novelraw Chapter 264 257: Persuasion
Chapter 264 257: Persuasion
What is the essence of the Martial Dao?
Zhou Yuanjue posed this question, and everyone present fell silent.
The essence of the Martial Dao? Was it the training of the body? Or the restructuring and rebuilding of body tissues? Or perhaps the tempering of the spirit? How could one be sure that the methods they used would truly make them stronger?
"Everyone, since ancient times, the various schools have remained separate, their core Cultivation Techniques kept secret and never shared. Each school stubbornly guards its own lineage, but how many of you here today truly understand the principles behind your own school's secret arts?"
"By what mechanism do esoteric elixirs affect the body? Are there more suitable herbs that could be substituted to enhance their effects? Are your stances truly correct, or is there still room for improvement? How exactly are the unique physiological changes induced by these secret arts actually produced?"
"I'm sure most of you only know how to use your arts, not why they work. In other words, with the exception of the Primordial Ancestor who created these secret arts, all of you are merely users, not their true masters. That is why, over so many years, the secret arts you've inherited have only been lost or fallen into decline, with virtually no breakthroughs or advancements."
"In my view, these so-called 'schools' and 'secret arts' are merely the outward manifestations of the Martial Dao. It's just like how every one of us has a different appearance—some are beautiful, some are ugly. The same can be said for these schools and their arts."
"However, the paper I have written is different. As I'm sure you can all see, its contents do not touch upon any single secret art. Instead, it explores the very essence of the Martial Dao. Its value is no less than that of any secret art."
Zhou Yuanjue said slowly.
'Explore the essence of the Martial Dao…'
"What connection does any of this have to establishing a Martial Arts University?"
"If you intend to use the rest of this paper as a bargaining chip, or to persuade us to set aside the divisions between our schools and agree to the establishment of the Martial Arts University, I'm afraid it won't be that easy."
A white-haired old man stood up and spoke to Zhou Yuanjue.
'He seems to be an elder from one of the families in the Northern Martial Arts Realm, someone famous in his day?'
Zhou Yuanjue glanced at the old man, unconcerned, and continued speaking.
"Of course it's related. It's deeply related."
"What I mean is that beneath the outward manifestations of 'schools' and 'secret arts' lies the true essence of the Martial Dao. The core purpose of founding the Martial Arts University is to understand why these secret arts have an effect, to deeply explore and investigate human potential, and to research the essence hidden beneath the surface of the Martial Dao."
"I understand your concerns completely. However, I must state that the Martial Arts University is not interested in any particular school or secret art. Nor will our main curriculum focus on teaching specific secret arts. In a sense, we are not in opposition to you."
"What Donghua Martial Arts University wants is to bring all of you into this process. We don't want your secret arts. To use an analogy from modern universities, your schools are like the countless companies and corporations of the outside world. Students at a university gain a deeper understanding of the fundamentals of their craft, then they can better apply that knowledge in the real world."
"In other words, you can send your disciples to the university with full confidence. They won't change their allegiance just because they studied at the Martial Arts University. When their studies are complete, they will still be assets to your respective schools—and they will undoubtedly be far more exceptional than before."
Zhou Yuanjue's eyes swept across the entire hall as his Life Magnetic Field began to spread out, unperceived by the crowd. The Star Fire within him burned brightly, starting to exert a subtle influence on everyone present.
"Forgive my bluntness, but in my eyes, the Martial Arts Realm has made no substantial progress for centuries. It's still stuck in the most primitive stage. This holds true no matter how many powerful individuals emerge or how many profound secret arts are passed down."
"I feel this profoundly. Every top-tier Martial Artist is just fumbling in the dark. The path to Saint Awakening is still a blur. Even I have gone down countless wrong paths. As it stands, anyone who breaks through to become a Saint Awakening must survive against all odds. It is an incredibly perilous journey that relies heavily on luck. If not for our large population and abundant resources, it's unlikely we would ever see so many Saint Awakenings gathered in one hall today."
"This is not a normal state of affairs. If we find the right path and clarify the essence of our art, becoming a Saint Awakening may not be as difficult as we imagine. But achieving this will require every person in the Martial Arts Realm to contribute their wisdom and strength. The fruits of this research will, in turn, benefit all of you, the entire Martial Arts Realm, and perhaps even all of Human Society."
"This is a chance for a great leap forward for every individual, an opportunity for our entire race to achieve a collective evolution. My hope is that one day, everyone will have the chance to attain Saint Awakening."
"Therefore, I hope you will all join me in this endeavor. When the Martial Arts University is established, we will simultaneously create a campus forum to share all valuable papers and discoveries. I will publish the paper you all just saw on that forum, free of charge. More than that, for as long as I live, I will compile all of my insights and release them on the forum for everyone."
Zhou Yuanjue's voice was resoundingly clear. At this moment, his eyes and his entire body seemed to radiate a dazzling, fiery glow.
"Everything I am doing is for one purpose: to see the fire of the Martial Dao burn brightly, to ensure the Martial Arts Realm prospers for eternity, and to give every living soul in this world the chance to cultivate themselves and transcend the mundane!"
"Ladies and gentlemen, we are making new history for the Martial Arts Realm!"
The Star Fire blazed. In response to Zhou Yuanjue's words, everyone's magnetic fields seemed to resonate in harmony. It was as if a flame had been ignited in their hearts, causing a fiery passion to surge within them.
On the stage, the young figure seemed to grow, becoming taller and grander until he was like a mountain.
Everyone knew the weight of the knowledge contained in that Data. If Zhou Yuanjue had kept it to himself, he could have easily founded his own grand school, perhaps even instantly becoming one of the most preeminent schools in all of Donghua.
But he hadn't done that. Instead, he chose to make it public, free of charge. This proved he had no selfish motives; rather, his actions were entirely for the advancement of the Martial Arts Realm.
Immense power will only earn you fear and awe.
Only a character and Spirit as pure as Gold can earn true, heartfelt respect.
And now, Zhou Yuanjue's speech had truly won over the crowd, who had previously only known him by the reputation of his Power. They were now captivated by his character and his sheer force of will.
'Perhaps, with a man like this leading it, this Martial Arts University could truly be something different?'
"I, Zhao Beidou, hereby state my position. I will join the Martial Arts University as a professor and, like Principal Zhou, will compile my personal insights and make them public free of charge. I also speak for the Southern Eight Sects in offering our full support for the establishment of the Martial Arts University."
"I, Lei Yi, also state my position. I will join the Martial Arts University as a professor and will also make my personal insights public, in the hopes of fostering discussion and mutual advancement!"
At that moment, Zhao Beidou and Lei Yi both rose from their seats as they spoke.
Finally, Chen Qingmu and Li Zhaonan also declared their similar intentions.
The audience couldn't help but be stunned by such resolve.
After a moment of silence, the first person in the audience raised their hand.
Then a second, a third, a fourth…
Zhou Yuanjue looked at the sea of hands rising in unison from below the stage, and a rare, long-absent smile touched his lips. He could almost see the dawn of a new era, one that truly belonged to the Martial Dao.
As the conference continued, the attendees began to discuss in earnest the specific details of the Martial Arts University's founding.
Meanwhile, news of the impending establishment of the Martial Arts University began to spread like wildfire.