Chapter 325 – Digging Deep for Hidden Resources (Part Two)

“I’ve arrived.”

Ye Kuang hung up the phone, then leaped down to the first floor in one bound, locking eyes with an elderly figure.

Duke Zhou: “You’re something else, kid. Even that couldn’t kill you. Hahaha…”

As he spoke, Duke Zhou made a move as if to support someone.

Seeing this, Ye Kuang immediately bounced away, laughing as well: “Ah, my abilities just won’t allow it. I don’t know how it happened, but I’ve forgotten everyone else completely. Only your figure, old man, remains unforgettable.”

“Oh?” Duke Zhou couldn’t help but sound surprised, then seemed to recall something and suddenly understood: “If you hadn’t mentioned it, I’d almost forgotten. If I hadn’t heard from others about your amnesia, I’d still be doubting the truth of it.”

Hearing this, Ye Kuang’s eyes shifted uncertainly before he said: “Enough small talk. Let’s get straight to the point.”

Duke Zhou grew serious at these words, turned to give an order, and then followed the madman into the hall.

Little did they know, when Pang Hu and the other three saw Ye Kuang leading an old man, they couldn’t help but show some surprise.

“Oh? Who is this?”

“Ah… I’m just an old man studying the path of science.” As he spoke, Duke Zhou seemed slightly surprised and glanced inexplicably at Ye Kuang, asking: “Little Ye, aren’t you going to introduce these gentlemen?”

“Pang Hu!”

“Gao Qing!”

“Zheng Xiucai.”

“Ling Yun…”

It could be said that just as Ye Kuang was about to introduce everyone, he was nearly blinded by the current spectacle.

Regardless of what extraordinary beings Pang Hu and the others were, who would have thought that upon meeting Duke Zhou, they would inexplicably set aside their peculiar temperaments.

Thinking this, Ye Kuang cast a slightly puzzled glance at them before saying: “Old Zhou, let’s go upstairs to talk.”

Hearing this, Pang Hu immediately objected, exclaiming loudly: “Hey, hey, let us listen too! Why so mysterious? Do you think we don’t know what you’re about to say?”

Ling Yun, seeing Ye Kuang’s questioning look, unconsciously shook a thin notebook in his hand.

Seeing this, Ye Kuang finally understood.

Duke Zhou: “Since everyone here is Little Ye’s friend, you’re naturally my friends too. Tell me, what have you discovered that requires such solemnity?”

After speaking, Duke Zhou clearly became interested.

And here it must be said that all of Ye Kuang’s previously baseless speculations had now come true.

Therefore, Duke Zhou couldn’t help but take the young man before him more and more seriously.

After scanning the room, Ye Kuang had no choice but to speak clearly: “Starting from the discovery would waste everyone’s time, so let me first reorganize the current trajectory of world civilization within our known scope, briefly sharing my personal perspective.”

As soon as he finished speaking, his tone suddenly turned extremely grave as he began narrating a certain truth from the beginning.

“As we all know, the known cultures of the contemporary world are as numerous as stars in the galaxy, and these cultures have never truly integrated. Therefore, the various cultural sediments perceived, understood, and realized by different parties naturally face difficulties in deep-level communication and exchange.”As he spoke, Ye Kuang, seeing no objections, had no choice but to continue: “When cultural differences exist, they give rise to distinct perspectives, resulting in the starkly divided world we see today—a situation where well water does not intrude upon river water.”

Hearing this, Duke Zhou inexplicably asked, “What are you trying to say?”

Ye Kuang replied, “Technology can never be separated from the evolution of civilization; rather, the direction of civilization encompasses technological development at every turn.”

After a deliberate pause, he sighed meaningfully and said, “Do you know what this implies?”

Duke Zhou, clearly startled, responded, “Are you saying that technological development has already diverged from the path of civilization, while culture tends toward polarization? And this is the shared existential issue we all face.”

Hearing this, Ye Kuang nodded abruptly.

Noticing this, Duke Zhou couldn’t help but sigh inwardly and asked, “Then do you know that this world is far more complex than you imagine? As for these principles, everyone essentially understands them. Yet, why hasn’t the ideal scenario emerged? Do you know the root cause?”

Pang Hu interjected, “Culture?”

At these words, Duke Zhou couldn’t help but glance at the former, his appreciative gaze seeming to acknowledge Ye Kuang’s companions.

Ye Kuang said, “As a great man once said, water is the source of all things. And in our homeland, the theory of the Five Elements has also been passed down—this is one of the most evident manifestations of cultural divergence.”

As he spoke, his voice suddenly grew magnetic, and he declared resolutely, “To be frank, regardless of which theory of the origin of all things is true, merely the differences in geographical environments can influence everyone’s scope of cognition and ways of understanding.”

Hearing this, Duke Zhou couldn’t help but express doubt again: “These arguments, in fact, were deeply studied and exchanged centuries ago in the pursuit of truth. How are what you’re saying related to the direction of civilization?”

Ye Kuang replied, “This is precisely the personal viewpoint I wish to share next: discovery does not equate to uniqueness, and the value of this ‘uniqueness’ lies in the significance it holds—what progress and direction it can bring to future generations.”

Zheng Xiucai, hearing this, asked perplexedly, “What does that mean?”

Ling Yun, upon hearing this, casually tossed his notes to the former.

Seeing this, Duke Zhou explained, “What exists has its reason. When utilized appropriately, it can usher in a new era.”

Hearing this, Ye Kuang couldn’t help but silently give a thumbs-up.

Duke Zhou continued, “But you must realize that this path may be the one everyone originally intended to take. Yet, unknowingly, plans cannot keep up with changes—the road ahead has long been blurred and unforeseeable, and we are all strugglers who have lost our way.”

At this point, Duke Zhou picked up his water cup and drank it all in one go, his words ringing with conviction: “With a sense of reverence, we have uncovered things that should not have been discovered. Yet, this very act compels us to advance into the unknown. It’s a pity—a great pity—that technological development now seems to have nearly reached a bottleneck. And only now do we realize that the truth behind it is so irresistibly compelling.”

Ye Kuang said, “Duke Zhou, since existence has its reasons, then allow this junior to share his understanding of things—to see if it can guide us to break open a heavenly gate ahead through this maze!”