Hiding Past and Seeking Future

Rui's eyes widened. 

He knew that his father, at some point, had essentially managed to gain control over all Martial Sages.

He wasn't particularly fond of the fact that virtually all Martial Sages were being manipulated, knowingly or unknowingly, but he had no intention of intervening. However, it appeared that such an astronomical concentration of power was too much for the immortal sages, who sought to empower human civilization against Martial Art and against elites.

With that consideration in mind, he wasn't surprised that the Esoterist had decided to shatter Emperor Rael's monopoly on World Bridge technology and weaken his control over Martial Sages enough to allow half of them to return home.