After the applause, the entire hall fell silent. All eyes were on Zhou Yuanjue, and every camera lens was trained on the young man.

Even outside the grand auditorium, in the online live stream rooms, all the scrolling comments came to a halt.

Everyone was waiting for this young, powerful man—who seemed to have appeared out of nowhere—to speak at this pivotal moment in history, to say something that could influence the global landscape.

"Someone once told me the times have changed."

"With the crack of a gunshot, the Martial Dao fell into decline. This era doesn’t believe in miracles, nor do they exist."

"But I never stopped searching."

"On the brink of life and death, in the gaps of an ordinary existence, facing a frail body and a fragile mind, I have always believed that the human body holds immense mysteries we have yet to uncover."

"And that is the truth. We are born frail, but we can pursue strength. We are born flawed, but we can strive for perfection, step by step."

"Societal progress and scientific development have given us a comfortable environment unimaginable to our predecessors. But the consequence is that everything is being objectified: money, power, traffic, efficiency... We do our utmost to explore nature and transform the world, yet we neglect the most important thing of all—ourselves."

"The Martial Dao is not merely a collection of fighting techniques, a method for conflict, or an outlet for violence."

"On the contrary, the Martial Dao is a form of Cultivation to temper the self, know the self, and transcend the self, a path for humanity’s mind and body to progressively advance toward perfection!"

"The Martial Dao is a great discipline for tempering the body, strengthening the Spirit, understanding one’s true heart, and in turn, suppressing instinct, allowing the self to become the complete Sovereign of the body, and through this, to explore the mysteries of the universe!"

Zhou Yuanjue’s voice boomed like a great bell. Each clear word not only reached the ears of the audience but was also carried by recording and camera equipment into the hearts of countless countrymen, delivering a unique kind of shock.

After these words, it was impossible to know how many people would change their perception of the Martial Dao from that day forward.

Before, most people saw the Martial Dao as just a form of exercise or a combat technique. But now, they understood more deeply that fighting and practical combat were only a small part of its true meaning. The real significance of the Martial Dao lay in self-discovery and the exploration of life itself.

It wasn’t just a skill; it was a great discipline.

"To command the body with the Spirit, to reach the infinite from the finite!"

"The Donghua Martial Arts University was founded with this very will: to study the essence of the Martial Dao, to explore the mysteries of human life, and to create impossible miracles from the ordinary."

"You will be the forerunners, the trailblazers. You are participating in an exploration that will change human history, one no less important than the great Age of Discovery. You are scaling treacherous peaks never before reached by humankind!"

"A new era has arrived, and with it, new crises are descending. Some beings believe humanity is worthless, but I believe that the power of the human spirit itself can overcome all shackles!"

"I hope that all of you here will carry this will forward, advancing without fear, with no regrets even in the face of a hundred deaths. Ignite the spark of the Martial Dao and pave the way for a new era!"

Zhou Yuanjue’s voice was filled with power. Each word and phrase landed with resounding force, echoing through the auditorium.

Ignite the spark of the Martial Dao and pave the way for a new era!

A stirring feeling spread through the crowd, a tremor in their hearts that would not subside.

In that moment, they felt that being admitted to this university might be the greatest fortune of their lives.

...

...

The first opening ceremony of the Donghua Martial Arts University concluded.

As the principal of the Martial Arts University, Zhou Yuanjue’s speech was officially produced by the Donghua Martial Arts University as promotional video Data. It was shared frantically across the internet, gaining countless fans and spreading the will and true meaning of the Martial Dao even further.

For a time, nearly every able-bodied young person in Donghua began to attempt Martial Dao Cultivation. Countless teenagers even came to see Zhou Yuanjue as a role model, aspiring to become Martial Artists themselves.

However, even more shocking news followed: the foundational textbook of the Donghua Martial Arts University, "Instinct Theory," compiled by Zhou Yuanjue, was printed and released to the public at an extremely low price.

The inventory in every bookstore and online shop was snatched up in an instant.

For a long time after that, the emergence of the framework provided by Instinct Theory had a tremendous stimulating effect on the Donghua Martial Arts Realm. Countless Martial Artists joined the massive discussion, using their own experiences to continuously add flesh and blood to the missing parts of this framework.

Burly Martial Artists, one after another, began to settle down and use this framework to summarize their experiences and interpret their sects’ secret teachings. They started to seriously study academic writing, and some even began to set aside sectarian prejudices, not minding if they revealed some principles of their secret teachings in papers to foster greater exchange.

At the same time, top-tier Martial Artists like Dong Wanming of the Holy Heart Sect and Yang Guhong of the Nine Dragons Sect from the Southern Eight Sects, as well as Xin Chencang of the Baishou Sect and Zheng Yanqing of the Thousand Transformations Sect from the Northern Martial Arts Realm, all entered secluded meditation. It seemed the appearance of Instinct Theory had sparked some kind of crucial epiphany for them.

The appearance of Instinct Theory established a fundamental framework. Even the test for "Glazed Jade Color" became one of the key indicators for assessing a Martial Artist’s level.

Even much later, Instinct Theory remained the cornerstone of modern Martial Dao. The phrase, "To command the body with the Spirit, to reach the infinite from the finite," influenced generations of Martial Artists.

Of course, all of this came later.

...

...

The day after the Donghua Martial Arts University officially began its semester.

「Beisha Country. Office of the Minister of Beisha Security.」

Gleb Innovich sat in an oversized office chair, holding a book. In contrast to his massive frame and huge hands, the normal-sized book looked as small as a pocket comic.

This book was the original edition of Instinct Theory, written by Zhou Yuanjue.

As a powerful figure renowned throughout the world, Gleb had mastered fluent Donghua Language over his long life, so he had no trouble reading the original text.

He carefully read through all of Instinct Theory, page by page, then fell into a long silence. His assistant stood quietly to the side, waiting patiently.

"An impressive sentiment... ’To command the body with the Spirit, to reach the infinite from the finite. Humanity itself can overcome all shackles...’"

"I knew he was an exceptionally talented fellow, but I never expected him to reach this stage so quickly."

"Perhaps some people are born with an extraordinary mission, just like the Ancient Heroes of old. They are born with abilities that surpass the ordinary, destined to accomplish earth-shattering deeds."

Gleb remarked with admiration.

"Sir, do you think we should mass-print and distribute this book in our country?"

his assistant asked.

"We don’t have the proper justification. We won’t prohibit its circulation, but for now, we won’t actively promote it either."

Gleb said. He then pondered for a moment before asking his assistant, "Hasn’t the President been holding up Donghua’s request for a secret visit?"

Hearing this, the assistant nodded and said, "Yes, sir. The President has asked me to inquire about your opinion on several occasions, but you never responded."

"Now, you can tell him. Invite the Donghua representative to visit. I wish to personally meet the man who wrote this book."

Gleb said calmly.