Rui didn't even hesitate in refusing the last option that Senior Ceeran had provided to him. Rui simply had no interest in the various ways that the Martial Union could grant him influence, wealth, and power.
At least, that wasn't the kind of power that Rui was interested in. Rui wanted to dedicate his life to pursuing his Martial Path and developing his Martial Art. If anything, positions in the Martial Union would burden him with explicit and implicit responsibilities and burdens that he simply didn't care for and would also hinder him from focusing on what he wanted to focus on.
He didn't want long periods of training frequently intruded by responsibility calls from the Martial Union.
"Well, that's fine. Quite understandable actually, especially at your stage," The man explained. "There's plenty of time to change your mind when you get stronger and reach higher Realms."
Rui raised an eyebrow. "You make it sound like it is something that will inevitably happen,"
Senior Ceeran smiled melancholically. "Why do you think so many Martial Artists of the Martial Union spend so much time in Martial Sects?"
Rui scratched his head. "Because they want their field of Martial Art to receive more funds and capital for research?"
"Of course," The man nodded. "But my question had more to do with why this was the case?"
"Hm..." Rui scratched his head.
"An overwhelming proportion of the research and development happens in the lower Realms, after all, it is extremely difficult for research teams to aid Martial Artists of the upper Realms. These beings have reached such an absurd level of power across the centuries that they're no different from natural disasters. Just being in the same region as them is dangerous," The man explained. "So why is that Martial Artists in the higher Realms get involved in this matter that has no direct relevance to them so fiercely?"
Rui didn't know the answer. In truth, he wasn't sure why these Martial Artists that were so vastly above such matters cared so deeply about the research and development allocations of the Martial Artist.
His first guess was that it was a matter of ego and pride. Perhaps seeing their field receive lesser capital than those of their peers was interpreted as an indication of inferiority, causing them to fight hard to get their field more recognition than they believe it deserved.
Yet for some reason, Rui didn't think that this was the case.
Were the Martial Artists of the upper Realms really that petty?
"It's because progressing becomes much harder the higher the Realm of the Martial Artist," The man sighed. "It's almost impossible to maintain the rate of progression in the higher Realms than it is in the lower Realms. This is true for any two successive Realms. You reached the Squire Realm after spending around four years in the Apprentice Realm, this is impressive and very optimistic but it is hardly unheard of. However, I can assure you that you will almost certainly not reach the Senior Realm in the next four years, or less than three, since you have already spent around eighteen months in the Squire Realm."
Rui could already feel that. He started out at grade three thanks to how potent his Martial Art was, and his extra-enhanced body, however, his rate of progress across the Squire Realm was slower than he had expected. He could especially feel that when he learned that mastering a synergetic grade-ten technique along with a permanent augmentation potion wasn't necessarily enough to move up a grade.
He would probably spend many years in the Senior Realm before he could take a step into a higher realm of power.
"But what exactly does this have to with higher Realm Martial Artists joining factions and being involved with the Martial Union?" Rui scratched his head, confused.
"It has to do with the difficulty of treading down your Martial Path, individuality generally becomes much harder to come up with. It's like climbing a mountain, easiest at the bottom, but gets continuously harder as it grows steeper," The man explained. "Oftentimes, Martial Artists hit into nigh-insurmountable barriers. In times like these, the innovations and creations of the humblest of Martial Artists can often serve as the key to progressing forward. These Martial Artists have a high capability to deconstruct the essence of lower techniques and adapt it to their need. One of the variables that decide the availability of such techniques is the amount of capital for research that the Martial Union allocates to their fields."
"I see..." Rui narrowed his eyes in thought. "So it is, at least, partially fueled by personal and self-centered reasons."
"Correct," The man nodded. "Martial Artists that reach this level are highly driven, it takes an immense amount of perseverance to transcend your limits multiple times and reach the upper Realms. That is why these Martial Artists are willing to look any and everywhere to obtain inspiration or solutions. I can tell you that someone very high up and special in the Longranger Sect is particularly interested in your Pathfinder technique. Joining the Martial Union is ultimately something all Martial Artists find great value in doing."
He gave Rui a measured look.
"Well, if and when that day comes, I'll consider joining the Martial Union," Rui sighed, throwing him a bone.
"It's always good to keep an open mind," The man smiled. "And that just about brings us to the end of the brief overview of the services that the Martial Union offers. The one million martial credits have already been deposited in your account, and you may spend them how so ever you deem appropriate."
Rui nodded. "Thank you for your help, Senior Ceeran, it is much appreciated."
"No," The man shook his head vigorously. "I'm the one who should be thanking you, young man, you have shown me a new path forward that I had never even known existed. In comparison to that, the aid I provided you is rather trivial."
