Seeing Ye Zhilan and Gu Yuena fully immersed in the research of the "Dual Form Contract," forgetting to eat and sleep, Yu Yuanchen pondered what he could do for himself while acting as their guardian and providing necessary Soul Power support. His cultivation level had already reached the peak of Level 99, and his Soul Power had undergone a qualitative change; further improvement would not be a matter of a single day, requiring long-term, painstaking effort and fortuitous insights. Retreating into seclusion for bitter practice held little meaning, so he decided to take advantage of this leisure time to handle some long-term matters concerning the future of the sect and the continent.
On this day, he strolled to a secluded cliff behind Dragon City, overlooking the increasingly prosperous and vibrant Dragon City below, as well as the vast Douluo Continent in the distance, and gradually formed a plan in his mind.
"It is time to put the promotion of martial arts on the agenda," Yu Yuanchen thought to himself.
It had been several years since he perfected the martial arts system before the Seven Sects Selection Conference. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and the Ye Family, having the advantage of proximity, had long since combined the martial arts system with their own martial soul characteristics under his personal guidance and resource allocation, discovering unique tempering methods and combat skills best suited for the "Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon" and "Nine Heart Begonia."
The younger generation of disciples within the sect generally possessed vigorous bloodline power and solid foundations, with combat power far exceeding those of the same rank in the past, and many elites who practiced both Soul Power and bloodline power had emerged. It could be said that on this new path of martial arts, the Yu and Ye families were far ahead, having accumulated a deep foundation.
However, looking at the entire continent, apart from the other two of the Upper Three Sects and top forces like Martial Soul Hall, who could cultivate a small number of elites by obtaining some basic martial arts methods from Yu Yuanchen through their massive capital and cooperation with the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, the vast majority of small and medium-sized sects, families, and even the broad masses of civilian Soul Masters still held a superficial understanding of martial arts, limited to "strengthening the body," and were unable to obtain systematic, safe, and effective cultivation methods. This undoubtedly did not align with Yu Yuanchen's vision for the development of martial arts; he did not want martial arts to be mastered only by major forces.
"Sharing joy with others is better than enjoying it alone. If martial arts are limited to a few forces, they will ultimately be a castle in the air. Only by popularizing them and gathering the wisdom of all living beings can they truly flourish and give back to the continent." Yu Yuanchen knew deeply that the strength of a system lay in its popularity and vitality. Promoting basic martial arts would not only improve the overall strength of the human race but also gather destiny, accumulate belief, and accelerate the rooting and perfection of the martial arts system in this world, which would also be of great benefit to his further progress after becoming a god.
Of course, promotion must have its limits. Yu Yuanchen understood the principle of "a handful of rice breeds gratitude, a bushel breeds resentment." Easily spreading core, advanced tempering methods and combat skills throughout the world would not bring gratitude, but might instead invite covetousness, disputes, and even cultivate future enemies. He had to master this "degree."
After long deliberation, a clear plan took shape in Yu Yuanchen's mind.
He first summoned his grandfather Yu Boxuan, his father Yu Mingfeng, and the head of the Ye Family, Ye Kuan, to lay out his thoughts.
"Therefore, grandson believes that our sect and the Ye Family should shoulder the responsibility of leading the development of martial arts. However, the inheritance cannot be taught lightly; there must be rules," Yu Yuanchen said steadily. "I intend to proceed in two steps."
"The first step is to benefit the masses with the foundation. We will select the most basic, safe, and easy-to-learn Level 1 to 3 Basic Blood Essence Tempering Method and make it public across the continent through the channels of Martial Soul Hall. Although these methods progress slowly and the bloodline power cultivated provides limited combat power boosts, they have the advantages of low thresholds, low risks, and low resource consumption, making them suitable for the vast number of civilian Soul Masters to build foundations and strengthen their physiques, and they are also beneficial for the cultivation of low-level Soul Masters. This move can benefit all living beings, accumulate merit, and also win prestige for our sect and the Ye Family."
Yu Boxuan stroked his beard and pondered for a moment before nodding: "Yuanchen's considerations are comprehensive. Making the basic methods public can indeed demonstrate the magnanimity of our sect and avoid the trouble of 'possessing a treasure that invites theft.' However, how can we ensure that the methods are not tampered with or abused?"
Yu Yuanchen smiled slightly: "Grandfather, rest assured. I have repeatedly deduced these basic methods; they are extremely simple and pure, with almost no room for tampering. Moreover, the cultivation effect is gentle and focuses on accumulation, making it difficult to achieve quick success. Even if they spread, they will not stir up great waves. At that time, we can ask Martial Soul Hall to come forward to print and distribute them in an official capacity, and set up consultation points where low-level disciples can be on duty to answer questions, which can both standardize the dissemination and train the disciples."
Ye Kuan also expressed his agreement: "This method is excellent. Our Ye Family can also provide some basic medicinal bath formulas to go along with the popularization, which will benefit the civilians even more." The Ye Family was famous for healing and medicine, and this move could play to their strengths.
"The second step is the cultivation of elites." Yu Yuanchen's gaze became deep. "Advanced martial arts inheritance, such as tempering methods above Level 4, unique combat skills, the essence of bloodline cultivation, and even the deeper path of the fusion of bloodline and Soul Power, cannot be taught lightly. I intend for our sect and the Ye Family to jointly establish a 'Tianxing Martial Arts Academy' in a place with beautiful scenery and easy management outside of Dragon City!"
"A martial arts academy?" A gleam flashed in Yu Mingfeng's eyes.
"Exactly." Yu Yuanchen nodded. "The academy will recruit ambitious youths from across the continent, regardless of their background, focusing only on character and talent. Enrollment will require strict assessment, with a focus on character; those with poor conduct or those who bully the weak will never be tolerated. The academy will have core disciples or senior Elders from our sect and the Ye Family serve as teachers to impart advanced martial arts and provide guidance on martial soul cultivation."
He paused and continued: "Practicing martial arts, especially advanced methods, requires a large amount of resources. For students from poor families who have both talent and good character, the academy can provide varying degrees of resource subsidies based on their daily performance, progress speed, and completion of tasks. Alternatively, the academy can set aside a portion of its resources to provide interest-free loans to students with potential, which they can repay in various ways after they have achieved success."
Yu Yuanchen added again: "Of course, the initial resources will need to be subsidized by our two families because of me, but in the future, the academy must have its own industries and will not rely on our two families to sustain it forever."
"But there is one point that must be the iron law of the academy, as well as the school motto, engraved in the heart of every student—" Yu Yuanchen's tone became extremely solemn, "That is: 'As Heaven's movement is ever vigorous, so must a gentleman ceaselessly strive for self-improvement'!"
"The way of Heaven is strong and vigorous; in response to this, a martial artist should also strive for self-improvement, be firm and resolute, work hard, and never stop!"
He swept his gaze over the elders present. "We are opening the academy to provide resources and opportunities; this is an external force, an aid. But the true path of the strong must ultimately be forged, fought for, and striven for by the students themselves! The academy can help them for a while, but it cannot help them for a lifetime. If they do not work hard themselves and only complain about heaven and others, waiting for handouts, even with the highest talent and the most resources, they will still be like rotten wood that cannot be carved!"
"We martial artists should have the sharp spirit to face difficulties and never yield! The academy aims to cultivate eagles that can rise in adversity and grow through trials, not flowers in a greenhouse that cannot withstand the wind and rain!" Yu Yuanchen's words were sonorous and powerful, echoing in the hall.
Yu Boxuan, Yu Mingfeng, Ye Kuan, and the others were all solemn, with expressions of approval and admiration in their eyes.
"Good! 'As Heaven's movement is ever vigorous, so must a gentleman ceaselessly strive for self-improvement'! This is a profound truth!" Yu Boxuan slapped the table in approval. "Yuanchen, this school motto captures the essence of martial arts and fits the vigorous and enterprising style of our Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan! This martial arts academy must be established!"
Yu Mingfeng also nodded heavily: "Indeed. Giving a man a fish is not as good as teaching him how to fish. Providing a platform and opportunities to stimulate their own fighting spirit is the right way to cultivate talent. Our sect's disciples also need to be tempered in this atmosphere."
Ye Kuan stroked his beard and smiled: "Nephew Yuanchen is far-sighted. The Ye Family will definitely support it with all our strength; medicine and healing resources can be supplied to the academy with priority."
With the plan set, Yu Yuanchen acted decisively and immediately began to implement it.
He first wrote a letter and sent it via a trusted aide to Martial Soul City to be presented to the Pope, Qian Chongshan. In the letter, he detailed his vision of popularizing basic martial arts to strengthen the foundation of the continent's Soul Masters and improve the overall strength of the human race, and proposed the suggestion of using the branch system of Martial Soul Hall spread across the continent to promote it. At the same time, he implicitly mentioned the plan to establish a martial arts academy to cultivate elites, expressing his willingness to maintain a good cooperative relationship with Martial Soul Hall.
The reaction of Martial Soul Hall was unexpectedly fast and extremely positive. Within ten days, the Pope, Qian Chongshan, replied with a handwritten letter, highly praising Yu Yuanchen's spirit of "benefiting all living beings and strengthening our human race," fully agreeing to cooperate in promoting the basic martial arts methods, and stating that Martial Soul Hall would provide full assistance and immediately order each branch to prepare for printing and publicity.
Regarding the establishment of the academy, Qian Chongshan also expressed his pleasure and hinted that Martial Soul Hall could also recommend some youths with clean backgrounds and good character to enroll, and was even willing to provide some teaching staff and construction resources. Clearly, Martial Soul Hall also saw the huge potential of the martial arts academy and hoped to establish closer ties with it.
With the strong support of Martial Soul Hall, the top force on the continent, the promotion of basic martial arts spread rapidly. Copies of the
When the news spread, the continent was shaken!
Countless civilian Soul Masters trapped at low levels and lacking resources, as well as many disciples of small and medium-sized families, were like those in a long drought receiving rain, scrambling to obtain and practice this unprecedented martial art created by the number one person on the continent. Although the progress was slow, the tangible feeling of increased bloodline power and a stronger body gave countless people new hope. The prestige of Yu Yuanchen, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and the Ye Family reached a new peak.
At the same time, a valley with mountains and water, and open terrain, a hundred miles east of Dragon City, was selected as the site for the "Tianxing Martial Arts Academy." With the massive investment of manpower and material resources secretly supported by the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, the Ye Family, and Martial Soul Hall, the construction of the academy proceeded at an astonishing speed. Tall walls, magnificent teaching halls, well-equipped martial arts arenas, a library, medicinal bath rooms, and student dormitories rose from the ground.
Yu Yuanchen personally participated in the overall planning of the academy and the layout of the formations in some core areas. He required that the academy's environment not only be beautiful but also focus on creating an atmosphere for actual combat, setting up various trial grounds that simulated different terrains and environments. The school motto—"As Heaven's movement is ever vigorous, so must a gentleman ceaselessly strive for self-improvement"—in nine vigorous characters, was engraved on a huge stone tablet in front of the main hall of the academy, shining brightly in the sunlight.
The enrollment notice spread across the continent through various channels, clearly listing the admission standards: age not exceeding twelve, a foundation of Soul Power, with a focus on character, perseverance, and comprehension; there were no restrictions on background, but those with poor conduct were strictly prohibited.
Once the notice was issued, it attracted the attention of countless families on the continent, especially those civilian families who had talent but lacked resources, who regarded it as an opportunity to change their destiny.
Yu Yuanchen stayed in Dragon City, focusing on the construction of the academy and enrollment preparations, while continuing to act as a guardian for Ye Zhilan's research, occasionally guiding the cultivation of outstanding disciples within the sect.
He knew deeply that the soul of the academy lay in its teaching staff and inheritance. He began to organize and perfect advanced martial arts methods suitable for promotion, and started to select and train the first batch of sect disciples who would serve as teachers, repeatedly emphasizing to them the foundation of the academy—the spirit of "ceaseless self-improvement."
In the busyness, time passed silently. On the continent, the spark of basic martial arts had already been ignited and was spreading like a prairie fire. And the establishment of the "Tianxing Martial Arts Academy" touched the heartstrings of countless people; a new era belonging to martial arts was about to begin.
Yu Yuanchen stood on the cliff, looking at the outline of the academy that was beginning to take shape in the distance, his eyes full of expectation. The seeds that had been sown had sprouted; whether they could grow into towering trees would require careful watering and, more importantly, depend on the vitality of the seeds themselves. But he believed that as long as they held onto the belief of "ceaseless self-improvement," one day, the flowers of martial arts would bloom all over the continent, and humanity would surely usher in a more brilliant and powerful era!
And all of this stemmed from his choice today. A passion for creating history and leading the era welled up in his heart.
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Translated by: randomtranslator.com
Proofread by: GodKun-Chan