The sudden appearance and words of the newcomer caught Gu Ding and the others slightly off guard.
Gu Ding and Sea Emperor in particular had not sensed his arrival at all. It was as though he had appeared out of thin air, yet also as though he had been standing there all along, creating a strange contradiction.
After a brief pause, Gu Ding nodded. "Come in!"
Only after receiving permission did the figure step into Gu Ding's room, allowing Gu Ding and the others to finally see what he looked like.
He was not particularly tall for a Viking, only around three and a half meters. Unlike the rugged-looking Vikings around him, he was quite handsome, without even the slightest trace of a beard on his face. Even his hairstyle was completely different from the Vikings' usual braided style. His long black hair hung loose, without so much as a hair tie. It reached all the way to his ankles, less than ten centimeters shorter than his height.
"You are?" Gu Ding could not help asking.
"I am Barien." The long-haired man gave Gu Ding a slight nod as he introduced himself.
"Barien... That name sounds familiar..." Gu Ding froze for a moment, vaguely recalling that he had heard the name somewhere before.
"Hello, Clan Chief. This is our captain, Gu Ding," Sea Emperor said from the side, taking the initiative to avert the awkwardness.
"So you're the Clan Chief. No wonder the name sounded so familiar." Only then did Gu Ding remember that the man before him was the chief of the Viking Clan.
"Our Viking Clan has always kept a low profile outside. There truly are not many people who know my name." Barien nodded slightly, showing no anger.
"I heard this clan chief is at least a