It was uncommon for the entire sect to be stirred as it was today. Not even the important duel for today could warrant such a situation.

"Is that true?"

Rushing through the main street of the elder's plaza, I turned my head back to my assistant.

"I don't want to believe it too, but it seems like it."

When the summoning bell rang in our region of the sect, everyone had to jump out of their sheets despite how early in the morning it was. Unless there was a full-scale attack incoming that required all hands on the deck to be present, this alarm was used only when the situation was really pressing.

Connecting the dots wasn't that hard of a task. First, we got some information that a saint realm expert from the headquarters will come to visit our sect, then the sect leader threw yet another batch of insanely pricey resources at the dog's duo, named after the demonic beast that cultivated with Veriel - and now the bell?

There was no other reason but the protector arrival for the Sect Leader to warrant the usage of the alarming bell!

"Shouldn't it be impossible for him to even enter this area? What about the spatial barriers?"

While it was a common knowledge that no saint experts could ever enter lower-ranking territories, with the option of people breaking through to this realm from the inside, there was an ample number of loopholes in the formation that guarded low ranked grounds from intervention.

Most of the people knew only about the ban in general. Most of the core disciples and elders knew about the formations but only chosen few was privy to know that one could enter this land by suppressing his cultivation below the saint realm.

Like with everything else, there was no way to tell if other factions had the same method to call for the help of protectors, but there was just a single thing in common between all the methods of entry.

If the intruder dared to use their real strength, they would be swiftly detected by the formation and experience not only a severe backlash from it but also a unit of ancient organisation soo elusive that to this day, no one managed to learn their name, would emerge from nowhere and decide whether overstepping one's bounds was warranted by the situation.

There was more than enough of historic records when prodigies went back to their homeland, abused their strength and were swiftly dealt with by those strange people.

"Headquarters have their own means to do what they want to. It's better to not pry too deep into their secrets."

It was a dream of every disciple and even elders of the Draconic sect to advance to the saint realm and join the headquarters, even if only as a mere outer disciple. While the spiritual realm was the first stage of real cultivation, it was saint level that fulfiled the most sought wishes.

"Elder Batista Dorian with his assistant elder, Psitra Nemerium pays their respect to the sect leader!"

Upon arrival in the reception hall, we both cupped our hands with respect to the person impatiently standing near the middle part of the big room.

Being a bit older and more experienced than my friend, I had the honour to see on my own eyes the activation of a teleportation spell. This didn't change how much I was eager to see it again!

Barely a few minutes after we arrived, a speck of blueish light suddenly appeared around one meter above the very centre of the hall, before erupting into a big flame.

Sizzle.

With the sound similar to a droplet of water dropped on the hot, frying pan, the blue flame devoured all the artefacts placed below it along with all the residual spiritual energy in the air.

As if its hunger got finally satisfied, it calmed down, widening to about two meters.

Crack.

With the space breaking apart, the middle part of the flame suddenly collapsed inwardly, turning into a blurred palette of different colours.

The spectacle was truly a miracle to the eyes, but just like almost every other elder, ignored the events and focused on my spiritual sense to try to decipher as much information from the teleportation flame as I could.

Gossips circulating around the inner ring of the elders claimed that by doing so, one would be able to peer into the secrets of the heavens, stealing the information that would prove useful to advance to a saint realm.

Without focusing on my normal sight, I missed the moment when the colours in the flame started to change, with the blur slowly fading away. A mere few seconds later, this incredible spell suddenly dissipated into the thin air, leaving only a dignified, middle-aged man standing on the scorched tiling of the hall.

"It's good that you are all soo eager to reach greater heights, but I think a basic courtesy requires you to greet your superior."

As I raised my eyes and turned back to a normal vision, I could only see a shining, reddish aura blocking my sight.

Shaking my head furiously, I made sure to switch back to the normal sight only to realise that more than half of the elders already cupped their hands in front of their lowered heads.

'Fuck.'

It seems that I still had a way to go. Without even a hint of hesitation, I paid the due respect to the protector, while observing him with the corner of my eye.

Contrary to the expectation of anyone who never saw saint's before, while this man's aura was fiery red and scorching hot in nature, it also made everyone influenced by it feel a soft energy wrapping around their spirit as if trying to caress all their flaws and traumas just like a caring mother would kiss the scratch of her child's hand to make the pain go away.

"Welcome to the Draconic lower sect!"

Stepping forward, our sect leader bowed his head, full of servitude. In front of this person, his status of the highest authority in the entire sect meant absolutely nothing. Just like a shop owner can dismiss any unruly worker, this man replied directly to the headquarters, making him the new pinnacle of the political power of the sect.

"As I said, it gladdens me to see you lot working hard, but can you tell me where is this guy that is supposed to take part in this insanely important duel? While I don't mean any disrespect, I expected him to be somewhat younger than you guys..."

While his words might sound harsh, his amiable smile keep the pleasant atmosphere. I had the opportunity to interact with other saints in the past, but this was the first time when his aura could be soo influential!

"I'm deeply sorry, but he didn't come to greet you. He said that he prefers to spend all the time he had on improving his strength, even if for the slightest bit."

Just like a clerk reporting to his boss, our sect leader acted like a messenger between this damned Variel and the saint in front of us. How come this man can be interested more in such a degraded child than our kind and wise sect leader?!

"Don't worry, it's a commendable attitude. After all, he is the one responsible for the outcome of the duel, isn't he?"

Taking a deep breath, the saint looked like if he was trying to get used to how thin the energy in the air was here. Only now did I realise how pale his complexion was. I guess using the teleportation spells or shouldering the burden of the formation all by himself took a great toll on him too.

"Would you mind guiding me to him? I know there are only a few hours left before the event, but I would love to give him some last-minute pointers!"