They excel at using strategies such as dividing and conquering the powerful, supporting confidants, and controlling public opinion to dismantle potential threats; at the same time, they also spare no effort in weakening strong neighboring states to prevent possible calamities.

Moreover, they are adept at shifting contradictions, such as deliberately creating external threats or internal enemies to divert the public's discontent, thereby stabilizing their rule.

Toward dissenters, they ruthlessly apply brutal suppression; but toward the compliant, they show a lenient side, thus crafting an image of "carrot and stick" deterrence.

Xu Qing recalled the old Emperor's various methods, realizing that he almost perfectly matched the characteristics of a Machiavellian dictator.

And unknowingly, he himself had fallen into most of the traps.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but smile bitterly, wondering if a real change of dynasty would make any essential difference for the people of the world between him coming to power and the old Emperor remaining in power.

But upon closer thought, there were indeed differences. He was dedicated to liberating and developing productivity, ensuring that fewer people would starve in the future. Moreover, perhaps through reasonable foreign strategies, he could improve the happiness of the citizens of the Great Yu Dynasty, although this method might be considered a true "Heavenly Demon act."

Xu Qing also often pondered, without the old Emperor and the Black Mountain old demon's threat, if he became an invincible existence in this world, how would he shape this world in the absence of constraints?

He tried hard to imagine, yet could never draw that picture.

Or rather, unchecked benevolence could very likely evolve into monstrous evil deeds, the consequences of absolute power are truly unpredictable.

But even so, he couldn't consciously stop himself from getting stronger, for in this long river of time, no matter how powerful one becomes, they're still but a trivial speck of dust.

Living a life where one can do what is deemed meaningful is enough, why be burdened with too many worries.

…

…

With such thoughts, Xu Qing brought Xu Xuanhu to the Heavenly Work Institute.

Nowadays, rumors spread wildly outside, claiming Xu Xuanhu is a demon child that brings calamity to people.

Even Feng Wu once confined him out of fear that he might cause great trouble and harm himself or others.

But Xu Qing had a completely different attitude towards the child, knowing well that devouring the essence qi of all things was his son's innate divine skill, a gift from heaven rather than a curse.

He gently said to his son, "Devouring the essence qi of all things is your innate divine skill. You should control it, not fear it. Don't worry, with your father by your side, there's nothing to fear."

He further earnestly told Xu Xuanhu not to fear becoming the fourth generation Black Mountain old demon, as it might be his destiny, but destiny is not unchangeable; to conquer fate, it ultimately depends on oneself.

Even if it genuinely comes to a time when he cannot support himself, he still has his father as his most solid backing.

Xu Xuanhu, with his innocent and naive demeanor, blinked his big eyes and asked, "What if Father is unreliable too?"

Xu Qing confidently replied, "Impossible."

After speaking, with a mix of tenderness and sternness, he instructed the little child to go home and copy the "Tao Te Ching" a hundred times, as a reminder for daring to question adults at such a young age.

It must be said that the fourth generation of the Black Mountain old demon is indeed extraordinary. Xu Xuanhu learns things at a speed a hundred, even a thousand times faster than ordinary people, and having an eidetic memory is just "easy as pie" for him.

He seems innately wise, able to assimilate and understand any classic with just a glance, and cultivation for him is as effortless and natural as eating and drinking.

In fact, the growth speed of every generation of the Black Mountain old demon is astonishing. The first generation was legendary as well, having debated the Dao with Laozi, who wrote the "Tao Te Ching," and later traveled west through Hangu Pass, even meeting Shakyamuni Venerable.

The third generation of the Black Mountain old demon discovered Shakyamuni's final resting place on Ying Huo Star based on the precious information left by the first generation.

At this time, Xiong Chan was inside the Heavenly Work Institute.

The Great Monk had long learned about Shakyamuni Venerable leaving behind an Inner Heaven and Earth—the Great Leiyin Temple on Ying Huo Star.

To Xiong Chan, the Great Leiyin Temple was infinitely tempting. If he desired to break through to the Human Immortal Realm or even more advanced cultivation, the Great Leiyin Temple was undoubtedly his most crucial opportunity.

However, with his current abilities, he simply couldn't reach the distant Ying Huo Star.

Therefore, he very much needed the help of the Heavenly Work Institute. For this reason, Xiong Chan visited the Heavenly Work Institute every so often to contribute to the "Heavenly Palace Project."

He knew well that once the Heavenly Palace was created, it would undoubtedly allow traversing the starry sky to reach Ying Huo Star.

This Heavenly Palace could be considered a peerless mechanism magical treasure. To implement the Heavenly Palace Project, the Fang Immortal Dao almost emptied all relevant foundations in the Southern Ocean.

And the old Emperor also fully supported this project, with Tianling Shangren and Gu Laodao at the core of the project.

Lao Mountain and Dragon Tiger Mountain, among other cultivation sacred lands, also contributed manpower and resources, sparing no effort to advance the project.

For any cultivator, being able to break through the Sky Gang Atmosphere, traverse the starry sky, and explore the mysteries of the unknown universe is an immensely thrilling endeavor.

Once the Heavenly Palace is born, it will have a clear plan of objectives.

The first objective is to break through the Heavenly Gang Atmosphere Layer, breaking the shackles and stepping into the vast universe; the second goal is to land on the Taiyin Star and explore whether the legendary Moon Palace truly exists; the third goal is to travel to Ying Huo Star to uncover the mysteries of the Great Leiyin Temple.

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