Sign-In System: Starting With Invincible Physique-Chapter 22: A Balance

Chapter 22: A Balance

Roderick’s body stiffened.

The furious, murderous aura he had projected just moments ago was now completely suppressed.

The overwhelming pressure of a Spirit Manifestation Realm cultivator was absolute.

Roderick did not dare to be arrogant before Harmon Vael.

But he was still a member of the Graves family.

Roderick cupped his hands. The gesture was formal, but his hawkish eyes remained hard and unyielding.

"Sect Master Harmon," Roderick said harshly. "I did not come to your gates to cause a commotion. I came to seek justice for my nephew."

Harmon stood with his hands resting behind his back.

"Justice within the Azure Cloud Sect is decided by me."

His voice was devoid of fluctuation. It was the calm, heavy tone of a man who had ruled this mountain for nearly half a century.

Roderick clenched his fist.

"I am here on the explicit orders of my elder brother, Dorris" Roderick argued, his tone carrying a subtle warning. "My Graves family demands an explanation."

Dorris Graves.

The head of the Graves family.

A Spirit Manifestation Realm cultivator, just like Harmon.

Harmon’s cloudy eyes did not waver.

"Even if Dorris were standing here himself, he would not have the right to challenge the authority of the Azure Cloud Sect." Harmon stated evenly. "As long as I breathe, and as long as I am the Sect Master, the rules of this sect will not be trampled upon."

The words were an iron wall.

Roderick’s eyes narrowed into dangerous slits.

"Does this mean," Roderick asked slowly, "that Sect Master Harmon wishes to cut ties with the Graves family? Over this boy?"

Hearing this, Harmon’s eyes softened slightly.

Without the Graves family’s support, the Azure Cloud Sect would be completely isolated against the rapidly expanding Ironpeak Sect.

He did not truly want to sever the alliance that kept his sect alive.

"The matter of Brennan’s injuries can be discussed," Harmon said, his tone easing slightly. "But you will step inside my sect, and you will speak peacefully."

Harmon shifted his gaze, letting it rest firmly on Roderick.

"And you must understand one thing clearly. Harming Rhain is absolutely impossible."

Roderick sneered.

He pointed a trembling finger at the three Essence Condensation experts groaning in the dirt, their limbs twisted and bones shattered.

"How do you expect me to speak peacefully when my men have been beaten this badly?" Roderick retorted.

"It was you who initiated the violence," Harmon replied indifferently. He then turned his head to the young, shivering guard behind him. "Take these three to the infirmary for immediate treatment."

The guard nodded frantically and scrambled forward.

Harmon looked back at Roderick. "Now. Shall we talk?"

Roderick’s chest rose and fell heavily. He was completely unwilling.

But he was not a fool.

With Harmon Vael standing right there, it was physically impossible to lay a finger on Rhain.

Furthermore, a deeper, much colder hesitation had taken root in Roderick’s mind.

He looked at Rhain.

The boy was standing there, completely unbothered, his dark grey eyes staring back with absolute, chilling indifference.

An Essence Awakening Level 6 disciple who could dismantle three Condensation experts in five seconds.

Roderick felt a shiver crawl down his spine.

Was it truly worth making a blood enemy out of a monster with this kind of incomprehensible potential?

It was a question far beyond his authority to decide.

He needed to report this back to Dorris immediately. Doing anything reckless now could doom their entire family.

Roderick exhaled a sharp breath.

"Fine," Roderick said. "I will see what kind of explanation Sect Master Harmon intends to give our Graves family today!"

Harmon nodded.

Before leaving, he turned his gaze to Rhain. The old man sighed in his heart and offered a word of kind advice. "Rhain, having talent is a blessing, but you must learn to be a little more tolerant. Being overly violent and breaking the bones of anyone who offends you is not a good thing. It will only invite endless trouble."

Rhain gave a slow, indifferent shrug.

"I was just defending myself," Rhain said.

Harmon didn’t say much more.

He had lived long enough to know that all true prodigies possessed an inherent, unbending arrogance. It was completely normal.

But Harmon still sighed internally.

It was just a pity that their small, dying sect simply wasn’t strong enough to comfortably protect a talent like Rhain from the world.

Harmon turned around.

"Sect Master," Maren called out, stepping forward while clutching her chest. "Should I also come?"

"No," Harmon said without looking back. "You are injured. Take care of yourself, and escort Rhain to his new residence."

Harmon and Roderick began walking up the stone path, their figures slowly disappearing into the mist of the sect.

The front gate grew quiet once more.

As the heavy pressure completely faded from the gates, Rhain turned his attention to Maren. He walked over, his dark grey eyes looking at her pale face.

"Are you okay, Instructor Maren?" Rhain asked.

Although Rhain was perfectly capable of defending himself and didn’t need anyone’s protection against Roderick, Maren had stepped in front of him without hesitation.

She had been willing to face the wrath of a Level 9 Essence Condensation expert to shield him.

Everyone who treated him well, he would remember it clearly.

Maren wiped the blood from her lip with the back of her hand and nodded.

"I am fine," she said.

She looked at him, her expression turning serious.

"But Rhain, you need to learn to control yourself. You cannot solve every problem by breaking bones."

She let out a tired sigh.

"Graves family is fiercely protective of their family members. These people have a very fiery temper, but we can’t afford to make enemies out of them."

"The Azure Cloud Sect is hanging by a thread," She continued, her voice softening. "The Ironpeak Sect is expanding rapidly. Without the political and financial backing of the Graves family, we would be devoured in a matter of years. That is why they are so important to us."

Rhain looked at her, and gave a slight nod. "I understand."

Maren studied his flat, unreadable eyes. She highly doubted he truly cared, but she didn’t have the energy to lecture him further.

"Come," Maren said, turning toward the inner terrace. "Let me show you to your new residence."

Before leaving, she looked at the guard in the corner and sternly warned, "Don’t let anyone know what happened here, do you understand?"

The guard nodded frantically, swearing on his poor wife and children that he would never dare to reveal a single word about what he saw today.

.......

They walked up the mountain, passing the boundaries of the outer quarters and stepping into the pristine environment of the Inner Sect.

The Essence here was noticeably thicker, and purer than the outer sect.

Maren led him to an independent courtyard nestled against the hillside.

The spiritual essence in the air here was at least twice as dense as it was in his old, damp cell. The main house was elegant, clean, and fully furnished with furniture.

It was a completely different world from the rotting, damp cell he had woken up in just a few days ago.

"This is your residence from now on," Maren said gently.

"Thank you for your trouble, Instructor Maren." Rhain said, genuinely gratified.

Maren gave a deep look to Rhain before turning around and saying, "I will be taking my leave now, if you have something important, you can come to my residence anytime you want."

After Maren left, Rhain was left alone before his new courtyard.