The Martial Unity

Rui was shocked that such a bigshot had reached out to him, even if indirectly. Still, he did not regret his decision, the mission itself gave him absolutely nothing of value that could enrich his experience and help his Martial Art and his Martial Path at all. He would only be fattening his ego while being reduced him to a trophy for display. Such vanity might even regress his Martial Path.

The Flowing Void Style was more than a trophy for display. It was the crystallization of decades of research, decades of relentless, maddening blood, sweat and tears, decades of searching. Searching for the pinnacle of martial arts and, now, Martial Art.

Just the thought of it being treated as one of many trophies made Rui bristle, though he wisely hid his indignant range.

The carriage paused as it reached the main entrance of the hall, and the doors opened as butlers of the DiViliers family helped Nartha out, Rui sooned followed suit.

The scene he saw helped him understand what he was in for. Each of the invited guests were accompanied Martial Apprentices.

There were even a few Martial Squires!

They had a sharp and heavy feel them, yet they restricted their emotion, dampening their aura. They did do a good job, none of the ordinary humans seemed to notice them. Yet, all the Martial Apprentices could clear feel power in a higher Realm.

Rui could do much more, he could even gauge which among them was the greatest threat.

"Mr DiViliers, it's been far too long." Nartha's pleasant voice drew him out of his reverie.

Rui sharply turned as his eyes fell on an old man with an extremely groomed appearance. His clothes and skin were practically glowing with a lustre of their own.

He long flowing white hair that extended to his neck. A thick white beard garnished his neck, beginning where his hair ended. He gave one the impression of a majestic lion, with a presence that demanded attention.

"Mrs Freier." A deep melodic voice escaped his mouth, as he smiled. "I'm so happy you could be here."

He turned to Rui. "And this is..."

fighter today." She smiled. "He goes

the alias he had decided to go with while his identity

to Nartha. "Enjoy your time here today, if you need anything,

for your hospitality." Nartha curtsied as Charles DiViliers

proceeded inside, as Nartha joined a circle of women, each of them accompanied by their

One of them greeted. "Glad you make it. Hm? Where's

my hands on someone

rose. "Impressive. He seems quite young too." She said, blatantly eying his

a booming voice gathered

gratitude to all of you for joining me as I host our customary Martial games. I'm pleased to inform you that our guest count has peaked in light of the Martial Festival. I

so. The gigantic doors at the end of the hall opened as they exposed a wide circular

accustomed to the phenomenon. They distributed across the ring viewing platform, indulging in the luxurious seating arrangements as

between Mr Hoerken's defending champion; Apprentice Frillix Hafbor versus Mrs

walked

your stances!" The arbiter told

ground away from his center of gravity as if

strange stance, his fingers curled as

Yet they were.

length. what were originally nails morphed into claws as he brandished

amount of conditioning.') Rui mused, surprised. Rui couldn't even imagine what Havier put himself through to get

may begin."

swiftness, crossing the distance between them in the

his claws at

And yet.