The Martial Unity

Rui immediately immersed himself in psychological conditioning as he honed his focus and sharpened his concentration.

Meanwhile, organizing the duel grew more turbulent as the entire world tried to weigh in on the conditions. What should have been a relatively straightforward task became a delayed ordeal as the entire world pressured the Heaven Sect to not make the wrong choice.

As arrogant as they were, they couldn’t ignore all of human civilization. Different nations expressed different views.

The Virodhabhasa Theocracy insisted that only Lord Virodhabhasa should have been allowed to choose the conditions of the duel as the challenger while others defended the Heaven Sect’s right to choose the conditions as the home nation.

Some insisted that it was absurd to have a Martial Sage fight a Martial Master and that the former should be required to seal Sage-level power and fight only with his Body, Heart, and Mind.

Others pushed back, arguing that the Dawnbringer had challenged Sage Sekiei because of his identity as a Sage and provoked the duel by insisting that the Sage was too weak to defeat him, a Martial Master. Thus, they argued, he had no right to ask for the Sage to hold back.

“That’s an absurd argument!” Consul Daonera of the Nest of Terra insisted as he directed a sweeping gaze across the conference hall. “Since when has a Master ever challenged a Sage to a duel without the condition of holding back the Martial Soul?!”

Consul Daonera.

A former underling of the late Sergenilius, who had been executed by Sage Sayfeel. He had been offered the seat of consul by the Emperor of Harmony once his predecessors were executed for their crimes against the Kandrian Empire.

He had originally been from the pro-Kandria and pro-Solution of Harmony factions. Thus, there was never a clash of interests. After becoming consul almost a year ago, he had aggressively mended his nation’s relationship with the Kandrian Empire.

Although it was not ideal to be seen making friends with the nation that bullied the Nest of Terra and executed its leaders in a frontal assault, it was much worse to not be friends with the Kandrian Empire.

The gap between the latter and other Sage-level powerhouses only grew wider and wider. They were the first nation to achieve Sage-independence; they would be perfectly fine even if they had zero Sages.

That meant that all their Sages were essentially free, training and preparing for the eventual Sage-level task force because they had nothing to do.

It was unwise to pick a fight with a nation with twenty-five free Sages.

The only remaining ones who were still willing to be antagonistic towards them were the Heaven Sect, the Gu, and the Namgung Dynasty.

“What do you think, Emperor Rael?” Consul Daenora asked with a hint of apprehension. The entire conference went silent as they broke into a cold sweat.

While the Kandrian Empire announced it would be sending a delegation to the Heaven Sect, it didn’t make any other statements on the absurd duel that was being arranged in the Heaven Sect.

Emperor Rael slowly opened his eyes as he slowly shifted his golden eyes toward Consul Daenora.

“…I have no objections to any arrangement as long as the Crown Prince of the Kandrian Empire is also in agreement with the conditions provided,” he quietly remarked. “The Kandrian Empire does not feel the need to intervene. The delegation we have sent is merely there to spectate. As long as death as we confirm that certain… bottom lines are not crossed, we will allow the Heaven Sect and Prince Rui to come to their own arrangements.”

The leaders in the hall stirred at his words with severe expressions.

Although the Emperor of Harmony was rather detached and hands-off on the matter, one thing was very apparent from the way he spoke about the matter.

Absolute and complete trust in the Dawnbringer.

“…I would say you have far too much trust in him, Rael,” Prime Minister Edward’s tone was intense. “You might think of him as highly capable, but he uses his capability to facilitate his extremist desires. You should be careful. Humanity is doomed without him..”

The air in the conference room grew electric as Prime Minister Edward blatantly disregarded protocol and addressed the Emperor of Harmony informally by his name instead of his title.

And yet, the Emperor of Harmony was hardly moved. “It is true that the Dawnbringer can be… volatile,” Blood Lord Vrukshus remarked with a contemptuous expression. “However, I believe his extraordinary ability exceeds even his volatility. Had any regular Master or royal attempted even half of what he has in his voyage across humanity, they would have died a hundred times over.” “I, too, believe that the Dawnbringer is able to handle his own duels,” Bodhisattva Maitreyi remarked. “While the prospect of his death is indeed very troubling. I hope that the Heaven Sect will understand that the Dawnbringer cannot afford to die.”

“…there are nations that have yet to receive his gifts. It would be foolishness of the highest order to deprive the world of one of its most powerful assets.” President Amelia offered her input on the matter. “I would recommend that the Heaven Sect diplomatically settle the matter without something as risky as a duel between a Master and a Sage.”

“Amitabha. It is ultimately the choice he has made,” Bodhisattva Maitreyi remarked with a wise tone. “I look forward to witnessing this battle in person.”

“I think whether it was his choice or not was irrelevant,” Queen Linaliana stated with a fim tone. “Being pressured to fight a Sage in a foreign nation that you have visited to help is absurd. On top of that, it wouldn’t have happened without the Heaven Sect disrespecting the Dawnbringer.”

This sentiment had earned a lot of approval among the gathered nations. They all directed their gazes towards Elder Diana with sharp eyes.

And yet, elder peak Sage was not moved.

“The duel will continue,” her voice was cold. “As for his survival, that is entirely up to his merit. People die in duels, and that might very well happen to him.”

Her eyes sharpened.

“Don’t blame me if it does.”

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