"...These three people are under my supervision, for the next decade. I hope I'll be able to fix their cultivation flaws." Pef explained towards the Icefire Sect Master, while gesturing lightly towards the three Saints waiting politely at the Sect gate.

The Sect Master blinked slowly, while calming his own heart. Who brings three Saints for remedial training? And why would they accept that?

"It's alright, little one. I also gained a Star from this trip, and much beside too." Ice Saint spoke softly then vanished into a stream of light, probably returning to his Icefire Cave under the Ancient Peak.

"Okay then. But, they all best behave while here. And since they have come to learn, they will only have a honorary disciple status." the Sect Master said with a stone face, then fled as well, returning to his safe Elder Hall.

Pef turned towards his new three wards, and gestured them to follow, as he flew towards the Enforcement Hall to register the new guests.

The Black-sash Enforcement Elder that received them was quite surprised, yet managed to only nod casually towards the newcomers. "Here are your disciple robes, visitors. Try to not get in trouble while here, cleaning up the mess if the Holy Son gets upset is not very fun."

The Lake Saint first frowned at the words, then more cautiously nodded as well, while sheepishly glancing at the young Holy Son. "We wouldn't dare to disappoint your Holy Son, Elder. We only came here to learn." she answered in a soft musical voice, while the other two Saints nodded as well.

"Right. Now for your tasks...lake girl, you go and settle with the Inner Disciples, and probe their loyalties and mind state. Saber guy, you'll disguise yourself as the new Outer Sect sweeper, and probe the little ones for infiltrators. And the fox girl... You come with me at the Refinement Hall." the blonde boy decided while examining the new recruits.

Sure, he wasn't yet sure why he needed strong recruits, but his memories were rarely wrong. Soldiers will be needed, possibly later.

The Lake Saint smiled knowingly at the Saber Saint, before adjusting her outward aura into a less impressive Sky realm strength, then flew slowly towards her new post.

The Saber Saint stood on the ground, holding a broom out while frowning for a minute. Then he sighed and masked his cultivation completely, turning into a harmless middle-aged broom sweeper, looking for work. He slowly walked towards the Outer Sect, broom heavy on his shoulder.

Meanwhile, Pef simply flew towards the Refinement Hall escorted by the Fox Saint, eager to start experimenting with the new blueprints and formations stolen from the Fiery Anvil Association.

From the next day, Pef's morning meals were slightly more crowded, as the three newcomers were required to participate, and even help cook some items.

For some reason, our hero had declined to inform his mother of the true identities of the new disciples, although his grandpa couldn't be kept out. He did carry his own Icefire sprite as well, and thus was well-informed of anything the Icefire came to know.

As for the Icefire itself, the azure cold flame was even less impressed with a few lowly Saints trying to advance their pitiful cultivations by holding on to the thigh of the young user.

In fact, it was too busy learning and digesting the new insights it received from inhabiting the small Holy Son.

Every day, for 10 hours straight, Pef and the Fox Saint worked side by side at creating various devices and arrays to harness the power of qi into special functions, everything from detection arrays to prison formations or shielding amulets, or energy cannons or handheld guns of various strengths.

Thus, when Pef reached the old age of 10 and entered Overlord Realm, only a few people were truly surprised, mostly some Outer Elders than never even reached Emperor Realm for various reasons. Some lacked talent or motivation, others had damaged meridians or mental blocks...or perhaps were simply lazy and complacent.

The only big surprise was Songtie, the former Sky Herald, reaching Emperor Realm as well, and joining both the Core Disciples and Pef's house as a step-father.

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The blonde Overlord simply glanced over the table and nodded gently. "Emperor Songtie, you may now court my mother...if she also agrees." he proclaimed in a soft voice while turning towards Rena. The Holy Mother didn't hesitate, since she had long agreed with the man to wait for this exact moment. "I need a few months to reach Emperor Realm myself, then Songtie and I will move out of your hair, little one. You already have these four women doing everything around the house anyway." she spoke while pointing her chin at the regular women at the table, two disguised Saints and Pef's selected disciples, Core Disciple Zara Longtian and Inner Disciple Zhong Di.

"T-there's nothing going on, Holy Mother!" the youngest woman spoke hurriedly, even if this time she managed not to spill her tea.

Pef just smiled and nodded, not really concerned with feminine adventures yet. He vaguely remembered several goddess-like women from a previous life, and could only wonder how strong they were now, or if they were still alive. Anyways, he would probably find out once he ascended...

'Little Zhong has a powerful mind block preventing me from casual reading. Highly suspicious in itself.' the Lake Saint sent with a mind transmission, while demurely sipping her fragrant tea brew by the Fox Saint. Somehow, the tea kept getting even better, proof of advancements in understanding of Dao.

The Fox Saint wasn't yet ready to receive her third Star, but it wouldn't be long now. The same was true for the Lake Saint as well, since constant use of her mind skills, both with covertly surveying the Inner Disciples minds and the difficult creation of mind stones helped strengthen her mind so much more.

Only the Saber Saint was still locked in his fourth Star, and seemed a bit unhappy. Luckily for him, the Icefire Sect had quite respectful disciples, so he didn't have to endure constant humiliation or pranks like he would have in another sect. He recalled a bit ashamed his own early days in the Mountain Sword Sect, as he ran on the corridor and kicked the old caretaker aside, just to get somewhere a second faster. Was it for the monthly pill distribution? He couldn't remember exactly why the hurry.

His eyes raised for a second towards the blonde Holy Son, then lowered them again. This must be the lesson he was supposed to learn then. But what had it to do with the saber?

"Lady Zara, you should come today at the Refinement Hall. I have crafted some devices for the Sect disciples, and they need testing." Pef asked as people began departing for their daily posts.

The former Elder stopped and nodded graciously. "Of course, Holy Son."

Pef just held a hand out towards the Fox Saint, and vanished as soon as they touched.

A second later, Pef arrived in his main laboratory in the Refinement Hall basement, and let go of then Fox Saint's elegant hand. "Prepare the Red Array, fox girl." he commanded as he jumped onto his command chair, its horseshoe interface copied after his memories of a Voidship's bridge.

"...She's only an Emperor, Holy Son. She might suffer greatly or even die." the Fox Saint muttered softly as she began activating the arcane device.

Pef just frowned for a second, then shook his head. "I achieved my first Domain also in Emperor Realm, and without this array. Zara is smart and will not fail." he decided in a glacial voice.

The Fox Saint bit her lips and hoped it was true. The Red Array was basically a giant incinerator, generated by an artificial Fire Domain. She had managed to obtain a new Domain inside, but it wasn't easy at all, even as a Saint.

A minute later, Zara arrived at the Refinement Hall and was directed towards the basement.

Then, as the metal doors snapped shut behind her, runes lit up on every side of the room.

"Sit down, Disciple Zara. Close your eyes too, and just focus on your core. I'll let you know when the testing is over." Pef spoke via a Sound Array embedded into the walls.

She did so, and began meditating. Then the metal room caught fire and swiftly turned into a concentrated inferno.