I Can Replicate Martial Arts

This spaceship wasn’t particularly large. Compared to the duel-field base Zhao Rui had once stayed at, it was downright tiny—smaller than even one of the transport ships there.

Still, it was better than nothing.

Zhao Rui glanced at the two "women" prostrated on the ground. ’Hmm, I suppose you could call them women.’ Aside from pointed ears like an elf’s, they looked almost human.

They had sharp, chiseled faces with delicate features and smooth skin that held a faint, light-blue sheen.

Their figures were lithe and their waists slender. Their prostrated forms only served to accentuate their distinct, sensual curves.

’All in all, they’re quite in line with human aesthetics.’

"Can your planet freely travel the star system?"

Zhao Rui didn’t rush to answer them, nor did he tell them to rise. He simply spoke in a detached tone.

His attitude was a world of difference from how he had violently tossed their sphere around earlier.

Seeing him ask a question, the older woman didn’t dare raise her head. But her curiosity got the better of her, and she asked with a confused frown, "What’s a star system?"

"A star system is what you see outside. Planets everywhere, suspended in the vastness of space."

"We... we don’t know. This is a divine artifact left by my Grandmaster. We had only just acquired it when it flew us out of our world."

"Grandmaster? Divine artifact?"

Zhao Rui paused for a moment, then narrowed his eyes. "Tell me where you’re from."

"Well... Sir, if I may. My sister and I are from the Water Concealment Grotto Heaven on Huankong Mountain. I am the Cave Master, and she is my junior martial sister. Our Water Concealment Grotto Heaven descends from the ancient lineage of Shui Rongzi..."

The woman gave a simple summary of their origins and their planet’s situation, though she inevitably omitted certain details.

But Zhao Rui got the gist.

It was a planet of cultivation, with very little technology.

As for this spherical aircraft, it was a unique treasure belonging exclusively to their Sect, passed down from a Martial Dao master who lived several hundred years ago.

Zhao Rui pieced it together and roughly understood the situation.

He guessed that after leaving his planet, this master had roamed the cosmos and stumbled upon the original owner of this spherical aircraft.

They might have had a friendly exchange, a clash of wits and treachery, or a ferocious battle.

In the end, this Martial Dao master came to possess the aircraft. Later, for some reason, he returned to his home planet and passed it down to his successors.

"In that case, I’m taking this aircraft. Of course, I won’t take it for free."

"No, no! Sir, please, just take it! We only... we only beg that you return us to our homeland. We are willing to pray for you day and night... We will never forget your grace for all eternity."

The two women slammed their foreheads onto the floor with resounding THUDS, endlessly spouting ingratiating words.

"Hey, don’t make me out to be the bad guy. I’ll take you back, of course. But I don’t like owing favors. I won’t be stingy with what I ought to give you."

"Hmm, I’m penniless myself, so the only thing I have of value is my skill. I’ll teach you a couple of Martial Arts techniques."

Zhao Rui thought for a moment. ’My Martial Arts are probably the only thing I have to offer as a trade,’ he mused, then spoke with a smile.

"This..."

The two women exchanged a glance, and both saw pleasant surprise in the other’s eyes.

’This man is a master capable of existing in the void! Just based on how casually he stopped this great treasure, his power must be immeasurably deep.’

’If we could get him to teach us a thing or two...’

Not daring to think about it further, the two women hurriedly kowtowed again, shouting, "Thank you, Sir, for your generous gift!"

Zhao Rui hadn’t seen "humans" in a long time, and this sudden encounter made him feel a sense of affinity.

Seeing how obedient and docile they were, his mood improved considerably.

"In that case, I’ll go back with you to your planet for a few days. Bring me all the fine food and wine you have."

"That you would grace us with your presence, Sir... we are overwhelmed with gratitude."

Hearing this, countless thoughts raced through the woman’s mind.

’With such a powerful expert on our side, to what heights will the Water Concealment Grotto Heaven’s status on this planet rise?’

’Even after he leaves, every word he utters will become our Grotto Heaven’s golden rule, a treasured proverb for generations to come.’

"Alright then, let’s go."

Zhao Rui scanned the aircraft and quickly figured out how to start it. Using the woman’s verbal command, he activated the ship’s onboard AI.

Then, by creating a power surge, he forcibly overwrote its core commands.

With the ship’s AI now under his control, Zhao Rui gave a mental command. The hatch closed, and the ship lifted off, heading toward the distant azure planet.

That night, a brilliant spark streaked across the sky, like a falling star, before crashing down in front of the Water Concealment Grotto Heaven on Huankong Mountain.

The disciples of the grotto rushed to investigate, but soon after, the mountain gates were sealed and all news was suppressed.

The world remained oblivious to the reason why.

The next day, a rumor began to spread: a Celestial Secret had manifested, descending upon the Water Concealment Grotto Heaven. It was said that whoever obtained it could comprehend its mysteries, transcend the mortal realm, and ascend to the Great Dao.

As soon as the news broke, every power on the planet, like sharks smelling blood in the water, converged on the Water Concealment Grotto Heaven.

Within the most opulent hall of the Water Concealment Grotto Heaven.

Zhao Rui was lounging leisurely on a recliner. Beside him, two young, beautiful female disciples were massaging his legs.

Two other disciples were at his side, feeding him peeled fruit.

After roughing it in the wild for so long, it was a rare chance for Zhao Rui to indulge. He completely immersed himself in the comfort and leisure.

"Sir, this is a local delicacy. The creature can live up to two hundred years. Its meat is firm and exquisite..."

"Sir, this is that drinkable thing you mentioned, the one fermented from grain. We mostly use it for bathing here, though..."

The Cave Master of the Water Concealment Grotto Heaven was personally selecting and preparing all manner of delicacies and drinks for Zhao Rui.

With this attitude, she was just short of worshiping Zhao Rui as an ancestor.

"Alright, alright. Why would I drink your bathwater? Just find me some good fruit and make some juice."

Here on this distant, unknown planet, Zhao Rui felt no compunction whatsoever about ordering them around.

"Yes, Sir!"

The Cave Master smiled and bowed. But just as she turned to leave, a harsh shout echoed from the distance.

"Yunyao Cave Master! Your Water Concealment Grotto Heaven has stumbled upon a great fortune. Did you not think to pay tribute to us? Have you forgotten your place, or do you foolishly intend to claim it for yourselves?"

The accusatory voice rolled forward like a physical shockwave, crashing into the Grotto Heaven.

’It’s the people from Wuyun Mountain! They’re actually here...’

’What are we going to do? Even though our Grotto Heaven is now a major Sect with two Transcendents, we’re still a far cry from a top-tier Sect with a thousand-year history. They’ve come to hold us accountable... What are we supposed to do?’

’Who is this strange man Master invited? How did he cause such a commotion?’

"All disciples, hear my command! You are to hold the mountain gate at all costs! Do not allow anyone to disturb our esteemed guest’s rest."

Yunyao Cave Master’s brow furrowed. She immediately sent out the order via voice transmission, then turned and bowed to Zhao Rui. "I must go deal with some worldly affairs, Sir. I will find you some new refreshments shortly!"

"No need to go to such trouble."

Zhao Rui barely lifted his eyelids. With a wave of his hand, the Tribulation-Breaking Sword at his side shot from its sheath.

A flash of Starlight, and it was already out of the hall. It soared into the air, growing as it flew until it transformed into a massive dragon hundreds of meters long.

The dragon circled the Water Concealment Grotto Heaven once, then shot off with a WHOOSH in the direction the voice had come from.

In the blink of an eye, the dragon reverted to a streak of sword light and flew back into the sheath at Zhao Rui’s side.

"There. Go prepare my things. Don’t let this delay what’s important."

Zhao Rui waved his hand, his tone dismissive.

"But..."

Yunyao Cave Master started to speak but then stopped herself. Swallowing her confusion, she bowed and walked out of the great hall.