Chapter 71: An Important Decision
As the last echoes of the battle slowly faded, Rui stood at the center of the arena, feeling the weight of Fenrir's words. His silver eyes, still gleaming with the aftereffects of the fight, followed Fenrir and his companions as they made their way toward him, their steps deliberate and measured. The air between them was thick with the unspoken respect that had grown between adversaries, and yet, the tension was still palpable.
"You're more than just a threat to the balance here," Fenrir began, his voice steady, but the edge of awe was clear. "You're a force of nature. But there's more to you than what this land can offer. What you've unlocked is beyond what we expected from the Eastern Lands. It's... unseen." He paused, eyeing Rui with an almost clinical precision, as if trying to see into his very essence.
"You've shown something in this battle that few can claim to possess, and what's even rarer is your control over it. You could shape the power you've unlocked, but that takes time," Fenrir continued, his gaze unwavering. "The Central Continent is where the greatest warriors and cultivators hone their craft. It is a land where power is not just measured by strength, but by how well you can control it and push your limits beyond what's imaginable. We are in need of individuals like you—your strength could be invaluable in the fight against the monsters plaguing the continent."
Rui stood still, absorbing Fenrir's words, weighing them carefully. The fight had been intense, and the surge of power he had felt when combining his aura and mana still resonated within him. But Fenrir's offer caught his attention in a way the fight had not. The Central Continent... a place known for its overwhelming strength, its beasts, its culture, and most importantly, its cultivation. It was a place Rui had never truly considered before.
Rui's silver eyes narrowed, considering the words. "You want me to come to the Central Continent?" he asked, the idea foreign to him, despite his growing understanding of his power.
Fenrir nodded, a hint of a smile crossing his face. "We can offer you the resources, the teachings, and the battles to further refine your power. The Central Continent will challenge you in ways that you've never known. Your potential is boundless, but it needs guidance, control. And there's a war brewing. The monsters that roam the land are growing stronger. We could use someone like you on our side."
Rui's gaze shifted away, his mind racing. He had always known his potential was vast, but the Central Continent was an unknown to him. It was a place where only the strongest survived, and the idea of venturing into such an environment was both thrilling and intimidating. But...
"I'm not interested in leaving right now," Rui replied calmly, his voice betraying no uncertainty. "I have my path here. I'm not going to just walk away from everything I've worked for."
Fenrir didn't flinch, but a slight tilt of his head showed his understanding. He'd expected this answer—it wasn't a simple decision to make. The Central Continent wasn't a place for the faint of heart.
"Understandable," Fenrir said, his voice unwavering. "But let me put it this way. The Central Continent is facing a crisis. We're running short on cultivators who have the kind of power you possess. Monsters... they're getting stronger. And the strongest among us, even with our mastery, can't keep up with the sheer number of threats. We need people like you, Rui. Your kind of power, your ability to merge your aura and mana—it's something we haven't seen before. And that's why we need you. Not just to bolster our forces, but to help us defeat these monsters. The threat is growing, and we don't have time to waste."
Rui's eyes narrowed slightly. This wasn't just about power. It wasn't just about a place to test his strength. Fenrir was speaking about something much bigger. It wasn't about growing stronger—it was about survival.
"You need my help?" Rui asked, his voice still steady but laced with curiosity.
Fenrir nodded, his expression serious. "We do. The creatures from the Central Continent, the ones that roam the wilderness, the monsters—they've begun to rise in numbers. Even our most experienced warriors are struggling to control the chaos. We can't keep fighting them off forever. We need reinforcements, and we need someone with your specific talents. The energy you've harnessed is unlike anything we've seen—imagine what you could accomplish with the right training, the right resources. You could help us push back the monsters. You could change the course of this conflict."
Rui felt a flicker of something stir inside him—an awareness, perhaps. This wasn't just a call for strength. This was a call for something greater. Fenrir wasn't asking him for a favor. He was telling him that there was a need for his power, a need that could shape the future of not just the Central Continent, but perhaps the entire region. Rui had always known that his strength could carry him far, but now it was clear that it could carry others too.
Fenrir's voice softened, the hint of urgency creeping into his tone. "The Central Continent is a place where strength matters above all. But it's more than just power. It's about what you do with that power. I've seen what you're capable of. You could be a game-changer."
Rui paused, his mind racing as he weighed the decision. On one hand, he had no desire to abandon the place he had grown up, the people who had shaped him. But on the other hand, there was something enticing about Fenrir's words—the idea of truly mastering his power, of using it for something greater than himself.
Finally, he spoke, his voice calm and resolute. "I'll think about it."
Fenrir's eyes narrowed slightly, but he didn't push further. "Take all the time you need. But know this: the longer you wait, the more the Central Continent is at risk. Monsters don't wait. The creatures grow more dangerous by the day. If you're ever going to join us, now is the time."
As saying this, with a swift motion, Fenrir reached into his cloak and tossed a small, smooth stone into the air. Rui caught it effortlessly, his silver eyes tracking the motion. The stone was etched with strange runes, faintly glowing with a soft, pulsating light.
"This will allow you to contact me directly," Fenrir said, his voice serious. "When you've made your decision, just focus on it and it will link us. Time is critical, Rui. Don't let hesitation cost you."
Rui stared at the stone in his hand, feeling its weight. It was simple, unassuming, but its purpose was clear. The Central Continent had made its offer, and now it was in his hands to decide what came next.
Fenrir turned to leave, his companions following closely behind. "Take your time, but don't take too long," he added over his shoulder. "We'll be waiting."
With that, Fenrir and his companions turned and began to walk away, their footsteps echoing in the silence of the arena. Rui watched them leave, his thoughts churning. The invitation, the urgency of the situation, the need for someone like him—it was all starting to make sense.
After a long moment, Rui turned back to the center of the arena, his silver eyes glinting with newfound determination. The decision wasn't made yet, but it was clear: he had a choice to make, and soon. Whatever the outcome, Rui knew that his future was no longer limited to the Eastern Lands. There was a larger world out there, and it was calling to him.
The decision loomed before him, but the weight of Fenrir's words—the urgency—remained, and it was something he couldn't ignore.