264: Fifth Incarnation: Heavenly Physician (Fifty-Six)

The patterns on the "seed of the human dao" became increasingly clear, like the earliest imprints of Law born when heaven and earth first opened, expounding upon the cornerstones that constitute all Order: "contract", "collaboration", "distribution", and "Legacy".

He was no longer satisfied with merely "guiding" that ethereal "trend".

A more grand, and more essential thought, like a thunderclap piercing the darkness, exploded deep within his Divine Soul:

"Build!"

"It is not to chase, follow, or guide the already formed 'trend'..."

"But to build a 'field'! An 'environment' and 'soil' that allows beneficial 'trends' to naturally sprout, spontaneously gather, and independently grow!"

"This 'field', in itself, is the most fundamental 'Order'! It is the 'Humanity Order' I seek!"

Once one thought was clear, all thoughts became clear!

It was as if a long-sealed floodgate had been violently burst open; a vast Epiphany, like the Milky Way of the Nine Heavens pouring down, washed over his Dao Foundation and Divine Soul!

"Boom—!"

In the quiet room, the previously steady flow of Spiritual Qi suddenly boiled, forming a huge vortex centered on Xu Yuan.

His tightly closed eyes snapped open, and the depths of his gaze were no longer a calm lake, but a brilliant galaxy reflecting the birth and death of countless rule patterns and the intertwining chains of Order!

The aura around him climbed uncontrollably, and the Bottleneck that had been firmly stuck at the Early Foundation Establishment Stage, under the impact of this profound insight into the essence of the Dao, quietly melted away like snow under the sun!

Mid-Foundation Establishment Stage, achieved naturally!

However, there was not much of the usual joy of a Realm Breakthrough on Xu Yuan's face.

His entire focus remained immersed in the earth-shattering insight he had just experienced, his gaze burning, as if he had discovered the most precious Treasure Trove in the world.

"I understand... I truly understand!"

He whispered to himself, his voice carrying an uncontrollable tremor, the excitement of one who hears the Dao in the morning and can die without regret in the evening.

"In the cultivation world, the power of 'Humanity' is by no means a simple accumulation of sand into a tower, nor is it the absurdity of letting Mortals fight against Cultivators!"

"Its source of power lies in 'collective will'! It lies in a 'collaborative will' formed based on common concepts and rules, transcending individual barriers! Once this will is formed, it can gather scattered power, turn disorder into Order, and its power... is nearly the Dao!"

"Its object of action points directly to the Foundation that maintains the old Order—the 'collective consciousness' and 'rule consensus' that have accumulated over countless years and are taken for granted by all living beings!"

In Xu Yuan's mind appeared the decaying Dragon Qi of the Dynasty in the Small World; that was the manifestation of the old Order's consensus.

And his fire of the yellow turbans was precisely the use of a new consensus, "Humanity must help itself", to sever it!

"In this world, what is the old Order? Is it the deeply rooted Law of the jungle? Is it the strict Rank where the strong are respected? Is it the life-or-death struggle of the Dao? Is it the solidified class structure under the monopoly of resources?"

"What my 'Humanity' must do is to use a new 'Order consensus' to impact, disintegrate, and reshape these!"

"How to do it?" Xu Yuan's train of thought was incomparably clear, "It is not to forcibly overthrow, but to 'build a platform'! To build a brand-new 'rule field' where more bottom-level, disadvantaged people are willing to join, can collaborate fairly, and can see hope!"

"In this 'field', collaboration is superior to infighting, contract is more important than power, contribution determines the harvest, and Legacy can be shared... When such an Order demonstrates vitality and superiority far exceeding the old Order, it is the beginning of 'Humanity' striking against the 'Heavenly Mandate'!"

"What it strikes is that seemingly unshakable, old 'Heavenly Mandate'! That is, that set of rotten, old Order and rules that suppress the potential of all living beings!"

"Ultimately..." Xu Yuan's gaze seemed to pierce through the Immortal Cave, looking toward the mysterious Heavenly Dao, "It is the new Order forged by the will of hundreds of millions of people and the shared wishes of all living beings... to act on behalf of Heaven!"

"Using human hearts to see the heart of Heaven!"

This was not arrogance, but an unwavering belief generated after clarifying the direction of his own Dao path!

"Hum—!"

At this moment, the "seed of the human dao" within his body emitted a clear hum, shining brightly. Its surface runes completely stabilized, merging completely with his Dao Foundation and Divine Soul. It was no longer an illusory seed, but had become an indispensable, shining part of his Dao Foundation!

An indescribable Dao Rhyme of "Order" began to naturally emanate from him.

His Realm was stabilized at the Mid-Foundation Establishment Stage, his Divine Soul injuries were fully recovered, and it had become incomparably refined and sharp due to the Epiphany.

But the greatest gain was clarifying the path ahead!

The humming of the "seed of the human dao" in his body gradually subsided, and the newly born, stable Dao Rhyme of "Order" flowed as naturally as breathing, blending perfectly with Xu Yuan's own aura.

The path ahead was clear, and his Dao Heart was firmer than ever before.

However, just at this Peak moment when his Realm was stable and his mind was clear, Xu Yuan's thoughts did not linger on fantasies about the future. Instead, like the calmest craftsman, he began to examine all the "Materials" he possessed, thinking about how to lay the most solid Foundation for this newly born "Humanity" edifice.

His consciousness sank into the deepest part of his Divine Soul, the place where his unique heritage, which had not been completely erased even after passing through Reincarnation, resided.

It was not empty there.

A wisp of purple Qi!

A wisp of purple Qi that was incomparably overbearing and looked down upon the world, yet carried a hint of loneliness and vicissitudes, like a sleeping ancient Dragon, coiled in the depths of his true spirit Origin!

It was exactly what he had exchanged for at the beginning of his Reincarnation in this life—the Overlord Fate!

This Fate had once been an important chess piece in his plan to cultivate a team, build influence, and even plot for a Fruit Position.

But at this moment, Xu Yuan looked at this purple Qi, which symbolized the ultimate personal authority and power, his eyes calm, yet carrying a sense of scrutiny and determination.

"Overlord Fate... it gathers the 'fear' and 'attachment' of people, and achieves the hegemony of 'one person'. Its Order is established under the absolute authority of 'me'."

"And what 'Humanity' seeks is the consensus of 'all living beings', the Order of 'acting together'. Its power originates from equal contracts and shared ideals, not from submission to a powerful individual."

"The two are fundamentally opposites."

Xu Yuan's gaze was as sharp as a knife.

He clearly realized that if he kept this Overlord Fate, it would indeed make it easier for him to recruit people and build influence in the early stages, but this power stemming from "personal authority" would be like an invisible shackle, subtly influencing him and even distorting the purity of "Humanity".

What he might eventually build would be another "Great Shang Imperial Dynasty" with him at the core, rather than a true "nation without a king".

"The Dao of my life is 'Humanity', not the 'King's Way', and certainly not the 'Overlord's Way'!"