The Martial Unity

"Of course," Kan added. "It still makes me dependent on the Lightning Sect for protection against being coerced against my will to rejoin my family, but hey, we're getting there."

"Indeed." Fae nodded. "I am particularly impressed that your plan actually succeeded."

"It won't be that easy breaking out of the Arrancar Family's grasp, you know," Dalen told him.

"I know," Kane replied. "But there's a limit to how far they are willing to go."

"Perhaps," Hever replied calmly. "But that limit is likely much higher for someone like yourself. You're no ordinary Martial Artist. With your talent, you're a precious boon that any Martial Family would kill to have."

Kane sighed. He was aware of that, it would be much easier to cut ties with his family if they didn't give a shit about him.

"You should just fight them if they try holding you back." Nel snorted.

Kane snorted, ignoring him as he turned back to Rui. "Well, putting that aside..."

He studied Rui from head to toe. "So this is you as a Martial Squire, huh? You don't look or feel any different."

Rui chuckled. He had sealed the pressure that they would experience with the help of the Mind Mask, he didn't want them to change their behavior with him now that he was a whole Realm of power above them. "I've taken some measures."

"What was the experience of breaking through like, I've wondered." She stared at him with interest and curiosity in her eyes.

"Painful," Rui replied immediately.

they processed his

painful? Stubbing your tow painful? Or worse? Like stepping on lego

as stepping on lego, obviously." Rui shook his head. "But it was

as Fae rolled her eyes. "I'm serious, you have to tell us more about

regarding the breakthrough to the Squire Realm was classified and not something Martial Apprentices were privy to

the actual information itself was strategic intelligence that was highly relevant to the Martial power of a nation. Rui was vaguely aware that the discovery of the Martial body set

that I don't want to tell

there was a chance that their lust for the power that the breakthrough to the Squire Realm would grant them would warp their Martial Art. Instead of their Martial body

Artist of the higher Realms has unilaterally refused to tell me any meaningful information about

Rui. "It's because we aren't

in relief, if they were aware of the concept, then it was easier to refuse them.

you tell us if we became Squire candidates?" Hever asked

Apprentices like yourselves about the breakthrough

interjecting abruptly.

hint of battle lust that flashed through his eyes. "Stronger than I ever thought

"Show me." Nel grinned.

on attaining that power rather than challenging those

He grinned. "I would crush the

quite remarkable." Rui smiled, amused. "You must

He shrugged silently.

of us has fulfilled at least one of the conditions

nodded, before pausing. "Ah, I need each of you to

that?" Kane