The Martial Unity

Rui did not need the Martial Master to inform him of the challenges that he alone would face due to the high profile that he had accrued. He knew that many ambitious Martial Squires who sought to gain the favor of the powerful religion as well as earn the interest of powerful spectators would use unfair means to try and negate Rui as a threat.

Of course, he knew that these weren't truly unfair within the confines of the rules, which is why he was sure about what was to come. It was one of the reasons that Master Deivon had personally traveled on foot to return to the Seonmun town at incredibly high speeds, crossing in hours what Rui would take weeks, to try and contain the information, but it was simply too impractical.

Furthermore, even if he did get there in time, his authority over the Seonmun Church town was not that of an absolute dictator or anything of the sort, containing the information was simply too difficult.

"I have managed to contain the information within the town," Master Deivon remarked. "That means while you will be a target within the preliminary contest of this town, that will not be the case in the main contest."

"Thank you, Master," Rui replied with a hint of relief. "In that case, it may very well be the case that the preliminary contest will be a greater challenge for me to emerge the victor in than the main contest will be."

"No, you're sorely mistaken, I'm afraid," Master Deivon shook his head. "While a majority of towns will not be too much of a threat to someone of your caliber. I can say with complete confidence that the main contest will be of a greater challenge."

Rui raised an eyebrow before a grin crept on his face. "That sounds reassuring. I cannot wait to test my Martial Art against the pinnacle of the Squire Realm."

Rui deliberately avoided revealing the name of his Martial Art. He would be stupid to do so, he had long revealed the name of his Martial Art as Rui Quarrier in the Martial Contest of the Martial Union. It would instantly reveal his identity, and Master Deivon would immediately get immense leverage over Rui once he figured out his identity as the Voider.

Although Master Deivon had been sincere in their partnership thus far, Rui did not think the man was a friend. He was an ambitious Martial Master who still chased for power even at his age and Realm, which automatically made him someone Rui was very wary about.

"By the way, it is time for the final dose of the Core Bloom potion," Master Deivon informed him. "It will behoove you to take it as soon as possible so that you can adjust to the minute difference that it will make before the contest arrives."

This was the potion that Rui had received in their exchange. A potion that would elevate his Martial Body above the threshold of being able to withstand his Martial Heart.

"I look forward to it," Rui replied. "I have to say, I didn't expect that the potions would not increase my ability to withstand damage."

Although Rui had treated his body slowly over the span of a year so that he didn't need to waste any time for acclimatization, he had noted that this potion did not allow him to withstand more damage although it was supposed to allow him to withstand his Martial Heart.

The Martial Master shook his head. "That's not how it works. Damage inflicted by attacks generally works on a very macro-level with respect to cells and tissue. The damage that the Martial Heart will do to your body will occur on a sub-cellular level, the metabolic processes that occur within the cell are delicate and that is what the potion reinforces. They operate on entirely different realms of scale. That is why your body is unable to withstand attacks better despite the potion. However, once you consume the final potion you will be eligible to activate your Martial Heart and break through to the Senior Realm."

An intrigued smile arose on his face. "Who knows, perhaps you will activate your Martial Heart during the contest."

"That would be ideal, but…"

He was not too sure about that. The reason he was entering this contest was to heal Senior Xanarn perfectly. But that was not his drive as a Martial Artist, he did not think he could activate his Martial Heart for her sake.

"It's just an unlikely possibility" Master Deivon. "It would make you the youngest Martial Senior alive, so saying it is unlikely is an understatement. It would take truly remarkable circumstances for the current record for the youngest Martial Senior to be broken."

What Master Deivon did not mention was the fact that the circumstances which Rui represented himself were more than just a little extraordinary. Rui was the second Martial Squire that he had ever met, after the previous reigning champion of the Martial Contest, that could break the current established record.

However, it was just a possibility. Whether it would actually unfold and occur was a possibility that remained to be seen.

"Have you decided how you're going to deal with the challenges that you will face in the preliminary contest?" Master Deivon.

"Don't worry, I have some things that can make it easier for me to deal with," Rui spoke with a hint of confidence.

It was clear that he did not intend to divulge what those means were. In general, he had been quite secretive and possessive of his capabilities. Master Deivon's confidence in him came from the techniques that he submitted, as well as the feats that he had accomplished. Without those two, he wouldn't have been nearly as confident that Rui was not only a Virodhabhasa seed, but also would perform well in the Martial Contest that would soon be commenced.

He did look forward to it more than he ever had.