Chapter 901: Justification by Faith, Re-mentioning Propagation

Returning to the Study, Xia Duo woke up Yatewude, who was still immersed in the state of interacting with Nature. Only after he returned to his seat did he continue:

"Regarding the Nature Response, I have already gained some understanding. So now, Elder Yatewude, can you tell me when you will be able to perceive the Natural Holy Power?"

Under the gaze of Xia Duo's expectant eyes, Yatewude revealed a bitter smile: "My Lord, this is a question I find difficult to answer."

"Although I have already received a Nature Response, I have no certainty at all about whether I can perceive the Holy Power. Perhaps I could perceive it the next moment, or perhaps I might never perceive it in this lifetime."

Hearing this answer, Xia Duo could not help but knit his brows. This was not the answer he wanted, so he asked: "Then what do you feel is still missing?"

Yatewude thought for a moment and replied thoughtfully: "Perhaps some rituals are still missing."

"Rituals?"

Mentioning this, Xia Duo immediately recalled the scene of Yatewude kneeling and praying before him just moments ago. Those were the rituals and norms Yatewude had brought over from the Golden Oak Branch Order, which had even transformed into his instincts.

The Priests of the Lord of Radiance naturally also had many rituals and norms; Xia Duo had some understanding of these, but in his view, the function of these rituals and norms was quite limited.

There is a saying on Earth called "Justification by Faith," which was originally a slogan proposed during a reformation of a certain religion on Earth. It stated that only true faith could reach the divine and attain Jiusu, and all other external forms were unimportant.

Xia Duo himself certainly did not believe in these things. After all, in his view, a god that could neither be verified nor falsified could be treated as if it did not exist.

However, here, the objective entity formed by the New Nature Philosophy seems to exist. Whether It is a god or some other kind of existence, Xia Duo is not certain.

But clearly, what significance would external forms have for such an existence?

Is it the ritual that creates the Holy Power, or does the ritual assist faith in perceiving the Holy Power? Xia Duo undoubtedly leaned more toward the latter.

Therefore, upon hearing Yatewude mention rituals, he instinctively thought of opposing it. However, since Yatewude had brought it up, Xia Duo did not want to appear too direct, so he proposed:

"Rituals can exist, but they must be as simple as possible. Anything related to the Golden Oak Branch Order or the Elves must not be brought in at all. Furthermore, be cautious with rituals related to other gods; it is best not to involve them."

"Yes, my Lord." Although Yatewude was very puzzled by this, he still agreed.

Seeing this, Xia Duo nodded with satisfaction. Rashly canceling all rituals might not be a good thing; at the very least, it would leave Yatewude, who was accustomed to various rituals and norms, feeling at a loss.

As for the others, literacy education in Daxia Territory has been going on for less than half a year, and the constant influx of new residents has greatly lowered the literacy rate.

If they cannot even recognize a few characters, how can they talk about knowing the world? And how can they talk about understanding the New Nature Philosophy?

Xia Duo could almost guess the scene when his people listened to Yatewude preaching the New Nature Philosophy; he estimated that apart from a few who might understand, most would likely be wearing blank expressions.

But the same words, as long as they are spoken hundreds or thousands of times, can at least bring them a relatively universal basic cognition, which is: "Nature gives birth to all things, and all things are Nature!"

This has no impact on normal production, life, or study, but once they encounter debates from Elves regarding Nature, they will instinctively develop a sense of resistance.

This is the struggle of ideology.

Seemingly invisible, yet far-reaching in its influence.

As for the "Natural Druid" born on the foundation of the New Nature Philosophy, it can only be said to be a bonus.

Having one is certainly good, and if not, one can endure it, but the spread of the New Nature Philosophy cannot stop because of this, as this is an important policy for resisting the spiritual colonization of the Elves.

It is just that, without the corroboration of a Natural Druid, the 【New Nature Philosophy】 is naturally a step below the 【Elven Natural Theory】.

If an Elf just says, "My theory is the truth because I have Druids at home," Xia Duo would not know how to refute it.

Therefore, Xia Duo attaches great importance to both the spread of the New Nature Philosophy and the birth of Natural Druids.

After continuing to talk with Yatewude for a while about the topic of the New Nature Philosophy, Xia Duo already had the intention of seeing his guest out. However, just at this moment, Yatewude mentioned again a question he had already brought up several times before:

"My Lord, after perceiving the Natural Holy Power, I want to go to Seventon to spread the New Nature Philosophy!"

Xia Duo felt a headache as soon as he heard this question. Yatewude had brought it up several times before, but each time he had used the excuse that the other party had not yet perceived the Holy Power to brush it off.

But now, in a situation where he has already received a Nature Response and perceiving the Holy Power has become possible, Yatewude has once again ignited the idea of going to Seventon.

However, this time, Xia Duo could no longer use the excuse of perceiving the Holy Power to reply to him, because this time Yatewude really might perceive the Holy Power soon.

Should he just let him leave when the time comes?

Not to mention that Xia Duo had long regarded Yatewude as the training instructor for the territory's new Natural Druids, how could he be willing to let him leave in such a situation!

Furthermore, one must also consider the attitude of the Elves. The appearance of a New Nature Druid signifies that humans have begun to shake off the spiritual colonization of the Elves, or at the very least, it signifies that the profession of Druid is no longer monopolized by the Elves.

Would the Elves remain indifferent?

Thinking about it, that is unlikely.

After thinking for a moment, Xia Duo put on a serious face and said solemnly: "Elder Yatewude, I can understand your current feelings, and I also very much hope to spread the ideas of the New Nature Philosophy to Seventon, and even the entire Netheril, or even the Elf World, but—"

"A new idea, a new power, no matter how magnificent, is very fragile at the moment of its birth. It is just like the seed of a great tree; only when it grows up can it resist the storms of the outside world."

"I believe now is not the time to be exposed!"

Xia Duo spoke with utmost sincerity. Yatewude listened silently until the end, his eyes somewhat dim. In fact, he knew very well in his heart that going to Seventon in the short term was very unrealistic, but he was just unwilling to give up.

He thought of the disgusted looks of his former companions in the Golden Oak Branch Order, and he thought of the arrogant posture of the Elf Envoy who had come to deliver the message.

He really wanted to display the brand-new Natural Holy Power in front of those people and then tell them—you were wrong!

After a long while, Yatewude asked again, "My Lord, then when is the best time?"

Xia Duo knew he had to give the other party a relatively clear timeframe, otherwise, he could keep his person but not his heart, so he said:

"Elder Yatewude, as long as you can perceive the Natural Holy Power, within ten years, I will definitely arrange everything so that the New Nature Philosophy can appear openly and honestly on the Main Plane."