Free Web NovelChapter 374: Chapter 361: A Method to Shake the Foundation
"You might be wondering why Counselor Luo and Senior Wei didn’t dare to look at your paper."
Elder Huo waved the copy of Gu Ming’s manuscript. After a short break, he picked it up and began reading it again.
He explained as he read.
Upon hearing this, Gu Ming glanced back at the other two men.
Counselor Luo wore an apologetic expression and gave him a cupped-fist salute.
"It’s not that I didn’t dare to read it. I was just worried this isn’t the right path, and I didn’t want it to affect my own Dao."
President Wei, young and impetuous, couldn’t stand being provoked by his master and immediately waved his hand dismissively.
Gu Ming was confused.
But with his inspiration and perception, he could already sense that it was their Dao Practice that was preventing them from reading it.
At the same time, several notifications appeared from the system.
[Elder Huo is reading your Foundation Establishment Evolution Method and its prerequisite Heart Method. He looks troubled.]
[You now realize their path is the Non-Self Dao, which clashes with the route of your New Technique.]
[Although the Non-Self Dao has been in gradual decline since the Demon War...]
[...the old guard of the Academic School still represent the world’s top combat power.]
[The Foundation Establishment Method you created makes you a pioneer of a new path.]
[By revealing this path, you are destined to become their opposition.]
After reading the notifications, Gu Ming’s mind felt a bit overwhelmed.
Those few sentences from the system contained a massive amount of information.
If he wasn’t mistaken, this was a conflict born from choosing different paths for the future.
’But could a choice related to one’s "Dao" really be serious enough to create such stark opposition?’
’If that’s the case, the Beastmaster scientific community must have no shortage of internal problems.’
’To gain a firm foothold in this Beast Taming Era, an age rife with competing factions and unchecked capitalism...’ Gu Ming had the distinct feeling that a storm was brewing.
’If he had no supporters on the path ahead, he would likely become the "pioneer" the system mentioned—walking at the forefront, watched by countless eyes, and perhaps blocked by countless people.’
’To surpass them and prove his Dao was the right one, he would have to let his strength do the talking.’
While Gu Ming was contemplating these distant matters, Elder Huo spoke. "You may not know this, but when one reaches the High-star level, they enter what is called the Path stage."
"It is a path that leads to the heavens, a path of ascension."
"We humans lack the innate ability for Cultivation. We can’t build muscle and enhance our abilities by eating Blood Qi-type Spiritual Flesh like Pet Beasts do. We can’t practice Qi Refining, so we can only practice Refining Spirit."
"Cultivating through external objects, ascending through them—that is the path we walk."
"For example, your Cyan Pine Skill is excellent, but even now, many people oppose and detest the Spiritual Technique you founded."
"Don’t be fooled by how calm things seem. The semester has just begun, and you haven’t even registered on their radar yet."
"Once you reach the Four Five-stars Stage, the influence of your work will grow exponentially. When that happens, the people who come looking for trouble won’t be small fry. They’ll be individuals that even I have to avoid."
As Elder Huo said this, his expression grew profound.
His willingness to tell Gu Ming all this stemmed from his deep appreciation for talent.
Seeing that Gu Ming could create a New Technique that surpassed even the Seven-Colored Holy Light Certification, he had no doubt this was a major step forward for humanity. It could even change the fundamental Evolution Method that serves as the basis for a Beastmaster’s path. freeweɓnovēl.coɱ
Although it was designed for Pet Beasts, he could sense that as this Evolution Method’s system became more complete, it would ultimately lead to another path—one that stood in complete opposition to the path he currently cultivated.
Elder Huo closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
Gu Ming only half-understood.
’He knew that on his Cultivation path, the enemies he might face in the future could come from within the academy, or they could be major corporations, powerful families, and other forces clashing with his interests.’
’Still, he was confident about his future. Where there was profit to be made, people would inevitably flock.’
’He refused to believe that everyone in the world was dedicated to cultivating through external objects, stubbornly clinging to the old ways.’
"Teacher Huo, if you’re so repulsed by this method, why are you continuing to study it?"
Elder Huo laughed:
"Haha! Before, I had no other choice, so I took that path."
"Now that a new path has appeared, of course I have to lend you a hand. I can’t let this young seedling be crushed by some great, dark hand before it has a chance to grow."
"I do feel a visceral rejection of the Foundation Establishment Evolution Method right now, but my reason and my spirit of scientific inquiry tell me that different truths should be allowed to exist. They should be published for all to see."
"As for who is right and who is wrong, only the test of time will tell."
"For now, however, let’s see what kind of impact your Heart Method has on the market."
With that, he couldn’t resist wanting to look at Gu Ming’s Foundation Establishment Evolution Method again. But after just one glance, he still found it incredibly difficult to read.
In the end, he had Gu Ming take a photo of it with his phone to lessen the impact contained within the Taoist Text.
Transmitted through the phone, the impact was indeed less severe. Only then could he endure the intense discomfort and read the Foundation Establishment Method Gu Ming had written.
The more he read, the more fresh, explosive bursts of inspiration erupted in his mind.
But because his path of cultivating through external objects was so antithetical to this method, he couldn’t read it for long. He closed his eyes, trembling, and said he needed to go back and rest.
Gu Ming didn’t stop him, turning instead to look at Counselor Luo.
Just then, another reviewer, a teacher, arrived at the door.
"Hello, Teacher Chen," Gu Ming said in greeting.
"So young and promising! To write such a remarkable Cultivation Technique as a mere freshman?"
Elder Chen, a white-bearded man with a portly belly, strode through the door.
Elder Huo was mentally exhausted. Even though he had taken an Elixir to restore his Spiritual Power, he still decided to go home and rest. freewebnσvel.cѳm
The sheer volume of shocking inspiration flooding his mind was too much to be soothed by a mere Elixir.
As Elder Huo was leaving, he happened to run into Elder Chen.
"Old Huo, why are you in such a hurry? Come and take a look with me."
"No, I can’t. I have too much to do today, so I’m heading back to work." Elder Huo waved his hand, feigning a resolute desire to leave.
But Elder Chen wouldn’t let him go. He grabbed Elder Huo’s wrist and said urgently,
"You have to stay and look at it with me. We can debate the Dao afterward. You’re running off so fast, this paper must be something extraordinary!"
"Bullshit! I’m busy."
"Can you afford to pay for every minute and second I’m delayed?"
"Hah! You old fox, what scheme are you cooking up? You think I can’t see right through you?"
"This paper must contain some major breakthrough, and you can’t wait to go tip someone off, is that it?"
Elder Huo had originally wanted to leave.
Seeing the other man pestering him relentlessly, he stopped and said, "Fine. In that case, I’ll stay and debate the Dao with you."
Elder Chen was a bit baffled by this sudden reversal.
Nevertheless, he took the Foundation Establishment Method from Gu Ming and began to read.
But as soon as he took the manuscript, a weight like Mount Tai crashing down slammed into him.
His body reacted instantly, trying to pull his hand back.
But Mr. Huo, who was standing right beside him, nudged his elbow forward, gently blocking Elder Chen’s arm. It cut off the space for him to retract his hand, preventing him from pulling away in time.
SPLAT.
His hand was instantly crushed into a bloody pulp by the manuscript, his bones shattering into a fine powder.
"You wicked old man! I knew you were up to no good!"
But as he said this, his tone was filled with excitement.
’For it to crush his hand like that, this had to be a genuine Seven-Colored Holy Light paper!’
Then, he took a deep breath and stared greedily at Gu Ming’s paper.
However, as he read on, his gaze became grave, and fine sweat beaded on his forehead.
"Shall I turn the page?"
Gu Ming’s gentle voice drifted over, making Teacher Chen regret his earlier eagerness.
