Chapter 416 Welcome to the New Era
Lu Changfeng's head was bowed low, his gray hair obscuring the expression on his face.
The two disciples behind him, a man and a woman, had faces full of resentment and humiliation, their fists clenched tightly, yet they dared not utter a sound.
"Elder Lu, believe me, you won't regret this decision." Seeing this, Chen Jianguo's smile became more sincere.
He knew very well that the Kunlun Sword Sect's compromise was of great significance.
This is not just about incorporating an ancient cultivation sect, but also about setting a benchmark for other "awakeners" who may appear in the future.
A new era benchmark characterized by state leadership and orderly governance.
Zhou Jue looked at Lu Changfeng and added, "After your martial arts techniques are reported and filed, the intellectual property rights still belong to the Kunlun Sword Sect."
"Anyone or organization that wants to learn how to use it needs to pay the corresponding 'patent fee,' and you even have the right to decide who gets to learn it and who doesn't."
"Patent fee?" Lu Changfeng looked up abruptly. He didn't understand the word, but he understood the word "fee".
"Simply put, it's money, or you could say spirit stones or resources," Zhao Sizhe said, having walked in at some point and naturally taking over the conversation.
Li Ming was following behind him; the two of them had obviously heard the news and rushed over.
“We will not only not take your techniques for free, but you can also incorporate them into the curriculum of Kunlun University.”
Zhao Sizhe walked up to Lu Changfeng and handed him a tablet computer.
"This is Yunlan University's course selection system. You can take a look and use it as a reference."
Lu Changfeng stared blankly at the glowing "magical artifact" in front of him.
Zhao Sizhe didn't care. He swiped his finger across the screen and brought up a series of course catalogs, including alchemy, formation, and weapon crafting.
"For example, the course 'Interdisciplinary Research on the Pharmacology and Biochemistry of Elixirs,' taught by Li Ming, has ten classes with thirty students each. The tuition fee is xxx per student per academic year, and graduation requires at least four years. Further studies... are also possible..."
A number appeared on the screen that made Lu Changfeng's eyelids twitch.
“If your Kunlun Sword Sect’s swordsmanship is good enough, you could open a ‘Kunlun Swordsmanship Practical Application’ course and recruit students from all walks of life, or even from all over the world.”
"At that time, the benefits you will gain will far exceed the accumulation of your past ten thousand years of relying on the mountains for sustenance."
Zhao Sizhe's voice wasn't loud, but it was like a key that instantly unlocked the shackles of Lu Changfeng's thinking.
Cultivation techniques... can be used like this?
Offering courses...recruiting students...collecting money?
A scene flashed through his mind: countless cultivators from all over the world, crowding the gates of Kunlun Mountain in order to learn the Kunlun Sword Technique, offering mountains of spirit stones...
The scene was so beautiful.
"Of course, all of this is based on the premise that your sect's techniques and swordsmanship are truly valuable." Zhao Sizhe's words brought him back to reality.
"We will organize a team of experts to evaluate and optimize your exercises, and even combine them with modern technology to develop stronger application models."
"For example, the combination of sword control techniques and drone swarm technology, or the combination of flying swords and electromagnetic acceleration technology."
"If you are willing, the Kunlun Sword Sect will no longer be a closed-off ancient sect, but a 'new sect' that leads the development of swordsmanship in the new era."
Lu Changfeng's breathing became rapid.
He looked at Zhao Sizhe, then at Zhou Jue, and the last trace of disappointment and resentment in his eyes completely disappeared, replaced by an unprecedented gleam called "ambition".
Although he didn't quite understand some of what the monk said, he understood that it referred to resources and disciples.
"We...we, the Kunlun Sword Sect, are willing to fully cooperate with the nation's reorganization efforts!"
He stood up and bowed deeply to everyone present once again.
This time, it was out of genuine admiration.
...
Zhao Sizhe put away the tablet, smiled slightly at Lu Changfeng, and stepped aside.
Seeing the renewed light in Lu Changfeng's eyes and hearing the heartfelt words transmitted by the Fang of Listening to the Sea, Zhou Jue knew that the Kunlun elder's inner turmoil had eased somewhat.
“Now that Elder Lu has come to his senses, let’s discuss the specifics.” Zhou Jue’s tone softened slightly as he asked, “May I ask, how many people does your Kunlun Sword Sect have left? What is your highest combat strength?”
Upon hearing this question, Lu Changfeng's newly ignited ambition dimmed further. A trace of sorrow appeared on his face, and he sighed, "Fellow Daoist, my sect now... including myself, has only one hundred and eight people left."
"As for the highest combat strength..." He shook his head with a wry smile: "It's this old man's crippled body. Late Nascent Soul stage, ninth level. I'm ashamed."
Zhou Jue raised an eyebrow: "Oh? As far as I know, a sect with a history of ten thousand years shouldn't have only this much foundation. What about your sect leader and those elders with even higher cultivation levels?"
Upon hearing this, Lu Changfeng and his two disciples behind him simultaneously displayed expressions of grief and reverence.
Lu Changfeng bowed deeply towards the direction of the sect, his voice low and hoarse: "Fellow Daoist... With the arrival of the Dharma-ending Age, spiritual energy has been cut off. In order to preserve a trace of the sect's flame, our sect leader, the three Supreme Elders, and all the seniors above the Nascent Soul stage at that time exhausted their life's cultivation and primordial spirit to set up the 'Sumeru Mustard Seed Mountain-Sealing Formation,' which has sealed us core disciples to this day."
"They... left us with the chance to live, while they themselves turned into dust to guard the mountain gate."
I see.
Zhou Jue and everyone present understood that this was a tragic act of self-sacrifice for survival; those truly top-tier experts sacrificed themselves for the continuation of civilization.
Chen Jianguo and others were filled with awe. No matter how times change, this spirit of sacrificing for the collective is worthy of respect.
Zhou Jue was silent for a moment, then continued to ask, "One last question: to your knowledge, besides the Kunlun Sword Sect, are there any other sects or forces on this land that have been dormant in a similar way until now?"
This is a crucial question, as it relates to how many more "awakeners" like the Kunlun Sword Sect will emerge within China's borders in the future.
Lu Changfeng pondered for a moment, seemingly recalling ancient secrets.
“There should be.” He said slowly, “The calamity of the end of Dharma was not without warning. I remember the sect leader mentioned that several Taoist sects, such as Penglai Island in the East Sea, Qingcheng Mountain in Sichuan, and Zhongnan Mountain, seemed to be seeking ways to escape the world. But I don’t know what methods they used or whether they succeeded. After all, ten thousand years have passed, and the world has changed. No one can guarantee that their seals can safely survive such a long period of time.”
Zhou Jue nodded and memorized the place names.
It seems that the Kunlun Sword Sect is just the beginning. In the future, these ancient traditions that have been dormant for thousands of years on the land of China may spring up like bamboo shoots after a spring rain, one after another, and reappear in the world.
What China needs to do is to incorporate them all into the new order the moment they awaken, using a mature, comprehensive, and irresistible plan.
“Okay.” Zhou Jue stood up, looked at Lu Changfeng, and her tone became more serious.
"Elder Lu, welcome to the new era. I hope that the swords of the Kunlun Sword Sect will be able to carve out a peaceful and prosperous world for China and its 1.4 billion compatriots in the future."
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