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[Fate's Choice]

The roll has been made. The choice for two, a fair choice. Well, shall we see how this will play out? After all, we are just observers, readers, audiences to the story. I hope that you shall never regret your choice, perhaps you may never even reach the endpoint of your choice. But alas, this journey will continue. It is just a story, that is all.

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Liu Xun looked towards the orange-scaled beast. He sensed the well intent as well as the confidence in its encouraging gaze. It was about time for him to make that decision. Picking one might displease this senior, yet picking all three felt like too much of a responsibility for him. After careful deliberation, Liu Xun thought that two was perhaps a good choice. His sister, Suyu, would probably be pretty lonely without him and eldest brother around. Having a companion beast by her side would be a great way to protect her while also ensuring that she would not be without any company.

The youth nodded his head as he turned towards the Saberfang Beast. He gave a slight bow while clasping his hands.

"Since senior is so kind, this one shall not be humble. I am not confident in managing all 3 of them. But if it is 2, I am certain I will be able to raise one. And my family should be able to raise another if you do not mind."

Liu Xun looked at the brown scaled beast nervously. The beast took a deep look at him as it gave a light smile.

"It is okay..."

"Do whatever you think is right."

"It is a risk that we are willing to bear."

"""Just treat them with care."""

The beast pushed forth the two largest eggs before turning back as it walked into its cave. Liu Xun looked at the beast as its back slowly disappeared from sight. He gave a light sigh of relief as he looked at the two eggs laying on the ground in front of him. One had light brownish spots, while the other was pure white and spotless. Both were large enough that they could fill his hands. He carefully absorbed them into his spatial pouch as he looked up at his lazy passenger.

"So Millie, which way now?"

Kiyu-Kiyu.

"Southeast towards the marshes huh. This reminds me, we are approaching the Yin Frost Basin area again, right? Senior Qin did want those orchids, we could always grab a few of those. Along with the Yin Beads that the Liu Family were looking for since we are passing by anyway."

Kiyu~

The small fox tapped on his head once before falling back asleep. Liu Xun shook his head as he channeled qi to the base of his feet.

Booooom.

The youth disappeared from the spot as he now move forth alongside the wind. It has already been a week since he had last pulled. Liu Xun knows that he could easily just do a ten-draw here, but he figured that he needed to collect some sign-in luck. Fortunately, he previously pulled some pretty decent stuff at the Yin Forst Basin. The location also has a higher spiritual quality that gives better draw rates. Perhaps he could actually pull another SSR or even something better over there.

[Host, stop deluding yourself. And the Yin Frost Basin is a day's distance away. You might as well pull here to avoid the penalty.]

"Oh, you are right. Then system, sign in once."

[Host, signing in...]

[Congratulations Host Liu Xun for signing in at the “Sabertooth Beast Den”. You have obtained the orange (SR) prize - Two-handed fang sword of Fuxinjian!]

...

Liu Xun looked at the draw with initial surprise and then disappointment. He had expected to pull something ordinary but got an SR which is a pleasant surprise. But now he kind of regrets not pulling a chain draw, what if his draws tomorrow are trash.

No, one must not think this way. I can just get lucky tomorrow.

He comforted himself as he continued to rush forward towards the marshlands.

"System, tell me about the sword."

[5 points.]

"Fine fine, just take it, miser."

[Thank you for the business. The system is charging fairly. This sword is made from the fang of a sabertooth beast along with other rare ingredients. It is best used at stages Bone Tempering and higher, but it is also fine for Organ Refinement and Core Inversion stages. The sword has high destructive capabilities. It is said that it has the mauling power to destroy weapons and armors including shields of the same level. It weighs over two hundred jin (~120kg) and requires significant strength to work with.]

"Ohhh, that sounds not too bad. Sadly, it doesn't fit my fighting style, heavy and slow."

[Indeed. It was mainly crafted by the Fuxin Sect located in this realm. It is a neutral sect that is located within the demonic regions across the ranges.]

"Neutral sect?"

[Yes, not all sects follow the righteous/orthodox or heretical or demonic/unorthodox paths. There exist quite a number that lay on the fence as neutral parties, while others are just hostile to every faction. Their methods of cultivation would also vary depending on this branch. The Fuxin Sect is an arms sect with significant influence, the demonic sects have attempted to recruit them several times but they had always stayed neutral.]

"A fence-sitter, huh."

[That is a way to put it. Work with whichever side which presents the most benefits.]

"Won't both sides just feel pissed at it?"

[Well, they are. Too bad they cannot do anything about it. Power and influence is strength. The sect itself has numerous Inverse Core seniors and is one of the greatest influences around. They could probably fight the entire Xin Kingdom by themselves]

"That powerful, huh."

[Yes, you wouldn't want to piss them off and force them to choose the opposing side. That is the advantage which they hold and are utilizing very well.]

"I see, anyways how about the sword?"

[Yes, so this weapon is a high-end weapon that is only available to legacy disciples or elders of the Heads in Fuxin Sect. It is not easy to temper and craft a sword of this quality. Do not mistake the sabertooth beast for a Cure Formation beast, they can cultivate way beyond that. This fang came from a Peak Bone Tempering Sabertooth beast which can easily fight toe-to-toe with an Organ Refinement human cultivator.]

"Hmm, sounds like something nice to sell."

[It is. Except for the fact that it is a Fuxin Sect secret, so if they find whoever using it or manufacturing it, they would be an enemy. Therefore, be very careful with what you do with it, host.]

"Oh, that sounds kind of troublesome. Maybe if I am stronger I can afford to offend some people, but right now."

[Host, you best understand that in this world the strongest may be the one who dominates. But it is the well-hidden ones that live the longest. Try not to offend any parties if possible or your life would be very difficult.]

"You are indeed right about that, but I will reach a point where people would not respect me and actually offend me. Or perhaps land in a situation but I cannot help but offend one side."

[Well, that is what the strength is for. Avoid what is possible, crush what is standing in your way if not.]

"Hmph, system you can actually have intellectual conversations with me, huh. Why do you always keep bickering and insulting me most of the time?"

[Well, you are now a paying customer, so the service must be impeccable.]

"Paying customer huh, well whatever I am too weak to consider all of this yet. Let's just focus on this journey and going to the sect first."

Liu Xun shook his head as he headed towards the marshes. Above his head, the silver fox was still sleeping comfortably as she did not bother with the youth who was talking with himself.

--

Goooorgh.

A brown scaled beastman swung its spear in front of his face. Liu Xun dodged as the notice rang past his ears.

[Mangrove Sahuagin uses lance swing from front (Weak).]

[Mangrove Sahuagin launches spear 9 from o'clock (Moderate).]

"Hmph, these pests are so annoying. Millie are you sure that the place is somewhere around here?"

Kiyu, kiyu.

"Somewhere around here, huh. It would be nice to get a bit more detail. We have been wandering around for half a day already. And these damn fishmen would not stop bothering us!"

He said as he drove his spear into the heads into one of the Sahuagins. He was currently being pursued by a large group of over forty. Liu Xun would like to put up a fight, but they would escape once he starts initiating with them. Basically long drawn skirmishers they were, making use of the surrounding mud and water to avoid detection and ambush continuously.

Kiyuyu.

"Yeah, they are annoying. Too sneaky and exhausting to fight head-on, yet a pain in the ass to avoid."

The youth sighed as he ran towards another direction after impaling the single late-stage qi gathering Sahuagin before running off yet again.

"I hope we can find that spirit fruit tree you have been praising amply about."

Kiyu.

[Warning host, a spear is being launched from 8 o'clock. It is not targetted at you but at those Sahuagins.]

"Ohh, someone is attacking those pesky fishmen?"

The black-robed youth said in surprise as he looked out from the side. From the depths of the trees within the marshes, yellow sharp eyes glowed. The chasing Sahuagins noticed the counter-ambush by another predator from another direction. It was not nice to be third-partied. After careful deliberation, they all decided to retreat, leaving Liu Xun alone.

"System, area scan."

[Scanning the zone in front. 100 qi consumed.]

Liu Xun is curious now. Despite him running short of time, it would be nice to figure out the intent of the attack. A passerby, a friendly or is it another foe? The number of glowing eyes in the distance slowly increased as they raised from 1 pair to 3 to 5. Over time, he could sense at least 20 new beasts watching from the depths. By now, he was starting to feel slightly nervous as if they were more persistent and annoying compared to those fishmen he would have to move throughout the night. It was already the evening and he was pretty exhausted from moving around the entire day. He could still rely on Millie, but Liu Xun would prefer to try managing this journey with as little help as possible. A trial of fire to speak short of.

[Host, the results are in. There are 23 lizardmen within the vicinity. They are from the same group you have encountered previously.]

"Oh, now this will be interesting."

Liu Xun said with a slight sweat, they had not parted on the worst terms. Still, it wasn't the best terms considering how hostile they were towards him (specifically) due to the sequence of events. The youth slowly watched the groves as both sides had remained stationary for about an incense stick worth of time (5 minutes). Liu Xun looked at the cautious lizardmen who still remained in hiding, before shaking his head. He could no longer waste any more time.

However before he turned away, one of the hidden lizardmen stepped forward. It was a lizard with white glossy scales and ruby red eyes.

===

[Within a certain cave.]

Grawr.

"Hmm, what is it?"

"Why entrust so much?"

"You probably could not understand."

The large Sabertooth beast looked at its partner who was warming the remaining four eggs.

"When I looked initially, seemed to be a weak human cultivator."

"But that short fight proved his potential."

"And, something gives me a feeling that he will be greater than what I or you could ever be."

The beast spoke as it brought a wild pheasant that it hunted by her side.

"Anyway, just eat this for now."

"Do not worry about the other two."

"What is fate shall be left to fate."

Grawwwrawr.

"Indeed, you are right."

"I hope I made the right choice."

"You won't disappoint, right? Boy."