章 14: The Sect Leader of Heavenly Beast Sect
Elder Rosaline led Vargus into an immense hall, its vastness and grandeur leaving him in awe. The scale of the architecture made him wonder if it had been designed for giants, each step echoing in the expansive space.
At the far end of the hall, seated upon a throne with an imposing presence, was an elderly man. Despite his age, his muscular build spoke of a lifetime of martial prowess, commanding respect and authority.
However, what truly captured Vargus's attention was the creature stationed behind the throne. Its appearance was awe-inspiring: covered in scales, adorned with formidable horns, and supported by four powerful legs. The sight of it stirred memories of tales Vargus had heard, tales of a creature of immense power and majesty—a dragon.
The presence of such a beast, coupled with its enormous size, exerted a palpable pressure on Vargus, reminding him of the strength and legacy of the Heavenly Beast Sect. The encounter with this legendary creature, so close and yet so serene in its power, left Vargus both shocked and deeply impressed.
The elder man seated on the throne cast his gaze towards the newcomers and inquired with a voice that resonated throughout the grand hall, "Elder Rosaline, who have you brought before me?"
Elder Rosaline stepped forward, her posture respectful yet confident. "Sect leader," she began, "this young man here is Vargus. He has recently joined us as a new inner member of our sect."
The sect leader, after a moment's observation of Vargus, voiced his curiosity, "By the way, how old is this newcomer? Judging by his appearance and the aura he exudes, he must be at least 40 years old."
He then expressed his concerns more directly, addressing Elder Rosaline, "While it's true our sect is always open to welcoming new members, I'm perplexed as to why we're admitting someone of his age who has only achieved the Expert level. It seems an unusual choice."
Elder Rosaline quickly clarified the misunderstanding, addressing the sect leader with a tone of respect, "Sect leader, there has been a slight oversight in your assessment. Vargus is not a human; he is, in fact, a barbarian. It's common for barbarians to possess a more robust physique, which likely explains your perception. I would estimate he's actually in his twenties."
Understanding dawned on the sect leader's face as he absorbed this new information. "Ah, I see," he responded, a note of realization in his voice. "That explains the disparity. His stature and build are characteristic of a barbarian, not an ordinary man. My apologies for the confusion."
Upon overhearing the discussion about his age and physical stature, Vargus felt compelled to set the record straight. Turning to Elder Rosaline and the sect leader, he interjected with a clear, calm voice, "Elder Rosaline, sect leader, there seems to be a misunderstanding. I'm actually only 18 years old this year, and my talent was awakened quite recently."
The revelation caught both Elder Rosaline and the sect leader off guard, their expressions shifting to one of sheer astonishment. For a moment, they simply stared at Vargus, processing the unexpected truth about his youth and the recent awakening of his talent.
Elder Rosaline, still grappling with Vargus's revelation, sought further confirmation, "Are you truly only 18 years old?"
Vargus responded with a nod, his statement clear and unambiguous, "Yes, and my talent was awakened just about a week ago."
Elder Rosaline found herself at a loss for words, taken aback by the revelation of Vargus's age. The thought that someone so young could exhibit such a commanding presence and physical prowess was beyond her expectations.
In her experience, she had encountered young barbarians in their twenties, yet none displayed the exceptional physicality that Vargus did. She reflected on this, her eyes scanning Vargus from head to toe, noting the stark contrast between him and those she had previously observed. The realization that Vargus was a mere 18 years old, yet possessed a form so well-developed and imposing, was a testament to his extraordinary nature.
The sect leader, equally taken aback by Vargus's youth and abilities, couldn't hide his surprise. "I must admit, the aura emanating from you had me convinced of your expertise," he remarked, still processing the information.
He leaned forward, a mix of respect and astonishment coloring his tone. "To have achieved the Expert level at merely 18 years old... truly, you are a rare talent, a genuine prodigy in the martial world," he exclaimed, his initial surprise evolving into genuine admiration.
A broad smile then replaced the sect leader's look of astonishment, as he humorously added, "Well, it seems we've hit the jackpot with you! Joining our sect was not just a good decision—it was a brilliant one. Rest assured, we'll do everything in our power to nurture such an exceptional genius. Welcome aboard, young prodigy!"
Upon hearing the sect leader's enthusiastic endorsement, both Vargus and Elder Rosaline found themselves momentarily taken aback, their reactions mingling surprise with a touch of disbelief.
Vargus, reflecting on the abrupt shift in tone, couldn't help but think to himself with a hint of irony, "Weren't you the same person who just moments ago doubted my abilities, hinting I might be too old or not sufficiently advanced for my age?"
Elder Rosaline, too, found herself reevaluating her initial impressions, her thoughts tinged with amusement at the sect leader's sudden change of heart. "I never imagined our sect leader could display such... flexibility in his judgments," she mused silently. "Yet, considering Vargus's undeniable talent and potential, this dramatic turnaround, while shameless, does make a certain kind of sense."
The sect leader, his curiosity piqued, shifted the conversation with a thoughtful inquiry. "By the way, Elder Rosaline, what brings you here today? Surely, the introduction of Vargus isn't the sole reason for your visit, is it?" he asked, his keen eyes searching hers for the deeper purpose behind their meeting.
Elder Rosaline, recognizing the importance of transparency in this moment, responded with a sense of urgency. "Indeed, my visit isn't just about introducing Vargus," she admitted, her demeanor serious. "There's a matter concerning Vargus that I believe warrants our attention. It's a situation that could potentially pose challenges for us."
The sect leader, sensing the gravity of Elder Rosaline's preamble, leaned forward with a focused expression. "What situation are we discussing here?" he inquired, his voice betraying a hint of concern for the unfolding narrative.
Elder Rosaline, with a steady gaze, revealed the crux of the matter. "The situation involves Vargus having eliminated Carlos, an inner member of the Crystal Fist Sect. Carlos has been a source of trouble, particularly in his dealings with our outer sect members recently," she explained, her tone underscored by the significance of her report.
Upon hearing Elder Rosaline's revelation, the sect leader's reaction was one of profound shock. The idea that Vargus had single-handedly eliminated Carlos seemed almost unfathomable.
Seeking clarification, the sect leader turned directly to Vargus, his voice laced with disbelief. "Did you truly end Carlos's life? Could you describe him to ensure we're speaking of the same individual?"
Vargus responded with a nod, his tone matter-of-fact. "Yes, I did. He was somewhat overweight and possessed the Rock Body talent, which made him distinctive."
He then added a crucial detail to affirm his claim: "Moreover, I knew it was Carlos because, as I approached his location, I overheard some of the outer members of our sect calling out his name."
Upon digesting the news, the sect leader's demeanor shifted remarkably. From a state of initial shock, he relaxed into a calm acceptance, and then, surprisingly, he burst into laughter. "Incredible! You've got real courage to take such action against him," he exclaimed, visibly impressed by Vargus's audacity.
Regaining his composure, he shared his insight, "Carlos, despite being the weakest among the Crystal Fist Sect's inner members, was also their youngest. His position hinted at a potential yet to be fully realized, marking him as a sort of prodigy within their ranks."
The sect leader then directed his gaze towards Vargus, his expression serious yet reassuring. "You need not fret over the repercussions," he advised. "Your actions have my full backing. As the newest member of our Heavenly Beast Sect, you've already shown your worth. It's high time we demonstrated to the Crystal Fist Sect, and indeed to the world, that we are far from weak."
Gratitude evident in his demeanor, Vargus respectfully responded to the sect leader's supportive words. "Thank you, sect leader, for your understanding and support. I'm honored to be a part of the Heavenly Beast Sect and will strive to uphold its values," he stated, his tone conveying both appreciation and a commitment to his new path.
The sect leader, observing Vargus's polite and thoughtful response, couldn't help but smile at the contrast between him and the stereotypical image of a barbarian. "Your manners and way of thinking are quite exceptional, especially for a barbarian. It's refreshing to see such politeness and wisdom in someone so young and from such a background," he remarked, his smile widening.
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