Invincibility Begins with Mastery of Fist Techniques

Chapter 250 243: Threat Level

In the past, Saint Awakenings were rare. Due to sectarianism, the limited knowledge of the times, and many other restrictions, most of them knew what they could do, but not how or why.

In the modern era, the Martial Dao declined with the advent of firearms. It was only with the resurgence of the Celestial Demon, which demonstrated terrifying individual power, that the strength of Saint Awakening was once again taken seriously. However, even now, nearly all of Donghua Country's Saint Awakenings are from the older generation. They inevitably bear the marks of their era, and their ways of thinking are somewhat rigid.

As for other scholars and experts, since they were not Saint Awakenings, they could not begin to comprehend the mysteries of the Saint Awakening Realm. Even Saint Awakenings themselves struggled to explain their condition, often resorting to abstruse and mystical terms, which has kept systematic research in this area progressing at a snail's pace.

But Zhou Yuanjue was different. He grew up in this era, received a good modern education, and possessed a way of thinking unique among young people. After experiencing it firsthand, he could view the Saint Awakening Realm from perspectives that the older generation of Saint Awakenings could not see.

This was also why Zhou Yuanjue had been able to advance by leaps and bounds. In a sense, he could be called a prodigy of this era.

Feng Xun was silent for a long time, a light flashing in his eyes. A pale radiance bloomed and contracted around his body, as if he had come to some realization. If not for his poor physical condition at that moment, he probably would have begun related experiments on the spot.

"What you said makes a lot of sense. I think… I'm beginning to understand."

Feng Xun let out a long breath, and the way he looked at Zhou Yuanjue had changed noticeably.

"I never imagined that during our first meeting, you would answer my questions so openly and resolve my doubts. I must admit, if I were in your shoes, I doubt I could have been so forthcoming."

Feng Xun said with a sigh of admiration.

"The Martial Dao has developed so slowly because every sect jealously guards its own knowledge, lacking truly open and honest exchange. Don't be fooled by the many schools in the Martial Arts Realm today; in reality, they are like a heap of scattered sand. Each sect still strictly controls its core secrets, which severely limits the development of the Martial Dao. The collective wisdom of the masses is a great fire of enlightenment. Working in isolation only leads to continuous decline."

"The establishment of the Martial Arts Association is a great start, but relying on it alone is far from enough. To truly promote and develop the Martial Dao, there must be a system for institutionalized research and teaching. If the day comes when the secret techniques of every sect can be bought in a bookstore, and everyone in the world can contribute to the progress of the Martial Dao, that would be the true 'proliferation of martial arts throughout the land.'"

"I am willing to do my part for this new golden age. When the time comes, I will put what I have learned into words and spread it throughout the world—for the sake of the Martial Dao, and for my own sake as well."

Zhou Yuanjue said, his gaze distant as he looked up at the ceiling.

Hearing Zhou Yuanjue's words, Feng Xun couldn't help but be shaken by the sheer scale of his vision.

"In scholarship, there is no first place, but in martial arts, there is no second. Aren't you afraid that someone will surpass you in the future?"

Feng Xun said meaningfully.

"No, quite the opposite. What I fear is that in the future, no one will be able to surpass me."

Zhou Yuanjue said, his expression serene.

"Although I am a century older than you, when it comes to vision and purity of purpose, I am your inferior. However, your wish may have a chance to be realized soon. I've received word that once the Martial Arts Association is established, the next step will likely be to prepare for the founding of a Martial Arts University. When that happens, the landscape of the world will change dramatically. The matter will be discussed at the upcoming meeting, and with your support, the plan could likely be advanced by a great deal."

"You've been bedridden for three months, so you're not up to date on a lot of news. Once you catch up, I think you'll be in for a pleasant surprise."

Feng Xun said with a smile.

'A Martial Arts University?'

Zhou Yuanjue's expression brightened. He hadn't expected the higher-ups to make such a monumental move. The changes to Donghua's landscape this time were likely far greater than he had imagined. This also seemed to imply that the situation in the outside world was not optimistic; otherwise, the leadership wouldn't have enacted such drastic changes in such a short period.

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Zhou Yuanjue and Feng Xun spoke for a while longer. Inspired by their conversation, Feng Xun soon took his leave, apparently preparing to enter seclusion to heal his injuries and digest what he had learned. Despite his advanced age, the man's power was terrifying and his talent was exceptional; there was no telling how much he would comprehend from their talk.

After quickly recovering from his physical injuries in the training room, Zhou Yuanjue ended his seclusion, left the training room, and returned to his own room to rest.

By this time, Ning Muqing had, as instructed, already compiled information on the changes within Donghua Country during his coma, as well as documents detailing the functions of the Donghua Martial Arts Association.

As Zhou Yuanjue slowly read through the information in his bedroom, he grew more and more astonished.

In the short three months he had been unconscious, all of Donghua had undergone such earth-shattering changes that he felt for a dizzying moment as if he had traveled to another time.

The Martial Arts Realm going public, provocations from the Starry Sky Country, the holding of a bilateral exchange conference, the conclusion of the North-South Martial Dao Gala, reforms in physical education, the establishment of the Martial Arts Association…

This would be a new order for the Martial Arts Realm, the likes of which hadn't been seen in a thousand years.

This was what he had hoped to see, yet at the same time, he felt a certain pressure. The hidden purpose behind these massive changes was self-evident, and it made him recall the mysterious person who had attacked him at Songyang University.

If that person's true self were to come, he would likely be no match, even if he released his limiters.

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

Just then, there was a knock on his door.

"Come in, it's not locked."

Zhou Yuanjue said. The doorknob turned, and Ning Muqing walked in, holding a stack of documents.

"There's more news from the Martial Arts Association. Just a short while ago, they released a ranking system for future Martial Artists, which was established by referencing the 'Security Threat Level' standards of international clandestine agencies."

Ning Muqing handed the documents to Zhou Yuanjue.

"The 'Security Threat Level' standards of international clandestine agencies?"

Zhou Yuanjue's brow twitched. He had heard of this standard before. It was a classification system commonly used by international clandestine organizations to grade the threat posed by individuals, apparently using letters to divide targets into several levels based on their threat potential.

He never thought the Martial Arts Association would actually adopt such a standard for its rankings. It seemed there had indeed been some shifts on the international stage. The establishment of the Martial Arts Association most likely meant that the Donghua Martial Arts Realm would soon become entangled with foreign powers.

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Right now, for both the Donghua Martial Arts Realm and the ordinary citizens who followed it, the founding of the Martial Arts Association was naturally a matter of utmost importance. Its every move was being watched with great interest.

Today, a document detailing a potential ranking standard for Martial Artists that the Martial Arts Association might adopt had sparked heated debate.