The Martial Unity
chapter-1620

"In order to be overwhelmingly stronger, we most certainly need greater armies, greater artillery, greater defense, greater military esoteric technology, but most importantly…" The Martial Master grinned. "We need greater Martial power. We live in the Age of Martial Art, of course. Martial Art is the most powerful force, whichever side has greater Martial power will win."

"The Hungry Pain technique," Rui murmured.

"Indeed. This incredible technique that you've given the Martial Union is the key to the dominance of the Kandrian Empire," The man informed Rui. "The biggest stumbling blocks in the Kandrian Empire's dominance over East Panama are the three other Sage-level powerhouses in East Panama. Only they possess the power to rival us in war. However, with the power you have given us…"

"The Hungry Pain technique will take forever to transform the power of the Kandrian Empire," Rui retorted. "Decades at bare minimum, a century ideally. It will not transform the Kandrian Empire's power already."

"The Kandrian Emperor can live on for centuries with modern esoteric artifacts and potions," The Master gruffly huffed. "Our faction's foresight is not as short-sighted as yours, Senior Quarrier. Look to the future. One day, the overwhelming advantages of the Hungry Pain technique will accrue and give us an overwhelming advantage in the Lower Realms, allowing us to preserve more Martial Artists of the Lower Realms in the long run, allowing the birth of more Martial Artists of the Upper Realms in the long run. We will win thanks to you."

Rui narrowed his eyes. He didn't like logic, it was demented, but it wasn't invalid. "Join us, Rui Quarrier," The man stretched out a hand to Rui. "Join us and help us usher in an age of conquest and glory for the Kandrian Empire."

Rui narrowed his eyes. "You're insane. The Transcendent Emperor of the Britannian Empire could annihilate our Empire as well as the Sekigahara Confederate and the Republic of Gorteau all by himself if he truly wanted. We should be grateful that he is allowing our facade of dominance."

Rui had wondered more than once why the four powerhouses of East Panama were considered equal when only one of them had a Martial Transcendent.

"I see, so you aren't aware," Master Krakule remarked. "I suppose it makes sense, you were away for a long time and are only twenty-eight and only a Martial Senior."

The weight of the man's words pushed down the atmosphere, wringing it taut.

"The Britannian Emperor, on the verge of defeat and death, broke through to the Transcendent Realm, becoming a Martial Transcendent," Master Krakule narrated with an ominous tone. "What happened next, what I am about to inform you is not public knowledge, nor must it ever become public knowledge. Sage Damian himself narrated what followed Martial Artists of the Upper Realms in the Kandrian Empire."

Rui stared at him in rapt attention, focusing on him with every iota of attention he had.

"The Transcendent Emperor, having broken through to the Transcendent Realm, simply retreated after breaking through without concluding their battle," Master Krakule informed him.

"What…?" Rui whispered, stunned.

"Can you believe it?" Master Krakule continued with a solemn tone. "This Martial Artist, who always killed his opponent. Who believed that any battle without the death of the loser was incomplete. Who lived and breathed conquest. This same Martial Artist retreated from a battle that he had all but won."

Rui stared at the Martial Master with a shocked expression. It truly was astonishing and incomprehensible, had the breakthrough to the Transcendent Realm altered who he was? Rui intuitively felt this was wrong. Power did not change a person, it simply unlocked who they were deep inside.

"That is not even the most shocking part," Master Krakule informed him. "The most shocking part is what Sage Arrancar said after. He said that the Transcendent Emperor disappeared so fast after breaking through that he didn't get to exchange a single word with the man. However, he did manage to get a single look at the infant Martial Transcendent's expression. He said that it was the first time that he had seen his rival make that expression. He said that there was but a single emotion that radiated from the newborn Transcendent before he disappeared..."

He looked deep into Rui's eyes.

"Fear."