They moved into a quieter room at the back of the building.

The space was simple but comfortable.

A low table sat in the center, with wide chairs placed neatly around it.

Aveline moved first.

She set a kettle down and poured tea into several cups.

"Please," she said gently. "Sit."

Vargan dropped into a chair without hesitation, resting his arms on the table.

Sarona remained standing for a moment before taking her seat, posture straight and guarded.

Aveline slid a cup toward each of them.

Vargan glanced at his cup and smiled. "Tea, huh? Didn't expect that."

Sarona looked at hers but didn't touch it.

Aveline noticed and smiled softly. "Don't worry. This is just herbal tea I grew myself."

She added, "It's not made from plants on this island."

Sarona's eyes flickered.

After a brief pause, she nodded and lifted the cup.

She took a small sip, then set it down again.

Raviel watched the exchange quietly before speaking.

"Alright," he said, folding his arms. "Now then."

He looked between the two guests. "Why are the both of you here... in this God Archipelago?"

Vargan leaned back slightly. "Patriarch Raviel, there's no need for small talk."

His grin widened. "You already know why."

Raviel blinked, then glanced at Aveline. He rolled one shoulder. "Honestly? I don't."

He looked back at Vargan. "Care to explain?"

Vargan's grin faltered for a second. "You don't?"

Sarona set her cup down. "We're here because of the God Archipelago."

Everyone's attention shifted to her.

"A new power appeared suddenly," Sarona continued. "In an archipelago no one has ever seen before."

Her eyes were sharp. "And its name spreads quickly."

Aveline listened closely, hands folded in her lap.

"Not only did it appear out of nowhere," Sarona said, "but it was formed from two top clans."

She paused. "And you named it using the word 'god.'"

Vargan chuckled. "That alone made half the world nervous."

Sarona nodded.

"And also it connects to a superpower that rose in just over a year. Strong enough that no one understands how."

Her gaze settled on Raviel. "God Gym."

The room fell quiet.

"That's why many clans are paying attention," Sarona said. "But most of them don't dare come here."

Vargan snorted. "The unknown scares them."

He leaned forward, elbows on the table. "But not me."

Raviel studied him. "Why not?"

Vargan's eyes lit up. "Because I heard something interesting."

He tapped his chest once. "God Gym is a body cultivation sect."

Raviel didn't interrupt.

"As a body cultivator myself," Vargan continued, "that caught my interest immediately."

He laughed. "I wanted to see how strong you really are."

"And," he added, voice lowering, "what your secret is."

Aveline exchanged a brief look with Raviel.

"I see," Raviel said slowly. "So that's your reason."

He turned slightly. "What about you, Matriarch Sarona?"

Before Sarona could answer, Vargan laughed loudly. "She's here to keep me in check."

Sarona shot him a cold look.

"You know our clan history," Vargan continued, unfazed. "Fire and ice don't get along."

Raviel smiled faintly at the exchange.

He leaned back in his chair and nodded once. "I see."

He then looked directly at Vargan.

"But Patriarch Vargan, if what you want is to understand the true extent of the God Gym's power…"

He paused. "I'm afraid the God Gym's leader, Garion, isn't here."

Aveline added calmly, "The God Gym isn't even here... on this God Archipelago."

Vargan didn't look surprised. He nodded slowly. "I figured."

He tapped his finger against the table. "They're at Demon Gate Island, right?"

Raviel raised an eyebrow slightly.

"And," Vargan continued, "this should be around the time demonic beasts awaken."

He shrugged. "If I were in his position, I wouldn't leave either."

Raviel's smile deepened. "Thank you for understanding."

Sarona watched Vargan carefully, then shifted her gaze back to Raviel.

"So you're saying we came at the wrong time."

"Not exactly," Raviel replied.

He leaned forward and placed his forearms on the table.

"Even if Garion isn't here, the God Gym still stands."

Vargan's eyes lit up a little. "Oh?"

"If you want to see God Gym's strength," Raviel continued, "we can still show you."

Vargan raised an eyebrow. "You?"

Sarona glanced at Raviel as well.

"Aren't you a cultivator of the mana path?" Vargan asked bluntly.

Raviel chuckled. "I was."

He straightened his posture, his presence subtly changing. "That was in the past."

Aveline smiled softly. "Raviel changed paths."

Vargan's interest grew. "Changed?"

Raviel nodded. "I'm a body cultivator now."

That earned him a full second of silence.

Sarona narrowed her eyes slightly. "You abandoned your original path."

"I refined it," Raviel corrected.

He clenched his fist slowly.

The muscles in his arm tightened, dense and controlled.

No wild mana surge followed, yet the pressure in the room shifted.

"I can show you," Raviel said evenly, "just how strong a body cultivator of the God Gym can be."

Vargan stared at him for a moment.

Then he grinned.

"Hah." He leaned forward, excitement clear on his face. "Good."

He slapped the table lightly. "Then let's do it."

Sarona frowned. "Vargan..."

"A small strength competition," Vargan said, waving her off. "Nothing fancy."

He looked at Raviel. "I want to feel it for myself."

Raviel smirked. "That's fine."

He stood up. "Then let's return to the training hall."

Aveline rose as well. "I'll come along."

Sarona hesitated for a moment, then stood. "I'll observe."

Vargan laughed as he followed Raviel toward the door.

"This is getting interesting," he said. "It's been a while since I tested myself properly."

Behind them, Aveline turned to Raviel, her expression calm but firm. "Don't show off too much."

Raviel paused and glanced back at her.

A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Don't worry."

He lowered his voice slightly. "I wouldn't bother if he weren't so arrogant."

Aveline sighed softly. "You say that, but you enjoy this."

Raviel chuckled and straightened his posture. "Maybe a little."

Vargan glanced over his shoulder, catching part of the exchange. "Hey, are you two whispering about me?"

Raviel smirked. "You'll find out soon enough."

Vargan laughed again, clearly pleased. "Good. I'd be disappointed if you held back."

As they stepped closer to the training hall, the air grew tense.

This was no longer just a meeting.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.