Old man Yupow sighed.

“You know this will bring you great amounts of trouble, are you sure about what your doing.”

It seemed Old Yupow had already figured out what I wanted to do.

His question was one I had also asked myself many times.

“I'm sure, if I have the ability to help, than it's my duty to do so, besides the path of the Ranker is what I seek not the Path of a Business or Energy Hegemon.”

“ Very well then, how can I be of assistance to you?”

Excitedly, I directed him towards where I had amassed the Pure Glass and made the preparations for the creation of the Focus Shards.

He looked at the Pure Glass Crystals in wonder and confusion.

“So the items you gave me really were Pure Glass, I have heard they have a decent ability to channel energy, but by no means have I heard of them being good long term energy storers. Am I wrong?”

“ You're not wrong Old Man, through my own methods I have modified them so that they are not only good energy conductors, but also good energy containers. Those Glass Crystals have already been prepared, all that's left is to fill them up with energy, except I don't have the energy reserves or ability to fill up all those Crystals yet. I can do a couple but it takes me forever.”

Yupow looked at me with amazement apparent in his eyes.

“I see, show me the way young Guso, I'm happy and willing to help achieve your goals.”

I really had great appreciation for Old Man Yupow, he never hindered me in any of my endeavors, and was definitely kinder and more easy going than that Old Fart Kemoro.

For him to help me without hesitation spoke of his greatness as a Martial Teacher.

Soon I directed him towards the large batch of Inner Energy Fat which he was equally amazed I had created.

I instructed him that with the Inner Energy Axe, he could inject a steady amount of Inner Energy in the bath once I dropped the Glass Crystals inside of it.

I told him not to stop until he saw a big flash and the fat start to rapidly boil and evaporate.

He confirmed he understood the instructions, and we proceeded to create the Focus Shards.

As soon as I dropped the Pure Crystals, Old Man Yupow proceeded to inject massive amounts of Inner Energy into the bath.

I had ripped up one of the Inner Energy Papers just so that I could fully witness the creation process of the Shards.

Unlike when I made them, the liquid Inner Energy Fat immediately started to boil and a powerful swirl of Inner Energy started to condense at the bottom of the bath.

I could never produce the amount of Inner Energy that Old Man Yupow was producing in a million years.

That's how in awe I was of his abilities.

In fact a powerful tempest surrounded our immediate vicinity, caused by the disruption of forces that Yupows energy manifestation had created.

***

In the grounds of Bursting Vase Inner Martial Arts Dojo, deep within its campus, an old man sat quietly as if he was contemplating the Universes deepest mysteries.

This old man was one of Martial Citadels most powerful Inner Martial Arts Experts, a man who somehow had managed to do the impossible, and became one of the few in Potestera, to break through the cap that Inner Energy Practitioners faced.

How he did it, even he himself didn’t know, and no one in the history of his Dojo had managed to replicate his feat.

His hope was that his disciple, the Young Genius Limen, would break that cycle; and that in doing so he would be able to rest in peace knowing that he could leave the future of the Dojo in capable hands, and therefore ensure its survival.

The Old Man's name was Martial Master Citum, Eminence of Inner Martial Arts, and he currently was an A level Ranker in the Seeirs List.

He opened his eyes in fright and looked towards the direction of Martial Citadels Slums.

“That is surely Yupow; I have engraved the signature of his energy deep within my mind, it is rare when he releases this amount of energy. Truly terrifying! I wonder what it is that he is up to. Who dares to anger this man.”

The seconds turned to minutes, the minutes to hours, the old mans’ countenance went from astounded, to agast, to deeply dismayed.

He could not comprehend how Yupow could hold so much energy.

The man was more than a monster; he was a certified Force of Nature.

When Citum first found out about Yupow, his pride as an Inner Martial Artist, did not allow him to be made inferior by a man with no record or past in Martial Citadel.

In fact people were quite sure he wasn’t even part of the Rankers list, yet it was a fact that he had defeated the Headmaster of Unyielding Martial Will Dojo, and those who witnessed it said he had done so decisively.

Who was the Headmaster of Unyielding Martial Will Dojo?

A certified powerhouse, not just in Volunterra but in all of Potestera.

An S level Ranker who had followed a similar path to that of his master, the great Autemos, to great success; inheriting the leadership of the Dojo, and preserving part of the Legacy of not only his Master, but also of Volunterra.

Yet Yupow had come in without any fanfare, and defeated this man with his powerful Inner Martial Arts abilities.

How strong was Yupow, stronger than an S level Ranker at the very least.

Nevertheless also being a Practitioner of Inner Martial Arts and one who had also achieved great heights, Citum couldn’t accept it; he found the old man and challenged him to a Martial Duel.

That day was a day he would remember for the rest of his life.

In an instant he felt like his senses got foggy and a pain greater than any he had received before permeated his mind.

He didn’t even get a chance to make one move, and the match was already over.

That day he was shown the difference between Heaven and Earth.

And today the memory of that day resurfaced in his mind and he could not help but sweat uncontrollably.

“Oranu! Quickly come!”

Soon a middle aged man dressed in elegant Martial Robes appeared before Citum and made his salute.

“How can I be of help Headmaster?”

“Quickly go with some men and find out anything you can about what's going on over at Yupows house, do whatever it takes!”

“Master you know how hard it is to even get close to that mans house he’s constantly aware of his surroundings.”

“I know of his abilities! Do you see me a fool, I'm telling you for a reason. Currently he’s preoccupied with something else, and his defenses have slightly weakened. You might have a chance to glimpse something of importance! Quickly go before its too late others might have started making their moves as well!”

“Yes Master!”

Oranu quickly departed knowing that this matter was of importance to his Master.

Citums vision remained steadily focused towards the Slum.

His countenance not any calmer than when he first sensed Yupows release of power.

Even now, his constant release of power had not slowed down.

“Ever since the arrival of that Boy a lot of change and chaos has come to the City. Whether it's to our benefit or detriment only time will tell. But as far as i'm concerned he was a fortunate encounter to little Limen, i'll be sure to tell him to forge a strong connection to that Boy, with a Master as strong as Yupow there’s no way he won’t become an important figure in the future.”

Eventually a bright flash of light appeared and suddenly the flow of energy eminating from Yupows home slowed and finally disappeared.

Anticipation showed in Citums face, as he waited for his servant to return.

Soon once again Oranu appeared, but with a nervous look in his face.

“Quickly Oranu spill it, what did you see?”

“It was as you said Master the defenses around Master Yupows’ home definitely got weaker, and we definitely managed to penetrate further than we usually do, but the territory closer around his home was just as protected, if not more than what we experienced before. If any of us got closer we immediately suffered the beginnings of Martial Energy Deviation and we were forced to go back. All we could see was a constant faint glow of light, that suddenly flashed bright and returned to be a slightly brighter but still faint glow. Other man from other Organizations were around the vicinity as well, it seems you weren’t the only one that sensed the disturbance Master.”

Citum was a little disappointed with the news, but in the end he still confirmed that something of importance was about to go down.

He quickly came to a conclusion.

“Oranu put all of the Dojo members on alert, keep them on the lookout for any important news. Specially Limen, tell him not to take his eyes off of that boy Guso. I have a feeling something of great importance is about to go down.”

“Yes Headmaster, I'll alert all the members immediately.”

Again Citum was left to meditate in silence, except this time there was no way he could enter a peaceful state of mind.

Fear and anticipation had crept into his thoughts.