"Amitabha!" The Abbot of Shaolin declared calmly, "People change. Perhaps the Marshal hasn't misjudged."

"Exactly. Ren Zhiyuan is fully responsible for Chongjian Sect's issues. The leadership of the Jiangnan Martial Arts Association remains undecided. Why not let the Marshal take the lead? We all support you," chimed in a burly middle-aged man, bald with a string of Bodhi beads around his neck. Not looking much like a monk, nor entirely trustworthy, but he was the leader of the Dao Alliance, Qin Yuantian.

"Master Qin, so selfless of you. Isn't the vice-chairman your junior? Aren't you promoting him?" A man with triangular eyes and a goatee chuckled.

"Master Fu, you're being narrow-minded. What's one junior to me? The greater good is more important. Moreover, he hasn't done anything wrong; why remove him from his post? He's still the vice-chairman, right?"

The late Hu Shi'en was a close friend of Master Fu. He was aware of some of Hu's actions—reckless and aggressive. If he got caught, it was merely due to his incompetence. There were many in various sects who acted similarly, just not as brutally as Hu.

Shao Qi always stayed out of their internal disputes. It's quite common for different sects to clash. All are martial enthusiasts, and they could brawl for various reasons. Dawn City even established regulations for it: private fights are allowed, but causing death isn't, and if someone dies, the penalty is life for life.

"This is an internal matter of the association. It's not appropriate for me to intervene. The Jiangnan Base has an abundance of talent. I believe we can find the right person for the vice-chairman position," Shao Qi subtly hinted, with the experienced members understanding his intention.

Qin Yuantian said nonchalantly, "Let's give the opportunity to the younger generation. I've heard the Marshal found a promising young man outside and even personally connected him with the research institute. How skilled is he?"

Mention of Zhou You perked up everyone, their eyes fixed on Shao Qi.

Shao Qi said unabashedly, "A skilled fighter? If you're referring to Zhou You, he's just an ordinary person I met on the road. He's a good cook, which is why I keep him around. As for the institute, those rumors are baseless. The items I exchanged for high-level mutated beasts seemed excessive, so I just gave some to Zhou You."

Everyone was left puzzled. The information didn't match what they'd heard. Yet no one had actually seen the young man in action. Those who had met him only described him as a regular-looking individual, attractive but nothing extraordinary.

Furthermore, the two lived together openly, sparking rampant rumors. Marshal Shao never offered an explanation, which makes it understandable why Shao Qi would give away those valuable items. The Shao family tends to be generous and fiercely loyal.

Having heard his statement, everyone felt it inappropriate to further inquire about Zhou You's affairs, and the conversation shifted to the upcoming cold wave.

"The entire Yunlan Mountain Range to the north is covered in snow and ice. This year's cold wave not only arrived early but is also particularly severe. Every base has been put on high alert. The two primary concerns now are energy shortages and the possibility of mutated beasts descending from the mountains. It would be problematic." The head of Qingfeng saw satellite images yesterday, revealing that almost the entire northern hemisphere is blanketed in white. Some experts even predict the onset of a mini Ice Age. If that's the case, humanity faces a significant challenge.

Shao Qi had his suspicions, "In the past decade, organisms have continuously evolved, possibly due to the abrupt climate changes. Adaptation is crucial to survive in this environment. The need to improve the physical fitness of the populace is urgent, and that's the main reason I called you all here today."

Regardless of the cause, humans must adapt to survive in this environment. Knowing Shao Qi's knack for innovative ideas, they promptly asked, "Marshal, feel free to share your thoughts."

Shao Qi, who earlier spoke with confidence to Zhou You, now carefully weighed his words in the presence of the heads of these top sects.

"Has it ever troubled any of you that a single sect's martial arts manual seems insufficient? China's martial arts have experienced a millennium-long gap, and very few complete techniques have survived. Most of what exists are external martial arts for physical cultivation. But given the pace of societal advancement, such martial arts aren't significantly superior to modern military boxing. Various martial arts styles are fundamentally similar when examined closely."

Everyone looked at Shao Qi thoughtfully. Every time he called a meeting, there always seemed to be a catch. They suspected that this time would be no different.

"Has anyone considered the fact that as times evolve, we cling to our ancestral traditions as if they're invaluable treasures, always fearing outsiders' prying eyes? Such behavior is irrational."

"Suppose I possess a manual that I could master in a year. Wouldn't it be more beneficial for me to exchange this manual for another I haven't studied rather than hoarding it?"

"Marshal Shao's implication is…" Everyone's expression grew tense. It wasn't the first time Shao Qi showed interest in the sects' secret techniques. They've previously exchanged martial arts techniques with him in return for the central military's support.

Nothing in this world is free, especially during these times. For the nation to function and the military to protect its citizens, they should be grateful he hasn't simply taken what he wants.

Only valuable things attract attention, and being able to exchange them for needed resources defines their value. So, trading one or two manuals isn't an unbearable ask for most.

However, if Shao Qi's demands threatened their foundational status, they undoubtedly couldn't agree.

"Over the years, the military has also collected many valuable resources. Let's cooperate for mutual benefit and share these resources. Solely relying on the treasures of our ancestors won't do. The martial arts community needs groundbreaking innovation, which will propel our era forward."