A vampire?

"I apologize for not welcoming you earlier, Sir! You must be tired, coming to our remote village. Allow us to properly welcome you. You can ask me if there's anything you need."

"There's no need for all of that, village chief. I am merely here for a few days to finish my mission, no need to be so considerate."

The village chief, an old man nearing his seventies, felt slightly disappointed by the young man's behavior. If only he had been willing to help them for a few more days or even take a couple of children back to that place...

Naturally, he didn't show it and smiled in resonse.

"What a polite young man! Since that is what Sir wants, we will naturally do as we are told."

Just as the young man was about to reply, a middle aged man slammed the door open.

"Village chief, you won't believe this! The little vampire has caugh a bear and three boars by himself! The elders want to organize a feast to celebrate-"

The man's words halted when he saw the young man next to the village chief. The sky blue robes and mysterious demeanor were enough to reveal his identity. The middle aged man quickly kneeled in front of him.

"I apologize for my rudeness,Sir! Please forgive my mistake!"

The young man slightly nodded his head in acknowledgement and turned to the village chief, looking visibly confused.

"A vampire?"

The village chief wasted no time in his response.

"Haha, it's a nickname for one of our children. Despite working in the fields like the rest, his skin is as white as snow! He's also stronger than all the adults, so the villagers nicknamed him little vampire."

The young man was lost in thought for a moment. Could that boy be like him? He was about to inquire further but stopped. He was going to see the boy at the feast tonight, no need to trouble the tired village chief. After exchanging a few more pleasantries, the young man went into a room.

Later that day, the villagers all gathered in a remote place near the village and started their feast. The meat from these 4 animals was more than enough for the village's small population and was shared amongs them. The young man was also there, sitting next to the chief, looking lost in thought.

"Sir looks a little troubled. Is there something wrong?"

The chief naturally noticed this and inquired. He was striving to leave a good impression on him and wanted to know what's wrong so he could fix it.

The young man turned to the village chief and smiled slightly.

"Nothing is wrong, I was just thinking about some matters. It's nothing important so village chief needn't worry."

Althought, there was indeed something troubling him.

'As I thought, he is the same as me, just weaker.'

The young man has long since noticed the boy nicknamed vampire. Just as the chief described, his skin was white and he stood out like a sore thumb near the tanned villagers and ,althought faint, he could feel the energy inside his body.

'The third stage, is it? For someone his age it is quite the accomplishment, however the issue lies elsewhere. How did he get his hands on a cultivation manual? Each sect stores them in the most secure places and the manuals created by wondering cultivators shouldn't be enough to take him this far.'

As he observed the boy however, he noticed something strange. The enegy inside the 'vampire''s body wasn't confined to his mana pathways as it should be. It was let loose in the boys' body, something that shouldn't be possible.

After all, to cultivate you need to first locate the pathways and guide the mana through them, how did the boy raise himself to the third stage without doing it?

' I'm only at the 7th stage myself so there're certainly a lot of things im unaware of, should I take the boy back to the sect and ask the elders?'

Howeverm he quickly dismissed that thought. It would be too much trouble for an insignificant matter. That didn't mean he wasn't wary of the boy however, and turned to the village chief once again.

"That boy nicknamed vampire, what's his real name?"

The chief was confused but answered nonetheless.

"His name is Luriel Reabler"

"Luriel, huh? Chief, what do you think about me recuiting that boy into my sect, I think he is more than capable of entering even by himself"

The chief received a huge shock. Shortly after, he smile almost reached his ears. This is what he had been hoping for! If that child becomes an immortal, won't he still remember to take care of the village? The chief couldn't be more happy at the moment.

"I am pleasently surprised but I'm afraid that's not up for me to decide. You'll need to ask the boy's guardian, the third elder."

Having said that, he pointed to one of the old men. The young man wasted no time and excused himself. Shortly after, he arrived in front of the third elder.

"Greetings third elder, my name is Hans Prizal, a disciple from the Shattered Sky sect"

Upon meeting the old man's eyes, Hans felt a slight feeling of danger coming from this seemingly frail elder. He wasn't stupid, he knew the mortals had found ways to elevate their strength without cultivation, however most of them only reach the power of the first stage.

This old man however, had an aura that wasn't any weaker than a second stage practitioner. Hans's respect for the elder had certainly improved.

"It is an honor to meet Sir Hans, I am called Thul Quilan, the third elder. May I ask what brings Sir here?"

"No need for pleasantries, mister Thul. I was just wondering whether you'd accept my proposal to bring Luriel with me back to the sect and have him become a memeber."

Thul revealed a shocked expressions and didn't answer right away. He was aware of the boy's strength but to think even Sir Hans wants to recruit him. Naturally, he wouldn't refuse such an offer, however-

"I am fully in support regarding Sir's decision, however, I'm afraid you must ask the boy for approval first. As long as he is willing, I have no problem to let him go."

'Would you look at this oldie'

Hans was quite amused by his answer. Not because of what he said but the feeling he excluded when saying it. It was no different than saying 'If the boy doesn't want to go, then I'll fight you if needed'. Hans had no problem with it.

"Very well then. I apologize for ruining the mood with my request, I will ask the boy tomorrow, please enjoy the rest of the banquet "

With that, he left back to his room after talking with the chief. Even someone as strong as him needed to sleep from time to time. Since he felt good that night, he decided to rest.

As for Luriel, he was quite relieved when Hans left. Could you blame him? Hans has been staring him down ever since the feast began. He contemplated greeting him but seeing how he was busy with the chief, he decided against it. He was curious as to why he'd talked to his grandfather (not biological) but decided to ask tomorrow morning.

'What a strange guy. Although, he was strong... frighteningly so. The way he carries himself with confidence and the feeling of suppression when I see him. Who even is he?'

Unlike Hans, Luriel wasn't skilled enough to see the energy surrounding him and simply relied on instinct.

Unlike the elders, he wasn't aware of the existence of sects and cultivators. His initial thought was that Hans was some rich guy or a scholar from the cities because of his clothes and demeanor. He was only 14 years old this year and wasn't informed of such matters.

He decided to enjoy the rest of the banquet and forget about the mysterious young man for the rest of the night.