Chapter 204: 197 Discussion

Time passed second by second, and Tang Zhao spoke at length about the content he had meticulously prepared.

If Beichen's lecture was about small techniques, then his was likely about small tricks; it truly wasn't some world-changing, earth-shattering masterpiece. Although he started with a high premise—so-called "opening the topic in the heavens, answering it on the earth"—it boiled down to nothing more than a means of responding to critical moments. One or two hours were enough to finish speaking. He used this time to methodically explain how to extract one's own will, how to integrate it into Art Tool materials, how to combine it with this segment of will at a critical moment, and how to activate an Art Tool as usual while mentally exhausted.

This could not be considered very profound knowledge, nor was it a particularly powerful Rune Formula, yet within the vast and deep main lineage, it uniquely opened up a small branch—or perhaps it couldn't even be called a branch; at most, it was opening a small window to test a new, small direction.

Perhaps this direction could be called "simplified operation" for Art Tools?

Although this window was not opened very high—perhaps not "standing on high ground"—the scenery outside the window was indeed brand new. To reach a blue ocean so easily was likely because those who had been able to open windows in the past stood too high and only looked at the sky; only Tang Zhao looked at the ground at first glance.

Come to think of it, although the idea sprouted when he saw Shi Chunqing being besieged, if one were to trace it to the source, it could even go back to the teachings of Chen Zong from years ago.

He could no longer remember everything he learned as a child, but the perceptions carved into the deepest parts of his mind still deeply influenced his every word and action.

For example, the few words he always remembered deeply: "develop productive forces."

More superficially, it was the conclusion he reached by combining his experience of running a shop with the bit of business knowledge Chen Zong had told him—

Selling Art Tools as luxury goods, costing thousands or tens of thousands of taels at every turn, might be very profitable, but it probably wouldn't fulfill Chen Zong's dying wish for a great conglomerate or a great trust.

Perhaps due to a preconceived notion, Tang Zhao always felt that Art Tools should not be as restricted as swords; instead, they should truly face more people and benefit the masses.

It was just that he hadn't figured this out until he was assigned this task and researched for many days in the library, gradually finding a clue to the problem he had been pondering.

Simplified operation might just be a beginning; in the end, it should become "idiot-proof operation." As for how complex the interior of an Art Tool is or how difficult it is to craft, that is the business of a Talisman Sword Master. When placed in front of a customer, it should complete a series of complex functions with a few buttons, just like the legendary high technology.

A Talisman Sword Master being able to operate it at any time is the first step; the goal should be for anyone to be able to operate an Art Tool according to their needs at any time. Only then can it truly be said that an Art Tool has become a "tool."

Tang Zhao thought, this is not just a "topic" for him to cope with the lecture, but a direction for Talisman Dao research worth spending many years or even a lifetime on.

Of course, just because Tang Zhao had a direction to delve into regarding Art Tools did not mean he had abandoned Sword Dao. His main profession must be Sword Dao; not to mention the power of the sword, just speaking of "liberating productive forces," the sword could likely do more.

On this point, the moment he saw the Kun Sword, he understood even more clearly.

Sword Momentum—"Vast Fertile Fields."

Although Tang Zhao had not tried it, he could guess a thing or two: "Vast Fertile Fields" did not increase ordinary land, but truly fertile and prosperous land—if it was really as he guessed. Just by the momentum of this one sword, how many people could it benefit?

If one could master such power, wouldn't some things be more convenient to do?

Getting too far off track...

On stage, Tang Zhao's lecture, while not necessarily exquisite, was solid, complete, effective, and beneficial to everyone. Even those Talisman Sword Masters who were as gifted as Tang Zhao felt an urge to try it themselves, and some even thought: using one's own consciousness as material and also as a valve to connect to an Art Tool to simplify operation—this is not difficult in terms of Rune Formula techniques, and the principle is not strange, so why didn't I think of it?

They did not know that Tang Zhao was also inspired by someone, and a true genius at that: the generation's Martial Saint, Zhang Rong. The "Carefree Qi" that the man created himself involved integrating will into Qi, and he simply borrowed it directly. Of course, the method Tang Zhao modified was completely different from a Martial Artist's Qi; it was a pure Talisman Sword Master skill, more cumbersome but more stable, without leaking a bit of Zhang Rong's exclusive secret. However, having been inspired by someone, he still had to acknowledge that Martial Saint as the origin.

Pouring out three months of research in one go, Tang Zhao finally had nothing left to say and said, "Today I cast a brick only to attract jade. I feel that whether it is manipulation by will or simplified operation of Art Tools, both have a bright road ahead. I... I have a dream that in the future, Art Tools will become truly convenient tools. Obtaining one will be like our ancestors first igniting a spark or first picking up a spear—not only bringing a new life but also changing the world."

"Thank you, everyone."

After speaking, he bowed.

In the end, he still couldn't help but use the phrase "I have a dream."

The applause was thunderous.

This round of applause was not inferior to any he had received in the past few days; it was even more intense, as if a mountain were collapsing or a sea roaring. But it was the one he felt the least.

Because he was already floating.

Coming off the stage, he only felt as if he had unloaded several hundred pounds of heavy stones; his whole body felt light and airy, incomparably relaxed. Whatever the feedback, whatever the cheers, whatever the future—none of it mattered. The important thing was that he had finally, damn it, finished speaking.

It was as if he had just gone through a major exam; after coming out, he only felt extremely comfortable and wanted to do something happy and relaxing. How could he be distracted by thinking about his grades at a time like this?

Putting down a worry, oh yeah.

At this moment, he suddenly felt very hungry. Because he had to give a lecture today, he hadn't touched his breakfast. Although it wasn't time for a meal yet, there were fruits and snacks on the table that looked exceptionally tempting.

At this time, Wu Yunfei at the neighboring table was already preparing to go on stage, and no one was talking to him, so he naturally ate and drank freely, first downing half a bowl of tea and then picking out his favorite snacks to eat.

As he ate, Tang Zhao looked up slightly and saw many familiar and unfamiliar Talisman Sword Masters in the distance smiling at him. Some, seeing his gaze, even picked up their teacups to pay their respects as if offering a toast. Tang Zhao was slightly startled and also picked up his teacup to return the gesture.

At this time, Wu Yunfei was lecturing on his course about Rune Formulas for offensive and defensive combinations with Protective Artifacts, which was also very brilliant, but they were all orthodox topics that everyone could imagine. Again, the topic of "self-strengthening" was too broad; anything could be related to it. After a period of relaxation, Tang Zhao listened to the other person's lecture with interest. After all, although Tang Zhao was clever and eager to learn, and had the assistance of Glasses, he actually had quite a few shortcomings in his accumulation. The other person had been studying runes for much longer than him and was equally gifted; could the foundation of the Seven Great Factions be fake?

When Wu Yunfei came down, he was equally relieved, sat opposite Tang Zhao, and drank the cooled tea in one gulp.

Tang Zhao praised, "Brother Wu's lecture was excellent; it was truly enlightening."

Wu Yunfei shook his head and said, "I am not good; it is all just the wisdom of predecessors. After hearing yours, mine is like chewing wax."

Tang Zhao smiled and was about to continue the commercial mutual flattery, but Wu Yunfei continued, "I am not speaking empty flattery. No matter how brilliant my topic is, it is just a radish flower carved for a dish on a banquet table. You, however, are a hoe opening up a treasure mountain. When the ancestor of Longyuan split Canglong Mountain and poured out the clear spring, Longyuan began; the world you have opened with this mountain-splitting axe is not necessarily inferior to his! It is no wild statement of mine: from today on, you shall be famous throughout the world!"

Tang Zhao wanted to decline modestly, but his heart was surging for a moment; how could he not be moved by the sincere praise from another genius? After a while, he thanked him solemnly. At this moment, he thought even more of the fellow practitioners who had just raised their cups to him.

The morning passed in a hurry, and three young people gave lectures in turn, filling the half-day. The sun hung high, and the banquet finally began. Because the grand banquet was in the evening, the noon banquet was not particularly grand; the dishes were mainly exquisite, and everyone dined at their own seats. There was no prepared fine wine, mostly tea and fruit drinks.

As for eating, it was naturally not that restrained; it would be boring if everyone just sat honestly in their seats. Everyone carried their tea and walked around, communicating and getting to know each other, but they tacitly did not change zones, and Longyuan certainly did not let Martial Artists come in to pay respects to the Talisman Sword Masters. At most, neighboring young people chatted together.

In the Heaven District, although everyone visited each other, for some reason, they all ended up gathering around Tang Zhao, like stars surrounding the moon.

Tang Zhao saw many fellow practitioners and originally wanted to chat about the content of the three lectures separately, but everyone mainly focused on flattering him, so he felt a bit embarrassed and couldn't speak for a moment. Chu Shanxia was not originally close to him, but at this time, he was the first to come over and toast him first. As a few people chatted, Chu Shanxia even said, "I don't know what delayed that Libationer; he lost his chance. He let Brother Tang present an astonishing theory first and take all the glory of mid-spring. I don't know how he can snatch the limelight back."

At this time, Tang Zhao was already a bit helpless and hurriedly gave Jiang Shenyi a look, asking him to help pull the topic away and ease the atmosphere. Jiang Shenyi coughed and said, "Then you are mistaken. When the Libationer comes up, that will be earth-shattering. Absolutely no one's lecture can be more shocking than his."

After this sentence was finished, the atmosphere cooled slightly, and no one answered; it was clear that everyone did not have much of a liking for the Libationer. Tang Zhao hurriedly helped build a ladder, saying, "Could it be that you have inside information, Brother, and know the Libationer's topic?"

Jiang Shenyi smiled mysteriously and said, "Wait and see, and you will know. Self-strengthening... is not just that simple."

The topic was forcibly ended by him, and everyone finally started chatting idly, eventually bringing the conversation to Xiao Guangwang.

That's right, Xiao Guangwang hadn't come yet; he was neither seen alive nor dead. Feng Fei, who had the best relationship with him, shook his head repeatedly, and Zhuge Yudan suddenly said, "Shall we gather tonight?"

Chu Shanxia said, "Isn't it tomorrow night? There is a grand banquet tonight."

Zhuge Yudan said, "Let's make it today; tomorrow night is a bit too late. I think we should set a way to contact each other to facilitate mutual help. It just so happens that my Xuansu Studio has an Art Tool that can contact multiple people, and I have brought it; I will offer one to each person."

Everyone was thoughtful when they heard someone behind them say, "Is this young friend Tang? I just heard your lecture; it was well spoken. You are indeed a person of beautiful quality and talent."