The Head led Kyle to a group of people.
The 100 Core Disciples of the Farmountain Guild.
As Kyle looked at them, he noticed that not even a single one had fewer than six unlocked Clusters.
The top five were even 8/13 Primals, which meant that they could become True Crushers if they wanted to.
When Kyle saw the top five Disciples, he realized that this Organization was truly different from the last two.
The difference between a 7/13 and an 8/13 Primal was massive.
An 8/13 Primal had to know the Law of Body, which increased their physical power massively.
When Kyle had seen the Core Elder of the Highman's Club, he had realized one thing.
The Core Elder had been an Early or Initial True Crusher, but there was still a very small chance that Kyle might actually win in a battle with him.
Yet, this probably would have turned out to be one of the most difficult True Battles in his entire life.
Nevertheless, it hadn't been impossible.
When Kyle saw the 8/13 Disciples, he felt that they were quite dangerous.
According to his estimates, he had a chance of 90% to 95% to defeat them, but it was not 100%.
This meant that they would represent a True Battle, albeit an easy one.
Yet, there was one Disciple who was special.
Kyle estimated his chances of victory to be around 65% to 70%, and he could also see why.
This guy was an 8/13 Primal with a very white body and azure hair.
'He has the same Complex Law that I made in the Star Seeking, the Yin-Fire Body.'
That was a Complex Level 2.5 Law. Together with his level advantage, this guy would not be easy to beat.
The other Disciples greeted him nicely when he arrived, but they seemed more interested in the Head, and not in a positive way.
Kyle could tell that there was some friction between the Head and the Disciples.
The top Core Disciples just showed him the bare minimum of respect.
'Strange,' Kyle thought. 'This is a pretty strong Organization. Yet, their idea of strength is rather warped.'
Naturally, the Head had told Kyle what issues he had with the Disciples, and after listening to everything, Kyle actually agreed with the Head.
"Alright, everyone," the Head said with a strict voice. "It's time for our centennial gathering. How did your strength improve?"
"Not at all," one of the five top Disciples said with annoyance. "You know the reason."
"Same for me," another one said.
"Me as well."
Kyle took a deep breath. 'Yikes, they really don't like their Core Elder, huh? '
The Head just nodded and looked at the other Disciples.
"I unlocked a Cluster," a 7/13 Primal said.
"I have comprehended the Fragment of Nerves and the Fragment of Skin," another one said.
"I unlocked a Cluster."
"I also unlocked a Cluster and comprehended the Fragment of Muscles."
"I comprehended the Fragment of Bones and Skin."
"I unlocked a Cluster."
The Disciples shared their gains within the last century, and Kyle very quickly noticed that the Core Elder was right.
'Not even a single one of them talked about a Law unrelated to the Law of Body.'
Kyle sighed, and some of the Disciples noticed.
Despite their outward friendliness, they had already suspected that the Exchange Seeker was just here to back up their Head's words.
Because of that, they viewed Kyle as sort of an enemy. More accurately, he was viewed as someone who had a different philosophy.
Everything that Kyle saw seemed to confirm the Core Elder's words.
'They are only interested in the most basic definition of power,' Kyle thought as he noticed a couple of cold gazes. 'If I can kill you, I am more powerful.'
'However, they went about it completely the wrong way.'
If one had an enemy three levels higher, what was the quickest way to kill them?
The quickest way was to increase one's own level.
The thing that these Disciples prided themselves on was their ability to grow stronger.
'Yet, they focus on their Realm. Higher Realm means more power. Because of that, they completely ignore Laws unrelated to their advancement. After all, what's the point of spending a thousand years on a powerful Complex Law when you can become a Mid True Crusher in that time?'
'Additionally, according to their logic, someone in a higher Realm can also comprehend things faster, which means staying in a lower Realm is a waste of time.'
'They don't realize that the difficulty of comprehending things earlier will teach you to comprehend harder things later.'
The position of Core Disciple in the Farmountain's Guild was decided on total power, but instead of increasing their Battle-Strength, the Disciples just unlocked one Cluster after the other.
That policy was supposed to encourage increasing one's Momentum and Battle-Strength, but it went in the complete opposite direction.
After the Core Disciples shared their growth, the Core Elder nodded. "Your powers have increased, and all of you are still Core Disciples. I am now going to hand out-"
"Didn't you forget someone? " the top Core Disciple asked, gesturing to Kyle. "What about him?"
"He just arrived," the Head said.
"But he didn't start existing just today," the Core Disciple said. "He must have also grown within the last century. Even if it wasn't here, his improvement is still relevant."
The Head silently took in a deep breath before looking at Kyle.
"How did your power increase within the last century?" he asked.
Kyle looked away from the Core Elder and looked the top Core Disciple into his eyes with a smirk.
"Basically not at all," he said.
The other Core Disciples furrowed their brows.
Was this guy joking?
The top Core Disciple looked like he didn't believe him. "What's your Realm?"
"0/12," Kyle said casually.
Several of the Disciples snorted.
"How long have you been a Primal?" the top Disciple asked with furrowed brows.
"About 120 years," Kyle said.
"You haven't unlocked a single Cluster within 120 years?" another Disciple asked with skepticism.
"Nope," Kyle answered. "Not even a single one."
"Have you comprehended any Fragments?" another one asked.
"Nope."
"Have you tried comprehending one?"
"Nope."
"Did you have a True Battle?"
"No."
Silence.
A strange feeling of contradiction washed over the Disciples.
They knew that Kyle had to be outstanding since he had managed to get through the Star Seeking.
This was a former Unique Transcendent, and only the best of the best could become Unique Transcendents.
And yet, no matter how much they tried to find an explanation, they couldn't find one for Kyle's lack of growth.
He had to be outstanding due to his position, but they just couldn't see it.
Was he lazy?
Was he wasting his time?
"Why didn't your power grow?" the Head asked.
He also wanted to know what had happened.
Kyle could explain that he was working on something interesting.
He could say that all of his Clusters were being unlocked at the same time.
However, since he agreed with the Head, he wanted to teach the Disciples a lesson.
"Because…" Kyle slowly said.
"I don't have to."
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