Cultivation: When you take things to the extreme

“What kind of program could actually get him to come?”

“The Wandao School lecture… Well then!”

Although he had decided to give up, upon seeing his idol take the stage, the youth straightened up.

“True Monarch!”

The female host looked at Chu Nan, her eyes smiling yet her words sharp: “Our Wandao School has managed the world for nearly three thousand years. According to the latest population statistics, the world’s population has reached a number of thirty billion. What are your views on this, True Monarch?”

Chu Nan smiled, his words calm: “This world is vast and boundless, and our Wandao School possesses numerous Taoist arts and crafts, forming a system that meets production and livelihood needs. Not to mention thirty billion, even a trillion, this world can accommodate them, and the Wandao School can bear the weight.”

The female host nodded: “Then, in True Monarch’s view, Wandao School’s population development strategy will not change in the short term?”

“At least there will not be any restrictive changes, after all, using fake cultivation skills is about putting people first.”

Chu Nan said with a smile: “As for the rest, the heavens are unpredictable, and I dare not make reckless conclusions.”

“Thank you for clearing up our doubts, True Monarch.”

The female host continued: “The second question, there have been long-standing rumors that a hundred years ago on the shores of the East Sea, the sky shattered and a red star fell like blood, leaving a Heaven Injury Demon Scar above the high skies of the East Sea, which was later sealed by the Wandao School. Is there any truth to this, or is it just a case of three men making a tiger?”

“The Red Star of the East Sea, Heaven Injury Demon Scar!”

As the host raised this question, Ye Bai sat up even straighter, watching Chu Nan intently with a tense look in his eyes.

A hundred years ago, there was a rumor on the internet that a red star had fallen into the day on the shores of the East Sea.

The red star was like blood, especially ominous, breaking the sky of the East Sea and falling into this world, leaving behind a Heaven Injury Demon Scar.

At that time, there were some who spread the word that this red star was a demon star, similar to the great demon Pudu Cihang who started the world-ending calamity three thousand years ago, coming from the outer Demon Realm and certain to bring an enormous calamity.

Such rumors spread quickly, soon stirring up a storm on the internet and causing an uproar in reality.

Although the Wandao School eventually stepped in and quelled the disturbance, it remained an indelible memory on the internet, with people constantly bringing it up again and again.

Ye Bai understood this very well.

The Wandao School had been governing the world for three thousand years, and peace had indeed lasted for a long time. Even though the Wandao School had organized various competitive events to stimulate competition, the problems of domestic and external demand could not be solved by competition alone.

People’s hearts were the same, having been at peace for too long the passion had dwindled, like still water unmoving.

Many people craved excitement, to break this unchanging life.

Thus, such rumors had a market.

It was only because the authority of the Wandao School was iron-clad, with absolute ruling and controlling power that these kinds of rumors could not explode like a rolling snowball, creating an apocalyptic theory of a “Demon Realm invasion bringing disaster to the world,” which would gain a large following of believers and supporters.

Even though the Wandao School had dispelled this incident, every once in a while, someone would bring it up, and even use it as a gimmick for some internet programs to spice up the dull life.

The Wandao School did not pay much attention to this, and over time, everyone simply took it as entertainment.

But now it seems… things might not be so simple.

It was one thing for people to bring up old stories on the internet, but now the Wandao School itself, as an official entity, had brought up this issue, and even invited an influential True Monarch to the stage.

This…

Ye Bai felt a vague unease in his heart.

Looking at the television again, Chu Nan’s expression was also serious.

“I must apologize here, on behalf of Wandao School, to everyone in the world,” said Chu Nan.

Facing the camera, Chu Nan continued solemnly, “The descent of the demon star and the scars it left upon the realm do exist, and they are not hearsay. Back then, Wandao School sealed the news because we did not want to incite widespread panic and disturb the global situation, affecting the grand course of events.”

“This…”

The female host was likewise stunned upon hearing this.

With an unchanged expression, Chu Nan said, “That demon star is not an ordinary celestial body, but of the demon kind. Because its origin was unknown at the time, we could only seal the news to prevent chaos in the world.”

“So it is.”

Having regained her composure, the female host repeatedly asked, “Then is the Red Star truly a demon star?”

“Indeed!”

Chu Nan nodded, “This star bears ill omen, transforming into evil demons upon touching the ground. Our school made great efforts to suppress it and, upon researching it afterward, found that such demon creatures are extremely cunning, belonging to a category of external demons.”

“External Demons!?”

The female host asked solemnly, “Then the Heaven Injury Demon Scar it left behind…”

“Is connected to the external realms!”

Chu Nan nodded and explained, “The demon star is extremely cunning. Our research at the school is still in its infancy, and there isn’t much information available, but it is certain that there are other similar demon monsters in that world.”

“Therefore, we must make the worst assumptions that it constitutes a world of demons, and that such beings capable of breaking through realms are not few in number, but many, and could launch an attack on our world at any moment.”

“Therefore…”

Chu Nan calmly addressed the camera, “A hundred years ago, Wandao School internally entered first level combat readiness. Now that the information is officially disclosed, it’s time for a comprehensive mobilization for combat readiness.”

“In the near future, various regulatory measures will be rolled out, such as increasing the number of daily tasks in the Divine Domain world, adjustments to the taxation of industries related to Mana Money, Spirit Stones, Magic Artifacts, and Talisman production, as well as controls over medicinal pills, Spirit Rice, and other cultivation resources. This will include both price increases and decreases. For detailed content, wait for the official announcement, which everyone can learn about for themselves.”

“Among the most important are the Luotian Dajiao and the Ascension affairs. The frequency of Luotian Dajiao will change from once every two years to annually, and the assessment for the Heavenly Master title will be suspended. All those who are enhanced by the Luotian Dajiao and advance to the Nascent Soul Realm, unless nearing the end of their lifespan, will be strictly forbidden from Ascension and must stay for combat readiness in the school.”

“The Heavenly Craftsmanship Institute, Yin Mountain Mansion, and all subordinate branches are to fully commit to production, activate maximum capacity, and produce Spirit-Treasure Mech Armor and Ghost God Mech Armor as efficiently as possible. Also, all civilian-owned mechas must be recorded for the combat readiness force and be ready for conscription at any time.”

“Wandao School, various Scholar’s Palaces, and civilian groups, including Loose Cultivators, all Cultivators who have reached Foundation Establishment will be listed as reserve military forces, ready for conscription at any time. No person shall be permitted to dodge or resist conscription for any reason, by any means, or else they will be treated the same as allied demons!”

“Wandao School, from top to bottom, including all branch Scholar’s Palaces, will now officially enter first level combat readiness as a wartime stronghold core, and comprehensively strengthen city Formations.”

“The East Sea is designated as a battlefield and completely sealed off. It will be guarded by the school’s three major mechas, and each branch Scholar’s Palace will have authority to independently form mecha teams. At the same time, mecha support projects will be established; both civilian groups and private Loose Cultivators will receive certain resource aid for assembling a Spirit-Treasure Mech Armor.”

“Launching a combat readiness credit and merit system, regardless of whether or not one is enrolled in Wandao School or its branches, as long as one contributes to the combat readiness production, they will gain combat readiness credits and merit rewards, which can be exchanged for various Spiritual Objects, as well as qualification for entry into Wandao School, eligibility for Cave Mansion, and professional title assessments.”

“Shennong Main School is initiating full-scale conscription…”