Yunshang interrupted: "Henceforth the Human Race is entrusted to you, the Two Saints won't trouble you, feel secure in refining the Dao Fruit, perhaps we can meet again."

Beside, Gu Wen pulled Yi Zong and handed him a token, saying: "If you decide to quit in the future, take this token to Two Realms City, where an Immortal will bring you to find me. Then I'll let you extend your life for a millennium, do a good job during this time."

Originally somewhat melancholic, Yi Zong became amused.

Why does it seem like it's akin to nepotism?

Rumble!

Suddenly, heaven and earth stirred, in the northwest, auroras appeared, drifting like satin in the Sky Dome.

Li Yunshang and Gu Wen simultaneously listened to the Dao charm of Heaven and Earth.

[Jianmu, reside in the underworld, seal as Lord of Netherworld]