Amelia’s eyes darted around the circle, settling for a moment on each disciple. The last time Master Slifer had summoned them all was only a few days ago, as for before that it was...she couldn’t remember, it had been too long. “What could be so urgent?” she whispered, leaning towards Caelum.

Caelum merely shrugged, his focus fixed on Bloodthorn, the sword on his lap. The faint red glow of the blade mirrored in his eyes as he tried to deepen the connection between them.

Hughie shifted uneasily in his seat, deliberately positioning himself in such a way that Slifer would have to turn to face him directly. "I really have to find a way to divert Master's attention from me." The recent attention from Slifer was... unsettling.

Across the circle, Amelia shot Fenlock a venomous glare. “You should address me as Senior Sister,” she hissed under her breath, her pride wounded. It doesn’t matter if he’s older or has a higher cultivation realm. I’ve been Master's disciple longer.

Fenlock stiffened, feeling the intensity of Amelia’s gaze. I hope Junior Sister Lenvari doesn’t hear about this, he worriedly thought, She might get the wrong impression. Trying to appear nonchalant, he averted his eyes from Amelia, gazing at the ground instead.

The creaking sound of a door interrupted their individual musings. Every head turned as Slifer emerged from his quarters, he had a blank expression and the disciple noticed a few crumbs clinging to his robes.

Hughie whispered to Amelia, nodding subtly at the crumbs, “Master has been...eating?”

Amelia stifled a giggle, responding, “Seems like that’s all he does these days.”

Caelum raised an eyebrow but said nothing, silently hoping the crumbs had nothing to do with their urgent summons, he really couldn’t afford to waste time bringing his master another meal.

Slifer's eyes scanned the group, stopping momentarily on Hughie, who swallowed hard and looked away. "I have a pressing announcement," he began.

Each disciple had their own thoughts rush in. Caelum gripped the hilt of Bloodthorn, his eyes reflecting a steely glint. Is the sect on the brink of war?

Amelia felt a pang in her heart. Could Master be telling us he's nearing his end? she feared.

Hughie's palms grew clammy. His eyes darted around nervously. Will Master reveal to everyone his... feelings for me?

Slifer, drawing out the suspense a tad longer, finally said, "I will be entering a period of closed-door cultivation."

There was a collective moment of silence, then Amelia broke it, her voice dripping with disbelief, "All this suspense just for that?"

Caelum frowned, "Master, you've secluded yourself countless times before. Why the need for this meeting?"

Hughie sighed in relief, his worst fears not coming to pass. Thank goodness, it's just that.

Fenlock barely reacted, his mind already wandering back to Lenvari, though he noted the peculiar nature of this announcement.

Noting their baffled expressions, Slifer cleared his throat. "That's not all," he started, trying to regain some authority. "While I'm away, I've assigned tasks for each of you. If they remain incomplete upon my return, well..." He left the threat hanging in the air.

Amelia exchanged a glance with Caelum, the same thought crossing their minds. Master has never been this involved in our training. What's changed?

Hughie, still in a daze from earlier, asked, "Master, what tasks have you prepared for us?"

Slifer's gaze landed on Amelia. "You need to complete your breakthrough requirements," he began, his tone slightly uneasy. Three souls of Late Core Formation cultivators... He internally sighed. "When I return, I want to see you in the Late Stage of Core Formation. But ensure your... acquisitions are demonic cultivators. Preferably, ones without any substantial backing."

Amelia frowned, her usually feisty nature shining through. "Master, you've always told me not to fret over backings."

Slifer pinched the bridge of his nose, regretting that Amelia always took the original’s teachings so literally. Why does she always challenge every single instruction?

"Indeed, I did say that," he admitted. "But the dynamics have shifted. With me as an Ascendant cultivator, your actions now reflect upon the entire sect. Killing someone with powerful allies might be interpreted as an act of aggression. Do you wish to drag our sect into a war?"

To his astonishment, Amelia's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Yes! Wars mean more battles. More battles mean more souls for me to consume!"

Slifer rubbed his temples, mentally chiding himself for posing such a question to Amelia. Of course, a battle maniac like her would relish the idea of inciting a war. Deciding to change tactics, he pressed, "Do you want to achieve your breakthrough or not?"

"Yes, Master, I do," she replied, her tone slightly subdued.

"Then follow my instructions and don’t dwell on the reasons," Slifer countered. "And don't forget, the Medicine Hall still requires your… expertise."

Amelia made a sound of protest, but her eyes betrayed her. She probably enjoys her time there more than she'd ever admit, Slifer thought amusedly.

His attention then shifted to Hughie. The younger disciple shrank under the intensity of his master's gaze. Why does Hughie always act so nervous? He's got protagonist qualities; he should exude confidence.

"Assist Amelia in her tasks," Slifer instructed. "Protect her."

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Ding! Task Assigned: Protect Your Senior Sister Reward: 50 Karmic Credits Bonus Requirements: Hidden Bonus Reward: Hidden

The hidden bonus details caught his attention, causing the edges of his lips to twitch downward. Hidden requirements, huh? That’s never a simple matter, he mused. The System was notorious for its unpredictable demands, and hidden tasks typically spelled complications, often unfolding in the most inconvenient of ways.

Amelia, oblivious to the internal commotion her master was experiencing, stuck her chin out defiantly. “I don’t need my Junior Brother's protection," she huffed.

But Hughie was already nodding eagerly, relief evident on his face. The chance to be away from the sect – and Slifer – was like a breath of fresh air. "Understood, Master. I'll make sure Senior Sister is safe."

Watching their exchange, Slifer held his tongue. It’s not about gender or strength. It’s all about luck. Amelia's fiery nature will undoubtedly land them in trouble, but Hughie's inexplicable good fortune might just pull them through.

Yet, the possible implications of the hidden requirements lingered. Unless Amelia is destined to die a brutal death so that Hughie can unlock some latent power...

Tch, these xianxia tales, they can be so unpredictable at times. Shaking away the ominous thought, he comforted himself, Amelia’s own luck should be enough to shield her.

Deciding to rely once again on Hughie’s luck, Slifer put the thought to the back of his mind as his gaze shifted to Caelum, who was eyeing him expectantly, obviously hungry for some profound sword wisdom that he most definitely would not be able to offer.

"Caelum," Slifer began, "you need to hone your sword skills. Go out, kill as many demonic cultivators as you can, but restrain your cultivation. Rely only on your sword techniques."

Ding! Task Assigned: The Way Of The Sword – Achieve A Breakthrough Reward: 100 Karmic Credits

Caelum nodded. His intention had always been to follow his master's teachings, but the constant tasks had tethered him to the sect.

"Why does Caelum get the fun task?" Amelia piped up, her voice tinged with envy.

Isn't slaughtering three cultivators thrilling enough? Slifer wondered, perplexed by her insatiability.

Caelum, in his stoic fashion, responded solemnly, "I do not take pleasure in killing, but if it aids my journey to becoming a great swordsman, then it is a path I must walk."

Slifer paused, a thought striking him. I need to copy more of his sword techniques. "One more thing, Caelum," he added quickly, "You are forbidden to use the Shadowstep Strike technique."

"Why not, Master?" Caelum questioned, perplexed.

Clearing his throat, Slifer improvised, "Relying too heavily on one technique will only hinder your comprehensive understanding of the sword."

Caelum's eyes widened in realization. Master is right! This must be the bottleneck in my training, he thought, committing himself to his master's words with a firm nod.

Slifer couldn't help but smile. If only all my disciples were as compliant as Caelum, he mused.

Slifer's attention shifted to Fenlock just as a System Message materialized before him:

Ding! Your Disciple is getting bullied by Demonic Cultivators Option 1: Eliminate the tormentors Reward: 100 Karmic Credits Option 2: Cultivate your disciple's resilience, enabling him to confront his adversaries Reward: 100 Karmic Credits

Slifer exhaled, slightly exasperated. I'm his mentor, not a guardian angel, he complained. How on earth is Fenlock, a Peak Core Formation cultivator, getting bullied?

It was difficult to fathom. Slifer was certain no Nascent Soul or higher-ranked cultivator would dare harass one of his disciples. A grimace formed on his face as a possibility came to mind. It must be those self-proclaimed 'senior brothers' that he mentioned.

"Fenlock," Slifer addressed him with a stern look, "it has come to my attention that you've been facing some... challenges with your peers." His voice was laced with slight irritation, more at the situation than at his disciple. "It's time you learned to stand up for yourself. I won't always be around to fend off your bullies."

"I-I'm not being bullied," Fenlock stammered out in a low voice, but Slifer dismissed his protest.

"Your 'Senior Brothers' aren't your friends," he countered sharply. "Imagine what your Junior Sister would feel, seeing you in such a state."

Shame washed over Fenlock as he lowered his head. Could Master be right?

"I want you outside the sect for the foreseeable future, focusing solely on hunting demonic cultivators," Slifer continued.

This will kill two birds with one stone, Slifer thought inwardly. Not only will it get me some much-needed karmic credits, but it'll also, hopefully, help Fenlock gain some confidence.

Fenlock’s heart grew heavy as he wondered if this was another one of his master's schemes to separate him from his Junior Sister. What has Master got against our love?

Feeling satisfied with how the meeting went, Slifer dismissed them with a wave, "I will emerge once I have made my breakthrough."

The disciples exchanged glances of astonishment. Another breakthrough for Master?

But before they could disperse, Slifer added, "And remember, don't cause any trouble during my seclusion."

“Of course, Master,” the disciples replied, leaving to get on with their tasks.

As Slifer retreated to his quarters, multiple notifications popped up:

Ding! Your disciple Amelia’s loyalty has increased by 2% Your disciple Caelum’s loyalty has increased by 3% Your disciple Fenlock’s loyalty has increased by 2% Your disciple Hughie’s loyalty has increased by 1%

What prompted that? Slifer paused, pondering over the message.

His thoughts then turned to the tasks he had assigned his disciples, he let out a resigned sigh. While he hoped for a peaceful period during his closed-door cultivation, Slifer couldn't shake the nagging suspicion that things wouldn't be so simple.

I really hope they don’t stir up any unnecessary problems during my closed-door cultivation. But knowing how these xianxia tales unfold, I will probably come out to a catastrophe of their making.