Mystical Journey
Chapter 102

Rampas was trembling in fury . He didn't want to argue with the Great Elder anymore, so he turned around and stormed off . His father was the Second Elder; his authority within the sect was only one rank below the Great Elder . He wanted to see his own father .

Unfortunately, regardless of whether it was his father or the other elders he was close with, they were of the same attitude: to ignore without exception . They felt that this was only a minor issue . Garen of White Cloud Gate threatened to obtain the Secret Martial Art collection but failed, then left in anger . Such display was not rare among the many small sects .

Representatives or Sect Master of these small sects often come over and take advantage of the times when Seven Moon Gate was in need of strength . Money, Secret Martial Art, precious herbs, power and resources, and so on; they've requested all manner of favors .

Initially, Seven Moon Gate received them with the intention of making more friends, but their demands became more and more outrageous as time passed . The whole sect gradually became more indignant and agitated about it .

Garen and Grace walked out of the Seven Moon Gate building with somber expressions . It was then that they saw a few other people walk out of the building furiously, obviously suffering the same fate as them .

"Seven Moon Gate, they're too much!" A fit old man was panting in anger as he walked out of the building accompanied by his two disciples .

"They are financially sound and have substantial power and true strength . They don't need common Secret Martial Art practitioners like us . Let's just pack and leave . The whole Southern Twelve Gates only needs Seven Moon Gate, the other sects are redundant," a group of brawny men said in an off-tone . "It's not just our two sects that have been driven away these few days . Of the Southern Twelve Gates, only Red Obsidian Gate has been shown meticulous hospitality, whereas the rest… hehe…"

Garen shook his head, speechless . He led Grace to the side of the road, ready to hail a ride .

"Senior Brother Garen?!"

Suddenly, the cute voice of a girl sounding surprised came from his left .

"Is it really you, Senior Brother Garen?"

Garen and Grace turned around . They saw a pretty girl dressed like a high school student carrying a small white satchel rushing towards them .

The girl was one of the members of Circling Dance Gate they met on their way back . Even though Garen didn't have any recollection of her, it was apparent that she viewed the strong and striking Garen with great admiration .

The girl ran to them . When she saw their somber expressions, she instantly guessed the situation .

"They are too much! They've even rejected Senior Brother Garen! Seven Moon Gate is really…" The girl was indignant .

"You're from Circling Dance Gate . You're…" Garen hesitated . "Sorry, I have a poor memory…" He smiled in embarrassment . On that journey back, everyone from Circling Dance Gate—from ordinary disciples to the Eldest Senior Sister leading the group—completely didn't register with him .

I am Imogen Lilliette from Bodia . I'm a fifth generation disciple at Circling Dance Gate, ranked second! I'm twenty-one this year," the girl patted her chest as she introduced herself with pride . Only when she approached did he realize, her height was only up to Garen's chest; she looked like a young teenage Lolita, only about 120cm tall .

Seemingly aware of Garen and Grace's strange look in their eyes, Imogen Lilliette anxiously emphasized at once, "Twenty-one years old!"

"Yes, we know you're twenty-one years old…" Garen was speechless .

"Fine . I'm used to it anyway," Imogen Lilliette said helplessly . Her expression returned to normal and said, "Senior Brother Garen, you're here for…? Anything we can help you with, Circling Dance Gate will be behind you in full force!"

"Initially, I wanted to take a look at the low-level Secret Martial Art collections of Seven Moon Gate, as reference material . I didn't expect them to refuse me, so I just left," Garen shrugged .

"If you don't mind, you are free to refer to the Secret Martial Art of Circling Dance Gate, including the hereditary Secret Martial Art of our sect," Imogen Lilliette said solemnly . "We've heard about the situation at White Cloud Gate . If you need funds, we've just raised two million on our end . You can have it to tide you over . "

"You have the authority?"

"I do! Because this is my mother's intention," Imogen Lilliette chuckled .

"This is our first meeting . Thank you so much, Mr . Garen, for escorting my daughter safely home," a calm female voice came from behind them .

Garen was stunned . He didn't notice anyone approaching him from behind . He frantically turned his body sideways to look behind him .

Suddenly, he saw a beautiful blonde with a calm temperament standing behind him . Her smooth blonde hair draped over her shoulders . She had delicate skin and features, and blue eyes as clear as the sea . She was a beauty who constantly radiated a cool temperament .

Garen was considered calm compared to Grace . She jumped in shock and almost twisted her ankle .

"Apologies . " The blonde lady smiled apologetically at both of them, but it seemed as if she was not used to smiling; her smile gave an odd and awkward impression . "I am Imogen Lilliette's mother, Jaimea Lilliette, also the current Great Elder of Circling Dance Gate . "

"Why are you all here at Seven Moon Gate…" Garen was confused . His nose caught a hint of fragrance, and out of courtesy, he distanced himself away slightly .

"The headquarters of Circling Dance Gate and Seven Moon Gate are both in Dinah City," Jaimea Lilliette explained . "My daughter and I were just out to buy some sundries and coincidentally passed by . We didn't expect to meet the two of you from White Cloud Gate . Even though we're insignificant compared to Seven Moon Gate, but if you don't mind, why not come over to Circling Dance Gate for a while?"

Garen quickly thought about it, then accepted the invitation .

"Yes, that sounds lovely . Just as well we could pay a visit to the headquarters of Circling Dance Gate . "

Jaimea Lilliette had a cool temperament and was somewhat blunt in the manner she spoke, but the way she looked at Garen and Grace was indeed sincere .

Even though the influence of Circling Dance Gate wasn't as strong compared to Seven Moon Gate, they didn't seem weak either . Soon, two slightly old black cars drove over and stopped next to where they stood .

Garen and Grace stepped into the car at the back, while Jaimea Lilliette and her daughter sat in the car in front . Both cars slowly drove towards the other end of Dinah City .

Half an hour later, Garen was sitting face to face with Jaimea Lilliette and Eldest Senior Sister Vicard in the middle of a wooden dojo .

The dojo was a rectangular structure, made entirely of wood . It was slightly dilapidated . The entrance was to the left . On the walls at both ends hung two white paper banners with the words "Martial Arts" and "Dance" written in black ink separately .

The reddish-brown wooden floor boards were neatly arranged and well-polished, but defects could be seen in some parts of the floor, giving the sense that it was timeworn . Despite being slightly dilapidated, the entire dojo was filled with a faint scent of incense, and there wasn't a trace of sweaty odor; it was clearly well maintained .

In front of Garen was a glass teacup filled with Rainflower tea . The reddish-pink tea in the cup looked exquisite . Bits of flower petals were floating in the tea like watery red crystals and the tea had a delicate floral aroma: it was an exceptionally pleasant aesthetic experience altogether .

"Senior Brother Garen, thank you for your care before . " Vicard was the Circling Dance Gate leader that Garen escorted . She looked dainty and adorable now .

The hosts were both clad in black robes and long black socks . Apparently, it was the standard attire here .

Jaimea Lilliette motioned to Garen to drink his tea . "Mr . Garen, you saved our Sect Master and several of our disciples, including my daughter . Even though we are a small establishment, we are clear that gratitude should be repaid as much as revenge should be exacted . Secret Martial Art and funds are not a problem . Whatever else you need, feel free to ask for it . I will fulfill your request to the best of my abilities on behalf of Circling Dance Gate . "

Garen was undoubtedly touched .

"How did you know I needed Secret Martial Art?"

Jaimea Lilliette calmly explained, "Most people who have visited Seven Moon Gate of late are primarily after these two things . I apologize if I have offended you, but I am only telling it as it is . "

"It's fine . "

Garen could tell that Circling Dance Gate was not doing very well itself . Despite the fact that the dojo was huge, it was dilapidated to the extent that they didn't even have the funds to properly maintain and repair it . Even White Cloud Gate was much better off . When he thought about how the headquarters of Circling Dance Gate and Seven Moon Gate were both located within Dinah City, the answer was obvious: the former must have been harshly oppressed by the latter .

In a case where they were not well-off but displayed generosity out of gratitude, such an attitude was in stark contrast to what Garen experienced at Seven Moon Gate .

Garen actually felt somewhat ashamed . He didn't pay much attention to Circling Dance Gate at the time, but just helped them out incidentally . He didn't expect that it would be this humble female sect that could help him out right now .

"Actually, we have no need for funds," Garen carefully thought about how to phrase it . "We at White Cloud Gate are not facing a huge problem with funding . " This was the truth . The dojo account had tens of millions in funds . These were the sect funds voluntarily passed on to Collin and Simon by the stout Bouvini in charge of finances . Garen wasn't short of money .

Upon hearing that they didn't lack funds, the two from Circling Dance Gate were immediately relieved and felt even more grateful to Garen . It was apparent that they were extremely tight on funds . They haven't been able to cover their cost in recent years, with the dojo income decreasing rapidly . If it was money that Garen requested, they would have given it to him, but that would have put them in a tougher situation .

"I'm here not for money or whatever else . I'm here for Secret Martial Art," Garen said formally .

"No problem . Including our hereditary Secret Martial Art, you are free to study and record all the Secret Martial Art within our library," Jaimea Lilliette nodded in agreement .

"Hereditary Secret Martial Art is the foundation of a sect, I don't want it, and I have no need for it . I am merely looking for some low-level Secret Martial Art to broaden my martial arts perspective, for reference," Garen promptly explained .

"Regardless, I'll take you to the library at once . How does that sound?" Jaimea Lilliette resolutely stood up and asked .

"Uhh…" Garen didn't expect her to be so eager . "No hurry . Let's have a chat and rest for now . "

"Very well . " Jaimea Lilliette felt that she was slightly overeager, and slowly sat down again . "Excuse my manners . "

And then it became a question and answer session between the three .

Garen asked, and they answered .

They were the type who wouldn't speak when not questioned and seemed as though they didn't interact much with people; their tone was somewhat blunt .

By casually asking a few questions, Garen gathered a general idea of Circling Dance Gate and understood the types of characters within it .

There was a total of twelve people in the sect, external disciples included . The modest and austere style of the dojo business made it unattractive . Coupled with the fact that they were oppressed by Seven Moon Gate, the entire operation was bleak, and they could barely make ends meet .

The dojo master in charge of the day-to-day was Jaimea Lilliette's father, a headstrong man advanced in years . He was adamant in preserving the estate inherited from their ancestors, unwilling to sell the current headquarters and dojo . This didn't help their poor financial situation .

Everyone in the dojo, including Jaimea Lilliette—regardless of their external personality— were tough and headstrong characters, all bent on preserving the dojo .

Originally, as a Secret Martial Art sect and one of the Southern Twelve Gates, they were entitled to a fixed income and certain benefits . This was the key reason Circling Dance Gate joined, and it was this fixed income that kept the dojo in business . But now Lucene Brotherhood, the strongest of the Southern Twelve Gates, has been obliterated . This sect was the leader and organizer of the Southern Twelve Gates . They were in charge of distributing the annual benefits and funds . Without that income, it had become more difficult for them to keep the dojo running .

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