"Southern Dipper Immortal Seat. A fitting name, indeed."

Hong Miao nodded. Recalling the scene of Zhou Yuanjue returning from the dead just moments ago, he felt the technique was more than worthy of its name.

Just then, Zhong Hongyu and Yang Lina immediately walked over.

"Did you record all the data from that?"

Zhou Yuanjue asked them.

"We recorded everything! This data is incredibly important to us. With further research, we might be able to develop a method for ordinary people to temper their acupoints. We could even deduce how to strengthen other acupoints. This will help us deepen our understanding of the human body!"

Zhong Hongyu said, his face alight with excitement. Yang Lina, at his side, was equally thrilled, her eyes sparkling with a peculiar light as she looked at Zhou Yuanjue.

It was hard to tell if she was more excited about obtaining the test data or witnessing a scene that seemed to be straight out of a legend.

"That will likely require a significant amount of research. After all, it would be difficult for anyone else to have a Recovery Ability like mine. Still, it offers hope, and that’s why I asked you to be here."

"Using my data, you can adjust the lightning’s intensity based on a person’s physical condition, creating a protocol that even people with average constitutions can follow."

"Furthermore, you can use this data as a basis to experiment on other acupoints. That will be of great help to me."

"From now on, any new Cultivation I undertake that can provide measurable data, I will perform publicly. You will collect the data and see if any techniques can be adapted for ordinary people. Just give me a copy of the final data. I’ll write a paper on this Cultivation session and post it on the Martial Arts University’s internal network."

Zhou Yuanjue said.

Adapting and popularizing existing techniques, as well as aiding his own exploration into the next stage of tempering—these were the reasons Zhou Yuanjue chose to conduct his Cultivation data test publicly.

He wasn’t against science. Just like the Martial Dao, science was a tool that could help humanity transcend its limits. What he opposed was the idea of placing science above all else.

On the contrary, applying scientific analysis to the Martial Dao would aid in its popularization. This was a spirit the Martial Arts University particularly needed, as it was vital to spreading the Martial Dao.

"Brother Zhou, we’ve discussed it, and we’re very interested in your Martial Arts University. We were wondering if we might have the honor of joining?"

Just then, Hong Miao stepped forward and spoke to Zhou Yuanjue.

"Of course. You’re more than welcome."

Hearing Hong Miao’s words, Zhou Yuanjue was slightly surprised, then a genuine smile spread across his face.

He truly hadn’t expected the ever-proud Spirit Guardians to say something like that.

’Perhaps this is the charm of the Martial Dao.’

’Inviting them to watch my Cultivation this time really paid off.’

...

...

The negotiations between the government and the Spirit Guardians lasted for three full days. After a protracted back-and-forth, the two sides finally reached a consensus on three fundamental principles for their cooperation.

First, regarding public messaging, the government would officially classify the Spirit Guardians as part of the Donghua Martial Arts Realm, placing them under the purview of the Martial Arts Association. This would create a unified public narrative.

Second, their relationship would be a partnership, not one of subordination. They would share intelligence, and the Spirit Guardians would cooperate with the government on relevant operations to maintain domestic security. However, the Spirit Guardians reserved the right to refuse any mission that violated their own code of conduct.

Finally, the Spirit Guardians’ top priority is to combat the Celestial Demons. They will not interfere in secular power struggles, nor will they participate in any actions related to such matters.

With these three fundamental agreements as a foundation, cooperative efforts were rapidly set in motion.

Within a week, Spirit Guardian families across the country began to mobilize. Acting as members of the Martial Arts Association, they started cooperating with the Secret Inspection Bureau and other official forces, strengthening Donghua’s entire Celestial Demon defense system. The various Spirit Guardian families established close ties with the relevant organizations in their respective regions.

Leveraging the government’s powerful logistical support, the Spirit Guardian families quickly integrated into the national defense network. Now, if an incident occurred, the relevant departments could team up with the Spirit Guardian families to provide immediate and rapid support, greatly compensating for Donghua’s shortage of elite individual combatants.

Meanwhile, the Secret Inspection Bureau and the Spirit Guardians formed joint search parties across the country to meticulously hunt for Celestial Demons hiding among the general population. They also began a nationwide search for Sealing Realm Images, operating on the principle of early detection for early protection.

For a time, the enhancement of the national joint defense network brought an unprecedented level of stability back to Donghua. The Seven Desires and their followers seemed to have vanished without a trace, hiding themselves so deeply that they never once showed their faces.

...

...

However, one problem had barely been settled when another arose.

While Donghua was undergoing massive internal adjustments, international denunciations continued unabated.

Donghua and the Starry Sky Country publicly accused one another, using every connection and method at their disposal to impose sanctions, both overt and covert. Faintly, two blocs with diametrically opposed stances seemed to be slowly forming on the international stage.

The global impact of the public revelation of the Celestial Demons’ existence was only just beginning to surface.

「Starry Sky Country」

A press conference hosted by the Nebula Alliance was underway. Much like the last one, it had captured the world’s attention.

On the main stage, facing countless media outlets from around the globe, General Norton announced a momentous decision that would have a profound impact on the global landscape:

"To better cooperate with the Celestial Beings located throughout the world, to better study the advanced technologies we have obtained from them, to promote the progress of all humanity, and to maintain a friendly, cooperative relationship between humans and Celestial Beings... For the consolidation of world peace, so that the entire world may enjoy the benefits of technological progress, and in the spirit of friendly mutual assistance and global integration, the Starry Sky Country will take the lead in establishing the ’Celestial Beings Joint Research Committee,’ or DJSC for short. We will unite all nations that desire friendly cooperation to contribute together to the advancement of humankind."

And so, the DJSC, the world’s first organization related to the Celestial Demons, was officially established.

The world was plunged into a fresh uproar.

Everyone knew this was not just some simple research organization.

It was very likely to evolve into a massive global bloc.

...

...

「Zixiao Mountain」

"Multiple nations in the Hiloba and Ori Regions, several in the Black State and Silan Region, and even some from Tianhe Country, Gouli Country, and East Luoni—in total, more than twenty countries have publicly announced they’re joining this DJSC. What Celestial Demon research organization? This is just a faction of capitulationists cozying up to the Celestial Demons!"

Chen Qingmu went to see the Chief Commissioner the moment he received the news.

This was more than just some research committee. In reality, the decision to join was a declaration of one’s stance: siding with the Celestial Demons, remaining neutral, or opposing them.

The Starry Sky Country was forcing the other nations of the world to make a choice, to declare their stance, and to draw a line between friend and foe.