As Slifer arrived outside the guest quarters, where Leah was currently staying, the scene before him left him momentarily stunned. Val, in her smaller dragon form, was energetically chasing Leah around the courtyard, breathing out mini fireballs that Leah barely evaded.

Of all the things to walk into, Slifer thought, rolling his eyes. However, as Val transformed into her enormous form, Slifer's amusement turned to alarm. The fireball forming in her mouth was nothing to scoff at.

S-she's going to kill her! Slifer thought in alarm, knowing that Leah did not have access to her cultivation.

"Val, stop!" Slifer commanded as he took a hasty step back, he did not want to get caught in the blast.

Val froze in mid-air, reverting back to her smaller form. With a wobbling lip and teary eyes, she squeaked, "Mastew shout at Val."

Slifer sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "I told you to watch over Leah, not turn her into a roasted duck."

Val, shaking her small head, protested, "Val only playin thow."

Slifer’s attention shifted to Leah, who appeared rather peeved at him. Upon receiving a quizzical look from Slifer, she grumbled, "Yeah we were having fun. Until someone ruined it."

Val can't control herself. If I hadn't intervened, you would've been ashes by now, Slifer thought as he remembered the time that Val had gone overboard in their training session. Clearing his throat, he offered diplomatically, "Master didn't want our guest harmed. Perhaps there was a misunderstanding."

Val's eyes grew round. "Mastew sowwy?"

Slifer had to stop himself from sighing aloud. Why does everyone expect an apology from me? "Yes," he reluctantly muttered, "Master is sorry." But internally, he added, Well, not really.

Val's gloomy expression shifted to one of delight. "Val fowgive Mastew."

Smiling gently at the dragon, Slifer tempted, "Since Val forgives Master, would Val like to go on a mission?"

Val's enthusiastic nodding made it clear she was thrilled at the idea.

Slifer glanced towards Leah, whose posture tightened at his attention. "I trust you enjoyed your stay here?" he said.

She offered a timid nod, her gaze drifting to Val, her reluctance to let the dragon leave apparent. Slifer shook his head inwardly. Yet another heart bewitched by Val.

Ding! Task Name: Dragon Babysitting a Crazy Lady! Task Description: Ensure Val stays beside Leah for…7 days! Status: Complete You Have Received 70 Karmic Credits

Suppressing a grin, Slifer felt a slight satisfaction. Not only had he earned karmic credits, but Val had indeed softened Leah's edges. At least she didn’t try to spit on me this time.

Val's voice cut through Slifer's thoughts. "What our mission, Mastew? Val gettin tweats?"

The mention of 'tweats' drained the color from Slifer’s face. A chilling memory surfaced: the original Slifer would take Val hunting for... humans. Hastily, he replied, "No, we're searching for your Junior Brother."

"Huwie missin?" Val's vibrant energy dimmed a little.

Slifer nodded solemnly. "Yes, and only Val can rescue him." Val's dragon pride surged, her chest puffing out in a show of determination. With a majestic transformation, she expanded to her gigantic form.

Without hesitation, Slifer leaped onto her back, signaling her to take off.

"Val save Huwie!" she roared, launching herself into the skies.

A sense of exhilaration washed over Slifer as they soared. He thought, No matter how many times I experience this, the thrill never fades.

Slifer felt Leah’s lingering gaze on them as they distanced from the sect.

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Hours of flying turned into a rhythmic blur, but Slifer's patience was running thin. There's still so much ground to cover, he thought with a sigh.

To assist in the search, he had been using a special treasure - a Soul Compass. The item connected with the fragment of soul inside the Soul Lamp, revealing the whereabouts of a cultivator. Yet, its limitations were glaringly evident. Instead of pinpointing an exact location, it marked a broad region. Not to mention, there was a delay of about 15 minutes, making tracking a moving Core Formation expert like finding a needle in a haystack.

Ding! Task: Save Hughie Status: Failed Your Disciple Has Been Saved By Another Hughie’s Loyalty Has Decreased By 30%

The sudden task notification caused Slifer to sigh, I was too late. He took a moment to gather his thoughts, then shrugged. At least the boy survived. Glancing at Val, he said, "Find a secluded spot, away from any humans."

Val tilted her head, "Huwie here?"

Shaking his head, Slifer responded, "Your Junior Brother is safe for now. I have something else on my mind." He couldn’t help but glance at the dwindling timer indicating his remaining lifespan.

Lifespan Remaining: 23 Days

The urgency to use one of his Reversal Cards bore down on him. He’d been saving them, hoping to use several together when the right time came. But now, time itself seemed to be running thin.

When will I next leave the sect? he pondered. It’s not like I can use it within the sect unless I'm fine with wiping out half the disciples as collateral.

Once Val touched down in a forest clearing, Slifer leapt off her back. "Val," he began, "stay away until I call for you.”

With the Soul Bond, he wasn’t worried about losing her.

Val's eyes lit up with mischief. "Val look for food?"

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Slifer hesitated for a moment. He knew her predatory nature all too well. "No humans," he emphasized, "but anything else is fair game."

The idea of Val hunting humans made him uneasy. She's a dragon, and it's natural for her, he rationalized. However, the concern that she might go too far and attract unwanted attention was real. Yet the last thing I need is a vengeful protagonist on my doorstep due to Val's dietary preferences.

Val pouted. "Master mean!" Without waiting for a reply, she flapped her wings and soared away.

After making sure Val had truly left, Slifer chose a spot and sat down. He wondered briefly, is the lifespan given by the Reversal Card always the same fixed amount or does it vary with the amount of life essence it collects?

Well, I guess there is only one way to find out. Taking a deep breath, he activated the Reversal Card.

Instantly, a brilliant white aura emanated from him, pulsating outward like ripples in a pond. As the light touched the plants, they wilted almost instantly. Tall trees, once teeming with life, became gaunt as their leaves crisped away and their bark turned grey and lifeless.

The creatures of the forest weren't spared either. As the aura reached them, they frantically attempted to escape, but their efforts were in vain. Birds mid-flight dropped from the sky, their life essence sapped. Insects on leaves paused, then stilled forever. Even the small mammals that had been hidden in burrows and underbrush met the same fate, their life force drawn into the white aura.

The further the aura reached, the more desolate the clearing became. What was once a lively and verdant place was now rapidly turning into a barren wasteland, devoid of life.

Slifer felt the surge of life essence flow into him. The sensation was intoxicating, a heady mix of vitality and power. Drawing in a deep breath, he couldn't help but exclaim, "This... this is true sustenance!"

This... this is far better than any delicacy I've ever tasted, he thought, a grin forming on his face. And for someone like him, who was known for his insatiable appetite, that meant something.

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Hughie focused intently on the Dimensional Slide technique, silently praying that he wouldn’t stumble into another Voidwalker. As the portal to the void realm appeared and he cautiously entered, a sigh of relief escaped him upon realizing that the space was free of those phantom-like beings. If there was one waiting for me, I would seriously question my luck.

Closing his eyes, he envisioned the sect's entrance and opened another breach. However, when he stepped through the new rift, he found himself amidst towering mountains and thick forests, certainly not at the sect's entrance.

Before he could fully comprehend his surroundings, Hughie felt a terrifying force attempting to pull the very life essence out of him. "W-what's happening?" he whispered, clutching his chest.

Li Fenghao's eyes widened in shock as his ethereal vision locked onto an elderly figure seated cross-legged in a clearing, casually absorbing the life essence around him.

How is this even possible? He pondered.

The Heavens hadn't merely forbidden the absorption of life essence through strict mandates, but had ensured it was fundamentally unattainable. Heavenly tribulation was the sole genuine method to lengthen one's lifespan without drawbacks. Over the eons, many cultivators had sought alternate ways to prolong their lives, yet they all had severe, sometimes debilitating repercussions.

Li Fenghao’s vision went blurry as he felt a tug on his own life force. "Escape! Use the technique and escape NOW!" he shouted mentally at Hughie as a sliver of his life essence made its way to the mysterious figure.

Without wasting another moment, Hughie created another fissure in space. This time, he reappeared right outside his sect. Panting, he tried to regain his composure.

The old man couldn't contain his frustration. "Boy! In all my years, I've never seen someone with luck as horrid as yours! How can it be that every time you use the technique, you narrowly escape death? Do you have a death wish?"

Hughie's ears turned a shade of crimson. He felt the sting of the old man's words, but there was no counter to it. The old man was right, his recent encounters had been nothing short of catastrophic.

Is my luck truly that terrible? he wondered. He then recalled his master's attempts at holding his hand during past lessons. Did those touches somehow curse me? he shivered.

Li Fenghao continued to grumble, "I've taught numerous disciples and traveled countless realms. But never... NEVER have I seen a lad attract disaster like a moth to flame! Is this some special talent of yours?"

"I...I don't know," Hughie mumbled.

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Ding! Warning! You Are Attacking Your Disciple Hughie

Hughie? Slifer's eyes snapped open in surprise. Of course, it's Hughie. Where did that boy suddenly pop up from? Despite extending his spiritual sense, he couldn’t find any traces of the young cultivator.

While the delicious stream of life essence continued to flow into him, he kept an eye out for Hughie. I mean, if he could dodge some strange being from another dimension, a tiny life essence tug should be like a gentle pat on the back...right?

Ding! Cease Your Attack The Death Of A Disciple By Your Own Hand Will Have Severe Repercussions

The message from the System felt like a slap on the face. As per the System’s design, the Reversal Card, or any other card, once activated, could not be stopped midway.

Oh, come on, System! You're the one who gave me these cards! He grumbled internally. Why couldn't you add a "pause" button for those things?

Slifer began to feel a hint of anxiety, he genuinely wasn’t sure if even a protagonist, however lucky, could escape the System’s grip entirely.

He better be okay... For both our sakes.

Ding! Congratulations You Have Absorbed 0.000001% Life Essence Of A Greater Immortal