Kalzara
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Chapter 49: Which One Of You Is The Protagonist?
🕑 Added 2023-11-21 00:19:00 +0000 UTC“He didn't even move an inch!”
“Not a single scratch on him!”
Ding!
Your Disciple Amelia’s Loyalty Has Increased By 5%
Your Disciple Fenlock’s Loyalty Has Increased By 10%
Your Disciple Hughie’s Loyalty Has Increased By 15%
Their loyalties better go up, if there was no change in loyalty after that, I might as well give up now, Slifer thought, he then exhaled a deep breath of relief, thankful that his quick thinking to use the phase ability had paid off without any System hiccups.
Ding!
You Have Killed An Ascendant Realm Cultivator
You Have Gained 1000 Karmic Credits
Glancing at the spot where Grand Elder Darius once stood, he noticed that only an amulet remained.
Hmm, let’s see how this little thing could mess with my head like that.
Insight!
Treasure: Siren’s Call
Grade: Immortal Realm
Type: Amulet
Condition: Perfect
Description: Contains the whisper of a Siren, can put the target in a passive state
Sirens, huh? They sound like nothing but trouble. Slifer made a beckon motion with his hand, the amulet flew towards him and disappeared into his storage ring, he did not want to touch anything that could get into his head, at least, not yet. I need to find ways to increase my mental defence.
Meanwhile, Grand Elder Wyatt watched with a barely concealed frown as Slifer pocketed the amulet. That fool Darius, he thought, Not only did he fail, but he also lost my amulet.
As the Grand Elders, Tenzin and Lydia, descended next to Slifer, Wyatt hastily followed, ready to do some damage control. However, when he opened his mouth, he was immediately cut off by a silver-haired girl.
“Wow, and I thought you were getting soft,” she commented, standing uncomfortably close to Slifer.
She'd probably be the perfect candidate for the Siren's Call. Her natural inclination towards Soul techniques... Slifer shook his head subtly, dismissing the thought almost as quickly as it came. No, giving Amelia such a treasure would only spell more trouble for me in the long run.
"Hmm, and that’s why you dared to go against my words," Slifer replied to Amelia, his voice hardening.
"But... but the old man started it,” Amelia shrank back,” … he was bullying us!"
Slifer shook his head, knowing that the girl could come up with a thousand excuses, but then Fenlock spoke up, "Master, she's telling the truth. It seemed the Grand... the former Grand Elder had a problem with you..."
Unlike his Junior Sister, Fenlock had a softer character, Slifer felt that he was a trustworthy guy.
Not to mention, Slifer had already narrowed it down to two options: Amelia or the original. It was only those two who could aggravate an Ascendant Realm cultivator…maybe Val too, Slifer added as an afterthought.
"Hmm, you’re lucky your Senior Brother vouched for you," Slifer said, turning his gaze back to the mischievous girl, who immediately began to mutter, "He’s not my Seni—" but cut herself off when Slifer’s eyes narrowed.
Teenagers, Slifer thought with a mental sigh.
"Mastew left no body for Val," Val pouted as she fluttered around Slifer's head.
I was nearly the one without a body, Slifer shivered as he recalled the explosive ordeal. "When we go on our little trip, you can have as many bodies as you want," he said, trying to appease her.
"Mastew pwomise?" Val's big eyes gazed up at him earnestly.
"Yes..." Slifer replied, though a nagging feeling told him he might regret this promise. The glint in the baby dragon’s eyes seemed to suggest her appetite was far from modest.
Slifer’s attention then shifted to Grand Elder Tenzin, who was beaming at him. Slifer nodded in appreciation. "Thank you for keeping my disciples safe."
"Of course, Supreme Elder, it was the least I could do," Tenzin replied, whilst he mentally gave himself a pat on the back. Aligning with the Supreme Elder was the right move.
Even Grand Elder Lydia, who was usually so stoic and maybe even had a slight dislike for the original, gave Slifer a slight bow of her head. Killing an Ascendant cultivator unscathed was no small feat, after all.
"Supreme Elder, I am glad you’re okay," Grand Elder Wyatt's voice cut through the air.
Slifer's eyes narrowed as he assessed the suspicious-looking elder in front of him.
Weasel, he thought instantly, reminded of untrustworthy mechanics who'd fix one problem and create ten more. Definitely wouldn't trust him with my car, let alone the sect.
"Grand Elder Wyatt," Slifer greeted, his voice carried a frosty edge but internally he was on edge, remembering how the madman had screamed Wyatt's name as he self-destructed. Is this one going to attack me too? he wondered apprehensively.
That fool Darius had to drag me into his mess, Grand Elder Wyatt was seething but he maintained his polite demeanour. "Since you are here, Supreme Elder, it would be most fitting for you to lead the Selection Ceremony."
Then through his spiritual sense, Wyatt sent a quick summary of the trials and their notable participants to Slifer. It took Slifer a moment to process the influx of information.
I need to upgrade Insight, Slifer realized, looking up the system status.
Upgrade Insight to Intermediate Skill for 1000 Karmic Credits
With a resigned sigh, he confirmed the purchase.
Skill: Insight
Basic Description: Grants information about an object or person upon focus
Intermediate Description: Grants the ability to view the stats of the target.
Useful, yet the System's timing is suspiciously perfect,he thought with a tinge of bitterness. He wondered if he upgraded the skill earlier, would it have given the same result or would it have given him something useless.
The surrounding Grand Elders and disciples exchanged puzzled looks as Slifer stood motionless, seemingly lost in thought. Amelia's cough broke the silence. "Master, you're spacing out… again," she remarked.
Slifer scowled, slightly embarrassed. "Rude girl," he muttered under his breath. Then, turning to face the crowd of disciples, he declared, "I will now choose a disciple."
The disciples straightened up, their eyes filled with anticipation and nervous excitement. The prospect of being selected by the Supreme Elder, who had just demonstrated his overwhelming power, was both a daunting and thrilling possibility.
As Slifer walked up to each disciple, he activated the upgraded Insight skill, scrutinizing them closely. One after another, he examined dozens of disciples, each time shaking his head due to their stats being insufficient to gain the System's attention.
The disciples felt increasingly uneasy under his intense gaze, especially when he walked away muttering to himself.
Finally, Slifer stood before a white-robed youth, Kalin. This one's different, Slifer noted, recalling the information provided by Grand Elder Wyatt. Mysterious background, possibly from the Immortal Realm, and here for training... he seems more like a villain destined for humiliation by the protagonist.
Insight!
Name: Kalin
Realm: 9th Stage Qi Refining
Known Techniques: N/A
Known Affiliations: Black Rose Sect
Disposition: N/A
Comprehension: 9
Luck: 6
Talent: 9
Will: 6
Two stats at nine? This isn't just any character; he's likely a protagonist from his own story in the Immortal Realm.
Clearing his throat and adopting an air of authority, Slifer addressed the youth, "Boy, would you like to be my disciple?"
"Yes…Master," Kalin replied with a hint of condescension, it seemed almost as if he was doing Slifer a favour.
From the sidelines, Grand Elder Wyatt suppressed a sigh. He was supposed to be cautious with this one.
Ding!
Disciple slot only available for the target of the mission
Taking another disciple without a slot will lead to consequences
Damn, I forgot about Leah, Slifer realized, mentally kicking himself. I need to convert her fast to free up a slot.
Noticing the pause, Kalin raised an eyebrow questioningly.
Slifer didn’t want to let go of a disciple with such high stats even if he was on the arrogant side, however, not willing to deal with the consequences that the System could come up with, he coughed awkwardly, scrambling for a plausible excuse to retract his offer.
“Due to your… background, I cannot take you as a disciple, but I can offer you… some pointers."
The sudden retraction felt like a slap to Kalin’s dignity, he felt his ears begin to burn. If father were he- no! Kalin forcibly calmed himself, looking down at his sword. Serenity is key, he reminded himself, suppressing his pride. Bending slightly, he respectfully said, "I would be… honoured to receive your guidance."
Name: Kalin
Realm: 9th Stage Qi Refining
Known Techniques: N/A
Known Affiliations: Black Rose Sect
Disposition: N/A
Comprehension: 9
Luck: 6
Talent: 9
Will: 6 -> 7
I was right, the Will stat can be changed, Slifer nodded to himself as he watched Kalin, who was on the brink of becoming an arrogant young master, use the path of the sword to reshape himself. A protagonist, but not my protagonist, he sighed internally as he turned away.
Nearby, William Wick straightened his posture, sensing Slifer's gaze shifting towards him. His heart pounded with anticipation and anxiety. This is my moment. I need to impress the Supreme Elder, not just for me, but for my clan's future, he thought, bracing himself.
Grand Elder Tenzin, noticing the Supreme Elder’s gaze on the heir of the Wick Clan, piped up, "At just 15 years of age, young William has already reached the 7th stage of the Qi Refining Realm. A rare genius, indeed."
Pride swelled in William's chest as he heard this praise. He couldn't help but smile, believing he had caught the Supreme Elder's attention but soon his smile faltered when he heard the silver-hair girl mumble.
“You call this a rare genius? When I was 12 years old, I broke into the Qi Refining realm, then at 14, I broke into the Foundation Establishment realm, and I’m 18 years old this year, but I have already stepped into the Mid Core Formation Realm...”
Grand Elder Tenzin, “…”
Is she trying to belittle me? William thought, his heart pounding with a mix of anger and embarrassment. He felt a hot surge of blood rise to his throat, almost coughing it out, but he held it in, forcing a fake smile, he knew he couldn’t offend a disciple of the Supreme Elder. But I can’t afford to lose face here.
"Every cultivator's path is unique," William managed to cough out, his voice strained. "I am still learning and growing."
“Yeah, but you should grow faster,” Amelia responded as she looked down at her sharp nails, already losing interest in the young master.
How can she be so dismissive? William clenched his fists, trying to control his boiling emotions. I am the heir of the Wick Clan!
"Cultivation is not a race but a journey, some will begin with a gentle pace, steadily ascending to impressive heights, while others resemble shooting stars, blazing brilliantly but fading away in an instant.” Slifer spoke up, an air of wisdom surrounding him.
Amelia rolled her eyes but stayed silent, knowing better than to argue with her master.
William's heart calmed a bit, grateful for the Supreme Elder's words. He bowed slightly, "Thank you for your wisdom, Supreme Elder."
It's good to inspire confidence in the younger generation, Slifer nodded to himself as he activated Insight.
Name: William Wick
Realm: 7th Stage Qi Refining
Known Techniques: N/A
Known Affiliations: Black Rose Sect, Wick Clan
Disposition: N/A
Comprehension: 4
Luck: 4
Talent: 4
Will: 3
Not even a single five? Slifer shook his head in disappointment, he couldn't believe the kid was able to light up three pillars. His talent clearly wasn’t high enough, he could get away with using his clan’s resources to breakthrough the stages of the Qi Refining Realm but to trick the Luminaresce Quartz? That was no small feat, it would likely take an Immortal Rank treasure to accomplish.
This one probably has a few secrets, Slifer mused. Since the System didn’t require him to take the youngster as a disciple then Slifer would rather pass on him, secrets in the xianxia world could mean opportunity but they for sure entailed death, and usually a lot of it.
"Nothing special," Slifer muttered to himself as he moved on.
The words stung, crushing the fragile pride that William had managed to rebuild.
Am I really just ordinary? The thought was like a cold blade slicing through his heart. He had worked so hard, pushed his clan’s resources to the limits, and yet, in the eyes of someone truly powerful, he was just... average.
Unaware of the effect his offhand remark had caused, Slifer's focus shifted to two young village boys, who, when standing side by side, reminded him of the number 10.
Ding!
Target Located
Take The Youth As A Disciple
Author's Note
The next chapter has 2 versions, a censored version that has no inappropriate cock jokes, and then an uncensored version. There is no significant difference in the story, read whichever you feel comfortable with.
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Comments
JonZealot
I can't believe I actually forgot that Slifer could do that. It was mentioned like only 3 or 4 chapters ago.
