Chapter 36: Master Vargus

Caius, taken aback by Vargus's unexpected prowess, stared in disbelief as his claw was effortlessly caught. "How did you catch my claw? How can you move while awakening your heavenly talent?" he exclaimed, his voice tinged with shock and confusion.

Vargus, with a sly smirk, revealed, "My awakening has already concluded." As he spoke, the radiant tower of light that enveloped him vanished into thin air, signaling the completion of his transformation.

"Earlier, you expressed a desire to end my life, didn't you?" Vargus taunted, his smile widening with confidence. "Well, I'm curious to see if you still hold that desire." Without waiting for a response, Vargus unleashed a powerful punch, channeling his newfound strength. The force of the blow sent Caius reeling backward, showcasing the dramatic shift in power between them.

Caius, still in his tiger form, struggled to his feet, utterly bewildered by the force of Vargus's punch that had sent him flying. Shaking off the disorientation, he exclaimed in disbelief, "How is this possible? How does he wield such immense power immediately after awakening his heavenly talent?"

The shock was evident in his voice, a mix of awe and frustration coloring his words as he tried to comprehend the sudden and overwhelming strength displayed by Vargus, defying all expectations of a newly awakened talent.

Vargus, with a swift motion, materialized beside Caius, his presence commanding and poised. He looked down at the bewildered tiger form of Caius and quipped, "Oh, is it so unusual for an awakener to match my prowess?"

His smirk widened as he leaned in closer, a spark of amusement in his eyes. "It appears I'm an exception to the rule, then," he added, his tone laced with a mix of pride and intrigue, highlighting the rarity and significance of his own awakening.

Caius, caught off guard by Vargus's swift approach, barely had time to register his shock. "How did you..." he began, but his words were abruptly cut short. Vargus, with a confident stride and a hint of gratitude, interjected, "I appreciate your concern, but now it's your turn to face the end."

Without a moment's hesitation, Vargus unleashed another devastating punch, this time targeting Caius's abdomen with precision and force. The impact propelled Caius through the air, sending him hurtling towards the chaotic battlefield where the Forest Guardian was locked in fierce combat with the members of the Crystal Fist Sect.

As the Forest Guardian and the elders of the Crystal Fist Sect witnessed the battered state of Caius landing amidst them, astonishment swept through their ranks. The elders exchanged bewildered glances before one vocalized the collective disbelief.

"How did he sustain such severe injuries? Who possesses the strength to inflict this upon him?" Their tone was laden with confusion and a growing apprehension about the formidable opponent capable of overpowering Caius to such an extent.

Suddenly, emerging from the depths of the forest, Vargus made his presence known, his formidable stature casting a looming shadow.

With a confident smirk etched across his face, he remarked, "So, it seems everyone has congregated here." The elders of the Crystal Fist Sect, upon laying eyes on Vargus, were instantly taken aback, their expressions a mix of shock and disbelief at the sight of the towering figure before them.

The elders, taken aback, collectively exclaimed, "Who are you?"

Vargus responded with a slight tilt of his head, a hint of amusement in his tone, "How do you not recognize me? After all, you were the ones plotting my demise."

At his words, a wave of realization swept over them, prompting them to whirl around, only to notice that the radiant tower of light had vanished. A collective gasp escaped them as they pieced together the truth.

"Damn it," one elder cursed under his breath, the frustration palpable in his voice. "To think he has actually succeeded in awakening his heavenly talent."

Another elder, his brow furrowed in both intrigue and concern, mused aloud, "But what kind of heavenly talent has he awakened? What gives him such formidable strength?" The air was thick with tension, their eyes locked on Vargus, searching for answers in the face of this unexpected power shift.

Before the elders could further ponder the enigma of Vargus's newfound power, he sprang into action, swiftly landing a blow on one of them. "How can you let your guard down when facing your adversary?" Vargus chided, a hint of reprimand in his voice.

Turning his gaze towards the forest guardian, he confidently addressed the sect leader, "Just leave them to me." His assurance was palpable, his stance unwavering.

The sect leader, sensing the tide had turned, promptly began to withdraw, recalling the forest guardian with a mix of haste and disbelief. As they retreated, a singular thought haunted the sect leader's mind: "How has he become so formidable?" This moment marked a significant shift, a testament to Vargus's unexpected ascent in strength.

As the elders grasped the severity of Vargus's newfound might, they instinctively launched into action, their crystal fists gleaming with the promise of destruction. "Die!" one elder roared, his voice echoing with determination as he hurled a crystalline punch towards Vargus.

Yet, the outcome was far from what they anticipated. Vargus, with a display of effortless precision, intercepted the crystal fist. His grip tightened, and to the astonishment of all present, the crystal began to crack and fracture under the immense force of his grasp.

"To think you are this weak," Vargus remarked, a tone of disdain lacing his words. "Now, take this."

In the next moment, Vargus unleashed a devastating punch with his right hand, directly targeting the elder's gut. The impact was monumental, propelling the elder through the air with such force that it seemed as though he was caught in the grip of a tempest. The elder's flight marked a clear demonstration of Vargus's overpowering strength, leaving those who witnessed it in awe and fear.

Observing the sheer might wielded by Vargus, the remaining elders of the Crystal Fist Sect were engulfed by a rising tide of fear. As they stood there, witnessing their comrade being effortlessly dispatched, a chilling realization took hold. The question that echoed silently among them was laden with dread: what could they possibly do now against such overwhelming power? The air hung heavy with their uncertainty, their once confident postures now diminished under the weight of their apprehension, as they grappled with the reality of facing an adversary far beyond their expectations.