The Martial Unity

Chapter 3360: Helpful Knowledge

Rui heaved a deep breath, shaking his head.

”I have no idea.”

That wasn’t strictly true, but it was true that he was largely in the dark as to what happened.

However, whatever it was, it was likely beyond their fathoming.

”...Much of the ancient past from eons ago is obscure from our vision due to all the changes that have occurred on this planet,” Mother Vyia remarked. ”We rely on a variety of methods to peer into the past; nonetheless, it leaves us with too much uncertainty. However, regarding the manifold alien flora species, we have access to them in the present. If you would allow us to take a closer look at it, then we could learn even more about it.”

This was what she sought from him; the whole reason that she had brought up the alien flora specimen in the first place.

She had likely made the same request to his father, but he had likely to refused her.

Rui shook his head.

”No, I understand what you’re saying, but we are very protective of it for a reason. Not only is it an important clue into the past, but it is also an important strategic treasure that increases our odds of survival. I can’t allow you elves to tinker with it in hopes of satisfying your curiosity to learn something about the past,” Rui told her firmly. ”The past is important, but the present and the future are even more important.”

The manifold was half the reason that human civilization held confidence in being able to overcome its shortcomings. It was a cheat code of unimaginable value and was something that Rui could not risk under any circumstances.

Mother Vyia heaved a soft sigh. ”Very well then. I suppose I can still help you in your objectives with Kiriket.”

Rui raised an eyebrow, recalling what she had said that had led to this conversation even starting.

”You said you had something to give me that could make my job easier.”

She nodded. ”Kiriket makes use of some of our flora technology. Old generation, of course. However, we recently discovered a weakness in our old-generation flora technology that has been rectified in new-gen technology, which leaves them with a shortcoming that could be exploited by somebody who can manipulate nature.”

She directed a pointed gaze at him.

Rui raised an eyebrow. ”...discovered a flaw in the older generations of your flora technology? Really?”

He found that hard to believe for some reason.

It felt more likely to him that the dark elves had plotted to add something of a backdoor to the technology that they had given to the therianthropes, and made him wonder about the technology that they were giving human civilization in the technological trade deals that they had made.

”We have removed the flaws from the old-generation models that we have given you, of course,” Mother Vyia assured Rui. ”But the therianthropes are still prey to it. I will pass on the details of the nature manipulation to you through this.”

The living wood of the table shifted as a knowledge seed emerged from it.

She handed it to him, who promptly accepted it and gobbled it up, knowing exactly what it did.

He felt a surge of information shoot into his brain as he gazed at his hands.

”I see...” Rui murmured. ”That can be useful indeed.”

Mother Vyia smiled.

”Good luck, then.”

”Thanks,” Rui replied as his gaze returned to her. ”I will be sure to put it to good use. Our conversation was long and fruitful, but I think it’s about time I head back and get to the other chores that I need to do.”

She nodded. ”We will continue investigating the truth of our world and of what happened in the past.”

”...You remind me of someone,” Rui remarked as he got up from his seat, stretching lightly. ”He is a doctor who thinks that Gaia is not only alive, but also ill.”

”He sounds wise.”

”Knowledgeable, he is. I don’t know about wise, though.” Rui heaved a sigh. ”I’m on a mission to help him as well, although it’s a less important priority for me.”

”You should prioritize Gaia,” Mother Vyia remarked. ”We have nothing if not for Gaia.”

”Uh-huh, I’ll keep that in mind.” He directed one last nod at her. ”Well, then. It has been a fruitful and insightful conversation. I will visit again before I depart from Genora, so goodbye for now.”

”Get some rest, young warrior. You have had an exhausting time away.”

He immediately departed from her true body, heading towards the northern edge of the continent as he sky-walked through the powerful winds that blew through the Genoran skies. His pitch-black eyes grew hazy as he basked in the bright, warm light of the morning Sun, pondering the conversations he had had with Mother Vyia and the revelations that he had gotten from them.

Perhaps the biggest one was that the human species of the Panama Continent was not homo sapien.

It made sense, of course.

Homo sapiens didn’t have Martial Paths.

”They didn’t have paths, assuming they’re like those that I’m aware of.”

From what he was aware, all evidence from Lost Cities suggested that they did not have powerful Martial Artists. It meant that in the span of one thousand three hundred years, homo sapien had evolved into a new species entirely?

”The only way that could possibly happen is with extreme natural selection in a short amount of time.”

It suggested that an overwhelming majority of humans must have died each generation, leaving only the most fit. It was likely that the most fit were those who had the aptitude for martial arts and eventually developed the Martial Path in their beings, waiting to be discovered.

”Homo martialus must be even more violent than homo sapien then.”

It did add up when one looked at the amount of conflict there was on the Panama Continent within human civilization. Certainly, relative to the elves, they were orders of magnitude more violent, second only to the giants, who still only fought for hunger rather than a propensity for violence itself.