"A provisional limit of ten thousand, with a priority for ordinary people."

"What? Why is that?"

Master Xuan laughed, "If Zhou were here, he'd understand. Haven't you noticed that your progress in internal cultivation is very slow?"

The crowd nodded. They had guidance from experts like Zhou You and Shao Qi, but their internal cultivation was indeed lacking.

"I believe that internal power is the gateway to martial arts. Everyone should first master internal power before learning techniques. It's more efficient. However, having already trained in external martial arts, your tendons, veins, and bones have changed. The traditional internal cultivation methods passed down from our ancestors might not be suitable for your evolved bodies."

"I see. So, Zhou must have first cultivated his internal power, which is why he has an ordinary physique?"

"You can say that. Unfortunately, the martial arts community doesn't recognize this view. Factions of internal and external power have always been in conflict. Moreover, schools that emphasize internal power are rare. That's one of the reasons I'm determined to establish a school—to prove my point through practice."

"Does this mean we're not suited for internal cultivation?"

"Not at all. It might just be slower. Or perhaps you might find a new method of internal cultivation. If someone were to create a new manual on internal power, it would undoubtedly be a boon for humanity."

As Master Xuan left to tend to the garden, Long Gan finally realized something, "If Master Xuan's perspective is correct, then what about the Jiangnan Base…"

The group exchanged glances. Indeed, if ordinary people are better suited for internal cultivation, and many at Jiangnan Base had watched Zhou You's instructional videos, would many of them have already made progress by now?

"Let's check the StarNet forum. When I left Jiangnan Base, Zhao Jinghao gave me a forum ID. He said all happenings of Jiangnan Base would be posted there, but few outsiders know of it." Miao Miao accessed the StarNet forum and, after entering a lengthy ID, was greeted by a forest-themed portal. She navigated further, revealing a flower-covered path.

She remarked, "Who designed this? Such an ornate homepage is probably why no one visits."

Soon, the page transitioned to a regular browser homepage with various categories like Military, Economy, Education, Culture, and Martial Arts.

She first accessed the Martial Arts section and found most threads dedicated to sharing experiences. Surprisingly, there were hundreds of thousands of active users. A pinned post caught her eye, boldly titled, "The Years We Worshiped Zhou."

Out of curiosity, Miao Miao clicked on it, only to be met with a stunning photo of Zhou You, causing her heart to race.

"Oh my! Who put sister-in-law's picture here? When was this taken? He looks incredible!" Qin Lifeng exclaimed in surprise.

They always referred to Zhou's wife as 'sister-in-law' privately, never daring to use the term in Zhou's presence.

Before scrolling further, Miao Miao saved the photo. She then found that the thread had tens of millions of comments. It was mind-boggling.

The comments read along the lines of, "Blessings to Zhou, hoping for a successful martial arts assessment today."

"Is this martial arts assessment referring to the entry tests of the martial arts association?" Only those who passed the entry-level test were considered part of the martial arts community. But many comments were recent. Had there been a surge in assessments lately?

"Scroll further. It's a pity we can't access the Jiangnan Martial Arts Association's official website; otherwise, we'd know their current membership."

"We should wait for the boss to return. He'd surely be interested in the happenings at Jiangnan Base. He might even already be aware."

The effectiveness of the martial arts live tutorials from the Jiangnan base will be revealed by the enrollment numbers in the Martial Arts Association over the next year, especially adults. Shao Qi has always stated his goal isn’t to cultivate masters, but to elevate the martial arts capabilities of the average person. Perhaps, his wishes might soon come to fruition.

Chapter 162: Martial Arts Showcase

On New Year's Eve, no one planned to sleep. The Spring Festival gala still existed but wasn't as popular. Instead, the annual gatherings of various martial arts schools, colloquially known as the martial arts performances, took center stage.

On this day, all the schools and sects of Yang City would present their annual showcase, allowing the citizens to witness the talents of elite disciples. It's rumored that a few individuals rise to stardom during this event every year.

This year, the Yueyang Sect performed a sword dance in an inverted triangle formation. Positioned prominently at the front was the favorite disciple of Master Tong, the young heir of the Zhou family. Behind him stood all the senior disciples, emphasizing his central position even more.

It's undeniable; the Zhou family possesses good genes. Their refined features, combined with their flowing traditional robes, headdresses, and the simple elegance of their swordplay, wouldn’t one say they resemble the graceful young men from ancient tales?

"Impressive, isn’t my young disciple?" Tong Liwei remarked, seated in the front row, surrounded by heads of other sects and government officials.

The martial arts performances were broadcasted live. Once over, audiences would vote for their favorite act. Winning sects typically trended for days, securing various commercial deals, endorsements, and governmental rewards throughout the ensuing year, making these performances a fierce competition among the schools.

"Haha, indeed impressive. The Zhou's ancestors must have chosen a blessed burial ground, for both siblings to be such outstanding talents. It truly is enviable," Wang Mang uttered, hardly concealing his envy, especially considering the contrast with his own underperforming son.