Ding! Warning: You Are Now The Target Of A Son Of Heaven's Wrath Your Luck Stat Has Been Appropriately Adjusted Recommendation: Purchase The 'Heaven's Shield Card' To Protect Yourself Against Heaven's Displeasure

This kid really was a protagonist but to be able to affect my stats... Slifer's left eye switched in irritation.

Ding! Luck Is Not A Fixed Stat It Is Swayed By The Will Of Heaven

Heaven's Will... Slifer racked his brain. His experience from other xianxia worlds was that the Heaven’s Will was an abstract concept, a guiding force that governed the fate of everything in its domain. But what if the Heaven's Will in this world isn’t the same?

Perhaps, only Immortals have some understanding of Heaven’s Will, Slifer shook his head as he focused on his immediate concern.

Slifer quickly opened his system panel to check the cost of the recommended 'Heaven's Shield Card'.

Card: Heaven’s Shield Description: Once activated, it forms an invisible barrier around the user, protecting them from the direct wrath of Heaven's displeasure. The shield lasts for one month or until Heaven's Wrath is appeased Note: The card does not provide full protection against breakthrough tribulations, but it can lessen their intensity Note: It does not guarantee safety from agents or beings carrying out Heaven's Will. Repeated offenses against Heaven may weaken the card's efficacy Cost: 1000 Karmic Credits

The System… really has a knack for stirring up trouble and then conveniently providing solutions—at an extortionate price, of course. How typical. Slifer let out an exasperated sigh.

System, are any of my other stats compromised? He needed to ensure he wouldn't suddenly become less perceptive, rendering him as clueless as his more... challenged disciples.

Ding! Negative Only The Luck Stat Can Be Affected By Heaven's Will

Slifer exhaled deeply, the tension leaving his body. Thank the heavens I won't end up a dimwit.

Glancing over at the enraged Ziven, Slifer pondered, Now, how am I going to deal with this kid?

A sudden memory flashed through his mind. It was a betrayal from his past, not in this world but in an online game.

It was the raid on Naxxramas. Slifer’s guild had spent weeks planning and preparing to vanquish Kel'Thuzad. They were on the brink of victory, with the boss's health dwindling to just 5%.

But at that crucial moment, DrizztMagic, their primary healer, inexplicably chose to roll need on The Phylactery of Kel'Thuzad and then… promptly logged out.

That backstabbing...Slifer shook his head, pulling himself from the memory. It was a game, yes. But trust was trust.

Looking back at Ziven, Slifer’s expression softened. "Betrayal is a bitter pill, young one. But be wary. Dwelling too deeply on such emotions can form a Dao demon.”

Ziven glared back, tears streaking his face, "Y-You don't understand, old man. You can't!"

That's true... I've never experienced such a deep loss before. Slifer sighed, realizing that perhaps comparing his gaming experience to Ziven's pain might not have been the right approach.

Ding! A Son Of Heaven Poses A Threat To Your Noble Task Action: Eliminate Reward: 500 Karmic Credits Warning: Killing A Son Of Heaven Will Affect Your Luck

Slifer blinked at the abrupt notification, momentarily caught off guard. Kill a Son of Heaven? His eyes narrowed, deep in thought. Aren't the System and the Sons of Heaven aligned on the righteous path? Why would the System want him dead? And offering such a high reward... what's the catch?

His attention refocused on the scene in front of him. Ziven pushed the village leader away, his expression one of raw pain. "Remember this, old demon," he said, his voice low and threatening, "I will avenge Xander, even if it's the last thing I do."

The village leader's face turned ashen. He mumbled to himself, "Does this child wish to court death?"

Before Slifer could form a reply, a sharp pain lanced through his chest. His hand instinctively reached to clutch at the pain point as the imprisoned Origin Realm energy within him rebelled. The turbulent energy then quietened, but the fleeting pain had been sharp and unexpected.

Caelum rushed to his side, a worried expression on his face. "Master, are you alright?"

Masking his distress, Slifer waved dismissively, "I am pained that such a young soul can carry so much hatred."

Internally, Slifer frowned, The Origin Realm energy shouldn't have acted up. Could the reduced luck stat have caused this instability?

Seeing Slifer's darkening expression, the village leader grew even more anxious. "Esteemed Elder, please understand, Ziven is young and has faced much pain. Please, I beg you, show mercy."

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Slifer barely heard him. Instead, he asked, "When did the boy begin cultivating?"

The old man, taken aback by the sudden question, stammered, "About… two years ago, after the death of his parents."

Foundation Establishment in just two years? Slifer's eyebrows shot up in surprise. That's no small feat. This kid, if he's been cultivating for such a short time and reached this level, is definitely a genius.

As Slifer contemplated the young prodigy's potential, a growing unease settled in the pit of his stomach.

I can’t give him the chance to grow, Slifer thought. The guilt began to weigh on him, the idea of killing Ziven conflicted with his every moral fiber. Yet, he told himself, for survival’s sake, it was necessary.

This kid could be the death of me. The vivid memory of novels he read, where lone protagonists obliterated entire sects to avenge a single person, sent shivers down his spine.

The future was uncertain, and Slifer did not want to risk everything just because he felt bad for the kid.

Slifer turned to his disciples, "Caelum, Fenlock. Kill him."

The disciples hesitated, exchanging unsure glances.

Fenlock asked, "Both of us, Master?"

"Yes," Slifer's voice was cold and decisive.

Caelum’s voice wavered, "But Master, he's only at the Foundation Establishment realm. Just one of us should suffice."

Slifer's expression darkened further, his tone leaving no room for discussion. "Attack together. Kill him in one blow."

I'm not taking any chances with a protagonist, he thought wryly. If I'm going to kill him, I'm going all out.

With a melancholic smile, Caelum pondered, Master remains as ruthless as ever, before he and Fenlock lunged forward in sync.

The village elder's face went pale. "Please, have mercy! He's just—" he began, stepping forward to plead. But Slifer's raised hand silenced him. The elder hesitated, torn between helping the young cultivator and self-preservation. Finally, with a heavy sigh, he stepped back. Ziven... This path was of your choosing.

Caelum lunged forward, aiming straight for Ziven's heart. However, just as steel was about to meet flash, a brilliant light burst from Ziven's body.

It was a treasure - a jade pendant emitting a radiant, protective shield. Caelum's sword collided with the barrier, causing a deafening clang and a violent rebound.

Slifer, watching intently, chuckled ruefully. A treasure of that caliber? In the hands of a mere village boy? Only protagonists...

From the other side, Fenlock's flute emitted a piercing sound wave. The barrier began vibrating violently under the sonic assault. Ziven's body shook, sweat beading on his forehead as he tried to withstand the combined might of the two assailants.

After a few seconds, the barrier shattered, propelling Ziven backward. Fueled by desperation and rage, he roared at the Heavens, and the skies responded with a thunderous echo. The familiar yellow aura surrounding him began to thicken, becoming denser, more radiant. There was a moment of absolute silence, then a burst of energy came off him.

Ziven had broken through to the Mid Foundation Establishment realm.

Slifer's eyes narrowed in envy. Of course. Mid-battle breakthroughs. Always so dramatic and timely. It's a shame the System never lets me have such moments.

Caelum, witnessing this transformation, shook his head and commented dryly, "A Mid Foundation Establishment cultivator is still just a Foundation Establishment cultivator."

With the newfound strength from his breakthrough, Ziven knew that even then, he stood no chance against the combined might of Fenlock and Caelum.

Desperation forced him to act, and he activated another treasure – a smooth, jet-black marble. It pulsated with energy, ready to teleport him out of harm’s way.

"You'll pay for this," Ziven spat, even as the darkness of the marble began to envelop him. "I swear, I'll come back and end you all!"

However, before the escape treasure could fully work its magic, Fenlock put his lips to his flute. The haunting notes pierced the air, causing Ziven to sway and stumble as he clutched his head in pain.

Seizing the opportunity, Caelum dashed in front of the staggered Ziven. Their eyes met — one filled with determination, the other with disbelief.

"No!" Ziven shouted, but his plea was cut short as Caelum's blade descended, severing his head from his body in one fluid motion.

Caelum, with practiced ease, returned his blade to its sheath and bowed deeply to Slifer. "It is done, Master."

Slifer blinked in surprise. I had expected him to make a narrow escape. Protagonists and their pesky knack for slipping away... He concealed his thoughts behind an impassive face, nodding at Caelum.

As Slifer prepared to depart, an ethereal white apparition – not quite a soul, but a shadow of Ziven's essence – emerged from the fallen body. Before Slifer could react, it merged with a peculiar token that manifested from Ziven’s spirit ring.

No... Not this, Slifer thought, recognizing the importance of the token. I cannot let him flee, not in any form.

He reached for his Peak Slifer Card, ready to obliterate any trace of Ziven's essence. But before he could act, a rift in the very fabric of space manifested, swallowing the mysterious token whole.

Slifer sighed heavily. That token... Could it be one of those clichéd xianxia treasures? Maybe an old master sealed within, awaiting to mentor the chosen one? Or perhaps it's a gateway to a hidden cultivation realm? Or could it be an infinite reservoir of Qi? His mind raced with possibilities.

If only I could've claimed that token for my own, Slifer mused. But after a moment of contemplation, he grinned sardonically. Although, the last thing I'd need is some elderly mentor inside a token. That'd be quite the sight – me, an old man, guided by another old man.

Ding! You Have Destroyed The Body Of A Son Of Heaven Your Luck Stat Has Been Appropriately Adjusted Reward: 250 Karmic Credits

Slifer's eyebrows shot up in surprise. So, the System's feeling generous today? He thought with a hint of suspicion.

But before he could further dwell on it, another message popped up.

Ding! The Son Of Heaven Has Escaped Warning: With Each Escape, Your Chances Of Killing A Son Of Heaven Decreases

These protagonists... they're like cockroaches. Slifer sighed deeply. Resilient and ever returning.

He shook his head with a hint of exasperation. Next time, I'll have little Val devour him whole. That should do the trick.

Caelum stepped forward, head lowered. "Master, I apologize for my negligence. I let Ziven escape."

Fenlock, following Caelum's lead, quickly bowed as well. "It was our failure, Master."

Slifer motioned for them to rise. "It's unexpected," he continued, "that the young man would possess a treasure protecting his soul."

Suddenly, another message from the System popped up in Slifer's vision:

Task Complete Calculating Reward ... 554 Villagers Saved Reward: 554 Karmic Credits

Slifer's eyes widened at the notification. Why is the System granting me a credit for each life? When I saved Lushan Village, the reward was but a fraction... Just what game is the System playing?

His thoughts were interrupted as the village leader approached, kneeling before him in deep gratitude. "Elder, we owe you our lives."

Slifer gestured for him to rise. "Stand, village leader."

Then, turning to Fenlock, he commanded, "Give him five medium spirit stones."

Fenlock hesitated, a flash of panic in his eyes. Why me? He reluctantly took out the spirit stones from his storage ring, lamenting inwardly, How will I now afford my date with Junior Sister?

Handing over the stones, Slifer saw the village leader's face brighten with gratitude. Slifer would have been more generous, but the encounter with Ziven had annoyed him.

The village leader, seemingly having forgotten Slifer's earlier intentions towards Ziven, beamed, holding the spirit stones. "Thank you, benefactor!" he exclaimed, bowing repeatedly.

Slifer waved him off dismissively. "Enough. It's time we left."

He then addressed his disciples, "Prepare to depart."

His gaze shifted in the direction of the sect, and a determined thought filled his mind: It's finally time to breakthrough!