In the following days, Ding Yun's curse continued to expand its reach. However, due to the speed of international information flow, foreigners found it difficult to grasp the specific meaning of Ding Yun's curse.
Translation and explanation both required time.
Therefore, the spread of the curse
was naturally much slower than it had been domestically.
Nevertheless, several neighboring countries were already fully affected. Especially those countries where human trafficking was rampant, or even specialized in the trade of people,
were like plagues erupting with pustules.
Related discussions were beginning to ferment globally, but cultural differences and other factors ultimately slowed down the progress, making it far less rapid than domestically.
It was estimated that before it became a global hot topic,
some time would still be needed.
Meanwhile, the Network Public Security Bureau had long since tracked down Ding Yun's location. Before she even arrived, everything about the original owner's actions, her boyfriend's situation, and even her family, relatives, and eighteen generations of ancestors had been thoroughly investigated.
However, due to the difficulty in defining Ding Yun's actions
and their apprehension regarding her abilities,
they had never personally approached her.
It wasn't until the cultivation world approached them, expressing their desire to understand who had cast the curse through them, that the Network Public Security Bureau, along with several outer sect leaders from the cultivation world, personally went to find Ding Yun.
They even specifically chose to visit during working hours.
Liu Guo, not yet of retirement age, was at work. Zhou Juan was at her younger son's house taking care of her grandson. Only Ding Yun was at home. Before they arrived, she had already sensed the aura of cultivators on the outer sect leaders, and was sitting in the living room waiting with the door open.
When they reached the door, she directly said:
"Come in, and close the door behind me!"
The people at the door exchanged glances, then obediently walked in. Cui Jian, who was the last to enter, closed the door. Before the leader could speak, Ding Yun continued, "Come and sit down.
Are you from the state or the sects?"
Ding Yun's direct seizing of the initiative indeed threw the approaching group into disarray. They involuntarily followed her command and sat down.
They began to introduce themselves one by one.
Only after they had finished did Ding Yun release her mental interference and, disregarding their shock, continue:
"Tell me why you've come..."
At this moment, the individuals who had just realized they had been manipulated and influenced were utterly speechless, looking at each other in bewilderment, unsure of what to do.
The other party was too terrifying.
Their vigilance was rendered useless by the other party's control. It was fortunate that this person harbored no killing intent; had they done so, they would likely have died several times over by now.
Seeing them too scared to speak, Ding Yun, who was comfortably seated, felt a pang of disappointment. They were too timid. She hadn't even done much:
"I don't have time to stare at each other blankly. Speak your minds, bring up whatever you need to. I'm not going to eat you, so hurry up and speak."
"Uh, you go first!"
Cui Jian from the Network Public Security Bureau took the lead, pushing forward the outer sect representative sent by the Bihua Sect.
With the other party setting the precedent, he would have time to consider what attitude and tone to use when speaking to this formidable figure.
"Uh... Greetings, Senior. I am the secular representative of the outer sect of the Bihua Sect. We roughly understand the situation regarding the curse you cast. However, two of our Bihua Sect's outer sect elders have also been afflicted by this curse.
Do you see, could there be some misunderstanding?
What we mean is, we are all cultivators of the righteous path. There's no need to use secular law to restrain and punish us cultivators. We are willing to pay a small price, and we hope you can show leniency and spare our sect's two elders. Harmony is paramount, after all.
Why cause ill feelings over minor matters!"
Knowing that Ding Yun was proficient in curses, the secular representative of the Bihua Sect's outer sect did not dare to reveal his name. Furthermore, due to his usual arrogance, even at this juncture, he did not act particularly submissively.
His words carried a hint of condemnation and dissatisfaction.
"My curse targets people. As long as they haven't become demons, devils, or immortals, they are bound by this curse. And you dare to claim you are of the righteous path? Does the righteous path recruit disciples solely through abduction?
Since you know I am skilled in the art of curses and karma, you should also be able to guess that I am fully aware of what your sect's two so-called outer sect elders have done.
While they may not have taken any lives, they have at least abducted seventeen children whose parents are alive and well. When their parents are alive and well, it is not for the two of them to overstep their bounds and abduct their children, claiming it is for their own good."
Since achieving cultivation, Ding Yun had gained the ability to investigate the circumstances of those cursed in greater depth.
She might not have cared much about others, but she had specifically looked into the details of those dozens of cultivators on the very day she had successfully cultivated.
Therefore, she spoke with perfect clarity at this moment.
"But the two outer sect elders were indeed acting for their own good. If not for the outer sect elders bringing them into our Bihua Sect, where would they have had the opportunity to contact cultivation and longevity?
We believe that if their parents knew,
they would certainly be willing."
The Bihua Sect's outer sect secular representative continued to argue.
"But the crucial point is, they did not know. Your so-called willingness is your own self-righteous assumption. Little do you know that some people have poured their hearts and souls into searching for their children,
and some have even died prematurely from guilt and self-recrimination.
These are their sins, and the sins brought about by my curse are also recognized by the Heavenly Dao. Therefore, this matter is not up for discussion. If others wish to speak of this matter, please return. I will not receive you!"
The other party's words truly made Ding Yun find it laughable.
What, selling abducted children to wealthy families is not kidnapping, but charity and good deeds?
Having said this, Ding Yun was too lazy to argue further with the other party. When values clash, there is no need for debate, as the outcome will inevitably be futile.
Values that have been established over decades
cannot be broken or overturned with a few words.
Since Ding Yun released the pressure of her Nascent Soul stage after saying she would not receive them, the cultivators representing the sects, despite their displeasure, dared not utter another word and could only withdraw in resignation.
At least they had delivered the message. What happens next would depend on the sect's stance.
They were not willing to charge in first.
It wasn't that they were tired of living.
As they left, the remaining two were naturally from the state. Cui Jian thought for a moment, bowed first, and addressed her as "Senior."
Then, he politely and subtly said:
"Senior, the state reached a three-chapter agreement with the cultivation world many years ago. The most important point among them is that cultivators cannot arbitrarily interfere with the mortal world using their abilities. Your actions are not quite appropriate.
Therefore, could you please exercise restraint in the future?
The current overall policy of the government remains scientific governance and the crackdown on feudal superstition. Your actions undermine years of our efforts. If you have any dissatisfaction, you can tell us, and we will try our best to satisfy you. Please refrain from taking matters into your own hands."
"Oh, I want the universe to be cleansed, and from now on, there will be no more criminals or wrongdoers in the world. Can you do that?"
With just one sentence, Ding Yun stumped Cui Jian. Such a utopian world, existing only in fantasy, was impossible to achieve. Wasn't that equivalent to a direct refusal?
"Senior, aren't you making things difficult for me?"
"You are making things difficult for me first. What is wrong with me punishing evil and eliminating harm? From now on, as long as my curse remains, and as long as people in the world continue to recognize my curse, then my curse will be like heavenly laws and divine decrees, engraved into the Heavenly Dao, and permanently effective.
Human hearts can be deceived, and laws can be circumvented.
But the Heavenly Dao cannot be deceived.
I think it is not a bad thing to transform some serious criminal behaviors into heavenly laws and divine decrees. At least heavenly laws and divine decrees are absolutely impartial, and no one can escape their purview.
Rest assured, I cannot guarantee other things, but I will absolutely not turn minor offenses and moral issues into curses. I can guarantee this point.
Therefore, you do not need to worry too much. As long as you conduct yourselves uprightly, you will never be affected by my curse. Oh, and by the way, the sins of slaughter committed in overseas operations will all be included in the exemption list.
Consider this a privilege for our country."
Ding Yun spoke of her future plans with a smile, speaking frankly. In her opinion, even if she ultimately failed to achieve her goal, as long as she successfully turned three to five curses into globally radiating heavenly laws and divine decrees,
the influence gained
should be enough for her to imprint her mark.