The Martial Unity

While the nation erupted into celebration for the return of the People's Prince, Rui immersed himself in the preparations for his presentation. He needed to make sure that he had everything he needed to impress all the major and minor sects.

While Master Ceeran had spread awareness about Rui's Martial Art potentially increasing one's affinity for the Master Realm, it wasn't as though that was instantly enough to convince everybody.

The other sects had plenty of Martial Masters as well; the word of one Martial Master, that too someone as young as Ceeran, was not going to instantly sway their mind. The only ones who had been swayed were those who had already had their eyes on Rui Quarrier and were optimistic of what he was capable of.

He needed to make sure he dazzled all of them.

Soon enough, the day of the presentation arrived.

The Martial Union had taken over all the logistical requirements. The avenue, the things that Rui requested, and an appropriate seating arrangement for the Masters were all deftly prepared by a dedicated staff for the meeting.

Rui was grateful that he didn't once need to intervene in these tiring matters. He simply focused on everything that he himself needed to do.

He waited in a little open-air arena prepared for him, opening his eyes when he felt a presence descend from the sky.

"Master Ceeran, I'm glad you could make it," He calmly addressed him.

"I wouldn't dare to miss it," Master Ceeran smiled. "Not to mention, my reputation is on the line as well."

Rui smiled slightly. "Perhaps it would have been prudent not to put your reputation on me."

"If not you, then nobody else qualifies either," He smiled, turning away. "Good luck."

He took one of the seats prepared for him, not disturbing Rui any further. Yet the flow of incoming Martial Masters did not stop.

"Do well, my child," Master Vericita wished him as she petted his head.

"I look forward to your performance!" Master Iskan grinned.

Beside him was a Martial Senior.

Rui narrowed his eyes.

A powerful one.

"I'm glad that you have decided to take this step, Senior Quarrier," Master Zentra calmly told Rui when he arrived. "As I told you long ago, I believe in investing in the future. Show me the future, Rui Quarrier."

"Thank you, Master Zentra."

Rui's eyes lit up with surprise as an unexpected guest made an appearance. "Headmaster Aronian."

"Hmhmhm…" He chuckled mutedly as he descended from the sky before Rui. "I seem to have caught you off-guard."

"I didn't expect you to come here as well," Rui replied surprised.

"Why wouldn't I? Your Martial Art is being seriously evaluated as a foundational field for the explorer students and Martial Apprentices in the Martial Academy," The Headmaster explained. "It is within my purview, and as such, my perspective will carry much weight. Ensure you succeed."

Rui nodded.

Soon enough, all the relevant Martial Masters had arrived. A handful of Masters from each sect had deigned to take part in spectating Rui's presentation.

It was time to begin.

"Distinguished Masters, I am grateful that all of you have taken the time to attend my presentation," Rui began. "I promise that you will not regret your decision. I do not intend to present a boatload of theory. Nor do I intend to convince you of the value of my techniques through words. I shall prove it right here and now. I am grateful that each of you has fulfilled my request to help me prove to you that my techniques are worth your support."

He glanced at the three grade-thirteen Martial Seniors that stood behind the Martial Masters of their sect.

Their presence there that day was rather important.

They were going to prove that his techniques were important.

"Then, let us begin without further ado," Rui announced. "Would the chosen Martial Artist of the Fire Sect make his way onto the arena?"

The Martial Senior that had come from the Fire Sect was a woman with eyes so sharp that they could cut one where one stood. Her body was well-built and highly athletic, yet not overly muscular. Cleanly chiseled abs were exposed underneath her dark sports bra.

"Have you been informed of the limitations?" Rui asked.

"No Martial Heart, no breathing techniques, no supplementary techniques, no Martial Mind prototypes, no body transformational techniques, victory by knockout or submission," She growled back.

"Correct," Rui nodded. "Let us begin."

She took an interesting stance. Her leg stretched behind her as she crouched, akin to the manner a sprinter might. Her right hand balled into a fist, curling back as she tucked it at her twisting waist.

Boundless energy coiled in her body, preparing a blow of titanic power.

He stared at her as he began analyzing her in accordance with the voidlet techniques, not the VOID algorithm.

This was part of the plan. In order to show the three major sects the value of his techniques, he needed to demonstrate the voidlet techniques augmenting each of the three fundamental styles of combat.

Thus, he had asked them to bring Martial Seniors with stronger Martial Bodies from their sects. He would prove the value of his techniques by fighting against a stronger-bodied chosen warrior. Doing so would allow him to demonstrate the power of the voidlet techniques against all three major fields against Martial Artists of their choosing while also showing them how the voidlet could be used offensively, defensively, and in maneuvering.

It was the cleanest manner of demonstration of his prowess with the highest credibility. He didn't know anything about his opponents, while his opponents knew of him, both in preparation and because of his unparalleled fame as a Senior.

The Martial Heart and breathing techniques had been restricted maximally so that the result would be more relevant to explorers and Apprentices. These were who the techniques were meant for.

So what would that say about him if he used his voidlet techniques to win each fight domineeringly?

Her eyes blazed with determination and battle lust, as befitting one of the Fire Sect.