The Martial Unity

Chapter 2661 A form of Art

Chapter 2661 A form of Art

Rui found his exploration of the Nest of Terra to be rather thrilling.

He found, even outside of the city, through a tunnel network that was so complicated that it could be its own labyrinth, there was Terran Civilization thriving in darkness. These were people who were unable to afford to live in the big hundred mega-cities of the Nest of Terra and instead had chosen to carve their own homes in off-shoot paths of their own building.

Considering that expansion was extremely difficult, he was sure that the population of the Nest of Terra had risen much faster than available land, causing real estate in the Nest of Terra to be extremely expensive and precious.

There was no doubt many millions of people had to make makeshift homes outside of the big cities, causing unofficial labyrinths of people forming homes in tunnel networks in between cities.

He spotted little huts, caves, and homes across tunnels. Even larger spaces that harbored something like a small settlement within them. "The population estimate of the Nest of Terra," Rui wondered aloud, "does it include people living in off-shoot tunnels outside of cities?"

"As far as I'm aware, it does not," Sage Kyria freely informed him with a composed tone. "These are undocumented people who are unofficial citizens of the Nest of Terra. Eventually, one of the spaces that you have sensed far off into the tunnel network will grow larger and larger, at which point it will be officially recognized as a city and will come under the strict management and regulation of the Council of Cities and the two ruling consuls. Until then... they will simply receive unofficial aid and support from the state."

Although it might have felt a little cruel to exclude people who didn't live in the big cities, Rui could understand why this policy had to come into place.

"It must be a logistical nightmare tracking people across this expansive labyrinth," he noted. "So much so that it's not worth it until they gather enough people in a large enough space over time. But it's fascinating to know that the Nest of Terra does not regulate these people. Considering how precarious life underground can be and how many systems are in place just to ensure basic survival."

She nodded at his words as she led them through a corridor at a considerable speed. "All the big cities, like the City of Nagara that you have just explored were created this way. It has been our way of expansion for centuries now. We have discovered the hard way that organic and natural expansion is better than a state-planned expansion. It gives our people more freedom in a way of life that is restricted compared to most other nations above the surface."

Rui nodded. "I suppose that makes sense. This is a truly fascinating nation indeed."

"We have finally arrived, Your Highness," Sage Kyria remarked.

WHOOSH

They emerged from a tunnel, sky-walking into the air above the city of Martia.

"Wow..." Amare's eyes lit up with amazement.

"This is remarkable." Rui nodded with an approving expression.

Sage Kyria's tone was profound.

"The Dance of Terra?" Rui's eyes widened. "To us, Terrans, the Martial Art is an art form." Her voice was solemn. "We believe that the 'Art' of Martial Art is more important than the former half."

Amare's eyes brightened with wonder while her expression lit up with delight. "That's beautiful!"

"An art form?"

"Indeed," Sage Kyria replied. "Watch him, Prince Rui. Watch his movements. Watch his expressions."

Rui paid closer attention to the man, even going as far as to use his Martial Mind to sense his emotions.

What he sensed was enlightening.

It sent chills across his skin.

"A tremendous love..." He murmured. "A tremendous love for the world around us."

"We stoke our emotions, gathering them in our heart, harness them into our movements, and then..." her tone grew profound as her eyes narrowed.

"And then, we unleash them onto our opponents."

BOOOOOM!!!

Rui's eyes lit up with amazement as the man ended his dance with a firm stomp, unleashing a tremendous tsunami of land onto his own clone. The sheer power of the technique easily breached grade-ten territory and continued as he turned earth into a liquid and obeyed his will.

"This is the Martial Art of the Nest of Terra," Sage Kyria told him with a proud expression. "We harness our connection to Gaia and express our love for her through our art."

A profound flush of thrilling excitement flushed through Rui. "Incredible...!"

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