The most secure job in Dajin

Chapter 547, Not a Weapon

"The Unparalleled Divine Lord?!"

Looking at the solemn figure seated cross-legged in the center of the Golden Lotus of Merit, shrouded in a hazy divine glow, Hua Changxi's eyes flickered incessantly.

It was actually a deity!

When she first saw the words "Buqi" on the well wall, she thought it was just the name of the Soul Well. She never expected that it was actually the title of a deity.

Is this God?

"The offerings of incense and prayers to the gods are a form of merit. That's why they need to pay offerings of merit when they come to listen to the teachings?"

Just as Hua Changxi was lost in thought, an ancient, calm, and unwavering Daoist voice slowly resounded in the void. It did not vibrate the eardrums, but it directly resonated deep within the soul.

The Unparalleled Divine Lord began his sermon.

What is a vessel?

“A vessel is something that is used. All living things have a use, and all living things can be made into vessels.”

"All beings seek knowledge, cultivate abilities, and refine skills in order to become useful. Those who become useful are useful, needed, and attain glory and high positions."

"If you can be used by others, you must first show your usefulness."

"But if we act in this way and become successful, will everything really be fine and there be no more troubles?"

“In the beginning, it is certainly something to celebrate. However, as time goes on, a problem will arise—both others and yourself will gradually come to regard you as a ‘usable’ object.”

What are objects?

"In the eyes of others, you are not seen as a complete life, but as your use."

Who you are is not important, because what I need is your usefulness, not you.

"Over time, living beings became objects."

"Once you become an object, all living beings will see you but not your true nature, virtue, or affection; they will only see your usefulness."

"Those who can bring profit are close, those who cannot are distant; those who can be used are respected, those who cannot are discarded; when self-interest is the only trait, there is no affection or righteousness."

"People generally believe that those who become useful are virtuous and those who are useful are respected. Little do they know that those who become useful are ultimately just tools—used by the masses, driven by profit, and bound by power."

“Those who use tools value their function, not the lives they provide.”

The divine voice echoed gently, each word touching the very soul.

Hua Changxi had initially approached the story with the mindset of casually observing and listening, but little did he expect that the sound would cause his heart to tremble and his soul to be shaken.

According to her understanding, the "one who becomes a tool" mentioned by the deity of non-tools is just talking about "tool people".

To be fair, to some extent, she was also pursuing 'success'.

For her, only by becoming accomplished can she survive in the world, be free from the constraints of others, and have the right to choose.

It's like the reason she cultivates so diligently is simply to protect herself, become stronger, and establish herself in this chaotic world, so that she can choose the life she wants to live at will.

In many people's eyes, she is now a person of great potential.

She is like that, and so are people.

It seems that everything he did in his life was to achieve great things.

Does Hua Changxi aspire to greatness?

miss you.

But does she want to be a mere object or a tool?

Of course I don't want to.

Therefore, while she was making the most of every minute to cultivate herself, she was also instinctively resisting becoming a 'tool'.

For example, she distanced herself from the Hua family.

To outsiders, she appears aloof and distant from her family, but what is the reality? Perhaps it is her subconscious that is instinctively rebelling.

She rebels against the Hua family, who only see her 'usefulness', and instinctively resists becoming a 'tool' for revitalizing the family.

For example, she refused to step forward and take up the mantle of the Dan Sheng Hall, and she was reluctant to reveal the identity of the Hall Master of the Ling Guang Hall. Ultimately, it was because she did not want to be placed on a high pedestal and become a so-called 'great person'.

Before this, she may not have deeply reflected on what was driving her to make such a behavioral choice.

Now, after listening to the sermon of the Unbound Deity, she has become clear-headed. She has done these things because she does not want to be objectified and ultimately become a tool and instrument in the struggle for power.

No matter how high her cultivation level or how strong her strength, what the world sees is always her usefulness, her value, and her ability; they can't see Hua Changxi as a person at all.

The reason she always felt there was something between her and the Hua family was because the Hua family only 'used' her.

"Hey~"

With a gentle wave of his hand, the Divine Lord Buqi sent out a ball of light, which instantly condensed into a huge light screen in the sky.

Hua Changxi suppressed her worries and looked up.

Once the light screen stabilized, countless vivid images rapidly flowed by, reflecting the myriad aspects of life for different races.

Some people knelt down and kowtowed, some offered their family fortunes, and some flattered and fawned, all in the hope of getting a chance to succeed.

All living beings strive to demonstrate their usefulness to others, and then choose to be close to or distant from others based on the standard of 'useful or useless'.

Because all living beings weigh things in terms of 'useful' and 'useless', therefore...

Those with exceptional talent are given important positions and rise to high ranks, but are discarded like worn-out shoes once they are deemed useless.

Those with exceptional skills are sought after by many because it is profitable, but are ignored when there is no profit to be made.

The elderly, the incapacitated, the disabled, and those with limited abilities are ostracized and neglected by the community, and are regarded as a burden.

Over time, this has led to a cruel and chaotic situation where "those who succeed are valued, and those who fail are despised"—only functionality is seen, not true character; profit is the sole motive, and there is no compassion or righteousness.

Hua Changxi stared at the light screen, his brows furrowing involuntarily.

She instinctively resisted becoming a mere tool, yet, upon reflection, when it came to making decisions and employing people, the principles she subconsciously followed never strayed from the category of "usefulness."

Hua Changxi was a little confused. Could it be that people are wrong to pursue success and become useful talents?

Does the Dao, which does not regard deities as objects, encourage all beings to become useless?

What is meant by "not a vessel"?

“Those who are not useful are not those who are discarded, nor those who are incompetent.”

"Possess a hundred skills without being confined by them; have great potential without being enslaved by profit. First establish yourself as a person, then establish yourself in your work; first preserve your true self, then discuss practical benefits."

"Not a vessel, but a means to let living beings see the virtues of all beings, not just their usefulness. All beings are real living beings, not just objects to be used."

"Not being a tool is not about making you useless, but about not limiting yourselves to the framework of 'usefulness'."

Hua Changxi suddenly understood.

She said, "How could a god encourage all living beings to become useless?"

In her view, your value lies not in what you can do for others, but in what kind of person you are.

You can be useful, you can become a useful person, but your essence should not be merely that of a tool.

You should be a real, complete, flesh-and-blood person.

In short, the so-called "not being a tool" means not treating oneself or others as tools.

The undead gods continue.

"When there is profit to be made, one should do one's best, but not be driven by profit; when there is no profit to be made, one should still persevere in doing things with a clear conscience and sense of righteousness."

"Do not act based on rewards or punishments, benefits or losses, but adhere to the righteous path in your heart."

"People pursue tools, efficiency, functionality, and gains and losses."

"Those who become useful will be of use for a time; those who do not become useful will remain true to their original intentions and become their true selves throughout their lives."

Hua Changxi let out a soft breath. She realized that the path of non-divine beings ultimately rests on self-cultivation and moral refinement. (End of Chapter)