Kalzara
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Chapter 58: Ascendant Meet?
🕑 Added 2023-12-12 00:33:36 +0000 UTCAfter a few minutes of browsing, Slifer found a few treasures that caught his eye.
The first was the Celestial Awakening Pill, it gave a mortal a talent of one, which was the bare-bone requirement to cultivate.
Next was the Divine Blood Essence, a vial of thick crimson liquid that could ignite the mortal physique and bestow spirit roots that gave a talent of two.
1000 and 1200 Karmic Credits? Not too bad, Slifer nodded, pleased that the System was finally giving reasonable prices.
However, one item gave him pause - the Wheel of Fate, a talisman that was worth 2,000 credits. When activated, it would give an entirely random cultivation talent to the mortal.
Since the girl has strong karmic ties with Hughie, her luck should be quite good, Slifer reasoned.
Decision made; he purchased the talisman. It materialized inside his storage ring.
Slifer then sent a spiritual transmission to Morvran. "Come see me at once."
After a few seconds, the bald man appeared and bowed. "Greetings, Master."
"I have a task for you. It seems Hughie has found himself a mortal lover."
Morvran's eyes widened in surprise. "A lover? I would not have imagined Young Master Hughie distracted by such things." He shook his head in disappointment. "I hope he does not end up obsessed like that other one."
"I was surprised too. I did not think one girl could steal the young lad's heart. Anyways, I would like you to find her."
"Of course, Master. I will dispose of her quickly." Morvran cracked his knuckles menacingly.
Slifer was taken aback. He quickly clarified, “No, no, don’t kill her!”
Morvran looked puzzled. "My apologies Master, I think I may have misheard. You wish for me to... not kill her?"
Slifer rubbed his temples, wondering how many hapless souls had met their end due to Morvran's hearing issues. "That's right, no killing. Just find her and do not make contact."
“I see, I will…locate the girl.” The words felt strange coming out of Morvran’s mouth.
Morvran bowed, though his expression remained conflicted. No matter, I shall carry out Master's will. If he wishes to have that wench join, then I will find her for him.
Slifer had given Morvran quite a few talks about how violence wasn’t the only option, but it seemed it still hadn’t gotten through to the bald man. The original had truly done a tremendous job at brainwashing his followers.
"Good. You are dismissed." Slifer leaned back in his seat, steepling his fingers together as his thoughts turned to Hughie’s mysterious lover. Who was this mortal girl who managed to capture his disciple’s affection? Did she possess some alluring charm that the jade beauties in the sect lacked?
No matter - he would find out soon enough once Morvran located her. Then her path of cultivation would begin and Hughie would once again be in his clutches.
That’ll teach that grandpa for trying to steal my disciple!
***
"Are you sure this is safe?" Slifer asked, glancing down at the strange concoction before him.
The bath water had an odd, murky green colour, looking more like a cursed swamp than any therapeutic soak. Tendrils of steam curled up in wispy trails, carrying a pungent, herbal scent.
Slifer never liked the smell of medicine, his previous health problems ensured that he had an…intimate relationship with hospitals.
"Yes, yes, Supreme Elder!" The alchemist, an elderly man named Lorgren, waved a hand in dismissal. "I have been perfecting the art of bath cultivation for over three centuries. This mixture of herbs and ores will increase your Qi absorption tremendously."
Lorgren's back was hunched from decades of leaning over mixing potions and reading scrolls. His bald head and liver-spotted scalp gave him a rather vulture-like look. But his eyes still shone with youthful enthusiasm, especially when babbling on about alchemy.
Despite the assurances, Slifer still felt sceptical. Blindly mixing various mysterious concoctions didn't seem the most scientific approach. But then again, the workings of this world differed greatly from Earth. If the alchemist swore that it was safe, who was he to argue? After all, such "cultivation baths" were common tropes in fantasy stories.
"Now, I must warn you - the temperature is quite hot initially," Lorgren cautioned. "But the body adjusts quickly. Simply relax and allow the elixir infusion to work its magic!"
Lorgren was surprised that the Supreme Elder had never bathed in a cultivation tub before, but then he remembered hearing how some geniuses didn’t require cultivation resources and could reach great heights through meditation.
The Supreme Elder must be one of those, come to think of it, he never really went out much, Lorgren nodded to himself.
"Very well. You may take your leave," Slifer dismissed the alchemist with a wave of his hand.
Alone in the steam-filled room, Slifer activated Insight.
Name: Jade Cleansing Bath
Rank: Mortal (Upper)
Effect: Cleanses impurities, boosts physique, increases qi absorption rate by 23%
Useful but nothing impressive, Slifer mused. He planned to use credits to purchase better spiritual herbs and medicines to concoct an even more potent bath in the future. But for now, the resources he had taken from Grand Elder Wyatt would do.
"Let's test this out," he murmured, tacking off his lower garment and stepping gingerly into the tub.
Immediately, the scalding water stung his skin, practically boiling him alive.
This is insane! He wanted to leap out instantly, but Lorgren's warning rang in his mind. Gritting his teeth, Slifer forced himself to remain stay put.
Gradually, his body numbed to the extreme temperature. As the minutes passed, a soothing warmth penetrated his muscles making him feel drowsy.
I'll just rest a little bit, he thought as he leaned back and closed his eyes.
***
“Supreme Elder, a disciple has accrued enough points to redeem a treasure,” the spiritual transmission from Elder Fred caused Slifer's eyes to shoot open, bringing him out of his slumber.
Finally!
Slifer had been waiting for this moment ever since implementing the credit reward system.
Unfortunately, the original wasn’t known for his honesty, so some members were hesitant to carry out tasks that didn’t involve killing or maiming innocents.
Slifer hoped that after the first member successfully retrieved a treasure, word would spread that he wasn’t handing out false promises, which would encourage the other members to complete more tasks, resulting in more credits for himself.
Ding!
Congratulations On Breaking Through To Mid Foundation Establishment Realm
Reward: 100 Karmic Credits.
Nice, I'm catching up to my spiritual cultivation, Slifer wondered if having both spiritual and body cultivation at the same level would give him some sort of reward.
Glancing down through the now lukewarm water, he noticed that his swollen belly had receded and been replaced by another layer of muscle.
As much as he liked the original physique he had back on Earth, it did tend to be a be a hinderance from time to time, an example being the repeated trips to the hospital…
I could get used to this, Slifer smirked, flexing his biceps as he stepped out of the tub.
A fresh set of robes and slippers greeted him outside the room. Inhaling deeply, he caught traces of a delicious aroma. Following it led him to a tray stacked with expertly cooked meal waiting just outside his chamber. Heavily seasoned chicken and lamb, cream sauces, and even dumplings!
About time those lazy servants figured out my preferences! Slifer’s mouth watered at the sight.
He wasted no time digging in, his hands reaching for the chicken leg, wasting time looking for utensils for a meal like this would be criminal.
Ohhh, so delicious!
Between mouthfuls, Slifer made a mental note to reward the chef.
Just as he licked his lips and went in for a final bite, his eyes caught an unexpected movement from the corner of the room. There, hidden beneath his bed frame, was a familiar face peeking out at him.
Slifer's hand paused mid-air, mouth still agape. Before he could react further, the intruder spoke.
"Master!" the young man greeted cheerily, as though appearing under the Supreme Elder's bed was perfectly normal.
It was none other than Dentos, the overly eager disciple who had previously begged to be taken as a student.
Slifer quickly masked his surprise, dabbing his mouth casually with a cloth. "Ah, Dentos. I was wondering how long you would hide under there." He kept his tone nonchalant, as though he knew the brat was hiding under his bed all along.
Dentos blushed, surprised that the Supreme Elder remembered his name.
Though Slifer maintained an impassive facade, inwardly he was reevaluating his impression of this gangly teen. Successfully sneaking into the Supreme Elder's forbidden quarters, which was heavily guarded by death warriors, was no small feat.
I can’t sense him with my spiritual sense! Slifer wondered if his eyes were fooling him and had conjured the image of the young man.
Slifer quickly dismissed the thought, if he were to conjure anyone to his chamber, it would be one of those jade beauties who can't resist giving him the googly eyes!
There must be more to this Dentos than meets the eye…
Insight!
Name: Dentos
Realm: Peak Core Formation
Known Techniques: N/A
Known Affiliations: Black Rose Sect
Disposition: N/A
Comprehension: 3
Luck: 9
Talent: 4
Will: 9
Two nines and he still got rejected by the System! Slifer shook his head, he had assumed Hughie was the main character, but it was this dumb-looking kid. Shame I can’t take him as a disciple…yet.
“You clearly have some abilities," Slifer remarked. "But tell me, to what end? Why risk such a stunt?"
Dentos' face lit up. "For the chance to be your disciple of course!" Noticing Slifer's frown, he quickly added, "But also, I wanted to see if you enjoyed the meal I prepared!"
"You cooked this?" Slifer's eyebrows shot up in surprise.
Dentos rubbed his neck bashfully. "Yes, Master. Boss Morvran finished the last meal I cooked so I had to make sure it actually reached you this time!"
A betrayal of this magnitude by Morvran…that was not expected, Slifer couldn't wrap his head around the fact that his loyal lackey had attempted to stop him from experiencing this culinary masterpiece firsthand!
“I hope it was to your liking…”
Slifer waved a hand, feigning nonchalance. "Barely acceptable," he muttered, but internally he was shocked - this kid could rival the 600-year-old head chef!
Seeing Dentos' crestfallen look, Slifer sighed. Perhaps a minor compliment would avoid crushing the boy's spirit. "The flavours were...adequate," he conceded. "You may have some natural talent."
At even this faint praise, the youth instantly perked up, beaming from ear to ear. "Thank you, Master! Your words are worth more than ten thousand compliments!"
Slifer shook his head at the dramatic reaction. Clearly, this kid was obsessed with gaining his favour. Still, better to have a loyal fanatic than an enemy lurking in the shadows, especially with Luck and Will stats both being at nine, a dangerous combination.
"Enough idle chatter," Slifer said. "I trust you did not sneak in solely to cook me dinner?"
"Haha, nothing escapes Master, I've come to redeem the reward."
Reward? Dentos is a Disciplinary Hall member? Slifer glanced at the Disciplinary Hall Panel.
It was true, the boy really was a Disciplinary Hall member, he had joined recently.
1000 points in ten days? Slifer was shocked at the number of tasks the kid had completed, it was worth 3000 karmic credits. The System thankfully had a mute function so he didn’t have to see a notification every time one the members completed a task.
“So…which reward would you like?”
"To become your disciple!" Dentos exclaimed. Seeing Slifer's eyebrow raise, the boy quickly amended, "But the Wings of the Roc will do for now.”
Slifer's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. Cultivators below the Nascent Soul realm were unable to fly without the assistance of treasures. The Wings of the Roc would remain useful until the Origin Realm.
Paired with Dentos’ strange ability to escape spiritual sense, the boy could become exceedingly troublesome to deal with for anyone below the Origin Realm should his motivations ever shift.
But on the other hand, if Slifer were to hang the title of disciple, he could turn this boy into a credit generating machine…
If I can’t him as a disciple then a walking ATM sounds good to me, Slifer spent the 1000 Karmic Credit to purchase the Wings of the Roc.
Retrieving the item from his storage ring, Slifer handed over the talisman paper to Dentos, explaining how to activate it. The talisman paper would melt into his back, inscribing a rune in the shape of wings which would expand into genuine wings on activation.
“Thank you, Master! I’ll see you...soon”
As Dentos turned to leave, Slifer raised a hand to stop him. "Oh, if you ever sneak into my quarters again, then you will never get the opportunity to be my disciple."
Dentos paled, stammering out hasty apologies and assurances it would not happen again. As much as the warning terrified him, it also kindled a fragile hope. For the Supreme Elder to even suggest he might accept him one day filled his heart with joy.
How do I attract such…characters? Slifer shook his head. Keeping these unpredictable followers in line would be no easy task.
Ding!
Your Disciple Is Ready To Breakthrough
Bring Your Disciple 3 Peak Core Formation Souls
Reminder: Righteous Souls Will Result In Credit Deduction
Reward: 200 Karmic Credits
I guess it’s time to pay Amelia a visit…Slifer sighed.
***
The dungeons of the Black Rose Sect were not designed for comfort. Rough stone walls enclosed windowless chambers lit only by flickering candlelight. The air was heavy with the metallic tang of blood.
In the centre of the largest chamber knelt a boy no older than sixteen. His face was swollen and bruised almost beyond recognition as he whimpered for mercy.
Standing before him was young silver-haired girl. A cruel smile twisted her lips as she leaned in and whispered, "Don't worry sweetie, we're almost finished here."
The boy shrieked as she pressed a glowing brand to his skin.
“Amelia.”
Hearing the familiar voice, the innocent-looking girl’s bloody hands paused their work.
"Master!” Amelia greeted Slifer as she turned around. “What brings you here?"
Slifer suppressed a shiver at her nonchalance towards the tortured, sobbing boy. "Amelia, you are close to another breakthrough. I will allow one week's leave from the sect so you can fulfil the… requirements."
What he chose to keep to himself was the contingent of Nascent Soul elders who would secretly shadow her every move, ten should be enough to guarantee her safety. He would have sent more but Nascent Soul cultivators were the backbone of the sect, some needed to remain behind in case the sect was attacked.
After the mess caused during his closed-door cultivation, he had prohibited any of his disciples from leaving the sect without his permission. But, for his disciples to grow as cultivators, they would need to leave the sect and get more life experience, he couldn’t just keep them locked up within the sect their whole lives, that would not only make them incompetent but also breed resentment.
And the last thing he needed was protagonists after his head.
"A whole week? Thank you, Master!" Amelia's eyes shone as she rushed forward to give him a hug.
Slifer quickly raised his hand, stopping her in her tracks, he literally came out of a bath, he didn’t need Amelia to bathe him in blood.
"Just remember to follow the rules."
"I will!”
After Amelia skipped off, Slifer took a deep breath of the slightly less oppressive air of the hallway. Dealing with that unpredictable girl always left him feeling drained.
Well, it looks like her new ‘job’ is keeping her satisfied and obedient.
Shaking off the lingering unease her presence evoked, Slifer began to walk up the winding staircase, but he only made it halfway when a spiritual transmission caused his face to darken.
"Supreme Elder, the Ascendant Meet is in three days. Since the Sect Master remains in secluded cultivation, the duty to represent Black Rose falls unto you."
Wyatt waits till now to inform me…Slifer’s eyes narrowed at the dangerous game the Grand Elder was playing.
From the memories of the original, Slifer learned that the Ascendant Meet was a gathering of the Ascendant cultivators of each sect before a grand event such as the Intersect Tournament. Attendance was non-negotiable. Failure to attend would be seen as forfeiting their sect's slots to the Sealed Realm.
For a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator like himself to attend was like a newborn lamb strolling into a den of starving wolves. He would be shredded to pieces if the Ascendant beings even sensed a whiff of weakness.
Heart pounding, Slifer wracked his brain for a solution. But the more he pondered, the clearer it became – he was trapped and defenceless against such beings– he would need to rely on the System!
Ding!
Task: Awe The Ascendant Cultivators!
Reward: 1000 Karmic Credit For Each Ascendant Cultivator Awed
Failure To Hide Your True Identity: Death
Most likely a long, gruesome death…
This mission would require luck, wits, and an insane amount of bluffing.
Slifer had barely survived a few encounters with Origin Realm cultivators by pretending to be the old eccentric but would that enough to fool demi-immortals?
I guess I’ll find out soon…
Gripping the stone railing for support, Slifer took a deep breath and steeled himself.
Ready or not, he had a role to play.
The show must go on.
Okay System, let’s see what you got!
