The Martial Unity

Chapter 3199: Unknown Path

Against a Martial Squire, she had no strength advantage.

If anything, she was slightly weaker because her father was a normal human. Making her half-blood hemosapien, technically. However, hemosapien genes appeared to be more dominant and more sticky than human genes, making her genetics ninety-percent of that a hemosapien.

Regardless, the fact that she was able to keep up with an older male Martial Squire was proof that she had broken through.

However...

”I don’t recognize this.”

Rui’s expression grew engrossed as he studied the power that he sensed from her.

It was different.

It was different from the Apprentice Realm.

In fact, Rui was certain that it had nothing to do with the Apprentice Realm at all.

She had simply grown stronger in a more general sense.

Her physicality had grown stronger, as had her cognition and the resulting efficiency.

He could sense that she was drawing more and more into untapped physical power.

He could sense that her cerebral cortex had grown to become more active.

Her combat cognition had grown.

Much to his shock, parts of the brain strongly associated with the Martial Mind had also begun to show activity, even if very little.

Her blood had begun to glow mildly in a strange bioluminescence.

It did so in a manner that reminded him of the Martial Heart.

One’s blood glowed because of energized electrons in organic structures, radiating light from the gush of energy that the body tapped into.

This was like a quasi-version of that.

As though she had somehow set one toe into the Senior Realm.

These little boosts across her entire being allowed her to gain a degree of power that was quite remarkable.

It allowed her to overcome her opponent.

THUD

A heavy blood-empowered blow to his head caused him to grow dizzy before collapsing unconscious.

She caught her breath as her blood returned to her body while a smile of delight emerged on her face.

”I did it!”

And yet, almost nobody could find it in themselves to applaud or clap.

They simply stared at her like she was a freak of nature, making her feel self-conscious and causing her to slump where she stood.

CLAP CLAP CLAP...!

Her attention turned in the direction of Rui, who smiled at her as he began bodly clapping.

”Uncle Rui!” she beamed with ecstasy. ”Did you see that?! I’m so strong!”

”I did see that,” Rui replied with an encouraging tone. ”It was a great fight...”

His gaze shifted around the facility pointedly.

”...as I’m sure all of you would agree, right?”

The crowd stiffened as they began clapping, raining applause on her.

”Indeed, what a strong girl!”

”She will become a great Martial Arti—er, something... someday.”

”She’s from the Quarrier Orphanage, so ofcourse she is destined for greatness!”

Arastia grew delighted by all the recognition.

Max and Mana quickly reached out to her as she exited the combat arena, hugging her protectively as they directed a suspicious gaze to the people around the facility.

”Max, Mana,” Rui called out to them. ”I’m sure she’s quite tired. Why don’t you take her away to get some rest?”

The two of them were more than happy to oblige, quickly taking Arastia away even as she protested, insisting she had plenty of stamina left.

Rui’s gaze shifted across the facility.

”Show’s over. Get back to work. We don’t pay you to gape like scarecrows. And if you don’t work here, all the more reason to get out.”

The officials of the Martial Union and other organizations stiffened, before quickly departing from the room, unwilling to get on the wrong side of the most powerful man on the continent.

The Martial Sages, that remained, on the other hand, were not that easily pushed over.

”Rui.”

The Flickering Elder, one of the strongest Martial Sages of the Union and one of the original founders appeared before him.

She appeared no older than Arastia, and yet that was merely a strange quirk of her Martial Body.

She gazed at him with knowing eyes.

”Why are you trying to evade the truth?”

Rui huffed. ”I’m not trying to evade anything.”

”That girl...” The Mountain of Fortitude also stepped closer to him with a stern expression. ”And others of her kind. They are not Martial Artists. I don’t know what she is. I don’t what path she walks. But I know that she is not a Martial Artist and that she does not walk the Martial Path.”

”Be that as it may...” Rui’s tone grew intense. ”It does not change anything. It cannot change anything.”

The Martial Sages of the Martial Union were deeply dissatisfied with the answer.

”Your Highness...” Sage Zentra tried for reason. ”If the descendents of the Blood Goddess follow different Paths and their blood is meant to flood all future generations, then that necessarily entails the destruction of Martial Art. If we do not do something about that, then we will allow the extinction of Martial Artists around the world.”

The air grew heavy with his ominous

Rui’s eyes sharpened.

”You do not know that,” Rui replied. ”The blood will dilute over generations. By the time they have completely assimilated into human civilization, they will account for only perhaps five to ten percent of DNA. This is taking into account the dominance and stickiness of their genes. The destruction of the Martial Path is hardly a given. You would need to be able to see into the future.”

”We can.”

He turned around, finding himself face to face with none other than his grandmother.

Rui sharpened his eyes.

”And so can you, my dear grandson,” Matriarch Nephi’s tone was steely. ”I’m sure you have understood the potential consequences. The further into the future we peer, the lower the resolution and certainty of our prophecies. But even then...”

Her elder eyes were firm.

”The difference between what you say and what they say is merely a coin flip. That will decide the fate of the Martial Path.”

Rui frowned.

”And you are taking a stance in this matter?”