The tea party and the conversation lasted for a while, and when it ended, it was time to get down to business.
"Is there something you want in exchange for your heroic deeds earlier, Master Gideon?" the sect master broached the delicate topic subtly.
Gideon thought for three minutes before answering.
"I want only two things, sect master. And I feel embarrassed and ashamed to even accept a reward for something I didn't really do myself." Gideon, a man of 31 years, blushed but was honest about his feelings.
"What you did is not in question, Master Gideon. I, all the elders of the sect, and the thousands of my disciples have seen firsthand how you vanquished the enemies at our gates. They would be foolish to counter such a claim," the sect master replied in a firm voice, leaving Gideon no room to back out.
"Thank you, sect master." Gideon could only tattoo this favor in his heart.
"I would like one Foundation Establishment Realm Ascension Pill and one Core Formation Realm Ascension Pill," he said, finally voicing his request. He wanted these not for himself but for the people he owed a lot to.
One was his mother, and the other was for his maidservant Emily. These pills would enable them to reach the specified realms with just one dose. The only downside was that they would be forever stuck in that realm.
But that did not matter to Gideon. As long as there was life, there was hope. He believed that somewhere out there, a pill master or a secret technique existed that could extend the lives of his loved ones.
"I will give you not one, but three of each, Master Gideon." The sect master knew when to press for an advantage and increased what was asked for her. Although these pills seemed like immortal elixirs to low-level cultivators, to her, who could already live for thousands of years, these pills meant nothing.
"I will forever hold this favor in my heart, sect master." Gideon was touched by the generous gesture of his sect master and secretly vowed to guard the Golden Lotus Sect from any enemy, within or without.
"It is the least I could do, Master Gideon. We owe you our lives and that of our sect," the sect master replied honestly. Even a child could have easily killed her in her weakened state earlier.
***
That night, Gideon went home and gave one Foundation Establishment Ascension Pill to Emily.
"You're the best, master!" Emily cried, jumping for joy. With this, she would be able to live at least 500 years and be with her master longer. Of course, everybody loved to have a long life, and Emily was no different.
"You've been with me the longest. You deserve this gift, Emily," Gideon said, receiving a tight hug from his maidservant.
Although Emily was not a supreme fairy beauty like the sect master or Elder Mira, she was pretty in her own right. More than that, she had a body to die for.
As Emily hugged him and jumped like a little girl in his arms, Gideon couldn't help but react. He was only a man, after all, and the sensation of her body rubbing against him was enough to stir his desires.
Still, nothing happened, and Gideon was also not one to force things between them. He retreated to his room, where an old man stood guard at his door, a sentinel in human guise.
"Are you hungry, dragon?" Gideon paused before closing the doors.
"This slave does not need any food, master," the old man replied, turning to face Gideon and kneeling respectfully.
"I forgot to ask your name," Gideon said, his curiosity piqued. Though he remained uneasy with the old man's presence—knowing his true form was a massive elder dragon—he couldn't bear to leave him outside to fend for himself like a mere beast.
"This slave has no name, master," the old man responded with his usual brevity.
"All that has life should have names. From now on, you shall be called Alexander Blackwood!" Gideon declared, a hint of satisfaction in his voice. The name resonated with strength, fitting for a great dragon in his estimation.
"Thank you for giving me a name, master," Alexander replied, still kneeling.
"Welcome to my family, Alexander," Gideon said warmly, a smile softening his features as he closed the door behind him.
While inside, Gideon attended to his usual affairs. He sat in a lotus position and cultivated, and he was shocked at what he discovered.
Bang!
The 3rd stage of the Qi Gathering Realm!
He broke through just like that, and the breakthroughs continued without pause.
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
His advancement persisted, each breakthrough mere seconds apart, until he encountered a formidable barrier that halted his progress.
"The 10th and peak stage of the Qi Gathering Realm!" Gideon exclaimed, stunned. He sat still for several minutes, coming to grips with the realization that this profound change might be linked to the earlier events.
The memory of the great massacre made him almost retch—knowing that the souls and essence of those slain were possibly now within him.
Unconsciously, he touched his heart area and shivered at the thought of the person who had controlled his body, now possibly residing within him, observing his every move.
"Hello? Senior? Are you there?" Gideon asked softly, but there was no response. Unwilling to give up, a trait ingrained in him, he continued to speak and query the unseen senior for an hour straight, yet still, only silence greeted him.
"I must be going mad," Gideon muttered, shaking his head and sighing. Based on his experience, he doubted he would achieve any breakthrough to Foundation Establishment on his own power alone in this lifetime.
If not for today's events, he likely would have remained at the 2nd stage of the Qi Gathering Realm.
With that realization, Gideon allowed himself to indulge in laziness for the first time in his life.
A weight seemed lifted from his shoulders as he lay down and drifted off to sleep, a contented smile on his face.