I Can See Your Combat Power
Chapter 1923 - 352: The More, the Merrier

Chapter 1923: Chapter 352: The More, the Merrier

The solitary yin does not flourish, and the solitary yang does not grow. Anything that has only one side is not far from destruction.

This is the abnormal situation Xiehe faces now. Martial arts should have been a means of cultivation, but at some point, it became the sole pursuit.

In such circumstances, most people confuse the fundamental and the secondary, resulting in confusion in their hearts. So, even though Xiehe’s martial arts world is now a thousand times larger than before, there has been no substantial change.

Martial arts, weapons, techniques, Buddhism, Taoism, formations, witchcraft, body...

Although the Human Race initially cultivated to compete with the Demon Race, after winning the holy war, the Human Race did not stop to reflect but instead continued forward heedlessly.

Thus, after a thousand years, the myriad paths of cultivation in Xiehe only seek the power to surpass others, with no one considering other possibilities.

From the perspective of his True Heart, such a world makes Tang Luo feel dull.

Practically speaking, it is far from enough for him alone to change such a world.

The key here is not strength or wisdom but a kind of thought and way of thinking.

The ideology of martial arts supremacy and the veneration of martial strength has long been ingrained in people’s hearts, and to change this, one must first find people who share the same ideology.

Unfortunately, such people in Xiehe are as rare as black beans in a pile of sesame seeds.

Many people, even if they have such thoughts in their hearts, dare not express them, because if they dare to voice such "treasonous" views, even those around them will think they are possessed and try to indoctrinate them.

This is the oppression of individual will by the entire environment, making you conform to everyone even if you have different ideas.

And the most despairing part is, if you want to break through this barrier, you first need superhuman martial strength.

See, isn’t this a contradiction?

You want to let others know that martial arts is not everything, yet you must first have superhuman martial strength for others to listen and comply.

Even if you achieve this, is it because your rationale is right, or is it their rationale that’s correct?

It was by understanding this juncture that Tang Luo gave up seeking because he knew that the path called "seeking" was not feasible.

After all, when you have reached such prestige, as long as you show a little intention, followers, whether genuinely or out of pretense, will flock around you.

But how much deceit and self-interest are hidden in those ideas that come from trying to flatter their superiors?

Tang Luo doesn’t have the time to meddle with such petty affairs, so he must find someone sincere. This second lesson of reopening the worldview is a test.

Most things people do are limited by their environment and perspective, so after reshaping their worldview, their temperament will change dramatically. Fundamentally, this change is because as the universe in their heart changes, their vision also differs.

Because from another significant dimension, whether one cultivates or not is essentially no different from the dust of the earth as an end result. The so-called other shore is merely a vague hope under clouds and fog, not a real thing. When the search for a path yields no result, some people will stop and ponder new ways.

And what Tang Luo needs to do is to wait, mainly waiting for changes in the Inner Disciples. He has little expectation for the Tang Family disciples.

Because it is more difficult for those nurtured by the rites and laws of the family lineage to see a way out, compared to those who have nothing. After all, the family has walked every path to manage the mortal world over the millennium, and they’ve seen nothing that can make the family stronger than practicing martial arts.

Thus, the family disciples who emphasize practicality, even if martial arts is not their greatest love, will follow this more advantageous path, especially this batch of clansfolk returning from the Minor Spiritual Realm in Chengzhou along with Yuanzhou, bearing the heavy burden of reviving the family.

Instead, those disciples in the back mountain, influenced by the new worldview, find it easier to make choices. Now, it just depends on who can come to him first.

...

By late summer, many disciples in the back mountain had already reported their progress in the pavilion after completing their assignments.

Most of these pioneers were influenced by Yang Fan, with a firmer heart toward martial arts, and they discovered that the true meaning of this second lesson’s report actually had no right or wrong.

Even vastly differing answers, "the meaning of life is to stand out," or "the meaning of life is to no longer be aggrieved," could be reported smoothly. This made the disciples in the back mountain feel more at ease.

Whenever a senior brother descended from the pavilion with a relaxed face, Mu Man’s eyes would reveal a look of admiration.

"Since you admire them, why not go ahead."

Pei Mu, who had never given up, looked at Mu Man’s dejected face and said, exasperated at his lack of progress, "If even asserting dominance and tyranny can be considered a legitimate meaning of life, what’s so wrong with your aimless and indulgent life?"

"It’s different. The meaning found by the fellow disciples in the back hill is not the same, but the methods and paths are unified, and I am..."

Mu Man had something new to pour out, but stopped short, watching from afar as a younger disciple descended from the pavilion and closed his eyes in pain, raising his cup, intending to drink heartily.

"Clang~"

A punch on the copper cup resounded like metal, and he turned back in bewilderment to see Pei Mu glaring at him angrily.

"Since you have already made up your mind, why make such a childish display of hesitation? Whether you stretch your neck or shrink it, there will be a cut. If you’re truly reluctant, then turn back early!"

Mu Man remained silent for a long time, finally lifting his head, his expression clear: "What Senior Brother said is right!"

After taking a deep breath, Mu Man approached the pavilion, respectfully kneeling down.

"Disciple Mu Man, greets Master."

The Primary Qi Dharma Aspect, with a visage bearing seven parts similarity to the Dean, was neither sad nor joyful, and his eyes seemed capable of seeing through all hidden deceptions.

Though he indeed had a resolution in his heart, actually facing his master’s gaze felt altogether different.

A once insignificant wandering martial artist, now holding the status of an Inner Disciple, and anyone with a clear mind wouldn’t want to lose this status.

Yet after witnessing the vastness of the universe, he was consistently troubled by a voice.

Is martial arts truly the only path of cultivation?

This thought grew stronger, and he wanted to share it but was viewed as a heretic by his fellow apprentices. In that case, he decided to show his stance and mingle with those who were considered self-indulgent degenerates in the eyes of his senior brothers.

But he found that the pains of people weren’t the same; some were scared by the vast universe, others had their hearts stopped by the endless path. Seeing wine-filled friends singing in high spirits, there wasn’t a true confidant among them.

So Mu Man chose to drink alone, yet the more he drank, the more lonely he felt. Pei Mu’s words made him understand that no matter how long he procrastinated, he would ultimately have to take this step.

If so, it’s better to endure the short pain.

Facing the Divine Light that seemed to penetrate the viscera, Mu Man took another deep breath and said solemnly: "Disciple believes, the way of life lies in cultivation, and the path of cultivation is not limited to martial arts alone!"

Having spoken his true thoughts, as if a heavy stone fell, he felt his whole body relaxed.

But such relaxation must come at a great cost!

Looking at the unresponsive Dharma Aspect, the young martial artist thought mockingly to himself.