novelraw Chapter 256 249: Grand Vow
Chapter 256 249: Grand Vow
Everyone's expression changed upon hearing Zhou Yuanjue speak, and they all frowned.
This data was comparable to the most secret teachings. In the martial arts world, it could stir up a veritable bloodbath. If leaked, it could create countless unpredictable consequences.
The Chief Commissioner fell silent for a moment, then spoke to Zhou Yuanjue. "Yuan Jue, you should understand the value of this data. It's beneficial not just for those at the Saint Awakening level, but for every single Martial Artist. Setting aside the risk of it falling into the hands of those with malicious intent, just imagine if it were intercepted by foreign powers. Who knows what kind of entities and threats that would create? After all, Martial Artists don't only exist in Donghua. While they may be rare, there are still people abroad who dedicate themselves to the Martial Dao. Do you realize how much trouble that would cause us?"
"The Martial Arts Realm has long been plagued by the ugly tradition of sects jealously guarding their own secrets. If we can't break this restrictive culture, how can we ever truly spread the Martial Dao across the world?"
"Besides, it doesn't matter if foreign powers obtain it. The principles of using one's spirit to command the body and one's will to unlock potential require a powerful spirit and will that is almost impossible for a non-Martial Artist to possess. Those who rely on the power of Celestial Demons or so-called technological power to break their limits can never comprehend this kind of spirit. Therefore, the only people who can truly benefit from this are Martial Artists who are dedicated to the Martial Dao."
"Gentlemen, think about it. Would a Martial Artist like that, with such a resolute will, be swayed by the power of a Celestial Demon? To be incapable of assimilation by the Celestial Demons is to stand in opposition to them. Our greatest enemies right now are the Celestial Demons. They are manipulating everything from the shadows, attempting to reshape this era. The world's nations are nothing more than their pawns. But regardless, a true Martial Artist with an absolute will could never stand on the side of the Celestial Demons. In every country, there won't just be collaborators—there will surely be an opposition."
"The Celestial Demons can use temptations like eternal life and power to corrupt Human Society. Why can't we use the knowledge of the Martial Dao to resist that power? In the future, confronting the Celestial Demons and their plans won't be something our nation can accomplish alone. What I intend to do is let the fire of the Martial Dao, fueled by this knowledge and data, burn in every corner of the world. This will give every strong-willed person who wishes to hold on to their humanity the chance to become our potential ally."
"This is to let everyone know that humanity is not weaker than the Celestial Demons!"
Zhou Yuanjue spoke slowly. At that moment, he recalled the grand plan mentioned by the mastermind on the Songyang University battlefield.
'Infiltrate Human Society, create a new system of order, control all paths to power, and become the new ruling class. Use humanity to conquer humanity.'
'If the Celestial Demons could come up with such a plan, why couldn't he use the Martial Dao to defeat them?'
'This Martial Dao wasn't just a method of combat; it was a movement, a philosophy, a force of will.'
'The Celestial Demons invade the world with desire; Martial Artists defend this sanctuary with their will.'
'Without needing the boons of the Celestial Demons, ordinary people could also grasp the power to fight back.'
'When the fire of the Martial Dao spread across the globe, these creatures lurking in the shadows would lose their hiding places.'
'The light of the Martial Dao illuminating the world… that was exactly what he wanted to see. When that time came, the world would surely become a much more interesting place.'
Everyone fell silent after hearing what Zhou Yuanjue had to say. They never imagined his vision and ambition could be so immense; it was beyond anything they could have conceived.
"Besides, haven't you all been struggling with the issue of the Martial Arts University? I believe this thesis can provide an excellent answer."
"If you want to get all the various schools to participate and contribute actively, using power and authority to pressure them is useless. You must let them experience tangible benefits. And I doubt there's any benefit more appealing than an increase in one's own personal strength."
"A university isn't just a place to teach students; it's a platform for researching cutting-edge knowledge. The same is true for the Martial Dao. In my opinion, the secret teachings and various techniques of the schools are just superficial manifestations of the Martial Dao. They are the 'Skill.' As long as you know the core principles, you can create countless such manifestations. A Martial Arts University shouldn't teach techniques; it should teach the true 'Dao of Martial Arts'!"
"The schools can join without needing to divulge their secret teachings. Their unique qualities won't be diminished; they can all flourish together. We only need to cultivate the soil for these flowers to grow in. This thesis of mine, and the articles to follow, will serve as a primer. It won't focus on 'Skill,' but on 'Dao.' I believe no school would refuse to be part of a place like that."
"When the collective wisdom of all people burns brightly together, that will be the true meaning of spreading the Martial Dao to the world! That is the new era of the Martial Dao I envision!"
As he spoke, Zhou Yuanjue seemed to envision that new era of the Martial Dao. Countless experts would emerge, not as brutes who only knew 'Skill,' but as true heroes immersed in the 'Dao of Martial Arts,' who understood the mystical techniques of life, existence, and the physical body.
Countless people would be able to perceive their true selves and genuinely understand the mysteries of life, rather than living in a daze, caught up in petty, meaningless struggles.
A smile spread across his face—joyful, pure, and simple. Seeing it, A Mu and Xiaoyuan, who were serving the attendees, were momentarily stunned. They felt it was the kind of smile you would only ever see on a baby's face.
The way they looked at Zhou Yuanjue changed. Even at their young age, they understood that the person who had just spoken those words was a truly towering figure.
And it wasn't just them. The way everyone else looked at Zhou Yuanjue had also changed dramatically.
When they first met him, they saw a junior. After a brief test of his abilities, they saw him as a peer. When he presented his thesis, their gazes filled with surprise and a hint of admiration.
But now, as they looked at the figure seated before them, they couldn't help but see him as a great mountain, a beacon.
His will had transcended age, transcended status.
Those words were less a goal and more a solemn vow.
It was like the vow of the Ksitigarbha King: "So long as the Hells are not empty, I vow not to attain Buddhahood!"
The heavens may be high, but the human heart is higher still!
If they actually followed through with what Zhou Yuanjue proposed, it would trigger a revolution in every sense of the word!
No one could possibly imagine what that new era would be like.
Would it be for the better? Or for the worse?
"I agree with Yuan Jue's assessment. This is not a battle for Donghua alone. Carrying the weight of the world as a single nation might sound magnificent, but it's foolish. Our unwavering direction has always been to unite all who can be united. Besides, if we truly do as Yuan Jue suggests, what other country in the world could build a Martial Dao atmosphere like ours? And how could they ever catch up to our theories and our power?"
"On the contrary, we will become the center of the world for all Martial Artists! We cannot be so shortsighted."
Daoist Bailong was the first to speak up, his eyes flashing. 'This is the era I have been waiting for. This is the era that can truly and completely end the catastrophe of the Celestial Demons.'
'The wheels of history roll forward, crushing everything in their path.'
'What the Ancient Heroes could not accomplish, this era can.'
"I agree as well. If this plan moves forward, I'm willing to lead by example and find a way to commit my life's experience to writing to get the ball rolling," Lei Yi said, his eyes burning with intensity.
Zhao Beidou said after a moment of silence, "If it doesn't involve our secret teachings, and we're discussing the 'Dao' instead of 'Skill'... then I can speak for the Southern Eight Sects. We will join this revolution. My school's rules forbid revealing our secret arts, but if we are only discussing the 'Dao,' I too am willing to devote my all and contribute to the birth of this new Martial Dao."
"If we're going to do this, we might as well go all in," Chen Qingmu said with a sigh. "Yuan Jue is right. We... we're old, after all. Stuck in our ways, unable to break free. This era belongs to the young. Let him go for it. I approve, and I will help liaise with the Elder Council."