Chapter 1221: Begun

Thanks to his authority, they were able to speed past all the protocols that were in place for those who were entering the country. It wasn't even five minutes later when they emerged on the other side, finally stepping into the nation with a group of helpers tending to their every need.

Rui, on the other hand, took in the Virodha Theocracy.

('They sure love their large and tall architecture.') Rui mused.

Yet this was different from the large and tall architecture of first-world countries back on Earth. The sky-scraper architecture of Earth was designed to maximize the efficiency of the utility of volume and space in an ever-growing population and economy.

The giant and tall architectural structure of the Virodha Theocracy, on the other hand, did not seem to care about efficiency and standardization. They were large and tall simply because large and tall art was better than smaller and short artistic architecture.

Buildings had intricate and three-dimensional art chiseled into them, pictorially representing stories, or conveying things that Rui recognized to be specific sections or portions of the Virodhaveda, the holy book of the Virodhabhasa Faith.

He did have to admit, it was certainly beautiful. He couldn't comment on its functionality, its ROI, or its utility of any sort. But, at the very least, it was beautiful and gave the entirety of the port town he was in an otherworldly luster.

It was as though he had stepped into a fantasy civilization.

This was especially the case because of the martial Festival that was in full rage at the moment across the entirety of the Virodhabhasa Faith.

This most certainly included the Virodha Theocracy, especially because the Martial Contest would soon be held in here.

Not only was there an absurd amount of decorative art that colored the already lustrous town but there was an incredible energy among the dense and bustling population around them.

"We will have to part ways here," Master Deivon turned towards him. "I have important matters and duties to attend to. I have arranged for an official guide and manager who will handle all troublesome affairs for you. For now, you may settle down in the hotel room that you have been assigned to. You may tour the town and the nation if you wish, but you will be escorted by guards at all times. Make sure you don't consume any alcohol or other intoxicating substances of any kind if you do decide to tour the place."

Master Deivon gestured to a fancy carriage that had arrived before them, a man in crisp business attire bowed toward both of them. He looked out of place in the religious setting they were in.

"If you need anything from me, you can send a message to me through him. We'll meet again for the ceremony and the banquet. Good-bye."

Master Deivon disappeared as though he teleported. Yet the faint, but rapid wind gusts that he generated indicated that he had used a Master-level maneuvering or supplementary technique. Yet it was so fast that it looked like nothing short of teleportation even to Rui's impressive senses.

"Contestant Falken," The man bowed to him. "I am assigned to be your guide and manager, I will endeavor to handle any and all problems and issues that you might face. This includes protocols in regards to the contest, rights, and freedoms that you will be guaranteed within the Theocracy, and guidelines for your time here in this state."

Rui nodded. "I appreciate that. I haven't had the time to equip myself with all the knowledge needed to navigate my time here prudently, so I will be relying on you. Master Deivon mentioned something about a hotel, will we be going there first?"

"Indeed, after that, we will introduce you to your assigned training chambers and other facilities that you have been given unlimited access to." The man mentioned.

"I'm looking forward to it," Rui nodded.

Thankfully, he didn't have to waste time with any annoyingly long tours over long distances. The establishment that he was going to be residing in included all the facilities that he would need, from housing quarters to food, training facilities, medical aid, and even entertainment facilities.

It was a giant complex that was meant to house all the contestants across all three Martial Contests of the three Lower Realms.

He narrowed his eyes once they entered. His powerful senses immediately detected innumerable powerful Martial Squires across the entirety of the establishment. Powerful Martial Apprentices, Squires, and Seniors all appeared to be at the peak of their respective Realms.

The overall quality of Martial Artists was leagues superior to the preliminary contests of the Seonmun Church town.

He wasn't surprised, of course. Each of them was a winner who had overcome many obstacles to reach this point.

The thousand Martial Squire contestants were undoubtedly among the strongest Martial Squires ever. While they perhaps were not one-to-one the strongest Martial Squires in humanity at the moment, since there were other truly strong Martial Squires like Tokugawa Ieyasu or Kane who were not participating.

('I wonder why he isn't participating in this contest,') Rui wondered. He had implied he had been looking for a truly powerful opponent. In that case, wouldn't it make more sense to look for it in a contest like this as opposed to sitting aloof atop a floating island?

He shrugged, he wasn't sure. Regardless, it didn't matter.

He wondered if putting them all in the same spot was just a matter of convenience, or whether there was something more to it, for when he walked into the luxurious restaurant for a meal, he instantly drew the attention of various Martial Artists.

The contest had already begun.

Unless the organizers were incompetent, they would have to know that putting the contestants in such close proximity could allow them to gain intelligence on their competitors well ahead of time, allowing preparation to become a small mild factor. The fact that this arrangement still persisted despite them knowing that meant that it was tacitly approved by the organizers.