Chapter 454: Reasoning

The Dao of Reason does not pursue the explanation of ‘why,’ but rather, based purely on empirical evidence from observations and experiments, describes, predicts, understands, and applies natural phenomena.

The question of ‘why’ has no answer.

Why are leaves green? Because they contain chlorophyll.

Why is chlorophyll needed? Because trees need it for photosynthesis to generate energy.

Why does photosynthesis generate energy? Because the chemical action of molecules absorbs light energy and converts it into chemical energy.

Why is there chemical action? Because photons excite electrons in atoms, leading to chemical reactions.

Why do photons excite electrons? Why do chemical changes in matter occur after electron orbital transitions?

It’s not just this one question; if you answer the question of why photons excite electrons, you can continue to ask further.

Why are there fundamental particles? Why is there a Higgs field that imparts mass?

‘Why’ is endless; there will always be another ‘why’.

Infinitely solving so many ‘whys,’ pursuing to the very end, even if one truly finds that Ultimate Great Dao, sufficient to explain all previous ‘whys,’ there will still be one final ‘why’ that can absolutely never be solved, hanging overhead.

That is: ‘Why is there an Ultimate Great Dao?’

You see, these three words, ‘why,’ are inherently unsolvable.

This is also what the Dao of Reason says: there is no need to delve into the so-called ‘Dao’.

Exploring the essence of all this ultimately yields only nihility.

Therefore, the Dao of Reason believes that we only need to study the world itself, to study molecules and chemical bonds; we can still achieve our goals without wasting time pursuing some grand unified theory or theory of everything that explains everything, or rather, the theory of everything is sufficient, and anything beyond that is unnecessary.

The essence is not important, nor can it be explored.

If the Dao cannot be spied upon, then what is left for people is only reason.

In Li Qi's words, it is to summarize rules and then apply them.

If the Dao of Reason wants to study biology, then it studies biology itself: cellular mechanisms, physiological characteristics, immune responses, classification, and DNA composition.

For the molecules and atoms that make up the body, they simply ‘default’ that they should be as they are; studying them is someone else’s business, “I’ll just use them directly. Why are they like this? Sorry, too lazy to consider, and no need to consider.”

Therefore, the Dao of Reason focuses on application, investing a great deal of energy into the development of spells and Divine Abilities, rather than emphasizing the Dao.

Therefore, they utilized the technology of the Mohist school of Human Dao to develop Spiritual Artifact bodies and Spiritual Artifact assembly lines.

They also cooperate with the Shaman; the Heavenly Killing Earth Killing method Li Qi once saw in Guangyang was also concocted by them.

They even directly developed the external alchemy method with the Dao Sect and collaborated to create things like external thunder spells.

The core orthodox method of the Dao Sect is thunder spells, which have always been the Dao Sect's absolute supreme method, but external thunder spells can achieve the power of orthodox thunder spells by simply throwing a bead, which is incredibly wondrous.

It also seems to be related to the Spirit Dao; the Spirit Dao's logic and mathematics have always been one of the Dao of Reason's learning goals, and the Dao of Reason directly uses many Martial Artist techniques without regard for copyright or anything else.

In the East Sea of the Dao of Heaven’s Evolution, they also cooperated with the True Dragons to create a giant Puppet called 'East Isle', which roams freely on the East Sea, and they even built over six thousand of them.

This is a Dao Orthodoxy that focuses solely on practical application, on transforming ‘Dao’ into ‘Technique.’ Of course, they also explore many things; their ultimate goal is to ‘exhaust the principles of all things,’ which means to thoroughly understand how everything in the world operates.

However, they will not delve into ‘why it operates this way,’ but rather observe it firsthand, record it, accumulate experience, and then verify it practically, knowing that it indeed operates this way, and then write down a ‘principle,’ ensuring that this is how it is, and that’s enough.

I know how this thing works, its properties are like this, and I can use the properties of this material to make it useful to me; that's enough.

No need to think about why; leave it to others. Other Dao Paths are all trying to find it; we just use it.

Moreover, the Dao of Reason is not entirely without ambition.

There is still a part of the Dao of Reason that believes exploring principles is exploring the Dao.

When all ‘principles’ have been discovered, that is the Dao of Reason’s goal: “to exhaust the principles of all things.”

Then, the Dao will naturally reveal itself.

I have already understood everything, so… the entire world holds no more secrets for me, and the Dao will naturally shed its mysterious veil, revealing itself before the Dao of Reason.

The candid conversation with Wang Dun on the road greatly benefited Li Qi and allowed him to better understand the Dao of Reason's mode of operation.

At the same time, he also understood why the Dao of Reason was so focused on researching and manufacturing Spiritual Artifacts.

As a Dao Orthodoxy without much humanistic thought or self-imposed restrictions, all of the Dao of Reason's endeavors are geared towards practicality, and what is the best way to make spells practical?

What? Cultivating oneself?

Human energy is limited, and many Dao Orthodoxy's spells conflict with each other, such as the Human Dao's rules and the Shaman's outward expansion of the human body's small Universe; these two methods are completely contradictory and cannot coexist, nor can they even be cultivated simultaneously, because their respective Dao are in conflict.

Therefore, cultivating oneself is the most foolish and useless approach.

If you want to use everything, the best method is the item-based approach.

Modularize all these spells, make them into Spiritual Artifacts, into Formation Plates, or even into single-use consumables that can be taken out and used immediately, or set up to take effect at any time.

Directly engrave Martial Artist techniques onto the Spiritual Artifact body; a Martial Artist needs billions of punches to engrave the 'punching' action into his heart and make it an instinct, but a Spiritual Artifact body can achieve seventy to eighty percent of the effect by just plugging it in, and without having to use one's brain.

Treasure beads made from orthodox thunder spells are carried in a bag; a Dao Sect member needs to obtain orthodox Legacy and practice for hundreds of years to learn the Five Thunder Orthodox Law, but with these, they can just throw them out, and even throw a whole bag at once, instantly leveling everything.

Shamanes are good at curses? Then replicate the cursed straw doll, pre-make it, and when needed, take the blood and hair required for the curse, tie it to the straw doll, write the name, and directly cast the Heavenly Killing curse.

The Dao of Heaven’s Evolution has evolved many physically powerful monsters with various strange characteristics? Then, just as now, build research vessels, sail out to collect the properties of these sea monsters, and then use biomimicry to create similar Puppets that are not only obedient but also easy to repair and mass-produce, far exceeding the birth rate of these sea monsters.

Therefore, in order to acquire these technologies, the Dao of Reason collaborated with all Dao Orthodoxys, comprehensively developing numerous new technologies for them in exchange for the foundations of these Dao Orthodoxys and their development of the Dao.

The Dao of Reason doesn't need to understand the ‘Dao’ of these major Daoisms; they only need the existing results.

“In the past, the Dao of Reason was limited by each individual’s foundation, and everyone had their own unique Spiritual Artifacts. However, a few epochs ago, the successful development of the Spiritual Artifact assembly line meant that now everyone’s items are pretty much the same,” Wang Dun continued, smiling as he introduced his Dao Orthodoxy to Li Qi.

“You see, as long as I have a unique Spiritual Artifact, I just need to report the design blueprints to the higher-ups, and before long, the assembly line can produce this item, and then everyone can receive it, everyone can own it. I’m not boasting, but our Dao of Reason’s combat power is probably the strongest of all Dao Paths!”

Li Qi nodded: “Indeed, it's probably not just combat power; your construction and research capabilities are also outstanding. But there's a question... are your Spiritual Artifacts free? Or do you have currency?”

“Currency, that kind of thing, as long as there’s a transaction, it will inevitably bring profit, and with profit, technology is no longer pure. So, the mentors don’t use currency. We use contributions. Providing new technologies, improvement plans, providing materials, or participating in labor can all earn contributions. Contributions can only be used by oneself and cannot be obtained through any type of transaction. And we need to consume contributions to learn new knowledge and receive new Spiritual Artifacts. This achieves a certain degree of fairness,” Wang Dun said.

“To a certain extent… well, indeed, after all, you can accumulate resources through other methods, but the resources accumulated that way are obtained from other places, a pure acquisition,” Li Qi nodded.

This measure is brilliant.

Within the Dao of Reason, there is no trade, no commerce, only pure distribution, but it does not prevent members of the Dao of Reason from doing business with others.

This way, only the Dao of Reason can plunder the resources of other Dao Paths through profit, while no internal friction will arise within the Dao of Reason itself; distribution dominates everything.

“It’s just… with such a distribution, I don’t quite understand how you manage to evaluate, record, and then distribute everyone’s contributions?” Li Qi asked again.

This is a very big problem.

How much contribution is a technology worth? How much contribution are some materials and labor worth? Who decides this?

“Hmm… regarding this question, the mentors have two answers. Do you know, the current Dao of Reason… is divided into two factions internally,” Wang Dun said, looking a bit troubled when he mentioned this.

“Yes, I’ve heard of it. The Dao of Reason, and also the Dao Sect… these two, both have a lineage that has completely joined the Human Dao, or at least are highly cooperative,” Li Qi replied, weighing his words.

Indeed, as previously mentioned, one branch of the Dao of Reason has directly merged into the Human Dao; although they do not accept the Human Dao’s philosophy, they have always served the Human Dao, and a branch within the Dao Sect is similar.

As for the motive…

It is currently unclear.

“Well, the branch that joined uses The Axis of All Realms to judge value. You know The Axis of All Realms, right?” Wang Dun confirmed.

Li Qi nodded: “Of course I know. What about you, who haven't joined the Human Dao?”

“Us? We use a replicated The Axis of All Realms,” Wang Dun answered.

Li Qi was stunned.

A replicated The Axis of All Realms… Wait, that means the establishment of The Axis of All Realms also involved the Dao of Reason? So the Dao of Reason also mastered some key technologies, and thus could replicate another The Axis of All Realms.

Damn, this Dao Orthodoxy is truly a little Genius at invention and creation!

“This ultimate machine is indeed very useful. However, the Human Dao’s The Axis of All Realms is driven by Dragon Veins; the power of the Human Dao’s Dragon Veins is endless and spans across all heavens, making it a uniquely blessed energy source. It’s just… I wonder what your energy source is? What does the Dao of Reason rely on to drive The Axis of All Realms?” Li Qi asked again.

Upon hearing Li Qi's question, Wang Dun burst into laughter: “Driven by what? Haha, isn't that simple? The mentors found many Return Ruins outside the domain, and then placed them on calculated orbits, allowing them to form celestial movements, constantly rotating without approaching each other. The mutual rotational force of the Return Ruins can even pull world clusters within tens of thousands of light-years around them to rotate together.”

“At this point, you just need to place a collector in the center of the Return Ruins, and then place collectors on the outer perimeter of the Return Ruins as well. The collectors are surrounded by a layer of warped space, which will prevent the power of the Return Ruins from leaking out by cycling space, and will continuously be pulled by the powerful force of the Return Ruins, just like a rotary engine. The tidal forces pulling the Return Ruins will provide a continuous stream of power.”

“Of course, relying on just two Return Ruins is definitely not enough, but the outer domain is so vast, and the number of Return Ruins is so large. We just need to find a few more. I remember now there are… three or four thousand, right? The energy collected from them is enough for our replicated The Axis of All Realms. Isn’t it simple! Convenient, easy to use, clean, and not at all troublesome. Truly a Genius concept!”

“Collecting energy from Return Ruins? Then… how is it transported?” Li Qi asked, puzzled.

If it's collecting energy from Return Ruins, it's indeed very clean and convenient, and it can even dispose of those useless Return Ruins, making them useful. But how do you send so much energy to The Axis of All Realms?

Hearing Li Qi's question, Wang Dun was stunned and asked in return: “Send? Why send? Don’t you know the properties of The Axis of All Realms?”

Then, he slapped his head, making a clanging sound of metal collision, and said: “Oh, you are a Shaman, it’s normal not to understand. Let’s put it this way, The Axis of All Realms is not a tangible machine, but a… uh, how to put it, a mysterious existence embedded in the Dao of space-time?”

“Anyway, The Axis of All Realms is directly embedded in the Dao; it exists within everything. Otherwise, why do you think The Axis of All Realms can transmit information throughout the Universe, even exceeding the limits of the Heavenly Dao?”

“So, The Axis of All Realms can interfere with everything?” Li Qi’s heart skipped a beat, and he immediately pressed the question.

If it's true, then The Axis of All Realms... wouldn't it be able to alter the rules of the entire Universe?!

Damn, what's the point of fighting then!

“Wrong. Precisely because of this, The Axis of All Realms can do nothing. It is enveloped and suppressed by the various Dao of the Universe, unable to even interfere with the outside world, and we cannot perceive The Axis of All Realms.”

“So, he can only be used for calculation and communication, but we can connect to him through something called a base station, so as long as a base station is placed on the energy collection device, it can supply power.”

“Ah, after all that talk, we’ve arrived at the Doctrinal Canon!”

Taking care of a patient, I will try not to stop updating these days.