Chapter 98 - 93: Choice

Chapter 98: Chapter 93: Choice

In the real world.

The Fu Kingdom.

The Capital City.

"Jialin, cultivating in the Divine War Game really is faster than cultivating in the outside world. If you don’t believe me, just look—we’ve all broken through. Even though the fourth and fifth haven’t broken through yet, they’ve still become much stronger. I reckon they’ll break through in a few days too. Please reconsider..."

Several luxuriously dressed men and women stood in a courtyard that carried a faint air of martial severity. This was the residence of the Imperial Grand General, Fu Zijian. Fu Jialin was his proudest son. Because they were a military family, the decorations in their home all exuded a heavy, austere atmosphere.

"That’s right, Jialin. The Marching Battlefield truly is a Sacred Land for cultivation. Just come back and team up with us."

"We’re not lying to you. Advancing doesn’t require any special techniques. Hunting Yin Demons is enough. It’s very simple!"

After exiting the Void God Realm, Fu Jian and the others immediately sought out Fu Jialin, hoping he would return to their team. After all, they had been friends for so many years. They couldn’t bear to keep all the benefits to themselves.

"With you joining us, our team will become even stronger. Our efficiency in hunting Yin Demons will improve, and our cultivation speed could definitely multiply!"

"Jialin, if we make good use of the coming month, perhaps we can take things to the next level at the family tournament!"

They had truly experienced the miraculous power of the Void God Realm and wanted their teammate to grow stronger as well. However, Fu Jialin simply wasn’t buying it.

Upon logging out of the Void God Realm, Fu Jialin had immediately thrown himself into his cultivation. He felt that the time he had just spent in the Marching Battlefield was a complete waste. He shouldn’t have gone. If he hadn’t, he would have had a bit more time to cultivate. He had even thought about advising the others not to waste any more of their time. Who knew that before he could even act, those very people would come looking for him?

"Frittering away your lives on playthings!" Fu Jialin did not hold back. "You’re addicted to a game. Sooner or later, there’s going to be a problem!"

With a condescending demeanor, he harshly berated the group.

"It’s just a virtual game. How can it compare to down-to-earth cultivation in reality? I think you’ve all been blinded by this virtual game and lost your Dao heart!"

Fu Jialin was entirely dismissive of their words.

"But Jialin..."

Fu Jialin pressed his hand down in the air, interrupting them. "No buts!

"I advise you not to indulge in games. Face reality and cultivate with your feet planted firmly on the ground. Don’t think about taking shortcuts. If you insist on remaining obstinate, then I don’t think we should associate with each other anymore!"

The Fu family was a massive clan in the west. There was a vast country with expansive territories where everyone shared a single surname: the Fu clan! Objectively speaking, the entire Fu Kingdom was one family. Their ancestors all traced back to a single person.

These youths had grown up playing together. Fu Jialin was a few years older, and his talent was slightly superior to theirs. Therefore, since childhood, he had held a lot of prestige among them. Fu Jian and the others had never objected to anything he said.

But this time, Fu Jian, Fu Ling’Er, and the rest did not listen to him.

After struggling for a brief moment, they reached a tacit consensus in their hearts, even without discussing it among themselves.

Giving up the Divine War Game was impossible.

On the path of cultivation, it was rare to encounter such a fortuitous opportunity. They absolutely had to grasp it! There were some things that, once missed, would never offer a second chance.

A thought lingered faintly in all their minds: if they gave up the Divine War Game, they would regret it for the rest of their lives.

As for Fu Jialin... sigh! They had already tried to persuade him. If he didn’t agree, there was nothing they could do. They had done their best.

Fu Jialin thought they would heed his advice this time just like always. But the scene that followed left him in disbelief, while also sparking his anger!

"Jialin, everyone has their own ambitions. Since you’ve decided to give up the Divine War Game, it’s not our place to say anything else..."

"We’ve listened to you since we were kids, but this time, we want to walk our own path."

"Take care, Jialin!"

"Actually, I still hope you’ll reconsider whether you can join our team," Fu Jian added. "With you around, plus our veteran experience, we could definitely achieve something great in the Marching Battlefield!"

"Say no more," Fu Jialin retorted. "Just as you said, everyone has their own ambitions. You want to walk your own path, and I support that. But don’t forget, the family’s jungle survival trial is next week. I’ll be recruiting new people for a team by then. When it’s full and you can’t get in, don’t accuse me of being ruthless and unrighteous!"

The group exchanged glances.

Fu Ling’Er spoke up. "Jialin, to be honest, before we came here, we already decided to give up the trial arranged by the family and wholeheartedly cultivate in the Marching Battlefield. We feel that the things we gain in the Divine War Game are much more useful, and the rewards are much richer!"

"What? Are you crazy? You’re going to abandon a trial specially arranged by the family? Just for some garbage game?" Fu Jialin was slightly taken aback before looking at them as if they were idiots. "Idiots! Do you know how hard it is to get a spot in the trial? After going through so many difficulties to earn those spots, you’re just going to hand them over to someone else? Have you gotten too used to the good life? Do you have any idea how badly others want your trial spots?"

"Every gain comes with a loss. We thought it through beforehand. Our choice is the Marching Battlefield!" Fu Jian said firmly.

"Haha... Fine... Just fine..." Seeing that they weren’t joking, Fu Jialin laughed mockingly. "You’ve all come so far on the path of cultivation, yet you still can’t distinguish what’s truly important. Very well, very well.

"I can’t be bothered to care about you anymore. There are some paths you have to walk yourself to know they are wrong. There is some bitterness you have to taste yourself to know that life isn’t easy. Do whatever you want!"

Fu Jian, Fu Ling’Er, and the others looked at each other in dismay. They felt bitter and helpless. Fu Jialin simply didn’t believe them.

"After the family’s jungle survival trial comes the family tournament. When that time comes... I will show you what reality is and what is just virtual. I will prove that your path is a mistake and personally shatter your delusions!" Fu Jialin believed they were beyond saving.

Since that was the case, then so be it.

Didn’t they think the Marching Battlefield was so amazing? Fine! He would let them fool around for now. Then, Fu Jialin intended to utterly crush Fu Jian and the others at the family tournament, making them see reality and realize that the Divine War Game was nothing but trash!

"Jialin... why must you take it this far?"

"Say no more. I’ll see you on the training grounds!" With that, Fu Jialin turned and left, waving his hand to have a servant standing nearby see the guests out. He left them absolutely no room to negotiate.

Fu Jian and the others exchanged glances once more.

"Then we’ll see you on the training grounds... Jialin, we will definitely prove to you that our choice wasn’t a mistake!" Fu Jian said, clenching his fists. His chiseled face was filled with determination and an unyielding spirit.

Ever since Fu Jian and the others began achieving success in the Marching Battlefield, the realm had started to explode in popularity. The number of players increased rapidly.

Because Fu Jian’s team was a veteran squad in the Marching Battlefield, they understood it better than anyone else. They skyrocketed! Their speed at killing Yin Demons left all other cultivators eating their dust. With their seven-person Killing Array, they were invincible and the envy of all.

WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH!

Working closely with his teammates, Fu Jian effortlessly instakilled a Grandmaster-level Yin Demon.

"Feng, are you doing alright? If you can’t hold on, just tell us!" Fu Ling’Er looked worriedly at a twelve-year-old boy beside her. He was carrying a long spear on his back, squatting on the ground in sheer terror. Because of his awkward posture, the spear on his back wobbled precariously. He looked like a second-rate martial artist straight out of the Martial World.

"Feng... are you scared?" Fu Jian asked.

Feng had just been sneak-attacked to death by a Yin Demon earlier. Though he had narrowly escaped true death, he was terrified out of his wits.

"N-no... I... I’m not scared..." the boy said, forcibly suppressing his fear. "I... I still have to shine at the family tournament... I can’t lose..."

"That’s good!"

"It’s been so long... I wonder how Jialin is doing?"

"He’s probably already figured out how he’s going to thrash us."

"Jialin always seeks revenge for the smallest grievances, and he keeps his word. If he said he’s going to thrash us, he won’t show any mercy. Therefore, we need to be careful."

"Don’t worry... We haven’t spent this past month idling away. We’ll show Jialin the fruits of our labor soon enough."

"Calculating the time, the family survival trial should be over, and now it’s time for the tournament."

According to the conventions of the Fu Kingdom, there was always a gap ranging from half a month to a full month arranged before the tournament was held.

"Right... I would’ve forgotten if you hadn’t mentioned it. The family tournament is about to begin..."