章 22: Season 1 Episode 22: Grudges

After he was done with his bath and changed his clothes once again, Claude's entire body felt relaxed and alert. His face was radiating with health and vigor. He even felt that he was filled with an inexhaustible energy.

After leaving the Outer Hall Section, Claude quickly met up with the Second Elder, who finally gave him the news.

"Congratulations Claude Rayforth! You've finally become an inner disciple! You can take your belongings and move to the Inner Hall Division starting today," The second elder was full of smiles as he spoke.

Ever since the incident when Claude had asked to pick him as a member of his faction, the Second Elder had started to pay attention to him, fascinated by his actions. After that, Claude had performed exceptionally well in the Inner Disciple Exams, which was astonishing to say the least, when he remembered that Claude was only in the fourth rank of the Earth Realm when he had met him.

"Thank you, Second Elder!"

Claude was filled with joy as he immediately thanked the second elder.

"Sit." the second elder glanced at Claude as a relaxed smile broke out on his visage. "Claude Rayforth, you do indeed have guts. To think that you dared to destroy a student's meridian in front of so many people."

"I thought I mentioned that was an accident," Claude laughingly replied, as he continued. "Plus, I was certain that I was going to become an inner disciple once I defeated him, so it wouldn't have become a big deal anyways. Who's going to cause trouble because an inner disciple severed the meridians of an outer disciple?"

"That may be so, but it was still exceedingly dangerous. But thank god, all these turbulent waves have passed."

The second elder laughed, "And before I forget, I wanted to let you know that from today onwards, you are officially a member of my Flying Sword Faction! So, are you ready to be studying under me?"

Claude nodded his head in agreement, and the second elder took out two cultivation manuals from within his coat, passing it to Claude. " Both of these are cultivation techniques. One of these is a body strengthening cultivation method, while the other is a sword technique. The body strengthening cultivation method can be considered a top-tier cultivation art of the Earth Realm, and is sufficient to support your cultivation all the way until you've stepped into the Sky Realm. The sword technique can be considered a high level technique, and only cultivators who are proficient in sword skills will be able to truly unleash the full strength of it. Thus, it should be considered quite difficult to cultivate for most, but perhaps not for you, who has studied the Invisible Sword Technique. Take them, let them be considered as the 'Apprentice Gifts'."

"Many thanks, Elder." Claude accepted the two gifts. After a bit more talking, Claude received a new token meaning that he was officially an inner disciple, and the second elder showed Claude where he was going to live.

Being an inner disciple, his treatment was far better than those in the outer section. His new place had an extremely elegant courtyard with the fragrance of flowers permeating the air. There was even a little bridge over running water in the middle of the courtyard, with personal servants and maids to serve him.

The Second Elder departed soon after, as Claude was left alone in his new home. He then looked at the entrance to the courtyard. He could feel the vibrations of footsteps slowly moving in his direction.

"Nice to meet you, young master Rayforth!" After a short moment, a young man dressed in a servant uniform appeared in Claude's vision.

Looking at the young man in front of him, Claude asked, "Are you my personal servant?"

The man immediately reacted, his face filled with a smile as he said joyfully, "Yes I am! My name is Randall Garton. I am your butler, young master Rayforth. Of course, I'm not the only servant you have. Other than me, there are ten servants, who are all extremely happy to be of service to you."

Claude stared at Randall, and asked in an indifferent voice, "Can you guys cultivate martial arts?"

"Of course we can," Randall nodded his head. They were servants, but they were cultivators as well.

"Well then, I have your very first assignment, Randall," Claude grinned, slightly deviously, before stating, "I want you to bring me two outer disciples; May Stafford and Colton Grey, here in front of me. Can you do that?"

"Of course we can, young master Rayforth!" Smiling, Randall replied. "But, may I ask one thing, young master?"

"Go ahead," Claude said.

Thinking for a bit, Randall glanced at Claude and questioned, "What should we do if they refuse to come with us?"

Claude's lips curled, revealing a cruel smile. "I thought you said you guys could cultivate."