They called it a banquet and it was indeed worthy of the name. All the top people of the sect where assisting. Not only that, due to Jin and Min-Su being at the peak of the refinement realm and youths, a few of the strongest young disciples were in attendance too. To them, it was an honor to be here. They were eating with their sect leaders after all. People so strong and impressive that they rarely even saw them, even from afar. And right now? Those same people were amiably extending their hands towards them! To these young disciples, it meant a lot.

The banquet was held in the most lavish hall in the whole sect and they went all out with the artistry as well as the buffet. Jin had to admit that being able to enjoy such treatment was very nice to say the least. If only there weren't so many flies... All manners of elders and disciples looked for him so they could introduce themselves and fawn over the 'disciple of Hae-Hyuk' and it was quite a pain to entertain them.

That being said, he was, at the moment, representing Hae-Hyuk and he wouldn't deliberately ruin someone's image for nothing. Especially someone who helped him previously. As for becoming his disciple, it was still not decided. That man had yet to prove his true worth. While the idea of all this being a scam seemed far-fetched as the sheer amount of resources required to do so wasn't worth it. Jin was nothing at the moment, there was no need to go so far to scam him. What's more, what did he have that he could be scammed of? Not much for sure.

He knew this. And he was more and more inclined to consider Hae-Hyuk as someone with status not a trickster. But for now, those were still only hypothethical thoughts. He would wait until he had seen convincing evidence.

As he was gulping down on some random unknown spiritual beast burger, someone tapped him on his shoulder. It was a youth around his age. Likely another disciple that wished to greet him and maybe form connections... The guy had short brown air and brown eyes but look nothing average. He was well-built. You could see the muscles even though he wore a battle robe. They were that thick. And for a teenager, it was quite impressive.

Too bad muscles meant nothing to cultivators...

In any case, the guy seemed friendly as he introduced himself: "Name's Jin Hwan, third stage of spiritual accumulation. Pleasure to meet you" Jin nodded at the guy and introduced himself politely in return. Then, the guy said: "I will be direct, I wished to know which of you two disciples of master Hae-Hyuk is strongest?"

Jin pondered for a moment but couldn't recall having experienced or even seen Min-Su fight. Not even spar. It wasn't that he believed Min-Su to be stronger than him but it remained true that he had no idea of his strength. As such, he answered: "I am unsure"

Jin Hwan nodded. He was probably misunderstanding Jin. He thought that it was a show of humbleness from Jin, not wanting to appoint himself as the strongest. As such, Jin Hwan said with a grin: "Then I guess we will meet tomorrow during the tournament finals!" and then left satisfied with himself.

Jin remained quite clueless about the interaction. What did he mean with that? Finals? Tomorrow? He was planning on getting Min-Su to explain it to him yet didn't have to for Min-Su walked to him at that very moment. Seeing the departing disciple and having slightly heard the discussion, Min-Su asked: "What was this about? Did you agree to fight the finals?"

Jin looked at him and asked back: "What finals?" Min-Su nodded as he related: "Right, you're new to this. It's like some kind of trial for the disciples of Technique Masters. Every time they visit the sect, that sect will hold a little tourney with their cream of the crops. Ah, the youths only of course" and Jin kept asking: "And what has that got to do with me?"

Amused, Min-Su answered him: "The winner of the tourney will be allowed a 'final' round against one of the disciple of the Master and if he wins, he will be allowed to make one wish to the Master as well as taking the place of the disciple he defeated if he wants to"

Jin remained stoic as realization downed upon him. He was considered a disciple of Hae-Hyuk right now too. It was likely that if this guy got to win the tourney, he would ask to fight Jin. Jin wouldn't reject a duel. Never. But the disparity in power levels was worth being anxious about. He asked Min-Su about it and was answered as such: "Ah, you don't need to worry about this. Spiritual energy is banned, it is a brawl where only battle sense matters. Technique Master is a profession that uses battle sense as the foundation after all"

Now that it became clear that only pure martial techniques would be used, Jin wasn't anxious any more. Instead, he even hoped that the buff guy would win the tourney and asked to duel him. If it's a spar at the same level, then it is more than worth joining in the fun.

While Jin and Min-Su were socializing, Hae-Hyuk was busy discussing business with the Sect Leader:

"So, Master Hae-Hyuk, what kind of techniques did you bring to us this time?"

"I always have techniques, sect leader. I only wonder whether you have enough to buy them. Why don't you tell me what kind of techniques your sect would like to acquire and we could start from there?"

"Indeed, indeed, it was my mistake, Master Hae-Hyuk. As you are aware, our sect is still relatively new. As such, as Sect Leader, I am to prioritize the disciples and their foundations. Would you happen to have any entry-level techniques that might mesh well with our Scorching Iron sect?"

"I am sure I can find a few~"