The figure was Nomed, who had returned from the village after gaining the blessing of his parents.

Great, I can put this one to work sooner than expected, Slifer thought, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.

"I'm here too!" Dusty wheezed, panting heavily as he entered the hall. His eyes widened at the sight of the leftover delicacies. He rushed forward, almost knocking over his best friend in the process.

“S-Supreme Elder, can I have some, just a little?” Dusty’s mouth watered at the delicious aroma.

Slifer observed the hungry boy with a raised eyebrow. Though he was reluctant to share his meal, he didn’t want to ruin Nomed’s impression of him, at least not yet. Slifer waved his hand dismissively and the fat boy wasted no time, diving headfirst towards the dishes.

Slifer couldn't help but show a disgusted expression at the messy display. Turning his attention back to Nomed, Slifer asked, "Have you prepared the Master-Disciple Ceremony?"

Nomed, recovering from the embarrassment caused by Dusty's behaviour, nodded and swiftly retrieved teacups from his storage ring. Pouring tea into a cup, he offered it to Slifer with both hands.

Slifer accepted the tea and took a small sip. After a moment, he nodded and declared, "From today onwards, you are my disciple."

"Thank you, Master," Nomed bowed.

Ding! Congratulations Nomed Is Officially Your Disciple Reward: 250 Karmic Credits

Ding! Reward: Time Reversal Card Description: Sends the user through the river of time, the user will retain their cultivation Warning: The user will exit the river of time at a random point Warning: Use of the card will render the System locked, this effect is temporary

Time travel!

Slifer was elated. Even though it would send him to a random point in the past, the card was invaluable. It basically gave him a second chance at life!

But for the system to gift me this card...Slifer's eyes narrowed in suspicion.

He knew how the system was, for it to hand him such an OP card for such an easy task, it meant he would definitely need it, and likely soon.

I need to keep an eye out and note down any significant events, Slifer nodded to himself, preparation was key for a regressor.

Dusty, not even half-way done with his impromptu feast, belched loudly, startling Slifer out of his musing.

Is this what I look like to others? Slifer thought with a disapproving expression.

He was glad he dismissed his disciples before spending some alone time, the last thing he wanted was for them to think of him as a savage.

Shaking off a shiver of disgust, Slifer got ready to send Nomed off to complete some righteous tasks and take his fat friend with him, when he suddenly remembered Grand Elder Tenzin's words.

The Intersect Competition was approaching, and with it, the chance to enter the Sealed Realm.

The Black Rose Sect had two slots for the Sealed Realm, one of which Slifer could allocate as he wished. The other slot would be decided by the Grand Elders, however, Slifer knew that the Grand Elders would most likely give the slot to the Sect Master's disciple, Zhen.

Zhen was a genius, there was no doubt about that. The boy had reached the Peak of the Core Formation Realm at the age of 16 and was only one step away from the Nascent Soul Realm. He had deliberately suppressed his cultivation, waiting for the opportunity to enter the Sealed Realm.

Slifer looked at Nomed, who was still bowing. Nomed was only at the Qi Refining Realm, and he had only a few months to enter the Foundation Establishment Realm if he wanted to have a chance at entering the Sealed Realm. Even if Nomed was a prodigy, Slifer wasn't sure if the kid could do that without his help.

It's time to act like the master I'm pretending to be.

Ding! Your Disciple Nomed’s Loyalty Is At 20% Warning: If a disciple’s loyalty falls below 30%, there is a high chance of betrayal

Oh yeah, since he's a new disciple, I have to work on increasing his loyalty. Hmm, what better way to solve both of my problems than gifting him a Heaven Rank cultivation method!

"Nomed, as your master, I have a responsibility to guide you on the path of cultivation,” Slifer cleared his throat. “You have a good aptitude and a pure heart, but you lack a suitable cultivation method. The one you are using now is too low-grade and slow. It will only hinder your progress and limit your potential. So, do you have any preference on the type of cultivation method?”

It would be counterproductive for Slifer to just hand Nomed a random Heaven Rank cultivation method and expect results as cultivators had varying talents for the elements, those with a particular high talent would feel some comfort or familiarity when they were around their element.

"Master, might there be a Light element cultivation method suitable for me?"

Light element? Slifer's eyes narrowed. A demonic disciple requesting a righteous cultivation method - how strange!

But Slifer then remembered these boys were mere villagers. Categorizing them as righteous or demonic was meaningless when they were blank slates ready to be moulded. This was, after all, why the System wanted Slifer to take in a disciple in the first place.

But why does the System still label him as a demonic cultivator? Slifer shook his head, it was useless trying to understand the logic behind the System’s criteria in differentiating between righteous and demonic cultivators.

“Hmm, I’ll see what Light cultivation methods I have,” Slifer replied as he opened the System panel.

After a minute of awkward silence, Slifer found three methods that could suit his new disciple.

Solemn Sunfire Sutra: By assimilating the essence of solar qi, this method generates a sequence of nine miniature suns within the cultivator's dantian. The initial three signify the early stage, followed by the middle stage represented by the subsequent trio, and the ultimate three suns mark the late stage of cultivation Candlelight Meditation Scripture Absorb light qi from celestial bodies to create a flame within the dantian, cultivate the flame to increase breakthrough. Cathedral of Celestial Radiance Scripture Build a cathedral within the dantian where divine light converges.

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Slifer gave a basic explanation of each method and then asked, "So, which one would you prefer?"

"Ah, they all seem incredible, Master! Maybe I could cultivate all three?" Nomed asked, scratching the back of his head.

All three Heaven Rank methods? Slifer almost rolled his eyes. This boy should be grateful for even one!

Outwardly, he adopted a sagely demeanour.

"It is not a good idea for a new cultivator like yourself to experiment like this," Slifer quickly made up an excuse, hoping it sounded believable. "Mixing cultivation methods can disturb the foundations.”

"Oh, I see…then the third method suits me best.”

A holy method? That’s…surprising. Slifer was wary with any method related to gods, which were most likely just higher ranked cultivators loaning out their qi to those in the lower realms, and like most loans, it probably came with interest!

Slifer did not fancy handling an incensed deity chasing interest payments.

Eh, maybe I’m wrong, Nomed is a protagonist-like figure, he’ll be okay…I’m sure of it.

Name: Cathedral of Celestial Radiance Scripture Rank: Mid Heaven Description: Build a cathedral within the dantian where divine light converges. Cost: 1500 Karmic Credits

1500? Slifer’s eyes almost bulged out of their sockets. It was more expensive than his own cultivation method!

No matter, no matter, it’s an investment, Slifer consoled himself as he reluctantly purchased it.

Details relating to the method flooded his mind causing Slifer to close his eyes as he began to process it. After a few moments, Slifer opened his eyes and retrieved a scroll from his storage ring.

To Nomed's surprise, the Supreme Elder began writing down the entirety of the holy cultivation method!

Cultivators were known to have amazing memories, and the higher one's cultivation, the stronger the memory. However, cultivation methods were notoriously difficult to memorize fully and only someone who had mastered a method could transcribe it.

Remembering that his master had not only given him three options to choose from but also the choice of the element itself, made Nomed look at his master in a different light. Just how many methods has the Supreme Elder mastered?

Ding! Your Disciple Nomed’s Loyalty Has Increased By 2%

Slifer ignored the message as he handed the scroll over to Nomed, who bowed in thanks.

"If you require any guidance on comprehending this method, you need only ask me," Slifer stated as he realised it could be daunting for Nomed to ask him for help, the title of Supreme Elder could be intimidating to new disciples.

Ding! Your Disciple Nomed’s Loyalty Has Increased By 8%

Only eight percent? I feel like it should have increased a bit more, maybe like thirty percent, Slifer held back a frown. Kids these days really are ungrateful.

“Of course, Master.” Nomed then turned to leave before pausing. He coughed lightly to get Dusty's attention. The plump boy was still busily stuffing his face.

"We're leaving," Nomed said pointedly.

Dusty pouted, giving the food a longing look. But under Nomed's expectant gaze, he reluctantly got to his feet and trudged after Nomed out the door.

Good riddance, no more of that annoying whale to disturb me, Slifer thought, gazing at the remaining delicacies.

He frowned when he saw that there was barely anything left!

Muttering curses under his breath, Slifer picked up a half-eaten roasted chicken leg and bit into it with gusto, savouring the juicy meat and crispy skin. The Predator’s Vigour activated absorbing the spiritual essence of the chicken into his body and using it to nourish his meridians.

Ding! Congratulations Your Disciple Hughie Has Broken Through To Peak Core Formation Reward: 100 Karmic Credits

Faster than I expected, Slifer raised his eyebrows at the notification. Is it related to the grandpa?

Ding! Warning Your Disciple Hughie’s Loyalty Has Decreased To 20%

Well, that answers my question…

Ding! You Can Purchase A Hint On How To Increase Hughie’s Loyalty Cost: 500 Karmic Credits

500 credits just for a hint? Slifer shook his head at the System’s shamelessness, but knowing he had no choice, he purchased the hint.

Ding! Hint: Your Disciple Hughie Has A Mortal Lover That Lacks Aptitude

"A mortal lover? Hughie?" Slifer scratched his head, puzzled.

That was not the hint Slifer was expecting; he had always assumed that Hughie was the type of protagonist to end up with a harem of jade beauties.

“She lacks aptitude, so I guess all I have to do is buy a treasure from the Shop that can make her a cultivator?”

Slifer imagined Hughie's immortal grandpa imparting him techniques, seeking to undermine Slifer's authority. But the joke would be on him - Slifer would gain a devoted disciple and more Obsidian techniques for his troubles.

Chuckling, he began browsing through the Shop's inventory for a suitable treasure.