Chapter 2721 - 2722: Decision

Perhaps due to the hectic days earlier without proper rest, Feng Yuan has been sleeping long hours recently, waking naturally close to noon. By then, the details of the challenge have already been officially announced.

Predictably, this is a test of strength. Unlike usual tests, the challenge presents an equal number of enemies, but these enemies directly counter the Beastmasters’ beasts involved in the challenge. In fact, officials even tested that entering the challenge in a primal stance and then transitioning to the Qi Realm Stance would change the corresponding enemies.

Although physical strength and energy won’t recover, the counteraction remains.

This means that conventional tricks are almost useless; regardless of any external forces brought into the challenge, the enemy’s strength will adapt accordingly.

But Veronia believes this wouldn’t affect Feng Yuan, as that guy’s power is undetectable by the world if he doesn’t want it to be.

Obviously, besides his own beasts, Feng Yuan wouldn’t intervene, even with Qi Chen and others. Although the Ascension Stone has no side effects, the phrase "virtue is not matched" still holds true, as the test is meant to evaluate their capability to manage the surging power.

It’s not about control power but temperament; losing rationale due to inflated strength steps outside the side-effect-free scope of the Ascension Stone. After all, temperament is part of the assessment aside from battlefield rewards in the distribution of Ascension Stones.

Feng Yuan didn’t tell Xiao Ji that if they challenge, the Ascension Stone is, in fact, a Level 2 Enhancement Stone, not a regular Ascension Stone.

Although Feng Yuan hasn’t joined the United Army, he has made significant contributions to the offensive operation against the Imperial Timeline, directly crippling the highest echelons of the Mordan Empire, forcing them into a defensive position, and had previously damaged the territory of the East Continent Great Xia Alliance during the operation.

Similarly, those who had previously attacked the Imperial Timeline, although their merits weren’t directly converted into Ascension Stones, their contributions would be acknowledged in the Ascension challenge.

Either by upgrading the enhancement level of the Ascension Stone or lowering the difficulty, these details haven’t been disclosed.

Naturally, Feng Yuan is aware of these matters, but he doesn’t mention them because it serves no purpose; everything is set upon public release.

After waking, Feng Yuan didn’t have breakfast and went to find Xiao Ji first. Not knowing whether Xiao Ji had eaten during his nap, he assumed not.

Xiao Ji still remained in its original spot; Feng Yuan approached and curiously patted Xiao Ji’s back, saying

"What’s going on? Is the matter so hard to decide? Whatever choice you make, as long as there’s no regret, it’s fine. Overthinking things isn’t like you at all."

Turning to face Feng Yuan, Xiao Ji let out a soft cry, tempted by the Ascension Stone, yet... uncertain if it can accept the associated price, as it’s an irreversible decision with not much time left for hesitations.

Seeing this, Feng Yuan could only pick Xiao Ji up, gently patting its belly with soothing words. By then, Feng Yuan dared not say more about the Ascension Stone, fearing he might sway Xiao Ji’s choice.

Along the way, enjoying Feng Yuan’s rare attentive care, Xiao Ji made its decision at the dining hall entrance. With a determined gaze, it struggled out of Feng Yuan’s arms, dashing forward as Feng Yuan helplessly shook his head and hurriedly followed.

Veronia noticed the change in Xiao Ji’s expression, letting out a light hum, curious about how the other party would choose.

Feng Yuan didn’t plan to combine the meals, so he didn’t have much for breakfast. After finishing, he inquired Liao Yu about the challenge.

Although rank-wise, Liao Yu was just an ordinary member of the Special Duty Team, Feng Yuan knew that inquiries with him would definitely yield desired answers since the higher-ups understood Feng Yuan’s habit of contacting Liao Yu and his team.

The information isn’t secret, already fully disclosed across all channels. After all, this challenge affects everyone’s heart; they couldn’t keep it under wraps, especially since the challenge occurs in Subspace, without participant limits. Anyone can attempt it at any time during the three days until they pass.

Of course, based on the compiled information, not just ordinary folks; even for Beastmasters, achieving through it seems less likely than imagined.

Faced with opponents slightly stronger and specializing in countering, it’s not easy to handle. Beastmasters with too one-dimensional combat methods might as well announce early elimination.

Besides them, other Beastmasters also face difficulty passing. If deploying their beasts in team format, the challenge becomes nightmarish.

Fortunately, the pass attempts restrict the beasts, not the Beastmasters, allowing them to challenge with one beast at a time until all pass.

Yet, even renowned Beastmasters might struggle to achieve a full-team pass.

At least, attempting team mode seems almost impossible, considering opponents are slightly stronger and countering the team smoothly.

Even Feng Yuan himself wouldn’t want to encounter such absurdly strong opponents; without even trying, he could conjecture what kind of terrifying enemies would appear if Xiao Ji and the Fluffy Fire Wolfhound teamed up.

Regrettably, Xiao Ji and the Fluffy Fire Wolfhound lack this awareness, or perhaps their confidence allows them to believe Xiao Ji can effortlessly lead the Fluffy Fire Wolfhound to victory.

Indeed, Xiao Ji finally decided to use the Ascension Stone, desiring to truly partake in battles rather than merely seeking chances to ambush as it does now.

"You’re not stopping them? I don’t know what changes might occur, but... they probably won’t succeed in the team mode."

After translating Xiao Ji’s and the Fluffy Fire Wolfhound’s conversation, Veronia leaned close to Feng Yuan’s ear, whispering her doubts why he hadn’t stopped Xiao Ji and the Fluffy Fire Wolfhound’s reckless decision.

"With unlimited challenge attempts and no consequences even upon failure, why stop it? Excessive confidence isn’t a good thing."

Feng Yuan shrugged, utterly indifferent to the matter. Although Xiao Ji and the others might face setbacks, that’s it; considering the difficulty, he doesn’t believe Xiao Ji and the others could team-pass, even if Xiao Ji utilizes Divine Beast Techniques.

Feng Yuan trusts that the opponents would measure even the Divine Beast Technique’s and the Divine Beast’s power; though ensuring no outright crush due to the Divine Beast’s uniqueness, truly boosting enemy strength slightly while specifically targeting wouldn’t succeed.

Nonetheless, difficulty still exists; however, compared to other Spirit Beasts, Divine Beasts by nature have relatively lower difficulty in generating opponents.

In such instances, the difference in strength has an especially prominent impact.

"Let’s head to Kuocha Village. The nearest challenge location’s there; I’ll inform the Li Mountain Village team before departing."

Glancing at the confident Xiao Ji and Fluffy Fire Wolfhound, Feng Yuan spoke with a smile, omitting warnings about potential consequences, as telling them wouldn’t convince them to listen. Let them find out for themselves.

Veronia knew these landing spots, yet had no interest as participating in challenges affords no benefits for Divine Beasts, with enemies equally as strong. Currently, not battle-inclined, it naturally avoids unnecessary fights.

Kuocha Village, just an ordinary settlement in the Tea Wood Town Area; before now, no one imagined the challenge would place near this temporarily uninhabited settlement.

Due to most Beastmasters involved in Maomu City’s defensive operations everywhere, gathering Beastmasters here were those temporarily dispatched from Tea Wood Town Area and who weren’t involved in defensive tasks.

They aren’t intruding the village but pitching tents outside, finding places to live. It’s not that nobody considered lodging in Kuocha Village, yet the villagers aren’t here; official Beastmasters dispatched from Tea Wood Town guard it, preventing locals’ assets from harm.

Those individuals, though strong, refrain from offending officials; otherwise, given the situation now, they might face harsh retaliation.

When Feng Yuan arrived, what he saw was a vast campsite. Those Beastmasters unengaged in summons generally aren’t weak, also drifting away from safety zones, actively exploring outside.

Hence, equipped with full camping gear, they established their base enduring three days of earnest preparations after the official team arrived.

"It’s really lively here."

Observing the crowd, Feng Yuan couldn’t help but remark, to which Veronia lightly hummed

"Mostly just some somewhat hopeless folks."