Chapter 16: Hayward

2 months after Vishnu and Winston made the deal,

Vishnu is practicing fire arts in his back garden when a maid came running. Vishnu saw the hurry in her eyes and stooped.

Maid bowed to Vishnu as she said " Apologies for interrupting master, The sect master is looking for you."

Vishnu didn't know why sect master jin is looking for him. He thought maybe he found out about Winston but that wouldn't be a problem as he is not his official disciple. So without thinking much he got ready and went to meet Jin.

Inside the large hall inside the Sect master's mansion, Thee are currently two people chatting. One of them is sect master Jin the other had normal features. Black hair with black eyes with a face that is neither handsome nor ugly.

At this moment Vishnu entered the hall. He first bowed to the sect master and then looked at the other person curiously. He wondered who could it be to be chatting with the sect master so casually.

"You're here. Let me introduce you two. Vishnu, this is Hayward our Gold-level elder of Darkness Element. And Hayward this is Vishnu about who I was just telling you." Jin introduced them as he eyed Hayward curiously. If there is one person whom Jin thought could defeat him in the sect that is Hayward even though Jin is a stage above him. Jin is at the peak of Core & Soul Fusion whereas Hayward is at a High level still Jin felt threatened when talking to this person. All gold-level Elder is at a high stage and the difference between Peak and high is huge but still, Jin felt that way. The reason for that is Hayward is someone who could fight someone above his level.

There are very very few people who could fight someone above their level and as one goes higher in cultivation it gets increasingly difficult too. So for Hayward to make Jin feel threatened that speaks volumes of his abilities.

Hayward looked at Vishnu up and down judging him openly. He is not judging his looks but his aura. Every cultivator emits a certain type of aura and one generally couldn't easily hide their auras from someone stronger. But to Hayward's surprise, he could only faintly determine Vishnu's aura. Jin also noticed this and become surprised. It was actually the effect of the cultivation method Arthur gave Vishnu.

"Good so you want to become my disciple?" Hayward finally asked.

"yes" Vishnu replied directly.

"But why should I accept you as my disciple?"Hayward asked. He wanted to test Vishnu how he'd reply but to his surprise, Vishnu said something he haven't imagined.

"If you don't want to then don't" Vishnu again replied directly. He has become tired at this point. Almost every single day someone would come up to him to ask him if he deserves to be Winston's disciple. Even though he isn't officially one but almost everyone knows that he is learning under him and many people got pissed. There are so many people who tried to become his disciple but Winston rejected them all but now he chose this guy who is also gifted in cultivation and got it all. They all felt jealous and come up to him to challenge him but Vishnu ignored them all. That didn't mean Vishnu didn't feel irritated at times. And now this guy is also asking him 'why should he accept him as his disciple.'. Vishnu didn't care anymore. He knows his talent and he thought even without a proper teacher he could still become stronger. And if he sought a teacher he would just ask and even Elders from other sects would come running to teach him cause they could boast later that they got to teach someone like Vishnu.

Vishnu didn't think he is getting arrogant but his perception of the world changed after he talked to Arthur more and more. He found this sect smaller day by day.

Jin and Hayward looked at each other and Hayward feel embarrassed. The dismissive attitude of Vishnu showed that he really didn't mind it. Whether he became his master or not. Jin also didn't know what to do. He remembered when Vishnu first came how he asked to have even a silver-level Elder as his master but now he isn't that excited. What changed? He thought but couldn't find the answer.

"Haha, no need to be so stiff. I know Vishnu is the shy type so he isn't asking you to be his master but inside he must be feeling anxious. Vishnu you're currently cultivating Fire Qi, right? When you've reached the peak of core formation come then Hayward will become your master after that." Jin decided to interfere and then dismissed Vishnu.

After Vishnu left the room became quiet. It stayed like that for 5 minutes when finally Hayward spoke "Is it his arrogance or he really believes that even without a master he could reach the pinnacle."

Jin didn't know the answer to that but he spoke "Pinnacle? Depends on which pinnacle you're talking about. If you're saying if he could reach my level without a teacher then I would say he probably can but if it is the realm beyond then I don't know."

Hearing the realm beyond Hayward's eyes shined for a moment but it soon returned to normal.

"Interesting, I'll be sure to watch that boy closely from now on." And that is how Hayward became Vishnu's secret protector.

…

Present time,

"Now the only thing left is to meet the old man" Vishnu muttered as he looked to his right. His eyes seemed as if they peered into the shadows. He looked there for 5 minutes then finally spoke.

"No point hiding there, you can come out."

Still, nothing happened the finally Vishnu sent a fireball towards the shadow and a figure emerged. Even though Hayward is A full realm above him he still couldn't ignore Vishnu's fireball. Vishnu has been cultivating the Eternal Inferno Technique and Arthur has given him some ideas about how Cultivators of the higher realm fight and Vishnu has also created some of his own Fire arts.

Coming up with Qi arts is not that difficult. Everyone with enough insight and knowledge could create one.

Hayward appeared in front of Vishnu. He was both embarrassed as well as surprised as he didn't know how Vishnu found him. It was obvious that he couldn't tell as it wasn't Vishnu who found him it was Arthur who told Vishnu.

Even during two assassination attempts, Vishnu didn't know what happened but Arthur informed him that there were attempts and that Hayward saved him.

Even without him Arthur could have just informed Vishnu and he probably would have to run but it made things hassle-free so Vishnu has no complaints.

"Elder Hayward as you know I'll be leaving the sect so I'd like it if you stop following me. I know you've been protecting me but I can take care of myself now." Even though Vishnu felt grateful toward Hayward that didn't mean he'd allow someone to just follow him everywhere. He wants to have fun and adventure and he couldn't quite get that with someone on his tail always.

Hayward didn't know what to say. When he thought that this brat might know from the start that he is following him a cold sweat appeared. Even though he couldn't follow Vishnu inside Winston's chamber but just from his cultivation speed and the power which Vishnu has shown in these 4 years, Hayward could definitely say that Vishnu is a monster. He even thought that if now Vishnu decided to discard other elements and decided to advance using just fire element he would be able to defeat him in another 5-10 years.

Hayward didn't reject Vishnu's 'request' and decided not to follow him anymore.

After Hayward left Vishnu finally sighed in relief.

"Now that one issue is dealt with one final thing remains," Vishnu muttered as he called for Fenrir. The 3-m tall Titan wolf appeared. Vishnu rustled its fur as Fenrir started to lick Vishnu's face.

"You've to stop doing that, You've messed up my hairstyle again," Vishnu said as jumped on top of Fenrir.

"Let's go meet Winston before we leave."

Fenrir started running and in no time they appeared in front of Alchemy Association. Vishnu looked at the tall building as he instructed Fenrir to wait outside.

Everyone looked at Vishnu and Fenrir with awe and fear.

This past year their duo has become famous throughout the sect. Even though Vishnu didn't talk to other people but there would always be guys who would come looking for trouble and Fenrir would take care of them.

"They never learn" Vishnu sighed. "Don't kill anyone okay," Vishnu said to Fenrir as he entered the Association. Even though no one would make trouble here still being careful is good as he never knows when would Fenrir just snap someone's neck.

Vishnu reached the 7th floor and knocked on Winston's door.

"Come in" Winston's voice came from inside. Vishnu opened the door and entered. And just as he looked around he could see a blue-haired beauty glaring at him.

"Why are you here?" surprised Vishnu asked.