Chapter 61: I Refuse

Chapter 61: Chapter 61: I Refuse

The mysterious realm, Moye Forest.

It was the mysterious realm selected for this year’s national targeted exam.

The most distinct feature of Moye Forest was its lack of a daytime, only a long, endless night.

Surviving in the darkness wasn’t the biggest challenge of this exam. The real issue was that Moye Forest was a "half-explored mysterious realm"!

This meant that some things inside had not even been fully "cleared" by the Alliance!

When Li Heng heard Lin Jiangang’s explanation, he lost his composure. His immediate thought was that this national targeted exam was a huge trap.

’What kind of joke is this?’

’Using a half-baked mysterious realm like this for an exam?’

"Um... Manager Lin, I’ve actually given it some serious thought, and this spot is truly hard-won. I think... maybe my classmate Zhang Xue would be a better fit."

Li Heng decided to listen to his gut and back out. ’Compared to this half-explored mysterious realm, wouldn’t it be much better to just stay home, grind Dungeons for ten days, and then take the college entrance exam in a "fully-explored" mysterious realm?’

It wasn’t that Li Heng had gotten arrogant; he just believed that getting into a Soul Energy University wouldn’t be too difficult. Plus, he had his Dungeons and no shortage of resources. He really couldn’t see the point in taking such a risk.

The unknown meant danger, and danger meant injury, disability, or death.

Although with the Alliance’s current medical standards and the abilities of many medical Soul Masters, injury and disability weren’t major problems.

But the possibility of death was something Li Heng felt he just couldn’t handle.

It was truly too much to bear!

Li Heng had already died countless times in the Dungeons. While he had become numb to it, he had no desire to experience the feeling of being torn apart by a soul beast in reality or a mysterious realm. He didn’t even want to get hurt.

’With a system, with a cheat, steady and stable development is the only true path!’

’Is there any need to go mess around in places like these?’

Things were fine when Li Heng kept quiet, but the moment he spoke, everyone present was stunned.

Even Zhang Xue, who still had tears in her eyes, instantly stopped crying. She stared at Li Heng in a daze, as if looking at a true monster.

"Li Heng, you may not realize what this national targeted exam represents. I won’t even get into the glory aspect. The other benefits and rewards are, without a doubt, incredibly generous!"

Hearing Li Heng’s sudden remark, Lin Jiangang grew anxious. ’He’s refusing to participate in the national targeted exam!’

"Lin Jiangang is right! Although you and Zhang Xue are competitors, you are still a prodigy from our very own Maple City. As a citizen of Maple City, I personally support you participating in the national targeted exam. Not to mention... there are many sword-related Soul Energy Equipment and items inside!"

The moment Wang Junde heard Li Heng’s words, he also came over to persuade him. At the same time, a thought occurred to him: ’Is he saying this to spare my niece’s feelings?’

However, what Wang Junde wanted more was for the city’s outstanding talent to achieve greater and better development.

In this new era, no one would trifle with a young person’s future!

But as Li Heng looked at the two big shots’ sincere gazes and their urgent tones, he felt more and more like they were trying to harm him!

’A half-explored mysterious realm... Can I really go?’

’There are things in there that even the Alliance hasn’t cleared, things that perhaps even other experts don’t know about.’

’I’m just a student who isn’t even a Soul Warrior yet. Won’t I just be cannon fodder if I go?’

Li Heng took a deep breath. He had chickened out, but he couldn’t just tell these two big shots directly that he was refusing because he was too scared to go.

’I have to save face!’

’Especially in front of such a pretty girl. I should try to phrase my cowardice a bit more tactfully. I can’t have a girl looking down on me, right?’

"Manager Lin, and Director Wang, I know this spot was hard-won, and I cherish it dearly. To be honest... I very much want to go to this national targeted exam. It represents great glory and even benefits beyond my imagination. I imagine... my elders, my teachers, and my parents would all support my participation! But still, please allow me to refuse!"

’He refused!’

Lin Jiangang and Wang Junde had been worried when they heard Li Heng’s earlier hesitation, but now, hearing him refuse outright, they both couldn’t help but frown.

Lin Jiangang, in particular, looked awful. He suddenly couldn’t understand. He quickly pressed, "Li Heng, this is no joke! Do you have any idea how much energy I’ve expended and how much risk I’ve taken, both for this spot and to confirm your personal strength?"

"The facts have proven me right! You have the qualifications and the ability to participate in the national targeted exam! I can tell you frankly, in the Soul Pupil Realm, ninety-nine percent of people are no match for you! Even some Soul Warriors might suffer a loss at your hands! If you participate in the national targeted exam, a spot in the top ten is guaranteed for you!"

This was the first time Lin Jiangang had gotten so worked up, his words tumbling out. He wasn’t angry, just deeply regretful, anxious, and even a bit disappointed that Li Heng wasn’t living up to his potential.

’Such a great opportunity!’

’And it’s a guaranteed top rank! It’s something others couldn’t get even if they begged and pleaded, and you’re just giving it up?!’

Lin Jiangang believed that Li Heng should go to a bigger stage, display his strength there, and compete with those so-called geniuses!

Then, he should crush the geniuses from other regions under his heel. That was what a Future Sword Dao Grandmaster ought to do!

Not just participate in the ordinary college entrance exam!

Lin Jiangang was in a hurry. Besides, if Li Heng went to the national targeted exam and achieved a good result, he too would receive a great reward from the city, since Li Heng was the talent he had discovered and recommended!

"Li Heng, may I ask your reason for refusing?"

Compared to Lin Jiangang, Wang Junde appeared calmer as he asked Li Heng in a soft voice.

Lin Jiangang also stared intently at Li Heng, desperate for a satisfactory answer.

’What other reason could there be? Isn’t stable growth the best path? Why would I go out and be reckless?’

’Even though I use a sword, my style isn’t about being flashy and reckless! I can’t afford to take risks!’

"I don’t think a special exam is suitable for me. What I want is a calm and natural one. I have my own Sword Way!"

Li Heng felt he had done his best. Now it was up to the two big shots to see if they could understand his hint.

And upon hearing Li Heng’s reason for refusal...

Lin Jiangang and Wang Junde were both Great Soul Warriors. After hearing Li Heng’s words, both of them fell silent.

Having reached the Great Soul Warrior realm, they understood that one’s state of mind was far, far more important than one’s strength.

Only when one’s state of mind was sufficient was there a chance to break through to become a Soul Energy Grandmaster!

He didn’t want a special path, only a natural and tranquil one, single-mindedly pursuing the Sword Way he believed in!

In their eyes, Li Heng clearly knew that the national targeted exam could bring him numerous benefits, yet he still chose to refuse without hesitation.

Neither Lin Jiangang nor Wang Junde felt they could match such courage!

’To face a temptation that was all but impossible to refuse, yet still remain true to his original aspiration!?’

"To think that in the end, we would lose out to a student! No wonder... no wonder!" Wang Junde suddenly laughed, mocking himself.

Lin Jiangang remained silent. Although he didn’t speak, the anxiety on his face had vanished, replaced by a complex look as he gazed at Li Heng.

As for Zhang Xue, who had been standing by like she was invisible, she felt for the first time that a guy could look so handsome while rejecting an offer.