Raviel laughed hard. "You really are crazy, but I'll admit, it's a kind of madness worth watching."

Garion smiled and took his drink. "Madness makes history."

Raviel's face turned serious again.

"Still... your path is risky. Why are the twins alive and fine? I heard they were weak. Are they secretly geniuses?"

Garion let out a low laugh, shaking his head. "Geniuses? No. Not even close."

Raviel raised an eyebrow. "Then how?"

Garion leaned back, smirking.

"It's not because they're special. It's because my cultivation art is."

Rendric leaned forward. "Your cultivation art?"

Garion nodded.

"Every sect has its own cultivation methods, right? Different techniques, but still within the same path."

"You have your flame and thunder cultivation arts, the mountain sects have their earth cultivation arts, and so on."

Raviel nodded slowly.

"Yes, that's true. The foundation is the same, but the approach differs."

Garion smiled faintly.

"Exactly. My path is body cultivation, but even that has variations. What I created is a version that balances risk and growth."

Raviel leaned forward, eyes bright with curiosity.

"I see. No wonder they grew so strong. Then... what kind of training do you actually do?"

Garion grinned and took out a simple dumbbell from his system storage and put it on the table.

"This is one of our tools. It's called a dumbbell. With it you can do lots of body workouts, and of course... this is my special tool. No one has it."

Raviel looked at the dumbbell, nodding slowly.

"So you found a new path, and you even made new exercises to go with it. Interesting."

Garion quickly smirked. "Are you interested in trying body training, Patriarch?"

Raviel shook his head with a small laugh.

"I'm tied to the mana path. I can't just change my path to the other path, right?"

Garion smiled.

"Indeed. You can't change your path, but who said you can't train your body? This was just a simple training."

He flexed his body.

"Mana is always running through your body, whether you are on the mana or body path, so even simple body training will be effective for your body."

Raviel nodded, admitting Garion was right.

"Indeed so... how do you train then? Can you give me the training lists?"

Garion leaned back, folding his arms.

"Of course, I can't give away my training lists. Same as my cultivation art... they are secret. But we could work together."

He let his idea sit for a moment.

"I can set up a God Gym branch near Revalis. It will be like a training house or hall. Think of it like a place you rent."

"Your people could come, pay to use the training tools, and even hire some of my members for personal coaching."

Raviel burst out laughing, nearly spilling his drink.

"Ha! The way you say it, it sounds like a brothel, renting people instead of rooms!"

Garion laughed too, shaking his head.

"Well, you're not entirely wrong. One offers satisfaction, and the other offers growth."

Raviel wiped his mouth with a napkin and set his cup down.

"I like the idea. We'll consider it. But first..."

He stared at Garion, serious again.

"Show me that the God Gym truly deserves its reputation. Reach the Third Realm first, and then we'll talk about cooperation."

Garion nodded. "Fair enough."

Raviel stood up, straightening his robe.

"It's getting late. We'll take our leave for tonight."

Garion rose as well, smiling politely. "Of course. Thank you for the visit, Patriarch."

Rendric gave a respectful bow. "I'll have the book delivered by sunrise, as promised."

Garion's smirk returned. "Good. I'll be waiting."

But then Raviel stopped for a moment, turned around, and whispered hesitantly.

"And one more thing..."

Garion tilted his head. "What is it?"

Raviel's face softened. "Take Rachel out of our clan."

Garion blinked. "Rachel?"

Raviel met Garion's eyes.

"Yes. I knew that the twins brought you to her house when you all arrived here. She is weak, and her trait never awakens."

He gestured toward Garion.

"But your path is different than our mana path, so maybe she can live and grow under you."

Garion's expression went quiet for a moment.

Raviel's tone was steady.

"Don't pretend you don't know. You saw the house. If she remains here, she may die by neglect. If she goes with you, she may have a chance."

Garion then nodded and smiled.

"Sure. I can do that. I'll take her back to God Gym after this."

Raviel relaxed, relief showing in the lines at his eyes. "Thank you, Garion. Do this well."

Garion nodded. "I will."

Raviel then straightened his robes, giving one last respectful glance.

"Then I'll leave you for tonight. Elder Rendric, let's go."

Rendric bowed politely to Garion.

"Until next time, Sect Leader."

Garion raised his cup slightly. "Until next time."

The two men stepped off the deck and went back to the clan

Garion stayed still for a moment, eyes closed as he drank the alcohol again.

Then he smiled faintly. "You can come out now, Miss Rachel. I know you're there."

A small gasp came from the doorway.

Rachel hesitated for a moment before slowly stepping out from behind the wall, her pale hands clasped together.

She looked almost guilty. "You… knew?"

Garion smirked.

"Of course. You weren't exactly subtle. I could hear your footsteps from the start."

Rachel lowered her head slightly, embarrassed.

"I just… wanted to listen. I didn't mean to eavesdrop."

Garion waved a hand dismissively.

"Don't worry too much about it. And also, you heard what we talked about, didn't you?"

Rachel nodded quietly, her expression uncertain.

"So… Will you really take me with you?"

Garion's smile widened.

"Of course. If I can handle those two troublemaking twins, taking someone as gentle and beautiful as you won't be a problem at all."

Rachel blinked, a little caught off guard by his straightforward tone.

Her lips curved into a small, shy smile. "You really don't hold back, do you?"

Garion chuckled. "I don't see the point in pretending. You'll fit right in with us."

Rachel glanced down, fidgeting with her hands.

"I see… So, it's true then. He asked you to take me."

Garion nodded.

"He did. And you should know that he wasn't being cruel. It's because he cares."

Rachel looked up, her eyes softening.

"I know. He's still my little brother, after all."

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