I Can Only Cultivate In A Game

City Lord Wenzhou bowed his head slightly. "That is what fate has laid before you."

Victor let out a slow breath. "Then I suppose I better start preparing."

[ Quest Accepted ]

The moment the quest had been accepted, a system timer appeared in the corner of his vision, counting down in seconds. One year. Three hundred and sixty-five days to prevent the fall of Blueflame City and stop the seal from breaking.

It felt like a ticking bomb attached to his soul.

But Victor wasn't one to feel pressured.

"A year's too long," he muttered under his breath. "If I can just learn how to reinforce the seal, I can wrap this up before that timer even gets halfway."

He had barely said this when City Lord Xuan Wenzhou, who stood a few steps ahead let out a faint chuckle. "You're ambitious. But don't underestimate the ancient grove, Fang Chen. The power that lingers there isn't something your current strength can withstand."

Victor arched brow in confusion. Didn't he just say only a cultivator with the Void Emperor Bloodline could enter the grove?

The city lord proceeded to further explain; "The Void Emperor Bloodline... though awakened, yours is still in its early stages. It will grow with you, but right now, the grove would reject you just as it would anyone else."

Victor sighed while rubbing the back of his head. "Then what now?"

"You will be given resources," the City Lord replied. "Access to our cultivation halls, treasures, and a tutor from the largest sect in Blueflame City—Violet Spring Sect. Elder Mo, one of their guiding elders, will personally offer guidance and assist you when needed."

That caught Victor's attention. "You're serious?"

"We're not about to sit idle while the end creeps closer," Wenzhou answered, before waving his hand. "You'll be treated as a special guest of the city and of the sect. But remember, Fang Chen... the salvation of this city lies with you."

The moment Victor stepped out of the main palace, a new set of thoughts flooded his mind. He pulled open his quest log and his gaze landed on another timer.

[Return to Lingyun Town]

Time Remaining: 9 Months, 2 Days, 13 Hours

Victor scoffed. "Figures. Why do I keep getting these long-term death sentence quests?"

He hadn't taken more than ten steps from the palace when something huge slithered by his side.

He turned—and there she was.

Xuan Qing, grinning like the sun itself, with the Mythical Shadow-Eyed Moon Serpent crawling right behind her. The serpent's scales glimmered under rays of the moonlight and unlike its usual wildness, it's eyes currently looked calm.

"Fang Chen!" she squealed.

Before he could brace himself, she flung herself into his arms and wrapped her hands around his neck before planting a quick peck on his cheek. "You're back! Where did you go?! I thought you ran away!"

Victor brain froze when the scent of her perfume wafted into his nostrils. "Uh…"

It was mesmerising... not to mention that her skin was smooth to the point that it didn't even make sense.

'The women in Ascendant realms are leagues above real life women...'

She didn't give him a chance to speak. "You won't believe it—I tamed the serpent! It actually likes me now! Look!" She gestured to the beast like a child showing off a pet.

Victor blinked. "Yeah... I see it."

"Where are you going?" she pouted.

"I've got a lot on my plate right now. Stuff to do. World-saving business."

Her lips pursed. "You always have something. Hmph. You better come visit again."

Victor chuckled while turning away. "Not sure I'll be able to avoid that."

With a few scrolls of cultivation techniques tucked under his arm, Victor made his way to the Violet Spring Sect. It didn't take long before he arrived at its massive gates.

Tall stone archways were laced with golden carvings. Inscribed symbols throbbed faintly with qi, and uniformed disciples moved about in disciplined ranks.

Victor stepped forward and was immediately stopped by a pair of stern-looking disciples in purple-lined robes. "Outsiders are not permitted beyond this point," one said sharply.

Victor pulled out the jade token bearing the seal of City Lord Wenzhou and held it up.

"I'm here to see Elder Mo."

Their expressions shifted. The second disciple took the token, examined it, and quickly returned it with both hands. "My apologies, honored guest. Please follow me."

Inside, the Violet Spring Sect was practically a small city of its own.

Incredibly tall pagodas were structured across training grounds. Gardens infused with spiritual energy were being tended to by disciples meditating while floating in midair.

The robes varied by rank—grey with purple linings for outer court disciples, full violet for inner court, and golden-lined purple for core disciples.

Victor spotted players as well. Their floating name tags had given them away but he wasn't familiar with any of them.

A few nodded politely in passing, while others simply walked by, too engrossed in whatever task or mission they were handling.

Eventually, the disciple leading him guided him to a serene courtyard ringed by plum trees in full bloom. The faint scent of floral fragrance wafted through the air. In the center stood a meditation platform and a small pond with its waters unnaturally still.

"He will be with you shortly," the disciple bowed before disappearing through a side passage.

Victor waited.

And waited.

And waited some more.

By the time a rustle of robes sounded behind him, Victor was nearly bored out of his mind.

The air shifted.

He sat up straight as a tall, lean man with silver streaks in his black hair stepped into view. His violet robe shimmered with formations sewn into the fabric itself, and an ornamental jade sword rested at his hip.

His eyes narrowed slightly as he studied Victor with a gaze sharp as a blade.

"Young Fang Chen," the man finally spoke. "You are the one the city lord mentioned."

Victor stood and offered a nod. "Elder Mo, I presume."

The elder studied him for a few moments longer before stepping into the courtyard fully.

"Let us see," Elder Mo voiced before sitting down cross-legged on the platform. "Whether the one fated to carry the Void Emperor's legacy is worth the title."