171: Research on the conflict and the "Taoist pollution" incident

The establishment of the "Cloud Study Research Alliance" and the internal competitions, while to some extent promoting information sharing and the exchange of methodologies (or perhaps, ways of arguing), inevitably brought about new problems—research activities were too dense and lacked unified coordination.

The Heavenly Secrets Pavilion's deduction Formation required drawing upon the Star Power of the heavens; the "Warning Grass" of Myriad Grass Valley relied on pure wood-element Spiritual Qi for nourishment; the "Dao Sound Listening" of the Thousand Illusions Sound and Rhythm Mansion required an absolutely quiet environment; while the "Physical Body Exploration" of the Fierce Beast Star Domain would erupt with intense Qi and blood fluctuations from time to time... These diverse, and even mutually conflicting, research activities were conducted simultaneously within the relatively narrow space on the periphery of the Cloud Court, and the resulting energy disturbances and information interference began to seriously affect each other's research.

Even worse, these varied research energies produced unpredictable mutual interference with the Logic Federation's relatively orderly detection fluctuations, which followed the "dao rhyme access protocol," and the Artifact Spirit Collective's spirit net, which was purely based on rule resonance.

At first, it was just small frictions. For example, the Star Power fluctuations from the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion would cause the "Warning Grass" in an area of Myriad Grass Valley to wither collectively; Disciples of the Sound and Rhythm Mansion complained that the roars of the Fierce Beast Star Domain warriors during training interfered with their "listening to the sounds of nature"; scientists from the Logic Federation found that the chaotic energy disturbances from the Holy Land Alliance seriously reduced the signal-to-noise ratio of the data they received from the "visitor network."

The various factions complained to each other, arguing endlessly at the "Cloud Study Seminar," each believing that the other's research method was "unscientific," "un-metaphysical," or "uncivilized," and that it interfered with their own exploration of the Dao.

However, the conflict finally erupted completely one day.

To verify a prophecy in "Sign Interpretation" about "Rule fusion, emergence of a major exotic treasure," the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion joined forces with several Holy Lands to set up a massive "Heavenly Star Spirit-Drawing Formation" on the border of the Cloud Court, attempting to forcibly gather and amplify the rule fluctuations in that area to "catalyze" a potentially existing "exotic treasure."

When the Formation was activated, starlight shone brightly, Laws roared, and the momentum was immense!

Almost at the same time, the Logic Federation's "Dao Rhyme Signal Transceiver Array" detected a sharp decline in the stability of the rules in that area and issued the highest-level alert! The spirit net of the Artifact Spirit Collective also experienced violent fluctuations, and many Artifact Spirit Creations fell into a brief state of "downtime" because they could not adapt to the suddenly chaotic rule environment. The "Warning Grass" of Myriad Grass Valley withered in large patches, and the Disciples of the Thousand Illusions Sound and Rhythm Mansion were dizzy from the violent rule noise.

"Nonsense! This is simply nonsense!" Dr. Li was so angry that he slammed the table in the control center of the "Eye of Logic." "They are tearing at the rules with brute force! This will trigger unpredictable chain reactions! It might even cause 'Dao Rhyme Pollution'!"

His worries soon became reality.

The energy gathered by that "Heavenly Star Spirit-Drawing Formation" was too complex and crude. It failed to "catalyze" any exotic treasure, but instead, like a stirrer in a cesspool, it completely muddied the rule "water body" of that area. Various conflicting energies and residual thoughts became entangled, forming an extremely unstable rule turbulence zone full of "noise" and "toxins," and it began to spread outward slowly!

Wherever this "Dao Rhyme Pollution Zone" passed, the Chaos Qi Flow became violent, subtle cracks appeared in the Void Realm, and even light became distorted. Several small Holy Land floating islands attached nearby were directly affected; their defensive Formations flickered, the Disciples on the islands felt agitated, and some even showed signs of cultivation regression!

"It's over! We've caused a huge disaster!" The Elder of the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion, who was presiding over the Formation, turned pale. He had not expected such serious consequences.

The interior of the Holy Land Alliance fell into chaos instantly, with everyone accusing each other and shirking responsibility.

The Logic Federation immediately sent an emergency report to the Cloud Court via the "visitor network" and strongly suggested taking purification measures immediately; otherwise, if the pollution spread, the consequences would be unimaginable.

The Artifact Spirit Collective, relying on its pure composition and the synergy of the spirit net, began to spontaneously move away from the polluted area and attempted to use the collective power of rule resonance to build a temporary "isolation zone" on the periphery of the pollution zone, but with little effect.

Just as things were in chaos, Long Qianyuan's figure appeared at the edge of the polluted area. He looked at the colorful, yet ominous-looking rule turbulence and frowned.

"I let you conduct research, not cause destruction!" he muttered, his tone quite dissatisfied.

He did not immediately start purification, but first found the culprits—those few Holy Land Leaders who were still passing the buck to each other.

"Speak up, what's going on?" Long Qianyuan crossed his arms and looked at them askance.

The Master of Heavenly Secrets Pavilion bit the bullet and explained what happened, finally defending himself: "Director Long, we were also eager to learn and wanted to contribute to understanding the Cloud Court Dao. We never intended to cause destruction!"

"Seeking knowledge? I think you're seeking death!" Long Qianyuan scolded unceremoniously. "If the Cloud Court Dao could be 'catalyzed' by your brute force, would it still be the Dao? That would be a radish in the field! You can pull it whenever you want?"

He pointed to the polluted area: "Look at the good work you've done! You've turned the rules into a pot of porridge! This is what you call understanding? This is called pollution!"

Several Holy Land Leaders were scolded until their faces turned red, and they were speechless.

"The Logic Federation sent a warning saying this is some 'Dao Rhyme Pollution' and suggested immediate purification." Long Qianyuan glanced at them. "This mess, you tell me, what should be done?"

The Master of Heavenly Secrets Pavilion gritted his teeth: "We are willing to do our best to make amends! Please, Director Long, instruct us on the method of purification!"

"Purification? That's easy to say." Long Qianyuan snorted. "This stuff is like ink dripping into clear water; it's very difficult to separate completely. Moreover, this thing was created by you, containing your distracting thoughts and conflicting energy. If outsiders force a purification, it might trigger secondary pollution."

He paused, looked at the few uneasy Leaders in front of him, and suddenly showed an unkind smile: "However, it's not without a way."

"Please, Director, enlighten us!"

"The one who tied the bell must untie it." Long Qianyuan said slowly, "This pollution arose from your research conflicts and contains your 'Dao' and 'thoughts.' The best way to purify it is to let you yourselves go in and 'comprehend'!"

"Go in... comprehend?" Several Leaders were stunned. The rules inside were chaotic, the energy was violent; wouldn't going in be seeking death?

"That's right!" Long Qianyuan nodded affirmatively. "It's not to let you use force to resist, but to let you use your hearts to feel, to sort out, and to understand this 'chaos' you created yourselves. When you can find 'order' again in this chaos, the pollution will naturally subside. This can be considered a... well, a 'field lesson' for your blind research."

After speaking, without waiting for the Leaders to react, he waved his hand, and an invisible force swept up the Master of Heavenly Secrets Pavilion, the Master of Wan Cao Gu, and other main responsible persons, directly throwing them into the colorful "Dao Rhyme Pollution Zone"!

"Comprehend well! Don't come out until you've understood it thoroughly!" Long Qianyuan's voice sounded from outside.

As soon as the Leaders entered the pollution zone, they felt the world spinning. Various chaotic rules and distracting thoughts impacted their minds like a tide, making them miserable. But they dared not use their power to resist; they could only remember Long Qianyuan's words and try their best to calm down, to feel, and to sort out this "nightmare" they had created with their own hands.

The Logic Federation and the Artifact Spirit Collective monitored that the core energy fluctuations in the pollution zone began to change. Although still chaotic, the disorderly expansion trend seemed to have been curbed.

Dr. Li looked at the data, thoughtful: "Let the pollution creators go in to understand and sort it out themselves... Perhaps this is truly the most essential and thorough way of purification?"

After handling this, Long Qianyuan looked toward the directions of the "Eye of Logic" and the Artifact Spirit Collective.

"And you, don't just stand by and watch." He transmitted his voice, "This is a lesson, remember it for me! Research is fine, but don't cause destruction! Whoever dares to mess around again and pollute the environment, next time it won't be as simple as just 'comprehending the Dao'!"

The "Eye of Logic" and the Artifact Spirit Collective immediately sent back rule fluctuations indicating "received" and "understood."

An "Dao Rhyme Pollution" incident triggered by a research conflict was thus temporarily controlled by Long Qianyuan in this almost childish, yet direct-to-the-source way. And the several Holy Land Leaders thrown into the pollution zone began the longest and most painful "retreat to comprehend the Dao" of their lives.

In the Star Gazing Hall, Yun Feng felt the turmoil outside subside and nodded slightly.

"Blocking is not as good as diverting, and punishment is also education. Qianyuan's action is acceptable."

His gaze swept over the still colorful pollution zone and the several Leaders struggling within it.

"In the midst of chaos, the truth may be seen. Let's see how much they can comprehend."

In the Pond, the Golden Koi spat a bubble toward the direction of the pollution zone. Light and shadow swirled inside the bubble, vaguely forming a comical image of several Leaders scratching their heads in the chaotic rules, and then it burst with a "pop."

It seemed to find it very interesting and spat several similar bubbles one after another, as if "broadcasting" the embarrassing situation in the pollution zone in real-time.