Insight!

Name Vowron Realm Half-Step Immortal Realm Known Techniques N/A Known Affiliations N/A Dispostion N/A Comprehension 5 Luck 5 Talent 6 Will 5

So, the man already has a foot in the Immortal Realm. It seems this tournament just became a little less boring, Slifer held back a frown.

He wasn't happy.

Boring was good, boring was safe!

Based on Vowron's attitude, Slifer guessed that the Black Death Sect Master likely aimed to goad him into a confrontation, then use him as a punching bag to show off his new cultivation to the other sects.

However, Slifer had no desire to be anyone’s puppet, least of all a punching bag!

Like hell I’m humiliating myself for your amusement, Vowron.

As much as Slifer wished to put the arrogant devil in his place, he knew revealing his trump cards this soon would be unwise.

Diplomacy it is…

Rising to his feet, Slifer felt the anxious gazes of the other Ascendants fix on him, anticipating and perhaps even desiring a clash between the two.

"Vowron is absolutely right," Slifer declared, flashing a carefree grin. "The more competitors we have, the more exciting the tournament will be!"

Vowron's eyebrows shot up in surprise. This was clearly not the reaction he had expected.

Slifer smiled and waved a hand invitingly. "By all means, join us! I look forward to seeing what your disciples can do against the best of our sects."

Recovering quickly, Vowron returned Slifer's smile. "You are too gracious, Supreme Elder," he said smoothly. "I appreciate you seeing reason."

The other Ascendants exchanged wary glances, suspicion etched on their faces. Clearly they wondered whether the two demonic cultivators were in collusion against them.

Little Val tugged worriedly on Slifer's sleeve. "Master, that strange man feels scary," she whispered.

I agree! Slifer cried.

However outwardly, he smiled and gave the dragon a reassuring pat. "Not to worry, I won't let anyone hurt you, little one." He slipped her another cinnamon candy to distract her.

It worked.

Val's small face immediately brightened. "Master is the best!”

With Vowron now seated, the Black Death Sect disciples disembarked from the flying ship and joined the other competitors on the arena floor. Slifer watched as the team allocation process resumed.

When it came time for Hughie to draw his number, Slifer had to resist a knowing smile. Through a bit of trickery beforehand, Elder Fred had secretly marked the stones corresponding to the qi of Slifer’s disciples.

Just as Slifer anticipated, Hughie picked up a stone carved with the number nine.

Excellent. Now to get the other two on the same team.

Shortly after, Amelia approached and also selected the stone marked with the number nine. She shot Hughie a smile as she came to stand beside him. Finally, Caelum drew the same stone.

"Well, well, what a fortuitous coincidence," Zofia remarked drily, casting Slifer a pointed look. "One might even say this assignment process seems downright rigged."

Slifer simply laughed. "Come now, Zofia. You can only blame the Heavens for my luck."

He glanced down at Val who bobbed her head in fervent agreement. "Master said lying is bad. He would never ever cheat!"

Slifer nodded, ignoring the twinge of guilt he felt at the baby dragon's trust in him. Sometimes cheating was necessary, he reassured himself.

"Of course not," Zofia said flatly, clearly unconvinced. With a resigned sigh, she settled back into her seat.

A sect securing small advantages for its own members was simply expected when hosting tournaments such as these. Her own Heavenly Light Sect had certainly rigged things in their favour during previous tournaments.

At least the teams appear evenly matched otherwise, Zofia noted.

The random assignment process resulted in most groups comprised of disciples from different sects.

In comparison, Slifer's handpicked team of top Black Rose disciples would have a distinct edge in cooperation. She hated to admit it, but they did have an advantage this round.

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Thirty minutes later…

With the Core Formation teams allocated, it was time for the Foundation Establishment disciples. Slifer watched idly as they approached one-by-one to draw their numbers. Most knew better than to outwardly react to their new teammates, though Slifer noticed more than a few poorly concealed grimaces.

When William stepped up, Slifer observed closely. He remembered William. During the Disciple Selection Ceremony, the other Grand Elders expected Slifer to take him on.

However, Slifer knew that whilst the boy’s stats were decent, they were not enough to catch the eye of a Grand Elder, let alone a Supreme Elder. He didn’t know how he did it, but Slifer knew that William had cheated.

He was a motivated young man, willing to do whatever it took to succeed. And that was what Slifer was looking for.

He could be a good teammate for Zack.

William drew a stone engraved with the number three. Though he kept his face impassive, his breathing quickened. Slifer could sense the boy's anxiety. William knew that passing the first stage greatly depended on having good teammates.

Haha, don’t worry lad, I’ve got that sorted for you, Slifer held back a laugh, he could get used to playing the strings behind the scene.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

A few more disciples were given their numbers before Nomed, who had arrived just before Elder Fred’s announcement, stepped forth.

Slifer wasn’t surprised when Nomed also selected the stone marked three.

Zack, Nomed, and William... Together, they should be one of the stronger groups in the Foundation Establishment Realm.

William's eyes narrowed slightly. He did not like or trust Nomed. Though he would never admit it aloud, he felt inferior to the talented village boy who had risen so quickly in the sect.

However, remembering his family's fate depended on him entering the Sealed Realm, William swallowed his pride. Nomed's skills could help him pass this stage.

I guess I could partner up with a village boy, William thought, giving Nomed a slight nod as the other disciple joined him.

After several more team allocations, it was finally Zack’s turn!

Zack sauntered up to the stone barrel, fully expecting the number three to be etched into the one that called to him. The Main Body already rigged this entire process in his favour, after all. This would be child's play.

He plunged his hand inside, grabbing onto the fragment that he felt calling to him. Without even glancing at it, he turned to head towards William and Nomed's side. But halfway there he froze, smile disappearing as he read the number on the fragment - five.

Five! How was that possible? Did the Main Body somehow make a mistake? Zack snuck a look at Slifer, who with his wrinkly face couldn’t look anymore disinterested. But Zack could tell by the slight twitch on his forehead that the Main Body was just as stunned as him.

The Main Body didn’t know…which means...sabotage!

Someone or something interfered.

Has my identity been exposed? But why target something so trivial as team assignments?

It…it doesn’t make sense!

Unless... A chill ran down Zack's spine. Could this be the work of Heaven's Will itself? Striking back against the Main Body?

A pointed cough from Elder Fred jolted Zack from his spiralling speculation. "If you're quite done gawking, boy, move along now. Others are still waiting for their turn."

"Er, right. Sorry." Zack shook himself out of his stupor and headed over to join the other disciple who drew stone number five.

As he took his place, Zack looked at his new teammate – a pale, silent girl from the Black Death Sect.

She spared him a single impassive glance before turning away.

Zack resisted the urge to scowl. Well isn’t this just fantastic…nothing says “fun times ahead” like getting partnered with the living embodiment of a K-drama gothic vampire.

Hopefully the third member would be more talkative. As much as Zack enjoyed listening to his own voice, talking to himself grew tedious and would probably draw unwanted attention that he did not need.

After several more students, a tall, wiry Black Death disciple shuffled over to join them. Sharp cheekbones, sunken eyes, sallow complexion - yep, definitely some undead blood in this one. Maybe a zombie?

Plastering on a friendly grin, Zack stuck out his hand. "Name's Zack! Let's all get along now."

The boy ignored his outstretched hand, face expressionless. Zack let his arm drop, smile growing strained.

O-kay then. Looked like sparkling conversation was off the table.

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Noticing the unexpected grouping, Vowron called over to Slifer, "It seems our disciples will be teammates. How fortunate!"

Slifer forced a smile. "Yes, my disciple is lucky to have yours." Inwardly, he thought the opposite. He did not trust these Black Death disciples one bit.

Vowron shook his head. "Come now, let us not pretend luck had anything to do with this." His knowing look made Slifer's eyes narrow.

The Black Death Sect only arrived as the Intersect Tournament was beginning, they didn’t have time to interfere with the stone markings.

Unless…there’s a traitor!

It wasn’t unusual for spies to be hidden within the ranks of sects. Only a foolish Sect Master would refrain from sending spies to other sects. What troubled Slifer was that the traitor was targeting Zack or maybe…him?

The Black Heart Sect Master’s disappearance…the traitor targeting me…Slifer’s eyes flashed.

Ever since he had entered this world, it was one problem after another.

He was not surprised that a tournament was no longer a simple tournament.

Something was going on, and he needed to find out what.

“Morvran, I need you and Kalin to…”

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With all the teams decided, Elder Fred raised his hands. "The first stage will now begin!”

He lifted two cubes in his palms - one fiery red, one emerald green. With a flick of his wrists, he sent them flying towards the disciples below. The red cube landed amongst the Core Formation competitors, while the green one reached the Foundation Establishment group.

"Take hold of the cube with your team to activate the teleportation portal," Elder Fred explained. "Do not let go until you have crossed over, or you may become separated."

Cries of shock and excitement rang out as the disciples hurried to follow his instructions.

Hughie, Amelia, and Caelum grabbed hands around their cube.

"I've got a bad feeling about this," Hughie muttered. "Going through weird portals never ends well for me."

"Oh, stop whining." Amelia snatched his hand along with Caelum's. Before Hughie could protest further, she channelled her qi into the cube.

"Hey, wait a sec!" Hughie's panicked voice echoed back right before a fiery portal enveloped the trio.

Zack watched as the Foundation Establishment teams disappeared into green portals. Elder Fred’s words rang in his head, if he didn’t keep a hold of his teammates, he would be separated.

The criteria to pass the first stage stipulated that all team members must be alive. But…it never mentioned anything about being crippled.

He shared the Main Body’s suspicion. He knew that demonic cultivators should never be trusted but something about these two was dangerous, very dangerous.

And Zack definitely did not want to be trapped alone with them.

As much as he craved excitement, Zack did not want to die.

No! I’m too young to die, I’m only a few weeks old!

The Black Death disciples closed in on either side of Zack, each grabbing one of his arms just before the jade stone arrived.

So, they ignore me when I want a handshake yet this is okay? Zack sighed, feeling their grips tighten around his wrists like iron shackles.

These guys are too shady and I don’t have any cards to keep me safe, I need to get out of here! Zack decided as the stone's teleportation field enveloped them.

He quickly jerked his arms free and leapt backwards.

The Black Death Sect members’ expressions darkened, reaching forward to grab him.

“See you never,” Zack laughed, waving as he disappeared into the vortex.