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..."

today." She

he had decided to go with while his

eyes, before he turned back to Nartha. "Enjoy your time here

hospitality." Nartha curtsied as Charles DiViliers smiled, before proceeding to

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

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

I got my hands on someone even better. Meet Apprentice Falken." She

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

until a booming voice gathered

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 hope all of you have a wonderful time today." He said

said so. The gigantic doors at the end of the hall opened as they exposed a wide circular viewing platform with a large arena

across the ring viewing platform, indulging in

event. "As scheduled; the first match is between Mr Hoerken's defending champion; Apprentice Frillix Hafbor versus Mrs Fellington's challenger Apprentice Havier. Betting officiants are present at every location of

walked into the

your stances!" The arbiter told

planted his legs firmly to the ground

Havier, instead, adopted a strange stance, his fingers curled as he brandished his hands at Havier, as if they

Yet they were.

as Havier's's nails grew in length. what were originally nails morphed into claws as

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

begin." The

swiftness, crossing the distance between them in the

claws at Hafborn with

And yet.