The Martial Unity

It wasn't long before Ieyasu was quickly treated and healed. He took the loss with grace, much to his credit.

"Know this. Next time, I'll win," He declared to Rui with sharp eyes, before returning to his training.

Rui made a complicated smile. It wasn't that he wasn't happy about getting a win on who was perhaps his only equal, but he knew more than anyone how skewed the match-up had been in his favor.

'He was that strong after integrating a handful of Martial Art into one,' Rui realized. 'Just how astonishingly strong would he be had he done the same with the thousands of Martial Art he has mastered? The stipulations of this battle hurt him more than it did me.'

Of course, Rui knew that Ieyasu was almost certainly unable to seamlessly assimilate and integrate such a gigantic number of Martial Art into one flawlessly. His current system of thought was certainly flawed, limited, and incomplete. He could sense that much.

Still, he had his work cut out for him, and knowing how driven Ieyasu was, he was going to squeeze every iota of energy and drop of energy and dedicate himself to training and improving his Martial Mind prototype. No matter how much time, effort, or perseverance it took.

'If I slack off, he'll break out of the deadlock and shoot way past me.' Rui narrowed his eyes.

That wasn't to say Rui was dissatisfied with his own efforts or progress. The Hypnomatrix staved off Ieyasu's powerful techniques by oppressing him mentally with all kinds of shackles and pain, literally.

were Adamant Reforging which was always there passively and some assassination techniques that were highly preparatory. Ieyasu would have knocked him

he used it right off the bat, but its stamina had reduced by half ever since Rui upgraded it. It would not have been

created was worthy of his Martial Path and a fine addition to his Martial Art.

at Cloudia and gaining

Master Zeamer asked him when he saw Rui with his

Master," Rui remarked. "I have achieved all the objectives I came for, and I have other matters

Rui. "Well

smiled. "I suppose it has. Thank

Martial Master. Although he didn't have the highest opinion of Master Zeamer's tendencies, the man had come to prove his power and

fellow. Hit him for me as well."

the first time either. Nonetheless, Rui knew that they would meet again one day. If only because

didn't mind his absence. It was more

for the first time in two years. "I suppose I should go visit the Beggar's Sect. I

as well have forgotten about them in the past two years. However, now that he had concluded his training, it was time to get down to business. His commission payment to the Beggar's Sect had waited long enough, it was time to finally finish the payment and acquire

his muscles trembled with

His eyes narrowed.