Chapter 527: Inclusion and Unification, the Convergence of Three Paths

At the same time, Xiao Yuan also saw another possibility for herself. In a certain parallel time-space, she chose the Void Path instead of the power of Nature. That version of her became powerful, but also became cold and detached. She stood alone atop a lonely peak, looking down upon all living beings, her eyes devoid of any emotional fluctuation, like a god high above.

"This is the result of absolute rationality," the self in the mirror said coldly, "When you abandon all emotional attachments, you can see the essence of the world. Your so-called kindness and compassion now are nothing more than the self-consolation of the weak."

Xiao Yuan was shocked by this coldness. That kind of absolute rationality could indeed bring powerful strength, but the price was the loss of all warmth and humanity.

As for Muerxiu, he saw another possibility—if he had chosen to remain in the Guixu Sect back then, obeying his master's will. In that time-space, he became the new generation leader of the Guixu Sect, possessing supreme power. He stood above ten thousand people; one word could decide the life or death of countless others, and one thought could change the trend of the world.

"This is the path of the true strong," the self in the mirror said proudly, "Only absolute power can bring absolute freedom. Your so-called justice now is nothing more than pity for the weak and a shackle upon the strong."

All three illusions were so real, so persuasive, that they almost made them forget their true identities. Under this intense impact, they began to question the correctness of their current choices.

"Do you understand now?" Helian Chen's voice was filled with the joy of victory, "All choices are relative, and all value judgments are subjective. How ridiculous the path you deem correct appears in the face of other possibilities! Since that is the case, what absolute legitimacy does the existing order have?"

This was an attack on a philosophical level, more lethal than any force of arms. If even their own choices lacked absolute correctness, then what reason did they have to stop Helian Chen?

Just as the three were mired in confusion, Lin Xuan suddenly recalled a sentence—it was something Taijizi had once said: "Paths have no right or wrong, only suitability or unsuitability. What is truly important is not the choice itself, but the courage to take responsibility for the choice."

"You are right," Lin Xuan spoke slowly, his voice growing firmer, "All choices are indeed relative."

Helian Chen was stunned, not expecting Lin Xuan to agree with his viewpoint.

"However," Lin Xuan shifted his tone, "the right to choose itself is absolute!"

This sentence enlightened Xiao Yuan and Muerxiu like a sudden awakening. They also began to understand what Lin Xuan wanted to express.

"Everyone has the right to choose their own life path," Lin Xuan continued, "No matter if this choice seems right or wrong, wise or foolish to others, it should be decided by the person involved themselves. And you, Helian Chen, attempting to impose your will upon everyone, is in itself the greatest violation of the right to choose!"

Xiao Yuan also suddenly realized: "That's right! Although I might become stronger if I chose the Void Path, I have the right to choose to keep my own warmth and kindness. Although this choice might make me 'weak,' this is my freedom!"

Muerxiu was even more deeply moved: "Master chose power and dominance; that was his path. But I have the right to choose justice and sacrifice, even if this path is full of thorns. No one can make this decision for me!"

The realization of the three caused the surrounding illusions to begin to waver. Although those possibilities in the mirrors still existed, they could no longer disturb their state of mind.

"You still don't understand!" Helian Chen roared in anger, "Since choices are all subjective, why not choose the most powerful path? Why choose pain and sacrifice?"

"Because this is our choice," Lin Xuan replied calmly, "We choose to bear pain because we are willing to take responsibility for the happiness of others. We choose to sacrifice because we believe in the value of life. These choices may seem foolish to you, but this is our free will."

Xiao Yuan continued: "Senior, you attempt to use destruction to choose 'liberation' for everyone, but what right do you have to make this decision for them? Perhaps in your eyes, their lives are full of pain, but pain itself is also a part of the life experience. You deprive them of the right to choose; this in itself is the greatest tyranny!"

Muerxiu also said: "When the Grandmaster split you off, perhaps it was also so that you could make your own choices. But what you are doing now is depriving everyone of the right to choose. Is this not a betrayal of the Grandmaster's original intention?"

The words of the three pierced the core of Helian Chen's theory like sharp swords. He had always emphasized the relativity of choices but ignored the absoluteness of the right to choose. He claimed to bring liberation to all living beings, but in reality, he was imposing his own values upon everyone.

"No... that's not right..." Helian Chen's voice began to tremble, "I am doing it for their own good... I saw the pain of Lun Hui..."

"That is what you saw," Lin Xuan said gently, "but they have the right to experience and judge for themselves. Even if it is the painful Lun Hui, if that is their choice, you have no right to decide for them."

In the deep dialogue within the Time-Space Maze, Lin Xuan's thinking began to undergo a fundamental transformation. He no longer simply denied Helian Chen's philosophy but began to try to understand the reasonable core within it.

"Senior," Lin Xuan's voice became more peaceful, "you say that the existing cultivation order has problems; I acknowledge this point. Sectarian prejudice, power struggles, the strong bullying the weak—these are indeed problems that urgently need to be solved."

Helian Chen was slightly stunned, not expecting Lin Xuan to take the initiative to admit these things.

"However," Lin Xuan continued, "the existence of problems does not mean the entire system should be destroyed. Just like a large tree that has grown diseased branches, we should prune the diseased branches rather than chop down the entire tree. Gradual reform, though slow, is more in line with human nature and can also reduce unnecessary sacrifice."

This breakthrough in thinking caused the Taiji Three Origin Power within Lin Xuan to begin to undergo subtle changes. Although the three types of power could previously be fused, they essentially maintained their own independence. But now, under the guidance of the "Inclusion and Unification" philosophy, these three types of power began to operate in a brand-new way.

The Yin Power no longer represented only gentleness but encompassed all possibilities; the Yang Power no longer represented only rigidity but carried the driving force for change; the Equilibrium Force no longer represented only moderation but became the Bridge that unified opposites.

"This is..." Lin Xuan felt the change in the power within his body, and a surge of joy welled up in his heart.