Chapter 733 - 726: The Situation

Chapter 733: Chapter 726: The Situation

After giving instructions to his secretary, Dorona, Lono was once again alone in the captain’s room.

His face was grim as he sat in his chair.

He wasn’t sure if he had made the right decision.

But given the sheer weight of the other man’s destiny, he felt this was likely one of the most important decisions he had ever made.

WHOOSH!

Ultimately, he let out a long breath. Since the choice had been made, all that remained was to leave it to fate.

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Meanwhile, just as Lono confirmed he would use the special recruitment slot and sent a message to Bernard City, the Holy Mark Steward, who had been monitoring the situation, received a report from his subordinates.

"So he actually used the special recruitment slot? Interesting,"

the Holy Mark Steward said lightly.

"Is this candidate, Zhou Yuanjue, hiding something? He has no connection to the Black Lotus Steward, so it should be impossible for him to obtain such a precious slot so easily. This is the Black Lotus Steward’s last special recruitment slot for the next five hundred years,"

the Molten Rock Life asked the Holy Mark Steward, puzzled.

"None of that matters. If a truly promising prospect was misjudged, having him join our Primordial Star Organization wouldn’t tarnish our reputation."

"However, if he really did pull some strings to get in, then he alone will bear the consequences."

"Joining the Primordial Star Organization is no walk in the park. For candidates lacking Talent and strength, that ’Chaotic Paradise’ is practically Hell." ℴ

"I, for one, am curious to see if this batch of candidates from a Low-level Civilization truly has what it takes to ’survive’ within the Primordial Star Organization."

Dorug said lightly, his voice as grand as a Divine Spirit’s.

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"Everyone, this is far enough. Let’s say our goodbyes here. The Dream Simulation System is quite advanced. As long as we’re willing to pay the price, we can contact each other no matter how far apart we are."

Within Bernard City, Zhou Yuanjue had already packed his things. He was preparing to depart on Lono’s Aircraft Carrier. Once the recruitment mission was over, they would travel together on the ship to the vast True Land, home of the Primordial Star Organization.

The other Earth Martial Arts Family members were currently facing their own assignments; Zhou Yuanjue was simply getting a head start.

And although Zhou Yuanjue had already spoken to Modin about it, it was becoming increasingly difficult for the Earth Martial Arts Family to keep up with him.

This was the first time they would be separated since arriving in the True Realm.

However, it was inevitable.

The universe, the True Realm itself, was simply too vast. It was impossible for their group to stay together forever; they were bound to scatter.

In the boundless cosmos, there would be countless dangers, and time itself would stretch to an infinite degree.

No one knew what things would be like the next time they met.

But no one there was sad, sentimental, or hesitant.

Because this was the path they had chosen.

"Take care. And may we both strive onward."

Lei Yi said gravely to Zhou Yuanjue, cupping one fist in his palm.

"Take care. And may we both strive onward."

"Take care. And may we both strive onward."

"······"

One by one, the Martial Artists bid Zhou Yuanjue farewell and paid their respects.

"Take care. And may we both strive onward."

Zhou Yuanjue returned the salute, then boarded the Flying Shuttle prepared by the Jiaoxing Institute and soared into the sky.

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「Two months later.」

The recruitment of all candidates was complete. The massive Aircraft Carriers, each carrying a large number of newly recruited candidates, began their return journeys to the Primordial Star Organization.

Aboard the Black Lotus Steward’s massive Aircraft Carrier, in the captain’s room.

Zhou Yuanjue and Lono stood side-by-side before a massive floor-to-ceiling window, watching the wondrous sights flash past in the turbulent currents of the True Realm.

Lono had recruited many candidates in this batch, including some powerful geniuses whose Transformation Level was even higher than Zhou Yuanjue’s. However, only Zhou Yuanjue was permitted to stand beside him as an equal.

In fact, one could say that out of all the candidates in the entire True River Realm, Zhou Yuanjue was likely the only one with such a privilege.

"What was your purpose in entering the True Realm?"

"And why do you pursue Cultivation so diligently?"

Lono asked, his gaze fixed on the view of the True Realm outside.

From what he had seen of Zhou Yuanjue during their time together, his most striking impression was the man’s almost obsessive pursuit of Power.

’This man seemed to be a Cultivation fanatic; his entire life was seemingly consumed by it.’

Ever since boarding the Aircraft Carrier, he likely wouldn’t have taken a single step out of the Cultivation Room if it weren’t absolutely necessary.

Therefore, he was immensely curious about what drove Zhou Yuanjue’s obsession.

"I’ve known many powerful individuals. They all strive for different reasons. Some for revenge, some for authority, some for fame and status, and some even for wealth."

"What about you? What do you strive for?"

Lono asked gravely. He felt it was necessary to understand the character and goals of a man with such a heavy weight on the scales of destiny, as it might very well be intertwined with his own fate.

"None of those. I only seek to transcend my rivals, transcend myself, transcend everything."

"Life is finite. Even this universe will one day meet its end."

"Is it not a waste to pursue such useless things with a finite life?"

Zhou Yuanjue said calmly.

"But there are so many other meaningful things in this world besides getting stronger and transcendence. The point of living and growing stronger is to find comfort, safety, and happiness. If you can’t achieve those, what’s the point of transcending everything and becoming the strongest? It’s too... cold."

Lono said, frowning. He hadn’t expected such a response from Zhou Yuanjue.

"For me, the constant act of transcendence, of conquering my former self, is the greatest comfort and happiness in this world."

"Perhaps you wouldn’t understand. It isn’t cold. It’s the most passionate and romantic thing in the world."

"And it will be my lifelong pursuit."

Zhou Yuanjue stated calmly.

At that moment, standing next to Zhou Yuanjue, Lono could clearly feel the conviction in his words. He knew the man wasn’t joking; he had truly made this philosophy his fundamental Law of existence.

Unconsciously, a feeling of awe and terror rose within him.

If any ordinary person had said such a thing, he would have just laughed it off.

But Zhou Yuanjue was different. The sheer weight of his destiny, which Lono had glimpsed with the Scales of Fate, said it all.

He couldn’t imagine what terrifying changes a man like that would bring to the starry sky if he truly managed to live by his will.

Would it bring about a monumental leap in progress, or a bloody maelstrom that would capsize the entire Realm?

’Just what kind of being have I discovered...?’

’And what terrifying changes will it bring to this starry sky, this Realm?’