"Move, boy, MOVE!" The old man's urgent voice reverberated in Hughie's head. Seeing the young man remain rooted to the spot, Li Fenghao released an exasperated sigh. "This is going to set me back decades!"

Suddenly, the ring on Hughie's finger glowed a soft green. He felt a rush of unfamiliar energy coursing through him, startling him back into action. Without a second thought, he leaped backward into the rift, re-emerging in the training ground.

Catching his breath, he heard the weakened voice of Li Fenghao grumbling. "You truly have dogshit luck!” Li Fenghao groaned.

Hughie's ears reddened. No one had ever accused him of being unlucky before. Everywhere he went, people often envied his fortune.

"What... what was that creature?" his voice trembled. The sheer pressure from the being was unlike anything Hughie had ever experienced before. Not even the Origin Realm expert he had encountered made him feel so… insignificant.

Li Fenghao let out a deep sigh. "They are called Voidwalkers, beings that inhabit the void plane. It's exceedingly rare to come across one, especially for a first-timer like you."

Hughie shuddered at the thought. If the old man had mentioned that these creatures were common in the void, he might've sworn off the technique altogether.

The old man continued, "Even Greater Immortals tread lightly around them." Trying to sound comforting, though in a peculiar way, he added, "Given your current cultivation, you're no more than an ant in its eyes. Had it truly noticed you as a threat, not even I could've saved you."

Hughie looked even more pale. "So... every time I use the technique, there's a chance I'll run into them?"

The old man chuckled, "Well, technically, yes. But think of it as crossing a busy street. You might get hit by a carriage, but with experience, you'll know when to walk."

That's his version of reassurance? Hughie grimaced.

Seeing Hughie’s reaction, Li Fenghao huffed. "You youngsters need thicker skin. In my time, we faced Voidwalkers with just a twig and some good intentions!"

Hughie raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

The old man sighed, "No, not really. But it sounded good, didn't it?"

Hughie shook his head at the old man’s antics. "Anyways, thanks for saving me back there."

The old man smirked, puffing up his chest. "As your master, it's my solemn duty to protect my disciples."

"Like I said, I've already got a master. And with that little adventure over, I think it's time for me to head back." Hughie hesitated, his thoughts drifting to Amelia. She probably thinks I'm dead by now.

Trying to reel Hughie back, the old man persisted, "You sure about going back to your so-called master? What stage of the Immortal Realm is he at, anyway?"

Hughie scratched the back of his neck, "Uh, he’s in the Ascendant realm."

Li Fenghao paused, his eyes widening in mock shock. And then, out of nowhere, a roaring laughter erupted from him. "Ascendant realm? Hahaha! Your master would kneel and beg for me to take him in as a disciple! Why, back in my prime, Ascendants used to shine my boots!"

Hughie couldn't help but roll his eyes, trying to change the subject, he asked, "What kind of name is Li Fenghao, anyway?"

The old man's laughter died down instantly, his face reddening as if he'd been slapped. "In the Immortal Realm, we have names fit for men! As for here... well, you lot have the peculiar names." With a look of distaste, he tried to mimic Hughie's name with a mocking tone. "Hooo-ghie? Sounds like someone choking on a fish bone!"

Hughie chuckled. "Well, 'Li Fenghao' sounds like someone sneezing during a poetry reading."

Li Fenghao huffed. "You have no appreciation for the elegance and depth of an Immortal’s name!"

Hughie laughed heartily. "You really are something, old man."

"I'm just speaking the truth. And remember, brat, it's 'Master Li' to you."

Hughie smirked, "In your dreams, Grandpa."

The old man grumbled, muttering something about 'disrespectful youngsters.'

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

Ding! Congratulations You Have Reached Late Foundation Establishment Realm Reward: 200 Karmic Credits

Slifer emerged from his closed-door cultivation session, rubbing his stomach. The rumbling in his belly was hard to ignore. Ah, the worldly needs of the flesh. Stretching his limbs, he thought with satisfaction, It won't be long until I enter the Core Formation realm. His confident smile, however, quickly faded when a system notification caught his eye.

Ding! Alert: Critical Condition Detected Disciple Designation: Hughie Status: Fatally Wounded Task: Administer Advanced Healing to Hughie Time Limit: 1 Hour Warning: If Disciple Hughie remains untreated within the specified time frame, it will result in the disciple’s unfortunate demise Caution: Death of a disciple incurs severe consequences. For specifics:

* Hidden

* Hidden

* Hidden

Slifer's heart nearly stopped, but the real shock was that the alert had appeared five days ago!

In a frenzy, he quickly checked the status of all his disciples on the system. When he saw that they were all safe and sound, he let out a sigh of relief.

"I told that boy to stay out of trouble!" Slifer exclaimed, exasperated. He shook his head, Of course, this is the kind of drama I should expect when mentoring a protagonist disciple.

I wonder how he managed to wiggle out of this one though,he pondered. Several tropes came to his mind: A sudden power surge? An unexpected ally arriving in the nick of time? Or maybe a hidden legacy awakening within him?

Shaking his head, he decided to scroll through more notifications, it wasn’t long before another one caught his eye.

Ding! Your Disciple Hughie Has Found A Heaven Rank Treasure Alert: Your Disciple’s Loyalty Is Being Tested Special Condition Activated: For every action, there's a reaction. Should your disciple Hughie prove loyal, you will be rewarded. However, if his loyalty falters, you will face consequences. Reward for Disciple’s Loyalty:

* 1000 Karmic Credits

* Comprehension Card (Level 1)

Consequences of losing a Disciple:

* Hidden

* Hidden

* Hidden

If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

Slifer frowned, wondering. What kind of Heavenly Treasure could possibly test his loyalty?

He tried to piece together the events. Could the Heavenly Treasure be the reason he survived? But when Slifer compared the timestamps, the events were days apart. Nah, probably not related. But what could that treasure be?

He took one last glance at the notifications, shook his head, and decided to grab a bite. After all, he reasoned, an empty stomach won't help in deciphering Hughie's antics.

As Slifer left his courtyard, a sudden tear in space appeared before him. Reflexively, he retreated several steps, ready to defend himself. A woman with raven-black hair and piercing eyes stepped out of the spatial rift. The singular word that flashed in Slifer's mind to describe the woman was matron. The emblematic Black Rose Sect symbol on her robes made him swallow hard and straighten, feigning nonchalance as though her abrupt appearance hadn't fazed him in the slightest. Sheesh, you can't just pop out of nowhere like that, he thought.

"Ah," the woman remarked in a poised tone, "just who I was looking for."

Slifer raised an eyebrow, a hint of sarcasm in his thoughts. Why make it sound like a surprise when you literally appeared outside my courtyard? He was about to address her when he realized he couldn't recall her name. The original's memories were fragmented at best. Yet, from the aura she radiated, he figured she was a Grand Elder.

"Grand Elder," Slifer began, clasping his hands together and giving a slight nod, "what brings you here?"

The stern expression on the woman's face transformed into an awkward smile. "Supreme Elder Slifer is too polite," she said, waving off his formality.

Regaining his composure and recalling his newfound status, Slifer coughed lightly. "While my cultivation may have advanced, in terms of age and wisdom, I remain your junior."

The Grand Elder's eyebrows raised in surprise. The Slifer she remembered was notoriously arrogant. But his cunning nature also came to mind. This must be one of his games, she deduced.

She then gestured to the rift, and another figure emerged. "Regrettably," she declared, "Amelia will no longer be welcome at the Medicine Hall."

Slifer's eyes widened as he gazed upon Amelia. The young disciple appeared distant, her normally radiant face now pale, her eyes tinged with redness.

What on earth happened to her? he wondered, his gaze shifting between the Grand Elder and the disheveled Amelia.

Grand Elder Lydia continued, her tone heavy with disappointment. "Amelia has perverted the Essence Mend technique. She's broken the sacred oath taken by all healers — to never bring harm to patients. Instead, she's used it malevolently to torture disciples who were in desperate need for healing."

Slifer's eyes darted to the oath's specific wording. It specifies not to harm patients but says nothing about others. Every demonic sect boasted a division of healers. These disciples, unlike their brethren, weren't inherently malevolent. If they were, who would dare seek their medical expertise? Yet, these same healers didn't strictly tread the path of righteousness either. They existed in a gray zone; neutral when you were under their care, but possibly dangerous if you crossed them outside the healing chambers.

While Slifer mulled this over, memories of his recent notifications flooded back. Among them were several notifications of 'Karmic Credit Earned.' The only act he recalled that granted a single Karmic Credit was... torture.

He let out a weary sigh, not surprised in the least. "I see."

Slifer gestured for Amelia to approach him. She shuffled her feet, her eyes blank, and took her place beside her master. The ensuing silence was palpable as Slifer and Grand Elder Lydia locked eyes, each waiting for the other to break the tension.

Does she expect an apology? Slifer thought. Clearing his throat, he turned to Amelia. "Apologize to the Grand Elder."

Amelia's voice was hollow, devoid of emotion. "I apologize, Grand Elder Lydia."

The Grand Elder nodded slightly but kept her gaze fixed on Slifer. The air grew thick with expectation. She wants me to apologize too,Slifer surmised, his annoyance flaring. She can wait forever. It wasn't me who twisted Amelia this way. That blame rests squarely on the original Slifer.

As seconds ticked by, Grand Elder Lydia's patience waned. Without another word, she stepped back into the spatial rift. Just before she vanished, she muttered, "Seems you truly haven’t changed, Supreme Elder."

Eh, she’ll get over it, Slifer thought dismissively, but his gaze softened as he turned to Amelia. He'd never imagined seeing his spirited disciple in such a despondent state. A sudden realization struck him. Could she be blaming herself for Hughie's 'death'?

"What is troubling you, Amelia?" Slifer inquired gently.

Hidden beneath her cascade of silver hair, Amelia's voice came out as a whisper, "I'm a terrible Senior Sister."

Slifer, trying to exude patience and understanding, gently prodded, "Why do you believe that?" I feel like some school therapist. Next thing I know, I'll be asking her about her childhood.

"Because of me... Hughie..." Amelia's voice cracked, struggling to get the words out, "...died."

Ah, there it was. Slifer had suspected as much. With a gentle smile, he reassured her, "Hughie is not dead."

She shook her head vigorously, a hint of anger in her eyes. "You don't know, Master! During our mission, a Nascent Soul cultivator attacked us. Hughie... He sacrificed himself for me."

Suppressing a chuckle, Slifer mused, A single Nascent Soul cultivator? Please, it would take an army of them to threaten a protagonist like Hughie. If she had said a horde of them were after him, maybe I would've been more convinced.

"Did you check his Soul Lamp?" he asked, eyebrow raised.

"Why would I? He couldn't possibly have survived that!" she retorted.

"You underestimate our Hughie," Slifer grinned. "He is like a cockroach. Indestructible."

A slow smile spread across Amelia's face. With a delighted squeal, she leapt into Slifer's arms. "Hughie's alive?!"

Slifer's body stiffened. Oh no, why did I stand so close?

While Amelia's embrace tightened around Slifer, a sharp chime resonated in his mind. A System Notification floated before his eyes:

Ding! Your Disciple Hughie Has Encountered An Otherworldly Being Warning: Your Disciple Is In Mortal Danger Task: Save Hughie

Reward:

* Disciple Loyalty Increases

* 10,000 Karmic Credits

Failure:

Outcome 1: Death Of Disciple

Outcome 2: Your Disciple Has Been Saved By Another, Disciple Loyalty Will Be Adjusted

His focus shifted from the clinging Amelia, who, for some reason, was burrowing her face into his neck with a peculiar grin, to the message. Guess I won't be getting food anytime soon, he sighed internally.

For a brief moment, he contemplated the idea of anchoring Hughie to the sect with some mystical chains. At least then, I wouldn’t be on constant rescue missions. However, another thought wormed its way into his consciousness. With rewards like these, perhaps letting him loose and playing the hero isn't such a bad idea.

The weight of the reward troubled him. 10,000 Karmic Credits? I might need a miracle to save him this time. Like... a Deadly Strike Card.

Slowly, Slifer tried to disentangle himself from Amelia, who gave a reluctant pout. "I need to fetch Hughie," he explained, rubbing the back of his neck. Before some savior swoops in and steals his loyalty.

Amelia's face fell a little, "Can I come with you?"

Slifer was quick to shake his head. "No. And when I return, we will discuss your ban from the Medicine Hall. You will face consequences."

As he began to move away, his thoughts raced. He would need to get to Hughie as fast as possible.

I guess it’s time to see Val!