735: Discern clearly! Discern clearly! Discern clearly!

Discernment! Discernment! Discernment!

In Yao Delong's Sea of Consciousness, the Yin and Yang Dao diagram and the Five Elements divine ring shone brilliantly, rotating at high speed! An invisible storm of thought tore through the emotional infection attempting to force itself upon him!

"Fear..." Yao Delong's heart was crystal clear, a trace of insight curling his lips, "So that's how it is!"

He instantly saw through the essence of this "Discernment" trial!

Behind the impassioned speech of "Elder Sha" on the left was a "fear" bordering on despair when facing a powerful enemy!

He feared the strength of external enemies and the destruction of the Sect, so he was willing to pay any price, even at the cost of sacrificing the Foundation (Yin Vein Origin),

To pursue a quick-fix, suicidal strength (Yin Yang Evil Guards)! Its core was the "Evil Yin Thought"—rushing for success!

Beneath the compassionate facade of "Elder Shan" on the right, he was likewise dominated by fear!

He feared the cruelty of war, the consequences of taking responsibility, and the unknown risks brought by change!

So he chose a seemingly merciful but actually cowardly escape—giving up the Legacy (Scriptures), giving up initiative (sealing the mountain), and even giving up the Dao path (in exchange for mundane peace)!

Its core was the "Yang Escape Thought"—fearing Karma and evading responsibility!

The two seemed as incompatible as fire and water, but they actually shared the same root—both born of "fear" and both trapped by "fear"!

Both treated extreme measures as their only life-saving straw!

True "Discernment" is not about picking a side between these two extreme options spawned by fear,

But to perceive the root of the conflict and find the "Middle Way" that transcends fear and reconciles opposites!

Yao Delong took a deep breath, his gaze suddenly becoming sharp as a heavenly sword, and an invisible aura of majesty belonging to a "future Sect Master" instantly enveloped the scene!

The noisy waves of agreement were actually suppressed by this aura!

"Silence!" Yao Delong's voice was not loud, but it carried a heavy power that pierced the Soul and reached the Origin, echoing clearly throughout the entire hall!

Everyone, including the two "Elders," was shaken and couldn't help but look at the young man standing in the center with a profound air.

Yao Delong's gaze swept over "Elder Sha" and "Elder Shan," his voice steady and full of power:

"Both Elders, your words have their basis, and your worries are for the Sect."

"However!"

"Your strategies seem diametrically opposed, but in truth, you are both trapped by the same 'fear'!"

"Elder Sha fears the sharpness of external enemies, so he wishes to pursue extreme slaughter. Though it may show power for a moment, it is like cutting off one's arm to survive; the Foundation is shaken, and it is not a long-term solution!"

"Elder Shan fears the tragedy of war and the unpredictability of change, so he wishes to pursue compromise and concession."

"Though it may temporarily avoid the brunt, it is like cutting off one's flesh to feed a tiger; the Dao Heart is clouded, and the Legacy is severed!"

"Both of these have lost 'Equilibrium' because of 'fear'!"

He paused, his voice suddenly rising like a great bell, deafening and enlightening:

"The Great Dao of Yin and Yang values Equilibrium! Uphold the right and surprise the enemy; combine hardness and softness!"

"The Dao of my Yin Yang Sect should be—"

"Externally temper thunderous methods to protect the Dao! If demons reach the Mountain Gate? Then fight! Gather the strength of the entire Sect, form great arrays, deploy surprise troops, and resist the enemy outside the Mountain Gate! To protect the mountain and the people, why must we sacrifice the Yin Vein Foundation? This is 'Hardness'!"

"Internally cultivate a compassionate heart to stabilize one's nature! Protecting all living beings is not about sacrificing oneself or giving up the Legacy! It is about using our power to shelter a region! Do not lose the thought of benevolence amidst slaughter, and do not forget the root amidst the struggle! Educate the Disciples and stabilize the Foundation; this is 'Softness'!"

"The combination of hardness and softness, the rotation of Yin and Yang, is the basis of our Sect's survival and the strategy to defeat the enemy! How can we destroy our own Great Wall or abandon the Dao for a temporary peace because of 'fear' of external enemies?!"

Every word was a gem, like thunder from the Nine Heavens, cleaving through the mist of fear shrouding everyone's hearts!

The two blurry figures of the "Elders" fluctuated violently, and the extreme aura around them quickly faded like melting snow,

Revealing their original chaotic essence—they were merely projections of two obsessions twisted by fear!

The entire hall fell into a dead silence, and then—

Crack!

Like a mirror shattering! The scene of the council hall broke into pieces and dissipated!

That aged and peaceful voice, filled with unprecedented appreciation, rang out in Yao Delong's Sea of Consciousness:

"Perceive the root, discern Yin and Yang!"

"The trial of Discernment... has been passed!"

Buzz!

Yao Delong opened his eyes again and had returned to the center of the Heart Questioning Hall. A faint glow of wisdom remained on the "Discernment" prayer mat to his right.

Perceiving the root of contradictions, transcending dualistic opposition, and finding the wisdom of the Middle Way that combines hardness and softness! This was the true meaning of "Discernment"!

The divine light in Yao Delong's eyes was brilliant, and his Dao Heart became even more harmonious and unobstructed.

Without hesitation, he stepped toward the final and most core prayer mat—the central "Unity" prayer mat!

He sat cross-legged, his mind and spirit returning to one.

Buzz—!

This time, there were no mountains or rivers, no caves or halls.

Before his eyes was only an infinite, silent, and deep void.

Absolute silence, absolute darkness, absolute... nothingness!

However, right in the center of this absolute void, a speck of light lit up, slowly condensing into a shape.

It was a figure, a figure identical to Yao Delong!

The same face, the same black Daoist robe, the same aura fluctuations, even the depth in his eyes was exactly the same!

But he was also completely different!

If Yao Delong was as deep and rational as an ancient well, then in his eyes burned the unbridled flames of emotion!

If Yao Delong harbored a trace of benevolence and pity, then around his body coiled a decisive and ruthless Evil Qi!

If Yao Delong was accustomed to patient planning, then he had flamboyant dominance etched into his very bones!

He possessed all of Yao Delong's memories, cultivation, combat skills, and thought patterns... yet he amplified to the extreme all the "other sides" of his personality that were suppressed, hidden, or even ignored!

This is you! The most familiar stranger! The other side of the Dao Heart! The shadow of the personality!

"Who are you!?" Yao Delong's pupils constricted as he asked in a heavy voice.

The "Yao Delong" opposite him split into a cold and seductive smile, his voice like a cold wind from the Nine Nether:

"Me? Hehehe..."

"I am you! The truest, most powerful, and most unrestrained you!"

"Kill me!" A frantic red light flashed in his eyes, "Devour me! You will be the perfection of 'Unity'! You will no longer have any weaknesses!"

"Or..." His smile became demonic and full of allure,

"Let me replace you! I will do better than this current you, who is hesitant, hypocritical, and weak! I will lead the Yin Yang Sect, be decisive in slaughter, and dominate the Eastern Region! I will make all enemies tremble at my feet! This is what you should be like!"

Before his voice had even faded!

The figure of "Yao Delong" suddenly disappeared from the spot!

In the next instant, a sword beam condensing the pure sharpness of Geng Gold Qi tore through the void, stabbing straight at Yao Delong's brow!

It was impressively the Yellow Rank Five Elements Basic Sword Art: Geng Gold Sword that Yao Delong had first learned!

Although it was the lowest rank, when used by "him" now, it carried the ultimate killing intent of returning to simplicity!

"Hmph!" Yao Delong's reaction was like lightning; his body tilted slightly, and a Gui Water Shield condensing the tenacity of water instantly blocked his front!

Metal and water collided, emitting a piercing screech!