2167  Demanding Request

While the well-meaning elderly Master intended to merely break any arrogance that Rui might have had in Martial Arts and make him cautious about the adversities that Martial Art faced, he was taken aback by how well Rui was well-versed in the power dynamics of human civilization.

However, Rui knew had a point.

While the growth of Martial Art had accelerated in the Age of Martial Art, the growth esoteric technology had also sped up due to the fact that Martial Artists were able to overcome many dangers to extract and retrieve powerful esoteric resources that served as one of the reasons that esoteric military technology grew.

In other words, if Martial Art stalled, then that was reason to believe that esoteric technology would stall too.

"Your profile did not lie when it said that you possess insight far surpassing your years and experience," the elderly Master admitted. "However, you still underestimate esoteric technology. While it is true that Martial Art has driven its growth, it is also true that it drives growth in Martial Art. After all, I'm sure I don't need to remind you that the Squire Realm is an artificial Realm. A human construct. A product of technology."

Rui stirred at the elder Master's words.

It was certainly true that while all realms that succeeded it were natural, the Squire Realm was definitely an artificial Realm that heavily depended on esoteric technology. The quality of the Squire evolution breakthrough process was responsible for the innate power of not just the Squire Realm, but also that of the Senior Realm. After all, the Martial Heart was directly proportional to the Martial Body.

In addition, one thing that he didn't mention was growth and training resources that also improved the rate of growth of Martial Art.

"However, while Martial Art has hit a potential cap, esoteric technology does not have such a limit on its potential," Master Gern warned. "This matters because many nations and rulers around the world have realized that Martial Art has plateaued and will not experience the massive spikes in growth that it used to, and this has already begun reflecting."

Rui raised an eyebrow. "…What do you mean?"

Master Gern's expression grew even more severe. "Human civilization has ceased investing in Martial Art as it did before the advent of Transcendence. Humanity is slowly realizing that the future of power will not lie in the limits of Martial Art, but in the untapped potential of esoteric technology."

Rui's eyes sharpened at those words. "I don't think I've ever heard of such a thing."

The elder Master shook his head. "It happens beyond our sphere. It happens when nations invest capital that used to go to Martial Art has now been diverted to esoteric military technology. It happens when the first Sage-level powerhouse that does not rely on Martial Art comes into existence after the Transcendent Realm was discovered."

Rui's eyes widened as he understood what the Master was referring to. "…Esocline Federation."

Master Gern nodded gravely. "The youngest and arguably weakest Sage-level powerhouse. However, the fact that exists, at all, a Sage-level powerhouse that primarily depends on state-of-the-art esoteric military technology, led by the Esoterist, is an absolutely unprecedented phenomenon. In the past, there were no powerhouse nations that didn't depend on Martial Art. When the Squire, Senior, Master, and Sage Realms were once the highest Realms, it was impossible for a powerhouse not to rely on Martial Arts."

Rui understood what the elder Master was conveying.

The fact that a powerhouse independent of Martial power had emerged after the discovery of Transcendent Realm showed that the Transcendent Realm had not stalled but also weakened Martial Art to the point that a powerhouse depending purely or mostly on technology had emerged for the very first time!

"What if more powerhouses relying on technology emerge?" It was a simple question, yet one that Rui had never considered.

He had always known of the existence of Esocline Federation. They had been the power that had supplied the Kaddar Treaty Association with the weapon that stabilized the floating Ajanta Island, allowing them to wage war with the Floating Sect.

In addition, Master Deivon had also talked to Rui about them and their partnership with the Virodhabhasa Theocracy.

However, he didn't understand the contextual significance of what a technological Sage-level powerhouse represented. It represented a shift in power dynamics. Before, the gap between Martial Art and esoteric technology was large enough that the latter was not the former's equal. Now, however, esoteric technology had caught up to allow for the birth of the first Sage-level powerhouse.

"It's all because Transcendents are non-assets." Master Gern's voice grew bolder. "Had they exercised their unfathomable power, the gap between Martial Art and esoteric technology would have only grown, yet, because they do not move, they have instead weakened the state of Martial Art."

It was an extremely controversial statement to make in the halls of a Martialocratic organization like the Panamic Martial Federation. Martial Transcendents were gods in human form that were to be revered, not chastised.

Yet, it appeared that Master Gern harbored no such feeling towards them. Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

"What Martial Art needs is a new path to power as a whole," he continued. "The Transcendent Realm is not worth pursuing, we need something that will empower Martial Art as powerfully as a new Realm of power would. If the Realm of Martial Artists cannot improve, then the quantity of Martial Artists must increase."

Rui narrowed his eyes as he felt a piercing gaze from Master Gern. He stared at Rui with a knowing glint in his eyes.

"For the sake of Martial Art, you must surrender everything you know about the mass Apprentice breakthroughs, young Master," Master Gern insisted. "I have been authorized by the Panamic Martial Federation to offer you anything you desire in return. As the greatest organization of Martial Art in the entire world, there is no greater boon a Martial Artist can possibly seek. Now then, bestow upon us the key to the future of unparalleled glory for all of Martial Art!"

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