Chapter 104: First Disciple of Grandmaster

After receiving the insect-rearing pouch, Arius no longer bothered to intimidate Liu Daguei.

His goal had been achieved.

Without hesitation, he pulled out fifty low-grade spirit stones, tossed them directly at Liu Daguei, and left without another word.

Wandering through Floating Dream Pavilion, Arius continued browsing for another half an hour, purchasing various miscellaneous resources.

Just as he was about to leave the pavilion, a sudden sharp, piercing voice echoed from the distance.

“Grandmaster Severus’s first disciple… Lord Fred has arrived!!”

The moment the announcement rang out, a group of dozens of graceful, elegantly dressed young women, all at the Peak Organ Tempering stage, surged toward the entrance of Floating Dream Pavilion’s second floor.

At the mention of ‘Grandmaster Severus’ and ‘Lord Fred’, the entire Floating Dream Pavilion trembled with excitement.

“Lord Fred… Could it really be Lord Fred himself?”

A female cultivator at the Early Level 1 stage gasped, her face flushing with admiration.

Nearby, an outsider cultivator from beyond Pyrenees Mountain Prefecture looked confused, glancing around as he asked, “Who is Lord Fred? And who is Grandmaster Severus?”

“Lord Fred is a true disciple of Albigensians Sect, and he is on the verge of becoming the sect’s Young Sect Master!”

“He possesses an Earth-grade spiritual root, and not just any Earth-grade root—a rare mutated variant!”

“With his talent, he is practically guaranteed to reach the Level 3 realm. He even has a chance at Level 4…”

The female cultivator explained dreamily, her voice filled with deep longing.

She couldn’t help but fantasize—what if she could spend just one night with Lord Fred? Or better yet, become his Dao companion?

That would be even better!

If Lord Fred became a Level 3 cultivator, he would stand among the most elite figures in all of Aragon Country.

And if he formed his Core… then he would be unstoppable, free to roam and dominate Aragon Country as he pleased.

“Then… who is Grandmaster Severus?”

A deep, rumbling voice cut through the discussion.

A middle-aged man with raven-black hair and an overwhelming aura had spoken.

His bare upper body was covered in chains inscribed with mystical runes, and with every word he spoke, the air trembled slightly.

It was obvious—this man was a body cultivator.

And not just any body cultivator—he was one who was on the verge of Level 2.

Body cultivators were infamous for their terrifying combat power.

Their lifeforce was overwhelmingly resilient, and the further they progressed, the more monstrous their endurance became.

If a Body Refinement cultivator successfully reached Level 2, regrowing severed limbs or shattering countless spells with a single punch would become second nature.

Under normal circumstances, two or three regular cultivators wouldn’t be able to defeat a single body cultivator.

The moment the middle-aged body cultivator spoke, many of the surrounding Level 1 cultivators instinctively cast respectful glances his way.

Nearby, a slender, unassuming young man at the Early Level 1 stage finally responded,

“Grandmaster Severus is one of Albigensians Sect’s Level 3 Grandmasters!”

“His cultivation has already reached Peak Level 3, and it is rumored that he is currently attempting to break into the Level 4 realm!”

“If Grandmaster Severus successfully advances to the Level 4 realm, then Albigensians Sect will once again become a true Level 4-level sect!”

As he spoke, a hint of reverence flashed across his face.

A Peak Level 3 cultivator could be considered one of the strongest individuals in all of Aragon Country.

Across Aragon Country’s three provinces and seventy-two prefectures, the number of Level 4 cultivators barely exceeded fifty.

And most of them were either secluded in deep cultivation or traveling the world in pursuit of Dao enlightenment.

If not for Aragon Country’s current state of turmoil, ordinary cultivators might never see a Level 4 cultivator in their entire lives.

In its glorious past, Albigensians Sect had once been home to a Level 4 grandmaster.

However, for the past two thousand years, the sect had been steadily declining.

It was only with Grandmaster Severus’s generation that signs of a resurgence began to appear.

If Grandmaster Severus successfully reached Level 4, and Lord Fred followed in his footsteps, then Albigensians Sect would soon boast two Level 4 masters.

In Aragon Country, apart from the Eight Royal Palaces, only a handful of forces could claim two Level 4 cultivators.

Hearing this explanation, the outsider cultivators from beyond Pyrenees Mountain Prefecture looked visibly shaken.

Most Level 1 cultivators could already dominate a mid-sized city, wielding influence and power as they pleased.

But Level 4 cultivators?

They were capable of shifting the balance of an entire nation.

One couldn’t help but dream—what if I could reach Level 4 too?

Many cultivators gazed at Lord Fred, their faces filled with envy and admiration.

Draped in an extravagant robe, flanked by Level 2 guards, he exuded an aura of superiority.

Yet, despite his grand presence, he was only thirteen or fourteen years old.

Before being discovered to possess a rare mutated Earth-grade spiritual root, he had been nothing more than a poor cowherd boy, struggling to survive each day.

That all changed when Grandmaster Severus, upon returning from his travels, recognized his extraordinary talent.

From that moment on, he had soared like a phoenix, instantly becoming one of Albigensians Sect’s most important figures.

Even the sect master himself had to show him deference.

It wasn’t just because of Grandmaster Severus’s backing—his talent alone would have been enough to secure him a place in any major power within Aragon Country.

Not long ago, even the Sea Sand Royal Palace had sent a congratulatory gift to Lord Fred.

In the Sea Sand King’s eyes, Albigensians Sect held great potential.

Since the Sea Sand King aimed to vie for control of Aragon Country, securing Albigensians Sect’s allegiance would be crucial.

Grandmaster Severus’s breakthrough into the Level 4 realm was expected within two to three years.

Meanwhile, with Lord Fred’s Earth-grade spiritual root, his cultivation speed was astonishingly fast.

If all went as expected, within two or three years, Albigensians Sect would have its first Level 4 grandmaster.

And within a century, the sect would likely boast two Level 4 cultivators, making it a true powerhouse in Aragon Country.

“You—come here.”

“Would you like to become my personal attendant?”

Basking in the adoration and reverence of the crowd, Lord Fred casually pointed at a young female cultivator.

The woman was not stunningly beautiful, but she possessed an ethereal, otherworldly charm.

More importantly…

She was already standing beside her Dao companion, a Level 2 cultivator!

Ever since Lord Fred had learned of his extraordinary talent and had been accepted as Grandmaster Severus’s first disciple, his behavior had changed drastically.

The once timid cowherd boy had turned into an arrogant, domineering figure, one who abused his power without restraint.

Initially, some people had reported his misconduct to Grandmaster Severus—

But Grandmaster Severus’s response had been,

“Let him be, as long as it does not interfere with his cultivation.”

With such blatant indulgence, Lord Fred’s arrogance only grew, and he began acting with absolute impunity.

To ensure his continued safety, Grandmaster Severus had even assigned three Level 2 elders to personally guard him at all times.

“Husband… I…”

Hearing Lord Fred’s command, the female cultivator faltered, her voice trembling with uncertainty and fear.

Beside her, the Level 2 cultivator furrowed his brows, his expression dark and grim.

He had traveled across Aragon Country, and with his cultivation level, he was considered a powerful figure in his own right.

And yet—someone was bold enough to try and steal his Dao companion right in front of him?

This was beyond humiliating.

It was unforgivable.

“Hmph!”

A cold snort rang out as the aura of a Level 2 cultivator erupted from the man’s body, surging like a tidal wave.