The huge hall was completely packed with people. It was quite surprising that the Elders and disciples were not clearly separated. Although all the Elders of the highest rank were seated at tables on the highest tiers. But also, there were many who positioned themselves near their disciples.
Many eyes were looking curiously at the newly arrived Personal Disciples. If one looked through the crowd, one could find many different emotions on the faces of those watching. But for the most part, all of them were friendly.
- Wow... This is not how I imagined the Shadow Sect to be... Everyone here is quite friendly. - Kai said to himself.
- Don't be fooled... The competition within is still huge! It's just that the Personal Apprentice caste is more limited, and many people know each other personally. Also, everyone here has their own speciality... You never know whose support you might need. And the help of any of the people in this room will be top-notch! If you were even a High Apprentice, you would never see such warm treatment! - Hearing Kai's previous words, Iris quickly explained.
- Really?' Kai said in surprise.
- I wouldn't lie to you. All levels of the hierarchy are brought up under very strict conditions... A High Apprentice would never dare to say a word in the presence of an Elder, let alone the lowest members of the Shadow Sect! - The girl explained.
It seemed that because Kai had somehow miraculously gone straight to the status of a Personal Apprentice, he hadn't seen much. Breaking through to this level was an impossible task for the vast majority. For ordinary disciples, even seeing an Elder was conventionally rare.
- Puppy, don't hesitate! You challenged me, so come with us to the table! - Evilly shouted out Elder Brood.
- Hehehe, let's go! - Laughing, Kai replied, instantly forgetting all of Iris' words.
- Don't ignore me! - Shouted the girl.
- Quiet! You promised not to shout. - Kai instantly gave out, turning round to face Iris.
At the same moment, she covered her mouth with her palm and smiled sweetly, as if pretending to be an innocent sheep.
- Who is that guy? This is the first time I've seen him. - Various voices and conversations resounded throughout the hall.
Almost everyone present was aware of who Iris was. But here was Kai who was a completely new person. They didn't understand where he came from... Especially from the Elders' attitude towards him, he seemed like a very interesting character. Everyone was curious to know what he was all about.
- Did you hear that? Elder Brood said that the guy challenged him... Is he up to his old tricks again? - One of the Personal Apprentices asked with a grin.
- 'Yeah... Poor guy...' replied the girl sitting next to him.
Many of those present had fallen victim to Elder Brood in the past... During feasts, he was very fond of assaulting others. In turn, Brood was very good at withstanding alcohol. Aside from the conflict between the Masters of the Array and the Alchemists, Caius and Brood clashed with each other over alcoholic disputes. At every feast, they would start competing, getting drunk until morning.
Almost always they would pass out at the same time and then argue in the morning about who was more resilient. Few people could drink as well as them! But Kai, of course, didn't know that. Because of this, many people around him began to sympathise with him after hearing Elder Brood's words.
- Ovian, introduce our new friends! - A loud and cheerful voice rang out.
It came from a huge middle-aged man. He had rather dark skin and a short beard. His aura was also unfathomable... From the manner in which he spoke to Elder Ovian, it was clear that he was also a very respectable person.
- Hehehe. All right! Attention! - Laughing, Ovian shouted loudly and everyone instantly fell silent!
All the people sat down on their seats and started listening to the Elder's speech attentively.
- Today is an amazing day! It was supposed to be a test for only one candidate! Namely, to most of you, the familiar Iris! But unbelievably, Kai also came to the Shadow Dungeon, and completely without understanding its principles passed the Personal Apprentice test! None of you can know him, as he came from the Border Beast City with a letter of recommendation! It's only his first day in the Shadow Sect!' Ovian announced solemnly.
Iris didn't need an introduction, and everyone realised that. Therefore, Ovian gave the answer everyone wanted.
- But what's more surprising... This is Grand Elder Mo's Personal Disciple! Not many of you know him, but everyone should have heard of him! - Ovian shouted loudly.
- Really?! Mo himself?! Old man Mo is still alive? That's great! Hahaha. - The big man laughed loudly.
At this moment, many people had a similar reaction. Everyone became even more emboldened and began to actively discuss what was happening.
- Alright, enough of this! There will still be time for you all to get acquainted! Right now, we should start feasting! Hahaha! - Ovian shouted and laughed loudly.
It seemed to Kai that at this moment, the old man had turned into a completely different person.
- Elder Ovian, we are only waiting for you! - Shouted one of the disciples.
The whole company of five moved quickly to their seats. Brud instantly opened one of the barrels beside him. At the same moment, a sweet and very strong odour erupted.
- Wow! What is that?! Such a strong aroma! - Kai shouted out in admiration.
This was definitely something extraordinary... The scent alone could be intoxicating. An ordinary mortal would fall into a stupefaction even from just inhaling this scent.
- Hahaha. There's no turning back lad... - Brood spat out angrily.
- Back?! You've got to be kidding me! Pour, I can't take it anymore! - Licking his lips, Kai shouted.
As soon as the glasses were filled, Elder Ovian stood up and raised his own.
- To the newcomers! Let the feast begin! Hahaha! - The old man announced loudly!
- To the newcomers! Let the feast begin! - About three hundred people shouted in unison and started taking big gulps!
What was most surprising was that not only the men did so, but also many women. It seemed that this was indeed a rather strong tradition in the Shadow Sect. None of the people present were shy or trying to build themselves up. Everyone had really started feasting!
- Mgk-mgk... - Kai took the last two sips, and with a heavy clatter, he slammed the iron glass onto the table.
- Well! Renew! Hehehe. - Kai laughed evilly.
His head immediately felt a little dizzy. But not so much from intoxication as from the fact that this alcohol seemed divine to Kai! He wanted to savour it to the max! And also, the excitement of arguing with the Elders began to appear in him!
- Come on puppy! - Shouted Brood and instantly poured another glass each. After that, they quickly clinked glasses and drained them again.
- More! .... More!.... Let's have more! - Kai's cheerful shouts began to erupt, almost every two minutes.
After half an hour, everyone present was concentrating on their battle... Earlier, it was agreed that Caius and Ovian would also participate. But looking at such an intense battle, they had tactfully 'forgotten' about it. Now even they were watching curiously. Elder Brood was a famous drunkard! No one would have dared to have such a fight with him....
...........
After four hours, this battle had reached the point of absurdity... Already, even many of the observers had already managed to get drunk while drinking from their glasses while watching this. Everyone was already very 'cheerful'. Various jokes and laughter were coming from everywhere. At one point someone even started taking bets.
- Come on Kai! Avenge the Elder for all of us! - Many drunken disciples shouted.
Elder Brood's eyes had already started to squint a little and he looked at Kai with half-closed eyes.
- 'Are you what... Ick! - He hiccupped, 'Are you fucking immortal? - Brud said rudely, swaying slightly.
- I told you not to look down on me! Heh-heh! - Swaying slightly, Kai said proudly.
He was already incredibly drunk too. He felt like he had never been so drunk in his entire life. If it wasn't for his unique body, he would have fallen face first into the table long ago. Due to his energy, Elder Brood had a strong stamina. Except that intoxication and detoxification were much more influenced by bodily strength.
At one point, Kai even started using impulses to cope better. He wanted to win this fight on principle.
- Che... Puppy! - Saying that, Brood raised his fist in front of him. But right after that, his eyes rolled back and he fell headfirst into the table.
- Dum! Ding!' There was a thud as the table hit the table and cutlery flew up on it.
- Hooray! - suddenly shouted the whole crowd! - Kai, you did it! Hahahaha - Shouted by everyone around them.
This duel was the most fun and interesting part of the evening! Everyone was expecting the outcome for four hours! And it was amazing! No one would have believed it would happen tonight!
- Boy... You're immortal! - Drunken Caius said.
At that moment, there were no sober people left.
- That's right! Kai... You don't have a personal nickname! I think I made it up! - with a drunken look and a slurred tongue, Elder Ovian said, 'Immortal Drunkard! That's what you are! Hahaha! - After making this joke, the old man laughed loudly.
- That's right! It's completely appropriate for you! - Nodding his head said the huge man.
- Hahaha! After seeing this incredible fight, I won't be able to accept any other nickname! - Laughing, one of the Personal Disciples shouted out.
At this moment, support for this nickname sprinkled from all sides. Many people laughed good-naturedly and expressed their agreement. This was the moment when the nickname was spontaneously created and really instantly caught on.
- Hehehehehe... And I was wondering who I was in this life! So be it! I'm the Immortal Drunkard! - Barely conscious, Kai shouted loudly as he raised his glass above his head!
- Long live Brother Kai! Long live Immortal Drunkard! - Raising their glasses upwards, all the people present shouted!