With the help of the relevant authorities, a video of Zhou Yuanjue’s speech was translated into multiple languages and began circulating abroad.

The founding of Donghua Martial Arts University, Zhou Yuanjue’s explanation of the true meaning of the Martial Dao, and his profound trust in human potential all served as the best possible promotion for both the university and the soon-to-be-established Human Life Research Committee.

The translators hired by the authorities were of the highest caliber, leaving a deep and shocking impression on countless people worldwide.

It was about the Martial Dao, about life, and about humanity itself.

In truth, deep within every human heart lies the desire to challenge and surpass oneself, to scale ever-greater heights.

Humans have never been creatures to stagnate. The will to transcend exists within everyone.

"To challenge yourself again and again with your own power—that is the meaning of human existence!"

"That was so cool! I’d much rather get stronger step-by-step on my own than rely on technology!"

"Humanity can’t possibly lose to any other species! We have infinite potential!"

"..."

Zhou Yuanjue already had considerable fame internationally, and this speech propelled his global renown to its absolute peak.

Meanwhile, as the video of his speech spread, countless people across the globe became interested in Zhou Yuanjue’s writings. With a push from the Donghua government, his book, *Instinct Theory*, also began to circulate among the general populace of various nations.

More and more people gained a deeper understanding of the Martial Dao and came to identify with its principles.

Countless Martial Artists across the world who were stuck before the Life and Death Mysterious Gate found themselves inspired, leading to profound breakthroughs. At the same time, innumerable combat sports and martial arts enthusiasts began to see Zhou Yuanjue as an idol and role model. They developed a keen interest in that university in the distant East—the world’s first institution of its kind dedicated to the Martial Dao.

For Donghua, this was a major victory on the battlefield of global public opinion.

It was just as Zhou Yuanjue had said.

A powerful will and ideology could conquer the world more effectively than brute force.

To Donghua, his book was a weapon more formidable than any other. The attitudes of countless Neutral Countries seemed to shift because of it.

「Starry Sky Country, Nebula Alliance.」

In an oppressive room straight out of a nightmare, gray smoke permeated everything. Unseen creatures seemed to crawl across the floor, and terrifying existences darted through the haze from time to time.

Struggling arms rose from the gray mist on the floor. They twitched violently, trying to break free from some unseen restraint, but were soon yanked back down by an unknown force, disappearing into the haze once more.

At the center of the nightmarish gray smoke stood a menacing throne. A man, his form hazy and his features indistinct, was seated upon it. He lounged sideways, his left arm propping up his temple while his right hand held a book he was reading intently.

On the book’s cover, two words were clearly written: *Instinct Theory*.

The figure on the throne finished the last page and slowly closed the book. He spoke with a tone of both surprise and lament, "Humans... truly an unfathomable existence."

"They are born weak, selfish, cowardly, greedy, and lazy. When they gather, they are like a swarm of ants. Yet from this very swarm, giants as immense as mountains have emerged. Their existence itself is something of a miracle."

"It’s admirable, but also frightening. The best way to deal with them is to crush their leaders, to turn them back into a disorganized, scattered mob."

"This world does not need another batch of heroes."

He slowly rose from his throne and gestured with one hand.

VMMMM!!

The gray mist surged, and the room’s interior began to shift, gradually coalescing into a round conference table. Then, seven figures condensed from the mist, slowly appearing around the table.

These seven figures had no facial features; they appeared to be mere phantoms formed from the gray mist.

These seven figures were none other than the highest publicly known combatants of the Celestial Organization: the Seven Mo Luo.

The Seven Mo Luo, who were at that very moment scattered in different regions across the world, thousands of miles apart, had all been gathered in this nightmarish room with a single wave of the hand from the mist-shrouded man.

It was an unbelievable display of power.

"King, for what purpose have you summoned us?"

One of the phantoms of the Seven Mo Luo directed the question to the figure at the head of the table.

"You’ve all seen this book, I presume?"

The figure at the head of the table said, holding up the book in his hand for all to see.

"The newest book from that guy at Donghua Martial Arts University? I’ve seen it. What’s it got to do with me?"

one of the figures said nonchalantly.

"Yuan Luàn, you seem to have fought that guy head-on. What was he like?"

Another figure spoke up.

"’What was he like? For a human, he’s pretty strong. His techniques are bizarre, and his ability is a regenerative type, which is extremely rare for humans. But compared to me, he’s still a long way off. He teamed up with an Arhat from Tai Lan Country and still couldn’t touch me. If it weren’t for the King’s orders at the time, he would’ve died in Tai Lan if I’d had just a little more time.’"

Another figure then spoke.

"’So, he’s not all that great then. Can’t even beat a good-for-nothing like Yuan Luàn who only knows how to abuse his immortality.’"

yet another figure remarked casually.

"’Baiguang! What did you just say? You got the balls? Let’s go a round!’"

The figure that was presumably Yuan Luàn glared fiercely at the other and snapped.

"’Sure. Come get your ass kicked anytime you want.’"

the figure retorted bluntly.

"Regarding *Instinct Theory*, I’ve already had our secret labs in the Black State give it special attention," another voice interjected. "Suppressing human instinct to obtain more power... it’s a novel system. According to our research data, it seems to be genuinely effective. However, it can’t be applied to our test subjects. The subjects we cultivate with our technology belong to a completely different system. That degree of bodily and mental control is not our forte."

"This is likely why Donghua dares to publish the theory so openly. For individual humans, it will undoubtedly forge a new path forward. For us, it represents a tremendous threat."

"Or rather, the man who proposed this theory is the tremendous threat. Forgive me for being blunt, King, but I believe his threat level is so high that we should have prioritized his elimination back then, even if it meant sacrificing the plan in Tai Lan Country."

"Humans are like a flock of sheep. With a leader, they can even threaten a pack of wolves. But once that leader is gone and they lose their will to resist, no matter how numerous they become, they are nothing but food."

Finally, a figure sitting closest to the mysterious leader spoke.

"At the time, his value was not great enough for me to abandon the plan," the King said. "But now, his threat level must be raised again. I am placing him at the highest priority for elimination."

"Not long ago, I received intelligence from within Beisha Country. At the suggestion of Gleb Innovich, the Minister of Beisha Security, the President of Beisha has decided to invite the Donghua Delegation, including Zhou Yuanjue, for a secret visit. This is very likely a sign that Beisha is leaning toward Donghua."

"Other nations are irrelevant, but given Beisha’s influence, I will not allow it to align with either side so easily."

"Baiguang in the Hiloba Region, Yuan Luàn in the Ori Region... you two wanted a fight, didn’t you?"

"I will give you that opportunity. But only after you have killed Zhou Yuanjue."

the figure on the throne stated, his expression impassive.