There are 5 guys crowding around my friend. They seem like allies judging by the fact that they are all alive and well. They all have long cloaks hiding their bodies. I simply go:

[Bad news, he managed to run, but at least he shouldn't be coming back.]

​​

I can hear the sound of them all losing their shit. They go:

"Oh my god! This is amazing!"

"So strong! He had it coming!"

"As expected of someone the Champion brought back!"

Wait, Champion? Who knew…?

Okay, even I understand how crazy and lowkey boastful my earlier statement sounded. I'm not even sorry about it. I'm just enjoying their gazes filled with admiration.

After all, the man I just sent running was a rank 4, a sect master to boot. There were circumstances helping me, but they don't need to know that part.

They easily believe me thanks to how destroyed the entire area is. Oh, and also the fact that they've been seeing the spells from far away. In fact, they quickly explain that they were simply coming to scout.

Since this is sect territory, they wanted to figure out who was invading to give an appropriate response. Now, for most sects that would mean sending as many soldiers as needed.

For the Gu Meadow, this apparently takes an entirely new dimension. After all, they have so many different Gus in the sect that there are bound to be some with various attributes.

They were going to confirm that he used solar energy and would have countered it all somehow. I really like the planning that goes into this. Information wins wars after all.

So far, I have to admit the Gu Meadow sounds like a lot of fun. It's quite similar to a zoo, a crazy zoo filled with poisonous demonic insects. Wait, is that an insectarium? Who knows…?

On our way there are villagers thanking us, bowing deeply. I can't help but feel warm and a tiny bit embarrassed. Good thing none got hurt, especially considering we were the ones that brought the enemy there in the first place.

[Actually, you guys…No need to thank me. I just did what I was supposed to.]

But even then, they keep bowing, relentlessly. They keep doing it even after we are out of sight.

[This was our fault anyway.]

My friend chimes in.

"It doesn't matter. For you it's natural. But for the rest of the world, their lives are worthless. They are profoundly grateful that you didn't try to use them as shields to block attacks. You could have."

[That sounds horrible!]

"Nope, that sounds realistic."

He says it so lightly too. Changing the mindset here will take so long. I really need some special broadcast station. If I could project my voice everywhere on this continent it could work wonder.

I could keep droning on and on until people are completely brainwashed. Gotta add this to the list of potential plans.

We keep walking. On the way, they ask me questions about where I'm from. Moon keep? Too controversial. I answer Eaglevein. After that, they change the subject. There are so many different sects that used to reside in there too. It doesn't help them one bit to figure me out.

The sect I am in? One they clearly haven't heard of is my answer. Once more they change the subject.

When they ask me about my favorite food, I teach them about the greatness of pie. For some reason, the rest of the journey is spent in awkward silence.

Well, it's not that bad. I'm used to traveling with Wolfie, so silence doesn't daunt me. On the way we keep seeing small villages, but no cities.

[Where is the nearest city?]

"We don't really have that here. All this big territory you see belongs only to us. There aren't actually that many Gu trainers."

[Then why haven't other sects invaded?]

"Look around. You see the long grass all around the place?"

[What about it?]

"Over the years many Gus have been lost. Some adapted to the outside world. So all the grass you see is inhabited by deadly insects."

[What?! Then how are there even villages?]

"Our magic makes it that we are fine. But it would be extremely different for would-be-invaders."

[Couldn't they just burn it all?]

"Oh, that would absolutely be a mistake. A sect once tried that. Turns out insect tides are as much of a thing as beast tides."

[So you guys let the creatures live here and they don't bother you plus act as a defense?]

"Exactly."

[That's genius! Wait, aren't there still sects out there that could manage to invade? That guy with the solar rays was so powerful!]

"Well yes, but we'd still be here. As I've said before it's just not worth it."

[That makes sense.]

"Alright, we'll be there soon."

Oh? I can't help but feel excited. A Gu sect! That's one thing I've never seen in the old world. Wait, why do I have an image of a spaceship on an insect-infested planet that comes to mind? Weird.

"I present to you the true Gu Meadow."

He says it solemnly, pointing to what we can see in the distance. A meadow means a place full of grass pretty much. Ironically this is the only place where there is none!

Instead, the sect looks to be in some rocky area. There is what looks like a small mountain. As we come closer, curious glances are sent our way. This much is understandable.

The others are wearing cool cloaks while I'm wearing villager clothing. On one hand, I could do better. On the other, I'm kinda numb to it all at this point. I'm definitely going to lose all my clothes again while fighting at the water sect.

On the way, I can hear the whispers.

"Is he the one that fought the Sun leader?!"

"That's crazy, but why does he look so ordinary?"

"Please who cares about that. A man is all about ability."

"Oh? *Teasing* So he's your type?"

"I never said that!"

How do they even know about me? Probably Gu messengers.

They are discussing my achievements. They are discussing how suitable of a partner I am. They are also discussing the price of carrots at the local market.

The last one kinda surprises me not gonna lie. I can picture the world trembling in fright and disgust thinking about the Gu Users. Yet, here they are plotting *dramatic music* to buy carrots at the market!

Just as I'm thinking that I hear it's to feed poisonous Gus…okay, never mind. Who knew buying carrots could be an act of possible evil? Just as I'm thinking that we finally arrive at our destination, aka the sect's main gate.

This is going to be interesting I bet!...