I Can Only Cultivate In A Game-Chapter 168: New Servant

Another two days passed in a blink, and the numerous activity at the Awakened Academy never slowed.

It was Friday again. The final lectures of the week had just wrapped up, and the halls were buzzing with talk of weekend plans, new gossip, and an anticipated sparring match between two upper-rank summoners scheduled for Saturday.

However, Victor had his mind set on something else entirely.

He had asked Amara to meet him privately in one of the secluded gardens on Saturday. Just the two of them. He wasn't even sure how he mustered the courage to ask her. Maybe Danny's relentless hype talk had finally gotten to him.

Either way, he was done hesitating.

If she truly felt something for him, then this was his chance.

For now, he pushed those thoughts aside and focused on what he could control. Training. Refinement. Cultivation.

After wrapping up his final warrior class lecture for the day, Victor took the long path back to his dorms.

Kairo, as usual, was nowhere to be found. Probably out slicing trees with that brooding expression he always wore. This was perfect for Victor.

Victor locked the door, pulled the blinds shut, and opened his bag to retrieve his hidden phone. Time to check his content.

The screen lit up with dozens of notifications.

New Comments. New Followers. New Donations.

Victor scrolled through the analytics. His recent uploads — clips from various morning routines, training exercises, and that awkwardly hilarious reaction video of Reed slipping during an obstacle course — were blowing up.

Millions of views. Tens of thousands of comments.

But most surprisingly?

It was the comments from the general public. People who had no clue what life inside the Awakened Academy looked like.

For years, its location had been a mystery. Only rumors and conspiracy theories floated around. But now? There was footage. Clear shots of first-year students battling, instructors shouting, mysterious facilities, and the sheer intensity of life inside the dome.

Some commenters questioned whether Victor was even allowed to post this. Others begged for more content. One person wrote: "Bro, are we even sure this is on Earth?" Another commented: "This is some SCP-level training grounds. What the hell are they preparing for?"

And another replied to the comment:

"Don't be dumb... have you forgotten that we literally have magical aliens outside the domed cities?"

Victor chuckled and replied to a few, keeping his tone casual and funny.

He skimmed through a few more comments and raised an eyebrow at one that read, "Dude's got the charisma of a cult leader. When's the merch drop?"

"Maybe I should actually do that," he muttered before tossing the phone aside with a grin.

"But can't until I get back..."

Once satisfied, he stretched, rolled his neck, and reached for his helmet.

It was time.

The device clicked into place as Victor slid beneath his blanket and logged into Ascendant Realms.

---

[Welcome back, Fang Chen...]

The familiar air of the Violet Spring Sect rushed around him as his avatar solidified. The spiritual energy in the atmosphere immediately responded to his presence, causing a light ripple in the qi around him.

He was still within the elegant chamber provided to Core Disciples. The smooth jade floors, the tranquil incense, the decorative spiritual scrolls lining the walls. It had all become comfortingly familiar.

Victor opened his interface and checked his status.

[Bloodline Integration: 46%]

It had slowed, just as Elder Mo said it would, but he was getting closer. Only four more percentage points to reach 50%. Elder Mo had told him to report once he hit that mark.

Something about teaching him a new technique.

Victor settled into his meditation pose, letting the gentle current of qi wash over him. He channeled the Bloodline Resonance Technique, allowing the qi to circulate deeply through his meridians, brushing against the core of his bloodline.

He felt things were getting a little dull and called out;

"Tarkos!"

Moments later, he heard footsteps.

"Would the great and mighty Fang Chen like another grape?"

Victor cracked one eye open and saw Tarkos, the Soul Transformation Realm assassin who had once tried to murder him, now dutifully kneeling beside him with a bowl of fresh spirit grapes.

Victor smirked.

"You forgot the honorific. It's Lord Fang Chen, Slayer of Shirtless Tattooed Men."

Tarkos rolled his eyes and offered a grape.

Victor accepted it and popped it into his mouth.

"Isn't this nice?" Victor voiced while reclining a little more. "They say all Core Disciples are entitled to one serving girl... but I don't need any. Not when I have you."

Tarkos sighed heavily.

"You know, the blood contract prevents me from killing you, but it doesn't say anything about passive-aggressive fruit service."

Victor laughed.

"Well, they won't let strangers in here so the only way you can really be in close proximity and help me out with the Jade Serpent Sect is to pretend to be my servant. Shut up and feed me another one."

Tarkos raised the bowl again while muttering something about divine punishments.

Victor grinned.

And as another grape popped between his teeth, Victor allowed himself to relax for a brief moment. Between deadly trials, assassination attempts, bounties, and broken bones, this? This wasn't so bad.

Not bad at all.

-

Victor remained steadfast in his goal. With each passing hour in Ascendant Realms, he sat cross-legged on the mat within his luxurious Core Disciple chamber, bathing in the dense qi of the Violet Spring Sect.

The Bloodline Resonance Technique surged through his veins with a rhythm so familiar now that it felt almost natural. He didn't allow his focus to waver. His goal was simple: raise his bloodline integration and strengthen his cultivation.

Tarkos who was kneeling loyally beside him with a bowl of glistening spirit grapes, had long stopped grumbling about his new role as Fang Chen's personal servant. Instead, he had adopted a resigned expression, occasionally tossing a grape into Victor's mouth without waiting to be asked.

"We're going after the Jade Serpent Sect... later," Victor mumbled between chews with his eyes still closed in concentration.

"Of course," Tarkos muttered before plucking another grape. "Conquer the world. But only after snack time."