147: Chapter 147 The Threshold of the Four Academies - Horrifying

"So it's not just my talent that's mediocre; even my Dao Heart is fragile."

"Damn! I can't even imagine what kind of monsters those guys who entered the Gate of Ten Thousand Daos are. How is it that they climb this Great Dao Heavenly Ladder as easily as drinking water, while we try our hardest and can't even ascend a single step!"

"Come to think of it, it seems only those whose Dao Heart has reached the 'Micro' level can successfully ascend the ladder."

"Micro? Isn't that a realm that only a Hunyuan Golden Immortal or a Quasi-Saint could possibly touch?"

"Don't believe it if you want, but I have a friend whose cultivation is merely at the Taiyi Golden Immortal level, yet his Dao Heart has already reached the 'Micro' level, and he entered the Gate of Ten Thousand Daos with ease!"

"..."

Countless cultivators sighed repeatedly; many recognized the reality of the situation and retreated in dejection.

Seeing some give up, many more followed suit and departed.

On Kunlun Mountain, Laozi and the others witnessed this scene and all sighed, shaking their heads.

This alone was enough to show that these cultivators' Dao Hearts were not stable. Drifting with the tide and retreating just because others did was the hallmark of a weak spirit.

Those with truly firm Dao Hearts trust in themselves rather than fate, are undeterred by setbacks, and never give up!

"It seems that those who can pass the academy's assessment this time will be few and far between," King of the Chu River said slowly.

"A bunch of trash! If they can't even ascend the Great Dao Heavenly Ladder, how can they dare to talk about the three thousand life-and-death hurdles within the Gate of Ten Thousand Daos!"

Styx's tone was icy, and a look of deep disdain appeared on his face.

"Fortunately, tens of millions of living beings have still entered the Gate of Ten Thousand Daos. I hope some of them can successfully pass the trial," Houtu said with a calm expression.

Hearing this, Laozi gave a wry smile and shook his head gently: "Easier said than done. In my opinion, those who can pass the assessment this time will likely be fewer than fifty thousand, perhaps even fewer."

"Fewer than fifty thousand?"

Nuwa and the others were all shocked, unable to believe it.

Laozi waved his hand, and three thousand images instantly appeared in the void, each reflecting the scene of a hurdle within the Gate of Ten Thousand Daos. These hurdles were all different—some tested the limits of the physical body, some tested the comprehension of the Great Dao, and others pointed directly to the tempering of character.

"Three thousand Dao palaces... corresponding to the three thousand Great Dao incarnations..."

Nuwa, Houtu, and the others were stunned for a long time, their lips slightly parted, unable to speak for a long while.

A moment later, Nuwa suddenly snapped back to reality and asked hurriedly: "Do those three thousand Great Dao incarnations possess consciousness?"

Laozi shook his head slowly: "They have no autonomous consciousness. However, their comprehension of the 'Dao' has reached the extreme, which can be called the most perfect Hunyuan Daluo Golden Immortal realm. Perhaps, this is exactly what makes the Great Dao incarnations truly terrifying."

After a pause, he continued: "In addition, Wandao Academy has four institutes: the Court of Heaven and Earth, the Xuanhuang Institute, the Wangu Institute, and the Chaos Institute."

"What are the conditions for entering these four institutes?" Dragon Emperor immediately asked.

The others also listened intently, their eyes full of curiosity. The Great Dao had specifically divided the academy into four institutes; there must be a deep meaning behind it.

Laozi explained slowly: "Those who enter the Court of Heaven and Earth must have the potential to reach the Hunyuan Daluo Golden Immortal realm; the Xuanhuang Institute represents the aptitude of a Celestial Venerable; the Wangu Institute points to the foundation of a Supreme; and the Chaos Institute is the embryo of the Chaos Realm."

"To enter the Court of Heaven and Earth, one's cultivation must not be lower than the Taiyi Golden Immortal level, the Dao Heart must be at the 'Micro' level, and the physical body strength must be at least at the level of a Acquired Spirit Treasure!"

"To enter the Xuanhuang Institute, one's cultivation must reach the Daluo Golden Immortal level, the Dao Heart must be at the 'Heaven-Man' level, and the physical body must be at least a low-grade Innate Spirit Treasure!"

"To enter the Wangu Institute, one's cultivation must be above the Hunyuan Golden Immortal level, the Dao Heart must reach the 'Ten Thousand Ages' level, and the physical body strength must not be lower than a mid-grade Innate Spirit Treasure!"

"As for the Chaos Institute, the cultivation must be at the Hunyuan Daluo Golden Immortal level, the Dao Heart must reach the 'True Self' level, and the physical body must at least reach the level of a high-grade Innate Spirit Treasure!"

"Such harsh conditions!!"

Dijiang's eyes widened in shock. It wasn't just him; Nuwa, Houtu, and the others were also filled with astonishment.

Cultivation could still be practiced, but the corresponding Dao Heart level and physical body strength were truly daunting. For example, the standards for the Xuanhuang Institute were not necessarily met by the Three Pure Ones even when they were Hunyuan Golden Immortals. It was only after they ascended Mount Buzhou and underwent the tempering of their Dao Hearts that they barely touched the 'Ten Thousand Ages' level, just meeting the basic threshold.

"Every half a kalpa, Wandao Academy will hold an institute promotion assessment. Those who pass can be promoted to a higher institute, while those who do not remain where they are; at the same time, every full kalpa, the academy will open an admission assessment to accept new disciples."

Laozi explained the rules of Wandao Academy that he knew one by one.

After hearing this, Dijiang frowned and said: "Since the Great Dao has already made the arrangements, why did you specifically summon us here?"

"That's right, there's nothing for us to do even if we come. When it comes to preaching and teaching, the three thousand Great Dao incarnations are enough," Dragon Emperor agreed helplessly.

The corners of Laozi's mouth twitched slightly, and he gave a wry smile: "I invited you all not just to preach, but because I hope you can work with me to govern Wandao Academy. Although there are three thousand incarnations responsible for teaching, they will never get involved in the disputes of the Primordial world; they are limited to teaching the way of cultivation."

"Then forget it, we all have many things to do on a daily basis," Tianlong said indifferently, refusing without hesitation.

Nuwa, Houtu, and the others nodded one after another. Who would want to take on such a laborious job with no benefits? Rather than wasting energy here, it would be better to go into seclusion and cultivate, preparing for the decisive battle against the Primordial Myriad Clans five kalpas later.

Seeing the atmosphere cool down, Laozi coughed a few times and said slowly: "Ahem... anyone who assists in governing Wandao Academy can receive a 'Great Dao Reward'."

"A Great Dao Reward!"

The group, originally lacking interest, instantly changed their expressions, their eyes burning with heat.

"What exactly is this so-called Great Dao Reward?" Styx asked impatiently, a glint flashing in his eyes.

Laozi spread his hands and smiled: "I don't know exactly what it is. The true master of Wandao Academy is the Great Dao itself, and I, as the head of the academy, am, frankly speaking, just an executor."

"However," he changed the subject, "I think the rewards bestowed by the Great Dao won't be too bad."

"Then I'll join!" Nuwa immediately stated.

"I'll come too! Anyway, there's nothing to do back home, so I might as well stay and help you, Brother Taiqing, manage the academy," Dijiang said with a smile, patting Laozi on the shoulder.

Immediately after, the others also agreed one after another.

Laozi rolled his eyes, knowing clearly in his heart: these people were not enthusiastic about helping others at all? They were clearly here for the four words "Great Dao Reward." If it weren't for that, who would work for him for no reason?

"As expected, everyone is only here for the benefits!" Laozi sneered in his heart.

Time flowed, and a million years passed in the blink of an eye.

Hum—

In front of Wandao Academy, that Xuanhuang Divine Pillar standing between heaven and earth suddenly erupted with brilliant Xuanhuang light, so dazzling that all the living beings and cultivators present instinctively closed their eyes. When the light gradually faded and everyone opened their eyes again, they found that the Great Dao Heavenly Ladder leading directly to the sky had vanished without a trace, and even the Gate of Ten Thousand Daos had completely disappeared into the void.

"It... it's over!"

"I had clearly climbed to the two thousand one hundredth step. I just needed one more step to enter the Gate of Ten Thousand Daos, and now all my hard work has been in vain!"

"Brother, do you call that miserable? I climbed to the two thousand nine hundred and ninety-eighth step; I was just one step away, and then... damn!"

"Holy crap! Big brother, you're too intense, even more unlucky than me!"

The scene was in an uproar, with all kinds of states of being displayed. Some covered their faces and wept, grieving over the missed opportunity; some sighed and lamented, their faces full of unwillingness and disappointment; others had indifferent expressions, as they hadn't been qualified to step onto the ladder from the beginning, so naturally, they had no illusions about the subsequent assessment.