Su Yu's gaze swept over the sea of expectant faces below the stage, his heart stirred with soaring pride. With a sudden sweep of his grand hand through the air, his voice rang out like a great bronze bell, carrying across the entire valley: "In that case, one hundred years from now, right here in the center of this valley, I shall lecture to you all on the profound essentials of the Martial Dao! If our Human Race wishes to dominate the Primordial World, every single one of us must attain a deeper understanding of the Martial Dao!"
These words dropped into the crowd like a heavy explosive, instantly setting the clansmen abuzz. Cheers and shouts of approval rose one after another, their excitement so palpable it seemed as though they were about to rush off to join the grandest carnival in the entire universe.
Like a roaring super typhoon, the news swept through every single human tribe with blinding speed. Upon hearing the news, the chieftains of the various tribes were so excited they felt as though their hearts were about to leap straight out of their throats.
In the Wind Tribe, Chifeng's fiery temper flared instantly. Like a whirlwind, he dashed out to summon the tribe's elite members. Standing atop a boulder, he shouted at the top of his lungs: "Listen up, all of you, hear me well! Lord Martial Ancestor is going to personally preach the Dao! This chance is rarer than finding a fire ganoderma mushroom deep inside ten-thousand-year black ice! Not a single one of our Wind Tribe's elites is allowed to miss this; you are all going to go and listen attentively. If anyone comes back still as thick-headed as a stump without having learned any real skills, I'll have him stand in the wind tunnel drinking the northwest wind until his belly is fit to burst!"
Meanwhile, in the Fire Tribe, Chiyan was hopping about anxiously like an ant on a hot pan. Rushing back and forth through the settlement, he bellowed at the top of his lungs: "Quickly, look lively! Find all the gifted little fellows in our tribe. This trip to hear the Martial Ancestor preach the Dao concerns whether our Fire Tribe can stand tall and swagger proudly across the Primordial World! If anyone drops the ball, I'll use him as firewood to roast sweet potatoes for everyone!"
For those immersed in cultivation, a hundred years passed in the blink of an eye, fleeting as a mere nap. Before they knew it, the great day of Su Yu's lecture had arrived.
On this day, the valley seemed infused with boundless vitality, as lively as a boiling cauldron. Just as the horizon began to show a hint of fish-belly white, human elites from all directions poured in like a rising tide. In an instant, the valley was packed to capacity, a dazzling patchwork of strange and wondrous garments intersecting in brilliant colors. Some warriors wore battle armor inlaid with spirit crystals that flashed with light, while others draped cloaks made from rare beast skins, looking utterly majestic. Everyone discussed the upcoming lecture with excitement, their voices merging into a stirring, passionate symphony.
"Hey, brother, what kind of jaw-dropping marvels do you think Lord Martial Ancestor will talk about this time?" asked a young tribesman from the Water Tribe, curiosity flashing in his eyes as he nudged his companion.
His companion curled his lips and replied with absolute confidence: "It's bound to be some supreme technique that lets us take off on the spot! Who knows, once we finish listening, we might be able to move mountains and fill seas with a single thought just like Lord Martial Ancestor. By then, who in the Primordial World would dare look down on us?"
Just as the crowd was deep in lively chatter, a dazzling beam of light suddenly flashed across the sky. Su Yu appeared, clad in a robe radiating a mysterious glow, as though stepping forth from the stars. His robes fluttered in the wind, and the ancient runes embroidered upon them gleamed with a peculiar luster, as if whispering of the primordial world's ancient secrets. Step by step, he slowly walked toward the lecture platform in the center of the valley, every footfall seeming to tread upon the hearts of the gathered throng.
With Su Yu's appearance, the entire valley fell instantly silent. Everyone held their breath, keeping their gazes fixed intently upon him, terrified of missing even a single moment.
Suiren, Youchao, and Zhiyi stood off to the side, their boundless pride practically spilling over. Suiren nudged Youchao and muttered in a low voice: "Look at that, just look at the aura of our Lord Martial Ancestor! Standing right there, he has the absolute demeanor of the Primordial World's supreme powerhouse. I'm just hoping the Martial Ancestor starts speaking right now; I can't wait to learn some new tricks."
Youchao rolled his eyes at him and lowered his voice: "Stop yapping and listen properly. Don't miss a single word the Martial Ancestor says. Once I finish listening, who knows, maybe I can invent an even more formidable nest-building cultivation method that will double the human race's cultivation speed!"
Su Yu stood steadily upon the lecture platform, his gaze sharp and piercing as he swept it across the clansmen below. With a faint smile, he began to speak: "Clansmen, today I shall explain to you the profound mysteries of the Martial Dao. This Martial Dao is not merely about rough-and-tumble fighting; it is a profound understanding of heaven, earth, and oneself. Take making a fire, for instance—seemingly simple, yet it actually embodies the mastery and insight of controlling the power of fire."
As he spoke, he extended his palm, and a cluster of dancing flames slowly materialized in his hand. Unlike ordinary fire, these flames gleamed in five brilliant colors, radiating a scorching yet mysterious aura. "Look at this fire. It can bring warmth and light, yet it can also transform into a force that destroys everything. The Martial Dao is precisely the same—it lies in how you control it, how you wield it."
"And let us speak of the wind." As Su Yu's voice trailed off, a gentle breeze swept leisurely through the valley, brushing across the faces of the crowd with a trace of coolness. "Wind is formless and colorless, yet it travels between heaven and earth, penetrating every nook and cranny. When we cultivate the Martial Dao, we must be just like this wind—flexible, ever-changing, and attuned to nature, so that we may travel unhindered through this Primordial World."
The clansmen below listened in stunned amazement, from time to time letting out bursts of gasps and sighs. A young clansman couldn't help whispering, "Wow, so the Martial Dao can be understood like this? I used to think it was just about throwing punches with all your might."
The person beside him nodded hastily: "Indeed! Lord Martial Ancestor's words have completely enlightened me. The path of cultivation suddenly feels so much clearer."
Seeing the pensive looks on the faces of the clansmen below, Su Yu felt deeply gratified and continued, "In the process of cultivating the Martial Dao, our own state of mind is also of paramount importance. Just as Youchao constructs houses with careful planning and patient craftsmanship, we too must settle our minds in our cultivation, taking solid steps forward without being impatient for quick results."
Hearing Su Yu mention him, Youchao puffed out his chest proudly, looking immensely pleased with himself.
"Therefore, clansmen, let us together comprehend the true meaning of the Martial Dao and forge bravely ahead toward the goal of dominating the Primordial World!" Su Yu's voice turned passionate once more, echoing long and lingering through the valley.
Pausing briefly, Su Yu gazed at the crowd below with bright, piercing eyes and continued: "As you all know, although our Human Race started late, our greatest strength lies in our solidarity—and this too is a manifestation of the Martial Dao! Think about it: if we each fought our own battles like a tray of scattered sand, even if every single one of us possessed the ability to move mountains and fill seas, what good would it do? We would simply be picked off one by one by those powerful races."
The clansmen below nodded in agreement. A robust fellow shouted at the top of his lungs: "The Martial Ancestor is right! We must stick together. In the past, when we hunted, a single person couldn't handle a large beast, but when a group of us joined forces, that large beast had no choice but to be captured!"
Su Yu smiled and nodded, continuing, "That's precisely it! The Martial Dao is not only the cultivation of one's own strength, but also the wisdom of cooperation with others and coexistence with heaven and earth. Take water, for instance." With a wave of his hand, a portion of the water in the valley's lake seemed to be pulled by some mysterious force, slowly rising into the air to condense into a massive sphere of water.
"Water appears gentle and yielding, yet it can pierce stone and embrace all things. When we cultivate the Martial Dao, we must possess a mind as vast as water—capable of tolerating the shortcomings of others and learning from their strengths. When encountering difficulties, do not simply clash head-on; learn from the adaptability of water, taking a roundabout path, and you may just find a way through." As he spoke, Su Yu manipulated the water sphere to morph into various shapes, at times resembling a sharp longsword, at times a sturdy shield.
The clansmen watched in dazzled amazement, gasps of wonder unending. A little girl blinked her large eyes and asked curiously, "Lord Martial Ancestor, what about earth? Can earth also be related to the Martial Dao?"
Su Yu laughed heartily and said, "Of course it's related! Earth is heavy and solid, the foundation upon which all things grow. When our Human Race cultivates the Martial Dao, we must also possess a foundation like the earth. Solid basic skills and firm conviction are our foundations. Only when the foundation is secure can we walk further and climb higher on the path of the Martial Dao. Otherwise, it would be like building a house without laying a proper foundation—at the slightest wind and rain, it collapses!"
At this moment, a young clansman scratched his head and asked in confusion, "Lord Martial Ancestor, what is the relationship between the Martial Dao and the weapons we usually use? Does it mean the more powerful the weapon, the stronger we are?"
Su Yu smiled faintly and replied, "Weapons are indeed a great assistance in our cultivation of the Martial Dao, but they are not the decisive factor. A supreme divine weapon in the hands of someone who doesn't know how to use it is merely a pretty decoration. A truly formidable martial artist holds a sword in their heart even when their hands are empty. Using grass and trees as swords, they can still conquer enemies and achieve victory. This is because they have grasped the essence of the Martial Dao, capable of fusing their own strength with the power of heaven and earth to unleash might far exceeding the weapon itself. Therefore, do not overly rely on weapons; instead, focus on elevating your own realm of the Martial Dao."
Hearing this, the clansmen fell into deep thought, as if sketching out their future paths of cultivation in their minds. Seeing the earnest expressions on their faces, Su Yu felt deeply content. He gave a grand sweep of his hand and said, "Very well, clansmen, for the remainder of our time, you may all voice any doubts in your hearts. Let us discuss them together and progress as one!"
At these words, the valley instantly erupted into a flurry of activity, and the clansmen eagerly raised their questions. An elderly man stroked his beard and spoke steadily: "Lord Martial Ancestor, according to your words, the Martial Dao emphasizes attuning oneself to heaven and earth. Yet the power of heaven and earth is so vast—how are we supposed to accurately perceive it and borrow it for our own use?"
Su Yu patiently answered: "The power of heaven and earth constantly surrounds us. It is just like the spiritual Qi in this valley, ubiquitous everywhere. To perceive it, one must quiet the mind and discard distracting thoughts. When you cultivate, try to view yourself as a part of heaven and earth, allowing the spiritual Qi to flow naturally within your body, blending seamlessly with your own spiritual power. In this way, you will gradually be able to perceive and guide the power of heaven and earth for your own use."