Back at Slifer’s courtyard.

Slifer turned to Val, his expression serious. "Val, I need you to restrict your cultivation to the Early Foundation Establishment stage."

Val's large, round eyes blinked in confusion. "Why Mastew?"

Slifer pondered how best to explain it, then chose a slightly convoluted explanation, "It's because by tempering the technique against a milder flame, we can detect more subtle flaws."

Val's expression only grew more puzzled, but she stubbornly nodded. "Okay. Val stay small."

Slifer pressed his lips together to keep from smiling. The ego of a dragon, he thought, always too proud to admit when they don't understand.

He observed closely as Val's Nascent Soul aura began to recede. It shrank to the Core Formation level and continued dropping until it stabilized at the Foundation Establishment stage. Cultivators could suppress their power, but without a formation or seal, it was merely a temporary measure. Any loss of concentration could lead to an accidental release of their true strength and that could be deadly,

Slifer exhaled in relief upon noticing he still possessed a Critical Block Card. You never know, this might come in handy.

Eager to begin, Val's wings flapped vigorously. "Mastew, weady?"

Gripping his sword firmly, Slifer nodded. "Yes. Attack me with your firebreath."

With a graceful leap, little Val soared into the air. She paused, hovering, then opened her small mouth. A moment later, she exhaled a concentrated fireball, its heat distorting the air as it barreled toward Slifer.

He took a slow, deep breath, centering himself. Channeling his qi into his sword, Slifer danced through the three movements of the Stellar Nova technique with swift precision. Just as the firebreath was about to make contact, a barrier of light formed around him.

The next moment, Val's fireball crashed against the barrier. Instead of swallowing Slifer, the impact caused the barrier to burst outwards in a radiant explosion. A thick layer of smoke and dust flew into the air, masking Slifer's vision.

As the dust faded, he glanced down and couldn't help but smirk at the lack of any injuries on himself. But then, an annoyed squeak echoed.

Looking up, Slifer saw Val, her cute face covered in soot. "Dat not nice, Mastew," she muttered, her voice carrying a hint of a whine.

Slifer’s laughed, "Try again, Val. This time, Late Foundation Establishment level."

Her little face contorted in annoyance. Taking a deep breath, she spat out fire just as Slifer completed his third sword movement. The fire seemed stronger, and when it met Slifer's defense, a larger explosion followed, sending more dust into the air.

A triumphant giggle echoed. "Got Mastew, now Mastew diwty."

As the dust began to clear, Slifer located the source of the voice: Val, sitting proudly on a tree branch.

Yet when she saw Slifer, untouched by smoke or dirt, her joy turned to a pout. "Dis boring," she declared with a hint of frustration. "Take dis!"

To Slifer's surprise, Val began morphing into her more menacing form. She unleashed a roar, and then, an inferno from her mouth.

"Stop!" Slifer shouted, but Val was too engrossed.

No choice. I won't waste a card on this. Focusing on the Soul Bond skill, Slifer felt a powerful heat build up within him. The sensation was overwhelming, as if the very core of Val's essence was melding with his own. He opened his mouth, and to his amazement, a brilliant stream of fire erupted at the Nascent Soul level.

The two fire streams met in the air, clashing and swirling in a tempestuous dance. However, Slifer's firebreath slowly began to overpower Val's. The fiery onslaught struck her directly, and her roar of defiance turned into a pained whimper.

She shrank back to her original size, the powerful beast reduced once again to a small, delicate creature.

Slifer hurriedly closed his mouth, dashing towards Val as she gently floated down onto the ground. He hesitated for a moment, seeing her crunched up posture, her face turned away. "Val?" he asked softly, extending a cautious hand to turn her face towards him.

Suddenly, Val turned, letting out a small roar. Her eyes twinkled mischievously. "I twick mastew!" she giggled.

Slifer exhaled deeply, a mixture of relief and exasperation. "You always trying to trick master, Val. But one day, master might get hurt."

She blinked, "But Mastew most powewful," she mumbled.

Shaking his head, Slifer replied, "Master is old, Val. You need to take care of master."

As he watched her, Slifer could see the wheels turning in her head. "Mastew old, Mastew die?" she asked with a touch of fear.

Slifer couldn't help but laugh at her sincere concern. "If you sneak attack me like that, then maybe one day I die."

Val's eyes widened, and she quickly nodded, her expression serious. "Val pwomise no sneak attack. Val pwotect old mastew."

Smiling, Slifer gently rubbed her head. "Yes, protect master." But as he gazed into the distance, a sobering thought crossed his mind. No, seriously. If she keeps up with these 'tricks', she might actually kill me.

His gaze drifted around the courtyard. Morvran had just recently cleaned up the aftermath of the tribulation. Now, due to their playful skirmish, it looked like a mess. Slifer felt a pang of guilt, Poor Morvran. He'll have to clean this all up. Again.

Taking Val to the sect's training grounds would have been a safer option, but the last thing Slifer wanted was prying eyes observing their every move. In front of Val, he could maintain an air of mastery, but in front of others... Others are more astute. I can't risk looking foolish.

Grrrrowl.

Both Slifer and Val snapped their heads towards the origin of the sound. Their eyes met, a hint of embarrassment evident in Slifer's gaze. Clearing his throat, Slifer quickly said, "Val train hard today. Val deserve snack."

Val's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Val want... umm, fingies? Or tasty eaw? Or, or... tendew toesies?" she babbled, her words not quite hitting the mark.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Slifer's face turned a shade paler, realizing she was referring to what a dragon would naturally prefer – human meat. He hastily interrupted her, "Uh, I was thinking maybe some... dumplings?"

Val pondered for a moment, then nodded enthusiastically, "Val wike dumpwings."

Oh, thank the heavens, Slifer thought with a deep sigh of relief. Because I definitely don't have any pieces of ‘hoomans’ laying around.

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In the easternmost pavilion of the sect, surrounded by majestic silver pine trees, sat a middle-aged man, his stern face framed by a meticulously trimmed goatee. He had sharp cheekbones, a hawk-like nose, and piercing black eyes.

A light knock echoed, and a frail-looking messenger timidly entered the room, bowing deeply. "Honorable Grand Elder Darius," he began hesitantly, "a tribulation has occurred at Supreme Elder Slifer’s pavilion."

Darius's eyes narrowed dangerously, and with a flicker of his intent, the messenger began to choke, clutching at his neck desperately. The pressure from the elder’s aura felt like a noose tightening. "That brat is no Supreme Elder," Darius growled.

The messenger, face turning blue, managed a croak. "Apologies, Grand Elder!"

Ah, Slifer, Darius mused, memories flooding back. Always the Sect Master’s pet, his faithful lapdog.

Releasing his aura's stranglehold, Grand Elder Darius sighed, a hint of annoyance still evident. "To think that a brat from the Sect Master’s camp broke through to the Ascendent Realm," he thought aloud, shaking his head.

Failed tribulation, damaged cultivation base, that brief flicker of the soul lamp, and now an attack at the Ascendent Realm? What game is the Sect Master playing? Could it be... He hesitated for a moment, the mere thought sending chills down his spine, Has a demon lord from the Nether Realm taken over that fool's body?

Coming back to the present, Grand Elder Darius fixed his gaze on the messenger. "Contact Grand Elder Wyatt for a meeting," he ordered.

The messenger hesitated for a moment, seemingly gathering courage, then asked, "W-what about Grand Elder Lydia or Grand Elder Tenzin?"

Darius let out a derisive snort, his face twisted in contempt. "The Medicine Hall doesn't meddle in politics," he retorted bitterly. "As for that weasel, he has already caved in to the brat's whims. No spine, as expected."

The messenger nodded quickly, ready to depart, when he heard Darius mutter under his breath, "There's not enough room in this sect for another Supreme Elder... especially one that isn't me."

There were four distinct camps that had emerged within the sect over the years: the Sect Master’s camp, and the factions of the three Grand Elders. Each wielded power, overseeing various resources that made the sect function. The unexpected emergence of a Supreme Elder threatened this balance, potentially diluting their influence.

If this new ‘Supreme Elder’ takes root, Darius pondered, the share of resources for my camp will shrink.

Scowling, he rose from his seat, pacing the empty room. "We must suppress this so-called Supreme Elder. And fast."

His fingers grazed a worn amulet lying on the nearby table. As he picked it up, he whispered to himself, "At least for now," while putting on the amulet, "until I breakthrough."

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Slifer strolled towards Leah's quarters, munching on dumplings with little Val perched on his shoulder. Val, though loving the treat, had a knack for accidentally scorching half her share just by breathing a tad too hard. It was both amusing and frustrating. By the time they reached Leah’s door, only a few dumplings remained in their containers.

Slifer gave her a sideways glance and mumbled, "Maybe try less fire, more eat."

Val turned her big, innocent eyes toward him, a visible pout forming on her messy mouth, "Val sowwy."

Slifer chuckled, patting her tiny head. "It's okay. Just remember for next time."

Arriving outside Leah’s quarters, Slifer decided to go old-school and knocked. It felt weird. Why knock when you could send a mental memo via spiritual transmission?

After what seemed like forever (but was probably just ten seconds), the door creaked open a smidge, revealing a cautious eye.

"Ah, Leah," Slifer greeted with a smile, "I hope you have reconsidered my offer."

Leah's face twisted into a scowl, her body tensing for what Slifer guessed was another attempt to spit at him. But suddenly, her eyes widened, and a high-pitched squeal escaped her lips. She flung the door wide open and lunged toward Slifer.

Is this some ploy to attack me? Slifer wondered, tensing up. But he relaxed slightly, remembering the qi-restraining cuffs she wore. Though they looked much like mundane cuffs from Earth, these were especially designed for cultivators. The inscriptions on them made even mountain-shattering cultivators as harmless as toddlers.

“SO CUTE!" Leah shrieked,

Slifer backpedaled, pulling Val protectively closer. But Val, unused to being the center of such frenzied attention, toppled from his shoulder.

Leah, quick as a flash, caught the tiny dragon in her arms, hugging her close and cooing, "You're staying with me."

Slifer shook his head slowly. "Val doesn't belong to anyone," he began, and silently added, ...except myself.

Leah, seemingly oblivious to his disapproval, pinched Val's chubby cheeks, cooing, "But she's just a baby, she needs someone to take care of her."

Slifer watched the scene, a knot of confusion forming in his stomach. This was the same haughty, self-centered girl who had been hurling death threats at him just days ago, and now here she was, fawning over his… disciple? It must be true, he nodded, cuteness is indeed a girl's biggest weakness.

Val, however, didn't seem to appreciate Leah's affections. With a scowl, she wriggled out of Leah's hold and flew to hover beside Slifer. Puffing out her tiny chest, she proclaimed with babyish dignity, "Val big dwagon."

Leah looked down at Val, a chuckle threatening to spill from her lips. Clearly, she found the pint-sized dragon's bravado endearing.

Val's eyes flared, and she looked ready to transform into her massive form, but a gentle pat from Slifer calmed her down.

His gaze then shifted to Leah, her playful demeanor melting away as their eyes met. The air grew cold, charged with tension. Ah, there's the Leah I remember, Slifer thought.

Slifer had been careful over the past few days to ensure Leah's comfort. Though she was under house arrest and far from the pampered life she'd known at the Black Heart Sect, he'd instructed the servants to cater to her every need. A bit of carrot before the whip, he mused.

His face hardened as he addressed her. "I warned you, girl. If you don’t accept my offer, the dungeon awaits you," he said, pausing for effect before adding, “And Morvran... He's expressed a rather keen interest in 'visiting' you there."

Leah's face paled as she remembered the bald, fat man who was all too eager to see her suffer. Still, defiance sparked in her eyes as she tried to bargain. "Maybe, if you give me the dragon," she motioned towards Val, "I'll consider your offer."

Val’s orange-scaled face turned a deeper shade of red, indignation clear in her eyes. The audacity of the human before her was incomprehensible.

Slifer's laugh echoed gently, cutting through the tension. "Like I've said, no one owns her." Internally, he sized up Leah. She's sharp and has had time to understand her predicament, the only thing holding her back is her ego but with just a slight nudge, her stubborn pride will give in.

He turned his attention to Val, offering a suggestion with a gleam in his eyes. "Why not spend some time with Leah?"

Val tilted her head defiantly. "Val no wike cwazy lady."

Slifer couldn't help but smile at her straightforwardness. Leaning closer to Val, he whispered, "Master needs Val's help to keep an eye on her. Will you do that for Master?"

The tiny dragon, feeling a surge of responsibility, puffed out her chest proudly. "Val make suwe cwazy lady no escape." With renewed purpose, she darted over to hover near Leah, casting wary glances at her.

Once Val warms her up, all I need is the perfect setup, Slifer schemed internally. The idea was already taking shape: I’ll engineer a scenario where I rescue Leah from her old sect, making her feel indebted to me. His plan was forming, and the pieces were slowly coming into place.

Ding! Task Assigned Task Name: "Dragon Babysitting a Crazy Lady!" Task Description: Ensure Val stays beside Leah for... 7 days! Reward: 70 credits

Slifer blinked in surprise. 70 credits for such a simple task?

He quickly sent a spiritual transmission directly to Val, "Master needs you to stay with her for seven days."

Just as Val opened her mouth, probably to bombard him with protests, Slifer turned on his heel and disappeared around the corner.

After all, he had more pressing concerns to think about. The Disciple-Selection Ceremony is drawing closer, he remembered. I guess it’s about time for another master-disciple circle.