Ding! Congratulations! You Have Advanced To The Next Stage You Have Gained 1 Karmic Credit

Slifer stepped out of his private chambers, his feet landing silently on the cool, stone-paved courtyard. The crescent moon overhead seemed to mirror his frustration, casting a dim, silvery glow upon the ground. With a deep scowl etched onto his face, he thought about his recent failed attempts at cultivation.

For the past few hours, he had tried every method he could think of to advance to the Foundation Establishment realm but they had all been in vain.

He was stuck at the Peak 9th stage of Qi Refining.

It was maddening.

A cultivator at the Qi Refining stage would need to condense their dispersed qi into a solid pillar, a foundation upon which their future cultivation would rest. Only by forming this foundation could one step into the realm of Foundation Establishment, and be recognized as a true cultivator.

As for those lucky enough to possess a Foundation Establishment pill, they could potentially expedite this breakthrough. These pills contained condensed qi essence that could aid in forming the qi pillar, offering a smoother transition from Qi Refining to Foundation Establishment.

Well, that was the theory behind it but for Slifer, they seemed to do nothing.

All those stories I read about young masters fighting tooth and nail, even competing in grand tournaments just to lay their hands on a single Foundation Establishment pill, he recalled, shaking his head in exasperation. And here I am, swallowing them like candy to no avail.

Slifer absentmindedly rolled the now-empty vials of the Foundation Establishment pills in his hand as his mind drifted back to the Heaven Rank Cultivation Method. He had experienced the leap in efficiency.

A Low Heaven rank method is supposedly 9 times more effective than a Peak Earth rank one, he pondered. As for his own Mid Heaven rank method, the Celestial Radiance Breathing Art, he couldn’t precisely gauge its efficiency, but he knew it was nothing to scoff at.

The Heavenly Radiance Cultivation Art had its merits but was tricky, with its reliance on the balance of sun and moon qi. In contrast, the Celestial Radiance Breathing Art tapped into the energy of various celestial bodies. No need to worry about balance; he could just keep absorbing and converting qi.

“But what good is a faster cultivation speed if I can’t breakthrough?" With a snort, he muttered, "Heaven Rank Methods, huh? More like heavenly overrated!"

After his futile attempts to breakthrough, Slifer decided to rummage through his storage ring, hoping to find anything that might aid him. However, most of the items within had been destroyed, whether by the Origin Realm Tribulation or by Tyrus, Slifer could only guess.

His mood lightened a tad as his fingers brushed against the small cache of spirit stones that had survived the tribulation’s wrath. A soft sigh escaped him. Just like in the countless cultivation novels he had read, spirit stones were the currency of this world, their values tiered by their quality.

1 high-quality spirit stone for 1,000 medium ones... and 1 medium for 1,000 low quality. Simple mathematics, he mused, a fleeting smirk gracing his lips as he reached out for what he presumed to be the finest among them. Holding it to the light, he couldn't help but marvel at its lustrous sheen.

"This," he whispered to himself, "has to be a high-quality spirit stone."

Spirit Stone Rank: Medium

The smirk that adorned Slifer's face vanished as swiftly as it had appeared. He had only five of these and around a hundred that he assumed were low-quality stones. In contrast, an elder of his standing should have a stash of a few hundred high-quality spirit stones. His shoulders slumped as a sigh of resignation left him.

"From rags in my past life to... well, rags in this one too," he lamented aloud. The cruel irony wasn't lost on him; to be deprived of wealth in two successive lives seemed a tad excessive.

Status

Name Slifer Race Human Alignment Demonic Cultivation Qi Refining – 9th Stage Lifespan Remaining 47 Days Credits 650 Skills Insight (Basic) Items Reversal Cards x2, Peak Slifer Card x2,

Slifer sighed heavily as he glanced at the dwindling lifespan counter. He still had two Reversal Cards that could prolong it, yet the more pressing issue was the Origin Realm Qi swirling within his body. The prison he'd constructed for it was tenuous at best.

Card Description Cost Primal Expulsion Card Channels the rogue Origin Realm Qi out of your body, expelling it into the void to prevent internal damage. 5000

Realm's Fury Blaster

Harnesses the volatile Qi to fuel a single, devastating attack against foes, showcasing the fury of the realms. 5300 Eternal Calm Lotus (Redux) Absorbs the rogue Qi, converting its turbulent force into a calming aura that enhances your meditation and cultivation experience. 6800

His breaths grew heavier with each passing second. "Is a higher cultivation really the answer to all this?" he mused aloud. The realization that he was among the 50% who couldn't breakthrough the first realm tightened the knot of anxiety in his chest.

A chilling thought passed through his mind: Is it my age? Could it be that being in the body of an old man somehow affects the chance of breakthrough?

Slifer wasn’t sure of all the factors that could affect cultivation, he knew that in some webnovels, the older you were, the lower your potential. But surely, even if that were the case, being in the body of a former Nascent Soul monster would counter that?

Distracted by his spiraling thoughts, a sudden system notification jolted him.

Ding! Breakthrough Requirements Updated Convert 1 Demonic Foundation Establishment Cultivator To the Righteous Path Alternative Requirement Exterminate 3 Demonic Foundation Establishment Cultivators

Slifer's eyes widened. That's it? That's surprisingly straightforward. Maybe I could ask Caelum to...

Before he could finish the thought, another message from the System interrupted him.

Ding! User Must Personally Complete Task Assistance From Others Is Not Permissible

Is the System being serious? Why such a condition?

“Fine, I’ll head to the dungeon and seek out someone deserving of execution. Wait… what am I saying, they’re demonic cultivators, it’d be more surprising to find one that doesn’t deserve death.”

Ding! The challenge must be issued to an appropriate demonic cultivator, demonstrating the supremacy of the Righteous Path.

Slifer seeing the conditions piling on, threw his hands up in exasperation, “Oh, so now it’s a righteous battle, is it? And what next? Should I ask them to sign a waiver too?”

He felt that the System was being unreasonable, how is he meant to defeat multiple cultivators above his cultivation realm with no help, especially considering that he had no techniques, no legit battle experience, and a time limit.

“It wants me to keep using up my cards!” Slifer grumbled under his breath.

Shop Cards Cultivation Methods Treasures Pills & Elixirs Mystic Techniques Martial Techniques Bloodlines & Ancestries Constitutions Spirit Roots Beasts & Familiars Create

Slifer sat down near the lotus pond and opened the system panel once again, his eyes meticulously scanning through the list of cards available for purchase. His hopes of finding a reasonably priced solution were dashed as each card seemed to boast a price tag steeper than the climb to the heavens.

Why did I expect anything different? he thought bitterly.

His attention then drifted to the reversal card, a tiny shred of hope fluttered within him. However, the unease of using such a potent card against mere Foundation Establishment cultivators soured the idea quickly. It was like employing a phoenix to catch a rabbit, excessive and unreliable.

"This isn't the path," Slifer murmured, he knew that he couldn’t keep relying solely on the cards. I need a foundation, something that doesn't vanish after one use. His eyes darted back to the system panel, dismissing the options of Spirit roots, bloodlines, and constitutions. Those were investments for a distant future, and he needed power now.

His gaze shifted towards the list of techniques, martial and mystic. His eyes narrowed as he sifted through the offerings, but he quickly brushed the idea away. Learning a new technique would take weeks if not months, and that’s assuming I could even grasp it quickly like these young geniuses. Time isn’t a luxury I possess.

With a sigh, Slifer tapped on the treasures tab, eyes immediately seeking the offensive treasures that were suitable for Foundation Establishment cultivators. As a Peak Qi Refining cultivator, it would be a waste to buy anything weaker.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Treasure Description Cost Thunderclap Hammer A mighty hammer imbued with the essence of a thunderstorm. Each strike echoes with the roar of thunder, capable of disrupting Qi and causing severe internal injuries. 9000 Heaven's Fall Axe An axe said to have the weight of the heavens, able to smash through any obstacle with unstoppable force. 8500 Sky Piercing Bow An ancient bow known for its ability to shoot arrows that pierce the skies, capable of penetrating strong protective barriers with ease. 7500

These prices... they're astronomical! Slifer grumbled, his face darkening. A sharp cough escaped his lips, and for a moment, he feared he'd see blood, such was his rage.

Biting back his frustration, he whispered, "Perhaps the old way is best." The sect's archives held ancient techniques, and as an elder, he had almost unrestricted access. It might not be the quick fix he'd hoped for, but it was a start.

If I run out of time, I'll have to use the reversal cards. He felt a pang of guilt at the thought, muttering a silent apology to anyone who might become unintended collateral.

A soft ping echoed in Slifer’s mind, a spiritual transmission from Morvran. “Master, the feast is prepared.”

A smile broke across Slifer's face, a genuine moment of relief. I promised myself a feast if I lived through this, he thought, patting his stomach. And I am very much alive. Maybe for a few hours, I can forget about this cultivation madness.

----------------------------------------

As Slifer stepped into the kitchen, the rich aroma of cooked delicacies hit him. The place was bustling with activity, with servants moving hurriedly, their faces tense, ensuring every detail was perfect. Boss Morvran stood overseeing the operations with a satisfied expression on his face. The feast table was a sight to behold, loaded with assorted dishes from the mystic cloud rice pilaf to the heavenly beast meat stew, and celestial fruit platters among others.

Stammering slightly, the Chef, a chubby middle-aged man previously enjoying a laid-back life in the sect thanks to the original Slifer's preferences, approached. "Master Slifer, if any dish isn't to your liking, please let me know, and I'll prepare something else right away."

Looking around at the flurry of activity, Slifer coughed to get everyone's attention, “I’d prefer some privacy.” Though his exterior was stern, his inner thoughts screamed, What's about to unfold isn't very Elder-like.

At his words, everyone scurried out, leaving him alone with the feast. Morvran mentioned he’d be right outside should Slifer need anything, to which he nodded.

Once alone, the solemn expression on Slifer’s face melted away. He rubbed his hands together, beaming at the feast before him.

“Finally, you’re all mine,” he chuckled, diving into the spread like a starved beast. He tore into the heavenly beast meat stew, its rich flavors exploding in his mouth. “Oh, this is divine,” he murmured, almost inhaling the dish. He then moved to the mystic cloud rice pilaf, its subtle aroma and delicate flavors made him let out moans of appreciation.

After an hour, Slifer leaned back, patting his now bloated belly with contentment. This alone is worth getting isekai’d for, he thought. However, as he glanced down, he could almost see his metabolism working at an absurd rate, the bulge in his stomach flattening swiftly.

With a sigh, he picked up a dumpling, resigned to the fact that no matter how much he ate, his physique remained stick-thin. Eternal skinniness, he thought ruefully.

As he was about to take a bite out of the dumpling, thoughts of Fenlock and the Master-Disciple Ceremony crossed his mind. "I've spent a fortune on that useless Heaven cultivation method," he muttered, "I need to put that lad to work."

Without further delay, he sent a spiritual transmission to Morvran. Bring Fenlock to me.

He continued to munch on his dumplings, eagerly awaiting the disciple’s arrival. However, the scene that followed was not what he expected. As he popped another dumpling into his mouth, the doors were thrust open. Fenlock stumbled in, crashing to the floor, closely followed by a clearly irritated Morvran.

Slifer almost choked on his dumpling, eyes wide at the sudden commotion.

Morvran snorted. "I found this little one," he pointed at Fenlock, "attempting to summon a minor demon."

Fenlock, gingerly rubbing his sore spots from the fall, looked up with eyes awash in bewilderment. ""But Senior Brother Zonrak said it would win her heart..." he mumbled.

The innocence, or sheer ignorance, reflected in Fenlock’s voice was like a punch to Slifer’s guts. Is there a dense cultivator factory somewhere churning these characters out? He mentally facepalmed. His sigh wasn't an external one this time, but it resonated within him, through the core of his very being.

He eased the last bit of the dumpling down his throat, preparing himself for what felt like an unavoidable mentoring moment. "Fenlock," he began, striving to infuse his words with a mix of wisdom and assurance, "you've been misled. Girls, in general, fancy heroes. Ones who could stand between them and the lurking dangers, not those who invite malevolent beings into this realm.”

The words flowed easily but carried a dissonance that echoed within Slifer. What a load of hogwash. The allure of the bad boys has been a tale as old as time. ‘Good guys finish last’ didn’t emerge out of thin air, his mind retorted. Yet here he was, feeding his disciple the sort of fantastical narrative that had kept virgins like himself in perpetual ignorance for generations.

Fenlock's eyes widened at the revelation. However, he seemed reluctant to fully accept it. He bowed his head nonetheless, fearing that contradicting his master might result in punishment.

Slifer saw the reluctance but decided to not press further on it. Who was he to offer relationship advice?

"I recall you have the Master-Disciple Ceremony prepared?" he inquired, changing the subject.

Fenlock quickly nodded, his hands nervously removing the ceremonial items from his storage ring. There were three cups, one larger than the other two, a pot of fragrant tea, and a set of incense sticks. These were typical items used in a Master-Disciple Ceremony.

The Master-Disciple Ceremony was a sacred tradition in the cultivation world, it was held even by demonic cultivators. It set the foundation for a lifelong bond between a master and disciple.It was marked by a series of rituals that included the exchange of tea, a symbolic gesture of respect and acceptance.

The disciple, on his part, offered tea to the master, showcasing humility and eagerness to learn, while the master accepting the tea signified his acceptance of the disciple and the responsibilities entailed.

He watched as Fenlock carefully poured tea into the largest cup, offering it with both hands, his head bowed in reverence.

Slifer accepted the tea, sipped it, and then nodded, "From today onwards, you are my disciple.”

Ding! Congratulations Young Fenlock Is Officially Your Disciple Reward: Hidden To Unlock Your Reward, Summon Your Loyal Disciples

Summoning the disciples, that's a new one, Slifer raised an eyebrow. He had come across hidden rewards before, but the requirement to unlock this one seemed a bit unorthodox. Either this is a significant reward, or the System is having a good laugh at my expense once again.

His gaze lowered to Fenlock, who was now awaiting any further instruction. It was time to get a better understanding of why the System picked him.

Insight!

Disciple Panel

Character Profile

Cultivation Profile

Name

Fenlock

Current Cultivation

Late Core Formation

Age

28

Primary Cultivation Method

Sex

Male

Subsidiary Skills

Background

Unknown

Constitution

N/A

Affiliation

Black Rose Sect

Bloodlines

N/A

Alignment

Demonic

Spiritual Roots

N/A

Comprehension

4

Management Options

Luck

6

Current Quest

Talent

7

Training Plan

Will

7

Loyalty

10%

Not too shabby, Slifer mused. His talent and will are quite decent, I can see why the System chose him.

Ding! Warning: Disciple’s Loyalty Is Low Increasing Loyalty Is Advised Failure To Maintain Loyalty At 10% Or Above Will Render The Disciple Inactive, Resulting In A Penalty

The system seems to have endless reasons to punish me, Slifer sighed inwardly.

Fenlock, still kowtowing, was growing anxious with each passing silent moment, his forehead pressing against the cold floor. Why is Master not saying anything? Did I do something wrong already?

The silence was broken when Morvran cleared his throat, "Master, urgent news. The prisoner attempted an escape.”

“Prisoner?” Slifer echoed.

“Elder Olakin's daughter, Leah,” Morvran clarified.

Oh, shit... that's the mess I forgot. Slifer frowned. The reality of explaining to the innocent girl that he had orphaned her was daunting. Maybe being the villain is easier, he thought, almost defeatedly.

“Take me to her,” Slifer commanded.

Just as he was about to leave, another system notification rang.

Ding! Your Disciple Fenlock Is Close To A Breakthrough Provide Guidance to Ensure A Successful Breakthrough Reward: Hidden

Is this supposed to be funny? He thought bitterly. I, who can't even advance to Foundation Establishment, am to guide his breakthrough?

Slifer shook his head and turned to Fenlock, who had finally raised his head. “Stay away from your Junior Sisters, and do not leave your quarters until you breakthrough.”

As the silhouette of his master faded away, Fenlock muttered with a tinge of sadness, "But Junior Sister Lenvari..."

----------------------------------------

Upon reaching the location, Slifer and Morvran found Amelia in a heated argument with Leah.

“You are nothing but a cockroach, scuttling in the shadows of your father,” Amelia sneered with disdain.

“At least I had a father who cared, not a monster who had to be put down!” Leah retorted.

Amelia’s smile turned cold as ice. “You know, watching your father's head fall to the ground was rather satisfying. The way it bounced... like a child's plaything.”

Leah’s face contorted with a mixture of rage and pain. Her voice shook as she spat out, “You... you heartless witch!”

“Oh, save your tears. It's a dog eat dog world, sweetie,” Amelia retorted.

The spiteful words hung heavily in the air. Slifer sighed inwardly. This...this is a mess.

As Amelia spotted him, her demeanor shifted instantly. She whirled around and sprinted towards Slifer, her face blossoming into an innocent smile, "Master, I've completed the mission," she declared with a hint of pride twinkling in her eyes.

He nodded in response, but he couldn’t help but be baffled by the stark contrast between the angelic demeanor Amelia now displayed and the spiteful harpy who was spewing venom just moments ago.

He shivered involuntarily. Was she a...yandere? The notion unnerved him, sending a chill racing down his spine.

Leah's eyes shifted to Slifer, blazing with fury. "You... you killed my father!" Her voice trembled with a mix of rage and grief. Overcome by emotions, she charged at Slifer.

Slifer wasn't alarmed; with her cultivation suppressed by the Qi restraining cuffs, she posed no real threat. Finally, an opportunity to look cool for a change, he smirked inwardly. He envisioned catching her fist mid-air just before it could land on him, just like the scenes from the action movies he enjoyed.

However, before his fantasy could turn into reality, a swift blur shot past him. Amelia had darted forward, her hand connecting sharply with Leah's face. The force was so immense that Leah's body made an imprint on the ground as she fell.

Should've seen that coming, Slifer thought, sweat trickling down his brow as he watched Leah struggle to lift herself from the ground, her cheek red from the force of the slap. It was apparent Amelia had been itching for an opportunity to put Leah in her place.

Amelia sneered down at Leah, "How dare you attempt to attack my Master.”

Leah groaned, clutching her cheek, pain and humiliation evident in her eyes. "You... you..."

Seeing what the situation had derailed to, Slifer rubbed his temple, feeling a headache coming on. This isn't going to be easy.