The Daoist Academy Decree states that whenever disciples engage in an ultimate conflict, they must request a Golden Book Decree from the Law Enforcement Hall, then both parties draw seals with blood before they can begin.
The victor then uses the Golden Book Decree to enter the Law Enforcement Hall, activate the Grand Array, and take all from the loser's Cave Mansion.
This is the "Ultimate Conflict Process" as stipulated by the Daoist Academy.
Everything Gu Yuan said is backed by the rules.
It leaves no room for criticism.
And all of this is within his calculations.
He understood that he had no connection with the Golden Core Ascendant, and if the truth of his entry into the sect were known, it would surely bring many troubles.
Moreover, because of the dispute over the Cave Mansion, he had offended the Lan Family and might have also angered Qiu Mingshan.
Therefore, he needed to find a new "backer."
This "backer" is the Daoist Academy Decree!
The Cyan Peak Daoist School is a major sect. The difference between major and minor sects is that minor sects are governed by people, while major sects are governed by law.
The Cyan Peak Daoist School has over ten thousand disciples, with territories covering a vast Great Marsh, thousands of islands, and countless mortals. Such an extensive domain naturally requires "law and order," otherwise, it would be difficult to manage such a major sect.
With law, there is order, and with order, one can utilize it to ensure one's own growth.
In ordinary minor sects, a Foundation Establishment cultivator might be an elder or sect leader, their words and actions akin to decrees; a common Qi Refining disciple would have no power to resist at all.
However, Cyan Peak Daoist School is different. While Foundation Establishment disciples are not innumerable, they are quite common, so within the academy, Foundation Establishment Cultivators are also constrained by the academy's decree and cannot act recklessly.
This is also the reason the academy promulgated the decree.
In the academy, there are many Foundation Establishment cultivators, and noble families abound. Without strict laws, would it not mean that they could freely oppress humble lineage disciples, and over time, would the academy not become a stagnant pool, foul and malodorous?
With the decree, though it might not eliminate the resource gap between noble families and humble lineages, it at least ensures the stable cultivation of ordinary disciples.
Just this point is extremely commendable.
Previously, Fire Dragon Child envied Gu Yuan for entering the Cyan Peak Daoist School, "stability" being a very important reason.
In this world, finding a place to cultivate stably is exceptionally difficult.
The light spots in the Demon Star Cave, silver with gold, are not without reason.
Gu Yuan knew this point clearly and thus felt no panic.
Though the Lan Family is powerful, it cannot crush him with thunder momentum.
Once he grows stronger, there will be time to reckon with this matter.
Today, when Lan Tianlu unexpectedly arrived, Gu Yuan not only kept his composure but was even curious upon seeing him come alone, which prompted him to provoke Lan Tianlu with the "Three Techniques."
Sure enough, Lan Tianlu couldn't bear it, acted directly, choosing the method of ultimate conflict.
This confirmed Gu Yuan's suspicion.
"The Lan Family might be unaware of the Four Spirits Jade Pillar matter, or they cannot provide Lan Tianlu with support!"
"So Lan Tianlu could only choose ultimate conflict, hoping to kill me while I am weak and seize the Spiritual Flood Dragon Celestial Water!"
With this thought, Gu Yuan felt even more at ease, so he decided to play along and see the means of the noble family's disciples in magical combat, to prepare for future confrontations.
Upon testing, indeed, the Dharma Seal cultivated previously was inferior to the legacy of major sect noble families.
With no other choice, Gu Yuan could only activate the Grand Array to directly suppress Lan Tianlu.
...
...
"Master Uncle, this person has no Golden Book Decree, and both parties lack blood seals as evidence, how can this be considered ultimate conflict?"
"This disciple was favored by Elder Fox to enter the sect by chance, having just converted cultivation techniques, and has not yet learned any Superior Dharma Seal, must I endure such oppression?"
Gu Yuan's voice carried a tone of indignation and anger, appearing deeply aggrieved.
"Despicable! Despicable!"
"You invited me to the ultimate conflict, and now you don't keep your word!"
"Let me out, and I will surely kill you!"
Beside him, Lan Tianlu, upon hearing Gu Yuan's "grieved" voice, was so furious that his lungs nearly exploded, realizing that he had fallen into Gu Yuan's trap.
The other party intentionally provoked him with words, just to lure him into action, so he could use the Grand Array to suppress him.
Disciples from minor sects are truly despicable!
Yet, despite knowing this, he had no solution because he couldn't wait any longer.
If Gu Yuan were to seize the "Spiritual Flood Dragon Celestial Water" first, he would have utterly lost the upper hand, so as soon as Gu Yuan mentioned the ultimate conflict, he couldn't wait to act, hoping to reclaim everything.
Little did he expect that Gu Yuan had foreseen everything.
With the Cave Mansion's Grand Array as support, even if Lan Tianming personally came, he couldn't commit murder within the sect.
"Which elder is Elder Fox? Could it be Elder Fox from Jade Pot Peak?"
The elder from the Law Enforcement Hall, with keen hearing, immediately picked up on the key terms in Gu Yuan's words.
"It is indeed Elder Fox from Jade Pot Peak!"
Gu Yuan cupped his hands.
Having perused the Scriptures Pavilion, he had roughly figured out the noble families and the power lines of the Cyan Peak Daoist School and knew that the Golden Core who had introduced him was the Peak Master of Jade Pot Peak, Sword Fox Immortal.
"Are you the lucky one who solved the mystery of Elder Fox's female disciple's death?"
The elder, being a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, was well-informed and quickly comprehended.
"The disciple was merely fortunate!"
Gu Yuan no longer concealed, responding with cupped hands.
The elder pondered for a moment.
He too came from a humble lineage and was naturally dissatisfied with the noble family disciples of the academy. Now that Gu Yuan's actions adhered strictly to the decree and were without fault, being also introduced by a Golden Core, he immediately knew how to handle this matter.
"Hidden Flood Dragon Institute disciple, Lan Tianlu, attacked a fellow disciple without cause, fined twenty Spirit Stones and serve time in the White Worm Cold Prison contemplating for half a month!"
"Remember, the academy forbids private duels. If there's any dissatisfaction, come to the Law Enforcement Hall to obtain a Golden Book Decree!"
The elder waved his large sleeve, passing judgment on the spot.
The dazzling array pattern in front of Gu Yuan's Cave Mansion immediately extinguished and calmed, and the force suppressing Lan Tianlu also quietly dissipated.
But before he could react, cyan vines, as if shadowing his movement, thoroughly bound him.
"Let…"
Fury rumbled in his throat but was constrained, making it impossible for Lan Tianlu to utter any sound, glaring at Gu Yuan with blazing eyes.
"What, are you dissatisfied with the Law Enforcement Hall's decision?"
"Why not promptly hand over the Spirit Stones and follow me to the White Worm Cold Prison?"
The elder's gaze lowered, coldly looking at Lan Tianlu.
Lan Tianlu took deep breaths and forcibly suppressed his anger, opening his Storage Bag and allowing the elder to take out twenty Spirit Stones.
"The Law Enforcement Hall's fines are divided equally with the victim; take these ten Spirit Stones!"
The elder took the Spirit Stones, simultaneously waving lightly, sending ten Spirit Stones into Gu Yuan's palm.
Upon hearing the word "victim," Lan Tianlu's eyes turned red, as if he wished to devour someone.
Yet the elder merely waved his large sleeve, disappearing from Gu Yuan's Cave Mansion, taking him along.
Watching the two disappearing figures and the ten Spirit Stones in his hand, Gu Yuan couldn't help but shake his head and chuckle softly.
Lan Tianlu lacked deep scheming, his cultivation wasn't high, and the Lan Family seemingly hadn't invested their resources and focus on him.
He wasn't a deadly enemy.
Gu Yuan didn't concern himself with him.
Their conflict was already decided when Gu Yuan, with the momentum of a Golden Core, overcame the Lan Family to claim this Cave Mansion.
But Lan Tianlu's pestering and obstruction were just a reflection of the obstacles on the cultivation path.
Wealth, partner, technique, location, these four words all entail struggle!
To climb higher and farther on the path of cultivation, such situations will be innumerable in the future.
And Gu Yuan can't always suppress others with power; the academy's decrees aren't a life-saving token.
He must quickly enhance himself.
"Fortunately, right now, there's a perfect opportunity!"
Fiddling with the Spirit Stones in his hand, Gu Yuan chuckled lightly and then stepped into the Cave Mansion, closed the stone door, and began his seclusion.