The Martial Unity

In the brief time that Rui had spent here, he had already spotted patterns of traits in the behavioral psychology of those indoctrinated by the Virodhabhasa Faith. This allowed him to develop models that predicted not only whether someone was indoctrinated by the faith, but also allowed him to predict to what degree they were indoctrinated.

This was partially based on the same principles of the predictive model of the VOID algorithm, thus he was able to effortlessly execute it even though it had been the first time that he had done this.

Of course, the accuracy and precision left much to be desired, and it was not flawless. But it worked well enough.

Although he wasn’t super confident about how effectively he would be able to read Martial Artists that had ascended to the Higher Realms, it appeared that at the very least, he could tell when a Martial Master wasn’t the most devoted subject of a faith.

“You’re not entirely wrong,” The man grinned. “I am not the most loyal follower. It’s not that I denounce the faith or anything that extreme, it’s just that I’ve come to be more agnostic about it. I’m open to anything, and it helps that I do not reject the Divine Revelation.”

He shrugged nonchalantly as if that wasn’t a big deal.

Rui furrowed his eyebrows. He was confused. How could someone who wasn’t even a believer in the faith come to become a bishop in the religious organization? How did someone even become part of the religion, let alone ascend to such a high-level position?

“Surprised, are you?” The man smirked, amused. “It’s because the allure of the power of a Martial Master is just that high, young man. Not even a religion as large and powerful as the Virodhabhasa Faith can reject the might of a Martial Artist who has transcended the Lower Realms.”

Rui furrowed his eyebrows.

That did make sense. He knew that even the Martial Union treated its Martial Masters as strategic nukes. The sheer amount of value and utility that these beings offered to any organization was so high that even significant transgressions could be forgiven if it meant retaining their power.

With that context in mind, Rui could easily come to understand why the man was so high and successful within the Virodhabhasa Faith despite not being the most theistic.

It was sheer and raw power. As long as the man did not blatantly act against the theistic faith, the Martial Sages that ran the Virodhabhasa Faith were most certainly inclined to overlook his lack of personal religiosity.

“Still, you should be careful, young man,” The man remarked. “Your tone and line of questioning can be considered quite offensive within our Faith. A more dedicated and serious religious leader would have you executed for the question that you asked me. You’re fortunate that I am not one of them.”

“That is why you’re the only one that I’ve asked this question to, Master Deivon,” Rui replied nonchalantly.

“Hmph,” The man snorted with a hint of amusement and annoyance.

“Besides, with all due respect, Master” Rui continued. “You’re the one who desires my cooperation, something you haven’t yet convinced me of necessarily.”

The man stared at Rui with an intent expression. “It was a miscalculation on my part. I did not expect that you would not have succumbed to me by now. I have never met a Martial Squire who has been able to maintain composed resistance before a Martial Master like myself.”

Rui simply stared at him.

“Then allow me to cut straight to the point. I am willing to offer you the very best of the growth and training resources we have. We have means to accelerate your growth and allow you to fulfill one of the key and easier conditions to breaking through to the Senior Realm,” The man began.

Rui narrowed his eyes. “You mean the durability of the constitution of the Martial Body needed to withstand the power of the Martial Heart?”

“Ah, it appears you have been informed about the Senior Realm and the conditions needed to break through. Good. You have most certainly reached the stage where that information is relevant to you,” He remarked. “But to answer your question, yes. My senses tell me that your body is significantly closer to the threshold internal durability needed to withstand the Martial Heart. You’re ahead by almost ten years, in fact, it’s actually ridiculous.”

Rui shrugged, refusing to elaborate on it. The reason for this was that he did not want to prematurely reveal his connection with the Floating Sect since it was the environment of Ajanta Island that allowed him to achieve such rapid progress in the strengthening of his body.

However, there was also a deeper reason for why this was the case.

The Hungry Pain technique that he had mastered as an Apprentice allowed him to achieve a stronger body well ahead of his time. He had essentially started out with a grade-two body when a grade-two body usually took a couple of years to achieve.

That along with the nourishing growth from Ajanta Island had helped him achieve a rate of growth of his body that was incredible. The same was true for Kane.

These were things that Rui was unwilling to reveal to the Martial Master. The Hungry Pain technique had widespread implications for Martial Art. Being known as the creator of the technique would involve him in a storm with powers far greater than what he was capable of handling.

He would enter the eyes of predators so powerful, that even Chairman Deacon would pale in comparison as a threat.

This was not true for his other grade-nine and grade-ten techniques. They were powerful as well, but their low dissemination viability and high difficulty meant that only a highly limited number of Martial Squires could master them, this limited the impact they had on society. This is why they were quite valuable, yet not completely groundbreaking.