Slifer arrived at his private quarters, glancing around with the insight skill before entering to make sure he wasn't followed. Inside, Morvran and Kalin, were already waiting for him.

"Well?" Slifer asked as he closed the door behind him. "What did you find out?"

Morvran stepped forward first, clearing his throat. "Master, my men report that there seems to have been some kind of internal conflict within the Black Death Sect a few months back. Details are scarce, but it appears to have been quite serious - they say some of the Grand Elders were even killed."

Slifer's eyes narrowed slightly. For Origin Realm cultivators to have been killed, this conflict was no minor spat. "The Black Death Sect has always been ruthless towards its own members, but for Elders to turn on each other to that degree is…unusual."

"That's about all I was able to gather for now," Morvran spread his hands. "The Black Death Sect has kept a tight lid on whatever went down. My men are still digging, but..."

He trailed off with a shrug. Information from a secretive demonic sect was difficult to come by at the best of times.

"I reached out to my contact in the Immortal Realm.” Kalin spoke up. “He confirmed that the Black Death Sect's representative, who regularly relayed messages between the sect and the Black Tree Sect, has gone silent in recent weeks."

He paused before continuing. "It's likely he's dead."

Slifer's lips thinned, mind racing over the implications. For a matter to be kept hidden even from the Immortal Realm overseers...what in the world had happened in the Black Death Sect?

"Were there any sightings of Nascent Soul Realm cultivators from the Black Death Sect entering our borders?" he asked Morvran sharply. Information was critical right now.

Morvran shook his head. "None that we could uncover. If they sent anyone this way, they did so in secret."

"And the Black Heart Sect Master?" Slifer continued. "Learn anything more about his sudden disappearance?"

Again, Morvran gave a negative reply. "Vanished without a trace as far as we can tell. Like he just blinked out of existence one day. No signs of a struggle. My men are still investigating."

Slifer slowly paced the room, mind churning. The timing was too close to be coincidence. The Black Death Sect’s internal conflict, the Black Heart Sect Master's disappearance, Vowron’s casual reaction to the Intersect Tournament. There had to be a connection.

What in the blazes are you up to, Vowron? Slifer thought. If there was some grand scheme relating to the Sealed Realm between the two demonic sects, why had the Black Rose Sect been excluded? They were supposed to be allies…well allies against the righteous sects. Unless the target is the Black Rose Sect itself…

A tense silence fell over the room as all three men contemplated the implications of everything they had learned...or rather, hadn't learned.

Finally, Slifer let out a slow breath and straightened, hands clasped behind his back.

"Keep digging, both of you," Slifer commanded. "I want answers."

The two subordinates bowed.

"Here is what we'll do for now..." Slifer began laying out his plans.

***

When Slifer returned to the arena stands, the final match of the fourth round was just concluding. He slid back into his seat next to the other Supreme Elders with a polite nod.

"Apologies for my absence, fellow elders. Sect business, you understand."

Supreme Elder Leontius gave him an understanding nod. "Think nothing of it. We are aware how busy your duties must keep you with the Sect Master away." His gaze took on a hint of admiration. "Oh, and congratulations, it seems all of your disciples have progressed into the fifth round."

"Ah, yes," Slifer laughed. "They've done quite well for themselves, haven't they?"

Slifer was not particularly surprised - he'd been receiving regular updates from the System on his disciples’ victories.

I wouldn’t ignore the 300 Karmic Credits I get from each win, and that’s without the 100% loyalty multiplier!

Supreme Elder Zofia, on the other hand, wore a perpetual frown whenever looking Slifer's way. "Hmmph. Too convenient that all your disciples ended up in the finals."

Slifer resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Clearly the old crow still hadn't gotten over her grudge regarding the beating she took when they first met. Best not to indulge her bitterness.

Just then, Elder Fred's voice rang out. "The break is now over! We will begin the final elimination round shortly. The five victors from each division will earn the right to enter the Sealed Realm!"

A buzz of excitement ran through the crowd. Up in the stands, Slifer leaned forward. This was the crucial moment. For his plans to proceed, all his disciples needed to secure slots for the Sealed Realm.

"Let the final round commence!" Fred shouted.

***

Nomed walked into the arena as his name was called out to fight a disciple named Cilasis.

Seeing that his final opponent was a Black Death disciple, Nomed sighed with relief. As an Early Foundation Establishment cultivator, it wasn't easy defeating Peak Foundation Establishment cultivators one after another, no matter how easy Nomed made it seem.

But at least this battle would be different…

Cilasis clasped his hands and gave Nomed a slight bow of the head. Nomed returned the greeting.

"Begin!"

Immediately, Cilasis rushed forward, long sleeves rippling as his arms moved in a flurry of strikes. Rather than counter with any techniques, Nomed met the assault head-on, exchanging blows in a dizzying hand-to-hand exchange.

Up in the stands, Supreme Elder Astrid turned to Slifer with an arched brow. "I was not aware you had another body cultivation disciple, Elder Slifer. The boy matches Cilasis strike for strike."

Slifer blinked, then quickly covered his own confusion with a laugh. "Oh yes, young Nomed is quite gifted! I encourage pursuit of all avenues of cultivation."

Inwardly, his thoughts raced. Nomed had no body cultivation whatsoever according to his status window. How in the world was he keeping up with a demon in close quarters then?

The longer the bout dragged on, the more Slifer's suspicions grew. To him, it almost seemed as though the two disciples were...cooperating. Nomed would attack, Cilasis would dodge, creating openings for Nomed to safely disengage whenever necessary.

It almost seems like a badly performed choreographed dance…

After a few more flurry of blows, Cilasis abruptly pulled back, shifting stances.

Nomed smiled, taking the opportunity Cilasis had given him to disengage. With some space between them now, Nomed activated one of his spiritual techniques.

"Divine Ray Annihilation!"

Beams of blazing divine light burst from Nomed's hands, scorching towards Cilasis. The Black Death disciple quickly crossed his arms, defending against the attack, but the force still sent him skidding backwards several feet.

An Early Foundation Establishment cultivator shouldn't have been able to push back a Peak Foundation Establishment opponent so fiercely. But Nomed's light techniques gave him an edge when battling a demon.

Seeing yet another light technique performed by a Black Rose disciple, Zofia clicked her tongue in annoyance. "How does a demonic sect have access to so many light techniques? Those cultivators ought to stick to their gloomy shadows where they belong."

She probably would have insinuated the techniques were stolen from the corpses of her sect's disciples, if not for the fact these particular light arts were unfamiliar to her.

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Just where exactly had Slifer's disciples picked up such unusual cultivation methods? The Black Rose Sect seemed almost...too versatile, Zofia's eyes narrowed suspiciously.

In the Black Rose stands, Nomed's friend Dusty was on his feet yelling encouragement with his mouth full of food.

"Yeah, Nomed! Smash his face in!" the pudgy boy hollered, pumping his fist. Crumbs spilled down his dirty robes.

Nomed's lips twitched in amusement at his friend's antics. He gave a slight shake of his head. No, I can't overdo it, he thought. The goal isn’t to seriously injure Cilasis after all.

Crouching down, Nomed placed one palm flat against the arena floor. Golden light instantly sparked from his hand, spreading outwards until the entire stage glowed with celestial runes.

"Demi-Divine Territory!" Nomed called out.

Seeing the domain-like technique, Slifer’s eyes narrowed. Nomed’s cultivation method relied on a higher being’s power, one of the pros of using such an unreliable cultivation method was that it gave users the chance to use techniques that were beyond their cultivation level.

I still don’t know what that boy’s cultivation plan is, the being that gives the power can just as easily take it away, Slifer shook his head. From the looks of things, his disciple Nomed was craftier than he let on.

Before Slifer could contemplate further, Nomed pointed a finger at Cilasis. A blinding lance of light shot forward, crossing the distance between them in an instant.

Caught off guard, Cilasis barely managed to twist aside, the beam grazing his shoulder and tearing a gash in his robes. The demonic disciple hissed in pain, forced on the retreat now as more lances of light shot toward him in quick succession.

Weaving between the attacks, Cilasis suddenly changed direction and charged right at Nomed. But before he could reach his opponent, a wall of light flashed into existence, blocking his path. Cilasis slammed against the barrier at full speed, bouncing back from the heavy impact.

"My domain, my rules," Nomed stated calmly.

With a flick of his sleeve, glowing chains manifested around Cilasis, wrapping tightly around his limbs and torso. Try as he might, the demonic disciple could not break free, the holy light suppressing his strength.

However, to Slifer, the Black Death disciple's exaggerated look of ‘panic’ was quite unconvincing.

"I-I forfeit!"

Elder Fred blinked in surprise at the sudden concession, but quickly recovered and raised his arm. "Victory to Nomed of the Black Rose Sect!"

Nomed smiled and let out a soft sigh of relief as cheers erupted from the Black Rose pavilion. His goal had been accomplished - he had secured a spot to enter the Sealed Realm.

“Congratulations on another victory, Supreme Elder. That boy…I can say for certain he has a bright future. Now if only I had your luck with disciples,” Leontius sighed.

"I agree. The boy shows great maturity for one so young, unlike some of your other disciples," Astrid added, lifting an eyebrow.

Slifer smiled graciously, nodding in acknowledgement of their praise. But inwardly, his thoughts were already racing ahead.

Ding!

Your Disciple Nomed Won!

350 Karmic Credits Gained!

And no, his thoughts weren’t fixated on his credits.

They were focused on the battle he had just witnessed. That match had been odd. The way Cilasis created openings for Nomed, how he just let himself get caught...it was almost like he was throwing the fight on purpose.

But why would a Black Death disciple allow a Black Rose disciple to secure a spot in the Sealed Realm? What was really going on here?

The questions churned endlessly in Slifer's mind, even as the next match started. He had an inkling that whatever was transpiring likely tied back to the scheme Vowron seemed to be orchestrating.

Slifer's eyes unconsciously drifted towards the Black Death Sect Master seated a beside him. But as usual, Vowron's expression remained unreadable.

With so few pieces of the puzzle, Slifer could only speculate and strategize for now.

But one thing was certain - he needed to keep an even closer eye on Nomed going forward. The boy clearly had an agenda of his own. And until Slifer figured out what that agenda was, young Nomed needed to be monitored.

“Morvran, there’s one other thing I’d like you to do…”

***

"Caelum of Black Rose Sect versus Lucian of Heavenly Light Sect!"

Caelum calmly walked into the arena. The Heavenly Light disciple, a nervous looking young man, gulped at the sight of the undefeated swordsman. This fight would not last long.

As expected, Lucian could do little but defend desperately against Caelum's elegant but ruthless swordplay. Within minutes, Bloodthorn had slipped past his guard and rested lightly against his neck.

"I…I yield."

Caelum nodded and stepped back, flicking blood from his sword before sheathing it smoothly. Another easy victory.

The matches continued quickly. Hughie faced off against a bulky teen from Black Heart Sect who specialized in earth techniques. But for once, the big oaf didn't just rely on brawling.

He calmly analysed his opponent's moves before using his transformations to counter effectively. Though the other disciple landed some solid blows that left Hughie a little bloody, in the end Hughie's tenacity won out. His opponent surrendered after nearly being crushed by Hughie's giant toad form.

"Ha! Did you see that, Gramps?" Hughie grinned, reverting back to human form. "I totally dominated that guy!"

"For once, you actually used your brain amidst all that brawling,” Li Fenghao harrumphed. “Perhaps you are finally learning strategy, boy."

Hughie laughed and gave the ring a cocky thumbs up, though internally he was pleased by the rare praise from the grumpy immortal spirit.

Next up was Dentos, who was pitted against a nervous looking youth wearing a Black Rose badge - one of the Disciplinary Hall members.

"Um, er, I forfeit!" the boy squeaked out, trembling at the prospect of facing his eccentric boss.

Dentos sighed, another opportunity to wow the Supreme Elder missed.

The second to last match of the Foundation Establishment bracket saw William against a White Tiger disciple. The young master was clearly reaching his limit - face pale and breathing ragged by the end. But through sheer determination, the scrappy youth had clawed his way to victory. Slifer had briefly wondered what motivated the young master to push himself that far.

Now, only two matches remained - Zack versus Caitlyn, and Amelia versus Ironius. The vampire-looking girl and the dark-haired youth were both Black Death disciples, and something in their predatory gazes during previous rounds told Slifer they would not be throwing their matches like Cilasis had.

No, these two wanted blood.

"Zack of the Black Rose Sect versus Caitlyn of the Black Death Sect!" Elder Fred roared.

Slifer's avatar calmly landed in the arena across from the pale girl.

"Aw, you were hoping to get a go at me during the first stage, weren't you?" Zack grinned. "Well, better late than never!"

Caitlyn said nothing, merely staring back like he was worth less than the dirt beneath her shoes.

Zack's smile didn't waver, but behind it, his thoughts grew wary. This girl wasn't just here to compete - she wanted him dead. He could see the murderous intent clearly now. Things could get troublesome if he wasn't careful.

It’s fine, the fish has taken the bait. Now, all I have to do is reel it in…

"Begin!"