Chapter 120: You’re a champion

Chapter 120: Chapter 120: You’re a champion

Jide’s father leaned back in his chair and studied Tolu for a moment.

"There’s something else you should know about the Ijokodo Trail."

Tolu looked at him.

"The access token is not the real reward."

Tolu’s expression changed slightly.

Jide’s father smiled.

"The Ijokodo Trail is a treasure haven. The kingdom doesn’t simply allow the strongest young cultivators to enter it so they can cultivate. The place contains resources accumulated and preserved for generations."

Tolu listened carefully.

"Rare herbs. Minerals. Ore. Crystals. Materials from powerful beasts. Things that would normally cost enormous amounts of money, assuming you could even find them."

Tolu’s interest immediately increased.

"There are three levels to the trail," Jide’s father continued.

"The first level is accessible to all five of the top-ranked contestants. Everyone gets an opportunity to choose resources from it."

Tolu nodded.

"But your ranking matters."

He leaned forward.

"The first three ranked contestants are allowed to select two resources from the first level."

Tolu’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"The fourth and fifth can select one."

"Correct."

Jide’s father paused.

"Then there is the second level."

His expression became more serious.

"Only the first two contestants are allowed to enter it."

Tolu understood immediately.

"You and the Shadow swordswoman."

"Exactly."

"Each of you may choose one resource from the second level."

Tolu thought about that.

"And the third?"

Jide’s father smiled.

"The third level is reserved for the champion."

Tolu was silent.

"You."

"You will be the only person permitted to enter the third level."

Tolu leaned back slightly.

"And I can choose something from there?"

"One resource."

Jide’s father nodded.

"Only one."

He allowed the information to settle.

"That is why the Ijokodo Trail is the true reward. Fifty thousand gold coins is a generous prize, but a single resource from the third level could be worth far more."

Tolu’s mind immediately went to the dungeon.

Rare materials.

Plants.

Ores.

Anything capable of strengthening the dungeon or its creatures could be worth considerably more to him than its value in gold.

Jide’s father noticed the change in his expression.

"I can see you’re already thinking about what to take."

Tolu gave a small nod.

"I am."

"Good."

Jide’s father smiled.

"Then don’t waste the opportunity."

He leaned back again.

"You won’t know what is waiting for you until you enter. And unlike a normal treasure vault, the Ijokodo Trail doesn’t simply hand you a list of prices."

Tolu’s eyes sharpened.

"You have to recognize what is valuable."

"Exactly."

Jide’s father smiled.

"And considering what I’ve seen from you so far, I suspect that may be the most important part of your reward."

Tolu said nothing.

But his mind was already racing.

The competition had given him money.

It had given him a reputation.

It had given him connections.

But the Ijokodo Trail could give him something far more valuable.

Something his dungeon might actually need.

....

Jide’s father remained seated for a moment, his expression becoming slightly more serious.

"There is one more thing we’d like to ask of you."

Tolu looked at him.

"A favor."

"What kind of favor?"

Jide’s father folded his hands together.

"We hope you’re willing to use one of your selections from the second level of the Ijokodo Trail to help the Omimi family acquire a particular resource."

Tolu didn’t answer immediately.

Jide’s father continued.

"We know what we’re asking. You earned that opportunity, and the resource will technically be yours to choose. We wouldn’t expect you to simply hand it over."

He smiled.

"Of course, the family will make sure you’re properly compensated."

Tolu shook his head.

"I’ll give it to you."

Jide’s father paused.

"Free of charge?"

"Yes."

He stared at Tolu for a moment.

"You don’t have to do that."

"I know."

"You could ask for a considerable amount."

"I could."

Jide’s father leaned forward.

"Tolu, you don’t need to be modest about this. Whatever the resource is worth, the Omimi family can compensate you fairly."

Tolu shook his head again.

"I wouldn’t even be in that competition without the Omimi family."

Jide’s father went quiet.

Tolu continued.

"You and Kemisola gave me the opportunity. You trusted me when there were plenty of other people you could have chosen."

He looked directly at him.

"So if I get one resource for the Omimi family, I don’t mind."

Jide’s father studied him.

"And if that means you lose something valuable for yourself?"

"I’ll survive."

Tolu shrugged.

"I’ll still have the first level. I’ll still have the third level. And if I find something I really want, I’ll take it."

Jide’s father slowly smiled.

"You really are difficult to negotiate with."

Tolu gave a faint smile.

"So I’ve been told."

The older man laughed quietly.

"Very well."

He stood.

"Then I won’t insult your generosity by arguing any further."

He extended his hand.

"Thank you, Tolu."

Tolu shook it.

"If there’s ever anything you need, anything within the Omimi family’s ability to provide, ask."

Tolu nodded.

"I will."

Jide’s father released his hand.

"I’ll tell the family head and the elders."

He turned toward the door.

Then stopped.

"And Tolu?"

"Yes?"

The older man looked back at him.

"You may have just made several very powerful people in this family extremely happy."

He left.

Tolu remained seated.

He had no idea what kind of reaction the family would have.

He didn’t really care.

He had made his decision.

---

Jide’s father barely reached the next hall before the family head looked up.

"You spoke with him?"

"I did."

"And?"

The four elders immediately turned toward him.

Jide’s father couldn’t hide his smile.

"He agreed."

The family head raised an eyebrow.

"Agreed to what?"

"To use one of his second-level selections for us."

Silence.

Then one of the elders leaned forward.

"Without compensation?"

"Without compensation."

The elder stared at him.

"Are you certain?"

"I tried to persuade him otherwise."

Jide’s father shook his head.

"He refused."

The family head smiled slowly.

"What resource does he want?"

"Osun’s Water Pearl."

The room became quiet again.

This time, the reaction was different.

The family head’s expression became serious.

"That resource..."

"Yes."

Jide’s father nodded.

"That’s the one."

Osun’s Water Pearl was not simply a valuable treasure.

It was a powerful offensive artifact.

On its own, it was already dangerous.

But in the hands of a sufficiently powerful cultivator, its true potential could be brought out.

A cultivator with enough energy and control could use the pearl to produce attacks far beyond what an ordinary cultivator could accomplish with it.

That was precisely why the Omimi family wanted it.

They had someone capable of making full use of it.

And now, because of Tolu’s decision, they had a chance to obtain it.

One of the elders slowly exhaled.

"That boy..."

Jide’s father smiled.

"I told you."

The family head looked toward the door through which Tolu had left.

"Make sure he understands something."

Jide’s father waited.

"If he ever needs the Omimi family, he doesn’t need to hesitate before asking."

He smiled.

"We owe him more than we did this morning."

....

Tolu was still sitting in the quiet room when the door opened.

Kenny walked in.

"There you are."

Tolu looked up.

"What?"

Kenny grinned.

"We’re celebrating."

Tolu stared at him.

"No."

Kenny’s smile disappeared.

"You didn’t even think about it."

"I did."

"And?"

"No."

Kenny shook his head.

"You just won the entire competition."

"I know."

"You defeated everyone they put in front of you."

"I know."

"You just received fifty thousand gold."

"I know."

"You have access to the Ijokodo Trail."

"I know."

Kenny folded his arms.

"And you’re sitting here like someone just told you the weather."

Tolu shrugged.

"I’m tired."

"That’s exactly why we’re celebrating."

Tolu looked at him.

"That makes no sense."

"It makes perfect sense."

Kenny walked farther into the room.

"You’ve been fighting for days. You’ve been worrying about cultivation, the dungeon, money, resources, everything. For once, you have nothing you need to fight for tonight."

Tolu remained silent.

Kenny pointed at him.

"Don’t tell me you’re going to spend the evening thinking about which resource you’re going to take from the Ijokodo Trail."

"I wasn’t."

"You were."

Tolu sighed.

"I was thinking about it a little."

"Exactly."

Kenny smiled again.

"So we’re going."

"Where?"

"Somewhere good."

"How good?"

"Expensive."

Tolu gave him a flat look.

"You don’t even have to pay."

"I know."

"Then why are you so excited?"

"Because you finally have enough money to pay."

Tolu almost laughed.

Kenny walked over and grabbed his arm.

"Come on."

Tolu didn’t move.

"Kenny."

"No."

"I don’t want to go."

"I know."

"Then why are you pulling me?"

"Because if I leave you here, you’ll spend the entire night thinking about resources."

Tolu sighed.

Kenny pulled again.

"Just one evening."

Tolu finally stood.

"Fine."

Kenny immediately smiled.

"That’s what I wanted to hear."

They walked toward the door.

"Where are we going?"

"I haven’t decided."

"You dragged me out before deciding?"

"Of course."

Tolu shook his head.

Kenny laughed.

"You’re the champion now. You can afford to be spontaneous."

Tolu glanced at him.

"I’m not sure that’s how money works."

"Tonight it is."

Tolu couldn’t help smiling.

For once, he decided not to argue.

The two of them left the manor together, leaving cultivation, the dungeon, the Ijokodo Trail, and everything waiting for tomorrow behind them.

Tonight, they were simply going to celebrate.