1395 Two Options "The Celestial Emperor, huh?" Yuan had a feeling that the Celestial Emperor was the culprit since he was the one who created Cultivation Online. 'It seems like I am fated to cross paths with the Celestial Emperor even in this life' he sighed inwardly. "Anyways, ignoring the update, I have reached the Fourth Heaven, so I will be heading to the Shadow Realm soon to find a soul to bring back." The Lord nodded and said, "Regarding the situation, I have learned some new information on why it is getting harder for me to maintain the formation." "Oh? What's causing it?" Yuan raised an eyebrow. "I should've anticipated this sooner, but unsurprisingly, Cultivation Online is the cause. When someone enters Cultivation Online, a part of their soul travels outside the formation to reach the Nine Heavens. But that's not all, since their soul has to return once they log off. With so many people entering Cultivation Online every day, it's slowly damaging the formation, hence why it consumes more spiritual energy than usual." The Lord explained their situation. "Unfortunately, this information doesn't change our situation since there's nothing we can do to stop these people from playing Cultivation Online." Yuan nodded, agreeing with the Lord. Nobody would believe them even if they revealed the truth to the rest of the world. After all, who would believe that a video game would result in 17:44 After all, who would believe that a video game would result in the end of the world? Meanwhile, somewhere within the upper area of the Dragon Spiral Mountain, Xiong Lu stood with his hands behind his back as he nervously stared at the cold-looking middle-aged man seated in front of him. The middle-aged man was Xiong Chengxuan, the head of the Xiong Family and also Xiong Lu's father. Xiong Chengxuan placed the report in his hands down and looked at Xiong Lu with a cold and disappointed gaze, "So you mean to tell me, not only did you fail to befriend Player Yuan, who is arguably the most powerful individual in Cultivation Online, but you even offended him and waged war against him?" BAM! Xiong Chengxuan slammed the table so hard that it split into two halves. "ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR FUCKING MIND?!" he roared, causing the air to tremble. "?!?!?!" Xiong Lu was shocked by his father's reaction. "W-Why are you so upset, father?! He may be powerful, but he's just a single person without any backing! He's a nobody in the real world!" "A nobody? Are you seriously saying that?" Xiong Chengxuan narrowed his eyes. Seeing his father's response made Xiong Lu ponder if Yuan had a secret background that he didn't know of. "He's just the adopted son of a fallen family! Even that family isn't much during its prime days!" Xiong Chengxuan shook his head and sighed, "I didn't know I had given birth to such a dumb son. You disappoint me, Xiong Lu." "W-What? Stupid? Me?" Xiong Lu's expression froze with shock, as this was his first time being insulted in such a manner by his father. "Look around youthe current situation of our world. This world is no longer the same as it was a year ago! Cultivation Online is no longer just a video game! The treasures and techniques we acquire in Cultivation Online will also affect this world! Those who continue to see Cultivation Online as a mere video game will be left behind by the rest of the rapidly evolving world!"bender "As the cultivation scene in our world continues to advance, the power balance in our world will also evolve! In the future, influence and power will held to a different standard, and those who are at the top of the cultivator world will, undoubtedly, monetize it all, just like Cultivation Online! In fact, we are already starting to see such a change." "The Legacy Families are slowly losing power and influence to these guilds and clans that focus on cultivation. Why do you think everyone is desperately trying to increase their cultivation and acquire cultivation techniques nowadays? Because it's entertaining? Because it's something new? No! It's because their future depends on it!" lightsnvl "T-This is" Xiong Lu was left speechless by his father's view of the situation of the world. He realized that the world was changing, but he was short-sighted and failed to see the bigger picture. Ding. Xiong Chengxuan's cell phone suddenly pinged, catching his attention. "Player Yuan has just reached the Fourth Heaven," Xiong Chengxuan announced what he had just seen on his phone. "What?!" Xiong Lu expressed his shock upon learning of this information. Xiong Chengxuan looked at him and continued, "While the rest of the world is still struggling in the First and Second Heavens, Player Yuan, all by himself, reached the Fourth Heaven. His access to treasures and techniques is incomparably better than the rest of us. Furthermore, this gap between him and the rest of the world will only continue to widen." "You say that Player Yuan has no backing, yet he's clearly on friendly terms with the Bai Family, and he's closely being watched by the Cultivators' Association, which is rapidly growing in power and influence. It's only a matter of time before Player Yuan becomes the most powerful individual in this world as well." "Now tell me, Xiong Lu, do you regret your actions?" Xiong Chengxuan asked. After a moment of silence, Xiong Lu nodded his head. "Then you will fix this problem you caused. If you cannot befriend him, then you can only crush him before he grows too powerful and becomes a problem for our family in the future." Xiong Chengxuan said in a cold voice. "What?" Xiong Lu's eyes widened with shock after hearing such words. He didn't think his father would suggest crushing Yuan after praising him so much. However, it did make sense. If a wild dog cannot be tamed before it becomes too powerful to control, they can only get rid of that dog before its bite becomes too dangerous. "It just so happens that Player Yuan is currently living in the Dragon Spiral Mountain, so you can visit him right away. Although I did give you two options, I suggest you try the first option before opting for the second one." Xiong Chengxuan said a moment later. "Yes!" Xiong Lu replied with a resolute face.