Listening to Feng Chuan’s complaints, Zhou Yuanjue felt a bit embarrassed.

Although he held the title of Principal of Donghua Martial Arts University, he hadn’t paid any attention to the university’s construction progress lately. All matters were being handled by the vice-principal, Feng Chuan. He was either away on missions or in seclusion, training and researching. It could be said he was completely oblivious to the outside world.

Seeing the resentful look in Feng Chuan’s eyes, Zhou Yuanjue averted his gaze slightly, cleared his throat, and asked, "How is the construction of the Martial Arts University coming along?"

Hearing Zhou Yuanjue’s words, Feng Chuan understood that he truly hadn’t been paying attention. The resentment in his eyes deepened as he spoke, "The Martial Arts University is basically finished. We’ll probably be picking a date to officially open soon. As the principal, you can’t be absent then. You’ll need to give a speech on behalf of the university."

"It’s already done? So fast?"

Zhou Yuanjue was a little surprised to hear this.

As far as he remembered, the Martial Arts University was originally scheduled to open in August or September of next year. He hadn’t expected it to be so far ahead of schedule.

"It is indeed much earlier than planned, but isn’t that because the international situation has changed? The Starry Sky Country established a ’Celestial Beings Joint Research Committee,’ and it seems the higher-ups are preparing to launch a similar organization to counter it and unite other nations. The Martial Arts University will likely be a key part of that, so construction was accelerated. The final phase was completed half a month ago. I’m not clear on the specific details. The Chief Commissioner and the others will probably want to talk to you about it."

"Many students and instructors are already on campus now. Anyway, I don’t care what you do other times—you can be a hands-off boss then—but the university’s grand opening is too important for you to ignore. You need to address all the students and faculty. You can’t just go into seclusion for months at a time again."

Feng Chuan said, still looking worried.

"I see. Don’t worry, I won’t be going into deep seclusion again for the time being. You can come find me if anything comes up."

Zhou Yuanjue nodded.

"That would be for the best."

"When you have some free time, you should come by the university for a visit. You have no idea how much influence you have now. So many students are hoping to get a glimpse of you on campus,"

Feng Chuan said with a smile.

"In a couple of days, maybe. I’ll have my assistant contact you then."

Zhou Yuanjue mused for a moment before replying. After hearing what Feng Chuan said, he felt it was necessary to meet with the Chief Commissioner to understand how the world situation had changed over the past two months and to learn about the higher-ups’ plans for the next phase.

"Alright, your word is enough to set my mind at ease. I’ll be taking my leave, then."

Having gotten his promise, a satisfied Feng Chuan took his leave. Zhou Yuanjue watched his retreating figure, his eyes narrowing slightly.

He sensed a peculiar fluctuation from the man—the feeling of a strange magnetic field about to overflow.

’The Chief Commissioner’s "Divine Dao"? It seems the day the Martial Arts University is established will be the day he attains the Saint Awakening Level.’

Zhou Yuanjue seemed to understand something.

He then summoned Ning Muqing and said to her:

"Get ready. You’re coming with me to Zixiao Mountain."

······

······

「An hour later.」

Zixiao Mountain, at the summit.

Zhou Yuanjue stood outside the courtyard where the Chief Commissioner resided.

"Two months. You’ve finally come out of seclusion. If you had stayed in any longer, I would have had to disturb you."

"But your improvement seems to have been worth the long wait. What did you comprehend this time?"

The Chief Commissioner’s light, chuckling voice vibrated in the surrounding air.

"I will also be compiling my recent comprehension into a manuscript for publication soon. You’ll be able to see it then."

"How has the world situation been these past two months?"

Zhou Yuanjue asked.

"Not good, but not bad either. Inevitably, the two different attitudes toward the Celestial Beings will lead to opposition. Ever since the treaty to restrict S Class individuals failed to pass at the recent United Nations conference, this polarization has only grown more severe. Conflicts are unavoidably breaking out all over the world."

"In terms of overall strength, the Starry Sky Country has the upper hand. With its vast human resources and technological reserves, plus the backing of the Celestial Organization, it’s very difficult for our nation alone to confront them head-on in the international arena. You, having fought the Seven Mo Luo, should be well aware of this."

"After the Banku incident, more than thirty countries, large and small, have made their choice and joined the Celestial Beings Joint Research Committee. Meanwhile, through our own efforts, we’ve managed to win over more than twenty countries in the surrounding regions to our side."

"But even so, a large number of nations remain in a neutral, wait-and-see state, having yet to make a choice."

"Right now, with the help of its member states, the Starry Sky Country has begun a massive search for traces of Sealing Realm Images. They are also rounding up and hunting down Spirit Guardians hidden among the populace. There are also signs of institutional reform within the Starry Sky Country itself. If we don’t react in time, more and more Celestial Demons will be released, more and more Spirit Guardians will be killed, and more and more ordinary people will be brainwashed. Our situation will become increasingly difficult."

"Recently, Daoist Bailong and the Moon Race have taken the lead, infiltrating various countries to find and unite the Spirit Guardians of other nations. They are doing their best to save those being hunted, but this is far from solving the problem at its source."

"We must win the support of more Neutral Countries. Therefore, the higher-ups have decided to use the Martial Dao as a means to connect with other nations. The plan is to establish an international organization called the ’Human Life Research Committee,’ with the Donghua Martial Arts University as its core, once it’s completed. This will be used to counter the Starry Sky Country’s Celestial Beings Joint Research Committee."

"The purpose of this organization is to research methods for humanity to break through its own limits, enhance individual combat strength, and achieve life-level ascension. With the Donghua Martial Dao as its foundation, it will unite like-minded individuals from all nations,"

the Chief Commissioner said slowly.

Hearing this grand plan, Zhou Yuanjue’s expression enlivened, a flicker of interest in his eyes.

Human Life Research Committee...

"What do you need me to do?"

Zhou Yuanjue asked.

"It’s quite simple, actually. After the Banku incident, individual power has been elevated to the level of national strategic security. S Class Martial Arts Families have become strategic ’weapons.’ No one would pass up the chance to possess such a weapon, which is why so many countries are flocking to the Starry Sky Country and the Celestial Demons, despite knowing the dangers of cooperating with them."

"As for some of the current Neutral Countries, especially the larger ones, their understanding of the Celestial Demons is no less than ours. Given a situation where we are on equal footing or even slightly weaker, I believe they would still be more inclined to side with us. Therefore, we need to persuade them further."

"And the bargaining chip is to let them see the power we command and the new Martial Dao system you have created."

"Just recently, I assigned Zhang Zhizhen and several others to diplomatic corps to visit the smaller surrounding nations. The goal is to use them as the best bargaining chips to persuade them."

"But there are two major powers that won’t be so easily persuaded. I’m afraid it will require you to go in person,"

the Chief Commissioner said.

"Which two?"

Zhou Yuanjue asked.

"Beisha and Bosha,"

the Chief Commissioner said.

"It seems you’re not just asking me to ’persuade’ them, are you?"

Zhou Yuanjue remarked with a sigh.

"Of course not. The best way to persuade an opponent is to conquer them."

"And I believe that you, right now, have that ability,"

the Chief Commissioner said with a smile.