Chapter 2023: Recognized Change |
As Rui surged towards the Kandrian Empire at top speed, his homesickness and nostalgia bubbled over.
He hadn't realized how much he longed to return to the Kandrian Empire.
He longed to put an end to all of this.
He was sick and tired of living on a timeline.
Pressure did indeed push him forward, but it took its toll and could be counter-productive when he didn't need it. Now that he had broken through to the Master Realm, he needed time to consolidate the many massive gains he had made in the past five years.
Additionally, as a person, he needed time to breathe.
Time to think.
He never got a chance to process many of the things that had happened. With less than four years to find the Divine Doctor, he postponed everything that didn't directly contribute to his Martial Art or the goal of finding the Divine Doctor for after the latter was completed.
Now that he was almost there, it was almost surreal, and his paranoia surged.
What if they were attacked by a random Martial Sage?
What if the Divine Doctor died for some reason or the other before he could heal his father?
They weren't exactly the most rational concerns, but now that Rui had gotten this close to their goal, he couldn't help but feel immense fear of everything that could go wrong at the last minute.
He surged through the Panama Continent at extraordinary speeds, ignoring the conventional wisdom not to waste power during travel. He lacked the patience to spend weeks traveling at a low speed painstakingly.
Much to his relief, they reached the Far eastern side of the Panama Continent without running into a hostile Martial Sage and without the Divine Doctor dying for inexplicable reasons.
STEP
He landed on a mountain peak.
"The Kandrian Empire…" A whisper escaped Rui as he gazed at the distant fort walls that ran along the border of the nation.
"Man, it's been a while…" Kane murmured, turning to Rui. "How are we getting in?"
Rui wordlessly pulled an amulet with the crest of the Kandrian Empire, pressing a button at the center.
Kane frowned. "What's that—"
Suddenly, his eyes closed as his body went limp.
Simultaneously, even the Divine Doctor lost consciousness, threatening collapse.
RUMBLE
Chills crawled up Rui's spine as he experienced the extraordinary existence of a Martial Sage. It was all too familiar.
All too familiar, yet just as ineffable as ever.
It was as though the entire world prostrated before the might of the Sage Realm.
It was as though all of heaven and earth bent under the sheer weight of such a colossal being.
Everywhere they went, they became the center of the world.
Nothing could ignore the magnitude of their suchness.
Nothing was allowed to.
Rui was no different.
His gaze was fixed on the Martial Sage that had arrived before him.
Yet, it was Sage Sayfeel who was unable to take his eyes off Rui.
"Your Highness…" Pure bewilderment could be heard in his voice as his eyes widened with astonishment.
Try as he might, he was unable to contain the shock that he experienced when he beheld Rui for the first time in three years.
It was incomprehensible.
He didn't understand.
He didn't understand how a thirty-two-year-old Martial Senior returned to the Kandrian Empire as a Martial Master three years later. He was stunned, frozen, as his powerful gaze pinned Rui where he stood, trying to comprehend how such a thing was possible.
Yet, the truth eluded him.
Breaking through to the Master Realm at such a young age was an unfathomable world-shattering accomplishment that would undoubtedly rock the entire Martial World, yet he couldn't even imagine how Rui broke through to such a high level of power from the very get-go.
"It's been a while, Your Sagehood," Rui bowed his head lightly, expressing the respect that a Martial Sage was worthy of.
Yet the Martial Sage had not failed to miss the frost in Rui's voice.
Where there was warmth was a cold apathy.
Where there was light was an empty void.
"I've accomplished what I set out for." Rui's tone was stoic.
Impassive.
His eyes were dark.
The Final Prince's return triumphant from a voyage to heal the emperor and restore the Empire's harmony was something that should have brought a smile to his face.
Yet, when he beheld Rui, his eyes sharpened as his expression grew grave.
"…You've changed," his tone was severe. "Your Highness."
"…Be that as it may," Rui's tone was calm. "I have succeeded in what I set out to accomplish."
The air pricked.
It tingled, growing more tense as the intensity of their gazes rose.
"…I cannot help but wonder at what cost has your success come." The Martial Sage closed his eyes. "Nonetheless, I must acknowledge your triumph. I was convinced you would fail. Yet, you have succeeded against all odds, proving me wrong. I would like to offer congratulations and…"
His tone grew more solemn. "…my condolences."
Rui stared at the man wordlessly.
His eyes were dark, his expression chilling. The high from his breakthrough and the ecstasy of testing his newfound power against the twelve Master-level beasts had worn off over the long journey back, returning him to his impassive self.
Sage Sayfeel heaved a soft sigh, turning to the unconscious Divine Doctor as his eyes lit up with intrigue.
"Is this…?"
"The Divine Doctor." Rui's tone was stoic. "Please be careful with your hypnosis; his mind and memories are priceless; it would not do for any damage to come to them."
"Rest assured, I have been exceedingly cautious and limited, merely putting the doctor and the young master to sleep," Sage Sayfeel replied. "The secrecy of my identity is paramount. It cannot be divulged at any cost."
His gaze returned to Rui. "Much has happened during your time away from the Kandrian Empire. However, for now, let us return to the Empire and finish what you set out for. Additionally, you have been using your Martial Mind for quite some time, and you will need some rest before you are ready to face the consequences of deceiving those who stood by you."
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