Kalzara
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Chapter 10: Relying on Hughie's Absurd Luck
🕑 Added 2023-09-29 01:43:28 +0000 UTCSlifer grit his teeth, weighing his options. If this were an anime, perhaps the 'talk no jutsu' would've been my way out. It always seems to work wonders in these types of situations. But, unfortunately for him, this was a xianxia world, where it was strength that did all the talking.
Slifer’s gaze settled on his cards. Among them, the Reversal card caught his attention. The memory of when he first entered this world flashed in his mind. The Reversal card managed to kill a Core Formation cultivator the last time I used it but could it be powerful enough to deal with an Origin Realm expert?
As he was about to activate the card, a thought hit him. The range of this card is too big. What if it hurts my disciples... or Val? His eyes glanced at Val's tiny form on the ground, her chest moving up and down with shallow breaths. No, it's not worth the risk.
Seeing Slifer deep in thought, Elder Olakin scoffed, "You dare get distracted in front of me!" In a swift motion, he summoned another attack.
"Verdant Lash of Desolation!" Green tendrils, imbued with the very essence of the earth, surged forward. Their speed was incomprehensible, and before Slifer could react, they were nearly upon him.
But just as the lethal tendrils were about to pierce his heart, a System notification sounded.
Ding!
Critical Block Activated!
The attack rebounded as if hitting an invisible barrier, dissipating into harmless wisps of energy.
Elder Olakin's eyes widened in disbelief, "What...?" He muttered, a hint of unease evident in his voice, "Even if you've reached the Origin Realm... this should not be possible."
Slifer, trying to buy more time, replied coolly, "There's much you don't know, Elder. Perhaps it's time we talk this through."
Elder Olakin's face darkened further; he had heard tales that this Elder Slifer was as bloodthirsty as they come, but here he was, wanting to chat.
Slifer's eyes darted to his stat screen, noticing the 269 credits. I need a good card from the Shop, and fast! Without hesitation, he activated the random card function.
Congratulations
You Have Acquired: Critical Block Card
Passive Skill: Protects User From A Critical Strike
Not bad but it would only prolong the inevitable.
Slifer's hands were clammy as he saw Elder Olakin begin to move for another strike. "Thorny Coffin of Eternal Slumber!" the elder announced, summoning thick vines, bristling with deadly thorns, that moved like serpents in the air. This was his most powerful plant-based attack, one that trapped and strangled the life out of his enemies.
Slifer's eyes widened as the thorny vines shot toward him. I have to rely on another Critical Block card. With a desperate click, he purchased another random card as he braced for impact.
Ding!
Unsuccessful
Better Luck Next Time!
Ding!
Critical Block Activated!
Just as the thorny vines were about to envelope him, much like the previous attack, they ricocheted off the invisible shield.
Elder Olakin's face turned crimson with rage and disbelief. "Impossible!" he spat, but doubt gnawed at him. If I can't even touch him, and he can conjure that thunderbolt again... I'm finished.
This isn’t working, my luck stat must be too low! Slifer's attention turned to Hughie, who had taken refuge behind a tree. Does he really think that hiding under a tree would save him from lightning? "Hughie!" Slifer yelled. "Get over here, now!"
Peeking out from his hiding spot, Hughie spotted Slifer's grave expression. He gulped audibly and flew over. "Master, I... umm..."
"No time to talk, hold my hand!" Slifer cut him off.
As Hughie grabbed a hold of Slifer’s hand, his eyes were full of questions but he knew better than to ask them at this moment.
Come on, give me something good, Slifer sent a desperate plea to the fickle gods of luck.
Just as he triggered another random card purchase, Elder Olakin let out an earth-shaking roar and summoned his domain, “Entwined Forest of Desolation!"
Suddenly, the entire area transformed. Giant trees erupted from the ground, their branches intertwining to create a vast, impenetrable canopy above, while below, thick vines twisted and turned, crawling towards everyone like ravenous serpents.
Slifer felt the crushing pressure of Elder Olakin's domain as the world around him turned into an endless forest. So, this is a true Origin Realm Domain, he thought, momentarily comparing it to his own fledgling Nascent Soul realm domain which paled in comparison.
If he could visualize his own stats, he was certain there'd be a glaring debuff staring back at him. But then again, as a mere Qi Refining cultivator, his base power was already insignificant against Elder Olakin.
Beside him, Hughie quivered like a leaf in a storm. Is this how it ends? he wondered, glancing over at Slifer with wide-eyed panic. Why on earth does Master want our final moments to be hand in hand?
A fleeting thought of how he'd imagined his own end crossed Hughie’s mind: comfortably old, surrounded by a doting harem, each competing to feed him grapes, not... clutching his master's hand in a backward village.
As these thoughts swirled in Hughie’s mind, Slifer was already taking action. He repositioned himself protectively in front of Hughie and focused intently on the System screen.
Ding!
Critical Block Activated!
As anticipated, the vines harmlessly deflected off Slifer.
"Why?!" Elder Olakin's roar of frustration echoed through the vicinity. Assuming that Slifer possessed some magical item that defended against distant assaults, the elder decided on a more direct approach. "Let's see if you can fend off a close-quarters attack!" Elder Olakin shouted, charging at Slifer with his fist aimed straight for his face.
Why do they always announce their moves? Slifer wondered. It would be so much more effective if he just attacked without warning. But then, recalling his own battles, he realized he too enjoyed shouting out his moves. Guess I can't really fault him for it.
Slifer knew that the Critical Block card worked against any form of attack so he wasn't concerned.
However, when he took a look at the cards he had left, he noticed that he was out of Critical Block cards. His eyes widened in panic as the old man appeared before him.
Suddenly, another System notification appeared.
Congratulations
You Have Acquired: Deadly Strike Card
Deliver A Fatal Blow To The Target
Warning: Effect Only Applies To Beings Below The Immortal Realm
Without a moment's hesitation, Slifer activated the card.
Randomising Attack
...
Sword Strike: Peak Ascendant Realm
Before he could even skim through the second notification, a surge of intangible sword qi erupted from his hand, piercing straight through Elder Olakin.The elder, now just a foot away from Slifer, froze.
Time seemed to stand still, then, with a loud thud, Elder Olakin's head toppled over, followed by his lifeless body collapsing onto the ground.
The Plant Domain around them shattered like a fragile glass globe, its fragments disappearing into wisps of plant essence.
Ding!
Task Complete
You Have Gained 1000 Karmic Credits
Ding!
You Have Killed An Origin Realm Cultivator
You Have Gained 200 Karmic Credits
Hughie, mouth agape, stared at the fallen elder, then at his master. "Master... you... how did you...?"
Slifer looked at Hughie, then at Elder Olakin's fallen body, and finally at his own hands, still feeling the residual tingling from the Deadly Strike Card. That was too close. Way too close.
"Sometimes, it's all about luck," Slifer muttered, seemingly lost in thought.
Hughie looked down at their still-clasped hands, then back up to Slifer. "Uh, Master, can you let go of my hand now?"
Slifer blinked, realizing he was still gripping Hughie's hand tightly. He cleared his throat awkwardly and released his disciple's hand. "My apologies," he chuckled, giving Hughie a playful pat on the back. "You're quite the lucky charm."
Hughie forced a smile, his thoughts running wild. If it weren't for Master, I'd be miles away from this mess. But... "Of course, Master," he said out loud, though a little hesitantly.
"Quickly, store that corpse in your storage ring," Slifer instructed, pointing to the decapitated Elder Olakin.
With a swift motion, Hughie complied. Slifer then rushed to where little Val lay. He gently picked up the tiny dragon, her snores filling the air.
"Master has taken care of the bad man," he murmured, brushing his fingers over her smooth scales. Val just snored louder, her adorable face deep in slumber, utterly oblivious to the events that had just transpired.
As the suffocating vines disappeared, Amelia strode over, a triumphant smile playing on her lips. "I always knew Master would come through," she bragged, tossing her hair.
Beside her, Caelum dropped into a deep bow. "Forgive me, Master," he said, voice shaking. "This disciple doubted you."
Since when was Master a swordsman? Caelum wondered. That sword qi… it had Will. Isn't that an Astral Awakening Senior's ability?
Slifer studied them both, hiding a small smile. Just as Caelum raised his head, a System notification popped up.
Ding!
Congratulations
Your Actions Have Affected Your Disciples
Amelia's Loyalty Increased By 11%
Caelum's Loyalty Increased By 20%
Hughie's Loyalty Increased By 5%
Increasing their loyalty... I need to delve deeper into this. Apart from the obvious reasons for desiring loyalty, he remembered there were additional benefits, like pinpointing their exact location via the System. What other advantages might there be?
Slifer turned his attention to Amelia, there was something he needed to make clear. "You need to stop belittling cultivators more powerful than yourself. There may come a time when even I can't save you."
If she keeps this up, she might draw trouble that not even Hughie's bizarre luck can get us out of, Slifer thought.
Amelia lowered her head, a shadow of regret passing over her face. But then, a mischievous glint appeared in her eyes. "Alright, Master! I promise to only pick on those weaker than me."
Slifer raised an eyebrow, a hint of exasperation creeping into his voice. "No, Amelia, that's not the point. No bullying anyone."
She huffed, looking away in disappointment. "Master, you're no fun.
Before he could reply, a prior System notification replayed in his mind. He recalled being deducted 10 credits because Amelia had taken an innocent life. "Amelia," he began, "Why did you kill a villager? Didn’t I explicitly state to not take an innocent life?"
She froze, her eyes widening in shock. "M-Master... it was an accident," she stammered, clearly caught off-guard, she had not expected her master to find out, especially so soon.
Slifer exhaled deeply, pinching the bridge of his nose. The idea of sending Amelia outside the sect to save lives flashed through his mind, but after what happened this time, he shook it off. He didn’t know which enemy of the original will come after him next and he did not want to find out.
"Your punishment will be to assist in the Medicine Hall, saving ten lives to atone for the one you took," he declared.
"But Master, I don’t know anything about—"
Slifer cut her off with a stern look, stopping her in her tracks. "You will learn," he said firmly.
Her shoulder’s slumped down as she nodded, accepting her punishment. "Yes, Master," she mumbled.
This might be a good way to earn credits while guiding her on a righteous path, Slifer thought optimistically. I might actually be getting the hang of being an elder.
Ding!
New Task Assigned: Save 10 Lives
Disciple: Amelia
Status: 0/10
Reward: 10 Karmic Credits
Slifer's eyebrows furrowed at the notification. Only one credit for a life? He sighed. Sometimes, this system truly doesn't make sense.
Whilst her master was once again lost in thought, Amelia cast a suspicious glance at Caelum and then at Hughie. It must have been Hughie who ratted me out. Senior Brother was with me the whole time.
Catching her glare, Hughie paled, raising his hands defensively. "Hey, it wasn't me!"
Amelia didn't seem convinced, her eyes narrowing further.
Ignoring the little exchange, Slifer looked down at Caelum. The truth was, Caelum had been correct in his initial assessment. Against an Origin Realm expert, Slifer would have been severely outmatched. But Slifer wasn't one to waste an opportunity to acquire more credits, even if it meant employing creative disciplinary measures.
"Caelum," Slifer began, "Your lack of faith in your master is disappointing. As your punishment, you will complete ten tasks within the sect.” Pausing, Slifer added, "I won't list them out for you. Unlike the other two, I trust you can pick them yourself."
Caelum's eyes widened briefly before he nodded solemnly, accepting the task. "Yes, Master."
Ding!
New Task Assigned: 10
Righteous Deeds
Disciple: Caelum
Status: 0/10
Reward: ???
Slifer ignored the notification as he looked over at Hughie. There was no need to punish him; after all, Hughie was his lucky charm. Would punishing a protagonist affect my luck? Perhaps it's best not to test those waters.
His eyes softened as he looked down at the small form of Val craddled in his arms. "We must return to the sect," he declared. The severity of Val's injury concerned him; a strike from an Origin Realm expert was not to be taken lightly.
However, Amelia interjected, pointing in a particular direction. "Master, the Nascent Soul servants went that way. They'll likely be back soon. Shouldn't we... take care of them?"
We? More like me. I've had enough action for tonight… heck, enough for the next century, Slifer thought. Without another word, he started heading in a different direction, aiming to circle back to the sect and avoid them monsters.
Confused, Amelia hastened to keep up with him. "Master, why are we leaving them alive? Aren't they a threat?"
Assuming a wise and profound expression, Slifer shook his head slowly. "There's been enough death today," he intoned gravely. However, Slifer knew that he would lose more credits than he would gain if he were to kill them. Peak Slifer cards don’t come cheap.
Amelia looked at her master, genuine confusion evident in her eyes. Why would the man who brought entire sects to their knees think a single death is too many? she wondered.
The three Nascent Soul cultivators from the Black Heart Sect moved swiftly as they made their way back to Lushan Village. Their journey was interrupted by a sudden vibration from their communication tokens. As the glowing light shone, they saw the message that froze their steps.
"The Grand Elder... he's dead?" the first one stammered, voice shaking.
Another simply shook his head, his eyes filled with disbelief. The reality of Elder Olakin's death was impossible to digest. "Could the elder from the Black Rose Sect have done this? Could he have killed the Grand Elder?"
The third just whispered, almost inaudibly, "No, it can't be. Elder Slifer failed to breakthrough to the Origin Realm, everyone knows that."
But the next moment shattered their doubts. The communication token lit up, showing the last moments of Elder Olakin’s life. The image of Elder Slifer, previously thought to be a dying cultivator, raising his hand and releasing an explosive sword qi that effortlessly decapitated the Grand Elder played out in front of their eyes.
“How is this possible?! Elder Olakin, taken down with just one strike?” The three of them gasped in unison, as the reality of the situation sank in.
"Ascendant realm," one muttered, his voice quivering.
The leader, snapping out of his daze, clenched his fists. "We must return to the sect immediately," he declared. "The emergence of a new Ascendant cultivator could upheave the balance among the sects. We need to prepare for the worst."
The second nodded, adding, "Especially when that cultivator is that demon Slifer."
Slifer returned to his private quarters, his heart heavy with a mixture of relief and apprehension. He had just placed little Val in a specialized healing chamber, and now there was nothing left to do but wait.
He settled down on a plush cushion, his thoughts drifting back to the confrontation. It's true what they say in those xianxia novels, he mused, a wry smile forming on his lips. Personal power is everything in this world. If he had been an Astral Awakening Senior, perhaps Elder Olakin wouldn't have been so audacious.
"He wouldn’t have even thought of taking my disciples hostage," Slifer murmured to himself, shaking his head in frustration.
Suddenly, the memory of Amelia's taunting words surfaced in his mind. He chuckled bitterly. "Bullying the weak is the norm here, huh? It's as if the powerful take pleasure in the misery of others."
His expression hardened, determination lighting up his eyes. I need to increase my cultivation. Having those rare cards might give me an edge, but in the end, my own strength is the most reliable.
Eagerly, he activated the shop interface.
Shop
- Cards
- Cultivation Methods
- Treasures
- Pills & Elixirs
- Mystic Techniques
- Martial Techniques
- Bloodlines & Ancestries
- Constitutions
- Spirit Roots
- Beasts & Familiars
- Create
I need a Heaven Rank Cultivation Method if I'm going to make any significant leaps in my cultivation.
His fingers danced across the interface, pulling up the methods available for purchase. The cheapest methods, like the Heavenly Celestial Breath Method, were priced at 500 credits. Now that he had a few more credits to spend, perhaps he could aim higher.
He scrolled through the options, noting the price tags. But when he looked at the Mid Heaven Rank Methods—like "Nine Heavens Soul Refinement" and "Celestial Ascent Scripture"—they all required 1000 credits. The High Heaven Rank Methods, such as "Eternal Dao Enlightenment" and "Primordial Essence Codex," were an even steeper 2500 credits. As for the Peak Methods, like "Universe Mastery Technique," they were an astronomical 5000 credits.
Slifer exhaled sharply, a hint of annoyance evident in his features. "No matter how much I earn," he muttered, "it never seems to be enough."
Choices, choices, he thought, gazing at the glowing interface. What path should I take?
Slifer sighed and redirected his attention to the "create" option on the shop interface.
He delved deeper into the option and found that it allowed a cultivator to fuse methods they had mastered to form a new, potentially stronger technique. The cost? A mere 10 karmic credits.
"That sounds incredibly overpowered," Slifer mumbled to himself. But then again, mastering even one method takes an eternity. How would I ever master multiple?
He spotted another option that grabbed his attention. It permitted him to fuse cultivation methods he was familiar with, but had not yet mastered. There was, however, a catch: the cost in karmic credits would increase significantly.
"System," Slifer inquired, "how much would it cost to merge the Heavenly Radiance Cultivation Art with the Heavenly Celestial Breath Method?"
Heavenly Radiance Cultivation Art Mastery: 5%
Heavenly Celestial Breath Method Mastery: 0%
Calculating Cost
...
350 Karmic Credits
Slifer nodded slowly, processing the information. "And the rank of the resulting method?"
Mid Heaven Rank
A satisfied smile crept onto Slifer's face, his earlier frustration melting away. "Now, that's a deal I'm willing to take."
Without hesitation, Slifer acquired the Heavenly Celestial Breath Method for 500 credits. With the method in his possession, he navigated to the create option and initiated the merging process.
Are You Sure You Wish To Proceed?
"Yes, proceed," Slifer affirmed.
The System took a moment, its interface swirling with myriad colors before it finally announced:
Merging Process Complete
Please Provide A New Name For Your Cultivation Method
Slifer paused, pondering. He needed a name that resonated with the essence of both methods yet sounded profound and mysterious, befitting the xianxia world.
"Let's call it the 'Celestial Radiance Breathing Art'," he declared with a satisfied nod. It might not sound as impressive as some of the other Heaven Rank Methods but Slifer felt like it did the job.
With a Heaven Ranked Method, I should be able to breakthrough to Foundation Establishment in one step.
Taking a deep breath, he murmured, "Time to break through."
But as he began to cycle the energy, a nagging sensation tugged at the edges of his consciousness. Am I forgetting something? he wondered, trying to pinpoint the source of his unease.
Unable to identify the elusive thought, he shook his head, choosing to immerse himself in his cultivation. "Distractions won't aid my breakthrough," he muttered.
Meanwhile, in the guest quarters, Leah paced the room, growing more impatient with each step. Suddenly, she paused, and a cruel smirk appeared on her face. "Father will come soon," she muttered. "And he'll teach that old pervert a lesson."
Then her thoughts turned to Morvran, causing her face to darken. "And that buffoon," she spat out, "how dare he lay a hand on me?" A vivid image of Morvran's bald head on a spike flashed in her mind, bringing the smirk back to her face.
