Child of Destiny

...…

Shin and the other went to do their respective routines before going with Shiella back to the academy.

David had also joined them, saying that it was normal for him to attend as well since he was a special-admitted student. However, the truth was he was afraid that something would happen to them, so he accompanied the group.

Even if they were currently being escorted by the experts of the Springfield Family and the Flying Dragon Corporation, having an additional expert would never hurt.

Moreover, he would be punished by his master if something happened to Shin once again. Being scolded badly would be just an appetizer at that time.

Recalling his experiences in the Fog Village, being hanged upside-down at the center of the Forbidden Valley for an entire week, David could not help but shiver.

"There is no Forbidden Valley in this place, so I hope that it will not be that bad. But given Master's personality, it will not hurt to be cautious all the time. Who knows if she will find another cursed land in this place," he mumbled to himself while repeatedly nodding his head. "Yeah. With her abilities, she can find such a place as easily as flipping her hand."

He then shivered as he remembered another thing. "She will not throw me in the middle of the sea or something if something does happen, will she?"

In the meantime, Shin could not take his gaze away from Shiella since their breakfast. It was because he could see something strange through his True Sight Skill.

The Aura surrounding Shiella was in great harmony compared to what he remembered. The supposedly clashing pair of Natural Forces within her were currently forming a cycle that was too familiar to him.

It looked like his Yin-Yang Martial Arts on the surface, but with a hint of noticeable difference when he looked deeper into it.

At the same time, he could also sense a different kind of discipline mixed in her usual Martial Arts.

Based on his knowledge, it must be very similar to the Cultivation Techniques of the cultivators of ancient civilizations, but with a different variation.

'It must be the effects of Uno teaching her the 'Yin-Yang Cultivation Arts,'' he mumbled to himself before frowning. 'But based on what I know from his memories, Big Sis must find her way to truly balance the two opposing powers within her first before being able to find the true purpose of this art.'

'Does this mean she can do just that? She must be very close to breaking through to the next stage, the Void Manifestation Stage-… or she is already at that crucial point and purposely suppressing her realm from advancing further,' he thought to himself before subconsciously turning to David. 'If that is the case, then Senior Brother must be at that stage as well, almost reaching the Rulers' Realm.'

His thoughts continued to wander until he recalled something. 'The game can only be played by those below the Void Manifestation Stage and Rulers' Realm to play it. It does not mean that they are forbidden from entering the game, but there must be something more to it-… something that can discourage them from playing the game in that state.'

'It may be something that can negatively affect their respective disciplines or something similar,' he thought to himself, genuinely curious about this.

He felt that the game secrets were getting bigger, the more he saw the others act this way.

'Uncle Nathan and Big Sister said that we are qualified to know the portion of this secret once we reach the minimum requirement of reaching the Ethereal Opening Stage or Peak Grandmaster Realm or something similar in our respective discipline.'

'I wonder what it is that it can even attract all the factions in the real world,' he thought.

***

Headquarters of the World Gaming Organization

The chairman of the organization was currently having a meeting with someone.

"Since you are appearing before me, that person must be asking me to do the end of my deal," said the chairman calmly, sipping on the tea before him, despite a scary person standing before him.

Across the chairman was a person shrouded in darkness, which thoroughly hid his form. He was staring sharply at the other party, seemingly threatening the old chairman.

Chairman Choi kept his calm despite the pressure that the opposing party was emitting. He just waited for the other person to answer, ignoring the killing intent filling the entire office.

"Mr. Chairman, I must remind you that our organization is not something that you can trick. If you continue to delay that decision, then don't blame us for putting more pressure on you," said the shadow figure with a threatening tone.

Chairman Choi ignored the threat once again as he just smiled. "You don't have to remind me how scary that group of yours can be. I know better than anyone how you guys are stirring trouble in the dark."

"But let me remind you as well-… the current world is not something that you can just provoke either."

"You guys have already failed before and can fail once again. After all, the experts of the current era are much more powerful than that time," added the chairman in a nonchalant tone. "Some of you may have sneaked in, but their influence is still far from being enough to shake our foundation."

He then took another sip of the tea before changing the subject a little. "I have made this game with the purpose of entertainment, watching the young talents to compete with one another without shedding blood."

"But who will expect that some people will attempt to destroy it just because of your little 'suspicions'?" he continued with a helpless sigh.

The shadow figure then injected. "It is not just a 'little suspicion,' Mr. Chairman. You know it better than anyone."

"That person has hidden that 'knowledge' within this little game of yours," he emphasized.

Chairman Choi chuckled as he refuted. "That is just your suspicion. There has never been such a thing in my game."

"Mr. Chairman, you can deny it all you want, but you can't hide it from us," said the shadow figure before continuing. "Our 'Seer' has already confirmed it. You made a deal with that man in exchange for hiding it."

The old chairman could not help but laugh as he heard this part. "You all claim that it is like that, but there has never been such a thing."

"Don't I let you all join the game despite your motives? This is a game with a lot of freedom. You can do whatever you want, but you must follow its rules," he continued as his eyes suddenly turned sharp. "I don't care whatever you guys want to do, but don't drag my game into your mess."

The shadow figure was silent for a moment before continuing. "That is the reason why we are asking the chairman to grant that access for the higher realm experts to enter the game freely."

Chairman Choi raised his brows a little as he spoke. "Don't I have already done that? You guys are free to join the game whenever you want, but you must abide by the rules that I have set."

"We are asking for the early release of the restrictions," the shadow figure finally unable to hold it back.

Chairman Choi shook his head. "That can't be done. It will be unfair for the younglings if you insist on that. I will not let you bully the young ones just because of your greed."

"I have already presented you the timeline for everything. The access without restrictions for certain realm experts will slowly be released along with the progress of the game."

"Until the scheduled 'patches' are released, you guys have to follow my rules," he emphasized, not bending his decision.

Hearing this, the shadow figure had finally lost his calm and released an overwhelming killing intent. "Are you sure that you want to be our enemy?"

Chairman Choi ignored the chilling tone of the opposing party and just smiled. "Why do I have to be scared of you when you guys are nothing but a bunch of oldies hiding in the dark?"

Seeing that the old chairman was not bending his knees, the shadow figure was about to make his body, planning to scare the old man a little.

But before he could even execute his plan, he noticed a pair of shining eyes behind the chairman.

Not long after, he heard a series of mechanical movements before 'someone' walked out from the shadows behind the chairman.

Seeing that 'person', the shadow figure could not help but smirk. "Are you going to rely on these 'toys' to oppose us? I must say, you are quite ambitious."

Chairman Choi continued to smile as he replied. "You can't be sure about that. The technology is advancing very fast in this era. These 'toys' that you are talking about may as well be your downfall before clashing with those 'old monsters'."

He paused for a moment as he turned to the side. "But if my creations are not up to par, then I can only rely on the friends that I have just made to protect me."

Following the gaze of the old chairman, the shadow figure suddenly saw another person within the room. 'Who is this person? How can he appear here without me noticing?'

Focusing his gaze, he was finally able to recognize that person leaning on the wall. "Old Hermit!"

He then turned to the chairman and laughed. "So, you have chosen to rely on the Elder's Council for protection! That is quite sly of you."

He then looked at the old person leaning on the wall for another time before saying. "It looks like the old monsters are finally making their move. I wonder what chance this time?"

The Old Hermit smirked as he answered. "You guys know the reason better than anyone. You are the ones who break the agreement first."

The shadow figure sneered when he heard that before returning his gaze to the old chairman. "Chairman Choi, I must say that you have come prepared this time. I will be taking my leave then."

Swoosh!

In the next instant, his body turned into smoke that slowly dissipated in the air.

Making sure that the other party had already left, Chairman Choi had finally heaved a sigh of relief before turning to the Old Hermit. "I must thank the council for having my back this time."

The Old Hermit went to sit across from the old chairman and said. "We can only do this much, but I must warn you to be always on guard. We, old people of the council, have already become stagnant water. It will not be long before the passage of time swallows us just like the others."

Chairman Choi nodded his head before turning to another corner of the room. "Troy, make some preparations. It seems like we have to bring up the schedule a little. Those people are getting more aggressive as they grow impatient."

"Which time is the appropriate one for the first restriction to be released?" he asked.

Troy, who seemed to have melded in the surroundings, slowly 'appeared' and respectfully bowed with the two old men. He cleared his throat for a moment before answering. "Based on my estimate, we should release the 'update' right after the United Cup."

The old chairman frowned deeply as he became concerned about something. "Then his will greatly affect the Hegemon Cup, then?"

Troy nodded. "That is precisely the chase, Sir Chairman. But this will also let those who are suppressing themselves also take the next step."

Chairman Choi thought for a moment before nodding. "Then let's proceed just like this. Just make sure to make it as natural as possible, letting the younger ones adjust themselves properly with the change."

"Understood, Mr. Chairman," nodded Troy before disappearing from the room.

...…