The Martial Unity

The second that his two students left with solemn expressions and demeanor, Rui immediately rushed off to the G’ak’arkan Tribe as early as he could. After all, during this time, he would also be serving as a student, not just a teacher.

He quickly finished the bit of paperwork he needed to do before immediately shooting off to the G’ak’arkan Village. This time, he wasn’t accompanied by his assistants, so he could freely move at his top speed through the sky.

THUD

He landed with an impact some distance away from the G’ak’arkan village. He could see that people had begun gathering the second that he had arrived, looking at him with curiosity and awe, as well as skepticism and intrigue.

“What business do you have here, outsider?” A Martial Squire stepped forth.

“I have come to learn the technique, as agreed,” He replied calmly.

Another Martial Squire stepped forward from the crowd behind, whispering something in the former’s ear.

He then turned to Rui with a grudging expression. “Alright, we will guide you to Kt’obila.”

The name was pronounced with a click, a sound that the Vilun dialect employed frequently, both in words as well as in names.

Soon enough, Rui was taken deeper into the village than he had ever been. The borders of the G’ak’arkan Village did not strictly encompass only the area that was inhabited by the tribes folk. It included several other areas and places that weren’t frequently inhabited with housing but were still considered directly part of their village.

He was led into their mountain through an extensive cave network that led into a large internal cave that spanned a huge area. There were glowing crystals and other gems sticking out of the walls. Thin holes in the ceiling gave beams of light that caused them to sparkle.

Across the area, there were a large number of Martial Artists that were deeply absorbed in some training or the other.

(‘What a picturesque scene,’) Rui couldn’t help but sigh in appreciation. It reminded him of the trope of martial art masters training in the serenity of the mountains for extended periods of time.

While the Martial Union was obviously more sophisticated, efficient, and effective, there was a degree of profoundness in the way these Martial Artists trained to become stronger.

(‘In a way, these Martial Artists pursue individual capability to the absolute maximum,’) Rui couldn’t help but sigh. They relied on themselves and nature.

Nothing else.

“Kt’obila,” One of them addressed a meditating man, who promptly opened his eyes when called out.

“You’re here?” He asked, glancing at Rui, sizing him up from top to bottom.

“I am,” Rui nodded. “I’m here to learn the Mighty Roar Flash Blast techniques. I look forward to your guidance.”

Kt’obila expressed respect for Rui, having got up and even shook hands with him out of respect.

(‘It seems Senior K’Mala hasn’t spread the news of me not being grade ten to the Martial Squires,’) Rui noted their respectful yet wary demeanor of him.

She definitely would have told the Martial Seniors of the tribe, but it seems as though she did not see any reason to inform every Martial Squire.

“Your training will begin today,” Kt’obila remarked. “Today we will look at the way through which we train in order to facilitate our body in applying this technique.”

“Follow me,” He gestured to Rui, before heading deeper into the mountain.

It wasn’t long before they arrived at an isolated part of the mountain, a small cave that was a dead-end.

Inside was just barely enough space for two people two sit. There was a tiny body of water just a meter wide, yet it extended incredibly deep according to his Seismic Mapping technique.

Furthermore, the walls were even prettier in this little cave dead-end. They were covered in all kinds of esoteric minerals and stones.

“This technique requires a powerful breath and a powerful voice,” He explained as he tapped his diaphragm, and tapped his larynx. “Only when both of those are strengthened to the limit can you apply this technique to surpass the speed limit to sound blasts?”

“And how do we strengthen this?”

“By pushing them to their limits, of course,” He smiled, gesturing to a small body of water in the small cave.

Rui glanced at the small hole filled with water inquisitively, it seemed that it clearly had something to do with his training.

“The best way to push one’s self beyond one’s limit is through the fear of death,” He explained. “Only via the fear of death, can you truly push past your limits and obtain new power.”

Rui didn’t try arguing with him. Even if he disagreed, he was here to listen and learn whatever he could.

“Now then…” He plucked a rock tied to ethnic garb. “I was there to witness your technique, so around this much should be okay…?”

He broke the rock into two pieces, tying one back to his garb.

“What is this?” Rui frowned as he studied it.

It was a purple rock with a hard and rough texture.

“That there is what we call Windfell Stone,” He explained. “It’s special, when one puts it in water, the water immediately begins to absorb air, the only way to release air from the water is through sustained powerful sound. If you do not release enough air by producing enough sound underwater, you will suffocate to death.”

He walked out of the cave before tossing the Windfell Stone into the water. The water immediately turned purple as a powerful wind current was generated.

Rui widened his eyes as he realized the powerful wind current was being caused by the sheer amount of the atmosphere the water that the windfall stone had dissolved in.

(‘This is ridiculous!’) Rui frowned. (‘What kind of solute causes a solution with water such that it causes a spontaneous exothermal reaction that somehow absorbs air?’)

He was no specialized expert in inorganic chemistry, but he was absolutely certain that there was no substance equivalent to this on Earth!