The Master of All-Heavens Systems

Chapter 60: Unstained by the Mud

"Steward Yin once mentioned that a grandmaster must articulate their Dao to the heavens and earth when seeking enlightenment."Li Yu looked up at the sky and took a deep breath."This tribulation is due to the Azure Lotus Emperor Weapon, representing this world's rejection of foreign objects. But if I articulate a Dao that resonates with the power of the Azure Lotus Emperor Weapon and aligns with this world's rules, could the tribulation transform into an enlightenment tribulation?""Even if it doesn't, channeling power in accordance with this world's rules might allow me to fully unleash the power of the Azure Lotus Emperor Weapon and the Demon Emperor's Heart."With this thought, Li Yu made up his mind. No matter what, it was better than sitting idly by."Boom! Boom!"The sky thundered, its immense might intimidating all of creation.Facing the roaring thunder, Li Yu stood tall and began to recite a majestic piece."Of water, the flowers of herbs and trees are abundant and beautiful. The people of Jin loved chrysanthemums. The people of Tang cherished peonies. As for me, I love the lotus that emerges unsullied from the mud, cleansed in clear ripples, straight inside and out, without sprawling vines or branches, its fragrance spreading afar, upright and pure, to be admired from a distance but not to be trifled with.""Chrysanthemums are the hermits of flowers; peonies are the noble flowers; lotuses are the gentlemen among flowers. Alas! The love for chrysanthemums has faded, who shares my love for the lotus? The love for peonies is widespread."This was the "Ode to the Lotus," a modified version suitable for this world, where similar countries of Jin and Tang existed, and the territory of Cangwu Academy, belonging to the Chu state, was abundant with water and lotus flowers.At first, Li Yu's recitation was entirely drowned out by the thunder, unable to be heard.But as he recited the second time, the Azure Lotus Emperor Weapon suddenly radiated brilliant light, and the Demon Emperor's Heart in the resource library pulsed violently.Li Yu sensed something and quickly took out the Demon Emperor's Heart.Once extracted, the heart flew out of his hand and landed in the core of the Azure Lotus Emperor Weapon."Clang!"A sound like a grand bell rang out, and boundless light erupted."Of water, the flowers of herbs and trees..."In this brilliant light, Li Yu's recitation of the "Ode to the Lotus" began to undergo a mystical transformation.As Li Yu recited, the Azure Lotus Emperor Weapon and the Demon Emperor's Heart resonated, seemingly stirred by his words.The verses praising the noble and upright nature of the lotus appeared to touch both the Emperor Weapon and the Heart. In Li Yu's recitation, their resonance unleashed an earth-shattering power.A dazzling, moon-white beam of light shot up from the core of the lotus, standing tall between heaven and earth like a celestial pillar."Boom!"The next bolt of thunder struck.The resonance between the Azure Lotus Emperor Weapon and the Demon Emperor's Heart unleashed a formidable force. As the thunder crashed down, the celestial pillar stood firm, unaffected."Huh?"Li Yu was slightly surprised. "Even if I unleashed all my power, it shouldn't be this strong. It seems the tribulation's power has weakened.""System prompt: The user's recitation conforms to the Dao articulation rules of this world. The tribulation has transformed from an annihilation tribulation to an enlightenment tribulation.""It worked!"Hearing the system prompt, Li Yu was overjoyed. His desperate measure had unexpectedly succeeded."Emerging unsullied from the mud..."With newfound confidence, Li Yu recited with even more vigor.As he recited, the resonance between the Azure Lotus Emperor Weapon and the Demon Emperor's Heart grew stronger, and the celestial pillar of light shone even brighter, illuminating the entire sky.Despite the thick clouds and roaring thunder above, the celestial pillar stood tall, its pure light unwavering and steadfast, noble and upright, fearless and unyielding."Boom! Boom! Boom!"The thunder struck one after another, each bolt crashing down with overwhelming force. It seemed intent on shattering the pillar, on extinguishing the radiance. Yet, despite the relentless storm, the pillar remained unbroken."Noble and upright, unwavering integrity. Excellent, excellent."Seeing the pillar standing firm amidst the thunderstorm, the old Confucian scholar watching the tribulation nodded in approval."When the light shone brightly earlier, it must have been when the individual articulated their Dao. But will the heavens and earth acknowledge their Dao and grant them the supreme realm?"Meanwhile, the sloppy Daoist paused mid-bite, the chicken leg in his hand forgotten as he stared at the sky. The gaunt old monk in the temple also stared unblinking, his chanting halted. In the grand hall, the demon emperor silently held his wine cup, awaiting the final outcome.Cangwu Academy fell into a hushed silence, everyone looking up at the sky.When the light shone brightly, they all knew that the one undergoing tribulation had articulated their Dao and made a vow of enlightenment.Now, it depended on whether their Dao would be acknowledged by the heavens and earth.If acknowledged, the remaining three bolts of lightning would be a baptism. If not, they would be a deadly trial.At this moment, everyone across the land awaited the outcome.If another supreme grandmaster emerged among the human race, it would undoubtedly alter the balance of power.A new supreme grandmaster would deter the alien demons from acting recklessly. For the entire human race, this would be a monumental blessing. For the alien demons, however, it was far from good news.Thus, Li Yu's tribulation captured the attention of countless beings across the land. In all the human nations and the wild regions, whether human or demon, everyone awaited the final result.Time passed slowly.The thunder continued to roll, its power neither increasing nor decreasing, remaining unchanged."What's happening?"Everyone watching this scene was puzzled.After articulating their Dao, if acknowledged, the thunder's power would diminish sharply. If not acknowledged, it would intensify. Never had they seen a tribulation remain unchanged."Could this person be failing in their enlightenment?"All the humans watching clenched their fists, cold sweat dripping, while the alien demons felt a glimmer of hope."Of water, the flowers of herbs and trees..."Just when everyone was at a loss, a vast voice echoed through the heavens and earth.It was the sound of reciting a text.The powerful recitation resonated throughout the world, heard across the skies."It's done! It's done! It's done!""Ha ha ha, Heaven bless the human race!""This is the proclamation of Dao enlightenment. The heavens and earth have acknowledged his Dao and are proclaiming it to the world.""Quick, write it down. This is the enlightenment proclamation of a supreme grandmaster. Record it quickly!""Ha ha, indeed, he is one of our Confucian scholars. Excellent, excellent!"Hearing this voice, all the human nations across the land erupted in celebration. The alien demons fell silent, speechless."Emerging unsullied from the mud, cleansed in clear ripples... the lotus is the gentleman among flowers."The proclamation of Dao enlightenment continued to echo through the skies.