153: Certification Storm and "Simplicity is the Ultimate Sophistication" Assessment

The golden signboard of "Cloud Court Certified Model Plane" was like cold water dropped into a boiling oil pot, instantly igniting the ultimate internal competition among all planes involved in the transformation. Planes that received certification naturally enjoyed boundless glory, with resources and prestige pouring in, but this was accompanied by even more frantic and costly pursuit from other planes.

The experiences of the "Top Ten Model Planes" were repeatedly studied, dissected, imitated, and even… 魔改 (drastically altered).

The Xuanhuang Great World strayed further and further down the path of a "land of etiquette." Nowadays, when Cultivators meet, they not only recite "Heavenly Dao rewards diligence" but also perform one hundred and eight different bowing gestures for various occasions, a complexity that makes one's scalp tingle. Mortals trading not only profess "integrity as the foundation" but also have to sign contract scrolls blessed by eighty-one Heavenly Dao oaths, causing transaction costs to skyrocket.

The Fierce Beast Star Domain tasted the sweetness of "freedom under rules" and began to formulate increasingly detailed "fighting regulations," ranging from Move restrictions and venue specifications to post-match medical mutual aid clauses. It was a thick book comparable to a legal code, making Savage Bone himself dizzy just looking at it.

The Mind Realm (originally the Succubus Plane) further refined and standardized "emotional value services," developing hundreds of different "emotional packages" such as "joy," "serenity," and "progress," and even implementing a "membership Rank system," out-competing other planes to an unreachable extent.

Even more, some planes began to take extreme approaches. One plane exhausted its resources, imitating the pond behind the Cloud Court Star Observation Hall, and forcefully dug a "small Heavenly Pond" within its own realm, raising a few carefully selected "Spirit Carp" infused with Origin Spiritual Qi, hoping they would spit out bubbles carrying Dao Rhyme every day. Another plane, with the power of its entire realm, collected various rare divine metals to replicate the stone table and stone stools, but because it could not comprehend the internal "definition" Law, the things it created only had the form without any spiritual essence, becoming a laughing stock.

This frantic internal competition, launched for "certification," gradually deviated from the original intention of "order and harmony," becoming ostentatious, cumbersome, and even somewhat distorted. Resources were largely wasted on formalism and ineffective comparisons, causing immense suffering to lower-level Cultivators and Mortals.

This unhealthy trend naturally spread to the Cloud Court's periphery.

Long Qianyuan looked at the increasingly absurd "transformation achievement" reports from various places and the warehouses filled with flashy and impractical "certification application gifts," finally realizing the seriousness of the problem.

"Chief Steward Nie, this can't go on!" Long Qianyuan found Nie Li, his face full of worry. "If they keep competing like this, I'm afraid one day they'll pluck the stars from their own planes and embed them in plaques for certification! This completely deviates from Revered Master's original intention of 'Dao follows nature'!".

Nie Li put down the Jade Slip in his hand and said calmly, "Court Master anticipated this long ago. He said that extreme prosperity inevitably leads to illusion. He wants you to handle it yourself."

"Handle it myself... how?" Long Qianyuan scratched his head. "Should I cancel the certification? Those guys would explode."

He pondered for a long time, and his eyes suddenly lit up.

"I've got it! Since they like to compete and engage in formalities, I'll give them an ultimate assessment! I'll test them to see if they truly understand the 'Cloud Court spirit'!".

A few days later, Long Qianyuan issued another announcement, declaring that the "Cloud Court Certification Ultimate Assessment" would be held. All certified and pre-certified planes must send representatives to participate. The assessment method would be a live Q&A, with Court Master Long Qianyuan personally posing the questions.

As soon as the news broke, the heavens shook! All planes became nervous, speculating what this "ultimate assessment" would test. Would it be profound Dao principles? Complex governance strategies? Or an understanding of the Lord of the Cloud Court's preferences?

On the day of the assessment, the main hall of the Cloud Court's outer exchange center was packed. Representatives from over a hundred planes sat upright, their expressions solemn, as if awaiting the judgment of fate. Long Qianyuan sat high on the main seat, flanked by the expressionless Nie Li and a group of Holy Land Leaders as witnesses.

"Everyone," Long Qianyuan cleared his throat and surveyed those below, "Cloud Court certification, at its core, is about 'Dao follows nature' and 'order and harmony.' Today's assessment will only ask three questions; I hope you answer truthfully."

Everyone held their breath, concentrating.

"First question," Long Qianyuan slowly began, "In your realm today, are there still instances of unwarranted bullying of the weak, or wanton plunder and slaughter?"

As soon as the question was asked, most representatives breathed a sigh of relief and eagerly vied to answer:

"Absolutely not! Our realm has strict Laws and flourishing morality; it has long been eradicated!"

"Our realm rarely even has verbal disputes, let alone bullying and slaughter!"

"In our realm, nothing is picked up from the road, doors are not locked at night, and everyone is a gentleman!"

Long Qianyuan made no comment and continued with the second question: "Do Cultivators in your realm still feel lost about their path, find resources scarce, and competition cruel?"

The representatives once again scrambled to answer:

"Resource distribution in our realm is fair; everyone has a chance to advance!"

"Our realm's Dao is public, Seniors teach without reservation, and juniors are humble and eager to learn. How could there be confusion or cruelty?"

"In our realm, cultivation is a joy!"

Long Qianyuan remained expressionless and asked the final question: "If, at this moment, all the red tape established for 'certification' in your realm were stripped away, all the flashy scenic buildings removed, and all welfare resources beyond your capacity withdrawn, allowing your realm to return to its most fundamental and simple state of order... could the beings in your realm still live with peace of mind and composure?"

The third question was like a clap of thunder, resounding throughout the entire hall!

All the representatives instantly fell silent, their confident smiles frozen, and a hint of panic flashed in their eyes.

Stripping away everything added for "certification"? Returning to the most fundamental order?

Would the Xuanhuang Great World's complex etiquette still be needed? Would the Fierce Beast Star Domain's thick book of fighting regulations still be enforced? Would the Mind Realm's various emotional packages still be provided?

What would be the meaning of those "small Heavenly Ponds" and "replica stone stools" built with exhaustive resources?

If these were gone, what would remain of their so-called "Cloud Court transformation"? Were the lower-level Cultivators and Mortals truly as "happy and prosperous" as they reported? Or had they long been overwhelmed, merely concealed by superficial prosperity?

A deathly silence fell over the hall. Many representatives broke out in a sweat, their eyes darting, not daring to meet Long Qianyuan's gaze. They suddenly realized that the vigorous "transformations" within their realms seemed to have... truly deviated from their direction, becoming a frantic race for 虛名 (empty fame) and profit.

Long Qianyuan looked at the dead silence below, understanding. He sighed, his tone no longer lighthearted:

"It seems you all understand."

"What the Cloud Court wants has never been the most complex etiquette, the most comprehensive regulations, the most flashy services, or even 'small Heavenly Ponds' and 'replica stone stools.'"

"What the Cloud Court wants is merely 'peace of mind.'"

"To ensure the strong do not bully the weak, the weak have support, cultivation has a path forward, and life has hope. Rules are simple and effective, all beings find their place, and their hearts are peaceful and content. This is 'Dao follows nature,' and this is 'order and harmony.'"

"External forms are merely icing on the cake; if the priorities are reversed, and even lead to burdens and illusions, then one has gone astray."

He stood up, his gaze sweeping over everyone:

"Today's assessment, no plane passed."

"All issued 'Model Plane' certifications are temporarily retained, but you must re-examine yourselves, remove the dross, and return to your true nature. One year from now, there will be a re-evaluation. If you remain obsessed with form, the certification will be revoked!"

"Uncertified planes should also use this as a standard, and no longer waste resources on superficial efforts."

Long Qianyuan's words were like a mighty bell, striking the heart of every representative. There was no reprimand, no punishment, yet it was more humiliating than any punishment.

The representatives left in silence, their backs reflecting introspection and heaviness.

The news spread, causing immense ideological upheaval throughout the myriad worlds. Many planes began to profoundly reflect, setting about simplifying unnecessary regulations, dismantling flashy buildings, and reallocating resources to ensure basic order and the well-being of the populace.

A wave of ostentation triggered by "certification" was finally brought to a halt by Long Qianyuan's "Dao of simplicity" three questions.

In the Star Gazing Hall, Yun Feng listened to Nie Li's report and nodded slightly.

"That child, 潛淵 (Qianyuan), finally said something sensible."

He fed the koi, watching the fish swim leisurely in the water, and murmured softly:

"Simple, that's good."