Slifer laid down in his bed, sighing as he realized he couldn't remember the last time he got a good night's sleep. As a Foundation Establishment cultivator, his body still needed rest.
His mind wandered as he thought about the recent events. He, a middle-aged man living in his parent's basement, had choked to death on a pie only to be isekai'd to this xianxia world. But not as the usual young, handsome, secretly talented protagonist. No, he was reincarnated as an old demonic elder on his last breath. By all rights, he should have died then. Yet miraculously, he had survived thanks to the mysterious System. In time, he had even managed to establish himself as the respected Supreme Elder of the Black Rose Sect.
While Slifer still grappled with imposter syndrome, he took some satisfaction in knowing he had done a better job teaching his disciples than the original Slifer ever could. Though he wished he could have guided them more before they entered the Sealed Realm.
Not that the impostor syndrome would ever fully fade, he mused. Slifer was an interloper piloting another man's body, after all. No amount of achievement could change that cold fact.
At least the Black Death Sect's plot to assassinate the Supreme Elders and commandeer the tournament had failed. Their forces were either imprisoned or dead, and Vowron himself sealed away in Slifer's cauldron. As for the other Supreme Elders, they had returned to their sects.
Tomorrow, Slifer would focus on interrogating the prisoners and uncovering Vowron's true motives. The Immortal Realms were somehow involved; of this Slifer was certain. But many pieces still remained obscured in the shadows. But those matters could wait until morning.
For now, this Supreme Elder needed sleep.
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The next day, Slifer sat cross-legged in his quarters devouring a mountainous breakfast. He paused mid-bite when Morvran's voice entered his mind.
"Master, the prisoners are ready for interrogation."
Slifer quickly transmitted back. "I'll be there shortly."
Wiping his mouth, he tidied his appearance before heading to the dungeon. Unlike his disciple Amelia, Slifer held no love for the place.
The stench of blood and fear permeated the air as he walked in. At the end of the hall stood a heavy oak door banded with black iron. The two guards stationed there snapped to attention as they noticed Slifer.
"Supreme Elder," one greeted respectfully, before pushing the door open to allow Slifer entry.
He stepped inside, eyes scanning the larger chamber. The perimeter of the room was lined with more occupied cells showing recent signs of use – blood splatters, discarded tools, wheezing prisoners.
In the centre, ten figures knelt with hands chained behind their backs. They wore the black and red robes marking them as members of the Black Death Sect. Their condition was as expected - broken fingers, deep burns, flayed skin. These injuries were the least of the prisoners’ worries. Interrogation under Morvran was not for the faint of heart.
"Forgive me, Master. These dogs refuse to talk despite my efforts," Morvran sighed.
"Don't apologize, my friend," Slifer reassured him. "If they withstood your talents, I doubt anything could make them speak."
Luckily for us, I have just the technique in mind for this type of situation. I just wish I didn’t have to use it…
Stats!
Name: Slifer
Race: Human
Alignment: Demonic
Spiritual Cultivation: Peak Foundation Establishment
Body Cultivation: Peak Foundation Establishment
Lifespan Remaining: 100 years
Karmic Credits: 78,970
Skills: Firebreath, Insight (Intermediate), Mirror Mastery (Level 2), Nascent Soul Armor (Level 2), Phase Ability (Level 1), Void Being Aura (Level 1)
Items: Reversal Card, Peak Slifer Card, Caelum Card, Hughie Card, Critical Block x6, Reflection Barrier Card x3, Thunderblast Card x2, Critical Heal x3, Time Reversal Card, One Minute Rewind Card x2, Mimicry Card x3, Teleportation Marker x3
Affinities: Light: 25% Fire: 15% Space: 20%, Lightning: 10%
Abilities: Mirror Mastery: Level 2
Techniques: Sunrise Slash: Level 3, Stellar Nova Strike: Level 2, Dimensional Slide: Level 2, Nascent Soul Armour: Level 1, Void Piercer: Level 1
Weapon Mastery: Sword: 20%
Perks: Dual Cultivator Perk
Good to know that credits won’t be an issue.
Opening up the Shop interface, Slifer sorted through various spiritual arts until he found it - Soul Searching Technique. A useful technique even if it was demonic.
Having to resort to the Soul-Searching technique left a bitter taste in his mouth. He knew that he no longer had the luxury to avoid the more ruthless aspects of the cultivation world. Not to mention, since arriving in this world, he had killed many times already, both directly and indirectly. But…some things were worse than death.
If I don’t do everything in my power to find the truth, it will be me who is on the wrong end of a soul-search…or worse. I just don’t want to be like those hypocrite protagonists, pretending that I’m the good guy in all of this. I guess I’m more of an anti-hero…
Not knowing how to feel about that, Slifer turned his attention back to finding a Heaven Rank Soul Searching technique that would meet his needs. Once he found one, he purchased the manual - ignoring the System's warning about Karmic Credit deductions. Some things were more valuable than losing a few points.
Ding!
Purchase successful
You have gained the technique: Soul Searching
-10,000 Karmic Credits
"Give me a few moments alone with them," Slifer instructed Morvran. No need for his follower to witness the inevitable failures to come.
Morvran obediently departed, shutting the door firmly behind him. Now they were alone, captive and captor. Two were human, the rest various demonic races - horned imps, furred beastmen, and reptilian scales. They glared at him with pure hatred through eyes sunken with pain and exhaustion.
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Slifer began to pace slowly around the kneeling figures. He said nothing at first, building tension as their eyes tracked his movements. Fear and confusion lurked beneath their defiant exteriors. They had heard about the reputation of the Supreme Elder and his sadistic disciples, they did not know what fate awaited them now.
"I imagine you are wondering why you’re still alive," Slifer finally remarked conversationally.
He stopped his circling and regarded the leader of the group - a powerfully built demon with curling ram's horns atop his head.
"Fanatics like you rarely leave this place alive," Slifer continued. "And your kind are known for abandoning failures like yourselves..."
The horned demon bared pointed teeth in a mocking sneer. "Is this where you try to break us, human? Do your worst - you'll get nothing from us but screams."
The other prisoners muttered their agreement. Such bravado was expected.
Slifer's expression remained mild, giving no hint of his intentions. "Bold words. But I think you'll find my methods are not designed to inflict pain…they don’t actually require your cooperation at all."
Steeling himself, his gaze moved from one prisoner to another, contemplating where to begin. It finally settled on one of the two human cultivators - a slender man with brown hair obscuring his eyes. Humans tended to have weaker souls than demons, making them ideal initial test subjects.
"I think I'll begin with you," Slifer said. He reached out towards the prisoner's head.
"Get your filthy paws off me!" the man spat, trying to jerk away. The chains binding his wrists prevented him from moving far.
Ignoring the outburst, Slifer placed his palm directly on top of the man’s hair and activated the Soul Searching technique. Violet tendrils of qi were released out of Slifer’s hand and made their way into the cultivator's mind. The man's back arched, a scream torn from his throat. The other prisoners watched anxiously.
"Come on, resist him!" one demon growled. "Don't let this scum plunder your mind!"
"Fight it, brother!" the human prisoner yelled. "We must endure!"
Inside the man's psyche, Slifer sifted through memories and experiences. A small village...parents killed...leaving the village to join the Death Sect…
"Let's see what secrets you hide," Slifer muttered, ignoring the useless information as he probed deeper. The human soul wavered under the assault but held firm for now.
More images appeared - a candle-lit initiation ritual...the stark barracks...a punishing training regime... First kills and assignments carried out with increasing zealotry...finally getting his revenge…
Slifer frowned, disappointed at the lack of substantial intel so far. He would have to risk plunging even deeper into the man's core.
But as the violet tendrils penetrated further, the prisoner's soul defenses suddenly collapsed. His body spasmed violently, froth bubbling from his lips as his mind fragmented from the strain.
With a gasp, Slifer withdrew the technique hastily, but it was too late - the damage was done. The man's head slumped forward, eyes staring vacantly ahead as drool dripped from his slack mouth. His soul had been utterly devastated by the search.
Ding!
You have gained 50 Karmic Credits for killing a demonic Core Formation cultivator
Ding!
You have lost 50 Karmic Credits for using a demonic soul technique
"No, brother!"
"Damn you, devil!" one demon snarled at Slifer, baring fangs.
Slifer sighed, ignoring the outburst as he stepped back. So much for his first attempt - while human souls were weak, they lacked the fortitude to withstand a full invasion. Soul searching was a delicate procedure, requiring surgical precision rather than brute force. He would have to refine his control before trying again.
Looks like I have a lot of practising to look forward to…Actually, maybe practising on them isn’t a good idea. If I accidentally shattered all their minds before learning anything useful then any chance of uncovering Vowron's plans would be lost.
Clearly he needed to upgrade the Soul Searching technique before attempting it again.
"What are you plotting, snake?" the horned demon leader growled.
Slifer glanced at him. "You'll see soon enough."
Opening his interface, Slifer navigated to the technique, and he hesitated when he saw the upgrade cost.
1000 Karmic Credits to upgrade to level 1? Fine.
Ding!
Soul Search upgraded to level 1
-1000 Karmic Credits
The violet tendrils glowed brighter.
Slifer turned to the prisoners but before he tried again, he paused.
Better to be cautious and upgrade to level 2…
Ding!
Soul Search upgraded to level 2
-2000 Karmic Credits
Ready to try again, Slifer gaze settled on one of the lesser demons - a grey-skinned brute with heavy ridges protruding from his bald skull.
"Let's see what you know," Slifer remarked, reaching out.
The demon thrashed against his chains. "Get out of my head!"
Undeterred, Slifer initiated the Soul Search, tendrils spearing deep into the captive's mind. It screamed as he rifled through its memories. A hell-like world...hiding from larger demons...its first kill...
He rapidly skipped past the demon's early years, focusing only on recent events. Finally, he uncovered memories of Vowron addressing this strike team.
Slifer listened closely to Vowron's instructions, seeking some hint about the Immortal Realm's involvement. But there was nothing beyond orders to infiltrate the tournament - no explanations given. This demon was merely a grunt acting on commands from above.
With a frustrated sigh, Slifer withdrew from its mind. The creature slumped forward.
Ding!
You have lost 50 Karmic Credits for using a demonic soul technique
Due to Slifer’s improved control and the naturally resistant soul of a demon, it was still alive.
Slifer turned to consider the horned leader, who was still defiantly meeting his gaze. This one surely possessed more extensive knowledge. But prudence suggested saving him for last.
"You," Slifer gestured to another random demon. "You’re next..."