Rui approved of this as well. "Once we get them over to our side, they can attack the Evolutionary Army if the Evolutionary Army tries attacking us. It will serve as a useful deterrence to ensure the Army in check. However…"

Rui fell into thought suspiciously. "I feel like the Evolutionary Army has changed a lot over the past year. They used to be belligerent invaders, but since then, it feels like they have become a lot more cautious and passive. They are no longer the army of the past ever since Anthea died."

"That's true, they are desperately trying to keep their precious generation of miracles, which is now one year old, safe." Emperor Rael huffed lightly. "In a few decades, those kids will become so strong that even Anthea will look weak in comparison, most likely."

Rui's eyes lit up with excitement at those words. "I can't wait."

The Emperor of Harmony shook his head. "You're too excited for a threat greater than any other we know of."

Rui grinned. "If that's what it takes to achieve Project Water, then so be it."

Emperor Rael's golden eyes peered deep into Rui's with a hint of suspicion. "Did you do all of this on purpose?"

"Whatever could you be talking about?" Rui asked with an innocent tone.

"Don't play coy with me. In hindsight, it is hard to imagine you not foreseeing this. Were you trying to ignite conflict to draw out the other top ten powerhouses of the world so that you could fight them?"

Rui's smile grew mischievous. "You have no evidence for that, I'm afraid."

"This isn't a court of law," Emperor Rael gazed at him with an expression of disbelief. "You're jeopardizing the safety and survival of our civilization to fulfill your battle lust. If it weren't for your extraordinary abilities, you would be a liability, my son."

"I prefer to think of it as tough love," Rui replied. "Conflict is the forge of Martial Artists. In the year since the Unfolding, Martial Artists have had a lot of training, but not much genuine conflict. Think about it, because of external threats and Beast Incursion for seventeen years prior, all internal conflict in human civilization has been quashed with unprecedented levels of harmony and unity. Which means Martial Artists don't fight each other with the intention to kill anymore. Without those experiences, it becomes very difficult to grow. You don't want what happened with Raijun to happen with everybody else."

Prince Raijun was a Martial Apprentice with almost no real experience, making him an extremely flawed Martial Artist until Rui fixed him up.

Emperor Rael heaved a deep breath. "That is true. Still, Martial Artists have faced a lot of conflict with the Beast Incursion for seventeen years."

"I know, that's why they're good for now, but the pressure is something that needs to be there continuously if you want Martial Artists to improve and grow stronger," Rui replied. "I have broken through many, many Martial Artists, and breakthrough rates for all Realms have naturally increased. So we have many, many Martial Artists at the lower Realms who are hungry for stimulation. Your suffocating peace will create a lot of internal pressure that will eventually blow up in some kind of civil war as Martial Artists vent their frustrations at each other."

The Emperor of Harmony fell into deep thought at those words. He had considered the needs of Martial Artists, but he had primarily focused on the survival and prosperity of human civilization. Perhaps he should have been more receptive towards ensuring that Martial Artists had a steady rate of conflict available to them.

"The internal Martial Industry is still intact, though," Emperor Rael remarked. "People still pay Martial Artists to do all kinds of missions. Especially since the Beast Incursion ended, the commercial Martial Industry has slowly begun to piece back together."

"Missions…" Rui's voice was nostalgic. "I remember a time when I used to do missions."

Back when he was still a young, low-ranked Martial Artist, he would take missions all the time to earn the credits to purchase techniques and other resources. It was a much simpler part of his life and, in many ways, more enjoyable.

"I don't think there exists a single person in this continent who even has the wealth needed to commission my services," Rui murmured knowingly. "Not that any amount of gold could ever move me."

"You have evolved beyond needing to constrain yourself to such an arrangement," Emperor Rael mused. "Besides, if you want a commission, then fulfill one on behalf of Panamic Civilization."

His tone grew heavy. "Ensure that nobody harms our land and people in this new war that you yourself have triggered."

Rui smiled at those words.

"I accept that commission."

They had arrived at a resolution, of sorts, as the Emperor of Harmony rushed to make the necessary arrangements. With each passing minute, the true world grew increasingly discontent and angered with Panamic Civilization; the risk of everybody uniting against the continent was very high.

Emperor Rael needed to intervene and ensure that he roped in whoever he sought to so that he could divide the world before the impending storm. He could already feel the atmosphere in the geopolitical landscape growing more and more tense.

Nations were fueled by the discontent and resentment of their citizens, growing more and more inclined to position themselves against the Panamic Alliance. They not only had actual grievances but also the support of the public and the comfort of knowing that much of the world would be acting with them.

That was how precious negatron matter was. The thought of allowing one party to monopolize the key to the universe was simply unacceptable, and no one would ever tolerate it. Emperor Rael knew this extremely well and rapidly made preparations for a statement and announcement. It wasn't enough to act secretly and privately at such a crucial moment. He needed to express his intentions to the world clearly.

Within an hour, he was ready.

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