"Jeros, this is my niece. Her Star Martial talent is only 48.06%. I've always felt sorry for her because she's worked so hard, but her efforts haven't yielded the rewards she deserves."
In a residence that appeared modest in design but exuded luxury in every detail, an elderly woman with snow-white hair introduced a slightly uneasy-looking girl to Muria.
"Hmm, not bad." Muria flipped through a detailed dossier in his hands. It meticulously documented every event in the girl's life from birth until now, leaving nothing out.
"Based on these records, apart from a lack of talent, you're almost a perfect candidate," Muria said, closing the dossier and tapping the table. "So, I'm willing to grant you my power."
"Thank you, Grandmaster!" The girl, who seemed older than Muria at first glance, bowed deeply with immense gratitude.
This scene, somewhat absurd in nature, was the result of an agreement where significant resources were offered to Muria as the price for this exchange of power. Despite this, the girl still appeared overwhelmingly thankful in front of him.
"Prepare to receive my power." Muria stretched out his hand, catching a white star that fell from his divine apparition behind him. He pressed it directly into the girl's abdomen.
In moments, the girl's body turned crimson as pure white martial energy, like flames, enveloped her. It reshaped her body, preparing her to harness the power.
"This power is only a seed. If you cultivate it diligently and nurture it with your sweat, it will take root, grow, and thrive, granting you even greater strength."
"Yes, Grandmaster, I will work hard and train diligently," the girl said excitedly, feeling as if she had been completely reborn.
"After gaining this power, I hope you'll stay true to yourself. I'm not asking you to perform a good deed every day, but do not commit evil. If one day I discover you using my power for wrongful purposes, don't blame me for taking it back."
Muria offered this final warning, the same one he gave to everyone who dared to accept his power.
The foundation of their martial cultivation lay in the power Muria bestowed. No matter how strong they became in the future, Muria could strip them of their abilities at will.
In essence, those who accepted Muria's martial seed were akin to his vessels. If he so wished, he could absorb the fruits of their cultivation without mercy. However, Muria had no intention of exploiting this aspect. He saw cultivation as his own responsibility, not something to be outsourced.
This method of cultivation was inherently sinister, stemming from an evil scripture Muria had once studied. He had deliberately integrated this feature into his martial arts technique, not for personal gain, but because it allowed him to grant others the possibility of practicing martial arts.
Time passed quietly, and Muria's influence within the Douglas family grew rapidly, driven by those seeking him out rather than any effort on his part. In simple terms, people came to him, offering wealth and resources, eager to serve him as subordinates.
Among those seeking his power were numerous elders who, sensing their lives nearing their end, were desperate to extend their lifespan. The fear of death and yearning for life drove these elders to approach Muria in secret, willing to pay any price for an extension of their years.
For these elders, turning to Muria was not only logical but also a family matter. Since Muria was destined to become a core member of the Douglas family, helping him strengthen the family was a natural decision.
Thus, Muria's growing influence within the family faced little resistance. Anyone who tried to voice objections or limit his authority was quickly silenced by the united elders seeking to prolong their lives.
Even the family head, who wielded supreme power, dared not act against these elders. To deny them the chance to extend their lives was to risk provoking desperate retaliation.
While Muria consolidated his position within the Douglas family, major events were unfolding across the Federation, reshaping the world.
The most significant was the announcement of the first Grandmaster in 300 years, Aen, revealing his romantic relationship. As predicted by certain individuals, this news dominated headlines across major media outlets, maintaining an unmatched level of public attention.
Leveraging the Grandmaster's influence, the Golden Dragon Matriarch emerged from the shadows, taking control and aggressively expanding her business empire. With her accumulated resources from years of preparation, she faced little resistance, even receiving favorable treatment from some.
Her first major initiative was a joint effort with the government to crack down on fraudulent martial arts schools mushrooming across the Federation. These schools, focused solely on profit, lacked any real merit.
Meanwhile, Muria refrained from direct involvement, allowing the Golden Dragon Matriarch's martial arts schools to monopolize the industry, establishing themselves as the dominant force.
Two years passed peacefully for Muria. As he prepared to continue his studies at university, he received a family summons.
"Jeros, how is your training? How much progress have you made?" An elder greeted Muria with a warm smile as he entered the family's meeting hall.
"Stronger than yesterday," Muria, now a strikingly handsome young man, replied with a smile.
Hearing this, the elder exchanged glances with his peers, their faces lighting up with satisfaction. For those who had received Muria's martial seeds, his strength was directly tied to their benefit.
"As expected of the greatest martial prodigy. At your level, progress should take immense time, yet you advance daily as if it's effortless."
"So, what's the purpose of this meeting?" Muria responded to the flattery with a polite smile before steering the conversation toward business.
"The family has decided to appoint you as the leader of our forces heading to the Crimson Plains to support the Silver Empire."
"Now? Shouldn't this wait until after I graduate?" Muria raised an eyebrow.
"That won't do. By then, you might be too powerful, and participating in this war isn't about being the strongest. Your current level is sufficient."
"Alright, but isn't it customary for an elder to lead such missions?"
"There will be an elder accompanying you, but only in a supporting role. You'll be in charge."
"Fine." Muria agreed after hearing the arrangement.
"Jeros, this decision wasn't made lightly. The Federation and the Empire have a binding treaty, and the four great families cannot defy it," one elder said solemnly.
"I understand."
"During this war, the family has only one demand: survive. As the leader, as long as less than half of the members under your command perish, no one in the family will hold you accountable."
_________________________
[Check out my Patreon for +200 additional chapters in all my fanfics! $5 for all!!]
[w w w . p a t r e o n .com / INNIT]
[+100 PowerStones = +1 Chapter] [+5 Reviews = +1 Chapter]